स्टैच्यू अॉफ़ यूनिटी का कड़वा सच। जो मीडिया ने आपको नहीं दिखाया। #Statue...

Darwin was Wrong, indeed!

Yes, after the latest controversy comment attack on Darwin, I am also convinced that Darwin was wrong, indeed!
After all, not all Apes evolved into humans!! And they are proudly flaunting their tails!

It may be worth mentioning that about 35 years ago, Giyani Jail Singh, the then president of India, went even further than the recent critic, by saying something like "Look at the red beak and the beautiful green feathers of a parrot, have they come from the monkeys? All nonsense!"

It is so depressing to observe that most of our so called elite, educated & influential people actually know nothing about Darwin's theory. of course everyone can't read those huge books (BTW it is freely available over net), but what about the essence of it? Why can't we grasp it? Why can't we show some respect to it at all? 

I am not going to lecture on Darwinism, but rather briefly discuss certain points that this recent 'controversy' brings forward. 

1st of all, Darwin never uttered such a dumb cliche like "men came from apes".
The essence of his findings was that, the species that we see today were all related and evolved over time from similar origin, if not from singular origin - just like how a sapling evolves into huge tree with branches & leaves! That way we all are distant cousins. So what about apes? Well, we humans are close cousins of the broad family of apes. That's it!

Actually, our education system does not clearly tell us about the scientific methodology, how science works, and what are the tools in science's arsenal. In fact it teaches science like any other subject, or worse, like a religion. No arguing, no questioning - just follow the textbook. Even the drawings must be identical to as in your textbook!

It also tells us that science is an optional thing, and not a way of life. One can become 'educated' and live a respected life even without knowing basics of gravity, or that the Sun keeps moving in space. As parents they teach their kids to accept anything - be it a TV commercial or religion! They also held key positions in society like philosophers, journalists, writers, bureaucrats, politicians, educationalists, and scientific correctness becomes last priority in our society.

So, most people won't know the difference between proof & theory, law and hypothesis, or what is meant by a scientific study, scientific research. People still imagine scientists as some absent minded creatures with uncut, untidy hair doing funny business in a lab - with no concern about outside world. Worse, even science students do not know exactly what 'science' or 'scientific' means!

But this does not prevent them from being loudmouth to speak things like "Come on, who saw it? What's it the proof?" or, making the ultimate assault : "Science can not explain everything!!!"
Funny thing is that, 'seeing' or 'eye-witness' is hardly a prerequisite for science. And 'proof' is not the foundation of science, but just a pillar. To the contrary, science relies heavily on clever, refined guessworks! 

Before mocking Darwin's work, one should understand what is it. A hypothesis is an attempt to explain something. It may or may not hold good in the long run. Now, if it lasts without any major challenges, then it is promoted as a 'theory'. Theories play rather important role in science. Major part of astronomy is full of theories such as black-hole, big-bang, time-warp etc. But then, why no wise-guys were challenging those (and trying to stop space missions)? I think because its beyond the comprehension of those wise-guys, and more importantly, it is not in conflict with their ego, sentiment or Interest.

Darwin's revolutionary work was challenged violently by the christian priests because it hurt their sentiment and interest. It was such a radical work that it shook the whole world - not only the science but art & philosophy alike. One may not even care whether Earth or the Sun is moving, but this was something that challenged one's belief system that he had grown up with, and questions one's own identity. This made the whole paradise to shake and crash on Earth, and God had to struggle to find a ground under his feet!
Its not hard to understand why so many attempts on Darwin's life was made by the 'believers'.

The very foundation of all religious beliefs were contradicted by this theory, but religion did not become extinct. Yes, its glory, its control over mankind was reduced but it was amusing how it learnt to co-exist with science after that!

It is not easy being scientific. You can be a science-fan by watching sci-fi movies or buying some fancy techno gadgets. But to be scientific is about being unbiased, very honest & open-minded.
Most people live & die for their ego, sentiment and belief system. But science is very uncultured, very ruthless. It does not give you anything to believe, nor anything to worship! 



It was also said that 'Darwin was scientifically wrong' and 'No old books (Vedas?) didn't mention anything like that'. Clearly the person does not have any idea how slow evolution is, and how old these ancient books were. Evolution is not like transformation of caterpillar to butterfly. 5000 years of civilisation is nothing for it.
It is worth mentioning that many people really believe that just few centuries ago also we were much bigger & taller (probably based on large utensils or shoes, swords etc. which they saw in museums).

