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Joanne Kathleen Rowling saw the edges of sanity as she struggled with an unsuccessful marriage and hitting the rock bottom, in her own words, being as poor as one could be in Britain without being homeless. <\/p>
Nevertheless, she persisted. <\/p>
On this day in 1965, J.K. Rowling was born and subsequently grew up in a home surrounded by books of all varieties. She wrote her first story at the age of 6 and admitted, later in life, that she has always wanted to be writer. But her story is well-known, well documented. Her impact on the many millions of lives across the world, however, can never be overstated. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1501487822352","data":"597ee7bfd269d"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1501487824475","data":"
\"Failure simply means the stripping away of the inessential.\"<\/i> <\/p>
And Rowling had failed, failed miserably and utterly, she had made her parents worst nightmare about her come to pass. A failed marriage that gave her her first daughter, Rowling had hit the absolute rock bottom, so she focused all her energies into 'the one thing that mattered to me the most.' <\/p>
When someone asks me why I look up to J.K. Rowling, even if I don't always agree with her, her commencement speech at Harvard University graduation day is what I point towards. This one speech is an example of what she represents to her millions of fans across the world and why, even if you're not a fan of the Harry Potter books, should admire her sheer resilience and will power to pull herself out of the deep abyss of depression by doing the one thing she loved the most: writing. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1501488140307","data":"597ee7e21e876"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1501488142903","data":"
To a child who picked up Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to an adolescent angsty teenager that read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it seemed like the books grew up with me. Harry Potter is, by no means, great fiction. But it is incredibly influential and good, so good that it makes you want to come back to it often. <\/p>
Harry Potter incorporated in it some elements from Rowling's life, like how she represented her struggles with depression with Dementors, creatures that suck all the happiness out of you when they are around, causing despair. Her struggles is what made her, moulded her, or as she would say it, stripped away the inessential and gave rise to a person that knew what they had to do, that knew that the only way forward was to be honest to themselves and follow their passion. <\/p>
This is why Rowling is an inspiration, she has failed on a scale so epic, she reinvented herself to become who she wanted to be. She failed to such a degree that she has practically seen it all, felt it all, been through the ringer and came back, for all of us, so we would not go through the same issues as she did. <\/p>
She fought her battle with depression, writing her story in cafes with her daughter in her lap. Did she know at that moment that she would be one of the most influential writers of the last decade? Perhaps not, but that never stopped her, even though all the odds were stacked against her. <\/p>
Nevertheless, she persisted. She lived to tell a tale, and that tale saved all our lives. <\/p>
Harry Potter might be the Boy Who Lived, but it is Joanna Kathleen Rowling who survived and gave us something to love for the rest of our days. <\/p>
To The Girl Who Lived, a piece of my heart in this article. <\/p>
-From,<\/p>
The Girl Who Lived. <\/p>"},{"type":"youtube","id":"vid-url-1501489103901","data":"wHGqp8lz36c"}]
Football or as the Americans refer to it as 'soccer' is recognised all around the world and is one of the best when it comes to sports. We all love a good game especially on the weekends because all the great matches take place during the weekends.<\/p>
My all time favourite team when it comes to football is The German National football team which is known as 'Die Mannschaft' in German. They emerged as winners of the last FIFA world cup back in 2014 under the captaincy of Philip Lahm. It was a great end of an era when two of the greatest players had to officially retire from the team and they were none other than Miroslav Klose and the captain himself, Philip Lahm. The horrifying loss of Brazil at their hometown was a total loss for them as it was the beginning for endless memes. A great goal in the finale by Mario Goetze at the last moment made Germany emerge winners of the magnificent cup which was waiting for their touch so as to be lifted up high.The match was rather nail biting when Messi scored a goal but it was considered to be off side so they didn't consider it as one. <\/p>
