Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

HAUNTING MELODY - My Favorite Rafi Song - Oonche Log - Jaag Dil-e-Deewana - Mohd.Rafi

JAAG DIL-E-DEEWANA
My Favorite Mohammed Rafi Song

In the year 1965 I saw a movie called OONCHE LOG.

Oonche Log was a unique suspense film with three stylish heroes Ashok Kumar, Raaj Kumar and Feroz Khan pitted against each other in high drama.

But the most remarkable thing about Oonche Log is this fantastic song sung by Mohd Rafi and filmed on Feroz Khan - JAAG DIL E DEEWANA.

The song has a haunting melody and I keep humming this song so often even till today.

So, dear reader, today on the 31st of July, the death anniversary of Mohammed Rafi, here is my favourite Mohd Rafi Song - JAAG DIL-E-DEEWANA from a film called OONCHE LOG (the music director is Chitragupta).

Just click below and I am sure you will enjoy the song on YouTube.

This is one of Rafi's unique songs - a difficult song yet such a smooth rendition by the inimitable Mohd Rafi.

Keep Humming and Enjoy your day.

My Favourite Mohammed Rafi Song - Jaag Dil E Diwana - Oonche Log (1965)

JAAG DIL-E-DEEWANA

My Favorite Mohd Rafi Song

Today the 31st of July is the death anniversary of Mohammed Rafi. Here is my favourite Mohd Rafi Song - JAAG DIL-E-DEEWANA from a film called OONCHE LOG - the music director is Chitragupta.

Oonche Log was a unique suspense film with three heroes Ashok Kumar, Raaj Kumar and Feroz Khan.

In order to refresh your memory, the video below has the movie titles followed by the song. So do have a look at the titles, the opening dialogue and then enjoy the melodious rendition of the song by Mohd Rafi

LYRICS

Jaag dil-e-deewana
rut jaagi
vasle yaar ki
Basi huyi zulf mein
aayi hai sabah pyar ki
Jaag dil-e-deewana...

Do dil ke kuch leke payaam aayi hai
chahat ke, kuch leke salaam aayi hai
dar pe tere subho khadhi
khoyi hai deedar ki

jaag dil-e-deewana...

Ek pari, kuch shaad si nashaadi si
baithi huyi, shabnam mein teri yaad ki
bheeg rahi hogi kahin
kali si gulzar ki

Jaag dil-e-deewana...

Aa mere dil, ab khawabon se mooh modh le
beeti huyi, sab raatein yehi chhodh de
tere to din raat hain
ab aankhon mein dildaar ki

jaag dil-e-deewana..
Rut jaagi vasle yaar ki
basi huyi zulf mein
aayi hai sabah pyar ki
jaag dil-e-deewana.

Notice how this difficult song is sung in a low voice yet so melodiously by the inimitable Mohd Rafi.

A WORK OF ART - My Favourite Short Stories Part 81

My Favourite Short Stories Part 81

VIKRAM KARVE

A WORK OF ART by Anton Chekhov

I have with me a number of shirt pieces and trouser pieces (pant pieces) which have been gifted to me as presents from time to time. Since I buy readymade shirts and trousers I wondered what to do with these pieces of top quality cloth. So I found a simple solution – whenever there was an occasion I gifted these pieces away as presents. Do you know what happened once? One such shirt piece went through an entire “gifting circle” and landed back to me as a present. The first thing I remembered at that hilarious moment was this classic story by the master storyteller Anton Chekhov – A Work of Art.

This story A WORK OF ART is freely available on the internet for you to read. I am giving a link below and also the story from the link for your convenience:

http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/achekhov/bl-achek-workart.htm

A Work of Art

by Anton Chekhov

(1860-1904)

Sasha Smirnov, the only son of his mother, holding under his arm, something wrapped up in No. 223 of the Financial News, assumed a sentimental expression, and went into Dr. Koshelkov’s consulting-room.

“Ah, dear lad!” was how the doctor greeted him. “Well! how are we feeling? What good news have you for me?”

Sasha blinked, laid his hand on his heart and said in an agitated voice: “Mamma sends her greetings to you, Ivan Nikolaevitch, and told me to thank you.… I am the only son of my mother and you have saved my life…you have brought me through a dangerous illness and…we do not know how to thank you.”

“Nonsense, lad!” said the doctor, highly delighted. “I only did what anyone else would have done in my place.”

