Sunday, October 9, 2011
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Stay Motivated
Even the most motivated of employees occasionally experience a slump and need a boost to regain their normal motivation levels. This article presents seven methods to stay motivated at work and enhance performance when you are going through a period of low motivation.
It is well known that motivated employees are happier, more energetic, more enthusiastic, more productive, more driven and better performing than their unmotivated peers. Employers are always on the lookout for motivated employees and realize that motivation is often contagious and has positive spillover effects on the whole team. Even the most motivated of employees however, experience an occasional slump and need a boost to regain their normal motivation levels. Below, from the career experts at the Middle East's #1 job site Bayt.com, are 7 methods to stay motivated at work and enhance performance when you are going through a period of low motivation.
1. Clarify your goals
Nothing is more demotivating than working haphazardly without having a clear vision, mission and set of objectives for your work. Without a clear vision and knowledge of how your work impacts the big picture you may well end up spending a lot of time on urgent unimportant matters rater than tasks that positively impact the big picture. Clarify in no uncertain terms your vision, mission and objectives and focus on them beginning always with the end in mind. It is remarkable what you will achieve once you have honed in on your precise goals and can focus on them and visualize yourself achieving them.
2. Establish a clear gameplan for achieving your goals
Once you have clarified your vision and goals, formulate a detailed strategy for getting there and chart your progress on a regular and ongoing basis. Break down large complex projects into a series of manageable tasks that are interesting and achievable. Having a blueprint for success that is composed of clear, sensible milestones and achievable interesting tasks will greatly simplify and lend meaning to your daily routine and will also give you a feeling of control over your work and deadlines which largely boosts motivation. The more organized you are and can focus and adhere to accomplishing your goals according to your detailed blueprint for success, the more motivated you will be and the less likely you are to fall into a fit of panic or insecurity and lose confidence and motivation.
3. Ride the Wave of your Successes
Success is very stimulating. Work hard enough to achieve successful results and see how motivated you are to achieve further successes as you excel in your performance. Work hard, aim to overachieve your goals and ride the momentum of each success to achieve further successes. Remind yourself that once your vision is clear and you have a set of well-defined, reasonable objectives and milestones to reach, the secret of success is hard work, creativity and perseverance. Aim to ride the wave of each success to further the next success and channel the positive energy to achieving similar superlative performance in your next task or project. It is not always that you can ride the wave of euphoria that arises from a sound success story so make sure you leverage and take advantage of these bursts of energy and motivation to the extent possible.
4. Reward yourself
Reward yourself as you achieve your objectives and/or reach specific important milestones. Plan ahead what forms this reward will take and what tasks/projects/results will be rewarded. This will give you something to look forward to, extra drive to get there and a surge of excitement and enthusiasm when you do attain your desired goals.
5. Keep Things in Perspective
It is important to keep things in perspective and always remind yourself of why you work. Beside the pay, it is often about realizing your potential, feeling alive and useful, feeling connected, making a difference in the world, expressing creativity, expanding your skills and abilities, helping others and contributing to the community. List the reasons you entered the field you are in and when times are tough remind yourself of why you do the work you do. Also remind yourself that work is work and that you have a life outside of work to look forward to, enjoy and make a difference in.
6. Maintain a healthy work/life balance
It is very easy to lose yourself at work and forget what awaits you outside of the work arena. Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is essential both for your general motivation level and your overall wellbeing. Make sure you take the time to do the things you like to do outside of work whether it be connecting with friends and family, exercising, reading, taking courses, shopping or other hobbies and activities that channel your creativity and energy. Having something to look forward to after work will see you through moments of drudgery at work when your motivation and energy levels are not as high as they could be and will also make you more productive at work.
7. Think positive
Negativity is a contagious affliction that drains you of energy, slows you down, saps your enthusiasm and blinds you to the reasons you work. Avoid negative feelings at all costs and concentrate on the positive. To do this, listen to motivational tapes, to music that particularly inspires you, read motivational books, talk to inspired or inspiring people, surround yourself with positive stimuli and concentrate on the reasons you work. Find things to laugh at as long as you are not laughing at your peers and count your blessings at every opportunity. Focus on positives regardless of how small or inconsequential they are whether it be a positive remark from a boss or peer, accomplishing your day's goals earlier than usual, overachieving on a small deliverable, working well with people, a looming vacation, completing a difficult task or any other positive stimulus.
It is well known that motivated employees are happier, more energetic, more enthusiastic, more productive, more driven and better performing than their unmotivated peers. Employers are always on the lookout for motivated employees and realize that motivation is often contagious and has positive spillover effects on the whole team. Even the most motivated of employees however, experience an occasional slump and need a boost to regain their normal motivation levels. Below, from the career experts at the Middle East's #1 job site Bayt.com, are 7 methods to stay motivated at work and enhance performance when you are going through a period of low motivation.
