Lincoln's Letter to his son's Teacher

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He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,

all men are not true.

But teach him also that

for every scoundrel there is a hero;

that for every selfish Politician,

there is a dedicated leader…

Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,

Steer him away from envy,
if you can,

teach him the secret of

quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…

Teach him, if you can,

the wonder of books…

But also give him quiet time

to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,

bees in the sun,

and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail

than to cheat…

Teach him to have faith

in his own ideas,

even if everyone tells him

they are wrong…

Teach him to be gentle

with gentle people,

and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd

when everyone is getting on the band wagon…

Teach him to listen to all men…

but teach him also to filter

all he hears on a screen of truth,

and take only the good

that comes through.

Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad…

Teach him there is no shame in tears,

Teach him to scoff at cynics

and to beware of too much sweetness…

Teach him to sell his brawn

and brain to the highest bidders

but never to put a price-tag

on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob

and to stand and fight

if he thinks he’s right.

Treat him gently,

but do not cuddle him,

because only the test

of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage
to be impatient…

let him have the patience to be brave.

Teach him always

to have sublime faith in himself,

because then he will have

sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you can do…

He is such a fine little fellow,

my son!

If You Can

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It has been a long time since i posted on the blog. I have been extremely busy, building a non-profit start-up.

Today morning, i read this famous poem by Rudyard Kipling and felt like sharing it on the blog.

Read it many a times? But, still read on. Because it is worth it !

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breath a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on"; If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run - Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – Geeky Version

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During a conversation at office, one of my colleague was showing an application that he uses to teach rhymes to his daughter. To see how the application works, we were playing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. Three of us recited the rhyme along with the application.

“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

How i wonder what you are

Up above the world so high                             

Like a diamond in the sky”

After the application finished singing the rhyme, another colleague who sits diagonal to me stood up and said that the rhyme has changed so much over time. He has a son in 2nd or 3rd standard, who is quite different compared to boys of his age group. So, this colleague recites his sons version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

 I need not know who you are                  

When i look through the spectroscopic gen

All i see is helium and hydrogen”

Wah! When a geek recites a nursery rhyme, this is how it will be. And this geeky version excites my colleague’s son more than the original version. I am so glad he understands  that stars contain helium and hydrogen. I didn’t know that unless i studied Nuclear Fission and Fusion in high school.

This is called Generation gap ! There is a whole new generation growing up. At 23, i feel i am getting old :)

Windows live writer on imac

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My blogging has taken regular breaks recently. Many reasons which i don’t want to explain in this post. I am using this break effectively to bring more exciting stuff to you in the coming days!

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Ever since i bought my new imac, i fell in love with the computer and the Snow Leopard operating system. I have been spending all my free time exploring the new OS. Frankly speaking, there is only one application that i miss in MAC OSX.

Windows Live Writer

This has been my blogging companion for a long time. I did search for blogging tools for ‘Mac’ all over the web. Didn’t find one that matches windows live writer capabilities.

Today, i have installed Windows Vista on my imac through boot camp. If not for windows live writer, i wouldn’t have thought of installing windows.

Windows Live writer….You rock Buddy !

Note : Windows Vista is such a loser ! Over all, the OS sucks.

The opinion got strengthened after using Snow leopard.

 

An African boy makes History

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A very inspiring speech by Willian Kamkwamba, an african boy who brought electricity to his house and water to his drying fields.

What a fantastic presentation. When you have a true story to tell, the passion shows up !

A must watch for everyone.

His Message !

"Trust yourself and believe. What ever may happen. Dont give it up"

The effect of a glam auntie

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I found this pic on flickr, when i was setting up my flickr account.
It had the caption "The effect of a glam auntie"

Photography is supposed to be creative ! like this one.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Celebrations !! I bought an Imac

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After years of waiting, the day has come.

Today, iam a proud owner of 20" Imac

I am still transferring all my data. Havent setup my desk completely.

Here is a picture (Not the best one !)

Took it with my Nokia Xpress music phone and transferred it to my imac via blue tooth.

Life is so good in the company of a mac !

Will post better pictures soon !