Pepsi with Pratik

Outspoken, notorious and charming, meet Pratik K Shah, the guy with infinite curiosity. Pratik is a computer engineer and is currently pursuing his masters from National University of Singapore.

How do you see yourself as a human?

Pratik: I care even for a tiny ant dying because of drain water, but at the same time I can kill a person in defence! After all I believe that insects or animals don't bite as deep as a human. I strongly believe in humanity but for those who behave as humans and for those poor animals. I am a vegetarian because I understand the value of life of an animal. This is my human aspect. About life, I agree with Robert Frost - “It goes on."

So how do you deal with your friends who eat Non-veg food or don't live up to your definition of human?

Pratik: I can just explain them the value of an animal's life again and again, but can't force them. After all that's their personal choice.

What is it that you like to do?

Pratik: I like playing chess, reading scientific / mathematical books, or go out for cricket, carom. At least not Facebook!

So you prefer outdoors. Where do you see yourselves in coming years?

Pratik: I can see but I can't explain because whenever I see one level, it just gets increased till I reach there!

Tell me more of it. You must have thought of something in the long-term.

Pratik: Research is my passion! I really want to find something new in next few years.

In the field of?

Pratik: Science, Maths, Physics or may be some new and/or efficient Algorithms.

Actually I am very much interested in Artificial Intelligence, as I don’t have Natural! :D

Researches don't have a good social life. How far is this true?

Pratik: I don't believe in social life. I just believe in Personal life and Practical life.

Can you elaborate them?

Pratik: Yes, why not?

(Momentary wait) Then please do so!

Pratik: I think everyone should care about their career and personal family & friends. Not about others who just comes on occasions to remind us that they are our relatives.

Do you have any advice on how to deal with such relatives?

Pratik: The best advice would be to enjoy with them when they are with us or if you can't even deal with that, just ignore them and keep your mouth shut. It is better not to speak to a person who thinks you are a fool, than to prove it by opening your mouth.

TEN 10

1) If given a power to change something, which aspect of your life would it be?

I believe God has given to me much more than what I deserve. But perhaps it would have been better if I could have met my grandparents at the time of their death.

Oww..my condolences :(

2) What is the most proud moment of your lifetime?

When I'll find the reason of my existence.

3) Name a quality of you that you admire

Truth & Honesty (Up to some limit).

4) Name a quality of you that you disgust

Generally I don't keep those things within me to which I hate. Otherwise I can't live this much freely! But still I can say idleness and unpunctuality in myself.

5) If allowed without restrictions, one thing you'd do

I will change education system of India.

6) Life is __ (one word)

Paypaal Site, which can neither be visited back nor be refreshed. Also sometimes, transaction fails!

7) You’ve a weakness for

My unpunctuality and idleness.

8) Who is your role model?

My Dad for his perfection, Einstein for his intellect and Warren Buffet for his honesty.

9) One word to describe yourself

Pratik.

10) Your favourite food

Pav Bhaji, Pizza, Pani Puri, Dosa, Bhel and all time great Khichdi. Not to forget Aloo paratha :D

WHACKY WEIRDOS

1) If Pinocchio said, "My nose is about to grow", is he lying or telling the truth?

I guess he’s lying; the feel of change in organs may also result in decrease of size!

2) If I gave you an elephant, where'd you hide it?

I have one already hidden under my pants! ;)

3) If you were a crayon, which colour would you be?

I can’t select just one. After all every man is a crayon and they change quickly.

4) What is your favourite bread?

Garlic Bread.

On a Leaving Note

How do you see yourself as a 'Common' person?

Obviously as Common Person!

And how do you see yourself as 'Special'?

Arey as a Special hi dekhunga na?

I see myself "Special" as a common person and "Common" as a special person.

Thanks Pratik.
It was my pleasure to have Pepsi with Punit!

Haha!! That's a great title. I shall use it as the title to this interview.

You may contact Pratik through facebook or drop him an email: pratikcalling@gmail.com.

Getting Geeky with Dhaval Mehta

Infamous for his pun, Dhaval A Mehta (or DAM as popularly known) is an electronics engineer residing in Ahmedabad. He works as a software professional with TCS.