1. Clarify your goals
Nothing is more demotivating than working haphazardly without having a clear vision, mission and set of objectives for your work. Without a clear vision and knowledge of how your work impacts the big picture you may well end up spending a lot of time on urgent unimportant matters rater than tasks that positively impact the big picture. Clarify in no uncertain terms your vision, mission and objectives and focus on them beginning always with the end in mind. It is remarkable what you will achieve once you have honed in on your precise goals and can focus on them and visualize yourself achieving them.
2. Establish a clear gameplan for achieving your goals
Once you have clarified your vision and goals, formulate a detailed strategy for getting there and chart your progress on a regular and ongoing basis. Break down large complex projects into a series of manageable tasks that are interesting and achievable. Having a blueprint for success that is composed of clear, sensible milestones and achievable interesting tasks will greatly simplify and lend meaning to your daily routine and will also give you a feeling of control over your work and deadlines which largely boosts motivation. The more organized you are and can focus and adhere to accomplishing your goals according to your detailed blueprint for success, the more motivated you will be and the less likely you are to fall into a fit of panic or insecurity and lose confidence and motivation.
3. Ride the Wave of your Successes
Success is very stimulating. Work hard enough to achieve successful results and see how motivated you are to achieve further successes as you excel in your performance. Work hard, aim to overachieve your goals and ride the momentum of each success to achieve further successes. Remind yourself that once your vision is clear and you have a set of well-defined, reasonable objectives and milestones to reach, the secret of success is hard work, creativity and perseverance. Aim to ride the wave of each success to further the next success and channel the positive energy to achieving similar superlative performance in your next task or project. It is not always that you can ride the wave of euphoria that arises from a sound success story so make sure you leverage and take advantage of these bursts of energy and motivation to the extent possible.
4. Reward yourself
Reward yourself as you achieve your objectives and/or reach specific important milestones. Plan ahead what forms this reward will take and what tasks/projects/results will be rewarded. This will give you something to look forward to, extra drive to get there and a surge of excitement and enthusiasm when you do attain your desired goals.
5. Keep Things in Perspective
It is important to keep things in perspective and always remind yourself of why you work. Beside the pay, it is often about realizing your potential, feeling alive and useful, feeling connected, making a difference in the world, expressing creativity, expanding your skills and abilities, helping others and contributing to the community. List the reasons you entered the field you are in and when times are tough remind yourself of why you do the work you do. Also remind yourself that work is work and that you have a life outside of work to look forward to, enjoy and make a difference in.
6. Maintain a healthy work/life balance
It is very easy to lose yourself at work and forget what awaits you outside of the work arena. Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is essential both for your general motivation level and your overall wellbeing. Make sure you take the time to do the things you like to do outside of work whether it be connecting with friends and family, exercising, reading, taking courses, shopping or other hobbies and activities that channel your creativity and energy. Having something to look forward to after work will see you through moments of drudgery at work when your motivation and energy levels are not as high as they could be and will also make you more productive at work.
7. Think positive
Negativity is a contagious affliction that drains you of energy, slows you down, saps your enthusiasm and blinds you to the reasons you work. Avoid negative feelings at all costs and concentrate on the positive. To do this, listen to motivational tapes, to music that particularly inspires you, read motivational books, talk to inspired or inspiring people, surround yourself with positive stimuli and concentrate on the reasons you work. Find things to laugh at as long as you are not laughing at your peers and count your blessings at every opportunity. Focus on positives regardless of how small or inconsequential they are whether it be a positive remark from a boss or peer, accomplishing your day's goals earlier than usual, overachieving on a small deliverable, working well with people, a looming vacation, completing a difficult task or any other positive stimulus.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
KNOWLEDGE QUOTES AND SAYINGS
The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder. ~Ralph W. Sockman
Knowledge is a sacred cow, and my problem will be how we can milk her while keeping clear of her horns. ~Albert Szent-Györgyi, "Teaching and Expanding Knowledge," Science, 4 December 1964
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance. ~Confucius
Knowledge is haunted by the ghost of past opinion. ~Author Unknown
A love affair with knowledge will never end in heartbreak. ~Michael Garrett Marino
In your thirst for knowledge, be sure not to drown in all the information. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book
What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child. ~George Bernard Shaw
One part of knowledge consists in being ignorant of such things as are not worthy to be known. ~Crates
The greatest obstacle to discovering the shape of the earth, the continents and the ocean was not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge. ~Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers
Of course there's a lot of knowledge in universities: the freshmen bring a little in; the seniors don't take much away, so knowledge sort of accumulates. ~Abbott Lawrence Lowell