Manuel Neuer won the golden glove for being the best goal keeper and he keeps winning it consecutively because he is considered as one of the best goalies in the world along with Buffon from the Italian team. Recently, Bastian Schweinsteiger retired from matches and he now plays for an American team known as Chicago Lions. The present coaches are Joachim Lowe and Miroslav Klose who are rather extraordinary in their training sessions as they never fail to surprise us. The confederation cup team was led by Julian Draxler which constituted a team of under twenty-three year old's as it was just a test to check their skill and guess we emerged victoriously. The first time Germany won the confederation cup and they players were very young as the main players were busy playing for the club. As the world cup is nearing it is rather exciting to know who all will be chosen to play for the team. A nail biting event just days away, it just feels as if it got over yesterday but it has been three years.<\/p>
Everyone has a favourite football team or even at least a club. The German team has been my favourite since the moment I started watching football and it will always be my favourite because I strongly believe that the force is with them! <\/p>
<\/p>"}]
Disclaimer: Due to the sensitive nature of the matter at hand, all names appearing in this article have been changed to protect their privacy. <\/i><\/b><\/p>
Talking about drugs over a cup of Irani chai was not how I thought I would be spending my Sunday morning (more like Saturday night, really), but there was a story to tell, a story teller with desperate, bloodshot eyes looking at me, hoping that his story would bring a change because he believed it was 'too late for me.'<\/p>
19 - year old Suhas, an engineering student, agreed to meet me after much persuasion and repeated assurances of anonymity. He has been 'burned' before, he tells me as we sip our chais early in the morning at Nimrah cafe, right next to Charminar, a symbol erected to celebrate the end of a deadly plague that ravaged the city in the 16th century. Whoever said life is inherently ironic was perhaps thinking of moments like these, talking about a new kind of plague in the 21st century in the shadows of one erected to celebrate the end of another in the 16th. <\/p>
\"You never buy your first joint or blot,\" Suhas said, almost mournfully. <\/p>
\"What do you mean?,\" I asked, knowing full well what his answer would be, considering I myself was once addicted to nicotine.<\/p>
Suhas then launched into his story, explaining about how he first came across drugs and his slow descent into madness, desperate for his next fix, \"The only thing on your mind when you're 14 years old is how cool you'll look in front of your friends, how much you can impress your crush, and so on,\" he explains, \"I was the quiet kid in class, I was never part of the 'cool' group, the ones who used to smuggle alcohol into school, the guys who got all the attention, the girls who were the most beautiful or the most attractive.\"<\/p>
\"So when I was invited to one of my classmate's parties, it felt like all my wildest dreams had come true. I was now part of the cool club now. Only, I didn't realise that to be considered cool, I needed to get high,\" he says, speaking slowly, collecting his thoughts, \"At first it was just Marijuana, and that was fine, it wasn't addictive, it wasn't harmful, it was a happy high and went away quickly enough. But apparently, that wasn't cutting it enough with the rest of my newly minted friends.\"<\/p>
Suhas's friends, as he tells it, started experimenting with harder drugs, \"At one point, weed was too boring, LSD was too boring, and suddenly someone, a friend, of course, drops a packet of cocaine in a party and we're all on it like bloodhounds on a hunt.\" <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1500548337561","data":"59708d6ecdb92"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1500548380316","data":"
Unearthing Abuse: <\/b><\/p>
The Hyderabad Police, after long drawn out efforts, managed to break the back of one of the biggest drug peddling operations in the city. While drug busts are almost a routine for any urban city in the world, this one was different: the client list unearthed a laundry list of celebrities and students, in some cases as young as 13. It was as if the issue was a ready-made powder keg, with the public attention and ire being the fire and the fuel to blow the issue into the forefront of every local media news outlet for days to come. <\/p>
It made enough noise to be picked up by media houses across India, however, the local TV media is gearing its focus towards drug abuse by the members of the film fraternity while ignoring and, in some cases, completely glossing over the more vulnerable victims of this issue: the students. <\/p>
Students are also often preyed upon by peddlers who often ask for sexual favours in exchange for drugs should the victim have no money for their next fix, \"At one point, I was so desperate for my next fix that I relented, subjecting myself to sexual assault by the guy who sold me heroin,\" says 22 year old Shruti, a former drug addict, told me over a cup of coffee in one of the many coffee shops that dot Banjara Hills, \"Heroin hurts. When the high is going away, your body starts hurting, every inch of your body is on fire, you feel like you want to claw your eyes out, and the only way to get rid of it is to take the drug once again,\" she continues, shaking her head, ghosts of the past coming back.<\/p>
