24 Dec 2010  · comment

Doodling in Math Class?

I wish I had taken advance math in school/college. Can’t say what would have happened to my math skills, but I am sure my doodling would have improved. See what Vi Hart, a self-claimed recreational mathemusician is up to – doodling in the math class.

Visit her site

08 Dec 2010  · cycling

Who cares about bicycles or about climate change?

Since Delhi climate bicycle ride was going to be only 11 kilometers and on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, I thought it might be fun for my 10 year old child to participate in, and also get a taste of an environmental movement.

When we reached the venue the first thing that crossed my mind was, where are the people? I knew we were just a little bit behind schedule, but the place looked totally deserted. I later figured that there were only about 50 or 55 people who had turned up for the event.

01 Dec 2010  · comment

Will my cycling to work help save our environment?

For about a month now I have been using a cycle as my primary mode of transport (as opposed to a car). Thinking to myself that it is good for me, good for the environment and a political statement too… And then I come across this article by Derrick Jensen. You should read the whole thing, but among other things he is arguing that personal actions, such as living simply, composting, biking and not consuming, are ineffective.

17 Nov 2010  · comment

Are we poisoning our children?

Many of us buy our children cycling helmets, make sure they stay belted in the cars, buy best quality non-toxic stationary and toys… now if someone accuses us slow poisoning our children, we will of course be offended. But sadly it is true. Indian Council of Medial Research and National Institute of Occupational Hazard reports confirm that indiscriminate use of pesticide is poising our children. Well, assuming of course that your family eats some fruits and vegetables, and that they are procured locally and not imported from some organic farm in Europe.

15 Nov 2010  · cycling

Storming of the Indorie Qila

We finally raised the PedalYatri flag on the Indorie Qila (Indorie Fort). Of course it was a notional one on wikimapia, but it felt special because two of our previous attempts of finding and reaching it had failed.

A very eventful ride with more than it’s fair share of punctures, dynamite blasts, tumbles, scraped knees, nicked & bruised shins, un-rideable terrain with boulders fields & deep undergrowth, and traffic jams too.

05 Nov 2010  · comment

Celeberating Diwali the 'modern' way?

After spending a whole day diligently wishing everybody ‘Happy Diwali’, a thought just crossed my mind: what are we so happy about? Maybe it is the noise, or the pungent burning smell, or maybe it is hypoxia but the question did cross my mind; momentarily though. Very quickly I banished it. Don’t be pessimistic, think positive…

I succeeded. Therefore after much deliberation I have come up with a list of things we should be happy about this Diwali. You are welcome to add to the list.

03 Nov 2010  · cycling

Do you need a helmet when cycling?

Watch this video. And if you are still not convinced about the virtues of wearing a helmet then surely you must have a very thick skull! Interesting product idea too, for those who worry about their hairstyle.

02 Nov 2010  · photography

Which camera should I buy?

I am often asked ‘Which camera should I buy?’ Sometimes the query is about digital SLR (DSLR) cameras, at other times it is about point-and-shoot (P&S) cameras. After trying to answer the question in short bytes online and in long winding conversations in person, I have decided to collate my thoughts on paper, er… screen.

Part 1: Which DSLR camera?

Let me get to the DSLR question first, because to me that answer is simply ‘don’t’. Yes, I mean don’t buy it, or at the very least try to resist the temptation. I am convinced that most people do not need a DSLR, and you could very well be one of them. My view is that unless you can come up with some strong reasons why you need a DSLR and a good P&S is not good enough, you should not buy it.

29 Oct 2010  · cycling

Why do I cycle?

First published in Times of India on October 29, 2010. Nice to be featured in the ‘Just4Her’ section of ‘What’s Hot’ ;-).

If you can afford to ride a motorcycle or a car, then why ride a cycle. Its a question that often gets thrown at me, though not always explicitly. More often than not, when I ride, locals mistake me to be a foreigner. Despite the colour of my skin, kids will shout out ‘angrez’ and adults will try to start a conversation in English.

28 Oct 2010  · comment

Sign the UN petition to end hunger now

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) started an online petition to put pressure of governments to end hunger. The petition will be presented to governments at an event taking place in Rome, Italy on 29 November 2010.

You can sign the petition and put pressure on politicians to end hunger. And you can help put even more pressure on politicians by asking family, friends and colleagues to sign the petition.