All our knowledge merely helps us to die a more painful death than animals that know nothing. ~Maurice Maeterlinck
Knowledge is the true organ of sight, not the eyes. ~Panchatantra
http://www.quotegarden.com/knowledge.html
Knowledge is a sacred cow, and my problem will be how we can milk her while keeping clear of her horns. ~Albert Szent-Györgyi, "Teaching and Expanding Knowledge," Science, 4 December 1964
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance. ~Confucius
Knowledge is haunted by the ghost of past opinion. ~Author Unknown
A love affair with knowledge will never end in heartbreak. ~Michael Garrett Marino
In your thirst for knowledge, be sure not to drown in all the information. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book
What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child. ~George Bernard Shaw
One part of knowledge consists in being ignorant of such things as are not worthy to be known. ~Crates
The greatest obstacle to discovering the shape of the earth, the continents and the ocean was not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge. ~Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers
Of course there's a lot of knowledge in universities: the freshmen bring a little in; the seniors don't take much away, so knowledge sort of accumulates. ~Abbott Lawrence Lowell
All our knowledge merely helps us to die a more painful death than animals that know nothing. ~Maurice Maeterlinck
Knowledge is the true organ of sight, not the eyes. ~Panchatantra
http://www.quotegarden.com/knowledge.html
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sani Peyarchi 26th June 2009 for Katakam Rasi ( Cancer )
Somehow, you have managed your Ezharai Andu Sani. You are getting relieved of it now. After a day long hard work, when you relax, the relief is something great. It is an exceptional feeling. You are going to have it.
When you relax, it is not that all your problems are gone for ever. But now you can sigh in the sense of relief.
Kataga Raasi people normally have the courage and wisdom to handle any tough situation the in which you handled your time in the past is going to vouch its rewards now.
Sani is now in the 3rd place. In the first around 3 months Guru is 7th place. This gives relatively an advantage where you can assess your past and measure your future.
When Guru moves into Kumbam, it becomes your Ashtama Guru and will be giving some headache for a year.
Even then, Ashtama Guru and Thrithiya Sani (3rd place Sani) will not stop any impending Subha Karya in the family.
If a marriage is due in your family, it will happen during this first one year in spite of the fact that there is Ashtama Guru.
Relatives will reunite with you. There will be inflow of guests and friends and relatives will share their happiness with you and your family.
Financial flow will be tight for an year - but will not be problematic. After one year, it will also ease.
There will be some health concerns about the health of the father or grand father. It may attract medical expenses. But there is no room for anxiety. Health and well being of the children may cause some anxiety.
There will be some setback, in some cases, in the employment of the children. Exceptionally with some, loss of job may also affect the children.
This will give some mental worry. But children will regain their position during 2011 or early 2010.
Reference :
www.raajayogam.com
When you relax, it is not that all your problems are gone for ever. But now you can sigh in the sense of relief.
Kataga Raasi people normally have the courage and wisdom to handle any tough situation the in which you handled your time in the past is going to vouch its rewards now.
Sani is now in the 3rd place. In the first around 3 months Guru is 7th place. This gives relatively an advantage where you can assess your past and measure your future.
When Guru moves into Kumbam, it becomes your Ashtama Guru and will be giving some headache for a year.
Even then, Ashtama Guru and Thrithiya Sani (3rd place Sani) will not stop any impending Subha Karya in the family.
If a marriage is due in your family, it will happen during this first one year in spite of the fact that there is Ashtama Guru.
Relatives will reunite with you. There will be inflow of guests and friends and relatives will share their happiness with you and your family.
Financial flow will be tight for an year - but will not be problematic. After one year, it will also ease.
There will be some health concerns about the health of the father or grand father. It may attract medical expenses. But there is no room for anxiety. Health and well being of the children may cause some anxiety.
There will be some setback, in some cases, in the employment of the children. Exceptionally with some, loss of job may also affect the children.
This will give some mental worry. But children will regain their position during 2011 or early 2010.
Reference :
www.raajayogam.com
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Dr. Abdul Kalam
ONE HUNDRED TAMILS
OF THE 20TH CENTURY
Abdul Kalam
[see also Abdul Kalam.Com ; A P J Abdul Kalam;
Indians of 20th Century - A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
and *Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of A.P. J Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari]
Dr Avil Pakir Jalaluddin Abdul Kalam, pioneer of India's missile programme, was awarded the country's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, in 1997, for his immense and valuable contribution to the scientific research and modernisation of defence technology. Kalam was born on October 15, 1931 in the temple town of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. Kalam went to the Schwartz High School, Ramanathapuram. A graduate of St. Joseph College, Tiruchi, Kalam specialised in aero engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology, his only stint abroad was a four-month visit to NASA in the United States. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was born on October 15, 1931.Kalam was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1990.
