Last 4 days at IISc we celebrated the completion of 100 years with "The IISc Centenary Conference" from 13-16th December. It was a wonderful event organized in a truly International way. The campus got into festive spirit right from the 12th evening. Alumni from all across the world and from various age groups (from 20s to 80s) came for attending the conference.
First day began with inauguration by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The actual programs began from second day.
Second day onwards there were keynote talks by:
- Mr. S. Ramadorai (CEO, Tata Consultancy Services)
- Dr. Subra Suresh (Dean of Engineering, MIT, Cambridge USA)
- Mr. Nandan Nilekani (Founder and former CEO, Infosys Technologies)
- Dr. Martin Rees (President, Royal Society, London)
- Dr. Sydney Brenner (Nobel Laureate from Cambridge Univ., UK)
- Mr. Sam Pitroda (Chairman, Knowledge Commission, New Delhi)
- Dr. Eric S. Maskin (Nobel Laureate from Princeton Univ., USA)
These people talked on various topics related to their expertise like Mr. Nilekani talked on "Imagining India"; Dr. Rees talked about "Understanding our cosmos"; Dr. Eric talked about "Game theory"; Dr. Suresh talked about "Interdisciplinary Research in engineering"; Dr. Brener talked about "Reading human genome" etc. All the keynotes were overcrowded in an auditorium with capacity of 750.
Apart from these there were number of workshops carried by renowned experts and researchers from across the world.
Apart from keynotes and workshops there were cultural programs like Santoor recital by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and a music program by IISc music group.
Another interesting thing to be mentioned about conference is "food". All the 4 days we enjoyed sumptuous food. There were innumerable varieties of Indian, Chinese and Italian dishes and sweets.
This Conference gave us an opportunity to listen to some of the great people in world in a short span of time and that too at a single location. Where else would I have got to listen to Ramadorai & Nilekani on same day?
The wonderful event came to an end with a speech by our Director Dr. P. Balaram. He stated a famous quote by Winston Churchill "...... this is not the end, this is not even the beginning of the end, this is the end of the beginning."
I got this in a forward.....
Dear Mr. Prime minister,
I am a typical mouse from Mumbai. In the local train compartment which has capacity of 100 persons, I travel with 500 more mouse. Mouse at least squeak but we don't even do that.
Today I heard your speech. In which you said 'NO BODY WOULD BE SPARED'. I would like to remind you that fourteen years has passed since serial bomb blast in Mumbai took place. Dawood was the main conspirator. Till today he is not caught. All our bolywood actors, our builders, our Gutka king meets him but your Government can not catch him. Reason is simple; all your ministers are hand in glove with him. If any attempt is made to catch him everybody will be exposed. Your statement 'NOBODY WOULD BE SPARED' is nothing but a cruel joke on this unfortunate people of India.
Enough is enough. As such after seeing terrorist attack carried out by about a dozen young boys I realize that if same thing continues days are not away when terrorist will attack by air, destroy our nuclear reactor and there will be one more Hiroshima.
We the people are left with only one mantra. Womb to Bomb to Tomb. You promised Mumbaikar Shanghai what you have given us is Jalianwala Baug.
Today only your home minister resigned. What took you so long to kick out this joker? Only reason was that he was loyal to Gandhi family. Loyalty to Gandhi family is more important than blood of innocent people, isn't it?
I am born and bought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me corruption in Maharashtra is worse than that in Bihar. Look at all the politician, all are rolling in money. Present CM is one of the worst Chief minister I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fisherman so they can build concrete house right on sea shore. Next time terrorist can comfortably live in those house , enjoy the beauty of sea and then attack the Mumbai at their will.
Recently I had to purchase house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligent agency & CBI you and your finance minister are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.
If this has been land of fools, idiots then I would not have ever cared to write you this letter. Just see the tragedy, on one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent and on other side you politician has converted nectar into deadly poison. I am everything Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Schedule caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Schedule caste, Creamy Schedule caste only what I am not is INDIAN. You politician have raped every part of mother India by your policy of divide and rule.
Take example of former president Abdul Kalam. Such a intelligent person, such a fine human being. You politician didn't even spare him. Your party along with opposition joined the hands, because politician feels they are supreme and there is no place for good person.
Dear Mr Prime minister you are one of the most intelligent person, most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost expose all selfish politician. Ask Swiss bank to give name of all Indian account holder. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolf among us. There will be political upheaval but that will better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day. Just give us ambient where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of.
Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?