At this point of the interview, I was unsure how to proceed. Sexual assault is a sensitive topic, throwing in drug abuse further complicated matters. However, Shruti noticed my discomfort and said, \"I will live with the decisions I made till the end of my days, and I can only hope that I can turn more people away from this path. Nobody really tells you the road you're going to be walking when you're just starting to abuse drugs. Why would they, the setting in which you get to experiment with drugs is one where everyone around you is into drugs as well,\" she says, bitterly.<\/p>
\"Do you blame yourself for what happened?\" I asked, carefully speaking, unsure of my tone or the tone of the question. She looks at me briefly before speaking, \"The only blame I can put on myself is not listening to well-wishers and getting out when I can. By the time I wanted out, it was too late, I was already a slave to the drug and, in many cases, it is easier to blame everything else in the world rather than yourself for what you're doing to yourself.\" <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1500551694707","data":"59709c6c921d7"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1500551696916","data":"
Chasing the High: <\/b><\/p>
An old friend caught up with me after I had sent out feelers that I was looking for drug addicts to do a story on them. A former addict, we spoke about the times we both chose differently, the kind of crowd we mixed with while at college made us drift apart despite having practically grown up together. He started abusing drugs, whereas I had my own vices to deal with.<\/p>
The reasons behind our vices, as it turns out, were quite similar. \"Escapism, what else,\" he laughed, \"We're all trying to escape from one thing or another. That is how life is, or at least, was.\" <\/p>
\"Escapism explains why an addict continues to abuse drugs, not why one starts,\" I said, looking up from my notes, \"It doesn't explain how kids start abusing drugs at all.\"<\/p>
My friend laughed again, \"Does it really now? You know my parents have a horrible marriage, don't they?\" <\/p>
When I nodded, he continued, \"In college, it had become unbearable. Not a single day would go without my parents trying to rip each other's heads off,\" he starts, smirking as he tells me his next bit, \"I was desperate for an escape. I had money, one of the advantages of having warring parents, just tell them the other won't give you money for some college work, and find money in your hands. They'd have found out if they remembered they had a son during one of their arguments.\"<\/p>
\"So when I heard that there was even a sliver of possibility of getting my hands on drugs, drugs that would make the miserable existence I had to go away and make me happy once again, of course, I was gonna jump at the chance. Then I found a group of similar people who were as disturbed as I was, and we experimented\" he finishes. <\/p>
At one point, chasing the high had become a daily occurrence. Building up a tolerance to Marijuana led my friend, along with his friends, on a darker path that finished with him stealing from his girlfriend's house, selling off his gold chains, just for their next fix. <\/p>
\"There is nothing more infuriating than realising you're building a resistance to marijuana when the entire point of you smoking it was to be happy and forget the world and its troubles,\" my friend says as I'm preparing to leave, \"you want to constantly chase that high, always be high, because the alternative is you dealing with issues in the real world, and that is the very last thing we ever wanted.\" <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1500554212608","data":"5970a46da2099"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1500554264105","data":"
Recovery: <\/b> <\/p>
In a conservative society, it is commonplace to place the blame of an addiction on the addict, instead of the substance they are abusing. In many cases, an addict realises how deep a hole they've dug themselves into, just ask the nearest smoker. <\/p>
The attitude towards addicts (and the lack of same contempt for smokers, who are also abusing a drug, technically speaking), causes more problems than solutions. Drug abuse has only one victim, the abuser themselves, and their addiction leads them to commit more crimes to fuel their habit. That is, of course, if they do not have access to ample money, which wasn't the case with many of the younger students that were buying from the peddlers arrested recently. <\/p>