________________________________________
Excerpts from Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of A.P. J Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari:
"I will not be presumptuous enough to say that my life can be a role model for anybody; but some poor child living in an obscure place, in an underprivileged social setting may find a little solace in the way my destiny has been shaped. It could perhaps help such children liberate themselves from the bondage of their illusory backwardness and hopelessness?.."
"On Republic Day 1990, the nation celebrated the success of its missile programme. I was conferred the Padma Vibhushan along with Dr Arunachalam. Two of my other colleagues, J.C. Bhattacharya and R.N. Agarwal, were also decorated with the Padma Shree awards. It was the first time in the history of free India that so many scientists affiliated to the same organisation found their names in the awards list. Memories of the Padma Bhushan award given a decade ago came alive.
I still lived more or less as I had lived then , in a room ten feet wide and twelve feet long, furnished mainly with books, papers and a few pieces of hired furniture. At that time, my room was in Trivandrum and now it was in Hyderabad. The mess bearer brought my breakfast of idlis and buttermilk and smiled in silent congratulations for the award.
I was touched by the recognition bestowed on me by my countrymen. A large number of scientists and engineers leave this country at their first opportunity to earn money abroad. It is true that they definitely get greater monetary benefits, but could anything compensate for this love and respect from your own countrymen?
I sat alone for quite some time in silent contemplation. The sand and shells of Rameswaram; the care of Iyadurai Solomon in Ramanathapuram; the guidance of Rev. Father Sequeira in Trichi and Prof. Pandalai in Madras, the encouragement of Dr Mediratta in Bangalore; the hovercraft ride with Prof. Menon, the pre-dawn visit to the Tilpat Range with Prof. Sarabhai; the healing touch of Dr Brahm Prakash on the day of the SLV-3 failure; the national jubilation on the SLV-3 launch; Madam Gandhi's appreciative smile, the post-SLV-3 simmering at VSSC, Dr Ramanna's faith in inviting me to DRDO; the IGMDP, the creation of RCI, Prithvi, Agni... a gust of memories swept over me. Where were all these men now? My father, Prof. Sarabhai, Dr Brahm Prakash? Could I meet them and share my joy with them?
In a state of trance, I acquired my double status, as a child of heaven and of earth. The paternal forces of heaven and the maternal and cosmic forces of nature embraced me as parents hug their long-lost child. I scribbled in my diary:
Away! fond thoughts, and vex my soul no more!
Work claimed my wakeful nights, my busy days
Albeit brought memories of Rameswaram shore
Yet haunt my dreaming gaze!
I went to Madurai Kamaraj University the same month to deliver their convocation address. When I reached Madurai, I enquired about my high school teacher Iyadurai Solomon, by now a Reverend and 80 years old. I was told that he lived in a suburb of Madurai. I took a taxi and searched for his house. Rev. Solomon knew that I was going to give the convocation address that day. He, however, had no way of getting there. There was an emotional reunion between teacher and pupil. Dr. PC Alexander, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, who was presiding over the function, was deeply moved on seeing the elderly teacher who had not forgotten his pupil of long ago, and requested him to share the dais.
"Every convocation day of every University is like opening the floodgates of energy which, once harnessed by institutions, organisations and industry, aids in nation-building," I told the young graduates. Somehow I felt I was echoing Rev. Solomon's words, spoken about half a century ago. After my lecture, I bowed down before my teacher. "Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcended," I told Rev. Solomon. "You have not only reached my goals, Kalam! You have eclipsed them", he told me in a voice choking with emotion......
________________________________________
....The year 1991 started on a very ominous note. On the night of 15 January 1991, the Gulf War broke out between Iraq and the Allied Forces led by the USA. In one stroke, thanks to satellite television invading Indian skies by that time, rockets and missiles captured the imagination of the entire nation. People started discussing Scuds and Patriots in coffee houses and tea shops. Children began flying paper kites shaped like missiles, and playing war games on the lines of what they heard on American television networks.
The successful test firing of Prithvi and Trishul during the course of the Gulf War was sufficient to make an anxious nation relax. The newspaper reports of the programmable trajectory capability of the Prithvi and Trishul guidance system, using microwave frequencies in virtually unjammable bands, created widespread awareness. The nation was quick to draw parallels between the missiles operational in the Gulf War and our own warhead carriers. A common query I encountered was whether Prithvi was superior to a Scud, whether Akash could perform like a Patriot, and so on. Hearing a "Yes" or a "Why not?" from me, people's faces would light up with pride and satisfaction.
The Allied Forces had a marked technological edge, as they were fielding systems built using the technologies of the eighties and nineties. Iraq was fighting with the by-and-large vintage weapon systems of the sixties and seventies.
