Learning Resources for n00bs: Coding & Problem Solving

Although a quick search would fetch you tonnes of learning resources. Here, are the recommended for absolute beginners like me, into the realms of problem solving;

• http://projecteuler.net/
• http://www.codechef.com/problems/easy 

The best part about both these online resources is that they are sorted in the increasing order of difficulties which is key to learning incrementally at one's own pace. 

Also, codechef.com runs a monthly code competition which looks really interesting.

Do share your feedback/suggestions.

Leveling the Threat Matrix

Almost serendipitously, I discovered some simple sentences which when put together does makes sense to me...

• Initiative and Responsibility: Very few of us take initiative, while this is an important trait of young, energetic people and should be highly appreciated. More often than not the same people lack responsibility or step back when an avalanche of things start coming one's way.
• Action and Control: Now is better than never, although never is almost always better than "now". One needs to be in control of things... evolutionary, step-by-step improvements keeps one in control and can help steer the direction of future coarse of actions in a more informed manner.

Simply put one of the reasons we come under stress for all the wrong reasons after all the right intentions is the eerie feeling og the lack of control... I told you, some times the universe conspires to help me discover the effective habits... it was only this time I thought it could be useful to you too...

Talking common sense

'Common sense is quite uncommon' is what I was told whenever I failed to cut my way through the chaos. As much as, I was frustrated with my failure to learn from my failures. I equally wondered if there is a way to master the technique. Today, I wish to share my learnings with my readers.

'Common sense is a combination of experience, training, humility, wit and intelligence'. Wow! now that sounds like a well balanced equation with known variables. Doesn't that excites you to take control of participating variables and work on your weaker areas to improve your gross wisdom quotient! Let's work on that too;

• Experience is nothing but the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities. Simply put, just do it will alone help learn things in small digestible chunks. Fear of failure is the greatest impediment to learning. Make it your friend!! Adapt a fail fast approach. trust me it always helps and at least you end up enriching your experience.
• Training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching. But, where do I start. Look around yourself. Be relevant to your eco-system. Learning something which is immediately useful keeps you motivated and provides avenues to 'Apply Yourself'. Remember no one learns or appreciates swimming by reading the book!!
• Pride eats up your brain, being humble means taking good and bad in your strides and accept them as part of our lives. It always helps to balance your emotions [I know I'm being preachy, I need a lot ground work here.. but then whose blog is this ;) ]
• When in trouble use your humor! It sheds the unnecessary weight from your shoulder and helps you relax. It's very important. Enjoy! every moment.
• Intelligence is you ability to comprehend, to profit from your experience which now looks like product of the healthy concoction of the above ingredients.. the 'executable knowledge' !!

There you have it! the prescription to work on your common sense. Happy learning. You may now join you hands for a big round of applause... Have fun!!

Ride to Kudremukha

It's been so long that I last went out on a ride. Then, there these set of really enthusiastic guys who infected me with the travel bug. Get Off Your Ass!! was the war cry for us and we simply carried our back-packs and hi the road straight .. late night driving, after a really long week was proving to be physically taxing on us and we decided to call it the day at Arasikere, starting Saturday morning we visited Halebidu, Belur on our way and they took a detour to Chikmanglur and then through Ghas we reached Horanadu, little did we knew that there is a majestic temple of Goddess Annapurna. The place was really peaceful, one may just go there and stay over the weekend. It was blissful to walk in the clouds and funny to wach clouds enter our rooms and pour water on our belongings. Trust me we were drenched to core, so much so, that even our spirits must have also satiated their thirsts. We slept like Dogs, no idea when did the dawn broke on us and after one quick shower we headed towards the temple. After seeking the blessings, we hit the road again and after loosing our way to he place we went through the ghats uphill to Kudremukh, KIOCL colony and then to Lakya Dam. It was just plain fun to drive in the rains and watch the sight of nature's beauty along coffee estates, many of which just could not captured, lest we must loose our camera to heavy rains.

On our return trip, we reached Hassan town and then took the road to Bangalore. Journey was quite eventful and we have a whole lot of fun stories to share.. I miss my old gang.. God knows .. kiski nazar lag gayi :|

Keep walking..