“I am the only son of my mother…we are poor people and cannot of course repay you, and.… we are quite ashamed, doctor, although, however, mamma and I…the only son of my mother, earnestly beg you to accept in token of our gratitude…this object, which…An object of great value, an antique bronze.… A rare work of art.”

“You shouldn’t!” said the doctor, frowning. “What’s this for!”

“No, please do not refuse,” Sasha went on muttering as he unpacked the parcel. “You will wound mamma and me by refusing.… It’s a fine thing…an antique bronze.… It was left us by my deceased father and we have kept it as a precious souvenir. My father used to buy antique bronzes and sell them to connoisseurs…Mamma and I keep on the business now.…”

Sasha undid the object and put it solemnly on the table. It was a not very tall candelabra of old bronze and artistic workmanship. It consisted of a group: on the pedestal stood two female figures in the costume of Eve and in attitudes for the description of which I have neither the courage nor the fitting temperament. The figures were smiling coquettishly and altogether looked as though, had it not been for the necessity of supporting the candlestick, they would have skipped off the pedestal and have indulged in an orgy such as is improper for the reader even to imagine.

Looking at the present, the doctor slowly scratched behind his ear, cleared his throat and blew his nose irresolutely.

“Yes, it certainly is a fine thing,” he muttered, “but…how shall I express it?…it’s…h’m…it’s not quite for family reading. It’s not simply decolleté but beyond anything, dash it all.…”

“How do you mean?”

“The serpent-tempter himself could not have invented anything worse.… Why, to put such a phantasmagoria on the table would be defiling the whole flat.”

“What a strange way of looking at art, doctor!” said Sasha, offended. “Why, it is an artistic thing, look at it! There is so much beauty and elegance that it fills one’s soul with a feeling of reverence and brings a lump into one’s throat! When one sees anything so beautiful one forgets everything earthly.… Only look, how much movement, what an atmosphere, what expression!”

“I understand all that very well, my dear boy,” the doctor interposed, “but you know I am a family man, my children run in here, ladies come in.”

“Of course if you look at it from the point of view of the crowd,” said Sasha, “then this exquisitely artistic work may appear in a certain light.… But, doctor, rise superior to the crowd, especially as you will wound mamma and me by refusing it. I am the only son of my mother, you have saved my life.… We are giving you the thing most precious to us and…and I only regret that I have not the pair to present to you.…”

“Thank you, my dear fellow, I am very grateful…Give my respects to your mother but really consider, my children run in here, ladies come.… However, let it remain! I see there’s no arguing with you.”

“And there is nothing to argue about,” said Sasha, relieved. “Put the candlestick here, by this vase. What a pity we have not the pair to it! It is a pity! Well, good-bye, doctor.”

After Sasha’s departure the doctor looked for a long time at the candelabra, scratched behind his ear and meditated.

“It’s a superb thing, there’s no denying it,” he thought, “and it would be a pity to throw it away.… But it’s impossible for me to keep it.… H’m!…Here’s a problem! To whom can I make a present of it, or to what charity can I give it?”

After long meditation he thought of his good friend, the lawyer Uhov, to whom he was indebted for the management of legal business.

“Excellent,” the doctor decided, “it would be awkward for him as a friend to take money from me, and it will be very suitable for me to present him with this. I will take him the devilish thing! Luckily he is a bachelor and easy-going.”

Without further procrastination the doctor put on his hat and coat, took the candelabra and went off to Uhov’s.

“How are you, friend!” he said, finding the lawyer at home. “I’ve come to see you…to thank you for your efforts.… You won’t take money so you must at least accept this thing here.… See, my dear fellow.… The thing is magnificent!”

On seeing the bronze the lawyer was moved to indescribable delight.

“What a specimen!” he chuckled. “Ah, deuce take it, to think of them imagining such a thing, the devils! Exquisite! Ravishing! Where did you get hold of such a delightful thing?”

After pouring out his ecstasies the lawyer looked timidly towards the door and said: “Only you must carry off your present, my boy.… I can’t take it.…”

“Why?” cried the doctor, disconcerted.

“Why…because my mother is here at times, my clients…besides I should be ashamed for my servants to see it.”

“Nonsense! Nonsense! Don’t you dare to refuse!” said the doctor, gesticulating. “It’s piggish of you! It’s a work of art!… What movement…what expression! I won’t even talk of it! You will offend me!”