The Times of India reported<\/a> that the state of drug rehabilitation is nothing short of abysmal in India, and even amongst the ones that exist, there are more concentration camps where addicts are beaten and broken rather than helped and guided on a path to recovery. <\/p>Of course, the first step with fighting any addiction is to recognise there is one, and then seek help. This is a steep battle where an addict is fighting against their own body craving for the next fix, despite knowing that it would continue to drag them on a dark path. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1500555114763","data":"5970a7daeb720"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1500555145580","data":"Light at the end of the tunnel: <\/b><\/p>Indian parents do not understand their children. From personal views to political, to habits and favourite movies, very few parents are involved with their child's life to the point that they can be seen as a friend rather than an authority figure around whom one must go to hide their habits. <\/p>But there is light at the end of this tunnel, parents are starting to get more involved with their child's lives, and I'm not talking about micromanaging their every move. I'm talking about being there for them as a friend, a confidant that can be trusted. This will enable parents to be there for their kids when they need them the most, especially in formative and angsty teenage years when we think we're the only ones who are right and the whole world is wrong. Yeah, we've all been there. <\/p>Here's hoping that the issue being in the forefront of Telugu media changes the attitudes people have towards drug abuse, but then again, this is me being optimistic. Drug abuse tears families apart when the family is unwilling to believe or unwilling to do anything about the abuse, constantly doubting your brothers, sisters or sons and daughters is no way to live. <\/p>So sit down and talk to a drug addict today, you might just save their life. <\/p><\/p>"}]
Of course, the first step with fighting any addiction is to recognise there is one, and then seek help. This is a steep battle where an addict is fighting against their own body craving for the next fix, despite knowing that it would continue to drag them on a dark path. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1500555114763","data":"5970a7daeb720"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1500555145580","data":"
Light at the end of the tunnel: <\/b><\/p>
Indian parents do not understand their children. From personal views to political, to habits and favourite movies, very few parents are involved with their child's life to the point that they can be seen as a friend rather than an authority figure around whom one must go to hide their habits. <\/p>
But there is light at the end of this tunnel, parents are starting to get more involved with their child's lives, and I'm not talking about micromanaging their every move. I'm talking about being there for them as a friend, a confidant that can be trusted. This will enable parents to be there for their kids when they need them the most, especially in formative and angsty teenage years when we think we're the only ones who are right and the whole world is wrong. Yeah, we've all been there. <\/p>
Here's hoping that the issue being in the forefront of Telugu media changes the attitudes people have towards drug abuse, but then again, this is me being optimistic. Drug abuse tears families apart when the family is unwilling to believe or unwilling to do anything about the abuse, constantly doubting your brothers, sisters or sons and daughters is no way to live. <\/p>
So sit down and talk to a drug addict today, you might just save their life. <\/p>
The day every college freshmen enthusiastically look forward to with too many questions, queries and bearing the anxiety in their hearts. I still remember looking at the stage with sparkling eyes trying to adjust to the unknown happiness. <\/p>
\nOrientation day is always a day of start , a place where your life actually changes .Students who\u2019ve just completed their intermediate are invited along with their parents to get an insight of what the future holds for them and like every year this year orientation day is held on 27th July, 2017.<\/p>
\nLet\u2019s have a quick tour refreshing those days......<\/i><\/b><\/p>
\nAll the students along with their parents are welcomed and escorted into Chidambaram Hall, and told to get comfortable. Before the event starts, the parents are shown videos of the achievements of students while they adjust themselves to the environment. Once they all are settled, the actual event starts. There\u2019s a welcome speech, followed by Lighting of the lamp.<\/p>
Then the Respected Director of our college is invited to enlighten the fresher\u2019s, who, with his distinguish work & experience in numerous capacities will guide the fresher\u2019s with what they\u2019ll be experiencing in the campus.\nThen, our Beloved Principal, a man of distinct vision & a fountainhead of illuminating ideas, will address the gathering talking about the numerous efforts that are being put on; to give the students a better environment to pursue their dream degree and give the fresher\u2019s an overview of what they\u2019ll be studying in their selected fields of engineering.\nThen each of the respective HOD\u2019s will address the gathering and motivate the students.The chief guest is invited to speak about his experiences and the how one can go on towards the path of success. <\/p>
Now here ends the all the lecture and interesting part knowing what your college life is going to be from your seniors.<\/i><\/b><\/p>
