#skhigh new #hashtag

Got this word from this Pic dated 28th June. #skhigh taken somewhere in West Bengal.

CBSE, ISC Board Exams Cancelled because of COVID19, Is this a Watershed Moment for technology-based education platforms?

 On the 1st of June, 2021, The Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi announced, that class 10th and 12th exams, stand cancelled, owing to the current Covid19 pandemic. The School Education Department Principal Secretary headed a committee that is most likely to pass all students as per the Right to Education Act. Marks will be given based on “recommendation”, Am not sure what that exactly means? Recommendation.

All Passed

One of my first coaching classes (to score well in school, not competitive exams) was with Mr Hari. Om. Biswas Sir, from the Marshall School, there were a couple of private teachers, as well, but that not consequential. There used to be a huge row and batches in our time. It was the pre-internet era, no online or zoom classes.  My schooling happened in Dehra Dun, a small town in the northern part of India, and the glory (pun-nish) days, where we had numbers to score and not grades. Grades were parked for SUPW, Practicals, Sports and Discipline. Either there were private teachers or Tuitions. That’s it.

Will the virtual be the new real?

My question is, what happens to bright students who genuinely studied, the whole year and not staring on grade. A passing grade. Wouldn't they feel, let down? Well, the times are such. Would we be giving our exams if there is a war outside? No. We are literally having a World War, except there are no bombs and blood and gore. It’s a silent war.  The airlines, schools, colleges, airports, hotels and restaurants, shipping and transport is closed, indefinitely. I don’t think, this has happened in the history of modern mankind. Unprecedented, I’d say. Each one of us is affected, in some ways or the other. We do not know, how not interacting with students and teachers in real is affecting students mentally, psychologically and emotionally. Not every student have laptops or desktops? Some of them use a smartphone, dumb phones, and other qwerty phones. Not all parents can afford to buy a laptop and they are facing salary cuts as well. Thanks to Covid. Recently, a 5-year-old Kashmiri girl - Mahiruh Irfan, made an emotional appeal to PM Modi to cut down online classes, as it's too much for her. She recently made a video on Instagram, and her video went viral. 

Go Go Digital – The Winner takes it all

Today, 8th June, the 10-year-old BYJU’S (Think & Learn Private Limited) completed its $940 Million Cash and stock billion formally acquires of a 33-year-old Blackstone backed brand Brick and Mortar - Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL). The CCI has approved the acquisition today, dated 8th June under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, today. PIB reported.  The test prep market is dominated by students engineering, medical science, and civil service exams, recently even Arts and commerce students can apply for engineering, a revolution of sorts.  

So, what does it mean? What does it really mean for, BYJU’s, the most valuable education technology company globally with a market valuation is $13 billion (in 2021)? It’s owned by Bengaluru couple Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath. What happens to their growth model? What happens to the children, who aren’t really ready yet? 

So, exactly why BYJU’s placed so much money to acquire Akash, which was launched in 1988 by Mr J.C Chaudhary? Let’s extrapolate some gaps. 

1. To enter the test preparation space

2. Build modern education capabilities

3. To inspire and introduce personalized learning programs

4. To take huge advantage of low education quality teaching at government and mofussil towns.

5. Riding on fresh cash and disposable income (hoping the pandemic to end that dry run soon)

6. To give an early competition to Amazon Digital Education (they are coming up big time and       investing in content).

7. To replicate omnichannel e-commerce business model in edtech as well

8. To consolidate the digitize the hyperlocal coaching market

Covid19 Pandemic – A lasting Effect?

We all have learnt sad stories this year and the last, so many people have lost their loved ones, friends and families due to Covid. I am not sure, how well the people affected will recuperate from the losses. Yes, it is a war, and we all have to deal with it. Learn to adjust. Compromise, taking care of things, we had taken for granted. The sudden change in the mode of education is overwhelming especially when schools and colleges are closed (for a year) and social distancing is the biggest keyword, we have read in the last 1 year. Like every other industry, big or small, has been impacted by Covid19. To what extent, education will be affected and the ongoing relationship between a student and a teacher? Here the challenge books Vs video, physical classes Vs online classes, real classroom Vs Clubhouse or Zoom Classrooms, real interactions Vs virtual talks. With the schools and colleges still, closed as I write, what happens to the traditional brick and mortar schools and coaching classes, prepping up for the tests? Will it morph into a digital or online identity? What happens, to pen and paper, chalk and blackboards? What happens to practical, which cannot be done online? After a week of PM Modi’s virtual announcement, in Cooch Behar, West Bengal a class 10th student Barnali Burman committed suicide. The bright girl has lost hope that she will top her matriculation exams this year. I hope we will be able to raise some questions and practical answers to be given. 

Pic Source - Getty Image

Happy Buddha Purnima - Gautama birthday quotes

Buddha poornima and Buddha's teaching has touched us, at some point in life.

