Shake a Leg

With the launch of two 24 hrs FM music channels in Orissa, the people(esp the youth) are having a melodious time.Big FM 92.7 is a national FM channel having its presence in metros like Delhi and Mumbai.Radio Chocolate 104 FM is the other player in this new market in Orissa.So beat the heat ....the FM way.

Donate Blood Save Life

Today is world red cross day.As usual i donated blood voluntarily today.Blood donation has many benefits like rejuvenation of the body's defence system.However there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding this topic.Some popular myths are(source :http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/blooddrive/myths.cfm)
Myth #1:
Someone else will donate all the blood that's needed.
Reality #1:
That's not true.If everyone thinks like this then there will be no voluntary blood donation at all.The demand for blood usually goes up in the summers.But unfortunately supply decreases as people think that donating in the sizzling heat will take a toll on them.
Myth #2:
It hurts.
Reality #2:
Okay, maybe it does---a little. Far less than getting ears pierced, though, and only briefly. Check out a real donor story to read about the actual donation experience from someone who's done it. And remember that donating blood hurts a lot less than having someone you care about need blood and not get it because it's not there.
Myth #3:
I don't have time.
Reality #3:
It doesn't take long: about 45 minutes in all from arrival to departure.

Myth #4:
They ask embarrassing questions.
Reality #4:
Okay, some of the questions are personal, but they have to be. The screening personnel are very professional and are not judgmental. Their only goal is to ensure a safe blood supply for our patients and a safe donation experience for donors.
Myth #5:
I might catch something from donating.
Reality #5:
Donations( carried out by professional organisations like Central Red Cross Blood Bank) are drawn using sterile equipment that is disposed of after a single use, and the professionals who draw your blood wear sterile latex gloves that are disposed of immediately after use on a single patient. At no time will you come in contact with any piece of equipment or material that has had contact with someone else's blood or body fluids.
Myth #6:
I'm too old.
I'm too young.
Reality #6:
There is no longer an upper age limit for donation. So long as you are healthy and weigh at least 110 pounds, you can continue to donate as a lifelong contribution to your community.
Maybe you are too young---if you're under 18. But once you turn 18, if you're healthy and weigh at least 110 pounds, you can make a real grown-up contribution to your community.

Finally....the frogs croak

7th of May 2007 was a red-lettered(it should be blue-lettered) day for the people of Cuttack.Why??That's because after enduring the sun's wrath for over a month they got a chance to rain-dance(don't know what it is. good that means u have something left between ur ears) as the heavens opened up on 7th.It was a welcome relief for me.It seems God is really kind to me as tomorrow(8th May World Red Cross day) I'll be donating blood.And with exams round the corner no one would like to donate blood on a sizzling sweaty day.Thanks a lot GOD.

Am I Guilty?

Today was a really terrible day.Nothing went right for me today.When I woke up in the morning I saw a bird in my room. It must have come through the windows as they were open all night.It seemed as if it was tired or injured.The bird was flying inside the room.I was concerned about its safety as it was flying too close to the ceiling fan.I tried to shoo it off out but in vain.I picked up a soft broom and tried to drive it out.A lot of pushing and shoving ensured that the reluctant bird was out of my small room.A few moments later I heard a terrible sound.I rushed out to see the bird being taken away by a cat.I was really upset.Couldn't help thinking that I was responsible for this tragic incident. My intention was to save the bird from getting injured.But it seems fate had some other intentions.After all, man proposes and God disposes.

The Intrusive Neighbour

After a long time I slept for 8 hours yesterday night.Got up at 9am.Same routine stuff till the sun set.In the evening I attended a function organised by my friend.Her family had just moved in to their new house.We friends were getting together after a long time.We talked about many things from the good old college days to familiar leg pulling of the absentees(I'm sure now girls cannot live without it).A few elders started a familiar game named 'What Are You Doing?'.When my turn came most were unsatisfied with my answer that I'm pusuing higher studies."When are you going to earn?" asked a concerned(??)aunt."You should join a software firm" opined another.On hearing that I was interested in a career in civil services most mocked at me.

Of late a job in a software firm has become very prestigious.Maybe that's the reason that many people from diverse backgrounds like civil engg,mechanical engg,metallurgical engg and even humanities are getting placed in software firms.Very few are ready to slog it out for two years or more for the civil services. I often wonder whether this is a case of personal choice or of the famous(or infamous??) 'sour grapes' syndrome.From whatever my experience(rather inexperience) tells me in such matters silence is golden.

Wheres the Rain???

The last few days have been really hot here at Cuttack.Yesterday and the day before the parched earth drank a few drops from the heaven.The problem is that the few drops allocated to Cuttack by Lord Indra(rain God) didn't prove to be of much help as the mercury levels remained more or less same.This natural heat coupled with the mounting pressure of civil services preliminary exams(on 20th may) is making my life miserable.

For a change I woke up at 6am today.Weather was perfect.Picked up the newspaper to find the same old stories...Aussies winning their third consecutive world cup(not interested),UP elections(move on),admissions to IIM's and IIT's sans the OBC quota(next page please)...stop...FARMER,DAUGHTERS KILL SELF IN BALANGIR(thats one of the most backward areas of India).Another battle lost against the hydra-headed monster POVERTY.Its a strange paradox that a nation which has recently joined the trillion dollar economy club cannot provide enough food to all its citizens.What is more striking is that Orissa is rich in minerals and other natural resources.Almost all of the chromite ores of India are located here.Coal and Bauxite are also in plenty.Then why this poverty amidst plenty?In fact, mineral rich states like Orissa,Chattisgarh and Jharkhand are the least developed.The reason is beyond my comprehension.

After my daily date with the newspaper I solved a mock paper of civil services examination.My score was pathetic.After revising a few chapters in the afternoon I turned my attention towards the idiot box.I often wonder whether the TV has got this sweet alias due to its similarity with Indian news channels where events like celebrity weddings and parties,that have nothing to do with the life of a common man, get covered for hours whereas issues like the one I mentioned find it hard to get a 2minute byte.This is where All India Radio is unbeatable.Tune in to it at 8.30 pm and you will get the best news and analysis sans any sensational drama.

To sum up, the day though a bit insipid was OK.Lets see whats in store for tomorrow.

Hi Everybody

Hi everyone......
Welcome to my personal web diary. Before I start, a few words about me.

I'm Sohag Sundar Nanda a.k.a Shibu. Born and brought up at Cuttack,the economic capital of Orissa.I've spent about 18 years living in the port township of Paradip, one of the major ports of India. I've completed my matriculation and 10+2 there.After that i to moved Cuttack for higher education.I've completed my graduation and post graduation in Computer Science from the historic Ravenshaw College( www.ravenshawcollege.blogspot.com).I'm pursuing masters degree in engineering with specialisation in knowledge engineering.
My interests include debating, creative writing and atlantology. Research interests include Natural Language Nrocessing(NLP and,Information Retrieval(especially in Indian languages).