“If one could plaster it over or stick on fig-leaves…”

But the doctor gesticulated more violently than before, and dashing out of the flat went home, glad that he had succeeded in getting the present off his hands.

When he had gone away the lawyer examined the candelabra, fingered it all over, and then, like the doctor, racked his brains over the question what to do with the present.

“It’s a fine thing,” he mused, “and it would be a pity to throw it away and improper to keep it. The very best thing would be to make a present of it to someone.… I know what! I’ll take it this evening to Shashkin, the comedian. The rascal is fond of such things, and by the way it is his benefit tonight.”

No sooner said than done. In the evening the candelabra, carefully wrapped up, was duly carried to Shashkin’s. The whole evening the comic actor’s dressing-room was besieged by men coming to admire the present; dressing-room was filled with the hum of enthusiasm and laughter like the neighing of horses. If one of the actresses approached the door and asked: “May I come in?” the comedian’s husky voice was heard at once: “No, no, my dear, I am not dressed!”

After the performance the comedian shrugged his shoulders, flung up his hands and said: “Well what am I to do with the horrid thing? Why, I live in a private flat! Actresses come and see me! It’s not a photograph that you can put in a drawer!”

“You had better sell it, sir,” the hairdresser who was disrobing the actor advised him. “There’s an old woman living about here who buys antique bronzes. Go and enquire for Madame Smirnov…everyone knows her.”

The actor followed his advice.… Two days later the doctor was sitting in his consulting-room, and with his finger to his brow was meditating on the acids of the bile. All at once the door opened and Sasha Smirnov flew into the room. He was smiling, beaming, and his whole figure was radiant with happiness. In his hands he held something wrapped up in newspaper.

“Doctor!” he began breathlessly, “imagine my delight! Happily for you we have succeeded in picking up the pair to your candelabra! Mamma is so happy.… I am the only son of my mother, you saved my life.…”

And Sasha, all of a tremor with gratitude, set the candelabra before the doctor. The doctor opened his mouth, tried to say something, but said nothing: he could not speak.

Is there a moral in this story?

Sometimes things boomerang and what goes around may again come around. The “gift” (the antique piece candelabra) is a metaphor. But this effect of things going in circles and coming back to haunt you is especially evident in what you say (communications, spreading rumours, speaking ill of others etc) and what you do (if you do good, then the good will return back to you, maybe via a different route and similarly evil will reap evil).

As is the case with most stories of Anton Chekhov, notice how this story is breathtaking in its simplicity yet so powerful in delivering the message in a most witty manner. If you want to learn the craft of creative writing, especially the genre of short fiction, the first thing you must do is to read the stories of Anton Chekhov and closely observe his storytelling style.

Do read short fiction. And in this genre there is nothing to beat Anton Chekhov.

Happy Reading.

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this review.

Did you like this review?

I am sure you will like the 27 short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
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Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

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Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

OLD AGE WOES - LONELY WIDOWS OF PUNE

OLD AGE WOES

LONELY WIDOWS OF PUNE

Rumination

VIKRAM KARVE

Last week we decided to visit our senior citizen relatives and acquaintances above the age of 75 to personally deliver an invitation (though officially you are a “senior citizen” when you become 60 we consider only those above 75 as truly deserving of the epithet “senior citizen”).

We visited around 30 homes of senior citizens above 75 and this is what we observed.

There was only one surviving couple and only one widower – the rest were all widows (yes, 28 out of the 30 were widows).

Of course, we know that women have better longevity and outlive men, but the proportion was surprising.

From our sample, it appears that more than 90 % of senior citizens above the age of 75 are women.

At first, we were quite bewildered that almost all persons above the age of 75 are women, but when we looked around a bit more, in our colony and in a few more neighbourhoods in Pune and, to our surprise, we found that this is quite universally true. Widows greatly outnumber widowers. Yes, there are many more widows than widowers, at least in Pune.

Now to come back to our main story, we found that only 3 out of the 30 were living with their children – 1 widower and 2 widows. The remaining were living a forlorn and lonely life, all by themselves, all alone.

This means that 90 % of senior citizens above 75 are widows and of these over 90 % of these aged widows live by themselves, all alone.

Quite baffling statistics.

Dear Reader, is it the same in your city or is it different?

Lest you think that all these hapless widows have been “abandoned” by their children, let me assure you that it is not so.