Now, this is where the key to the modern world order lies, superiority through technology. Deprive the opponent, known and potential, of the latest technology and then dictate your terms in an unequal contest.....
After the Gulf War concluded with the victory of the technologically superior Allied Forces, over 500 scientists of DRDL and RCI gathered to discuss issues that had emerged. I posed a question before the assembly: was technology or weapon symmetry with other nations feasible, and if yes, should it be attempted? The discussion led to many more serious questions, such as, how to establish effective electronic warfare support? How to make missile development proceed apace with the development of equally necessary systems like the LCA; and what were the key areas where a push would bring progress?
At the end of a lively discussion spread over three hours, the consensus emerged that there was no way to redress asymmetry in military capability except to have the same capability in specific areas as your potential opponent. The scientists vowed to achieve a reduced CEP in the accuracy of Prithvi's delivery, perfecting the Ka band guidance system for Trishul and realising all carbon-carbon re-entry control surfaces for Agni by the end of the year. The vow was later fulfilled. The year also saw tube-launched Nag flights, and the manoeuvre of Trishul at seven metres above sea level at speeds which exceeded three times the speed of sound. The latter was a breakthrough in the development of an indigenous ship-launched anti-sea-skimmer missile.
The same year, I received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from the IIT, Bombay. In the citation read by Prof. B. Nag on the occasion, I was described as "an inspiration behind the creation of a solid technological base from which India's future aerospace programmes can be launched to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century". Well, perhaps Prof. Nag was only being polite, but I do believe that India will enter the next century with its own satellite in geo-stationary orbit 36,000 km away in space, positioned by its own launch vehicle. India will also become a missile power...Even though the world may not be seeing its full potential or feeling its full power, no one dare ignore it any more.....
________________________________________
....On 15 October, I turned sixty. I looked forward to superannuating and planned to open a school for less privileged, but talented children. My friend, Prof. P. Rama Rao, who was heading the Department of Science and Technology in the Government of India, even struck a partnership with me to establish what he called a Rao-Kalam school. We were unanimous in our opinion that carrying out certain missions and reaching certain milestones, however important they may be or however impressive they might appear to be, cannot be the final sum of human life. But we had to postpone our plan as neither of us was relieved by the Government of India. It was during this period that I decided to put down my memories and express my observations and opinions on certain issues.
The biggest problem Indian youth faced, I felt, was a lack of clarity of vision, a lack of direction. It was then that I decided to write about the circumstances and people who made me what I am today; the idea was not merely to pay tribute to some individuals or highlight certain aspects of my life. What I wanted to say was that no one, however poor, underprivileged or small, need feel disheartened about life. Problems are a part of life. Suffering is the essence of success. As someone said :
God has not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our life through;
God has not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
I will not be presumptuous enough to say that my life can be a role model for anybody; but some poor child living in an obscure place, in an underprivileged social setting may find a little solace in the way my destiny has been shaped. It could perhaps help such children liberate themselves from the bondage of their illusory backwardness and hopelessness?..."
OF THE 20TH CENTURY
Abdul Kalam
[see also Abdul Kalam.Com ; A P J Abdul Kalam;
Indians of 20th Century - A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
and *Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of A.P. J Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari]
Dr Avil Pakir Jalaluddin Abdul Kalam, pioneer of India's missile programme, was awarded the country's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, in 1997, for his immense and valuable contribution to the scientific research and modernisation of defence technology. Kalam was born on October 15, 1931 in the temple town of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. Kalam went to the Schwartz High School, Ramanathapuram. A graduate of St. Joseph College, Tiruchi, Kalam specialised in aero engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology, his only stint abroad was a four-month visit to NASA in the United States. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was born on October 15, 1931.Kalam was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1990.
________________________________________
Excerpts from Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of A.P. J Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari:
"I will not be presumptuous enough to say that my life can be a role model for anybody; but some poor child living in an obscure place, in an underprivileged social setting may find a little solace in the way my destiny has been shaped. It could perhaps help such children liberate themselves from the bondage of their illusory backwardness and hopelessness?.."
"On Republic Day 1990, the nation celebrated the success of its missile programme. I was conferred the Padma Vibhushan along with Dr Arunachalam. Two of my other colleagues, J.C. Bhattacharya and R.N. Agarwal, were also decorated with the Padma Shree awards. It was the first time in the history of free India that so many scientists affiliated to the same organisation found their names in the awards list. Memories of the Padma Bhushan award given a decade ago came alive.
I still lived more or less as I had lived then , in a room ten feet wide and twelve feet long, furnished mainly with books, papers and a few pieces of hired furniture. At that time, my room was in Trivandrum and now it was in Hyderabad. The mess bearer brought my breakfast of idlis and buttermilk and smiled in silent congratulations for the award.