Ready?

Dhaval: Yeah; but I am not going to use the cliche: "I was born ready!"

Well, how will you describe Dhaval Mehta?

Dhaval: Enthusiastic, curious, introvert and passionate about Electronics. Also, a person who sometimes tries to be funny     .

How does your typical day pass?

Dhaval: Working on the day job, thinking about something and watching lots of movies!

What do you think about?

Dhaval: Well it changes from time to time; it can be anything from "how to interface an accelerometer with a PIC controller" to "which movie I am going to watch next?" Right now, I was thinking how is this interview going. I can be REAL GEEK sometimes!

Can be Real? Is there something different?

Dhaval: Not literally.

And illiterately?

Dhaval: I can get geeky to some extent as they show in The Big Bang Theory.

You seem to be a lot influenced by movies and TV series. Have they taken you over?

Dhaval: In the last one or two years, yes; because that is what I do whenever I have a single free moment.

What about life outside the screen?

Dhaval: Well that life is completely boring for me and I think I have brought that on myself. But I am contented with it.

Really? Joining the facts, it reveals that you've an underground lab, is it?

Dhaval: Well I hope that one day I'll have one, but not right now. So the world is safe for some time!

So you'd be a virtual batman rather than hang out with girls?

Dhaval: Of course not! People think it that way, but it's not true. I would like some company, but I don't have one and don't seem to find one.....

Don't you feel awkward or are made to feel so certain times?

Dhaval: Yes, especially when I am talking to girls.

Ha ha! That's not so uncommon with geeks. May I know the rationale behind that gauche feeling?

Dhaval: I think the reasons are lack of experience and lacking the guts to take initiative combined with my introvert nature.

Then a lot of pranks may have been played on you! Do you have remembrance of any in particular?

Dhaval: There are not much pranks played on me, but I remember this one. When I was little (around 13-14 years old), I was very much afraid of the dark. So one day, when me and my brother were alone at home, he went out and just waited there for 10 minutes. When I went out to check his whereabouts, he appeared suddenly and scared me out of hell. I was so scared that I caught a fever that night. I was equally afraid of earthquake and ghosts.

I guess you are the one who is scarier now!

Let's hope this rapid fire round doesn't scare you.

TEN 10

1) If given a power to change something, which aspect of your life would it be?

My mind.

2) What is the most proud moment of your lifetime?

I finished my 7th semester project with 95%.

3) Name a quality of you that you admire.

My ability to think

   

4) Name a quality of you that you disgust.

I am chaos-phobic.

5) If allowed without restrictions, one thing you'd do.

Don't sleep for few days.

6) Life is __ (one word).

Clueless.

7) You have a weakness for __

Money.

8) Who is your role model?

I don't have a role model. I would want to follow footsteps of some people, but I don't have a role model.

9) One word to describe yourself.

Geek.

10) Your favourite food

Anything with cheese.

WHACKY WEIRDOS:

1) When the aliens land on earth, why will you be the first person they would talk to?

Because I'd have invited them.

2) What do you see when you turn off the lights

The inside of my dark mind.

3) What treatment would you seek if you were addicted to therapy?

I would continue a therapy till I am bored of therapies and get over it OR would hire an ugly therapist!

4) Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?

I am living in a world with no hypothetical situations.

5) That was a hypothetical question.

So was my answer!

6) How many of your socks have a hole in it?

Well, I haven't noticed yet. I'll have to check it and the same goes about my underwear!

On a Leaving Note

How do you see yourself as a 'Common' person?

I have two eyes, a nose and a few limbs. I eat, sleep, study and spend money.

And how do you see yourself as 'Special'?

I guess when it comes to thinking, I am not the same as 'common'.

You can get in touch with Dhaval on facebook, linked in or his personal blog. 