In almost all cases the children had migrated abroad (mostly to the

USA

) and the children were well settled and financially well-to-do.

The children were quite willing to look after their parents and in fact almost all widows had green cards or visas and used to visit their children quite often.

But despite their lonely existence and failing health, these senior citizen widows were unwilling to migrate abroad and live with their children.

Now this really surprised me.

Yes, these elderly widows were quite well-off and lived in decent homes (some even had quite luxurious bungalows and apartments all to themselves).

Only one widow lived in a senior citizens’ “retirement community” (a glorified euphemism for an “old age home” albeit a luxurious one).

When we asked the forlorn aged widows why they did not settle abroad with their kids, they did not give a specific answer but gave ambiguous replies like “I don’t like it there” or “I prefer my independence” or “I find it very lonely over there”.

Now, this last answer befuddled us – how can an elderly aging widow be more lonely over there in America living with her children and grandchildren when over here in India she has to live a lonely life, absolutely alone, all by herself?

Well I don’t know the answer, so if you do know why, please tell us.

Do comment and let us know whether you have observed a similar trend where you live or is it different?

And do tell us your views especially if you live in America or abroad and have your aged parents living alone in

India

and face a similar situation.

I thought senior citizens would prefer to live in America with their children, enjoying all the excellent facilities and comfortable lifestyle available in the USA, rather than live a lonely life in India, which not quite a friendly, easy and safe place for solitary senior citizens.

Well you, dear reader, please tell us the answers to all that.

But one thing is sure – it looks as if we too are going to be in the same boat when our time comes.

That’s why I have already started searching for a good “retirement home” – can you help me find a good one – a “senior citizens housing community” and “old age home” – call it what you like – if you know a good one, do let us know.

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

Did you like this article?

DAY CARE CENTRE and OLD AGE HOME

If you live in a metro in urban India, you will notice one phenomenon.

Two things are proliferating because of the increasing need for them:

1. Crèches or Day-Care Centres for young Children

and

2. Old Age Homes or “Retirement Homes” for Senior Citizens

Think about it.

Monday, July 30, 2012

EMBEDDED SYSTEM DESIGN

I trust you have read this book review on NANO

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/07/nano.html
Here is another Book Review by Prachi Deshmukh

(A few days ago I was delighted to get an email from one of my erstwhile brightest students Prachi Deshmukh. I used to insist that my students review books, in order to enhance their comprehension and communication skills. Here is a book review Prachi wrote a few years ago)

Book: Embedded System Design - A Unified Hardware / Software Introduction
Authors: Frank Vahid, Tony Givargis
Publication: John Wiley and Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd, Singapore, 2002
ISBN 9971-51-405-2
Pages: 324.

[Reviewed by Prachi A. Deshmukh]

Once, there was a conversation going on between three ladies. They were discussing on something very seriously. Each of them was telling her own experience and others were listening to the speaker very carefully. They were neither discussing about some TV serial, nor about the latest fashions. Their topic was regarding cooking. (But they were not discussing culinary recipes!). The three ladies were from three different generations – the first an 80 years old Granny, the second her 56 years old mother and the third the 28 years old daughter. They were discussing how the kitchen has been changed. Conclusion of their discussion was that, now cooking is a task of few minutes. Mixer, food processor, microwave oven, dishwasher etc. are there waiting for your orders!

Not only in kitchen, but everywhere one can see things are becoming easier and simpler. Those who are born after 1980s can experience the changes happening around themselves. Now there is no need to make your hands panic by washing the clothes. Washing machine will do it for you!
Do you want to listen to music of your choice? An MP3 player can store thousands of songs of your choice. If you want to convert your beautiful moments into sweet memories, then digital camera is there for your help.

Are you planning to go for shopping? No need to carry money with you. Credit card will maintain your account.

All these examples look unrelated to each others, but there is some relation in them. ATM, barcode scanner, cell-phone, digital camera, fax machine, home alarm system all are totally different from each others but they do have one thing common in them. All of them are embedded systems. Now the question arises ’What does an embedded system actually mean?’

In simple words, Embedded System is a computing system which does a specifically focused job. It’s nearly any computing system other than a desktop computer. We can not be unaware of it because embedded systems are part of our day to day life. We find them almost everywhere.

