Greater Couca, महोखा. Rear view.
Looks like a Kite scratching and then smelling it's armpits.
Wherever you go in India, Red-Vented Bulbuls (बुलबुल) are always to be found. We have managed to export it to all parts of the world now, and it finds its place in the 100 most invasive species in the world.
Tiny bird that didn't let me get close. A bluethroat.
Looks like a Coucal
Red-naped Ibis, getting it's daily dose of high voltage EMF.
Yellow Footed Green Pigeon.
Yep, that is literally the name.
If the people who named birds named me, I'd be the Yeti Footed Brown Human.
Yep, that is literally the name.
If the people who named birds named me, I'd be the Yeti Footed Brown Human.
A Eurasian Collared Dove, फ़ाख्ता
The Pied Mynah or Asian Pied Starling. मैना.
Our friends the Green Bee-Eaters were everywhere.
Some kind of dove here. Hawks and doves. Interesting, eh.
There were literally thousands of hawks, circling and watching over the entire wetland. One small mistake by a bird and it becomes prey.
This is hopefully an Eastern Grey Egret.
Black Drongo
This morning, we visited the wetlands at Dhankot in Gurgaon. Lots and lots of different birds there.
Here is an Indian Grey Hornbill, धनेश.
Here is an Indian Grey Hornbill, धनेश.
What's this conference about, I wonder. Is it possible for a Lapwing to have a decent conversation with anybody at all? Well, you know what they say... sometimes people change.
We went to Bhondsi Nature Park, also known as Chandrashekhar Farm, on Thursday morning. Didn't capture nearly as many birds as near home, perhaps because the trees were tall and the birds weren't on shrubs. But a very enjoyable and pleasant walk.
The peak vaccination rate we have reached is 20 lakh shots per day.
At this rate we will need more than 1,000 days to vaccinate 75% of our 137 crore population.
To finish vaccination within this year we need to increase that rate to 75 lakh shots a day. A 4x increase.
Irrespective of which side of the political spectrum we lie on, we must all bear down on the government to do what it takes to increase the rate of vaccination. A good first step must be to lift all restrictions on vaccination, and focus on the rural areas where reach is harder.
Remember - we have been mass vaccinating all children and expectant mothers for decades now. Pulse Polio involves vaccinating all children under 5 in India in a single day.
(picked up the 75% figure from a very informative webinar by the kids' school)
At this rate we will need more than 1,000 days to vaccinate 75% of our 137 crore population.
To finish vaccination within this year we need to increase that rate to 75 lakh shots a day. A 4x increase.
Irrespective of which side of the political spectrum we lie on, we must all bear down on the government to do what it takes to increase the rate of vaccination. A good first step must be to lift all restrictions on vaccination, and focus on the rural areas where reach is harder.
Remember - we have been mass vaccinating all children and expectant mothers for decades now. Pulse Polio involves vaccinating all children under 5 in India in a single day.
(picked up the 75% figure from a very informative webinar by the kids' school)
Our neighbourhood went from 30-40 active cases on a single day in Feb, to just one case last week, back up to 10 active cases today. The moment people see cases going down, they let their guard down, and bad things start happening.
It's a roller coaster that you don't wanna be on. Stay safe and only play holi within your household.
In fact a bunch of festivals coming up - Holi, Good Friday, Ramzan. Best to just drastically tone down the celebrations this year.
It's a roller coaster that you don't wanna be on. Stay safe and only play holi within your household.
In fact a bunch of festivals coming up - Holi, Good Friday, Ramzan. Best to just drastically tone down the celebrations this year.
Who's a good birdy?
Who's a good birdy?
Who's a good birdy?
You're a good birdy!
Looks like a Brown Rock Chat. Could just as well be an Indian Robin. What's in a name?
Who's a good birdy?
Who's a good birdy?
You're a good birdy!
Looks like a Brown Rock Chat. Could just as well be an Indian Robin. What's in a name?
What do you mean you've had enough Purple Sunbirds? One can never have enough Sunbirds. Oooh, shiny shiny.
The day isn't complete without a Laughing Dove pic.
Their pics turn out fabulous because they let me come so close to them.
