Relieved?!

The ever-liberating feeling that
surrounds you, the moment the last hour of the exam fades, suddenly
makes you realize that much of the couple of dozen things you’d
planned to be done after those taxing exams, don’t seem all that
interesting anymore. It wouldn’t be surprising to find oneself
clueless when it comes to giving this holiday break a good start and
make it a valuable spending. Having the dreadful feeling of exams
disappear can be a reward in itself for some. Others are likely to
get back to what they like doing the most, which I’m sure includes
spending more time with friends and family, pursuing hobbies old and
new, and maybe.. prepping for the next semester. Despite the fact
that we all have issues concerning exams, it’s interesting to notice
that the varying shades of the fear experienced, during the course of
the examination phase, is self-induced. Now where does this fear
sprouts from?

Firstly, the thought of having
our toil and labour being assessed at the hands of a stranger- who
knows not of the sleepless nights invested in its making, may incite
fright. Scoring lesser than what you had in mind might sound unfair.
Moreover, the barbaric idea of being graded is akin to machines being
scaled and indexed. But what we’d also like to know is that what
really is being assessed is the performance and clearly, the target
under consideration is the mind and no machinery, and the two share a
bevy of stark differences. A machine gets programmed to automate
whereas, the mind learns to create. Automation thrives on certainty
and gets the expected result, everytime it is operated upon. The Mind
engages with and then creates, creation involves growth which always
lies in uncharted domains.

It certainly was no play of
dice, when you realize that the path of the machine makes schooling
simpler than that of the mind. The Education system which was founded
under the eyes of industrialism, subscribes to an examination pattern
that serves to create the former. It’s no news to figure that the
industry dictates the curriculum more than anything else. And it’s
terrifying to observe  the industry culture making its way into the
heart of what true learning was all about. To imagine, even the
parents being interviewed to get their kids admitted to kindergarten,
couldn’t have made this more obvious. This has bred a dog-eat-dog
model in a growing student’s head. This manufactural way of education
has depleted the students of their inherent creative faculty, just as
much as what the disconnected approach of the industry has done to
the environment. Learning has been reduced to cold programming. Our
mind with its largely untapped capacity, has a distinct approach to
take when it comes to learning. It likes to engage with the stuff to
be learnt, forming new associations with the old ones. It gets better
if you  share a history with the subject. And it most certainly
doesn’t work with either fear or compulsion, or both. The underlying
emotional setup critically determines the nature and quality of your
learning. This can be identified by taking a look at the reason why
you learn something. Is it just for the sake of passing an exam? Are
you really looking forward to understanding the essence of the
subject to supplement your creativity? Or is it the score, scale and
compare mindset?

Everyone has a unique learning profile,
which doesn’t have to be perfectly compatible with the one most
subscribe to. Recognizing this can call for a joyful learning
experience, which you wanna get back to time and again. Some
understand this and take immense pleasure in demonstrating what they
learn with effortless ease. They often make it look easy, even though
believed to be otherwise. This scenario is unheard of, in most cases,
whereever conventional coaching is observed.

Sir Ken Robinson in one of his speeches
at TEDtalk 2010, mentions that our education system throughout the
world revolves around the idea of linearity and that of conformity.

Linearity wherein- “..it
starts here and you go through a track and if you do everything right
you’ll end up set, for the rest of your life.”

What
we miss is that- “Life
is not linear, it’s organic. We create our lives symbiotically as we
explore our talents in relation to the circumstances that help to
create for us.”

Also
quoting,

“Human communities depend upon a diversity of talents not a
singular conception of ability and the heart of our challenge is to
reconstitute our sense of ability and of intelligence.”

Real
value lies in originality and innovation, not just reiterating a
specific structure of an automation. So if you’re worrying about your
test results or overjoyed at the fact how great you did- there’s a
grander examination in the waiting- that of life. The evaluation of
which is done by no invigilator or a supernatural being for that
matter. The world has its own rules of operations where you really
have no say of how unfair the odds are stacked up against you. Life
(career or otherwise) doesn’t have a set syllabus nor it adheres only
to your sense of suitability. The real test will demand answers to
the questions, life throws at you. And thats when your convictions
drive you, whether you dwell on liberating ideas or limiting mind
patterns.

 

Those
for whom learning stops after the exams and the certification that
follows, really handicap themselves for the future. Besides, if you
adapt a mechanical approach of strictly endorsing to what’s told,
makes matters worse. So much for the dear security they cling to.
There’s no ‘getting ahead’ when you run in circles. Be honest with
yourself for a change, question your commitments- does it bring you
joy and make for a fulfilling experience or do you treat it as a
chore? Is it a short-term labour thing which is worthwhile in the end
or are you planning to make a life which perpetually pendulates
between hustle and bustle? There are gonna be a million situations
when you have to make your own decisions and define your own truths.
For this exploratory journey is defined and directed by noone else
but the self. Taking complete responsibility of oneself grants us
that ability to total control our lives. Keeping yourself constantly
motivated and inspired aligns you to a more joyous and fulfilling
direction.

