Ankit Dangi

Exploiting, eh!?

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:29:32 GMT

ना किसी आम को तुम इस तरह चुसना की उसकी गुटली तुम्हारे दांतों में फँस जाए
ना किसी आदमी को तुम इस तरह लूटना की उसके नंगे होने पर तुम्हे शर्म आ जाए

- अंकित डांगी

Playing Safe?

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:12:55 GMT

ना रख अपने आप को, तू इस तरह संभाल कर
एक चादर को ओढ़, अपने कंधे पर डाल कर
समुंदरी शीत लहरों का प्रभाव, तुझसे कभी न रुकेगा
कुदरत की कहर के आगे, तू भी मिटटी में मिल जाएगा

- अंकित डांगी

Carrots of Hope

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:59:36 GMT

इस जीवन के चक्र की यह अनोखी लीला
मन जो भी कहना चाहे, वह रह जाए अधुरा
कुछ कहना चाहे, पर वह कह ना सके
जिस तरह जीना चाहे, वह जी ना सके

हर दिया एक ही सी रौशनी फैलाए
पर अपने दायरें को कहाँ पार कर पाए
हर किरण, अपने संग, एक आंस साथ ले आए
पर झूठ की लहर कहाँ थम पाए

जब-जब हर बूँद, इस सागर में जुड़े
तब-तब यह दिल खुद से ही तुड़े
ना बाहर शाम सा अँधेरा, और ना अन्दर सुबह सा उजाला
मन अपनी ही चौकठ पर, रहे कब तक यूँ बेसहारा

ना सागर में स्थिरता, और ना इस जीवन में
ना खुशाली पनपती, है कभी इस मन में

मैं एक बात कहना चाहता था, पर, कह ना पाया
इन शब्दों के जंजाल में, मैंने आप को एक मुसाफिर ही पाया

- अंकित डांगी

I wish..

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:47:56 GMT

..I could celebrate this Diwali as each past year. But then, times never be the same and I might have to pay.

Microsoft Clippy & The Lumiere Project..

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:09:56 GMT

A blog post explaining the bridge between the product development team and the researchers at Microsoft which, if believed, seems to be the reason as to why the Microsoft Clippy (MS Office Assistant) did not work as expected and failed to perform to its potential. I am amazed to see the amount of processing happening on every event being performed by an user and the vision with which the research work was carried out from 1993. I guess, it was around the same time that work on allied areas was happening at National Centre for Software Technology, India.

For more information on the Lumiere Project you may wish to visit this webpage.

Things around..

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:10:29 GMT

Working at a place which promotes research and development for the welfare of the society at large, I feel blessed with having working with a wide set of people - each having varying backgrounds, varying circumstances with which they've been brought up, the differences in languages being spoken, the differences in faiths, beliefs and opinions that each one has, their individuality which they stand for and the experiences which each one over here, share with the rest. This place is truly a wonderful place where one can learn a lot by collecting various frames for the larger picture of life.

Things are all beautiful when I look around, but when I compare these days with my college days, the thing that I miss the most are the smiles of almost each one and whomever I would have met in all three years of my college life. Each day would start with a handshake with almost every one sharing a sense of courtesy and respect towards others. Perhaps, it was much larger than that, and it was the bonding which each one mutually shared. It wasn't just my institute, the entire campus had a pleasing, friendly, cordial and affectionate environment for us to groom well; and as per the dictionaries, that's what Amity stands for. Even at the place with which I am currently associated, I can quickly count a handful of people who still make the environment as friendly as it was during those college days; but they are just a few, very few. I am sure there definitely would have been times when I would not have responded to a many smiles and a few handshakes, which would have left the giver without any hope. I don't know what to say about those times, but then I sincerely regret those moments.

Over a few discussions with pals of mine who've been working for sometime now, I've learnt that these circumstances are similar to what many others have been experiencing. Things are not different, but a few lucky ones are at good places where the environment stands the same. Also, at times, it serves as a drive for them to work with their best-est of efforts. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely feel good for them. From a perspective, I see people around too burdened (professionally and personally) with the responsibilities they owe. And, the burden just keeps expanding as it moves down the pyramid, whereas one of my friend had recently explained me that it should not be the burden that should come down, rather it should be the inspiration and motivation which should come from the top and move down following the same channel. Also, with a specific context in mind, he added the concern that it shouldn't be the other way round either, where the ones at the top of the pyramid keep looking for inspirations from those at the bottom. He explains that over a period of time, it is detrimental to all those associated with it. A thoughtful note for sure, I thank him with the hope that I don't forget his concern, if and, when I reach at the top of the pyramid.

