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E-Journal of the Senior Engineers of the KSEBEA Vol. 10 no.8 November 2012 Editor: K.E.

DAMODARAN NAYANAR

FROM THE EDITOR

The lone technical paper in this issue is on Lightning. The lesser known facts, however, may compel us to observe due caution. Improbable research makes good reading; Ig nobel 2012 winners developed a jammer to stop the microphone maniac, a formula to study how coffee in a mug will slosh, and a formula to explain the forces at work on a tightly tied ponytail. The famous poet Sankara Pillai depicts the events and legends relating to the city of Kollam. The prescription to combat the dreaded Dementia is borrowed from the mail already received by many of you because it is so precious. The changes in corporate culture in a tabular form will help to understand the magnitude and implications on human culture and values. Mooshika sthree and future of child are in the nature of fables while the Taxi story is romantic and touching. The adventure of B-school graduate Chandra Dubey foraying into agri-business is an improbable but real story. Sasi appears to have made the Subhaashitham briefer; PKC has some fantastic quotations from Chanakya. KNC as always is razor-sharp in his analysis. HAPPY READING!
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K.E.DAMODARAN NAYANAR

Thanks for the Lineage October issue. Nice compilation.

G.H. Krishna Iyer

30.09.12

Thanks for Lineage, October. Glad to see Er. Anadkumars humor. Actually I could not but laugh on seeing the Photo of Kozhikode International Airport with Stray Dogs welcoming the Guests. Please keep going. Warm Regards, P.K.Chandran 03.10.12 Read LINEAGE of October all at a stretch, except the business column-(which seldom clicks in my brain.) I think Er.Anandakumar could easily write many more similar articles. It is his remark that only two persons read LINEAGE that compelled me to write this. There are many who read but very few who respond. Sreedharan P The Lineage is becoming more beautiful in appearance and heavier in contents. The efforts of the team of editors who are struggling hard to make our magazine look beautiful and publish in time are highly appreciated. Knc kurup

Good marriage mantra

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Marriage is an institution of patience, sacrifice, caring for each other and sharing. Our forefathers spoke about Saptapadi --- the seven steps one takes in life and a sense of commitment, cooperation, compassion, caring and less ego. The relationship in marriage can take form either as strength or a weakness, depending on the mind. If the mind is strong then relationships can be like a gift to us. But if the mind is weak and not in control, then relationships can feel like bondage. If you hold each others necks, it will feel like bondage. If you walk together shoulder to shoulder with each other, it will feel like a support. So be a companion to each other and move forward. In marriage you should consider the other person as your own part; like your arm, like your body. It is two bodies, one mind one soul. So whatever your spouse desires you make it your own desire. Your spouses taste, consider it as your own taste. When does the conflict arise? It happens when your tastes start moving apart. You should start saying your taste is my taste, your pleasure is my pleasure, I am here for you, rather than what can you do for me? When we say What can you do for me? then both become unhappy. Happy marriages are based on I am here for you, come what may, happy times or unhappy times! In life some times there are disappointments, some times there is success. In either case, I am with you. As time passes in a relationship, a couple witnesses that expectations and attitudes change. The relationship can become better with more yoga and meditation practice. We can learn how to communicate better in the relationship, to be more patient and forgiving. Again and again, the cycle rotates from rosy and glorious bliss to momentary shakiness. There may be confusion when little earth quakes shake. Commitment is what holds it together, when you decide not to fall apart. Spirituality is what gives the strength to see it through. ===================================================

Crazy ritual

Ig Nobel honours 2012


Igs are intended as a bit of a spoof on the more sober Nobel science prizes. Ig Nobel ceremony is held at Harvard's Sanders Theatre by the American science humour magazine, Annals of Improbable Research. The gala is always attended by real Nobel Laureates, who hand out the prizes. Recipients get 60 seconds to make an acceptance speech. If they run over, a young girl will start to shout "boring". Another tradition is for everyone in the theatre to throw paper planes.
2012 winners included teams that studied how chimps could recognise each other from their behinds, how to use speech jammers to disrupt a speech, how the balance of forces determine the shape and movement of human hair tied in ponytail knot and why coffee will spill out of a moving mug. Some of this celebrated research might sound daft; but much of it is intended to tackle real-world problems and gets published in scholarly journals.

