My Mental Papparazzi. JK. Bye Folks.

My dear Ardent fans and followers {Joke.}
I hate to break the news to you. (Overdrive)
But this is it:
I'm going to stay off my favourite haunt for a while.
I can't tell you when I'll be back.

Reporter 1: What prompted this drastic decision?
Me: Common Sense.
Reporter 1: Miss Rao please explain.
Me: I have huge number of things to be done and they rank higher on my Priority Meter. And there's only so many things I can do without diluting my effort.

Reporter 2: Surely, you have time for occasional posts?!
Me: A fact I don't deny. But I intend to use the time for better purposes.

Reporter 1: Like?
Me: I will continue to write stories, poems and 'pieces'. I hope to give much more time to the subjects I enjoy. And work on those which I'm yet to enjoy.

Reporter 3: So what is the road ahead for readers of this blog?
Me: I will be back. That is certain. Meanwhile, there are million other blogs waiting to be explored.

Reporters: We wish you all the very best for your goals and hope that your distant dreams becomes a reality.
Me: Thank you! I will forever be indebted to faithful readers like you.

Merry Christmas.

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I Believe.

I need to talk about this.

After some serious internal debate, I concluded that I Must say something. Especially since I Have been thinking about it. Except I don't know how to start.

So Shobha De says she will not ask her daughters to carry pepper spray 'just in case', the PM of the country says that being the father of 3 girls, he understands the outrage and the rest of the country is equally shaken.
Yes, I'm talking about the heinous crime that has horrified the nation of 1 billion citizens. Mothers are increasingly worried, elsewhere restrictions are imposed on women for 'their own safety' and people from all corners of the subcontinent are aware of the shameful truth.

True, one can spent hours lamenting over the bitter reality of safety of women in India, but that is not the purpose of this post.

Why does such behaviour arise? Is it a traumatic upbringing? What happened to morals and values? One does not need Education to differentiate between good and bad.
Rich or poor, any family has the moral obligation to inculcate good values in their offspring. The role of the family is of equal importance when any offender is considered. What happened to society? Doesn't it care anymore? Thousands of such individuals are present in society, in desperate need of rehabilitation. But we as the society, choose to turn a blind eye towards these individuals until it is too late.
Our society needs to provide equal importance to the psychological wellbeing of its citizens. Value based education must be provided to all citizens and a rehabilitation program for delinquents in society. I strongly believe that harsh punishment will not weed out the problem in entirety. It is the mindset that must change. True, that means I'm referring to an abnormally huge population, but only that can truly make the nation safe for its women. Merely creating fear of punishment will not end the menace.

I don't remember the exact quote but it's from one of Sudha Murty's books. She ends a story on gender inequality with a Sanskrit verse (yathra narya...) which means "Where women are respected and honoured, that nation will flourish."

I pray that she survives the ordeal and achieves her goals in life. I hope the guilty are punished and that such incidents will soon be a thing of the past.

*I don't mean to hurt or offend anybody. I only hope that the issue is tackled from the grassroots level.

What does Meh mean? Cuz Im feeling Meh.

Meh is an interjection, often used as an expression of indifference or boredom. It can also be used as a verb (rendering something uninteresting, boring or useless to the beholder) and an adjective(meaning mediocre, boring, or apathetic)- Wikipedia

Indifference; to be used when one simply does not care.

A: What do you want for dinner?

B: Meh.

-Urban Dictionary

Strange but true. A decidedly weird feeling has crept into my otherwise (ab)normal self and I've resorted to the familiar cocoon of my blog to rant.

I've been writing college essays. I've put my heart and soul in them. The Baylor one's pending. And one more for CC which requires some reading up.

So I met Daddy. :-D
I think the piccus will do the talking. (Ok I don't always edit my photos. Today is an exception. Deal with it.)
So we got stationary, fruits, Chocolate and some greens (notice the part encircled in red. They're apparently proteinaceous. Lol. Ok I'll chew on that like a cow.)
Yah and that's me.
*please load.*

What makes me 'me'?