Fine, but isn't it too much to blame Darwin as 'scientifically wrong'? One does not 'fight' science with muscle power or VIP status. You must 'fight' science with science only. For that one must do research, frame up a better theory or find out the drawbacks in Darwin's theory on the basis of this new research and publish this in front of the scientific forum. After merciless scrutiny by scientists & scholars in that field, if it was finally accepted, then surely Darwin shall bow down to the new generation scientist!

So the question is, is science perfect? No. In fact, a very interesting quality of science which keeps it apart from religion or fables is that, it never claims to be perfect or omniscient. Popular assault upon science is that, if it fails to explain something or makes any refinements to itself, then its void!

What is the big deal about science then? Science is the most systematic & pure form of human knowledge about anything & everything. Pure, but not perfect. It might have some errors at any point of time, but that is the best knowledge we could have at that moment. And best things is that, science admits these imperfections frankly and works forward to improve itself. Because an indispensable characteristic of science is that it challenges itself and corrects its course. Scientists (ideally) are the most humble persons on Earth (unlike priests or preachers). They can be argued upon and challenged.

But shall we let those imperfections or gaps ruin the credibility of science? No, because we do not have alternatives. This is the best knowledge we have at any point of time. 
But you will still hear people commenting like "Can science do this? Can science do that? Can science revive a dead person?"  - as if it was a crime committed by science, and as if they know some other way to revive a dead person!

History tells us how Galileo was forced to withdraw his findings and state that Earth is stationery. In the last four years, there is enough indication that, India is going to repeat such history very soon. Because for some, scientific & rational thinking is like a loose cannon. It often clashes with ego, sentiment and interest of some people.

God is so Good

(inspired by a song by bengali Singer/Composer Kabeer Suman.)

-        : What is that loud noise at this hour of the night?

-        : Oh nothing, just some devotees worshipping...

-        : But why are they shouting so loudly?

-        : Oh, they’re inviting their God. And you know how far away he/she lives, so to reach that far…

-        : Oh great! So hasn’t the God arrived yet?

-        : I guess so, considering the time they were shouting…I mean, inviting.

-        : Strange, then why are they still making such noise?

-        : Oh, that? May be to do away with him/her… as the purpose is served!

-        : But how well was it served – I mean, did they got some boons or something?

-        : Surely, they must’ve  got some.

-        : Wow, so everybody’s problems must have been solved then?

-        : Certainly so!

-        : So, from tomorrow nobody will be having anymore problems in their lives?

-        : I don’t think so!

-        : What? You don’t think what? You think they shall still be living with problems?

-        : Very much!

-        : Now you are really driving me crazy.

-        : How?

-        : You are saying they have solved their problems, yet they shall live with their problems?

-        : They shall.

-        : But how?

-        : Quite simple actually, a prosperous person sought boon so that he can have a goodnight’s sleep without worry, whereas a thief must’ve asked for blessings so he becomes invincible every night. Patients would ask for good health, and doctors would pray for good patients, right?

-        : Right!

-        : What looks so right to you now? Whose boon will be realised now? How are the boons going to make any difference at all? Everyone's lives will remain all the same!

-        : Oh my God! You are saying there was no point in praying to the ‘omnipotent’? 

-        : Of course! Having an 'omnipotent' caretaker for our world doesn't make any sense at all. How can he/she manage all the fronts?  How to satisfy everyone? After all, we have but one world!

-        Original skit written in Assamese in 2002

Cow protectors got an Option!

What a shame! We knew PM Modi loves drama, but his willingness to sacrifice his life for the cow-protector-um human-slaughter brigade went too far! How unfortunate that, as the head of law-&-order of our state, he can threaten Pakistan or even China, but here, in his own soil, instead of strongly warning, he had to give ‘option’ to the brigade to chose either him or the 'dalit’s! Well the reason for this weakness is quite obvious!
Wasn’t his long silence better than this?
And more seriously, as some online posts had already pointed out, he is maintaining double standards. He is actually condemning the attack on 'Dalit’s. What about 'normal’ Indians?
Modi Ji, aren’t you kind of legalising their hooliganism? You can safely challenge them to take your life, because you have Z-category. So this is a cruel joke. But on 2nd thought, it may not be. Because, are VVIPs really safe? What if they eat beef & all security is taken away? Wasn’t the Kerala CM life was threatened by his fellow MLA last year?
Seriously, I appreciate these volunteers as they are doing better than Govt.’s food inspectors. They are sneaking into kitchens and checking 'what’s cookin?’. The only problem is, no one cares to know, even our PM, - "is anything cooking at all?"

Why is it called দূৰদৰ্শন / Doordarshan

Does our DD (Doordarshan) possess any 'darshan' (vision) at all?