May peace, prosperity and good health reign to all this year amidst this devastating pandemic. 

Do not dwell In the past,

Do not dream of the future, 

Concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.

You only lose what you cling to.

“Suffering is not holding you, you are holding suffering.” Buddham Saranam Gacchami | Dhamma Saranam Gacchami | Sangham Saranam Gacchami... Happy Buddha Purnima!

A Day and Night in Doladanga Purulia (27th February 2021)

 Amazing, and cant describe, how beautiful, Purulia was. Took a train to Purulia and then, Doladanga lake via Manbazaar (an old place). Very strange, a very big bajaar. You can also check the government website - for planning a post covid trip to Purulia. However, it could be very hot. Its Next to the Kangsabati Lake, Beside Sonajhuri Forest, a deep tribal forest. Was able to witness this season's first Palash flower, for the first living time. It's also called the wild fire of the jungle, and incidentally my name as well. A video has been created.

. Near the Mukutmanipur dam, it is not far away. Small hills and a perfect sunset. My last trip just before the pandemic reigned. Thanks for Arpita from IZIFISO, a Calcutta based travel startup, specialising in backpackers, and weekend destination. They have a way of promoting tourism, keeping sustainability on the top of their minds. You can visit their

website - and explore more of Bengal. I am hoping, this could turn out to become, some kind of a franchise model. I have been to a couple of more properties from IZIFISO, exploring and backpacking of course.

They are a camping site and have assets theming lake, beach, mountains, trails, jungle, river, musical and even haunted camps. There is a Himalayan trail as well as a bikers trail. Now, we must assume and travel, keeping pre-covid and post-covid times. The getbengal also claimed, that Doladanga, could be the new tribal paradise of Bengal.

Nine Months in Bengal - From Suva Fiji To Kolkata

The clouds are out with a thunderous night before. The weather today is very pleasant, and thanks to the weather.com, have been waiting for May - 2, no not because of the result, but waiting for the KaalBoishakhi to arrive and spell some much needed cool showers. 

The grand West Bengal assembly elections got over with a painful 8 phase and side by side a resurgent second wave of Covid19 in India. Surviving, guess its helping us to understand how to survive this scare.  

The land has been pumping heat and a lot happened in the last few months. I have been crisscrossing, states, cities, countries and nations. Suva, Nadi, Delhi, Kolkata, and then Dum Dum Cantonment to Hazra to Jodhpur Park, and now to Kalyani Ghoshpara (60 Kilometres from my house). To frankly add, braved the virus (till now, TW) and  All in the last nine months. Also managed a few outstation trips, to Mussourie and Rishikesh, Sundarbans and Purulia, now the mountains are calling. We also entered the newest millennium, 2021 shell shocked from the (forgettable) 2020.   

Exactly a year ago, I was in Suva, almost sure, that I had to return from a graceful marketing job in the Fiji Islands. Thankful to Fijian VPCL management for helping me transit from South Pacific to my home country India safely. Especially Vinod Bhai, Nikita, Bacchu Bhai, Pravin Bhai, Veeral, Dak, Rahul, Neelesh, Atin, Atish, Ms. Lati, Ayantha, Naren, Uncle, Sanjay Bhaiyya/Bhabhi, Pearl my Cat and everyone else,    

Why I left Kalyani?

In my first visit to this new city Kalyani, it was like ‘love at first sight’. Have never seen or imagined a city in Bengal to be so beautiful and green. Quite different from what I have observed so far here. After working in the NCR for many years and literally growing up in the North India, coming and working here is a different experience, unexplainable. So, much, that I have moved in here. So, what’s so special about this city. A series of blog and vlogs will come out at this platform, soon. To sum it up, this city is a municipality & Community Development Block of Nadia district in West Bengal. Approximately, it is around 50 kilometres (31 mi) from Calcutta, the new capital of West Bengal, however, the fact is that nearby Krishnanagar was the first capital of Bengal, before Calcutta. 

This means, that this region is older than Calcutta or Kolkata. It is based and situated by the eastern banks of Hooghly River and comes under the part of Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). As per WikiPedia, the World War II, Kalyani was the site of an American Airbase, known by the name of Roosevelt Town or Roosevelt Nagar and later it was developed as a planned town in the early 1950s by the Government of West Bengal by Mr. Bidhan Chandra Roy – the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, then. 

CoVid19 is more dangerous this, time, they say

Again, Covid19, in its fullest form, is unleashing unprecedented havoc, and this was the time to be with my family. 

Why I took 2 years to watch Joker - 2019 - Joaquin Phoenix

Sir Joaquin Phoenix. One more person shall watch the film you worked and everyone else behind and with you, onscreen.