When in college days, a few of our passed out seniors would talk about the adjusting problems which they would face during the inertia period, and at times, tag those circumstances as the professionalism amidst the corporate world; I would not agree with them, as I had always believed professionalism as a step ahead from the kind of immaturity we would have had prior to it. I still agree that when phases in life move from one level to the other, it is always the scope for improvement which would make lives ahead much better than it would have been otherwise. From a perspective, I see myself as between those phases of life where significant transformations are happening on a continual basis to build up myself as an emotionally stronger individual than what I am today.

Random Liners..

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 05:40:35 GMT

1. Have patience. You will always get what you are worthy of.
2. Your priorities might change, but respect your decisions.
3. Always connect with the society. Social acceptance is as important as self acceptance.
4. You will always feel nice when your name gets featured. A denial isn't worthy.
5. Love everyone around you. Why deprive any one of your love for reasons which will fade away when the frame of reference changes.
6. If you think you are doing the most difficult job, then go teach a small child (if you aren't already doing), and you'll evaluate yourself better.

Words Received...

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:47:07 GMT

Sir: I have not lost trust on you, want you to know that.

Important Factors for Pattern Classification..

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:36:50 GMT

Based on the theory of pattern classification, I am listing certain important factors which will be of importance whilst working on the problems involving pattern classification. These are listed based on the notes I had created while reading the subject during the last month.

- Representation of the function describing the classification model should be in a mathematical form (but should not be constrained to it alone) to ensure preciseness, and avoid errors in representation of the model.

- If the set of objects that are to be classified overlap, then the segmentation operation involving the isolation of objects is to be performed for the classification function to work, as desired. This consideration can be overruled if the approach to classify the objects is of taking the groups of objects as input parameters.

- Single criterion for selection and classification of objects into categories might not work for all problems. Depending on the problem domain, multiple criteria should be considered.

- Trade-off's between the cost of obtaining the attributes of the object in consideration, and the quality of the classification is to be maintained. Higher costs of obtaining the attributes can be considered if the function of classification models closer towards novel patterns.

- Based on few rounds of observations, we might tend to create decision rules [based on decision theory], and identify the decision boundaries for classification. We need to ensure that the decision boundary doesn't get biased towards the training data set alone.

- Much of the work will be involved in selecting the appropriate set of features (useful for discriminating the patterns) and deal with redundant features. For redundant features, we need to verify whether the notion of redundance increases or decreases the performance of the classification function.

- Considering that the features (that are essential for discrimination) are costly to measure or provide little improvement, if we force our decision based on limited sets of features, then the degree of error will certainly be incorporated in the decision.

- The central aim of designing a classifier is to suggest actions when presented with novel patterns for unseen objects.

- Considering all training samples being separated perfectly, the complex, non-linear decision boundary would seem to have turned to specific training samples alone, rather than the underlying characteristics of the true model of the object in consideration.

Prayers..

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:17:00 GMT

Notes on Introduction to Theoretical Pattern Recognition..

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:00:41 GMT

Pattern refers to a set of objects or phenomena or concepts where elements appear to be similar to one another in certain ways/aspects. Cognition refers to getting acquainted with, to come to know the act, or the process of knowing an entity. Recognition refers to the feeling that the entity in consideration has been met before; the process of knowing again.

Pattern Recognition is referred as the study of ideas and algorithms that provide machines with the capability to put abstract objects into categories. It is concerned with the classification or description of objects in noisy or complex environments.

Six Step Methodology adapted for Pattern Recognition
1. We observe the objects.
2. We study the relationships between various objects.
3. We study the relationships between the objects and ourselves and arrive at situations.
4. We study the changes in situations and come to know about the events.
5. We study the events and thus understand the law behind the events.
6. Using the law, we can try to predict events of the future.
Example scenarios: Astrology/Palmistry, DC Machines etc.

