What is the worst argument in the world?
This is what happened with me recently. The 4-year-old healthy computer suddenly crashes saying 'CPU fan error'. So I tell father. Father (getting annoyed): How did it happen? What did you do? Me (calmly): I didn't do anything. When I switched it on it gave me this error, which I initially ignored, it was running fine for a while then it suddenly crashed. The system shut down automatically. Father (getting more annoyed): How can it shut down automatically? Why did you ignore the error in first place? What did you do with the computer last time? You say you didn't do anything, I hardly use the computer now, your mother doesn't use it, your brother doesn't give a shit about it, then WHO DID IT? Me (trying to calm myself): I don't know. I didn't do anything. I don't even use it since I got my laptop. YOU used it a couple of days back for some work. Besides, it's 4 years old and never have we once given it for servicing. The CPU fan must have gone kaput. Father (judging me): What do you mean you don't know? You mean when things get old they falter? We should throw away? That means you will have this approach towards us too? Is this why I raised you? To hear this? Me (getting really annoyed and confused but trying hard not to show): Where is this conversation heading?Father (full-fledgedly accusing me for the crash): THIS.. THIS behavior of yours.. You behave this way, that's why the computer crashed. Now don't look at my face, call the maintenance guy and get it fixed. You don't know how to handle delicate things. How will you run a family?! And father storms out of the room. Me: ......??????????????????????
What is wrong with the Indian education system?
9th standard:PTA meetingPhysics Teacher: Your son is very smart. He is hardworking too. Dad: Thanks sir! He studies well. He is passionate about physics.Physics Teacher: Yes. He has what it takes to be an IAS Officer. Prepare him for Civil Services. He would be a great officer.Dad: That's good to hear sir. I am just a 9th standard guy. All I knew was that I loved applying physics to daily life activities. I knew I loved Maths too. But I did not know about my future. I did not know what I would be or what I wanted to be. I approached my teacher the next day.Class - the next day:Me: Sir. I like physics. What is its future.Physics Teacher: The future of physics is full of possibilities. There is infinite scope for exploring the field.Me: Then why did you want me to be an IAS Officer.Physics Teacher: Its a very stable job. You get security. You can get others to do your work for you. You will have many servants. You can earn very much. Even though the salary from government is less, you get lots of gifts (not so subtle). If you pursue physics, you can't earn much. Home:Mom: How did the meeting go. Dad: Great! His teacher told me that he has what it takes to even crack Civil Services.Mom: He's too young. Let us give him a few years before we push him towards his goals. (My mother is a professor. I am lucky. Not all are lucky to be afforded this freedom.)Conclusion:I tell my teacher I like his subject. He tells me it has good future. But money is the ultimate objective and it has less scope to earn money. He tells me to pursue another field. I feel there is something fundamentally wrong if we educate our younger generation that one field has more priority over another. All are equal. It just depends on one's passion towards a field and a drive to pursue it.As someone said: "Where would they be if Lata Mangeshkar picked up a cricket bat and Sachin Tendulkar became a singer."
What are some things that happen only in India?
Trucks on a trainOne often hears about the Roll On Roll Off service to transport cars and trucks on ships across oceans, rivers or lakes. Such services are common in India and around the world like the Trans Atlantic Roll-On-Roll-Off. But here in India we have Roll On Roll Off service on trains.Presenting to you the Roll On Roll Off service of the Konkan RailwaysIn this service loaded trucks ride piggy back on specially designed BRN wagons moving to their destinations without needing to use roads (specifically the NH 17). The service is referred to as the RoRo - short form of Roll On Roll Off. The drivers simply park their trucks on these trains and bypass all the hazards of road travel, while they sleep peacefully in the cabins of their trucks and enjoy the lush green surroundings of Konkan. This is a win-win situation for the railways as well as truck owners.It is a great advantage to the truckers as it -Saves wear and tear of tyresReduces maintenance cost of trucksEnables faster turn-round of trucksFaster delivery of goodsGives higher profitsEnsures better road safetyThe freight service is a major cash crop for the Indian Railway. The Roll On Roll Off service helps increase the freight revenue for the Konkan Railways by earning upto 50 crore per annum.The beginningThe service was started on 26 January 1999 by the Konkan Railways. The railways advertised on dhabas by using pamphlets in as many languages as possible like Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada. However on the day of its launch only 5 trucks showed up. Gradually by a good word of mouth the takers for this service increased and now it transports upto 50 trucks per rake with 2–3 such rakes per day. By the time it had completed 15 years of its service it had transported 3.5 lakh goods trucks.There are two services of RoRo -Kolad to Verna (a distance of 417 km) in 12 hours (which takes 24 hours by road)Kolad and Surathkal (a distance of 721 km) in 22 hours (which takes 40 hours by road)Eco friendly transportationIn the first 17 years of its service 750 lakh litres of diesel was saved because of the RoRo. It also reduces pollution along the NH 17 and helps decongest the busy highway.ReferencesKonkan RailwayKonkan Railway's unique RO-RO service set to complete 15 yrs on Republic Day | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & AnalysisKonkan Railway’s RORO saves 750 lakh litre diesel