Ride a Rickshaw in Kolkata!

Click the play button (lower left) for a ride in a motorized rickshaw down the streets of Kolkata. Ed, a Fulbright-Nehru scholar and friend in Kolkata, shot this on his way to Presidency College, where he is teaching. He takes this ride twice a day.

The video doesn't do justice to the thrill of it all. Turn up the volume to hear the sounds of Kolkata. Notice Ed's iron grip on the rail!

Ed has a much wordier blog than mine and you should visit it when you have a chance: http://edoshea.wordpress.com

Kshitij 2010 (Jan 29-31)

Kshitij was a 3-day Techo Management event that took place in multiple locations on campus.  Like Spring Fest, it was totally organized, planned, and funded through student efforts (for funding, students found international sponsors, like HP).

One of the speakers was George Kourounis. His show broadcasts on TV stations around the world. See a sample episode at http://www.angryplanet.tv/Sample.html or buy a DVD set of an entire season.  What a really cool guy!  He said he feels lucky because he is doing what he likes, and it turns out it's also his job!

Kshitij 2010

Chris Phillips, from Imperial College in London, is working on disappearing technology.  His demonstration was similar to the disappearing cape in the Harry Potter movie. Who said Harry Potter was fiction?

Robin Chase was voted one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. She created Zip Car, a very successful car-sharing company.  Her key to success? Look for places where there is excess capacity and then figure out how to use it more efficiently. An analogous situation to Zip Car -- bed-sharing!  Here is alink to Robin's blog if you really want to appreciate her innovative thinking! http://www.networkmusings.blogspot.com/

Kshitij 2010

George Kourounis and Chris Phillips were staying at my Guest House, so I got to chat with them.  Here we are in a picture.  Robin Chase is also in this picture, but Chris made her disappear!

Kshitij 2010

One of the most inspiring speakers of Kshitij was Shekhar Kapur, director of such films as Bandit Queen, Mr. India, and 2 Oscar-winning films -- Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. He talked about creativity, among other things.  Take-home lesson: If you have an answer, that's not creative; if you have a question, that's creativity.  When going in on the first day to direct a movie, he likes to inspire deep self-doubt in himself and create a sense of chaos.  This allows him to dispose of all prior biases and plans and forces him to figure out that moment.  He is the first person I have found who seeks self-doubt and chaos.  To learn more about him and his work, visit his blog:
http://www.shekharkapur.com/blog/

(Jan 25) TO MY FOLLOWERS
Thanks for your support - You are all appreciated!

(Jan 21-24) SPRING FEST
Spring Fest is the most incredible student-organized festival for students I have ever witnessed. There are literally scores of activities that go on from morning until late at night. Many activities are competitive, involving skits written and performed by students, competitive dancing, academic quiz shows, but also pure fun! Spring Fest lasts 4 days.

Parking was tight.

Rope walking and rock climbing.

Face painting with paper ornaments.

Rock bands and dancing.

Can you spot the student from Germany?