Fifth Issue

VOX POPULI

Issue: 3

WE ASKED:

ANTI-BUSH MARCH IN IIT/K: FARCE OR FORCE?

THEY ANSWERED:

Technology in American Institutes is far ahead of the Technology in Indian Institutes. No wonder “Bushland” seems to be a dreamland for most of the IITians. So say “Hurrah” to “Gorgeous Bush.”

Jose V. Mathew
Department of Physics
jose@

__________________________________________

I love to hate Bush! Did you see my picture in the newspaper columns? How could you: I did not go to "the protest march", as I had my things, however ridiculous, to do and also because the best form of protest I know is to ignore someone who offends me. Bush offends me, so he deserves being ignored by me. Of course, people have a right to hold the protest whatever way they want -- even if that way is pure nonsense. The IIT/K protest march, in my one-that-does-not-matter-at-all opinion, was just another attempt to destroy the distinction between two individuals? When and how did they become one and the same? Frankly, I don't care if they protested that way, but since I'm asked for an opinion, I'd say, please do protest, ignore him altogether, write what people read, get noticed, if you must, with your twisted ideas. Wait... Who would notice you if you do without your picture in `Kanpur Times', eh? Oh, by the way, whatever I said above *is farce*, because the day the march was held, I forgot to attend it, and the fact remains that I wanted to attend it!

Anupam Gupta
Department of Electrical Engineering
anupamg@

__________________________________________

Dissent is the very thrust of any real democracy and as a form of dissent, this "anti-Bush march" in IITK has its own significance. However, one has to be very clear that this was not a protest against America or the great ideals that the US stands for since their momentous war of independence. On the other hand, it was against the expansionist and anti-humane policies that have been the hall mark of US foreign policy, of late. Moreover, this "show of protest" needs to be seen as the dissatisfaction of a section of Indian people with their government's red carpet welcome of the world's biggest criminal and murderer, which goes against the ideals that the Indian nation cherishes, that of peace and non-violence. Bush's visit has not done anything remotely beneficial to the common Indian and hence to call this protest a "farce" is sadly comical, to say the least.

Amarjeet Nayak
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
amarjeet@

__________________________________________

It's a farce. What has been done as protest march was ridiculous. A protest at home, mainly within the IITK campus, can't show up the reality… you have to reach the mass, at the least, the people outside the campus. Everybody at IITK knows what's going on around the world… so why to make aware of a fact to those who know it already. India is a pro-US country and the fact that they have won the N-deal at this backdrop is incredible. I believe, the best way to lodge protest as students is to reduce the workforce of IITians working/going to US. Take the statistics of all who had protested and make a comparison after 6 months. You'll find most of them either moving / already moved to the US. So, why to show up a puppetry in the public in the name of anti-US protest. In brief, I consider IIT/K protest march as a child's play!!

Anand Bhaskaran
Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering
banand@

__________________________________________

Anti bush march in IIT/K…
I believe it was totally insane. Not because I like USA / Bush but the world is not black & white as portrayed by these red people!! The reasons for the march given by the protesters are: 1. Inhuman acts of USA and 2. Greed for petroleum resources. But on the other hand, Talibanies, Saddam Hussein and Iran are equally a curse to humanity. That USA is a superpower today is because of its hard work and no one can stop it. In that case, march is the most foolish thing you can do. Instead WE MUST WORK TO STRENGTHEN OUR NATION.

Swanand M Lele
Department of Mechanical Engineering
swanand@

For VOX POPULI

Sathyaraj.V., sathya@

and
Tuhin K. Pal, tuhin@

__________________________________________

Our Heritage

Issue: 3

Students come and students go but some leave legends behind and become immortal. P. Umesh (CSE, M.Tech, 1975-76) was such a person. He took a room in the D-block without any knowledge that D-block is the territory of Bongs. Umesh preferred a horse than a bicycle for rides. He used to tie the rope of the horse to a tree behind the D-block. The ‘unhappy & naughty' Bongs got a ‘funny' idea. One night, they loosened the rope and burst crackers behind the horse. The horse ran away to the nearby bushes and Umesh had to work hard to bring it back. He then lodged complain to the hall authority and requested for a room for his horse! His request was granted and the room next to him was allotted for his horse!! Umesh used to go to his lab and other places riding on the horse. Due to some family problems, Umesh left the program in the middle and left his horse behind. Interestingly, even in his absence the horse used to go to his lab regularly at definite time! This continued until the horse was handed over to its caretaker.