Seniors from different years and branches are invited to talk about their experiences in this college and how this college has helped them in becoming a better person.Then, last but not the least, an Anti-Ragging team has a word with the spectators, about how the college is strictly against ragging, and take an oath against ragging. <\/p>
Then, the students are guided towards their respective classes, where they\u2019ll be having their first introduction class and here starts your journey.<\/p>
ALL THE BEST JUNIORS, HOPING YOU HAVE AN AWESOME COLLEGE LIFE AHEAD<\/b> <\/p>
<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1501086333790","data":"5978c2eccd514"}]
I'm putting my GRE education to good use but in case you're confused, Dissonance means lack of harmony between musical notes, strictly speaking, but it is also used as a method to denote disagreements between two people, parties or friends. Sadly, dissonance is unavoidable in life, it is bound to happen to each and everyone of us, between friends, parents, partners, both business and personal. The world wouldn't go forward without dissonance; as good as it is to always have someone with you that agrees with every thought you have (and vice versa), disagreements lead to have a look again at your plans, or your beliefs. That is, of course, if you allow yourself to listen to the other party. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1501243263458","data":"597b2c15585ee"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1501243265518","data":"
The problem with people is that they are sometimes too entrenched in their beliefs, beliefs they never had any reason to change. Take the example of feminism, boys and men who never had to live their life as a woman simply won't understand what it is like to be a woman, and why women care so much about feminism. The misunderstanding of the term has become so great that every time someone who doesn't understand feminism hears the word, their mind automatically shuts down and they refuse to process any further information, which is completely opposite to progress. <\/p>
You'll notice the same with many others, when it comes to sensitive topics such as religion or personal beliefs. It is easier to ignore facts when, up until that point in your life, you've never had any reason to question it in the first place! <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1501243554092","data":"597b2c335b9e7"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1501243556281","data":"
Human progress cannot continue if we shut ourselves off from ideas, ideas that we could potentially learn from and make ourselves better. In the words of the venerable V from V for Vendetta, ideas are bulletproof, and in the words of Mr. Cobb from Inception, an idea planted deep in one's mind can spread like wild fire through their brain, often consuming them in the process. Shutting off people from ideas can often cause them to manifest in different, sometimes dangerous, ways. That's no way to go. <\/p>
I write this because I know the state of engineering colleges in Hyderabad. They're more factories than places where ideas can be exchanged, and if this offends you, I only have one question to ask you: why does this offend you? Probably because I'm calling you out on your clamp down on students having rights or exchanging ideas, however if you're offended because you already do all this and yet I'm being unfair, I apologise. <\/p>
We need more 'woke' engineers in the world. This can only happen if engineering colleges allow of dissonance, give different ideas a platform to debate and talk. I was lucky to study in one such college, but I worry for the rest. <\/p>"}]
Often people say that humans are the best creation of this world. But, for those who have ever owned a pet at least once in their life would actually object the sentence and re term it as 'animals are the best creation in the world'.<\/p>
Animals come in different categories and the two main classifications are what we studied in biology 101. They're wild and as well as domestic. Domestic animals are those which you can grow a pet and take care of them by teaching them different tricks and training them wisely. It can be dogs, cats, cows, birds etc. They show us so much love and affection that they are not so harsh and rude as humans.Wild animals are those which we can see in different sanctuaries and especially while passing through a deep and dark forest. You can actually see twinkling and bright eyes lurking around you while you pass by. There are often poachers hunting down and killing animals so as to get their skin and use it for their industry in bringing up belts, purses etc. The crocodiles and deer skin are most wanted because of the greed of humans that does not make them reach anywhere other than with a bad reputation.Animals are on the verge of extinction that because of the irresponsibility of the humans. There are homeless dogs running around the streets of our nation which often results in the killing of these poor souls. All they need is some good food and a place to sleep that would hold their horses together and won't cause much disturbance to the humans. There are often activist groups organized by PETA , animal foundation rights so that these makeup tests can be prevented because of they actually use animal as the specimen and test their product. So, when the issue came in to notice they started working for the protection of animal rights. They never speak or say their feelings but the pain they suffer while under going all these harsh treatments are often a cry for help. But we only care about ourselves so we ignore. Because humans were always the best when it came to ignorance.<\/p>