1. Pony tail research 2. Paper planes. 3. The real Nobel Laureates invited to this year's event demonstrate the science behind the Psychology Prize
Principal winners 2012 Ig Nobel :

Psychology Prize: for the study Leaning to the Left Makes the Eiffel Tower Seem Smaller. Acoustics Prize: for creating the Speech Jammer - a machine that disrupts a person's speech by making them hear their own spoken words at a very slight delay. Neuroscience Prize: for demonstrating that brain researchers, by using complicated instruments and simple statistics, can see meaningful brain activity anywhere - even in a dead salmon. Physics Prize: for calculating the balance of forces that shape and move the hair in a human ponytail. Fluid Dynamics Prize: for studying the dynamics of liquid-sloshing, to learn what happens when a person walks while carrying a cup of coffee. Anatomy Prize: for discovering that chimpanzees can identify other chimpanzees individually from seeing photographs of their rear ends.

Nuggets from Instruction to the invitees! If You Are Coming to Sanders Theatre...
We suggest you wear clothing; its good to wear clothing that is, like you, colorful. People like yourself (or in some cases, very unlike yourself) in distant places, watching the broadcast and seeing occasional glimpses of the Sanders Theatre audience, will thrill to the panoply of colors, styles, and improbable accoutrements. This is the night to unearth your old wedding gown, uniform, suit of armor, labcoat or longjohns. WHAT TO BRING: Paper, paper, paper. Paper to make into paper airplanes. Additional paper to give to those around you who may have forgotten to bring their own paper, and who as a consequence of their own neglect are forlornly wishing they could join in the thrill and intellectual romance of making and throwing paper airplanes. SAFETY FIRST, please! Paper airplanes should be thrown at the safety-equipment-laden individual onstage who is the Designated Paper Airplane Target. NOTE: There will be two (2) designated Paper Airplane Deluge periods, one at the very start of the ceremony, the other at the ceremony's midpoint.
- BBC News

This knowledge is precious

Flash Facts about Lightning


Organized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other partners, Lightning Safety Week is held the last full week of June in the US.
Lightning is one of the leading weatherrelated causes of death and injury. Most people do not realize that they can be struck by lightning even when the center of a thunderstorm is 10 miles away and there are blue skies overhead. Did you know that rubber shoes do nothing to protect you from lightning? That talking on the telephone is the leading cause of lightning injuries inside the home? That standing under a tall tree is one of the most dangerous places to take shelter? And what does it mean if your hair starts to stand on end during a thunderstorm?
Scroll down for the answers to these and other questionsand for tips and procedures to protect yourself and your property against one of nature's most lethal phenomena. Lightning is a giant discharge of electricity accompanied by a brilliant flash of light and a loud crack of thunder. The spark can reach over eight kilometers in length, raise the temperature of the air by as much as 27,700 degrees Celsius, and contain a hundred million electrical volts. Some scientists think that lightning may have played a part in the evolution of living organisms. The immense heat and other energy given off during a stroke has been found to convert elements into compounds that are found in organisms. Lightning can kill people or cause cardiac arrest. Injuries range from severe burns and permanent brain damage to memory loss and personality change. Lightning is not confined to thunderstorms. It's been seen in volcanic eruptions, intense fires, surface nuclear detonations, heavy snowstorms, and in large hurricanes. forest

Ice in a cloud may be key in the development of lightning. Ice particles collide as they swirl around in a storm, causing a separation of electrical charges. Positively charged ice crystals rise to the top of the thunderstorm, and negatively charged ice particles and hailstones drop to the lower parts of the storm. Enormous charge differences develop.

A moving thunderstorm also gathers positively charged particles along the ground that travel with the storm. As the differences in charges continue to increase, positively charged particles rise up tall objects such as trees, houses, and telephone polesand people. The negatively charged bottom part of the storm sends out an invisible charge toward the ground. When the charge gets close to the ground, it is attracted by all the positively charged objects, and a channel develops. The subsequent electrical transfer in the channel is lightning. If your hair stands up in a storm, it could be a bad sign that positive charges are rising through you, reaching toward the negatively charged part of the storm. That's not a good sign! Your best bet is to get yourself immediately indoors. The rapid expansion of heated air causes the thunder. Since light travels faster than sound, the thunder is heard after the lightning. If you see lightning and hear thunder at the same time, that lightning is in your neighborhood. If you see successive strokes of lightning in the same place on the horizon then you are in line with the storm, and it may be moving toward you. Not all lightning forms in the negatively charged area low in the thunderstorm cloud. Some lightning originates in the top of the thunderstorm, the area carrying a large positive charge. Lightning from this area is called positive lightning. Positive lightning is particularly dangerous, because it frequently strikes away from the rain core, either ahead or behind the thunderstorm. It can strike as far as 8 or 16 kilometers from the storm, in areas that most people do not consider to be a lightning-risk area. During a thunderstorm, each flash of cloud-to-ground lightning is a potential killer. The determining factor on whether a particular flash could be deadly depends on whether a person is in the path of the lightning discharge. In addition to the visible flash that travels through the air, the current associated with the lightning discharge travels along the ground. Many victims are struck as the current moves in and along the ground. If you can hear thunder, you are within 16 kilometers of a stormand can be struck by lightning. Seek shelter and avoid situations in which you may be vulnerable. Use the 30-30 rule, when visibility is good and there is nothing obstructing your view of the thunderstorm. When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If that time is 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm is within ten kilometers of you and is dangerous. Seek shelter immediately. The threat of lightning continues for a much longer period than most people realize. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before leaving shelter. Don't be fooled by sunshine or blue sky! People involved in activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, bicycling, golfing, jogging, walking, hiking, camping, or working outdoors all need to take the appropriate actions in a timely manner when thunderstorms approach. *Where organized sports activities take place, coaches, umpires, referees, or camp counselors must protect the safety of the participants by stopping the activities sooner, so that the participants and spectators can get to a safe place before the lightning threat becomes significant.

People on or in or near water are among those most at risk during thunderstorms. Swimming is particularly dangerous, as not only do swimmers protrude from the water, presenting a potential channel for electrical discharge, but also because water is a good conductor of electricity. Inside homes, people must also avoid activities which put their lives at risk from a possible lightning strike. As with the outdoor activities, these activities should be avoided before, during, and after storms. In particular, people should stay away from windows and doors and avoid contact with anything that conducts electricity, including landline telephones. Most people hurt by lightning while inside their homes are talking on the telephone at the time. People may also want to take certain actions well before the storm to protect property within their homes, such as electronic equipment. Surge protectors do not protect against direct lightning strikes. Unplug equipment such as computers and televisions. If a person is struck by lightning, medical care may be needed immediately to save the person's life. Cardiac arrest and irregularities, burns, and nerve damage are common in cases where people are struck by lightning. However, with proper treatment, including CPR if necessary, most victims survive a lightning strike, although the long-term effects on their lives and the lives of family members can be devastating. A house or other substantial building offers the best protection from lightning. For a shelter to provide protection from lightning, it must contain a mechanism for conducting the electrical current from the point of contact to the ground. These mechanisms may be on the outside of the structure, may be contained within the walls of the structure, or may be a combination of the two. On the outside, lightning can travel along the outer shell of the building or may follow metal gutters and downspouts to the ground. Inside a structure, lightning can follow conductors such as the electrical wiring, plumbing, and telephone lines to the ground. Unless specifically designed to be lightning safe, small structures do little, if anything, to protect occupants from lightning. Many small open shelters on athletic fields, on golf courses, in parks, at roadside picnic areas, in school yards, and elsewhere are designed to protect people from rain and sun, but not lightning. A shelter that does not contain plumbing or wiring throughout or some other mechanism for grounding from the roof to ground is not safe. Small wooden, vinyl, or metal sheds offer little or no protection from lightning and should be avoided during thunderstorms. There are three main ways lightning enters homes and buildings: a direct strike, through wires or pipes that extend outside the structure and into the ground. Regardless of the method of entrance, once in a structure, the lightning can travel through the electrical, phone, plumbing, and radio or television reception systems. Lightning can also travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring. Phone use is the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries Lightning can travel long distances in both phone and electrical wires. Do not lie on the concrete floor of a garage as it likely contains a wire mesh. In general, basements are a safe place to go during thunderstorms. However, avoid contact with concrete walls, which may contain metal reinforcing bars.