 

Perceptions unveiled…

With much anticipation and after a brief stretch of what seemed like ages, here we are again, with you wondering what’s in store as you read on and me hoping you’d perceive as much as you can of what’s to follow. When I was first asked to ‘work on’ The Wall blog, I was nothing short of bewildered. Often presumed as a creepy fellow, owing to my grim demeanor, I’m very particular about how I express myself. Especially when the whole college is out there to monitor your work and you find yourself completely flummoxed as every assertion you make is gonna be thoroughly frisked, putting you at risk of being despised or perhaps admired. But be wary, I am not going to affirm dictums in any sense which would lead you geniuses to decipher the nature of this composition even before you take a dip into it. The only prerequisite you might carry- is to take off the critical hat and ‘perceive things as they are and not how you are’.

Such is the plight of words, as in its capacity to illustrate all there is. As vague as it may seem, there’s more to catch than what’s thrown. I want you to contemplate on the fact that ‘words’ are mere insignias, symbols of expression which attempts to captivate our intensive cognition. Ofcourse we can always paint a brighter picture, accruing more details to our descriptions, to make it more apparent; but there’s only so much that can be portrayed and the distinct fragmentation of the expression remains conspicious. Limited words yielding limited perceptions, our imagination weaving the rest. These symbols(words) which I speak of, trigger a response in the brain which recollects the memory of all the instances pertaining to the symbol, inclusive of the kind of emotions prevalent during the first encounter of the word. The sequence of buttons pressed in our brains, as we read will induce a different interpretation, at different times. The point of my futile attempt to explain this complex phenomenon is that you will never discern the same sentence in the same way, everytime you perceive it. Assuming you don’t offer a blind eye to what you’ve already examined before, new aspects will always add up to your previous understanding.
Try re-reading this work, if you really want to know what I am talking about.

Its so amusing to observe how feeble our perceptions of reality has become, the limitations defined by ourselves- of thoughts and of their expressions. The apprehension of treading on the uncharted realms serves only to offer a false sense of security in our destitute domains. The restrictions and prejudices that we barricade our lives with, does not fortify us, but rather put us in confinement. Dwelling in our caged reality, laying in stupor, heavily convinced that this is all there is to it. It’s like wearing a colored pair of glasses which filters every other color but itself or those blinders which prevent the horses from glancing anywhere but the front.
Just like in a conversation, instead of truly comprehending what the other person is saying, merely assimilating it in parts which confirm to our versions of truth (selective hearing).
We even have life mapped out for us in intricate details.
Carrying out, incontrovertibly, an anonymous version of life- the complete whats and hows- devoid of whys;
at the behest of someone else we’re obligated to (the authoritarian elements of the system we’re part of.)
Have you ever asked yourself:

Why do we..

.. choose to wear a personality cloak that the world around us endorse rather than projecting our genuine selves?

.. judge almost everything at its face value?

..belittle the elements that are at odds with our own impressions?

..unreasoningly defend our affirmations against everything else that puts it in contrast with those of others?

..get terrified at truly expressing ourselves for the fear of deprecation from our colleagues?

.. adhere to the primeval doctrines so mechanically, without even caring to realize the nature of its intention?
 
I’d come across this story in a book which clearly explains the context:

The wife was preparing dinner one day, she cut the corners
off the ham before putting it in the pan.
“Why do you do that?” her husband asked.
“I don’t know – my mother always used to do it.”
“Why did your mother cut the corners off the ham?”
“I don’t know, she just did – what’s it matter?”
“Ring your mother and ask her why she cut the corners off the ham.”
She rang her mother.
“Mum, you know when I was a girl and you used to cut the corners
off the ham? Why did you do that?”
“Because my pan was never big enough!”

The results from the reverberations of such a temperament is lamentable.
Nonetheless, there are a few individuals who manage to retain their idiosyncrasies and invariably demonstrate their distinctness in various measures. Such people never fall short to impress me and have always earned my appreciation. Whenever a so called taboo is broken, we can always feel the tremendous energy emanating far and near. Most of the bourgeois who are in awe, at such events, are the ones who unquestionably follow what they are ‘supposed’ to and form an integral part of Sheeple(Sheep+people). If there is anyone more delusional than the rest, it’s these privileged sheeple. Yes, they are special and have the privilege of their prerogative to ignorance and of having others pull their own strings. If there is one thing they are very efficient at, is keeping the rest of the herd in line. The constant evaluation carried out at the hands of the sheeple is astonishing. It’s sad to realize how most of us, have this natural inclination of scaling others from our reference- pass a verdict and cease to look beyond that assessment frame. It’s more of ‘who’ is saying rather than ‘what’ is being said. Juxtaposing ourselves to others, is an absolute way of being perpetually restless. Comparing people is like comparing shades of colors, there are no pleasant or repulsive ones- just different aspects of the same panorama.