Love and take care of animals as they were the initial creation when the earth was just a newbie planet. With so much of evolution, we see them in their present form. We know how they came from and what their traits are. They're necessary for the existence of the world not just humans alone.<\/p>"}]
Click here to check out my blog<\/a><\/p>It was never easy to fight everyone and move on to achieve something like this. <\/p>What do you need to be successful in life?<\/p>\u2022 Huge and constant support from your family and friends.<\/p>\u2022 Consistency in your interest, hard work and risk taking attitude. <\/p>I've never had that support neither from my family nor my friends. I am not blaming any of them for not supporting or motivating me, rather I'm really happy that I've reached this height of success without their help. I don't know where I went wrong in choosing my friends who don't understand me or have any idea of how it feels to stand oddly in the group. Well, surprisingly one of my so called \"bestest friend\" even asked me to stop blogging and writing because she thought this isn't my cup of tea. I'm still not blaming them as I told I'm proud that I stand here now. Not to forget I've a little bunch of people who are proud of me and have supported me then and while.<\/p>I'm the campus ambassador of my esteemed college, a verified artist and a blogger. <\/p>All I want to say to all readers is that never ever give up on your dreams, I know we all have so many odds to fight with but trust me nothing will be possible if you won't take a step and start doing something. Don't wait for the right time, make the time right for you. <\/p>Don't wait for anyone's acceptance, just do it if you feel like. <\/p>Be the risk taker.<\/p>Be the odd one.<\/p>And then see the world joining hands to clap for you\u2764\ufe0f. <\/p>I'll be the happiest if my little story helped you boost up your urge to achieve something. <\/p>And \"THANK YOU\" to you all readers who coped up with me and have been a constant support through my struggle. <\/p>Much love XOXO. <\/p><\/p>"}]
It was never easy to fight everyone and move on to achieve something like this. <\/p>
What do you need to be successful in life?<\/p>
\u2022 Huge and constant support from your family and friends.<\/p>
\u2022 Consistency in your interest, hard work and risk taking attitude. <\/p>
I've never had that support neither from my family nor my friends. I am not blaming any of them for not supporting or motivating me, rather I'm really happy that I've reached this height of success without their help. I don't know where I went wrong in choosing my friends who don't understand me or have any idea of how it feels to stand oddly in the group. Well, surprisingly one of my so called \"bestest friend\" even asked me to stop blogging and writing because she thought this isn't my cup of tea. I'm still not blaming them as I told I'm proud that I stand here now. Not to forget I've a little bunch of people who are proud of me and have supported me then and while.<\/p>
I'm the campus ambassador of my esteemed college, a verified artist and a blogger. <\/p>
All I want to say to all readers is that never ever give up on your dreams, I know we all have so many odds to fight with but trust me nothing will be possible if you won't take a step and start doing something. Don't wait for the right time, make the time right for you. <\/p>
Don't wait for anyone's acceptance, just do it if you feel like. <\/p>
Be the risk taker.<\/p>
Be the odd one.<\/p>
And then see the world joining hands to clap for you\u2764\ufe0f. <\/p>
I'll be the happiest if my little story helped you boost up your urge to achieve something. <\/p>
And \"THANK YOU\" to you all readers who coped up with me and have been a constant support through my struggle. <\/p>
Much love XOXO. <\/p>
They say a job in the military is adventurous (apart from having the obvious satisfaction of serving the country), and Indian Navy Commander Abhilash Tomy's life and experiences stand testimony to that. Cdr Abhilash has the distinction of being the first Indian, second Asian, and seventy-ninth person in the history of humanity, to complete a solo, unassisted, non-stop circumnavigation under sail.<\/p>
In layman terms, he sailed around the world in a small boat powered only by wind, without stopping anywhere and without taking any form of assistance from anyone, in 151 days. Starting from Mumbai on November 1 2012, he crossed, from West to East, the Indian, Pacific, Southern and Atlantic Oceans, covering 23,100 nautical miles, rounding Cape Leeuwin in Australia, Cape Horn in South America and Cape of Good Hope in Africa, before reaching Mumbai on March 31, 2013. He has geared up for the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race 2018, which is a non-stop, single-handed, round-the-world yacht race; commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the first round-the-world yacht race of the same name, that took place in 1968.<\/p>