__________________________________________

Hall–4 was the last to celebrate its hall day. Why? Very simple, they didn't believe in buttering the administration. Hall-4 used to have Grand-feast Day in every month. Difference was growing among the residents regarding hall day; some were in favour of a ‘Hall Day' while others were against it. Some senior residents, who didn't want the hall day, went to Tank (P.P.Thankchan; CHM, Ph.D, 1970-1982), and asked for his help. He advised them not to worry. Tank, the genius kept his promise, and the hall day was a big flop. How?
Earlier, hall day programmes used to begin after lunch. On the day of Hall–4 day, he brought some baby elephants and in the football ground (before 2000 the complex of GH-I was the football ground). He was offering free rides to the children of faculties and guests who were approaching Hall-4 to attend its first hall day! The elephants were making rounds in the campus and the parents of the children were moving along with them. Tank diverted the guests away from the Hall-4 and the hall day became a big flop.

__________________________________________

Coming up next…
Story of a person who was preparing and selling wine in hall-4…
Fellow who returned music room audio cassette after 20 years…
The 29-page PhD thesis…
And lots more…

Source of information: C.S. Bhuiyan, bhuiyan@
Collected and edited by: Ankur Verma, ankurv@

__________________________________________

Quote of the Week:

If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.

Benjamin Franklin

__________________________________________

Beautiful Colors: Ugly Truth!

Holi is played with various hues of red, yellow, blue, green, magenta, purple, orange, ??..! But do you know that most of the Holi colors sold these days contain many harmful chemicals? In fact most are dyes meant for industrial uses like dyeing textiles and are not meant to be applied on humans. These colors include heavy metals, acids, alkalis, powdered glass?? The black paste has lead oxide, green contains copper sulphate, red is mercury sulphite etc. All these are toxic and can result in anything from skin allergies to cancer, eye irritation to blindness?? and much more.Even the base in which these chemical are mixed are highly toxic. Several powder or dry colors use a base of asbestos talc, chalk powder or silica. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen which gets built up in the body tissue, even micro quantities can result in cancer. Silica may dry as well as chap the skin. The shine in the colors is due to addition of powdered glass or mica. Many water colors have an alkaline base capable of causing severe injuries. If it enters the eyes, it can pose a great danger to the vision. Colors in the form of pastes have toxic compounds mixed in a base of engine oil or other inferior quality oil, capable of causing skin allergy, temporary blindness??
Even the way we play Holi is becoming dangerous. Throwing of water balloons can cause injury to the eyes and ears when thrown from a distance and with force. Is it not ironical that while the whole year we take utmost care of our appearance, skin and eyes everyday, on Holi we damage it joyfully with toxic colors? When washed, these chemicals enter the rivers, the soil, and cause even more pollution. Do our festivals and celebrations need not be at the cost of our life and environment?
We can play and motivate others to play Holi with environment and human friendly natural colors. By using safe, natural colors we are not only saving our skins but are also helping to save our environment and conserve our biodiversity. When these colors are mixed with the soil and water they will not add toxicity to them, therefore it will not harm the myriad life forms that live in the soil and water. By this we can bring back in large quantities the diverse plants and trees that give us these colors.

How to remove colors from your skin?
“If you are not sure with the quality of colors, you better smear your body with coconut oil or any other quality based moisturizing cream before getting colored. It is better and easier to scrub them off with the oily layer and better to wash your face time to time so that your skin can be easily cleaned later on. If you do get colored with obstinate colors, apply a mixture of curd and besan or malai and gently rub your face, do this two or three time and you’ll get original colour of your skin. Don’t try to scratch your skin with nails.”

If going out to celebrate Holi:
Use cap, scarf or hat to protect your hairs from colors.
Use a sunglass to protect your eyes from harmful colors.
Apply oil or cream on your skin before going out in Holi.
Try to play with the natural colors (Gulal).

In case of irritation in eyes:
“Cheap quality and chemical based color (especially wet) can harm your eyes. If you feel some irritation or redness in your eyes don’t rub that area, wash your eyes with clean and running water and immediately go to the eye specialist nearby to your place. If eye specialist is not available at the moment than put one drop of anti biotic like “ciprofloxacin” 3-4 times in a day. Eye glasses are the best option to protect eyes from colors.”

Wishing you a Colorful Holi with Natural and Safe Colors!

Contributed by:
Prasanth T.K.(santh@)

__________________________________________

Humor Section

__________________________________________

Poem: