Three years is a long time to forget

Ojas Apartment, Ahmedabad

I have done my undergraduate from University of Westminster, London and was lucky to reside in International Student House (ISH). Unlike normal student halls in UK, ISH was home to over 100 nationalities and conducted numerous events throughout the year. During entire three years of my degree I resided in a quad room with the no. 420. During my time there I met some of the most interesting individuals and have life-long memories. 

My obsession with the room didn't end after my graduation, currently my car number plate is 420, manage a blackberry group with 18 individuals with the name of 420, made a 420 movie trailer and I am sure there is much more to come. Being 5 months into my job, there is always a wish to relive those memories whenever given the chance.

Below is the 420 movie teaser ! Love you all

Sushruta Innovation Award

Football is never the same

Ojas Apartment, Ahmedabad

Football has become a global business with millions of pounds being splashed everyday on players, endorsements and games. The players continue to receive ransom amount as fees at the cost of football fans which burn their blood to watch their favourite club play every week.

Watch the video below to get a sense of emotions running between football fans, during a game.

Change

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." Barack Obama
- Speech following Super Tuesday results, Feb 5, 2008.


Kaun Banaega Crorepati comes up with another great idea.

God Bless Us

Ojas Apartments, Ahmedabad

This month has kept me on the toes. Here in Ahmedabad, we are truly doing some very exciting stuff and you can follow all our activities either through my twitter or our Facebook public page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Innovation-clusters/168899666455138?ref=ts)

I have been truly lucky to recover from serious injures at a very young age. Although some might consider them minor, but in my world there were significant. I was diagnosed with multiple slip disc in the year 2007, ruptured my right leg ligament and dislocated my right thumb in 2010. However all these injuries could not overshadow my passion for sports and it was this love that has got be up and running every morning. I am still strengthening my right thumb and right leg, I have joined a local football club and play regularly in the evening, although I play cautiously. 

I have always asked my friends to quit smoking, take up sports and remain active and will continue to do so. Please watch the video

"The word 'impossible' is not in leaders' dictionaries. No matter how big the challenges, strong faith, determination and resolve will overcome them." Shiekh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai

Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010

Rajdhani Express, Palam


So finally after all the criticism and delays the commonwealth games will be inaugurating this evening. I am expecting the security to be tight in the capital and from the news I read this morning, all the malls are closed too. However the tickets for the opening ceremony were all sold out and I might have to settle for field events on the 7th of October in Nehru Stadium. 


"Come out and play" CWG 2010

Apne Gujarat nahi dekha tu kuch nahi dekha

Ojas Apartment, Ahmedabad

After spending 45 days in Ahmedabad, I have realised that the beauty of this city lies in its people. Since I have arrived, there are certain etiquettes amongst the people which has really drawn my attention. People don't swear at each other, they are patient, add bhai (Brother) after your first name and many others. Although the wealth and power is in the hands of few businessman and key state figures, the divide amongst the poor and the rich is less evident as compared to Delhi. 

Due to their modest and humble nature, Gujaratis never boast about their exuberant wealth unlike Delhiites, who believe in the philosophy of 'if you have it, flaunt it'. You may end of meeting someone and not releasing that he may be a millionaire, whereas a Delhiite with ` 100 in his pocket will behave as if he has ` 1 Lakh with him.

 "Kuch din to gujaro Gujarat mein" - Amitabh Bachchan

State Level M.Pharm. Thesis Competition in Gujarat

Where The Mind is Without Fear

Ojas Apartment, Ahmedabad

WHERE the mind is without fear and the head is held high

Where knowledge is free

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments

By narrow domestic walls

Where words come out from the depth of truth

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way

Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit

Where the mind is led forward by thee

Into ever-widening thought and action

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Rabindranath Tagore

Innovation

Ojas Apartment, Ahmedabad

According to wikipedia innovation is defined as a change in the thought process for doing something, or the useful application of new inventions or discoveries. I believe, If invention is the mother of all necessitates, then innovation is the father of change. According to Albert Einstein "Innovation is not the product of logical thought, although the result is tied to logical structure".

The project I am working with is striving for promoting innovation in Gujarat pharmaceutical and Medical device ecosystem. Currently we are working on numerous workshops and seminars involving key industry people, students and first generation entrepreneurs to change their outlook towards innovation. Also there are various schemes by the government and private companies which reward you if you come out with innovative ideas or products.

The video embedded below is about small innovative ideas by Indians.

"Money Never Sleeps" - Wall Street Quote

Stay Hungry Stay Foolish

Ojas Apartment, Ahmedabad

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life." Steve Jobs

This statement has really inspired me to search for my love and every single day I try and connect the dots. There are days when I am left puzzled, but I do believe that I am heading in the right direction. 


Believe in yourself and take risks in life. They say higher the risk higher the returns. I am determine to make a mark in my new job and I am willing to give my heart and soul. At the same time I am taking this time to reconnect with my far family, improve my health and contribute back to the society. 