Consciously, didn't watch this, despite having all the time of my life (2019 in Fiji- year of release). Friends on my timeline, wrote various things, critics went bonkers, Joker lauded the Oscar nominators, OH YES, the Burger photo, by the vegetarian Joaquin saw it more than once and as a tribute to the (yet to watch) film.

#stayingindoor is in my mind, so, now I am in West Bengal. With memories of Fiji, very much fresh, changed continents and countries in last 10 months, changing districts, changing homes, changing jobs and still evolving. Hence, the delay. 

I think, on a serious note Joker (2019) should be the #1 on my list of the  filmathon (on my terms), of sorts. Such films are arsenal for your mind that craves for a good story,  leave a vaccum and fill it up when you want it, just at the right time and place. You genuinely leave that gap (to be filled later on).

 Shall tell you (maybe not), how it was, maybe you don't need to know, nevertheless.  Thankyou and Vinaka Vakalevu 

Pic source- Eater LA

West Bengal Vidhansabha Assembly Votes, Most creative election, Ever?

Sarcastic digs on opposition parties, isn't new, neither are posters with special messages. A viral song, Khela Hobe by a former YouTuber and an engineer by profession Debangshu scripted the song overnight in the North Bengal (as told to TV guys) and the song raged, forcing opposition parties to create spin versions, to catchup on the trend (failed sic).

 #KhelaHobey has taken, Bengal if not India by storm? With less than 2 weeks before the final showdown, this IPL - Indian Political League  (Bengal chapter) 2021, is going to be the most creative political campaign, EVER. 

Khela Hobe campaign anthem of the TMC

Bengal ka time aayega. need to wait, and watch.

No Dhoni Is Not Going To Be Bald in the VIVO IPL 2021. #newAd

Instead,  I predict MSD Is ready for a blockbuster career in acting. Could be cinema, OTTs, like Netflix, Amazon or neo real, shows on Discovery , even Star TV. Why, do I feel so? Because,  rarity,  is a quality, suits, and fits, the captain of Chennai, the THALAVI OR THALA

They followed, the rules of engagement .

Bring,  the top guy. Dhoni. Get him, on screen, and create a viral content. Bingo. Make him bald (even Ranbir Kapoor), went through one recently.

Oh, yes, do a prebuzz, yeah? Like a 1 hour to go or 3 hour to go, some shit like that.

Twitter erupted, today guessing Dhoni turning a real life monk? Sadly, no, thats cleared, his Avatar as an Army officer,  negates that idea of brand Dhoni being diluted.

At JU, a friend Rosh,  used to wear a sweat shirt, with a slogan of her Alma mater Ferguson College, Poona.

It read, "down to earth, but above you all". 

That's, MAHI. He is like brother. I am like his elder brother (we share the same year 1981 and your birthday is 7th July), Mera January mein padtah hai. 

GREED IS GOOD. 

Straight out of 1987, Wall Street, by Micheal Douglass,  he famously said, greed is good. The ThoughtCo added, Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko in an insightful speech , "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good." 

Thala Monk Dhoni, talks about "laalach (or greed).

1987, Wall Street (an epithet of capitalism), Gordon Gekko aka Douglas

went on to make the point that greed is a clean drive that "captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind." Hmmm. Heavy shit.

Dhoni, attacks Rohit, by saying he is the HITMAN. 

reminded me of my childhood wwf wrester Bret ' Hitman' Hart, #brethart

 Its a different case, that this dig is towards, @ImRo Rohit Sharma. That he is greedy. However,  smartass Dhoni, reverse sweeps the situation,  by turning the narrative, by justifying GREED. "TOH LAALACH IS COOL". Sai hai na? Mumbai, captain has won 5 times, and greedy for more,  that falla.  That's thala, Dhoni...

 smartly, closes the deal by saying, towards,  watch the games, starting April, 6. Check, schedule below on STAR.

Next, video, released after erupting Twitter,  causing a memefest late night , was to target, King Kohli, the VIRAT. CAPTAIN of India, team, mentored by MSD.

He picks, vivek (wisdom), this time, and asks  where is the wisdom? 

The subtle dig was, towards the "angry Kohli". 

The kids say, he can't find vivek (wisdom)

The army officer, played well by Dhoni, justifying anger,  that it helps people WIN.

FAMOUS, Mountain Dew advert says, Darr ke aage jeet hai. 

So, here, describing anger, as a positive emotion,  if channeled proper  , it can reap benefits...

Dhoni, Sir, insists to stay angry...

That's, all for tonight, gotta catchup work tomorrow...

Hazardous work OHS, in modern India, Salute to workers

This Sunday balmy Kolkata evening, one sight at railway crossing sprang my attention. Partly surprised,  yet not (India hai, chaltah hai syndrome) surprised. This young guy, trying to fix something (probably an electric line), crisscrossing the local suburban trains, near Dumdum Cantonment. Was it risky? (Video of his duty coming soon).