That’s why one must study about embedded systems, especially if you are aspiring to be an Electronics, Communications, Computer Engineer or IT Professional. For those who really want to know about embedded systems, a good book to start off with is ‘Embedded System Design- A Unified Hardware/ software Introduction ’ by Frank Vahid and Tony Givargis.

The book is actually an introductory book which makes us familiar with the basics of embedded systems, the hardware for them, the software, peripherals, memory and interfacing. This book is also helpful for those students who are going to take more specialized courses. To understand this book one needs the basic knowledge of electronics, flowcharts and algorithms.

The book shows its usefulness and applications starting from the cover itself. The picture on the cover shows all the applications in our day-to-day life which we find in home as well as outside our homes. A simple picture tells us how important to study the embedded systems.

The content in the book is divided into 11 Chapters. The first chapter introduces us with the basics of embedded systems. We become familiar with the Optimizing Design Metrics, processor technology, IC technology, design technology and trade offs.

In second chapter we learn about custom single purpose processors: Hardware. We learn about the combinational logic, sequential logic, custom single purpose processor design, RT level custom single purpose processor Design and the optimizing custom single purpose processors. If the reader knows about the transistors, logic gates and flowcharts then it will be easier to understand this chapter.

In third chapter the authors introduce us with the General Purpose Processors: Software. Here we learn the basic architecture of the general purpose processor, its operation, developing environment, ASIPs, General Purpose processor Design and about the selection of a processor.

In fourth chapter we study the Peripherals of standard Single-Purpose Processors like Timer, Counters, Watchdog Timers, UART, PWM, LCD controllers, Keypad controllers, Stepper motor controllers, ADC and RTC.

There are different types of memory like ROM, PROM, OTOROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FRAM, RAM, SRAMDRAM, PSRAM NVRAM etc. We learn different types of memories as well as cache memory and MMU in the fifth chapter.

In sixth chapter we study the different types of interfacings to the processors as well as arbitration, multiple Bus architectures and advanced communication principles. Here we come to know about the different types of protocols.

Digital camera is an important and interesting example of embedded systems. In seventh chapter this example is explained very briefly. Here we learn about the requirements as well as the design of an embedded system very detail. Chapter no 8 and 9 are about the state machine and concurrent process models as well as the control systems.

Chapter 10 introduces us with the IC technology. Here we learn about the VLSI IC technology, ASIC IC technology and PLD IC technology. This chapter teaches about the IC technologies briefly.

In last chapter of the book, chapter 11 we learn about the techniques like Automation, Verification, Reuse, Design Process Models. At the end of this chapter we find the book summary. It gives us summary of the entire book in few words.

In appendix A the website is given which includes important information regarding the embedded systems. Also included are chapter wise lab resources. As embedded system is combination of both- hardware and software, it is very important to perform the practical experiments to understand the concepts.

This book is not just a simple basic book but is adequate for a complete course in embedded systems. The authors have maintained a smooth flow throughout the book. The language is easy to understand. One special feature of this edition of the book is that it has been designed specially for the students in developing countries.

An ideal textbook, this book may prove even more useful to understand the importance of embedded systems if some more applications of embedded systems were illustrated. Maybe further editions can be made more attractive by adding the photographs of the examples of embedded systems.

The summary at the end of every chapter give the important part of each chapter in brief. The review questions are helpful to prepare for the subject. The References and further reading are useful for those interested in a more detailed study of the subject.

We feel that this book may be extremely useful for students, engineers, technologists and professionals interested in the fascinating field of Embedded Systems.

All the Best Prachi Deshmukh for your M. Tech. - Wish you Godspeed

NANO

A few days ago I was delighted to get an email from one of my erstwhile brightest students Prachi Deshmukh. I used to insist that my students review books, in order to enhance their comprehension and communication skills. Here is a book review Prachi wrote a few years ago ...

NANO

BOOK REVIEW

In his insightful memoirs War As I Knew It General George S. Patton, one of history's most charismatic, famous and successful generals, gifted us an priceless gem of his human resource management wisdom: “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity”.

Ever since I read this illuminating book more than thirty years ago, I have followed this adage with great success in my multifarious avatars as a Human Resource Manager, a Project Manager, a Design Engineer, a Teacher and a Mentor.

A few years ago, when I was on the faculty of DIAT Deemed University Pune, a young lady, Prachi A Deshmukh, a fresh engineering graduate, joined our department as a research fellow. I gave her a book from my bookcase, told her to review it and email me her book review by the end of the day.