Some one said "you should divide your salary into three equal parts, no matter how much you earn. Those division should be saving, Charity donations and expenditure." According to him this is the formula for getting rich. Also please see the video below, this reminds me of a seminar I attended through which I learnt to ask questions. 

Smoking is injurious to health. 

There is an app for almost everything

Ojas Apartment, Ahmedabad


Apple says there is an iphone app for almost everything, which I disagreed until today. Watch the video !
I am currently in Ahmedabad, Gujarat and working with Foundation for MSME Clusters. The Foundation assists institutions undertake effective and inclusive cluster based local area development in developing and transition economies. 


I am working on "Promoting Innovative clusters in India" programme which is implemented by the Foundation and supported by the Department of Science and Technology, India. Its been almost 3 weeks in Ahmedabad and I am absolutely loving it. Although its humid mostly, Gujaratis are the sweetest people I have met.


Also I booked a silver alto k10 today for myself.

Difference of Opinions !

Hala Building, Dubai


People have opinions and there is no harm in expressing them. However sometimes we are not present to the difference in opinions that might exist between people.


This year football world cup has been a full of surprises, however I have not seen a complete football game since the exit of Engand team.


Spain won the world-cup on the 11th of July against a reckless dutch side which tried everything to bring the trophy home.



Also watch this video if you own a BlackBerry !

Adult Disneyland

Hala Building, Dubai


Everything is fantasy here is Dubai from Tall skyscrapers to man-made islands. However this downturn has hit Dubai severally since the economy largely depends on real-estate and tourism. If you have time please see the video below, which highlights the boldness of the ruler of Dubai. 


Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed: It's not a recession, it's a challenge.

Mere Escape for English Football

 Hala Building, Dubai

England prevented an early exit from the World Cup thanks to Jermain Defoe's early goal. A nation which lives on football, its hard to imagine it exiting football world cup at the group stage. However Capello's men are in the last 16 and keeping the hope of millions of English football fans alive. 

These days I am organising a small get-together for all Scindians in this country. 

Follow your passion, see the video below. 

Africa Africa

Hala Building, Dubai

What a football world-cup this is turning out to be, none of the teams apart from Argentina are playing to their potential and none of the football pundits are able to predict the winner of this year biggest sporting event. Although the world cup is taking place in South Africa, its

Although I visit Dubai twice every year, Dubai has never failed to amaze me with its scale of development and growth. Although due to the credit crunch which has affected the real estate market, there are many sites where work has halted half through, however the rulers promise to recover stronger from this downturn. This city offers many activities such as Desert safari, water sports, shopping, etc. the summer offers a great resistance to tourists and visitors like me.

Also I am taking this time to network with fellow Scindians in Dubai and old friends at a level I have never connected before. Its never too late to learn a new language and I am learning to speak Arabic by attending 2 hours lessons every alternative day.

Lets Celebrate WORLD-CUP

It tight at the top

Hala Building, Dubai

During my these holidays, there has not been a single day when I haven't asked myself the questions "What I really want to do ?" and there is still no answer after spending hours and hours pondering upon it. Although I am good in certain things but that does not mean I am passionate about them. One thing which I am certain about, is that I wish to pursue my MBA from London Business School. I watch this video almost every week and would like to share it with you.

London Business School - CNN - Leadership

iPhone 4 is available for pre-order today in 5 countries and although it promises to be a great communication tool , it does comes at a hefty price. Also sony has challenged Microsoft and Wii by introducing Sony Playstation Move.

I can't wait for Rahat and Shrey to visit me in Dubai from 2nd to 6th July.

Lets call it a Day

I have finished my three years of bachelors, which began in September 2007. It’s been a great learning experience and I have met some very beautiful people during this time. I am now flying to Dubai for 2 months to spend time with my family and specially my brother Manish.

The past month has been truly amazing, I have appeared for my final exams, cleared my UK driving practical test, been offered a job which was later rejected due to visa issues and spend some quality time with my friends. Also not to mention spend three weeks on crutches because I sprained my right ankle badly in the gym and sidelined from football for at least another two months.

The new Prime Minister David Cameron is under tremendous challenge to bring quick reforms within this country; and so far is doing a fair job. There are couple of things I would like to share within this post. First is project Natal and the second is Google voice. I would not be writing much about them since their respective you-tubes videos are self-explanatory. Also it is very unlikely that Google voice will be launched in United Kingdom due to security reasons but does promises to be a breakthrough in how computers and telephone will interact in the future.

One of my closest friend, Kavyanjali Kaushik leaves for India next week and it in unlikely she would be returning back to UK anytime soon. She is the sweetest person I have met in my life and I can’t explain how close she is to me. I don’t have words for her, we have fought, laughed, cried and have spend some of the most beautiful time together. I met her on the first day of my university orientation and had never imagined that we would get so close.