Recently I saw repeat telecast of 'Mullah Masruddin' TV Serial in DD Bharti. I saw it in 1990 in DD-1. It was an amazing work and always wanted to show it to my son.

However, the quality was incredibly poor. I am sure it was stored on some VHS, and that too, was used a number of times. There was too much colour bleeding, and effective resolution was around 144p.

This itself speaks a lot about our mentality towards quality and prevervation. Everywhere just the lowly commercial attitude - 'Paisa Hajm, Baat Khatm'. It seems even Bollywood does not preserve their films well. You won't find a fine quality broadcast in any channel of a 20 years old movie also.

Anyway, I got over enthusiastic and contacted DD Bharti over mail. Well, out of two addresses, one failed. Good enough, I thought, for a government organisation.

Then I got the reply from some wise guy at DD-Bharti, that "Since ' Mulla Nasiruddin"  is a old programme, video quality does suffer in spite of restoration.". Well well! So in just 25 years, the U-Matic quality worsened automatically to 144p. And that too after restoration? Does these fellows ever saw the quality of 90 years old movie Metropolis which was which was stitched back together after WW2, restored and released in 1080p, or even the 70 years old Loony Tunes that were restored and released in 1080p? 
How these good for nothing liars managed to grab a job at all in our public organisations?

Anyway, I replied that I want to purchase all 13 episodes & even want to help them restore it if needed. 
But probably he fell into long hibernation already. After my 3rd reminder, he suddenly woke up and thrown the following 'letterbomb' at me "The total cost would be Rs.17,530/- ( Rs.Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred and Thirty only) including a Service Tax component of Rs.830/-. However, this sale shall be for personal use and not for any public showcasing"

To summarise:

• They telecast an item for public over a free-to-receive channel, but they would sell it at a exorbitant price... and that too for 'private' viewing!
• They do not know basic preservation techniques , let alone restoration. So all our DD National serials are rotting in their disposal.
• They lie shamelessly to public.

So dear reader, now you knew what type of darshan (vision) they have. Yes, it is sick or ill-vision, that was it is called Dooh-darshan = Doordarshan (দু:-দৰ্শন = দূৰদৰ্শন )!

অবাধ্য সপোন/The untammed dream (১৯৯৬)

(Dedicated to Kabir Suman)
নলয় নলয় সি নলয় মানি, দিবই লাগিব আকাশী জোন আনি৷
নিষ্ফল মা মাহী মামাৰ বুজনি, দু’বছৰীয়া সি এটি অকণমাণি৷৷
নলয় নলয় সি নলয় মানি, ল’বই ল’বই ৰামধেনু ৰং সানি৷
নিষ্ফল দেউতাৰো গালি-শপনি, দু’বছৰীয়া সি এটি অকণমাণি৷৷
জোন কিয় আকাশত, মাটিত আমি? আহাঁ জোন পৃথিৱীৰ বুকুলে’ নামি৷
জোন কিয় আকাশত?
নলয় নলয় সি নলয় মানি৷৷
বিৰক্ত চুবুৰীয়া: অবাধ্য লৰা! জঙ্ঘলী ঘোঁৰা!
ঘোঁৰা পিটি মানুহ সোনকালে কৰা!

সভ্য ভব্যতাৰ মন্ত্ৰ দিয়া!!

কোনো দামী খোঁৱাৰত নাম লিখোৱা!!!

কান্দি-কাটি লেবেজান কণমানি,পুৰণি সুৰেৰে মাকে গায় নিচুকণি

অকণি টোপনি যায়…

পুৰণি কোলাত, টোপনি দোলাত, সংগোপনে সি সপোন দেখে –
নতুন সুৰৰ, নতুন গানৰ, ৰামধেনু ৰঙী জোনালী দিনৰ

Law of Conservation of Bugs (IT) and other Findings / ত্ৰুটিৰ ৰক্ষণশীলতাৰ সূত্র (তথ্য প্ৰযুক্তি)

Law of Conservation of Software Bugs:
Software Bugs can neither be created nor destroyed, but only be transferred from one software to another.

A mosquito net is made up by stitching together lots of tiny holes.
Similarly, a software is made up by putting together lots of bugs.

The design of this world is so devilish, so tricky,
It must had been created by the Devil himself, not 'simply' by a God!

(ছফ্টৱেৰ ত্ৰুটিৰ সৃষ্টি কিম্বা বিনাশ  অসম্ভৱ,
মাত্র এটা ছফ্টৱেৰ -ৰ পৰা আন এটা ছফ্টৱেৰ -লৈ স্থানান্তৰহে সম্ভৱ”)