From an early age I have been exposed to a variety of opportunities and challenges alike. I have always been encouraged to try my strengths in diverse fields and excel in them; be it academics, sports or extracurricular activities such as music, art and quizzing. This upbringing, coupled with an innate sense of inquisition has imbibed in me the urge to learn more and acquire knowledge.

The knowledge one can assimilate is infinite and the Indian Philosophy of 'Success and failure are part of the eternal cycle, it is the knowledge attained that matters' has inspired me to strive for excellence. With this penchant for knowledge, I forayed into the exciting terrain of quizzing; an activity I have pursued since my elementary school. From fjords in Norway and Moai statues of Easter Island to the Wailing Wall of Jerusalem, quizzing has been my window to the world outside. In my high school I was the only girl who participated in quizzes. Although I was initially apprehensive, it soon motivated me to work harder and be the best among my counterparts. Over the years quizzing has helped me transcend personal boundaries and emerge as a confident individual with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Quizzing helped me stay on top of my game in class and made academics an exciting prospect.

Hardwork and determination have helped me achieve my goals despite all odds. I've always been intrigued to experiment and venture into different activities. Be it Harvard Model UN, heading a photography committee or even trekking in the Nilgiris, I've eagerly explored a variety activities and worked hard to give it my best.

Apart from quizzing, music and badminton have also been integral parts of my life. Learning Indian classical music, with all its intricacies and minute variations has taught me to strive for perfection in all that I do. Badminton began as a pastime but soon transformed into a passion. Badminton has instilled the spirit of competitiveness as well as a sense of sportsmanship in me.

The birth of a sibling when I was in high school was initially a mammoth challenge since we all had to alter our lifestyle to accommodate the youngest member of the family. It seemed like waking up after a decade in utopia, for now, life was everything but perfect. Responsibilities, fragile, unpredictable conditions coupled with a bawling baby was one way of looking at it. Thankfully I envisioned an opportunity: An opportunity to grow; as a person and as a student. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. What intrigued me was how the once motionless baby learnt to make sense of the world around her. Over the months, gurgling sounds turned to fairly legitimate words, serendipitous movements turned to well coordinated steps and through an unwavering spirit, she was one among us.

Her birth sparked a desired to delve deeper into the uncharted terrains of neuroscience and this was further ignited by viewing her growth from the standpoint of psychology. To observe her evolve, learn from her mistakes and piece together the jigsaw puzzle called life has been a captivating experience. The brain with its curiously confounding functioning, is the neuroscientist's muse, an elusive enchanting enigma. Psychology helped to explain how the dynamics of our family changed and enlightened me about the power of the mind.

Coming from a society where inequality continues to persist, I hope to bridge the gap between both ends of the spectrum. My experiences have exposed me to poverty and hunger in society as well as wealth and wastefulness. I intend to provide better healthcare as well as provide a solution to neurological disorders. I believe passion comes with a cause. I have a cause; to cure the maladies of the mind, uncover the reasons behind them and make the world a better place for mankind.

Colorado College! ED II

When I decided to apply to colleges in the US, I had specific requirements in mind. I researched online and interacted with a few well-informed people before I concluded that Colorado College would be the best place for me.
Given my love for the outdoors, Colorado College has the perfect location for me to continue my intellectual expedition. The stately beauty of mountains, the panoramic views from summits and the adrenaline rush of adventure sports has always beckoned to me.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity of whitewater rafting in the Sutlej River, at the foothills of the Himalayas. It was here that I developed a bond with nature. To relive that experience at Colorado is an enchanting prospect I look forward to.
There is no definite route to achieve our goals. I realized this when I went trekking in the hills of South India. Our guide, a trained trekker, apprised us on the modus operandi of trekking and rock climbing. Despite his guidance and assistance from my father, I found the climb steep and unconquerable. The guide even dictated where I should place my foot to balance myself. I stopped for a moment and thought, "Surely,I know how to balance myself! I just have to listen to myself". And then, I began with renewed vigour, and succeeded. I scaled the heights of the hill with ease; all because I know where my footing is. No one knows better than that!
Colorado College is known to offer this freedom to its students where they can find their 'foothold' and excel in their field. This only augments the fact that Colorado College is where I can truly thrive and grow as an individual as well as continue my academic pursuit.