A quick Google, took me to a integration landing page.

In their blog, Ms. Ashima Obhan and Ms. Nishtha Jaisingh,  collectively pen down the 'Occupational Safety, health and working condition code', 2020, plus two other codes, (yet to be notified).

"The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (“OSH Code“) received the President’s assent on September 28, 2020 along with two other codes, all of which are yet to be notified by the Government. The OSH Code has subsumed several key pieces of legislation on the working conditions of labour and consolidated it into one comprehensive act, including, inter alia, the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, the Factories Act, 1948, etc. The new codes are an exercise in ensuring a streamlining of the labour laws in the country. We take a look at some of the key provisions of the OSH Code below:

Key Definitions under the OSH Code 

Some of the important definitions that the OSH Code has amended are as follows:

Contract Labour: “Contract labour” has been defined as a worker deemed to be employed in/in connection with the work of an establishment when he is hired for such work through a contractor, with or without the knowledge of the principal employer. The definition excludes any worker (other than a part-time employee) who is regularly employed by the contractor for any activity of his establishment and such worker’s employment is governed by mutually accepted standards of conditions of employment and gets periodical increment in pay and other welfare benefits1."

The ILO reads, that the Occupational accidents and diseases have an impact not only on the lives of individual workers but also on the productivity and profitability of enterprises and ultimately, on the welfare of society. In response, governments, workers and employers across the world are increasing their efforts to prevent accidents and diseases at the workplace.

Thus, I wish our workers, post pandemic especially the Indian Railways, Kolkata metro, deep gratitude and thanks. Vinaka

Samsung Galaxy One UI 3.0 update gets a makeover shot in the arm in 2021

Am I the only one, who is experiencing incredible Androidian phone 📱performances, after the patch One UI 3.1 was updated recently in 2021? So, Whats so different about it? 

Am no expert in mobile tech, because I myself refused to realize the difference between an Android and a non Android phone and deliberately used Nokia phone. I stuck to it (since the Nokia 3310 in year 2001) like a jilted lover,  refusing to let it go, kept on doing Nokia,  year after year, one and a half decade, precisely. Finally, in my overseas stint, I gave way to Android, and took up a Motorola. 

Only to loose it one day, at the Victoria Parade,  Suva area in Fiji,  likely in Traps. Samsung S10e happened the next week, and I am enjoying it. That's my mobile story in short. 

The One UI update

Am using  content from official samsung sites, so that you get the actual.  The new UI 3.1 brings select, new camera capabilities for capturing and editing incredible photos and videos and smart new features to be able to help you get more from your Samsung device.

There are variety of changes to Samsung’s custom Android user interface and Being a minor update to One UI, version 3.1 doesn’t make any design changes. However, Samsung has simplified and decluttered some menus, particularly the quick toggles area in the notification shade. By default, the notification shade shows only a select few quick toggles, and the rest have to be manually added as needed.

One of the biggest changes which I saw was Google reclaiming its legit space on an Android phone such as Samsung. 

The Google discover is now on the home page and it is allowing me quick easily to navigate and get what I want, a little more quickly. 

One UI 3.1 lets you select between Google Discover on the left-most home screen and Samsung Free/Samsung Daily. One UI 3.1 also makes Google Messages native, with various optimizations exclusive to Samsung Galaxies devices.

For the post-pandemic era, where video calling from home has become extremely commonplace, Samsung has introduced video call effects. These effects let you blur the background in video calls made with apps such as Zoom, Google Duo, Microsoft Teams, and Webex, so you can hide your unkept room or avoid anyone else in your house coming into the frame. A custom image can be set as well if blurring out the background isn’t enough.

There are also minor new features littered throughout the user interface. One UI 3.1 allows the removal of location data from photos and videos before they are shared with others, and the blue light filter feature has been renamed to Eye Comfort Shield and automatically limits blue light exposure based on the time of day (a custom schedule and custom color temperature can also be set). For devices that support it, such as the Galaxy S21 Ultra, One UI 3.1 enables support for Wi-Fi 6E networks.

https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/one-ui-3-1/

https://www.sammobile.com/news/one-ui-3-1-update-makes-its-way-onto-the-galaxy-s10-series-in-europe/amp/

New Amazon Logo resembled Hitler Nazi Moushtache?

While surfing my phone, saw a little change. Pondered,  Did Amazon change its logo recently in five years? They say, it resembles German dictator Adolf Hitler's famous moushtache.

Its called, the toothbrush moustache. According to social media reports, following a backlash, Amazon was forced to alter its new logo icon design.

 It looked, similar to Amazon's signature curved arrow, but this time it was staged over a brown background. The brown color represents the packaging, AMZN uses, for delivery.

Recently, a Bombay based NGO, forced Myntra to change its logo, because according to a complaint it looked like a naked woman.