“Where are you from?”
“What’s your dad’s occupation?”
“What’s your line of interest?” and the like shite you’ll find people asking you nonchalantly, doesn’t figure a person inside out. The integrity of an individual is immeasurable unless and ofcourse you submit to the asinine dogmas of the system and choose to wear the character casing which it grants you after the half-baked scrutiny. Truly, a make-believe world it remains.
 
We constantly find ourselves battered from the pressure of proving our worth and the need for ‘getting ahead’ in life. Entrapped in the time prison, we cease to live in the present- always planning or worrying about the future. Think about it; most of the time is spent on wondering about the outcome of events over which you have little or no control of, or existing in the future events that we’re looking forward to. All the while, flushing out the present. And what happens when we do land on the anticipated time period? We’d fret how things didn’t exactly work out the way as ‘planned’ and at the same time synthesizing the wrong lessons, eventually forming convictions which we so passionately defend. The magnitude of its vehemence proportional to the time invested. Bigotry seems to have them enchained to the core. This, generally, lands in the experience of a person who are inclined to script almost every aspect of their lives.
Chanting: Life’s hard, complicated, unpleasant etc. I don’t know how easy it then becomes for these unfortunate people to understand ‘Life’ as they continue to drag on with it; but sure does set the right configuration for the younger lot, that follows, to inherit the legacy- of having a default hard mode of life. The people we see around ourselves racing around haphazardly, once which I believed was an effect of healthy motivation is infact nothing but a fear-fuelled drive to an unknown destination. The fear of being unsuccessful, not being able to live upto someone else’s expectations, of being incompetent and the worst of all – the feeling of being unwanted. 
It’s only the realization of truth that will deliver people from such agony.
If a seed is left to germinate on its own, undisturbed and unruffled, thrives to its culmination. Consistent meddling only tends to hamper growth, preventing its thoroughgoing development. Likewise, noticing the situation around us, we can gather jillions of intrusive elements hurtling in our direction which prevents us from realizing our true and complete expression.
What will others think/say of me? Would that be uncool? Would I seem ridiculous? What if they mock me??
And thus, we inadvertently allow others to have the power to influence our lives.Continually battling ourselves to project an image which we believe matters most. The complacence it offers is illusory in nature.
You don’t need other’s approval to feel good about yourself.
If people don’t acknowledge you for what you actually are, they don’t deserve your company. Solitude offers more comfort than that obtained from living a lie. Else life seems a compromise.
Moreover, mourning over your supposed misfortunes, just to garner attention and sympathy is undesirable. Smarter people, in their desperate attempt of humor, have the tendency to mock their miseries while still holding hands with it.
The bizarre status quotes that furnish on facebook during the exam period clearly illustrates this.

If there is something one needs to understand is that miseries are no joke; the only mockery that remains is that of a person who continues to live with it. It takes courage to shatter the artificial shell and give way for your true self to emerge.       
You have every right to unfold to your whole expression. Unleashing the unwavering spirits that once held you high.

Embrace yourself and be the child you once were: living in a world that has no boundaries or restraints of any sort. A world where anything is realizable.
Whenever we observe a child, we look at a reservoir of endless possibilities- the nondiscriminatory discretion, demeanor unfettered and innocence that’s priceless. I’d like you to rediscover that facet and liberate yourself.

Shikhar Morodia
Blog Co-ordinator.

Behold: The time for glory is at hand..

It’s been forever, indeed, after much awaiting we finally have the opportunity to get our hands on perhaps.. the most sought-after documentation in the RAIT territory besides the attendance sheet. So what makes ‘The Wall 09′ so remarkably different from the rest of its predecessors you ask?
Well..we do have the immensely talented Sushrut on our side- equipped with his multi-dimensional perspective, sharp linguistics and punctilious editorial skills, teamed up with his mighty masonry have literally taken The Wall to an unprecedented state altogether. The intensity of their endeavor is clearly reflected from the response it has generated among The Wall-Aficionados, who never quit chasing the masons, way before its launch. After the slacking printers were through with their procrastination routine, the culmination of their relentless efforts was finally brought forth to the Raitians, who were much more than delighted to get their hands on the prized magazine. Not to mention the hassle, the masons were subjected to, during the distribution.. when the jostling crowd came pouring in :S