At CC I hope to contribute to the vibrant student life as well as partake in community based programs. I intend to have a symbiotic relationship with CC, akin to that in lichens, where I can contribute to the academic research while deriving intellectual nourishment and a 'home' from the College.

In Molecular Biology, I've learnt that in the genetic code, a single codon specifies only one amino acid; there is no scope for ambiguity. Similarly, I strongly believe that CC is 'the' best college for me and there is no scope for uncertainty and hence applying Early Decision is a natural choice for me.

Mount Holyoke!

What do you miss most from your childhood?

It was a simple life back then.
My childhood was synonymous with carefree abandon and freedom in every aspect. I lived in the Castle of Innocence, built from the unrealistic bricks of imagination and fortified by creativity.

Watching the fluffy white clouds drift across the blue sky, setting paper boats afloat on a rainy day or even racing downhill on my cycle were 'major projects' I created for myself. Infact, I had a project to accomplish everyday!
One of these included watching a flower blossom. Having planted the sapling, I was determined to "see the flower bloom". Against all sane advice from my parents, I sat rooted the spot and fixed a beady eye on the plant; I was determined to detect the slightest trace of a petal unfurling. But alas, Fate had ordained otherwise and I fell asleep. When I woke up with the first rays of sunshine, the bright yellow rose was a miracle to my innocent mind.

Another activity I vociferously indulged in was starting my own "clubs". These clubs were started for nature, maths, music or even astronomy and our sole ambition was to "discover something new". So it was not unusual to find a motley group of girls armed with notebooks and magnifying glasses, scrutinizing a surprised insect or a bewildered butterfly.

It was in my childhood that I forged an unbreakable bond with Nature; a bond that has taught me to value and conserve our resources and above all ingrained a deep sense of belonging with Nature.

Teenage has brought its own set of trials and tribulations but my formative years have enabled me to face any hardships with optimism and courage. Be it academic pursuits or social responsibilities, I'm now engaged in a different but equally exciting "project". The creativity and spirit of inquiry have fuelled the ambition of excelling in academics and my love for Nature has transformed into a passion in conservation of biodiversity.

But those magical years of life can never truly be replaced. Gone are the days when I could hop, skip and jump across the street without wondering what anybody would think. Gone are the days when I proposed solutions to the world's problems ignorant of the reality of life. It is this simplicity that I miss most from my childhood. Simplicity, that makes communication easier, learning uncomplicated and dreams, a reality. It is essential that we cling on to the vestiges of this innocuous trait, for it holds the key to our happiness in life.

Ok Something.

Currently going mad for a plethora of reasons. Here are some: Haven't finished mineral nutrition. My playlist seems to be tailored to get on my nerves. SAT results in 10 days, Chicago around 17th or 19th according to speculations. Aakash test. I'm sleepy. Oh and i forgot to mention my main grouse: Finding the right college in the US that is affordable/ scholarship friendly and well known, not to mention neuroscience and premed friendly. Ok bye. Will be meeting dad to shorlist probable unis. O.o Brazil Morroco London to Ibiza (where's Ibiza?) Hookah bar is a silly song stuck in my head. Eeks! Heartbreak. Oh the Directors danced to the tune at HMUN.

A poem.

She endures in silence.

She serenades with unmatched beauty and grace
Through rocky terrain and rural plains.
To temple towns and swelling cities,
She lends her holy presence.

She hails from the high North;
The snow clad abode is her ancestral home.
From the gentle confines of the mighty peaks
she descends with zest and zeal,
Only to mellow down to a stately cascade.

But alas, her illustrious heritage and purity
are disregarded and she is defiled
by ignorance and mindless Faith.
Once revered as a symbol of divinity,
She now languishes in neglect and depravity.

She grieves in silence at her fall from grace
for the fault of the human race.
Her tears flow unrecognized and her pain is forgotten
as she carries the burden of mankind-
The race which chooses to drown its sins in her,
She plunges into the sea for solace.