Avoid washers and dryers, since they not only have contacts with the plumbing and electrical systems but also contain an electrical path to the outside through the dryer vent. Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives. Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry. Victims of lightning do not retain the charge and are not "electrified." It is safe to help them. Rubber shoes will not give you any meaningful protection from lightning. Lightning canand often doesstrike in the same place twice. Tall buildings and monuments are frequently hit by lightning. A motor car with a metal top can offer you some protectionbut keep your hands from the metal sides. An umbrella can increase your chances of being struck by lightning if it makes you the tallest object in the area. Always avoid being the highest object anywhereor taking shelter near or under the highest object, including tall trees. Avoid being near a lightning rod or standing near metal objects such as a fence or underground pipes.

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A sweet lesson on patience


A NYC Taxi driver wrote: I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. 'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice. I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. 'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said 'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may Consider a small one. Contributed by Suhair

Labrador
Roxy, a large black Labrador, was sitting up in his seat at the movies, wagging his tail, growling at the villain and barking excitedly at the heros escapades. The woman in the seat behind him was intrigued. Excuse me, she said, tapping Roxys owner on the shoulder, that dog is extraordinary. Ive never seen anything like it! Yes, hes surprised me, too, said the owner. He hated the book. Readers Digest

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Corporate culture in Knowledge Society


(WHAT WORKED YESTERDAY WONT WORK TODAY)

Yesterday Natural Resources defined Power Hierarchy was the model Leaders commanded and controlled Shareholders come first Employees took orders Seniority signified status Production determined availability Value was extra Everyone was a competitor Profits were earned through expediency Knowledge is Power Synergy is the model

Today

Leaders empower and coach Customers come first Teams make decision Creativity drive status Competitiveness is the key Value is everything Everyone is a customer Work with integrity and succeed with integrity

(Garnered)

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HEALTH COLUMN

Dementia
Most of us start worrying about dementia after retirement - and that may be too little, too late. Experts say that if you really want to ward off dementia, you need to start taking care of your brain in your 30s and 40s - or even earlier. "More and more research is suggesting that lifestyle is very important to your brain's health," says Dr. Paul Nussbaum, a neuro-psychologist and an adjunct Associate Professor at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine. "If you want to live a long, healthy life, then many of us need to start as early as we can." So what can you do to beef up your brain - and possibly ward off dementia? Nussbaum, who recently gave a speech on the topic for the Winter Park (Fla.) Health Foundation, offers 20 tips that may help. 1. Join clubs or organizations that need volunteers. If you start volunteering now, you won't feel lost and unneeded after you retire. 2. Develop a hobby or two. Hobbies help you develop a robust brain because you're trying something new and complex. 3. Practise writing with your non-dominant hand several minutes everyday. This will exercise the opposite side of your brain and fire up those neurons. 4. Take dance lessons. In a study of nearly 500 people, dancing was the only regular physical activity associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. The people who danced three or four times a week showed 76 percent less incidence of dementia than those who danced only once a week or not at all. 5. Need a hobby? Start gardening. Researchers in New Zealand found that, of 1,000 people, those who gardened regularly were less likely to suffer from dementia! Not only does gardening reduce stress, but gardeners use their brains to plan gardens; they use visual and spatial reasoning to lay out a garden. 6. Walking daily can reduce the risk of dementia because cardiovascular health is important to maintain blood flow to the brain. Or... buy a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps a day. 7. Read and write daily. Reading stimulates a wide variety of brain areas that process and store information. Likewise, writing (not copying) stimulates many areas of the brain as well. 8. Start knitting. Using both hands works both sides of your brain. And it's a stress reducer. 9. Learn a new language. Whether it's a foreign language or sign language, you are working your brain by making it go back and forth between one language and the other. A researcher in England found that being bilingual seemed to delay symptoms of Alzheimer's disease for four years. And some research suggests that the earlier a child learns sign language, the higher his IQ - and people with high IQs are less likely to have dementia. So start them early. 10. Play board games such as Scrabble and Monopoly. Not only are you taxing your brain, you're socializing too. Playing solo games, such as solitaire or online computer brain games can be helpful, but Nussbaum prefers games that encourage you to socialize too. 11. Take classes throughout your lifetime. Learning produces structural and chemical changes in the brain, and education appears to help people live longer. Brain researchers have found that