The Wall unfolds with the editor-in-chief acknowledging every blessed soul there is, whose enthusing contribution went down into its making. Following after.. is the interrogation of our visionary Principal, who firmly believes on assembling the mast before the hull of the vessel ie RAIT. His damp response on the horrendous conditions of our washrooms and canteen was alleviating.Though, the idea of having a regular newsletter is exciting indeed.
The ‘resourceful’ SUC, who’ve had a brilliant start to their agendum with the FE nite, holds much promise. Highlighting the need to “Come Alive”, we can be rest assured that the festivities that lay ahead are gonna be simply magnificent. Without overlooking the magnitude of the dexterity that our prodigious underclassmen hold, we must understand the future of RAIT rests on a colossal foundation.
Ascending The Wall higher with the Alumni at ‘Alumni Speak!’, who fondly reminisce about their glorious days- “Opportunities..”, “The grit and comradeship..” and other treasured memories that they will perpetually cherish.
Skimming through, we can’t help but glance across what the various federations of our college have to quote about their significance and why you should be in its affiliation.Every organization on the face of RAIT strives hard to offer nothing less than what is expected of them- making their previous approbations the baseline of their next ambitious undertaking. Using their aggressive tactics they’re gonna harvest every sprouting resource(freshers and opportunities alike) to their benefit. Offering a disinterested opinion, I’d say your choice should depend on how firmly your skill-set fits in their requisite frame. It’d be pointless fixing a round peg in a square hole.

From this point, what follows, is an endless barrage of notions, ideologies, imagination of the insightful professors, contemplative students and our endearing and cognitive masons;
all this conceived into a majestic compilation, only to serve the insatiable appetite of its voracious readers.
From the ‘Prof’s Speak’ to the musing of the ‘Muzak’ fanatics, from the nomenclature of the ‘Stereotypes in College’ to the warbling of the unheard feminist anthems.
The hilarity of the comic strips that would rekindle your interest, should you in an unlikely event have any differences spawning, in the article of the contributor.
And how can I miss the sympathetic illustrations of ‘A Day in the Life Of a A RAITIAN’ portrayed by none other than our beloved mason Rahul, who had been very demonstrative in his expressions.
Some of the featured articles that I believe you shouldn’t miss:
(With all due respect to the rest of the compositions, must’ve missed your’s since I am scrawling this in a fragmented state)

‘Cursors to cruise with[Glass Doors]‘
‘The Muse in Music[Muzak]‘
‘From the Anarchy Within[Flick Thru]‘
‘Be the Change You Want To See[Flick Thru]‘
‘We Shit Alone[Blog Roll]‘
‘Why Students make good Entrepreneurs?[Your CV]‘

It’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet, don’t be astonished if your head feels heavy, after you’re through with your expedition to the Wall.
That’s right, all you ardent devotees of The Wall, this issue envisions to bring ‘the change we want to see around us’.

This year’s Wall has been truly monumental!
Excelsior!

 

Shikhar Morodia

Blog Co-ordinator.

[Post Scriptum]
May the sparkling and rapturous season of Diwali, signifying the triumph of righteousness, flood your novel lives with Happiness, Peace, Joy, Health and Prosperity!

THE WALL ’09

View this document on Scribd

From the Editor

It took days to form the final draft, hours of music to form the final draft, minutes of brainstorming to form the final draft, seconds of yelling bouts to form the final draft and now finally it’s all over! We are proud to present The Wall ’09 to dear RAITians (student and faculty) and all those non-RAITians who will still read this edition and yes, appreciate the same.

What can you expect from The Wall?
The Wall Masons expect to produce a wholesome magazine complete with imagination of the writers running wild and giving them the freedom of speech, which is the tradition of ever-so-democratic RAIT. It has the views of the Management and what they believe can make this institution better in its essence.

The Cover:
The Wall ’09 aims to initiate a positive change-in the way individuals think and in the issues that we feel are lagging behind the times. Balance and harmony of two opposites is desirable.  Why not splatter our individual Walls with the change we want to see around us?

The Wall believes everyone will feel at home with the content. From the college societies to the stereotypes, from blogs to Green Campaigns in the city, from random poetry to stuff on music- The magazine caters to everyone’s needs.

We are thankful to the cooperative faculty members for their unwavering support on every step which lead to making The Wall ’09 what it is right now. We are appreciative of the moral  support offered by President Shri Vijay Patil. The Wall is grateful to Shende Sir and Devane Sir; without whose guidance and vision this magazine could not have evolved. We thank Nakra Sir  wholeheartedly for his suggestions and the ‘room’ he provided helped us achieve what we wanted in the magazine. I would like to thank all my team-mates for everything that went in to create The Wall ’09. I thank them a lot for bearing with me and my whims, crazy ideas and loud laughs. I thank them again because The Wall loves them all for the sweat and blood they put in with me.

The Wall misses its ex-Mason Arjun Kaushik (with all his grins and one-liners) and Tarun Venkateshwar who was one of its enthusiastic readers. They met with a fatal accident on 7th September ’09. May their souls rest in peace.

Sushrut Munje
Editor-in-Chief

The Wall ’09

The magazine is back!