And Finally I have checked out of my room 420 for good. I don’t know why I am getting sentimental but the truth is that I will miss life in ISH and I will miss my room. I don’t know where life will take me and but I am ready to begin a new leg of my journey

“Great minds do not think alike”

Where is Technology heading ?

Maryleborne Campus, University of Westminster

I have finished my final year project and gearing up for my final exams in May. In total, I have to appear for 5 exams to graduate this year. Although I am quite confident to graduate this year, I have to work hard to achieve a first class for my degree.

Life is evolving and so is people. There is an air of uncertainty all around me as I am about to graduate, however what is certain so far is that I am departing for Mumbai on the 16th of June and spending the entire month of July in Dubai with parents. My friends too are either looking for work or continuing with further studies.

Although I am not a technology geek like my little brother Manish, I do keep up to date with the technology around me. Recently Apple Inc. released its first version of the tablet PC known as the iPad. Although a fancy piece of technology, its ability to transform computing is widely criticised by many industry analyst and me. Irrespective of all the talking, the company is falling to meet the demand of the public and has already sold 500,000 units. Also Yesterday, Apple Inc. took another big step to challenge the monopoly of Microsoft and Google by introducing its own ad platform known as the iAd. I personally believe this healthy competition between these three technology giants is great advantage to the public who is witnessing technology being transformed like never before.

The entire nation's attention is diverted to politics with the general elections being held on the May the 6. If the labour party fails to continue its dominance in British politics, it will be a big blow to the the International Community living in the United Kingdom. The current prime minister, Gordon Brown's policies has been bringing foreign talent to this country, however all this is set to change if the conservative party headed by David Cameron comes into power this summer. At the end of the day whowever pledges to become the prime minister, he will find it very hard to firstly bring the country out of recession and maintain the current state of economy which has been thrown into pieces by reckless city bankers and hedge fund managers. I used to think I am least interested in politics, however living here and the British media has generated my interest in government policies and how to affect the common man like me.

The sun us back into my life and I believe it is going to get beautiful as the summer approaches.

People : DON'T JUST SURVIVE

Final Project

Cavendish Campus, University of Westminster

My final year project deadline is tomorrow, although I am confident I to score well, there is always margin to improve. I got my feedback from my supervisor and he has almost asked me to write my discussion again which accounts for 20% of my report.

I will also be stopping the mail you receive every time I post something on my blog. It holiday festival in UK, but no easter for me this year as my final semester is cramped up with exams and this project. I will explain my project and its significance in this world in my next post.

Kavya forwarded me this, I believe you should read this -

"‎​I don't know much about cricket but still i watch cricket to see Sachin play. Not because I love his play. Its to know the reason why the country's production is reduced by 5 percent when he's batting"..-Barack Obama"

Higher Education

Higher education is given great importance in this country. Today i am taking a group of year 12 students around my campus and sharing with them the benefits of higher education. In this country, Students from the age of 12 are taught advantages of going to university and are
suppported to choose their interested career option.

Yesterday we celebrated Aaditi's birthday sitting next to bonfire in the dark london evening. It was lovely !

I am first time posting from my mobile. Technology breakthrought.

Also Manchester United host AC Milan this evening. Watch the football match if you can.

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going

Cavendish Campus, University of Westminster

I am going to resume writing my blog, since this allows to express myself in a different way and at the same time its improving my writing.

Couple of updates I have been rejected from both Roche and Novartis and currently have not applied for anymore jobs. I have my final year project submission on the 30th of March and striving for first class as I have really worked hard in the lab. At the same time, the sun is back into my life though the temperature is below 5 degree Celsius.

Inshallah I will be writing short but regular posts.

Cold Innit

218, London

Currently the outside temperature is a - 3 degree Celsius. Blistering cold conditions and snow will prevail this week with temperatures reaching as low as minus 10. I guess this will add to worries of UK prime minter Gordon Brown, who is fighting for his post in his pre-election campaign.

So people of Britain, please cover yourself to prevent the UK winter from biting you.

2010

218, London

Happy new Year to you all, I am writing after a gap of 5 days is because I am still recovering from my new year bash. Just kidding, my new year started of chilling with some friends and listening to music. Most of us preferred to stay indoors because of the cold weather but 200,000 courageous people watched the London Fireworks, which were reduced by 2 minutes this year to save money.

Not so special resolutions this year for me as I intend to focus on the job in hand and avoid spend time first coming up with a resolution and then spend some more time modifying them as the year gets along. Although I believe there are people, whom I personally know have made some tough resolutions and can abide with them.

This weekend has just been about movies, I have watched 6 movies in 2 days and haven't stepped out of ISH except going to Tesco to buy some food. I will be moving back to my old room on the 8th of January and have lectures commencing from 11th January.

I hope you all had a great start of 2010 and good luck with your future endeavors.

Make someone smile tomorrow