Find the pictures here

Maps: To, From

Training for long distance running

Suddenly something! No, way.

I was bitten by this bug during my school days. Just that, I lack discipline and often my initial enthusiasm causes more harm than necessary. Often my strong will to complete certain distance over powers my muscular strength :)

Basically, this marathon thingy is more than just adding miles to my legs, I must admit it is highly rejuvenating, some how I feel very good after half an hour of running. It even helps me fight emotional voids being created in me.

I pledge to complete my Sunfeast half marathon next year.

You may take tips from the references below. Do share your tips.

References:

• http://www.runnersworld.com/
• http://marathontraining.com/

One wish

को‌ई गाता मैं सो जाता

संस्कृति के विस्त्रित सागर मे
सपनो कि नौका के अंदर
दुख सुख कि लहरों मे उठ गिर
बहता जाता, मैं सो जाता ।

आँखों मे भरकर प्यार अमर
आशीष हथेली मे भरकर
को‌ई मेरा सिर गोदी मे रख
सहलाता, मैं सो जाता ।

मेरे जीवन का खाराजल
मेरे जीवन का हालाहल
को‌ई अपने स्वर मे मधुमय कर
बरसाता मैं सो जाता ।

को‌ई गाता मैं सो जाता
मैं सो जाता
मैं सो जाता

 - हरिवंशराय बच्चन

बूँद फिर मोती बने ...

एक बूँद 
------------
ज्यों निकल कर बादलों की गोद से
थी अभी एक बूँद कुछ आगे बढ़ी
सोचने फिर फिर यही जी में लगी
हाय क्यों घर छोड़ कर मैं यों बढ़ी
मैं बचूँगी या मिलूँगी धूल में
चू पड़ूँगी या कमल के फूल में
बह गयी उस काल एक ऐसी हवा
वो समन्दर ओर आयी अनमनी
एक सुन्दर सीप का मुँह था खुला
वो उसी में जा गिरी मोती बनी

लोग यौं ही हैं झिझकते सोचते
जबकि उनको छोड़ना पड़ता है घर
किन्तु घर का छोड़ना अक्सर उन्हें
बूँद लौं कुछ और ही देता है कर !

-अयोध्या सिंह उपाध्याय 'हरिऔध`

A Dedication

हम दीवानों की क्या हस्ती

हम दीवानों की क्या हस्ती,
आज यहाँ कल वहाँ चले
मस्ती का आलम साथ चला,
हम धूल उड़ाते जहाँ चले

आए बनकर उल्लास कभी,
आँसू बनकर बह चले अभी
सब कहते ही रह गए,
अरे तुम कैसे आए, कहाँ चले
किस ओर चले? मत ये पूछो,
बस चलना है इसलिए चले

जग से उसका कुछ लिए चले,
जग को अपना कुछ दिए चले
दो बात कहीं, दो बात सुनी,
कुछ हँसे और फिर कुछ रोए
छक कर सुख दुःख के घूँटों को,
हम एक भाव से पिए चले

हम भिखमंगों की दुनिया में,
स्वछन्द लुटाकर प्यार चले
हम एक निशानी उर पर,
ले असफलता का भार चले

हम मान रहित, अपमान रहित,
जी भर कर खुलकर खेल चुके
हम हँसते हँसते आज यहाँ,
प्राणों की बाजी हार चले

अब अपना और पराया क्या,
आबाद रहें रुकने वाले
हम स्वयं बंधे थे, और स्वयं,
हम अपने बन्धन तोड़ चले

- भगवतीचरण वर्मा  

The above poem pretty much summarizes the way I wish I could live my life... trying each moment... keep walking

Who created God?

Who created God? or Is it our own invention? It is an age-old question that has plagued all those who like to think about the big questions.