I was touched by the recognition bestowed on me by my countrymen. A large number of scientists and engineers leave this country at their first opportunity to earn money abroad. It is true that they definitely get greater monetary benefits, but could anything compensate for this love and respect from your own countrymen?
I sat alone for quite some time in silent contemplation. The sand and shells of Rameswaram; the care of Iyadurai Solomon in Ramanathapuram; the guidance of Rev. Father Sequeira in Trichi and Prof. Pandalai in Madras, the encouragement of Dr Mediratta in Bangalore; the hovercraft ride with Prof. Menon, the pre-dawn visit to the Tilpat Range with Prof. Sarabhai; the healing touch of Dr Brahm Prakash on the day of the SLV-3 failure; the national jubilation on the SLV-3 launch; Madam Gandhi's appreciative smile, the post-SLV-3 simmering at VSSC, Dr Ramanna's faith in inviting me to DRDO; the IGMDP, the creation of RCI, Prithvi, Agni... a gust of memories swept over me. Where were all these men now? My father, Prof. Sarabhai, Dr Brahm Prakash? Could I meet them and share my joy with them?
In a state of trance, I acquired my double status, as a child of heaven and of earth. The paternal forces of heaven and the maternal and cosmic forces of nature embraced me as parents hug their long-lost child. I scribbled in my diary:
Away! fond thoughts, and vex my soul no more!
Work claimed my wakeful nights, my busy days
Albeit brought memories of Rameswaram shore
Yet haunt my dreaming gaze!
I went to Madurai Kamaraj University the same month to deliver their convocation address. When I reached Madurai, I enquired about my high school teacher Iyadurai Solomon, by now a Reverend and 80 years old. I was told that he lived in a suburb of Madurai. I took a taxi and searched for his house. Rev. Solomon knew that I was going to give the convocation address that day. He, however, had no way of getting there. There was an emotional reunion between teacher and pupil. Dr. PC Alexander, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, who was presiding over the function, was deeply moved on seeing the elderly teacher who had not forgotten his pupil of long ago, and requested him to share the dais.
"Every convocation day of every University is like opening the floodgates of energy which, once harnessed by institutions, organisations and industry, aids in nation-building," I told the young graduates. Somehow I felt I was echoing Rev. Solomon's words, spoken about half a century ago. After my lecture, I bowed down before my teacher. "Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcended," I told Rev. Solomon. "You have not only reached my goals, Kalam! You have eclipsed them", he told me in a voice choking with emotion......
________________________________________
....The year 1991 started on a very ominous note. On the night of 15 January 1991, the Gulf War broke out between Iraq and the Allied Forces led by the USA. In one stroke, thanks to satellite television invading Indian skies by that time, rockets and missiles captured the imagination of the entire nation. People started discussing Scuds and Patriots in coffee houses and tea shops. Children began flying paper kites shaped like missiles, and playing war games on the lines of what they heard on American television networks.
The successful test firing of Prithvi and Trishul during the course of the Gulf War was sufficient to make an anxious nation relax. The newspaper reports of the programmable trajectory capability of the Prithvi and Trishul guidance system, using microwave frequencies in virtually unjammable bands, created widespread awareness. The nation was quick to draw parallels between the missiles operational in the Gulf War and our own warhead carriers. A common query I encountered was whether Prithvi was superior to a Scud, whether Akash could perform like a Patriot, and so on. Hearing a "Yes" or a "Why not?" from me, people's faces would light up with pride and satisfaction.
The Allied Forces had a marked technological edge, as they were fielding systems built using the technologies of the eighties and nineties. Iraq was fighting with the by-and-large vintage weapon systems of the sixties and seventies.
Now, this is where the key to the modern world order lies, superiority through technology. Deprive the opponent, known and potential, of the latest technology and then dictate your terms in an unequal contest.....
After the Gulf War concluded with the victory of the technologically superior Allied Forces, over 500 scientists of DRDL and RCI gathered to discuss issues that had emerged. I posed a question before the assembly: was technology or weapon symmetry with other nations feasible, and if yes, should it be attempted? The discussion led to many more serious questions, such as, how to establish effective electronic warfare support? How to make missile development proceed apace with the development of equally necessary systems like the LCA; and what were the key areas where a push would bring progress?
At the end of a lively discussion spread over three hours, the consensus emerged that there was no way to redress asymmetry in military capability except to have the same capability in specific areas as your potential opponent. The scientists vowed to achieve a reduced CEP in the accuracy of Prithvi's delivery, perfecting the Ka band guidance system for Trishul and realising all carbon-carbon re-entry control surfaces for Agni by the end of the year. The vow was later fulfilled. The year also saw tube-launched Nag flights, and the manoeuvre of Trishul at seven metres above sea level at speeds which exceeded three times the speed of sound. The latter was a breakthrough in the development of an indigenous ship-launched anti-sea-skimmer missile.