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people with advanced degrees live longer - and if they do have Alzheimer's, it often becomes apparent only in the very later stages of the disease. 12. Listen to classical music. A growing volume of research suggests that music may hard wire the brain, building links between the two hemispheres. Any kind of music may work, but there's some research that shows positive effects for classical music, though researchers don't understand why. 13. Learn a musical instrument. It may be harder than it was when you were a kid, but you'll be developing a dormant part of your brain. 14. Travel. When you travel (whether it's to a distant vacation spot or on a different route across town), you're forcing your brain to navigate a new and complex environ-ment. A study of London taxi drivers found experienced drivers had larger brains because they have to store lots of information about locations and how to navigate there. 15. Pray. Daily prayer appears to help your immune system. And people who attend a formal worship service regularly live longer and report happier, healthier lives. 16. Learn to meditate. It's important for your brain that you learn to shut out the stresses of everyday life. 17. Get enough sleep. Studies have shown a link between interrupted sleep and dementia. 18. Eat more foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids: Salmon, sardines, tuna, ocean trout, mackerel or herring, plus walnuts (which are higher in omega 3s than salmon) and flaxseed. Flaxseed oil, cod liver oil and walnut oil are good sources too. 19. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables mop up some of the damage caused by free radicals, one of the leading killers of brain cells. 20. Eat at least one meal a day with family and friends. You'll slow down, socialize, and research shows you'll eat healthier food than if you ate alone or on the go.

DO ALL 20 THINGS LISTED ABOVE AND YOU WILL NOT FIND ENOUGH TIME IN YOUR LIFE TO FIT IN DEMENTIA AS WELL: IN OTHER WORDS, "CONTINUE TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU ALREADY DO AND YOUWILL HAVE COVERED MOST OF THE THINGS LISTED!" Contributed by GH Krishna Iyer
LAUGH

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Pinneyum mooshika sthree


One day a government worker was digging through his office drawers when suddenly he came upon a magic lamp. Since he'd heard these jokes before, he knew that he had to rub the lamp and make the genie come out. So he rubbed the lamp and -- oh, surprise -- out popped a genie. The genie asked, as genies will, What is your first wish? The government worker thought about it for a second and then replied, I would like to be rich! So the genie granted him his wish, and poof, the man was surrounded by piles of money rivaling the heaps of even Martha Stewart and Bill Gates. Since the government worker knew the whole wish process, the genie didn't even have to ask for number two before he said, My second wish is to be on an island with beautiful women surrounding me and obeying my every command! And poof, he was there. Then the government worker or better called, the civil servant -decided on his third wish, I don't want to do any work ever again! and poof -- ubiquitous ironic twist -- he was back in his office. Contributed by Suhair