Just last fortnight, I visited Puri, Orissa for the pilgrimage to Jagannath temple. As much as it was spiritually "satisfying" for my parents I was irritated with the chaos and mayhem created by 'pandas' there. I was wondering if indeed visitors are able to offer their prayers in peace. It is after all every Hindus long cherished wish to do their 'char-dham-yatra' but was that the only purpose or the reason lies in creating another money spinning business in the name of God? Is God our own creation? may be I don't know and neither do I have the patience or time or inclination or competence to read and understand the philosphical content of all the books on the subject. But, here was this craftsman on the Grand Road - famous for the 'Rathyatra' conducted here every year, focussed on giving final touches to idols. His frentic fingure movement was a feast to watch and I was still wondering if he created the God!! Shy of me taking his photos he asked me 'Babu, humari photo kyun le rahe ho?' I told him, I never saw any one creating God to which he replies 'Babu, murti nahin banayenge to ghar kaise chalayenge aur bhagwan to haathon mein hai to khana khila raha hai.. humara to bass itna hi kaam hai'

Soon I realised why do we say 'Apna haath Jagannath'. I guess it is very important to be focussed and do our duty religiously.. rest shall follow. I guess I learn some thing from him.

I love Johnny Walker...

I love it for the simple reason that it provides me with one of the very core ideology I have decided to follow in my life. It helps me take rough with the smooth and always keeps me brimming with confidence. It helps me overcome difficulties and avoid my indulgence with petty attractions. It helps me take change in my stride. It helps me keep walking...

Buckle up!

Way back in the year 2002, I witnessed the placements of my super seniors. I remember it took some one month of time for its completion... compare that with ours which got over in a matter of a day or two. In my observation it made them a better human being. I really thought if God could grant me those challenges to me too.

Everyone would agree these are tough times, but then I have a difference of opinion about the way we react to the current state of affairs. There is wide spread fear of failure and confidence index is diving south. Here, is how I plan to handle the situation at hand.

• First earn and then spend.
• Innovate at work.
• Remain competitive.
• Retain your enthusiasm.
• Protect your vision of the future.
  
• Protect your humor, always.

haath chute bhi to rishte nahin tuta karte...

... just watched 'Dasvidaniya' which is based upon the basic premise that 'live like this is your last day' but then it is ironical that one makes an attempt to live life at its fullest only when one realizes this is going to be his last day... why? why do we hold grudges? why can't we just forgive and forget? why can't we instead part ways before making things worse leaving behind a scope for a welcome greeting till we meet again? It is our indulgence over the small picture rather than our involvement in a larger vision which makes all the difference... may be I need to learn much more... practice abstinance.

Travelogue: Bidar Fort, Karnataka

Do u mind coming with us for watching 'Transporter 3'?! O.K, I'll pick you up in 15 minutes... was all that I heard... 2115 hrs, I told myself there is no time for cooking, we shall have dinner somewhere... later we reached IMax theater to discover a big group of boys inquiring at the box office about tickets.. as luck would have it we missed the movie.. boys had a bad mood and were wondering what to do next.. someone said 'hands up for ice cream on Necklace road?' and all were ready... I have started believing that water bodies have some great healing power they seem to absorb your negativity and a big scoop of ice-cream induces the much needed positive energy in you.. so it was one gr8 combo!! Cruising past midnight on Necklace road.. cool breeze, silent lake and shimmer on the water surface is just bliss... here our gang just sat there on the lawns next to the lake talking about life and things like terrorism and petty politics and things which are taking its toll on our lives.. when Ani said ... all I need is one long bike ride.. pat came the reply, lets go Bidar.. MP said 0500 Hrs sharp and immediately some one cribbed about the timing ... come on guys its Sunday!! said Sindwani.. it is too early.. after litle ping-ponging upon he issue everyone agreed to 'go'... nevermind, in the morning finally 14 of us were ready for the trip, we started at 0930 hrs from Karkhana road and hit NH9 at Miyapur and we made our first pit stop at Sadashivpet next to a Dhaba. We ordered Aaloo paratha as we can get them fast and were hungry like dog. I muss say the food was good as each one us 'overate'... hehehe.. after a cup of tea we hit the road again with standing order to meet again at Zafirabad to leave NH and move to SH-4. The road stretch from Zafirabad o Bidar owan goes through state borders and is very peaceful to drive through the jungles on both sides... on your we found several cart loads of sugarcane ... those farmers were graceful enough to give us a cane to each one of us... and quite naturally each one of us had a childhood story to share.. I was wondering when was the last time I visited my nanihal, I stopped counting years.. I felt bad.