Types of Patterns
1. Spatial Patterns: those located in space. Examples include characters in character recognition, images of ground covers in remote sensing, images of medical diagnosis etc.
2. Temporal Patterns: those distributed in time. Examples include radar signals in radar detection, speech signals in automated speech recognition, sonar signals etc.
3. Abstract Patterns: neither located in space, nor distributed in time. Examples include classification of people based on psychological tests or the language they speak, medical diagnosis based on patient history etc.

Approaches towards Pattern Recognition Problems
1. Syntactic or Grammatical or Structural Approach.
2. Statistical or Decision Theoretic or Discriminant Method.

Application Areas of Pattern Recognition
Pattern Recognition can and are being applied to various problems including automated speech recognition, fingerprint identification, optical character recognition, DNA sequence identification, medical diagnosis, life form analysis, plant defense signaling, radar detection, aerial photo interpretation, weather prediction and perhaps even sensing of life on remote planets etc.

Amar's Hardwork..

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:52:47 GMT

Mr. Amarnath Chatterjee, one of my fellow batch mate from FPGDST 2006-07 has received a milestone award for the year 2008 from the organization in which he has been working. As a student at FPGDST, he was one of the few who would take challenging projects such as MPLS for computer networks, under the guidance of srini-vas , where dip_nem has indeed been a significant member. During the final project, he did the project titled as 'Universal Personal Computing', under the guidance of bassanti wherein his attempts were towards solving the problems usually faced by students at computer labs.

This award is given to the developers in R&D Teams of various products for any outstanding contribution. I have been chosen for this accolade for my contribution towards forecasting techniques improvement.

Just to brief of what i have achieved i can give a small scenario to ponder about. Approximately 27,000 lines of code , completely undocumented and left untouched for more than two years, 46 major bugs filed not even one resolved in two years, was handed over to me to rectify and make it bug-free. Due to major attrition two years back even the KT's (Knowledge Transfer) has been lost into oblivion. In a time span of One year and Eight months, I have not only closed the bug-file completely but also have created a separate product during this exercise, which my firm has utilized to provide another SaaS (Software as a Service).

Being on top of the world..

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:52:21 GMT

Life is beautiful with it's exciting flavors of toppings. Every step we take, the direction we choose, the milestone we head towards - all add up to the memories we shall cherish for a long time. Each one of these are those frames which are worth a place in the walls of our life. The more of such moments we capture, the more will our walls tend to expand. Adding a wall one after the other, or at times, breaking the one which we shall not like to be stood besides us, or perhaps waiting for those high richter scale moments where things will collapse, leaving no trails for the future, are all part of the mysteries of the great walls of our lives.

I stand today, at a juncture, just like any other kid, where I want to erect walls after walls, add tonnes of those frames with wonderful cherishing moments, to ensure that I live my life the way I would love to. At times, the importance is very much given to the bricks, the concrete mixtures which add as catalysts to ensure that the walls stand strong enough, and at times, the significance is all given to the most favorable marks as to where exactly would the hammer hit the nail to make some space for the moments to ensure that they remain for times to come.

I understand that there shall always be a time where the walls won't matter, or where the moments hanging on the walls wouldn't too, but then, perhaps, its just those expressions of our mind and heart which strike us for a fraction of a second, and we feel like we're on top of the world.

The Childhood Friend...

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:23:34 GMT

Over the past few days, memories of a childhood friend have been moving around me. I have articulated my memories in a few lines, and put them over here to share with the world.

Papa...

Thu, 28 May 2009 04:07:08 GMT

Dhok dekar ke, wishing Papa a very (50th) Happy Birthday today. Many more happy returns of the day.

Power of Might..

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:57:53 GMT

Last year, our team materialized this project. Towards, the end of February a team comprising of our clients visited us and looked at the overall progress of the system. After their return, we received an email subject titled Appreciation where our clients mentioned that they were pleased with the development team and overall progress of the system. They have appreciated our efforts in detail. (I wish, I could produce the entire content of the email!) It felt good to get such a feedback. I find it difficult to express with my limited vocabulary.

