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Recently, i bought my first telescope to pursue an old hobby with new enthusiasm.Yes, i have been star gazing since i was a kid thanks to AP electricity board who managed to consistently cut the power out every day.
I feel nostalgic when i think of those years when i used to lie down on my terrace during those 2-3 hrs and enjoy the serenity of the night sky.The sky seemed to be sprinkled with stars and came alive with shooting stars and meteor showers.In the winter of 1998 there was a leonoid shower when i woke up at 3 AM to witness the spectacular sight.The leonoids appeared in the sky like fireworks.The frequency must have touched 100 per hour.At other times, i have seen objects flying which i thought were flying saucers.May be they are.The Universe is too big for just the 6 billion of us.Just the thought that there are so many objects much bigger than our earth at such large distances and that we are a tiny speck in this colossal universe makes me feel very humble.
Since then, i have read a lot on astronomy about galaxies,black holes,nebulae,constellations but none of it quenched my thirst to see these heavenly objects myself.
Its time to become a Galileo.
Went to Janakpuri and bought a 3 inch alt-azimuth reflector telescope last month.I have seen the rings of Saturn.Oh,What a sight to watch!!!Galileo thought the planet had 'ears'.Then followed the craters on the Moon and many more constellations.
But i am seriously disappointed with the way our cities have shaped the night sky.No longer are those infinite stars visible but only a handful.Artificial lights have polluted the sky and even the night light looks close to day light.
Countless stars had there been
Our lights made the sky unclean
Now there are very few to be seen
Anyway, lets talk about it in another post.So, now i have embarked on the journey of the night sky with a more sophisticated weapon than my naked eye.I hope to see many more.May be i will discover something.
BTW, the year 2009 is declared as the International year of Astronomy to celebrate the 400th year of the discoveries of the Father of Astronomy, Galileo Galilee.
I will begin with my last interview on Apr 6 since it is still fresh in my mind and i don't need to rack my brains to recollect.
As i was staying in Noida , my centre was MDI itself and it was a 42 km ride on my bike from my home.My friends were aghast that i drive such a long distance while attending interviews because people generally use all their grooming skills to keep themselves neat and tidy for the PI.But i enjoyed driving because it allowed me to explore Delhi.I had 6 venues for 8 interviews and now i know Delhi much better.So, i started early to avoid the morning rush and reached an hour before the scheduled time.Met a few guys from earlier interviews and chatted away the time.
Then we were all called for a GD.11 people, none absent.
Topic:Is public spending on health necessary for the nation?
One of the chaotic GD's i was involved in.No listeners none so ever(all speakers) ,but was still heading in a proper direction.Could make only 2-3 points about private partnership,lack of incentives for doctors to work in rural areas and some govt. schemes.
The chaos can be attributed to the fact that in my panel, most of them had only MDI call and they were eager to make it.
I was called 2nd for the PI.
P1: Professor ,middle aged...had a smile but tried to stress me out
P2: Professor, middle aged..serious but calm
P1:u are 4m Andhra.spoke simple words in Telugu and asked me if they r right.
Me(smiling): yes, u r rite.
P1-u didn't speak much in the GD.u think others r bad guys and dominated & did not allow u to talk.
Me:No sir. I did not speak because of the chaotic way it took place and 2-3 people were talking at a time.so, there is no point in speaking when the group does not listen.But i did chip in when i had an opportunity.
P1-But what if i think u did not know anything and give u a zero.U want good marks or average marks.
Me:For my performance, i expect average marks.
P1-No, forget about the GD, u want good marks or avg marks.i will ask u questions based on that.If u want good marks, i will ask u a tough question and if u cannot answer, i will give u zero.
Me:(I took this as a challenge.Anyway i had 6 other IIM calls.There was nothing for me to lose.)
I said i want good marks.
P1-See the interview is like F1 race.Do you watch F1 racing?
Me:(mentioned it as my hobby in the form).Yes sir, i follow.
P1-Was there a race yesterday?
Me:Yes sir, it was the Malaysian GP.
P1-Where did it take place?
Me:At Sepang
P1-Then continued with winner of the race, Australian GP,Indian drivers , manufacturers etc.
Me:Answered all of them.
P1-What happened to the Indian cars in Australian GP?
Me(tried to recollect but couldn't remember anything).
P1-something happened to the wings.u know there r wings.
Me:nodded
P1-What r they there for?
Me:To provide down force to the car.
P1-which principle is used?
Me:Bernoulli's principle.
P1:Why is down force needed?
All of a sudden,P2 comes in.
P2:What is Bernoulli,s principle?
Me:Did not remember the exact statement.told in my own words.
P1:How do you know.
Me;I studied it.
P1:Where?
Me:In my graduation.
P1:Good.
P2:What is Boyle's law?
Me:Answered.
P2:What is Dalton's law of partial pressures?
Me:Answered in my words.More like explanation.
P1:You still did not answer my question.Why do cars need down force?
Me:So that cars don't lift off the ground and overturn.
P1;No.that is wrong.Think.
Me:I tried to say something.
P1:Think.Tough questions are thinking questions.
P1:Tell me how jet engines operate.
Me:explained that gases released from a small nozzle and that provides thrust.
P1:Now tell me how does f1 car run?
Me:IC engine drives the wheels.
Wait, Did i tell u i am a mechanical engineer from Andhra university.
P1:Now tell me the answer.Still it did not strike my mind.
P1 got a call and left the panel.
P2:Started asking about my work ex.What was the work i did, what my client did and etc etc.
Me:looked like he was not satisfied for any of the answers.
P1 returned.
P2 looked at P1 and said that is all.
Me:Thank u sirs.
Felt satisfied with the interview.Started my long journey back to Noida with happy thoughts as it was my last interview and i don't have any more to attend. And then while i was driving, i realized that if the car tires don't touch the ground, there is no use of the engine driving the wheels.The car would not budge.That is precisely why down force is required. Oh no!!!such a simple explanation.
Result-Converted.