Upon reaching the town area we were welcomed by a giant sign-board displaying distance and directions for the places of interest in the dusty town. We decided to start from Narsimha Jherni and believe me not once for religious reasons but to explore the cave with chest-high water levels with bats on the roof top it sounded so exciting... after the holy dip into the water we had a good bath at the natural spring in the temple campus.

We then decided to go for Gurudwara famous for its linkages with Guru Nanak Sahib and this time again the primary reason was the 'Langar', I actually could imagine hot-tasty halwa in my mouth... remembering 'Bangla Sahib' at Delhi... Legend has it that the areas has its only sweet water lake thanks to Guru sahib.

'Enuff of pligrimage!!' frowned one said after we had stomach full of food at the 'langar' and we now decided to exploit the photographic opportunity at the fort taking advantage of the sun. But, before we could go there I decided to check out some Bidri craft work, which is special to the area, try googling for the same and you might like it as well.

Here, again the place is very beautiful and really really provides ample of photo opportunities which our paltan consumed to its maximum. We had some great fun here. Some of the excitement is captured here.

Philophobic

There are times when one is absolutely clueless, there are self-doubts, there are fear of failures. Fear comes from uncertainty. When we are absolutely certain, whether of our worth or worthlessness, we are almost impervious to fear. Thus, a feeling of utter unworthiness can be a source of courage. Now that one has reached such an ebb (s)he can only go up. Attach a purpose with your goals. Think big. Dream about about being there. It helps.

5 things I learnt today

today i met an achiever in life, a person who went ahead against all the odds walked up to the horizon to reach the skies... listening to her story i want to learn;

• perseverance matters, no matter how hard the nut is.. if one fiddles with it continuously for long, it will ultimately break
• tame your learning curve, it any ways does not lasts longer than 1-2 months.
  
• learn to have neat fun, make good companions, always
• do ur job religiously and respect ur holidays
• learn to cook 'functional' food and stay fit

... may be her sweet memory wud remain if i can emulate these qualities in life.

... nothing wrong being clueless

The term means ‘to have no idea, to be ignorant, not have an inkling, to be baffled, mystified, at a loss, to not have the faintest/foggiest/slightest.'

Very often we are clueless about things happening with us. We are clueless about the possible outcomes of our actions, spoken words or deeds. We are clueless about our future. We are clueless about the task at hand and what ways possibly it can add value to me. More often than not it all depends upon ones perspective and as perception is a powerful tool. Believing there's a limitation can sometimes create that limitation. The clueless who don't know about the limitation, well, it's as if it doesn't exist. Belief matters. Not everywhere, not in everything, but more than we give credence to.

The good thing about being clueless is that you approach things with a hopeful perspective in an attempt to understand the subtleties of doing a task rather than accepting the reality.

Possibly a way to master the art of cluelessness is to prepare hard for your planned activities and persevere. As Hardy says, your luck is nothing but marriage of your preparation with your destiny... way to go!

Cooking Therapy

Think about it cooking at the minimum ensures, quality food of your taste. Cooking has its own pace, own space, and a change of mind. Even on a tough day.. cooking, if approached with a good attitude, can be the smoothing factor simply because it is so absorbing as it takes time to put raw things together offers concrete proof of efforts. There is something magical about the process of transforming raw, solitary ingredients into a savory amalgamation of flavor, smell, taste, texture, and color.... and while doing that it diverts your mind... and as the aromas of desi ghee, sonth, jeera etc starts coming up... you only feel more hungry in the anticipation of good things to come.... and to top it all invite your friends over the week end and there is nothing more satisfying to see others happy and that your cooked food brings them all together.. some music, some discussion and lots of time. Try making a bati-chokha or aloo-parwal ki dahi wali sabji and enjoy the process as well as the product. Such therapy is inexpensive, fun, and tasty!