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Feature B SCHOOL TO FARM


ADITI SAXENA

Thera-theri, population 1,500, lies 160 km from Bhopal on NH 86. It could be any village in central India though. Thera-theri has fertile land and fresh air but pucca roads and tap water are conspicuous by their absence. Farming is the primary source of income here. Beedimaking comes a close second. Neither fetches much money. Chandra Dubey, an IITKharagpur and IIM-Lucknow alumnus quit his job as marketing manager of an IT firm two years ago, and settled in this nondescript village to do corporate farming. Pata nahi Bhaiya Bambai se yahaan kya karne aye hain (I dont know why he has come here from Mumbai), remarks an elderly woman. Dubeys three-room house is probably the biggest in the village, but it has more machinery than furniture adorning it there are soil probes, a device that chisels, and a contraption for furrowing fields. 41-year-old Dubey is earnest and enthusiastic about his favorite subject farming. Bhushan Agro encourages scientific methods of farming to increase productivity on land. Machinery in India is expensive and farmers are unaware of its benefits. The company pays farmers a fixed rent of Rs 7,000 per acre per year for irrigated land. Once the harvest is ready and sold in the local mandi, the profit on the increased productivity per acre is shared equally between the company and the farmer. It took Dubey two IT jobs, four management jobs, and a workshop on the Modern methods of crop management by the man he considers his guru, R Madhavan, to realise that his interest lay in agriculture. Bhushan Agro kicked off in June 2010 with a Rs 20 lakh investment from Dubeys personal savings, and a pilot run on 10 acres of land on lease for one year. Another Rs 8 lakh came within the first year of starting up from Narendra Makwane, an IIM-A alumnus. It will be a slow road to success. Dubey keeps ploughing away. OUTLOOK BUSINESS

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What would your child be?

By Steve Goodier

There is a difference between education and experience. Education is what you get from reading the small print. Experience is what you get from not reading it! But isn't it true that great learning comes from both education and experience? A young school teacher had a dream that an angel appeared to him and said, "You will be given a child who will grow up to become a world leader. How will you prepare her so that she will realize her intelligence, grow in confidence, develop both her assertiveness and sensitivity, be open-minded, yet strong in character? In short, what kind of education will you provide that she can become one of the world's truly great leaders?" The young teacher awoke in a cold sweat. It had never occurred to him beforeany one of his present or future students could be the person described in his dream. Was he preparing them to rise to any position to which they may aspire? He thought, how might my teaching change, if I knew that one of my students were this person?' He gradually began to formulate a plan in his mind. This student would need experience as well as instruction. She would need to know how to solve problems of various kinds. She would need to grow in character as well as knowledge. She would need self-assurance as well as the ability to listen well and work with others. She would need to understand and appreciate the past, yet feel optimistic about the future. She would need to know the value of lifelong learning in order to keep a curious and active mind. She would need to grow in understanding of others and become a student of the spirit. She would need to set high standards for herself and learn self discipline, yet she would also need love and encouragement, that she might be filled with love and goodness. His teaching changed. Every young person who walked through his classroom became, for him, a future world leader. He saw each one, not as they were, but as they could be. He expected the best from his students, yet tempered it with compassion. He taught each one as if the future of the world depended on his instruction. After many years, a woman he knew rose to a position of world prominence. He realized that she must surely have been the girl described in his dream. Only she was not one of his students, but rather his daughter. For of all the various teachers in her life, her father was the best. I've heard it said that "Children are living messages we send to a time and place we will never see." But this isn't simply a parable about an unnamed school teacher. It is a parable about you and mewhether or not we are parents or even teachers. And the story, our story, actually begins like this: "You will be given a child who will grow up to become." You finish the sentence. If not a world leader, then a superb father? an excellent teacher? a gifted healer? an innovative problem solver? an inspiring artist? a generous philanthropist? Where and how you will encounter this child is a mystery. But believe that one child's future may depend upon influence only you can provide, and something remarkable will happen. For no young person will ever be ordinary to you again. And you will never be the same. Contributed by Suhair

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15 Great Thoughts by Chanakya