Their pics turn out fabulous because they let me come so close to them.
Green Bee Eater.
Kavin finds it strange that someone can be named after what they eat. I gently reminded him that he calls me a Patata all the time.
Kavin finds it strange that someone can be named after what they eat. I gently reminded him that he calls me a Patata all the time.
I personally dislike the Red Wattled Lapwing, टिटहरी. Its an aggressive, noisy bird. But it is also a photography favourite because it let's me get close to it.
Indian Robin in the hood, ladies and gentlemen.
Glisten and glint
Aren't you glad we brushed this bird down before photographing it.
Indian Robin. I have a feeling I just chased the same poor bird all over the place.
I have no idea what a White Throated Kingfisher could possibly be fishing for near my house. But here it is.
Glint glint.
Kavin likes to choose a theme word and then keep repeating it. Today's theme was glint. Yesterday the FB hive mind taught us a few things about bird photography, and we tried to focus on the glint in the eyes.
So Kavin just randomly kept saying "glint" all evening as we walked about our neighbourhood. As a reminder, I suppose.
Here is a pic he took today.
Kavin likes to choose a theme word and then keep repeating it. Today's theme was glint. Yesterday the FB hive mind taught us a few things about bird photography, and we tried to focus on the glint in the eyes.
So Kavin just randomly kept saying "glint" all evening as we walked about our neighbourhood. As a reminder, I suppose.
Here is a pic he took today.
A pair of Green Bee Eaters.
Kavin has asked them to stop eating bees please. Change their diet. We need bees. Bees are good for the environment.
Kavin has asked them to stop eating bees please. Change their diet. We need bees. Bees are good for the environment.
Maybe your neighbourhood also has such beauties. After all, I live in dry and dusty Gurgaon.
Spotted Owlets. Spot all three!
Thanks Charvi for helping identify all the birds I photograph 😊
Thanks Charvi for helping identify all the birds I photograph 😊
The Ashy Prinia from some more angles.
I'm surprised that this delicate darling isn't getting as much love as the other birds.
I'm surprised that this delicate darling isn't getting as much love as the other birds.
Black Kite.
This evil bird is the reason all the other tiny birds keep flitting about and don't let me photograph them.
This evil bird is the reason all the other tiny birds keep flitting about and don't let me photograph them.
Purple Sunbird
Red Vented Bulbul
Laughing Dove
Ashy Prinia
The kids' school just sent an email saying that the school will close early today because their spring break starts tomorrow.
And my half stoned response is just "duuuude, it's ok. They're gonna be home. I'm gonna be home. You're gonna be home. It's not like I have to come to school and pick them up. How does it matter? How does any of it matter any more?"
Its nice that the school is being so considerate. Society was designed for us to be hyper efficient and courteous. And then an year ago we all started living in our boxer shorts with unshaven beards. And nobody really goes anywhere any more. And in this trapped state of affairs, efficiency seems so surreal.
I don't even know what I'm saying. I think, mentally I've begun to prepare for the second wave of lockdowns that are inevitable given the spectacular rise in cases. There's important places that I need to be tomorrow but I can't go, because the kids will be home and they constantly need me around. And so, everything else has stopped mattering. We are all just stuck at home giving tech support to our kids and hoping they can keep their sanity through this ordeal.
And my half stoned response is just "duuuude, it's ok. They're gonna be home. I'm gonna be home. You're gonna be home. It's not like I have to come to school and pick them up. How does it matter? How does any of it matter any more?"
Its nice that the school is being so considerate. Society was designed for us to be hyper efficient and courteous. And then an year ago we all started living in our boxer shorts with unshaven beards. And nobody really goes anywhere any more. And in this trapped state of affairs, efficiency seems so surreal.
I don't even know what I'm saying. I think, mentally I've begun to prepare for the second wave of lockdowns that are inevitable given the spectacular rise in cases. There's important places that I need to be tomorrow but I can't go, because the kids will be home and they constantly need me around. And so, everything else has stopped mattering. We are all just stuck at home giving tech support to our kids and hoping they can keep their sanity through this ordeal.