Yesterday was a significant day for me. The project on which I was working for a few months saw it's prototype release. I shall share my experiences with the project some other day, importantly, I overcame the power of might and took the first step to learn to give away things, especially when they might turn out to be fruitful opportunities. It's not that I have not given away things in the past, but these ones are for many of us - lifetime opportunities. It was the power of might that always held me for a long time attached to things, but beating that yesterday brought a good level of happiness (or satisfaction or whatever it may be called) to me. I even went ahead to watch the movie 'Ek' which isn't that great at all, but when the mood is good, everything feels good. I shall not undermine the fact that I still wake up at least thrice each night for no good reason at all.

I personally believe - giving up opportunities is not good at all. One should not let go opportunities because the fact is that not every one gets knocks at their doorsteps. But then, yesterday I chose, the other way. I chose, what I would not like to see myself doing for this year. I don't know whether what I have done is right or wrong, would it be beneficial for me or not, is it good to me or not; all I know is that I have taken a decision and only time and I shall withstand the testimony.

Life has many lessons to teach me - at times, I am too stubborn to even lend an ear to such a great teacher, and at times, I listen with the best of my presence of mind and heart. In hope that I listen to my teacher. Amen!

Dance India Dance

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:56:06 GMT

These days, I've been watching the Zee Dance India Dance show and I just love it. I enjoy the dance performances and it brings to me an excellent energy. At some of the times, I just get lost in the show and try to imitate a few steps during the TV show advertisements. A fun show with descriptive remarks by the judges. Dancing is fun and being a spectator, I enjoy it more.

Earlier and even today, I enjoy the Boogie Woogie dance show too. I had, a few months back, joined a dance academy to learn Aerobics but left it soon. I just hope I get back to it.

Indian Women Scientists

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:24:33 GMT

In a discussion, I was wondering about Top 10 Indian Women Scientists. Naveen K reminded me of Kalpana Chawla, then came Sunita Williams (of Indian origin). Today, did some Google search and came across the following links:

1. http://www.scribd.com/doc/330287/WOMEN-SCIENTIST-OF-INDIA
2. http://nanopolitan.blogspot.com/2006/09/first-women-scientists-at-iisc.html (has links to a few other stories)
3. http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/mar252005/872.pdf
4. I knew about the Indian Women Scientist Association at Vashi.

This website (Indian Women Scientists) maintains an online directory of women scientists with 654 Scientists Registered to date, has a few articles and reports and other related information.

Blitzkrieg..

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:19:20 GMT

at the stroke of the lightening
expectations of rain falls arise
where one wants to forget oneself
and cherish the sprinkles of water

the sky is beautiful with not many colours
a few, are those who make the show
viewers, of whom, a few fear
fear the sudden strokes of the nature

they see, those master pieces
with wishes, with hopes and horizons
to look ahead in to the future
they puzzle themselves with questions in mind

not least, but with the best of their thoughts
they realize to take their time
to bring out their very own imagination

Also, updated here at my googlepages.

T&J Show...

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:29:13 GMT

I don't dislike, rather I hate the art of manipulation. I was once warned by Julie Ma'am (teacher at college) about the same, I ignored it. I thought it shall never happen to me; because I felt I trusted the best lot of people, but to my disappointment I've realized it was my mistake. But still, no matter what courses of time may follow, I know what I have done and will cherish those moments forever. After all, when blessings and wishes are with me, am shielded against all the vulnerabilities that may fall on my path.

One's strength lies in the bubbles of truthfulness that one blows out in the air despite knowing the fact that they shall burst in a few seconds. Opportunities shall always lie in your path but if you try to snatch them along parallel paths of other beings then mind you, you're not looking at your path and alas! accidents are destined to happen. I remember, friends of mine and I have received character certificates from our schools and colleges. Wish these could be followed by our organizations with unbiassed opinions at the best.

Time and again vivid experiences at my professional life are teaching me the same lesson where the only difference I notice is that of the change of reference of the interfaces. Life at work is dirty; brings all the stink around and leaves space for rats to move and hunt down the cheese. But what the jerries don't realize is that once the cheese perishes, they shall have to look for things again and it may continue till they themselves understand the fact that the cheese is not what they should be looking for. Am all waiting for Tom to take an action (primarily meant to be decisive!) where the jerries shall know that the show being run is not for free; each one pays his/her own price. Time shall certainly withstand the various testimonials witnessing the changes that bound to affect the show, but then there shall always lie the difference in opinions of those playing the roles of the show-runner and the show-stopper.

