Sudharsan Pandiyan’s Blog

Tokyo leaves a profound impression with its immaculate cleanliness and remarkable organization. However, my first day here has been full of unexpected surprises. One notable aspect is the absence of public bins. Instead, residents diligently take their waste home to segregate it into compostable, recyclable, and non-recyclable categories, later handing it over to the municipal authorities on designated days of the week. Another intriguing concept I came across is the "Ladies Bar," where men visit to engage in conversation with women. Given their demanding work lives, finding time for a girlfriend or partner becomes challenging. It's important not to misconstrue this establishment as anything else; it serves as a valuable outlet for those in need of such interactions, preventing them from feeling overwhelmed. The sheer magnitude of the crowds and queues everywhere is quite astonishing. Perhaps Tokyo never anticipated such a rapid population surge. It seems that the city is...

From the tiniest single-cell bacteria to the complexity of human beings, life manifests in a myriad of forms. While the specifics of our individual journeys may vary, the cycle of life itself remains somewhat consistent: "Birth-Growth-Death." Regardless of the life form, we all enter this world through different means—whether it's hatching from an egg, germinating from a seed, developing within a womb, or undergoing simple cell division. As we progress through life, we experience growth, reaching maturity during our prime years. Eventually, we give birth to offspring and embark on the ceaseless pursuit of providing and protecting our families, until the inevitable passage of time. The ultimate purpose underlying all lives is the innate drive to safeguard and provide for our loved ones. It permeates everything we do, whether consciously or subconsciously. Our endeavors and aspirations are fundamentally linked to this inherent objective. However, does this mean that our per...

When we all gather in our hometown during vacations, the ladies at home put in extra effort to ensure our safety and well-being, especially when there are ten family members to cook for, including four kids with specific food preferences. To ease their burden, I made the decision to occasionally order dinners from nearby restaurants. This would give them a well-deserved break from their daily routines. A few weeks ago, I visited a restaurant close to my home to buy dinner. While waiting for my order to be packed, I noticed the person handling the food. I recognized him from our school days, although we weren't particularly close. He was known as the influential figure who had control over various groups in our school, the go-to person for resolving local disputes. His decisions held sway even in trivial matters. He was a few years ahead of me in school and continued to linger around even after graduating. I believe he struggled with a few subjects and never pursued higher education...

  Life, in its pure biological sense, can be defined by the characteristics that distinguish living organisms from non-living entities. One key factor that sets living things apart is the presence of purpose. Non-living objects lack purpose, whereas living organisms, ranging from single-celled amoebas to plants and humans, all have a purpose in life. This purpose revolves around growth, multiplication of cells, and the nurturing of offspring to ensure the continuation of life. This concept is scientifically known as teleonomy. The question arises: Why can only living things fulfill this purpose? Living organisms rely on external energy sources to fulfill their purpose. For humans, this includes the air we breathe (oxygen), water, food derived from the Earth, light, and heat. These elements are also required by other living beings. For instance, plants need water from the Earth, sunlight for photosynthesis, and gases to survive. We expend energy to fulfill our life's purpose. If gro...

Throughout history, the human race has been intimately connected with the concept of migration. It began as we evolved from hunter-gatherers, constantly on the move to hunt and gather sustenance. Our nomadic nature meant that we never settled in one place for long. However, with the advent of agriculture, a profound transformation occurred. The shift towards ownership and the allure of settled life brought stability and progress. People began identifying themselves as citizens of distinct villages, towns, cities, and kingdoms. The limited means of transportation available during this era also discouraged further migration. Unless triggered by drought, poverty, invasion, or war, individuals tended to remain in their ancestral homes for generations.   Yet, with the onset of the industrial era, significant changes took place. The rapid growth of urban centers enticed many from small villages, offering better opportunities, amenities, and comforts. The advent of motorized transportatio...

For the past two years, I have been driving my personal car, primarily for local use. Occasionally, I undertake a longer journey to my hometown of Karur, approximately 300 km away from Bangalore. The maximum distance I cover in a day is around 300 km. With a new car equipped with modern amenities, the journey home takes about five hours, offering comfort and luxury. However, my perspective changed last week after the summer vacations. On the way back to Bangalore, we had to take a detour to pick up my father-in-law from Dindigul, extending the journey to approximately 500 km in total. After driving for about six and a half hours, I experienced severe back pain. Exhausted, I collapsed into bed, enduring the pain for four more days. This incident made me reconsider my plans for long-distance travel and self-driving beyond 300 km in a day. It also prompted me to reflect on the challenges faced by public transport drivers and taxi drivers, who spend the majority of their time behind the wh...

There are certain aspects of our lives that are beyond our control, steadfast and unchangeable. These constants shape our existence and leave an indelible mark on our journey. Our birth, marked by the serendipity of chance, and our eventual death, an inevitable truth that awaits us all, lie beyond the realm of our influence. Time, relentless in its flow, propels us forward, etching the passage of years upon our beings through the natural process of aging. The culture of our family, woven into the fabric of our upbringing, influences our perspectives and values. It is a heritage bestowed upon us, passed down through generations, evoking a sense of identity and belonging. Similarly, the economic conditions of the country we reside in shape our opportunities and challenges, molding the trajectory of our lives. Our mother tongue, an intrinsic part of our cultural heritage, is a reflection of our roots and the community we belong to. It carries the richness of our history and traditions, co...

  Although I'm not typically a selfie person, the idea of capturing moments with historical figures intrigues me. If given the opportunity, I pondered upon the ten Indians with whom I would love to take a selfie and the reasons behind each choice. These individuals have left an indelible mark on our nation and continue to inspire generations. First and foremost, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , the father of our nation, holds an undeniable place on this list. Despite his ideologies not being entirely original, it was his unique approach and unwavering commitment that reinstated morality within humanity. A selfie with him would be a testament to his profound influence on shaping the conscience of 1.3 billion people. Subhash Chandra Bose , the epitome of determination and clarity, deserves a spot on this list as well. His unwavering focus and audacious goals took him to extraordinary places. Convincing the Japanese to release 20,000 war prisoners and forming an army out of them speaks vo...

In the gentle embrace of this afternoon, I found myself engrossed in a video call with my family, marveling at the extraordinary ways in which modern technologies have united the world. Despite the vast distances separating us, a simple video or audio call enables my loved ones to reach me instantaneously. Our mobile phones have become much more than mere communication devices—they grant us access to a universe of knowledge, placing the entire world within our pockets through the wonders of the internet. Mobile data has become remarkably affordable, allowing us to browse an array of content, from captivating videos and informative news articles to captivating e-books and an endless stream of information. Reflecting on my own life, I journey back two decades, a time when a telephone was a luxury beyond our reach. Our neighbor, blessed with a landline connection, graciously conveyed any news from our relatives. Admittedly, most of these updates were tinged with sorrow, informing us of th...

How often do we pause to reminisce about our grandparents? The truth is, as time unfurls its relentless march, our memories of them gradually fade into the recesses of our minds. It is a poignant reminder that the same fate awaits us in due course. In the tender moments of our birth, we were the center of our parents' universe. Yet, as we grew older, stepping into the world to forge our own path, a subtle rift began to form between us and our parents. It was not a deliberate act of negligence or forgetfulness, but rather a natural consequence of pursuing our own lives. We sought employment, built careers, and gradually, the chasm between generations widened. However, let it be known that we did not forsake our parents. In our hearts, we kept them included in the tapestry of our lives, involving them in pivotal decisions. Nevertheless, the arrival of new partners ushered in a new confidant for discussions and choices, further accentuating the divide. Though well-intentioned to relie...