Kavin: When I was six I wanted to stay up late. I regret that now. All I want now is to get as much sleep as I can. Dad, how much did you sleep in college?
Me: I only slept half an hour a day during the lunch break. If I attended an operations research lecture, I got a bonus half hour of sleep. If you slept in college, you missed out.
Me: I only slept half an hour a day during the lunch break. If I attended an operations research lecture, I got a bonus half hour of sleep. If you slept in college, you missed out.
Kavin now has a mechanical keyboard. Therefore, the entire household knows when he is hard at work.
Is there anything more satisfying than the gentle clatter of clicky switches (Cherry MX Blue) in the background?
Is there anything more satisfying than the gentle clatter of clicky switches (Cherry MX Blue) in the background?
I visited the office today. (Only folks engaged in manufacturing are in the office so we can maintain distancing - the rest of us gather elsewhere.)
As I stood there holding the blue painted pillar of an overhead steel rack, I was reminded that the iron I was holding was born in the core of a dying white star. The realisation came out of the blue. As I sat there fixing the shell scripts we use to thermal test our computers, I was mindful of the triviality and futility of it all.
Life is so profound, yet so meaningless. And somehow the lack of meaning makes life even more profound.
Which is why we should spend more and more time doing the things we love. And building a life that lets us do the things we love. Like I love writing awesome shell scripts.
As I stood there holding the blue painted pillar of an overhead steel rack, I was reminded that the iron I was holding was born in the core of a dying white star. The realisation came out of the blue. As I sat there fixing the shell scripts we use to thermal test our computers, I was mindful of the triviality and futility of it all.
Life is so profound, yet so meaningless. And somehow the lack of meaning makes life even more profound.
Which is why we should spend more and more time doing the things we love. And building a life that lets us do the things we love. Like I love writing awesome shell scripts.
अब तो दोस्तों ने बुलाना ही छोड़ दिया है 😀
(not true, मग़र, कहने में क्या हर्ज़ है)
(not true, मग़र, कहने में क्या हर्ज़ है)
Are you interested in having a conversation entirely in GIFs. Then message me now on WhatsApp.
Best way ever to waste a Sunday evening.
Best way ever to waste a Sunday evening.
Yasss
My hero
Me
Oh. Oh wow. I never quite thought of it that way.
Me: You left the lights and fan running when you left.
Nilay: My pet ants feel hot, OK. I'm a considerate human being.
Nilay: My pet ants feel hot, OK. I'm a considerate human being.
Shooed a cat away today.
Good day.
Gave a dog a nice rub. Even better.
Dogs 1. Cats 0.
Good day.
Gave a dog a nice rub. Even better.
Dogs 1. Cats 0.
"I keep taking pics of dogs because...
...
they're there."
(My phone is bursting with animal pics shot by Kavin)
...
they're there."
(My phone is bursting with animal pics shot by Kavin)
Dogs, Cats and Cool Houses.
This is the title of the book Kavin is about to begin writing.
The book will end with the protagonist reading the following inscription on a tombstone:
Me today, You tomorrow.
How many of y'all who write have your titles and endings this sorted out?
PS: It's just a random conversation that the kids were having... I'm sure they've already forgotten about it.
This is the title of the book Kavin is about to begin writing.
The book will end with the protagonist reading the following inscription on a tombstone:
Me today, You tomorrow.
How many of y'all who write have your titles and endings this sorted out?
PS: It's just a random conversation that the kids were having... I'm sure they've already forgotten about it.
यह हम हैं
यह हमारा इलाक़ा है
और यहाँ covid की pawri हो रही है
यह हमारा इलाक़ा है
और यहाँ covid की pawri हो रही है
The card machine wasn't working at the neighbourhood grocery shop, and I shopped for more than the cash I carried (they had murrukku).
The shopkeeper said she doesn't mind at all; I can pay next time. This is what she then wrote in her notebook.
₹632 : Boys' Father.
So, this is my new identity. And my boys are just, The Boys, in our इलाक़ा।
The shopkeeper said she doesn't mind at all; I can pay next time. This is what she then wrote in her notebook.
₹632 : Boys' Father.
So, this is my new identity. And my boys are just, The Boys, in our इलाक़ा।
An excellent analysis of the two orders.
♥️👷🏽✊🏽
PS: Did anyone hear the names of the engineers building or leading these world class Railways projects? Only Sreedharan has been shameless enough to promote his personality cult. All other railwaymen and women quietly go about doing their remarkable work.
PS: Did anyone hear the names of the engineers building or leading these world class Railways projects? Only Sreedharan has been shameless enough to promote his personality cult. All other railwaymen and women quietly go about doing their remarkable work.
Imagine making movies like Trikal or Party in today's India.
Christian majority countries were making classics like The Life of Brian half a century ago. We are still afraid of laughing at our imaginary friends in the sky.
In solidarity with @[657600412:2048:Aparna] ✊🏽
Christian majority countries were making classics like The Life of Brian half a century ago. We are still afraid of laughing at our imaginary friends in the sky.
In solidarity with @[657600412:2048:Aparna] ✊🏽
We halved our infant mortality rate in the first half of the twentieth century. But people didn't give a damn and kept making babies. Six babies per women at the time of independence, and two-thirds of them were surviving to the age of five.
Around the time infant mortality falls below one-third (1920-ish), is when India's population growth hits the hockey stick curve. It goes from being a slow linear to being exponential. (We are back to linear now, except the slope is much higher.)
A common adage is that poor Indians make more babies because they want more hands to work. I think they just want more than one adult child.
In 1900 each woman had six children. Three of them died by the age of 5. And one more died by the age of adulthood. Which is why we were growing really slowly.
By the time of independence, women still had six babies, five of whom celebrated their fifth birthdays. Four survived to adulthood.
It took us twenty more years to realise we are making too many babies. And then the fertility rate starts falling off 1970 onwards.
That 20 year lag corresponds to one generation of children surviving to the age when they reproduce themselves. So they look at their parents and say "Hmm, mom had three kids, all three of us survived. So I just need to have two."
Here's why I went looking for this data. I had an unsettling thought. A lot of people born in the 1930-1960 era weren't expected to survive. Their parents didn't "plan" to have four adult children when they gave birth to six. They were part of a statistical gamble when life was precarious.
We keep hearing about how families chose to send one child to school or college, while the other kids went to work. I wonder if any kids were told to their faces, "we weren't expecting you to survive". You were a statistical anomaly.
That must have really hurt.
Around the time infant mortality falls below one-third (1920-ish), is when India's population growth hits the hockey stick curve. It goes from being a slow linear to being exponential. (We are back to linear now, except the slope is much higher.)
A common adage is that poor Indians make more babies because they want more hands to work. I think they just want more than one adult child.
In 1900 each woman had six children. Three of them died by the age of 5. And one more died by the age of adulthood. Which is why we were growing really slowly.
By the time of independence, women still had six babies, five of whom celebrated their fifth birthdays. Four survived to adulthood.
It took us twenty more years to realise we are making too many babies. And then the fertility rate starts falling off 1970 onwards.
That 20 year lag corresponds to one generation of children surviving to the age when they reproduce themselves. So they look at their parents and say "Hmm, mom had three kids, all three of us survived. So I just need to have two."
Here's why I went looking for this data. I had an unsettling thought. A lot of people born in the 1930-1960 era weren't expected to survive. Their parents didn't "plan" to have four adult children when they gave birth to six. They were part of a statistical gamble when life was precarious.
We keep hearing about how families chose to send one child to school or college, while the other kids went to work. I wonder if any kids were told to their faces, "we weren't expecting you to survive". You were a statistical anomaly.
That must have really hurt.
This helped me understand the vaccine action better than most sources.
I thought the mRNA in the vaccine is directly attacked by the immune system. I did not realise that the body first builds proteins based on the mRNA. Damn.
Now I know why every research article keeps ranting about mRNA traces being found on surfaces. mRNA be dangerous.
I thought the mRNA in the vaccine is directly attacked by the immune system. I did not realise that the body first builds proteins based on the mRNA. Damn.
Now I know why every research article keeps ranting about mRNA traces being found on surfaces. mRNA be dangerous.