The Tom and the Jerry show has always been entertaining because of the wisery portrayed by Jerry and foolishness by Tom. ;-)

Few Sparks to Ignite..

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:35:35 GMT

Roger Schank once mentioned - it is in the thinking of the program’s designers and is represented in some way in the programmer’s code. Sounds so true. On the contrary, how can one make those thoughts visible, in particular, when it comes to representing the program to those who shall never sit with you to go through each line of your code? But in a sense, that's right, you've been trusted, and so there seems to be no question at all to doubt you or your capabilities to deliver things beautifully. Your efforts seem to be lost with the trust. Good or bad. I don't know.

The question is that when an organization does not show a sense of care for it's employees, what should the employee do? You shall never have the pride, the ego, the will to achieve name, fame or money but you may want a sense of respect, the care from the organization for which one might have to wait for days, months or years, in hope!

Almost a month ago, I witnessed (at linkedin) a few recommendations for my friend from his honcho and his clients. My friend is not a great person and never was his work appreciated by either his friends or colleagues. But am sure those few words of praise from his senior and clients would have brought enough confidence for him to perform effectively. An hour where we witness clashes amongst teams, seniors and sub-ordinates, it made me feel good for him after reading those few words.

Just a thap-thappi (or shaabaashi) at one's back will provide the spark to ignite the engine. Once started, if the trust flows at frequent intervals, the engine is sure to progress ahead. I was once taught to praise and apologize in public and criticize in private. It's just that the other way round happens and we learn to adjust our lives with it.

Please note: This post has got nothing to do with my honcho, or the organization, or the team am associated with. :)

Random Liners..

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 07:54:30 GMT

1. Follow a trend or set a trend for others to follow. Have your rationale(s) in place.
2. If you know better ways of doing things, teach it to others, rather than commenting on the not-so better ways.
3. One should learn the skill of presenting the thoughts in a way which lets others absorb it.
4. For you, your priorities will always be on top. Don't be self-centric. Respect others's too.
5. Change your specs. to see simple things simple.

Fwd. conversation on Faith..

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 06:17:41 GMT

Received a forwarded email which contains a conversation between a professor and a student. The content of the email is presented beneath the LJ cut below.

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty.
He asks one of his new students to stand and.....
Prof: So you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Prof : Is God good?
Student: Sure.
Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student : Yes.
Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm? (Student is silent.)
Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Is Satan good?
Student : No.
Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From...God....
Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Prof: So who created evil?
(Student does not answer.)
Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Prof: So, who created them?
(Student has no answer.)
Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.
Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.
Student: No sir. There isn't. (The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold . Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat . We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it . (There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)
Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor.Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do. Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir? (The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.) Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class is in uproar.)
Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain? (The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain,sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir? (The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it sir.... The link between man & god is FAITH . That is all that keeps things moving & alive.

Feels Bad...

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:55:43 GMT

Personally, I feel I have been surrogating a few (repetitive) roles in my life with a lesser degree of diversification. Being focussed, at times, does hinder your creativity. For the following days ahead, I see myself to set a few benchmarks for myself; for my life ahead. I understand that dreaming is not wrong and making a few (or all) of them transform to reality is not wrong either. Time shall not wait for me, rather it shall keep me reminding the fact that it is running, and I have to try to catch up with it. It feels that you've been lagging behind and chased away with embarrassment. If I don't accustom myself to the surroundings, to the health of the society, the values that I have been brought up with, then over time I might feel that I have also been one of those who hardly care for things around; which indeed is wrong!

I don't regret for what has happened; but I do feel bad about the fact that the time wasn't well utilized. Building of one's own personality happens when the thoughts are carved and sculptured for the future. It is never for a day, a month or a year ahead, rather it is for at least a few decades to catch up and move ahead of time. The speed is required, with enough momentum, to push things in the right direction.

A few tears in some one close to your heart can make you think for a lot of things that you haven't done and should have done. God bless me for my actions and thoughts.

Vashi Station Platform No. 3..

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:52:13 GMT