Sudharsan Pandiyan’s Blog

Reading actively engages our minds. decodes symbols, assembles sentences, and builds images in our own minds. This active processing fosters deeper understanding and a personalized connection to the story. One can become the co-creator, filling in the blanks with our own unique interpretations and emotional nuances. While watching, our imagination is guided by the director's vision, potentially limiting our personal engagement. Watching or listening can be relaxing and enjoyable, offering a passive learning experience. Information is presented pre-packaged, with visuals and sounds dictating the pace and interpretation. This can be convenient, especially for consuming large amounts of material quickly. However, it can also limit our critical thinking and personal connection to the content. Reading allows us to linger on particular sentences, savor emotional shifts, and revisit passages. Each rereading can offer new insights and interpretations. Narrators, while skilled, can only off...

Today, my 30-minute ordeal at the Attibele toll booth underscored the glaring inefficiency of our toll system. With a mere 35₹ toll, almost 2,000 vehicles faced delays, burning approximately a litre of petrol each (at rounded petrol prices of 100₹). This translates to a staggering 2 lakh-rupee loss compared to the 70,000₹ toll collected. Essentially, for the contractor to profit, we lose triple the toll fee, not to mention the added burden of pollution. While FASTag has mitigated the pain of cash transactions, congestion remains a persistent issue. In a populous nation like ours, minimizing traffic congestion demands proactive measures. Toll collectors could be empowered to allow vehicles through without toll during the high traffic periods, alleviating bottlenecks and reducing wait times. A government regulation to this effect would provide clear guidelines. The proposed GPS-based toll system presents an even more comprehensive solution. By tracking vehicle movement on highways, tolls...

The interpretation and application of laws inherently depend on those wielding the power. Throughout history, this dynamic has led to discriminatory systems like the caste system, established by birth and the supposed "worthiness" of certain occupations. Accepting such justification implies inherent inequalities in jobs and, consequently, in people themselves. Yet, how can we objectively decide which professions deserve higher rank? Is a sanitation worker, preventing the spread of disease, not more crucial than a doctor simply treating it? Clearly, our current systems of classification require re-evaluation. Using skill as a criterion also stumbles upon its limitations. Skill development is heavily influenced by environment. A student at a prestigious institution enjoys far greater resources and opportunities to hone their skills compared to someone in a rural school with limited access. Therefore, basing value solely on skill is inherently biased and unfair. Similarly, physi...

This seemingly simple question unveils a complex paradox inherent in the very nature of time.  From the perspective of the observer, time reigns supreme as a unidirectional flow, its steady march from past to present forming the bedrock of our understanding. We track its passage, measure its intervals, and predict the future based on its relentless current. In this realm, time is an absolute, an inherent property of the universe, discovered rather than invented. Even in classical mechanics, where at times the universe is considered to be a closed system, the time-reversal invariance is absolutely possible. Though it is highly unlikely, theoretically things can go back in the reverse direction provided the total energy of the system is conserved. Remember the movie 'Tenet'. However, Einstein's relativity shatters the rigid framework of time and its behaviour as linear from point A to B. Passage of time, once universally defined as constant, becomes relative, its flow depende...

Stoic thoughts to make yourself attractive,   1. The Art of Mystery: Gradually reveal yourself, leaving secrets to unfold. Hold your future plans close, sharing with intention and care. 2. Show Your Worth: Let your actions speak volumes about why you're special. Listen actively, respecting their perspective while radiating confidence. Complete your stories, leaving no one hanging. 3. Create Your Own Joy: Find happiness within, fueled by your own actions. Be content with yourself, relying on others only as a supplement. 4. Be Valuable, Attract Investment: Recognize your worth and unique contributions. Invite others to invest in your skills, providing valuable suggestions and feedback. 5. Live Wholly, Love First: Focus on self-sufficiency, making your life fulfilling. If you crave love, give it freely first. Set personal goals and chase them, seeking validation within. 6. Prioritize Self-Care: Self-respect and well-being are paramount. Don't sacrifice yourself without purpose...

Our Motherland, a Cradle of Faiths This land we cherish as our motherland has witnessed countless transformations across millennia. It has birthed numerous religions and nurtured those that arrived on its shores. India is, in its essence, a tapestry of faiths. Acceptance, Resilience, Respect, and Unity in Diversity These four pillars form the bedrock of our culture. While Winston Churchill once declared Indians incapable of self-governance, we have defied such notions for 75 years. This triumph rests upon our Constitution and the secular values enshrined within it. Nations that enshrine a single religion as their state religion often face internal struggles or depend excessively on natural resources. Historically, European countries that adhered to biblical laws during the Middle Ages had to embrace secular democracy to achieve growth. In this modern era, where numerous faiths compete for followers, India must not succumb to such a perilous agenda. True faith should attract adherents o...

  I wouldn't call myself a "festival person. " The usual revelry didn't excite me much, merely serving as another break from routine. This season, however, something shifted. Witnessing the vast labour woven into these celebrations sparked a curiosity about Pongal's origins and its influence on our ancestors' lives and culture. In our tech-saturated world, where everything sits nestled within a screen, grasping the necessity of those old-world festivities proves challenging. Back then, farmers toiled relentlessly for six months, without respite, to secure their harvest. From coaxing seedlings to nurturing rice, they poured their all. The risks were manifold, but a successful harvest meant sustenance until the next cycle. It's no wonder such a hard-won break demanded a vibrant celebration—a festival of gratitude. Pongal is that very celebration. A four-day Thanksgiving festival. Bhogi, on the first day, cleanses and readies the home for the bounty to...