The same year, I received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from the IIT, Bombay. In the citation read by Prof. B. Nag on the occasion, I was described as "an inspiration behind the creation of a solid technological base from which India's future aerospace programmes can be launched to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century". Well, perhaps Prof. Nag was only being polite, but I do believe that India will enter the next century with its own satellite in geo-stationary orbit 36,000 km away in space, positioned by its own launch vehicle. India will also become a missile power...Even though the world may not be seeing its full potential or feeling its full power, no one dare ignore it any more.....
________________________________________
....On 15 October, I turned sixty. I looked forward to superannuating and planned to open a school for less privileged, but talented children. My friend, Prof. P. Rama Rao, who was heading the Department of Science and Technology in the Government of India, even struck a partnership with me to establish what he called a Rao-Kalam school. We were unanimous in our opinion that carrying out certain missions and reaching certain milestones, however important they may be or however impressive they might appear to be, cannot be the final sum of human life. But we had to postpone our plan as neither of us was relieved by the Government of India. It was during this period that I decided to put down my memories and express my observations and opinions on certain issues.
The biggest problem Indian youth faced, I felt, was a lack of clarity of vision, a lack of direction. It was then that I decided to write about the circumstances and people who made me what I am today; the idea was not merely to pay tribute to some individuals or highlight certain aspects of my life. What I wanted to say was that no one, however poor, underprivileged or small, need feel disheartened about life. Problems are a part of life. Suffering is the essence of success. As someone said :
God has not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our life through;
God has not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
I will not be presumptuous enough to say that my life can be a role model for anybody; but some poor child living in an obscure place, in an underprivileged social setting may find a little solace in the way my destiny has been shaped. It could perhaps help such children liberate themselves from the bondage of their illusory backwardness and hopelessness?..."
Monday, August 31, 2009
Comments By Fabio Cappello on Wayne Rooney
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"Rooney reminds me of Raul"
England coach, Fabio Capello sees similarities between Man United striker Wayne Rooney and Real Madrid great, Raul.
Capello who has had the chance to coach both players reckons both players have the same style of playing, from their off-ball running to the way they lead the line.
He told the Sunday People, "Rooney is still incredibly young and he can still improve a lot. He is scoring goals but I know he can score more," said the Italian.
"Of all the players I have played with and coached, the one he reminds me of most is Raul.
"They both run all over the pitch and have a similar style. They are intelligent players who inspire those around them, and I already know that Rooney is a very important player for England with the potential to be one of the best in the world."
Capello went on to laud the Red Devil and claims that he is one of best in the England camp when it came to a positive attitude.
"Rooney can improve in everything and I know he wants to learn," he explained.
"When he trains with me, he stays a long time on the pitch because he wants to get better. That attitude is really, really important if you want to improve.
"His movement and work-rate off the ball are incredible and I also saw that with Raul, when I worked with him in Spain during my time at Real Madrid."
Article from espnstar.com
5 Reasons To Take Action Today
There is a goal that you have been meaning to start working on for a very long time. One thing or another in your life always seems to get in your way. What you need is a way to get motivated to start taking action in your life today. You can find the inspiration and the power within yourself to get to your goals.
• No one is going to do it for you. No matter how long you wait nobody is going to come swooping in and make your dreams come true for you. The sooner you accept that the power to reach your goals is yours, the sooner you can get it together and start working on them. It is essential to take personal responsibility for your life if you want to make real changes.
• When you learn a new skill or get good information from a personal development book you have to actually put the knowledge to good use. Many people mistakenly believe that reading can replace doing. This is not the case. When you learn powerful information you have to use it in your life.
• You will only understand the scope of your actions by actually taking action. People learn by doing. All of those ideas look really good inside the cover of a personal development book, but the reality may be messier than you think. You can really only understand the scope of your goals when you start working towards them.
• You self esteem will sky rocket. Doing the right things everyday and working towards your goals will lift your self worth significantly. This effect will take hold even before your reach your goals. Just working towards something important will lift you up.
• Time is going by no matter what. Just because you are not working on goals does not mean that time stops. You only have so much time, so do not waste a big chunk of it lost in procrastination.
This is article is taken from
www.ineedmotivation.com
• No one is going to do it for you. No matter how long you wait nobody is going to come swooping in and make your dreams come true for you. The sooner you accept that the power to reach your goals is yours, the sooner you can get it together and start working on them. It is essential to take personal responsibility for your life if you want to make real changes.