Discussion Throw - Indian Education System

DISCUS-SION THROW

With the world still high on Olympic fever, I couldn't think of a better title for this section!
A little while ago, I had a chance to talk with the recent interviewees Supriya on Kshitij. We discussed the current education system in India. Here's what followed:

Punit: On the topic, I want to know your views on 'Current Education system in India'. I thought it might be relevant given your life paths now

Supriya: Ah! Interesting! Presently, the education system in India is neither entirely irrelevant nor it is entirely applicable! We need to mend it at certain positions, such that we can offer the youth and children a better tomorrow.

Kshitij: Not exactly Supriya

Supriya: May I know how?

Kshitij: Sure. Firstly, one can’t select their field of study till late and when one is able to do that, sometimes they may end up in a mess, doing things that they are not at all interested in. I will say even unawareness is responsible for the same, but then education system is not a lesser culprit. 

Supriya: Well, education doesn't involve any selective study! One must have brief knowledge of each and every subject! Education does not mean to study only self selected subjects. Unawareness - I agree with that point, but I am against selective study. 

Kshitij: Why to waste time in studying things that you don't care for? For an instance, how will history studied in class VIII help you in medicine? I hope I am clear. The system in other countries is completely different. The student can select the courses he/she wants to opt for.

Supriya: See, class 8^th history is just a basic course even if it is not going to help me in medicine. Being an Indian citizen, I should have slight idea about the consequences too. The selection range should be made wide.

Kshitij: You can have it without learning it in your syllabi. Can't you?

Supriya: It should not remain restricted to medical, non med, commerce and arts. No one learns such things without the syllabi.

Punit: Well I agree with Supriya in learning the basics of all subjects (you never know when you'll be asked a question on KBC!). But going with Kshitij, the options should be made available after some level, say 10^th.

Supriya: exactly Punit.

Kshitij: That is what I am saying. Well you can learn the same without learning it as a subject in school, can’t you? What if you started studying medicine 5 years ago?

Supriya: I can't imagine myself planting a hope to become a doctor in 7th grade. You don't even have ideas about body cells by then! 10^th level is fine but 5 years before 12^th is too much.

Kshitij: You can’t imagine so because it is not a routine here in India. In India, course structure is decided by varsity, whereas in other countries, student is supposed to select the courses.

Punit: So, course it is. And shall I consider that the system is flawed?

Kshitij: Not exactly, but it needs a change. It needs to be more relevant.

Supriya: New professional courses also need to be introduced so that we can have better officials, other and engineers and doctors only.

Kshitij: And if not the system, then what can be the other reason which impedes the Indians from filing patents? I am saying that one should select the subjects which one wants to learn starting from the secondary class even though it may be literature or as in my case engineering + economics.

Supriya: But, in a population of billions!

Kshitij: it is possible in other countries. Now being an engineer, I need to earn an MBA to learn economics.

Supriya: This can't be entirely applicable too because they have such a big number of students.

Punit: Hmmm...Shall we agree upon the statement that promotes area-specific research and growth depending on the interest and not on commercial values like engineering in addition to laying strong foundation in all the subjects for which Indians are known for?

Supriya: I agree Punit

Kshitij: Yes sure.

Punit: Well then, thanks a ton Supriya and Kshitij

Happy Independence Day folks. जय हिन्द। जय भारत।  J

Scaling Horizons with Kshitij

In conversation with Kshitij Pandya, a resident of Nadiad, Gujarat. Kshitij is currently working as a software engineer with iGate and aspires to be a successful businessman.  

If the person in the mirror asked you to describe him, how would you reply?

Kshitij: He is an ambitious individual, who will never consider any clutches, any barriers of any sort. He has always dreamed of exploring all that comes his way, and he will definitely do that. He has that courage, that self-confidence to take decisions, including the really tough ones. He doesn't care what he did wrong in the past. He looks back with satisfaction and looks forward with confidence.

There has to be something more profound that has inspired you.

Kshitij: As Rabindranth Tagore says it, "Mujhe aage badhane wala main mere piche hai". It is exactly the same with me. I back my own self. I know myself very well. It comes from within. I know what I deserve and I strive to achieve the same. This is what inspires me. Apart from that, my parents, their ideologies and their footprints on my heart continually provide me that much-needed energy and thrust to move on, come what may.