1) ."Learn from the mistakes of others... you can't live long enough to make them all yourselves!!" 2) ."A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed "A first." 3) ."Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous." "Even 4) ."There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self interest selfinterests. This is a bitter truth." 5) ."Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What "Before the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory . answers to these questions, go ahead." 6) ."As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it." "As 7) ."The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman." "The 8) ."Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People "Once something, who work sincerely are the happiest." 9) ."The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a "The person spreads in all direction." 10) ."God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple." "God Your 11) ."A man is great by deeds, not by birth." "A 12) ."Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will "Never never give you any happiness." 13) ."Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the "Treat time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends." 14) ."Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person." "Books 15) ."Education is the Best Friend. An Educated Person is Respected Everywhere. Education n beats the Beauty and the Youth."
Contributed by P.K.Chandran

Naval Dentist
You have four cavities! barked the naval dentist, looking at the X rays. He grabbed a huge steel X-rays. syringe and shot both sides of my mouth full of novocaine. He then looked at the X-rays and then my X mouth. Then back at the X-rays and again at my mouth. He then sat down. rays I have good news and bad news, he said. The bad news is, these are not your X X-rays. The good news is, youre cured.

Diamond Necklace
A married couple has been out shopping for hours when the wife disappeared. So she calls his cell phone. Where Darling, he says, do you remember that jewelry shop, the one member necklace you loved? But I didnt have enough money at the time, so day? Yes! she shouts, excitedlyWell, Im in the bar next to it. realizes that her husband has are you!? she yells. where you saw that diamond I said, Baby, itll be yours one
(Readers Digest)

The countess calls to the servant: -John, you water the flowers! John, -But countess, it is raining! But -It does not matter; Take the umbrella! It

-ieee

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Report of the meeting of Kannur unit Ocober 20 12


The meeting commenced at 10.30am at Engineers House Kannur on 14-08-12 with Er.V.P.Soman Vice President in chair. 38 Engineers attended the meeting. After silent prayer Er.E.P.Ravindran welcomed the gathering. One minute silence was observed fin memory of the victims of the gas tanker mishap at Chala on the 26th August 2012. In the presidential speech Er.V.P.Soman narrated the tanker mishap at Chala, Pension revision and the alarming storage at Idukki. Er.A.V.Mohanan Nambiar presented the minutes of the last meeting and reported the follow up actions taken. The minutes were confirmed. Er.M.C.Reghusudhan presented the accounts which was passed as such. Rose bouquets were presented to Ers. P.U.Bhaskaran Nambiar, E.P.Padmanabhan, M.C.Reghusudhan, T.Sukumaran, E.Ganghadharan and A.V.Mohanan Nambiar who have celebrated their birth days since last meeting. Er.A.V.Mohanan Nambiar suggested organizing a function on 5th December 2012 - the first death anniversary of Er.C.M.Damodaran. The Engineers Quiz-2012, Energy conservation fortnight celebration and a CMD commemoration address could be the main items. Er.V.K.Damodaran who was contacted had expressed his consent to deliver the First C M Damodaran memorial lecture if his schedules permit. Ers.M.C.Reghusudhan, M.V.Gopalakrishnan, K.E.Daomdaran Nayanar and A.V.Mohanan Nambiar spoke with alternate suggestions. The university Examinations for Kannur University will conclude only after 5th of December. If the date is to be changed an alternate date on 14th December should be explored. It is better to conduct Quiz in a good hotel like Malabar Residency where facilities are available rather than a plain Hall. Co operation and contribution from Engineers Association is to be sought. The secretary is authorised to coordinate with the Engineers Association in this regard. The general consensus was to hold the function in a befitting manner expressing our affection to the departed colleague. A Sub committee was formed with Er.K.E.Damodaran Nayanar as Convenor with following persons as members. Ers.V.P.Soman, K.Sasidharan, P.T.Jayachandran, E.P.Ravindran, M.Kunhiraman, C.C.Sahadevan, P.K.Chandran, and A.M.Divakaran. President, Secretary and Treasurer will be ex-officio members. The Secretary is authorised to coordinate with the Engineers Association in this regard. Er.M.V.Gopalakrishnan presented the pension revision in detail and the threat of PFRDA bill moved before the Parliament. General discussions followed Ers K.E Damodaran Nayanar, V.P.Soman, P.T.Jayachandran, P.Sreedharan ,K.Sasidharan and A.V.Mohanan Nambiar participated in the discussions on pension, conservation of energy and the load shedding etc. Er.K.E.Damodaran Nayanar presented the Lineage for the months of August and September. Er.E.P.Ravindran proposed vote of thanks to all and meeting came to close by 1.45 pm followed by the lunch hosted by Er. M.J. Vargheese. A.V.Mohanan Nambiar/ Secretay