Books have always been portals to new worlds and perspectives, but some leave an indelible mark on our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Here, I want to share ten such books that have profoundly shaped my journey, along with the invaluable lessons they taught me. 1. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind Yuval Noah Harari's sweeping exploration of human history reminds us that change is the engine of life on Earth, a constant revolution that both humbles and excites. We can't fully comprehend the past, but it teaches us not to judge it. From our humble beginnings on the African savanna to the intricate complexities of our present, we've come a long way. Sapiens showed me that the future stretches before us as an open book, filled with limitless possibilities yet demanding a responsibility to understand the path we've taken. 2. A Brief History of Time Stephen Hawking's masterful journey through the cosmos revealed the mind-boggling vastness of space ...

Today, I've been pondering something significant: why do I write, and why share it publicly? Is it for external validation, or something deeper? After much reflection, my motivations unfold like this: Communication: Social media's negativity is deafening. My blog offers a sanctuary, a space to openly explore and revisit my thoughts, unburdened by the algorithm's fickle whims. It's like an open diary, inviting everyone to witness the evolution of my inner world. Learning Process: Writing fuels my growth. By articulating feelings, I solidify them, unlocking new layers of understanding. Sharing these explorations in a public forum invites diverse perspectives, further enriching the journey. Impact and Legacy: Our lives, consciously or not, ripple outward, impacting families and communities. Aiming for a positive influence guides my writing. By weaving threads of positivity into my thoughts, I strive to uplift and inspire. Seeking Validation? Perhaps initially. I crave...

Watching "12th Fail" sparked a challenge: write an essay in 8 minutes! My daughter offered a topic: Earth. Armed with just eight minutes (and no edits!), here's what I scribbled down. A quick test of creativity,  Earth Earth is our home and the only planet that we know of to have the life form. We don't how the life starts on this rock that revolved around the sun. But it thrived here and diversified itself to make this planet a beautiful home for 10s of millions of species. About 79% of planet earth is covered with water and 21% of reamining landmass is divided into 200 odd countries. The earth's revolution around the sun brings six different seasons making the life on earth much more colourful and vibrant. We humans dominate the planet earth and it's resources for the past 200000 years. But before is jaint animals like dinosaurs roamed on the same surface. We humans have harnessed the resources that the earth provides us and made the life on earth much more ...

Vidhu Vinod Chopra's "12th Fail" captivated me today. This poignant film, inspired by the true story of the renowned police officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, whose online video I stumbled upon years ago, transcends a mere biopic. It immerses us in his arduous journey, portraying his resolute spirit and unwavering ambition. Chopra's masterful storytelling avoids the trappings of superfluous song sequences, allowing the narrative and performances to shine unadulterated. The result is a cinematic gem that resonated deeply, holding my attention without a single fast-forward in sight. It's a rare delight to encounter a film that inspires without resorting to melodrama. Indeed, "12th Fail" joins a chorus of voices calling for more such inspirational narratives. Sharma's tale is a testament to the human spirit's resilience, a beacon of hope for those navigating their own paths through adversity. What aspects of the film resonated most with you? Perhaps you ha...

  இன்று மு. வே. யோ. வாஞ்சிநாதன் என்பவரால் எழுதப்பட்ட திலீபனுடன் 12 நாட்கள் புத்தகம் படித்தேன். புத்தகத்தின் முடிவு முன்னமே தெரிந்தாலும், ஒவ்வொரு பக்கத்தை திருப்பும் பொழுதும் மனம் பதற்றத்தை, வலியை கூட்டிக்கொண்டெ சென்றது. எப்படி ஒரு 23 வயது இளைஞனுக்கு இப்படி ஒரு எண்ணம் தோன்றியிருக்கமுடியும். சாகும்வரை நீரும் உணவுமற்ற உண்ணாவிரதம். நினைக்கும் பொழுதே ஆச்சிரியமான ஒரு எண்ணம்.  இந்த நிகழ்வு நடந்து 34 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு பிறகு ஒரு சிங்கள இராணுவ தளபதி சொன்னார், விடுதலை புலிகள், உடல்நிலை சரி இல்லாத திலீபனை வைத்து அனுதாபத்தை தேடவே  உண்ணாவிரத நாடகத்தை அறங்கேற்றினார்களென்று. அவர் சொல்வது உண்மையாகவே இருப்பினும், கொண்ட கருத்தில், உளம் மாறாமல், இன்னுயிரை ஈந்த திலீபன் அவற்களை, என்னால் பகத்சிங் அவர்களுடன் மட்டுமே ஒப்பிட முடியும். பகத்சிங்கும் 23 வயதில் பிரிட்டிஸ் ஏகாதிப்பத்தியத்திற்க்கு எதிராக போராடி உயிர்விட்டவர். அவரது உயிரை காந்தி நினைத்திருந்தால் காப்பற்றியிருக்க முடியுமென்று ஒரு கருத்து பரவலாக சொல்லப்பட்டு வருகிறது. அதுபோல், திலீபனுடைய உயிரும் காந்தி தேசம் நினைத்திருந்தால் காப்பற்றப்பட்டிருக்...