Wow, you derive a lot of self-energy! Physics would be baffled at such a transfer! Anyways, talking of science, are Science and religion interconnected or are they diametrically opposite?

Kshitij: Science explains the reality regarding the existence of this universe. And I strongly believe that there is some super power that exists in the form of God in our perception. Hence, I will say I don't believe in religions, rather I believe in spirituality. This is what I think about each one of them individually. Talking about their inter-relation, that super-power actually crafted the whole universe and also made some laws, which we study as science. So yes, I feel that there is some inter-relation between them. Maybe someday, someone will prove it.

And you aren't interested in proving it?

Kshitij: Well I don't need to. I believe in it firmly. And till now, I have never doubted His presence.

Moving ahead, what do you do when you are not doing what you regularly do?

Kshitij: I think a lot. About the perspective future plans, potential businesses, etc. And when I am not doing that really interesting work, I either involve myself with the day job or prepare for CAT or just pass time with friends.

How do you promote yourself as human?

Kshitij: For a long time during my college life, I was involved with an NGO called KADAM, a step ahead to change. That was the beginning. I actually felt great when I did something for the needy in particular and humanity at large. Recently, an idea of starting off a Nature Club has also strike my mind, where people can be trained free of cost about snakes and some other animals, which people kill at sight. This will also save the lives of the animals only few of whose species are dangerous and others are harmless. I am now thinking of ways to start executing it. But I am not sure, when that day will come.

Let's proceed with the rapid fire round. 

TEN 10:

1) You're proud of ___

My lineage.

2) Your role model?

Anyone who achieves an extraordinary success via an un-trodden way.

3) If given a chance, you'd like to spend an afternoon with ___

An afternoon with APJ Abdul Kalam would be ideal.

4) Success is ___ (one word)

A perception.

5) One thing you'd never do

A face-off with my own ethics.

6) An award/prize/honour you'd like to earn

Bharat Ratna.

7) If they were for sale, how much would you spend to buy one?

It's priceless dude!  I can't dare to buy it. It is the pride of India.

8) One superpower you'd love to have

No need of a superpower. I want to be a normal human being.

9) One word to describe yourself

Keen.

And my favourite

10) Food you love to indulge in

After staying at Chennai, definitely Gujarati food.

Moving on to a funnier section,

WHACKY WEIRDOS:

1) What is your favourite colour of socks to wear?

Black. I can wear it for many days without washing.

Eww!
2) What to do if an endangered animal eats endangered plants?

Hmmm, allow it.

3) What is the longest you've gone without a shower?

2 days.

4) If you were a biscuit, which one would you be?

Parle Monaco... They can have so many variants and they are very light.

5) Why am I asking you these questions?

Just to publish on the blog?

On a Leaving Note

How do you see yourself as a 'Common' person?

One who lives on soil and aspires to touch the sky.

And how are you 'Special'?

I follow the inner voice. I hear it and also bring it to action. That's the thing special to me.


You may connect with Kshitij on facebook or on his personal e-mail. 

Tête-à-tête with Supriya

Hailing from Palampur, the tea capital of North India, Supriya Kaur Dhaliwal is currently pursuing her studies in medical stream. Supriya is also a published poetess and an aspiring writer. I heartily thank her for being the first one to agree for the interview. Following up is my conversation with her.

How does a typical day in the life of Supriya pass?

Supriya: Well. My day starts late usually! Probably few hours after the dawn, I wake up! This is just because I am more of a nocturnal creature and prefer to work late at night. As I have my classes in the evening time, in the day I have sufficient time for all my activities of daily routine including studies, writing, and reading. Not a single day in my life passes without writing something deep and insightful. This may sound eccentric but without penning down my words, I start feeling exasperated. Meanwhile, I love to spend time with my friends and elders too.

Have you ever missed on your daily routine of writing?

Supriya: I don't think so! Even if I don't have a pen and paper in my hand, my cell phone is enough. Once I start creating a note on my phone, sometimes, it seems like my fingers are moving naturally.

Well, you mentioned spending time with elders. It's an activity many youths neglect. Your comments?