We caught up with him for a conversation about his first experiences and his preparations for future.<\/p>"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1543923243055","data":"
Q: Tell us about the upcoming race. <\/b><\/p>
A: Not many had attempted a solo, unassisted circumnavigation of the globe till 1968 and it was more of an ego thing. Only 2-3 people had sailed solo but it was with one stop. Whether someone will do it non-stop or not was a big question and the British newspaper Sunday Times had first announced this race in 1968. It got 9 participants but only one person, Sir William Robert Patrick \"Robin\" Knox-Johnston is the only person who finished it. They are now conducting the same race again in 2018, to mark 50 years of the race and I plan on taking part in it.<\/p>
They have very strict guidelines regarding what is allowed and what isn't. I am not allowed any kind of assistance from anyone, even taking a matchbox from a passing by boat will be considered as assistance. I am also not allowed to have any technology on board that didn't exist in 1968. So that means I am not allowed to have any GPS devices, internet devices, satellite phones, etc. The only exceptions are solar panels and LED lights for the cabins. I plan on finishing this voyage in 300 days.<\/p>
I will have to rely on celestial navigation (navigating using stars) and manually do all calculations. This method of navigation will involve a lot of factors, for instance, on my around-the-world trip, there were many instances when I didn't see the sun or stars for days because it was cloudy all the time! <\/p>
There are also design constraints on how the vessel should be built, it has to be about 10 meters long, in addition to several other constraints.<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1543923243056","data":"5978842d5b01d"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1543923243057","data":"
Q: You're mentally prepared for a journey like this now but the first time you did it, how did you prepare yourself mentally?<\/b><\/p>
A: I didn't need to prepare myself mentally for this as no one made me or ordered me to do this. I was offered the chance and I took it up willingly. I was self motivated to do this. There have been instances when situations or superiors made people undertake difficult voyages but this was nothing like that. I wanted to do it so I didn't need to specifically prepare myself mentally for this.<\/p>"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1543923243058","data":"
Q: How did you cope up with the loneliness that sets in, considering you spent 151 days last time?<\/b><\/p>
A: I never felt lonely on my journey, in fact, I felt a great sense of freedom. On that journey, I realised that our actions -big or small- are heavily influenced by people around us. Right from what we eat to when we eat to what we wear to what we think to what we speak, everything is governed by others. For instance, there were days when I just sat in a lungi reading a book on the boat, now this kind of freedom can't be experienced when you are with people. Your boss will want you to finish your work, your family will have expectations from you. You have to eat a certain meal at a certain time and what not. I spent a lot of time reading during the voyage.<\/p>
I got a fundamental experience of freedom that only solitude can give.<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1543923243059","data":"597884106aa5d"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1543923243060","data":"
Q: Tell us a bit about the vessel you used for your first journey and the one you are planning on using in this one.<\/b><\/p>
A: I did my first journey in INSV Mhadei, a 17 meter long sailing vessel. That had a single living cabin with 5 bunks and a small toilet. It was well equipped and had safety measures like a collision compartment in the front, which collapses in case of a collision, and retains a watertight scenario. I also took onboard tinned and freeze dried food, in addition to taking a couple of weeks worth fruit and vegetables. The best food I took on board were the MRE (Meal-Ready-To-Eat) by Defence Food Research Lab. They have an excellent Indian spread, from Chicken Biryani to Chapatis and dal. Imagine having Chapati and Dal in the middle of the Pacific (he laughs)!<\/p>
The vessel I'm using for the Golden Globe Race is much smaller, only 10 meters long. <\/p>"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1543923243061","data":"
Q: Since you mentioned reading books, what would be your recommendations, especially for our student readers?<\/b><\/p>
A: One Hundred Years Of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez! I read that book so many times and will still read it. In fact, if I am allowed to bring only one book onboard, it will be this one. <\/p>"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1543923243062","data":"