Then, as per my style, I just curtly told her what to do, not how to do it.

When I opened my email early next morning, the book review was there, waiting for me, and yes, Prachi Deshmukh had indeed surprised me with her ingenuity. I am truly proud of my young colleague and mentee.

A delight to read, written in a refreshingly youthful vibrant style, breathtaking in its simplicity, I liked the book review so much that I am placing it below as it is, with minimal editing, for you to read. We look forward to your comments and feedback; do tell us if you enjoyed reading the review, and the book.

Name of the book: Nano: The Essentials – Understanding Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Author: T. Pradeep

Publication: Tata McGraw-Hill, 2008

ISBN-13: 978-0-07-061788-9

ISBN-10: 0-07-061788-0

[Reviewed by Prachi A. Deshmukh]

At the root of every invention, there is a seed of a thought which was unbelievable at that time. Yesterday’s dream is today’s truth; yesterday’s imagination is today’s reality. Let us take an example of ATM. Today we use ATM as if its ‘Any Time Money’ machine; but if we had told about this to somebody in the last century, he might had thought that we have gone mad! The same thing happened in December 1959, when Richard Feynman gave an after dinner speech at the annual meeting of the ‘American Physical Society’. He took the audience in the amazing world of his imagination. He was telling about the future where everything will be so small that there will be machines smaller than the tip of a needle. People were laughing, enjoying his ideas but no one knew the real meaning of his words-“There is plenty of room at the bottom.” Feynman is now credited for his great foresight which made him the first prophet of nanotechnology.

21st century is the era of great revolution in technology. Information Technology, Bio Technology and Nano Technology are some of the great windows which have tremendous capabilities to change the world around us. Especially Nanotechnology is a promising field in the near future which will provide us with many breakthroughs in a wide range of applications. It has been predicted that by the year 2015 the market share of nanotechnology and nanoscience will be worth 350 billion dollars. This calls for new investments in human resource development. These people must have strong foundation to build strong building. For those who are interested in this new technology, the book ‘Nano: The Essentials’ will prove to be a true guide.

The author of this book- Prof. T. Pradeep is with the IIT – Madras [Chennai]. Being a professor, he has structured this book so nicely that the reader gets his concepts clear right from the beginning. Starting from the preface we get more and more interest in this amazing world of nanotechnology and nanoscience.

The content of the book is well organized into five parts. In the first introductory part the author takes us in the world of nanotechnology with its relation with the nature. This part is enriched with the details of the technological inventions of 20th and 21st century.

In second part, we move towards the experimental methods. The author introduces us with the different types of microscopies . The neat diagrams, graphs and pictures in this part make it easier to understand the different experimental methods.

In the third part, we enter into the world of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, gas phase clusters, nanoshells etc. In this section also, author addresses us with his simple language. There are sufficient diagrams and graphs to understand the concept properly.

In fourth part we become familiar with nanobiology, nanosensors, nanomedicines , nanotribiology and molecular nanomachines.

Whenever some new technology comes into picture it’s the duty of every conscientious technologist to study the societal implications of it. In the fifth part we go through the relationship between nanotechnology and the society.

The most appreciable thing in this book is I think the ‘History of nanoscience and nanotechnology’ which tells us about all the important events in the development of Nanotechnology. Hats off to the author for this effort. The glossary of nanoterms at the end of this book summarizes all the important terms used throughout the book.

The author has given the references and additional related reading books at the end of every chapter for the keen readers to know more about the things.

In simple words, the book ‘Nano: The Essentials’ is really essential for those who are keen to know about nanotechnology and nanoscience . With his simple language the author has maintained the flow throughout the book. There are plenty of diagrams, graphs, tables and pictures which make the study more meaningful.

If you are really serious about nanotechnology, then I will strongly urge you to have a copy of this book. It’s easier for understanding if you have a sound knowledge of the basic fundamentals of science and technology. I recommend this book to students, engineers, teachers and technologists who are willing to enter in this amazing world of nanotechnology and nanoscience.

All the Best Prachi for your M. Tech. - Wish you Godspeed

A STING IN THE TAIL

A STING IN THE TAIL

Fiction Short Story

VIKRAM KARVE

From my Creative Writing Archives:

For old-times’ sake, here is a Story I wrote long ago, maybe more than 20 years ago, suitably abridged and revised.

Do tell me if you like it.

