There is a rather strange observation I've made with my limited experience in the research field in India.... - The lab atmosphere and prof-students relationship is more warm and open in science labs, as compared to technology/engineering labs!

I wonder if this really is a general trend or just a skewed conclusion drawn from my chance observations... I am of course inclined to believe it is a general trend... I wonder why though?...

does it have something to do with the way science and engg/technical courses are conducted? - not quite I think... in the majority number of mediocre colleges spawning across the country, the quality and level of teaching is equally disappointing to say the least... type of course no bar.

does it hav something to do with the course itself? - maybe.... science probably imbibes a more curious and 'eager to know' spirit in its students/followers, as compared to technology development....maybe that affects how a person inherently responds to new 'information' (thats essentially what new people in a lab are initially)...

Although I am currently working in a technology lab, I must say... I like the science style better...!

a colleague in the NGO that i work raised an interesting topic - faced with a challenge to design science syllabi for high school students, she asks 'what do 14-16 year olds ought to know?'

at the outset, she says, everyone ought to know about nutrition and reproduction (she points out that not many would be continuing with science post std-10).

but th question leaves me thinking - is it all about just feeding them all that they 'ought to know'...? In this changing world, doesn't the term 'ought to know' die way too quickly for the issues we deem absolutely crucial at present...

more on this as i subconsciously re-gurgitate on the topic....

Many of my generation would think this to be a rather unlikely topic for Valentine's Day... but it is one i must address for my own peace

Have come across many instances of child labour in my daily life... most stark being the memory of my last few months in the hostel mess during graduate study - we were served food by young children, most likely the children/relatives of the cooks in the kitchen. noticed that majority of them were migrants from rajasthan... these children actually looked 'happy' to be 'working' - i am sure most of them would be 'voluntary' school drop-outs... We could very well report this to a human rights agency that would predictably pick up the kids and put them in a remand home or enroll them in school - all of this without even asking the children of they even want to go to school at all...

sure, education is must and a right of every child. but if the child doesn't want to exercise the right?
By forcibly putting them to school, are we doing the right thing?
Are we truly eliminating the possibility of the same child being again similarly exploited, without even realising it?
What do we need to change - just child labour laws or the education system or implementation of it all?

A site that tells many heart-wrenching stories on the issue - http://www.bba.org.in

Do I have a work environment where I have my own glass cubicle in an AC office with swipe card security?
- No, I have one that has an open window and extends my work area to the world outside the window

Do I have a job that pays me a fat salary?
- No, I have one that gives me immense satisfaction

Do I have a job that can get me an assignment abroad?
- No, I have one that sure 'takes me places'...!

So... I ask my peers: do you see me as a 'successful' youngster?
- I am amazed at the hyprocisy I am served....

Although its been years as a 'not-so-active' member of TIG, I have never been short of appreciation for the amazing array of resources it provides to young minds to build on their zeal to transform the world around us...
Inspired... already.
Involve... am beginning to...