Supriya: In my point of view, I don't think that's true because, see, the entire scenario of this world has changed. And I guess this is the way the world works! I don't agree with the thought that the youth of 21st century is spoiled. It's just that the modern world is something I'd say – 'material-istic'. Modern generation is loosely bound on real life people though they try to appear real.

Try to? If a digital saint were to point, they would be real or un-real. Where do we stand?

Supriya: Obviously un-real! Because the saint doesn't appear practically in real world! To call that saint real would be just like spotting an iceberg in Rajasthan!

What is that ultimate thing you want to achieve - your most cherished dream?

Supriya: Well, few years from now I see myself sitting on an isolated island, surrounded by the people I cherish and writing on a Mac-book! 

The island would not be isolated then!

Supriya: Haha! At least I won't have the world around to disturb me unnecessarily. I want to design my life in such a creative way, that it has a perfect blend of fame, money, peace of mind, love, creativeness, and serenity!

What's the side of you that public never sees?

Supriya: Well, I am going to tag this question as my favourite!

When people interact with me for the first time, no doubt they just consider me an ordinary lay girl, with zero creativity and a bashful head! 

 But the way world thinks is just like a heady wine for me. The more they discourage me,, the more my soul gets intoxicated to creativity. Their keen perspective, gives me a chance to discover the undiscovered facts of my life.

That's how all the great creators have turned out to be

Supriya: Exactly! I hope I turn equally great too.

My wishes. Let's move to a rapid fire round which I call Ten10.

Supriya: Thanks. Bring it on.

TEN-10

1) You're proud of ___

The best people in my life 

2) Your role model?

My dad

3) If given a chance, you'd like to spend an afternoon with ___

Margaret Atwood

4) Success is ___ (one word)

A long haul

5) One thing you'd never do

Have never traced the remnants of the people misjudged by me

6) An award/prize/honour you'd like to earn

I wish to earn noble prize for literature someday, but I know that's probably too much. So a Sahitya Akademi award would work.

7) If they were for sale, how much would you spend to buy one Noble?

I guess just a buck would be enough! And that too for the sake of formality; else I may not even pay that if I deserved the award in real sense.

8) One superpower you'd love to have

I wish I had the power to read people's mind

9) One word to describe yourself

Impeccable in my own way I'd say

10) Food you love to indulge in

Rajma rice! I can't tell you how badly I like them. I can even survive on this for the rest of my life. And yes cakes of every kind!!!!!

WHACKY WEIRDOS

Now, just to introduce some humour, I'll ask you 3-4 weird and out-of-the-blue questions.

1) If I gave you an elephant, where would you hide it?

In my garage

2) If you are to take a picture of cheese, what do you think it would say?

Inculpable query. Waise I'd say, hmm, take a photograph of the cheese kept in front of you.

3) What's your favourite pizza topping?

Lots of cheese, with sausage...mushrooms, onion. Olives and pineapples and capsicum should be kept away.

4) Other than this interview, what's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do?

This isn't stupid. Taking medical stream in 11th class is the scariest thing I have ever done.

On a Leaving Note 

How do you see yourself as a 'Common' person?

Yes, I am a common person. I walk around the streets just like others do and I talk without avarice of any kind! I love to live my obscured life!

And how do you see yourself as 'Special'?

Sometimes I feel special, because touchwood! The Almighty has given me an entirely perfect life!

I have perfect people around me!



You may contact Supriya on her facebook page or follow her on twitter.

Welcome

We often are judged by what we do, by our visible achievements. Little does our society care about who we really are. And I just want to manifest who you really are, what do you feel & think and what are your dreams.

Well, I am in the process of interviewing the first two special people. Hope all turns out well and encourages me to move ahead.

Currently, I'm planning to include a brief introduction of the interviewee, a rapid fire, a Whacky round (for those who don't know, I'm known for my Hathodas :P ), a Ten10 and possibly something different.

As of now, only time can tell, how far and how good (or weird?) it may be. But I plan (me -> plan?) to add more pairs every fortnight. Stay tuned.

God Bless :)