“I am an uncomplicated and transparent man. I have no taste for sham, tact or pretension. Never do I feel it necessary to be guarded, or to conceal, or to try to impress, to feel tense, to watch my words or actions, to suppress or repress my emotions,” I shouted angrily at Shalini, “I express my emotions spontaneously and overtly. I can’t fake my emotions for the sake of so-called social graces. If this, according to your stupid mother-in-law, is crude, uncultured and unrefined behaviour – so be it. I don’t give a tinker’s damn.”

I saw tears start in Shalini’s eyes and I was instantly sorry. She suddenly looked small, weak and vulnerable; her defences shattered. I looked at her and felt a strange attraction towards her. Her very powerlessness and vulnerability were the essence of her sex appeal.

“No wonder he is such a loser and failure,” taunted Shalini’s mother-in-law. She looked at my wife and said, “You must teach your husband some manners if you want him to go up in life. Look at my son. He knows the ways of the world. He is so soft-spoken and refined.”

The comparison was a doubly bitter pill for me to swallow.

While I was going through a bad patch in my career, Shalini’s husband was doing really well in the corporate sector as an upwardly mobile executive in a top MNC.

I walked out of my house and sat down on a bench in the nearby park. I lit a cigarette and closed my eyes trying to calm down.

The train of my thoughts ran on. It was chiefly my wife’s fault. She was too good natured. It was one of those invitations which she makes so readily and spontaneously and then regrets later.

Shalini’s flat was being renovated and my wife had invited them over to our house to stay for a week.

And today was only the first day.

Though we stayed in the same town, I did not visit Shalini often. She stayed with her mother-in-law. Her husband was away on tour most of the time.

I did not get along with them. There was a mismatch in our sense of values. I hated their patronizing attitude, ingratiating manner, sweet-talk and double standards. Shalini’s mother-in-law was the worst of them all. She was always giving unsolicited advice and trying to make me conform to her perception of ideal behaviour.

But I refused to be stereotyped. I was happy to be myself, with all my so-called faults and frailties. I valued my originality, my own uniqueness. I was no imitator or clone.

And now this wily old woman had the temerity to instigate my wife against me.

And that too in my own house.

I saw Shalini walking towards me. She had no personality of her own. The only thing she did was hang around her mother-in-law and nod her head in agreement, flatter her mother-in-law and indulge in mutual admiration sessions – the “ideal” daughter-in-law and the “ideal” mother-in-law.

It was disgusting. The old woman had probably sent Shalini to me to give me a moral lecture.

They had succeeded in brain washing my wife. I was the only one remaining. I was not going to give them the satisfaction of toeing their line and conforming to their views.

Before Shalini could speak, I said, “Sit down. Have you got a piece of paper?”

She opened her purse and gave me a small pocket-diary.

I took out my pen and wrote: “A servile status and a vicarious life, so typical of a domesticated lonely wife.”

She read the words and she gave me a glance that could have meant anything.

I was surprised that she was not offended.

She put the pocket-book in her purse and got up to leave.

I delivered my parting shot: “She who trims herself to suit everybody will soon whittle herself away.”

As Shalini walked away, I watched the subtle, sensual rhythm of her hips. I felt aroused. I laughed to myself. There was no point in chasing rainbows. What I needed now was a good stiff drink.

I returned home around midnight.

I was not drunk but feeling good.

I opened the door with the spare key I always carried in my pocket.

It was dark inside the house.

I did not switch on the lights. There was no point in disturbing everybody.

I felt like having a smoke so I tiptoed towards the balcony.

As I negotiated my way in the darkness I could sense that someone was following me.

I guessed who she was.

I stopped in tracks and turned around.

Shalini put her arms around me and held me in a passionate embrace.

I tried to restrain myself, but I had not bargained for the sheer sensual power of the encounter. She was radiating an extraordinary sensuousness of a degree I had never experienced before.

I caught her hair, pulled her face towards mine and we were engulfed in a wave of burning passion and suddenly someone switched on the lights.

I disengaged from Shalini and looked at my wife.

“Don’t be late next time,” I said, tongue-in-check.

Shalini’s mother-in-law looked at us, dumbstruck and stunned.

My wife walked up to Shalini and gave her a tight slap. She was angry. After all, Shalini was her younger sister.

I never saw Shalini again. But I did come across her mother-in-law once in the market. I even cheerfully waved out to her, but she scrupulously avoided me.

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

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