We wish him the best and hope he continues to inspire the youth forever!<\/p>"}]
Job Description:<\/b><\/p>
Drive Customer Engagement initiatives for LeanSpoon including owning all customer issues \ntill resolution. Establish long lasting relationships with new and existing customers. \nLeanspoon strives on building a long-term relationship with its customers. Help potential \ncustomers understand LeanSpoon services and subscription and qualify them based on \nrequirement and intent to purchase. \n <\/p>"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1501061100601","data":"
Duties and Responsibilities:<\/b><\/p>
1. Work closely with the sales and Business Development team to convert leads (potential customers) into \ncustomers.<\/p>
2. Call \/ email and chat with leads and promptly follow up with them till closure. <\/p>
3. Should be the first point of contact for all existing clients' needs, timely respond to the \nday to day challenges faced by the customers and resolve them. <\/p>
4. Create reporting dashboards and custom reports to analyze and provide actionable \nrecommendations and deliver continuous improvements.<\/p>
5. Should have Excellent Communication and sales skills to be able to build a \nrelationship with potential and existing clients.<\/p>
6. Should be punctual and dedicated in following-up with leads on time. <\/p>
7. Should work independently towards their goals and outcomes, while collaborating \nwith the rest of the team to optimize the processes. <\/p>"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1501061413680","data":"
Eligibility: <\/b>Graduate\/under-graduate candidate with effective communication and sales skills and willing to work at a start-up, with a young and dynamic team, and everything it entails. <\/p>
Applicant should be able to identify and understand customer needs to engage them with \nenergy and cheerfulness \u2013 weather it is for sales or solving customer issues. <\/p>
Work Timing:<\/b><\/p>
Flexible from 8:00 A.M to 8:00 P.M, Monday to Saturday. <\/p>
Healthy Lunch is provided at the office. <\/p>
Note:<\/b> First six months would be the prohibition period during which candidate would be paid INR 8000 per month. <\/p>
Later the package increases to 2.4 Lakh annually.<\/p>"}]
Job Purpose:<\/b><\/p>
The objective of this position is to coordinate with all the channel partners and generate \nsales through channel partnerships. <\/p>
Duties & Responsibilities:<\/b><\/p>
1. Setting up new channel partners and overseeing the on-boarding process. <\/p>
2. Also work with existing channel partners. <\/p>
3. Develop the channel marketing plans and implement them. <\/p>
4. Regularly meeting with counterparts with partner organization.<\/p>
5. Monthly reporting on sales KPI\u2019s within channel partners. <\/p>"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1501063185030","data":"
Working Condition: <\/b><\/p>
1. Work location is Madhapur, Hyderabad. As it is marketing opportunity most of the time you \nneed to be out of office and interact with people for lead generation. <\/p>
2. 6 days work week and lunch is at the company. <\/p>
Eligibility:<\/b> Graduate or under graduate candidates of any degree who have excellent communication skills, Ability to convince customer leads, collaborate and be a team player with an eye on outcomes.<\/p>
Note:<\/b> First six months would be the prohibition period during which particular candidate will be paid INR 8000 per month.<\/p>
Later the package increases to 2.4 lakhs annually<\/p>"}]
Everyone has a favorite food that craves you for more. Since, there are plenty of cuisines world wide. Your mouth will be given a wonderful treat so as to savor these wonderful things.<\/p>
My personal favorite is the pizza which hails from the Italian Cuisine. Which originated from a small place called Naples from Italy. It comes in various shapes and sizes i.e in small, medium and large which constitutes several pieces. A wheat bound structure which has all the nourishing veggies within them that waters your mouth and making a first timer wanting for more. There is always a great bond created between humans and pizza. If you are a passionate lover about cheese you must try out the quatro formaggi which constitutes four kinds of cheese in various forms. It literally just cleanses your palette as a whole. The Italian cuisine is known for their pizza baking as it just takes an hour to recreate the most beautiful moment in the history just by taking out the delicious cheesy pizza from the hot oven. It makes you more frantic when you see them bringing your pizza to the place where you're seated at. An amazing moment when you take the first bite when your taste buds explode with several flavors each of them constituting different scenarios and making you travel into another dimension. If you're really passionate in trying out Italian cuisine it's a must try.<\/p>
Be a foodie it is an amazing hobby, explore the various kinds as you may never know what is in store for you.<\/p>"}]
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