• When you learn a new skill or get good information from a personal development book you have to actually put the knowledge to good use. Many people mistakenly believe that reading can replace doing. This is not the case. When you learn powerful information you have to use it in your life.
• You will only understand the scope of your actions by actually taking action. People learn by doing. All of those ideas look really good inside the cover of a personal development book, but the reality may be messier than you think. You can really only understand the scope of your goals when you start working towards them.
• You self esteem will sky rocket. Doing the right things everyday and working towards your goals will lift your self worth significantly. This effect will take hold even before your reach your goals. Just working towards something important will lift you up.
• Time is going by no matter what. Just because you are not working on goals does not mean that time stops. You only have so much time, so do not waste a big chunk of it lost in procrastination.
This is article is taken from
www.ineedmotivation.com
Saturday, August 29, 2009
True Worrier of The Nation
I just witnessed a remarkable badminton semi final game in the 2009 Chinese Taipei BWF GP. Two of the badminton world’s great players displayed a remarkable game especially the veteran Malaysian player Wong Choong Hann who played against the former All England and World champion Taufik Hidayat. Meanwhile in another semi final game there was a lazy display displayed by another Malaysian. Full credentials should be given to the veteran Wong Choong Hann who had an Achilles tendon rupture way back in 2002 who displayed a remarkable and wonderful game against a player who is four years younger than him. Taufik who has 21 titles in his badminton career was outplayed by the Malaysian who played such a fantastic game and has only seven titles. He played without the guidance of the coach by the side of the court and played a superb game. I’m always your number one fan MR.WONG CHOONG HANN. You are the true worrier of the country. Good Luck in your final game.
True Worrier of The Nation
I just witnessed a remarkable badminton semi final game in the 2009 Chinese Taipei BWF GP. Two of the badminton world’s great players displayed a remarkable game especially the veteran Malaysian player Wong Choong Hann who played against the former All England and World champion Taufik Hidayat. Meanwhile in another semi final game there was a lazy display displayed by another Malaysian. Full credentials should be given to the veteran Wong Choong Hann who had an Achilles tendon rupture way back in 2002 who displayed a remarkable and wonderful game against a player who is four years younger than him. Taufik who has 21 titles in his badminton career was outplayed by the Malaysian who played such a fantastic game and has only seven titles. He played without the guidance of the coach by the side of the court and played a superb game. I’m always your number one fan MR.WONG CHOONG HANN. You are the true worrier of the country. Good Luck in your final game.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Dream Big by David Cook
When I was a little boy
I swore that I would change the world when I grew up
Nothing else would be enough
I see it everyday
We settled for safe
And lose ourselves along the way
'Coz if you don't dream big what's the use of dreaming
If you don't have faith there's nothing worth believing
It takes one look to make the stars worth reaching for
So reach out for something more
Took a well perfected plan
For me to finally understand
But it's not me
Faith is something I can see
I've wiped my tears away now it's time for a change
No I can't waste another day
'Coz if you don't dream big what's the use of dreaming
If you don't have faith there's nothing worth believing
It takes one look to make the stars worth reaching for
'Coz if you don't dream big what's the use of dreaming
If you don't have faith there's nothing worth believing
It takes one look to make the stars worth reaching for
So reach out for something more
I swore that I would change the world when I grew up
Nothing else would be enough
I see it everyday
We settled for safe
And lose ourselves along the way
'Coz if you don't dream big what's the use of dreaming
If you don't have faith there's nothing worth believing
It takes one look to make the stars worth reaching for
So reach out for something more
Took a well perfected plan
For me to finally understand
But it's not me
Faith is something I can see
I've wiped my tears away now it's time for a change
No I can't waste another day
'Coz if you don't dream big what's the use of dreaming
If you don't have faith there's nothing worth believing
It takes one look to make the stars worth reaching for
'Coz if you don't dream big what's the use of dreaming
If you don't have faith there's nothing worth believing
It takes one look to make the stars worth reaching for
So reach out for something more
I BELEIVE I CAN FLY by R. Kelly
I used to think that I could not go on
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
[1]
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
See I was on the verge of breaking down
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me, oh
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
[Repeat 1]
Hey, cuz I believe in me, oh
If I can see it, then I can be it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
[Repeat 1]
Hey, if I just spread my wings
I can fly
I can fly
I can fly, hey
If I just spread my wings
I can fly
Fly-eye-eye
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
[1]
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
See I was on the verge of breaking down
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me, oh
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
[Repeat 1]
Hey, cuz I believe in me, oh
If I can see it, then I can be it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
[Repeat 1]
Hey, if I just spread my wings
I can fly
I can fly
I can fly, hey
If I just spread my wings
I can fly
Fly-eye-eye
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