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ANNOUNCEMENT

The year 2012 is being observed as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for all. In India Energy Conservation fortnight is being observed from December 1-14. The First death anniversary of Er. C.M.Damodaran falls on 05.12.2012. Kannur Units of KSEB Engineers Association and Senior Engineers Forum have decided to hold a special event on 11.12.2012. We have invited seven Engineering Colleges in the region to send their contestants to the Engineers Quiz 2012. Dr. Mohandas, MESCE Kuttipuram has consented to deliver a talk on ENERGY CONSERVATION. Renowned professional Prof. V.K. Damodaran, Director-General, INGCORE will deliver the first CMD commemoration address, signifying the UN initiative to ensure Sustainable Energy for all. Association stalwarts and other former colleagues will participate in the function that is expected to be a fitting tribute to Er. C.M.Damodaran, former Deputy Chief Engineer, KSEB. His leadership and skills roused a large group of Engineers CMD mentored during his illustrious career. The dynamism of the Engineers Association, Kannur Unit owes everything to CMD initiatives. The Senior Engineers Forum was nurtured and molded on his inspiration. His innovations helped the journal LINEAGE to succeed and survive Guest participants are requested to contact Er. Mohanan Nambiar over Phone number 9895268328 for further details.
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TIPS ON INVESTMENTS IN SHARES-CXIII


The market indices moved in October 2012, in a very narrow range .While the sensex moved in the range of 19058 and 18578, the Nifty moved between 5747 and 5646. During the first week of Oct. sensex and Nifty moved up but the rally did not sustain as investors took profits when the market went up. The lack of market boosters caused the indices to move down. The inflation was up due to increase in diesel prices. The quarterly results from companies were not encouraging. The global cues were also not good. Europe continued to trouble global investors as Standard and Poor cut its ratings on BNP Paribas and two other major French banks. The unemployment rate in Spain rose to 25% in Sep. The forthcoming US presidential election is also causing the investors edgy. Due to all these factors the indices were struck in a very narrow trading range in the month of Oct. The short term view of the market is bearish, while the medium term view continues to be in the bullish.. The sensex was stuck in the range 19058 and 18578 during Oct. The short term view is negative for the index. It may move lower to 18440 or 18220 if the down trend accelerates. The short term view will turn positive if the index goes on to close above 18900. The medium trend in the index continues to be positive. It will turn negative only if the index closes below 17840.The next higher targets are at 19135 and 19505. The Nifty too was confined in the narrow range between 5788 and 5646. Here too the short term view is bearish, though the medium term view is positive. The medium term view will turn negative only for a close below 5420.The next targets are at 5825 and then at 5940. The supports are at 5596 and then at 5450. In the present scenario the investors should adopt extreme caution while trading. They may buy only on declining markets. Similarly periodic booking of profits should be made during rallies. They should also track their shares more frequently. FMCG shares are reigning the markets at present. ITC, HUL, MARICO,GODREJ etc belong to this category. Infra stocks are still in doldrums and not fit for investment now. Wishing all senior engineers a very happy Deepavali, -KNC

OBITUARY We deeply mourn the death of Er.A.M.Ratnakaran Nair, retired Assistant Engineer on 27.10.12 at Kanhangad. May his soul rest in peace!

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