Edition 49

NEW YEAR, OLD ME
NEW YEAR, OLD ME ME
Pratiksha NEW Pradhan, YEAR, 2nd year, ECE OLD ME
A SERENDIPITOUS
EPIPHANY
Pratiksha Pratiksha Pradhan, Pradhan, 2nd 2nd year, year, ECE ECE
Robots making our lives easier, flying cars, and colonies on
Mars Pratiksha - no poverty, Pradhan, no 2nd hunger, year, ECE gender equality - the expectations
Robots Robots making making our lives our lives easier, easier, flying flying cars, cars, and and colonies colonies on on
from a utopian future meet no horizon. But in a world where
Mars Mars - no poverty, - no poverty, no hunger, no hunger, gender gender equality equality - the - the expectations
human Robots desire making is our volatile lives and easier, commitment flying cars, is rare, and what colonies should on
from from a utopian a utopian future future meet meet no horizon. no horizon. But in But a in world a world where where
actually Mars - no be poverty, considered no hunger, utopian? gender A good equality contender - the expectations is the rare
human human desire desire is volatile is volatile and and commitment is rare, is rare, what what should should
practice from a utopian of sticking future to one’s meet New no horizon. Year’s resolution. But in a world where
actually actually be be considered utopian? utopian? A good A good contender contender is the is rare the rare
It human is breathtaking desire is volatile to see and the commitment New Year instill is rare, new what optimism should
practice practice of sticking of sticking to one’s to one’s New New Year’s Year’s resolution. resolution.
among actually people be considered across the utopian? globe A who good stay contender hopeful is of the a time rare
Sankhaya Singh Chandel, 2nd year, COE
It is It is breathtaking to see to see the New the New Year Year instill instill new new optimism optimism
when practice the of universe sticking will to one’s vouch New for them Year’s and resolution. everything will go as
among among people people across across the globe the globe who who stay stay hopeful hopeful of a of time a time
planned. It Thud! is breathtaking Peter During is roused the to see ceremony from the his New mindless of Year forging stupor instill a new by New an optimism uncharacteristically Year’s
when when the universe the universe will vouch will vouch for them for them and everything and everything will go will as go as
loud bang. He regains consciousness only to realize that,
resolution, among to his people utter
thought
horror, across overtakes
his the car globe has
action
forsaken who as one stay its
thinks hopeful intended
"this of path
time, a time and
I’ll
planned. planned. During During the the ceremony ceremony of forging of forging a New a New Year’s Year’s is intent on venturing into the thickets that intersperse the road.
follow them through", only to fail on the very next day.
Moreover, knowing what the soul desires is equally important to
when He swings universe into action will vouch and rams for them
resolution, thought overtakes action as one brakes, and everything
thinks but "this fails time, to will stall go as
resolution, thought overtakes action as one thinks "this time, I’ll I’ll its rapid advance into the darkness of the forest. Beads of perspiration
Abandonment of resolutions can be a slow process in which knowing why. One wants to lose weight - but why? To follow the
planned.
follow crowd them through", his During forehead the
only as ceremony
to he fail struggles of
on the very to forging
next take day. the a reins New of Year’s
follow them through", only to fail on the very next day. his frenzied Moreover, Moreover, metal knowing horse. knowing The what wilderness what the soul the soul desires soon desires transitions is equally is equally important into important a clearing; to to
the memory of its details slowly fades away, whereas 156 herd, to appease a mean relative, or to increase one’s own
resolution, Peter finds
thought
of himself
overtakes swiftly can approaching
action as one
be a slow a process cliff.
thinks "this time, I’ll
Abandonment of resolutions can be a slow process in which in which knowing knowing why. why. One One wants wants to lose to lose weight weight - but - why? but why? To follow To follow the the
million people probably give up their resolution before one self-confidence? If a resolution lacks a clear and pure
follow them through", only to fail on very next day.
Moreover, knowing what the soul desires is equally important to
the the memory memory of its of details its details slowly slowly fades fades away, away, whereas whereas 156 156 herd, herd, to appease to appease a mean a mean relative, relative, or to or increase to increase one’s one’s own own
can say “confetti”. So why, despite all the big plans being made motivating factor, it is destined for doom. People are inclined to
Abandonment of resolutions can be a slow process which knowing why. One wants to lose weight - but why? To follow the
million million Jumping people people probably off a probably cliff. give This give up thought on up their on has their resolution occurred resolution before incessantly before one one to Peter self-confidence?
this evening,
If
ever
a If
since
resolution a resolution
the news
lacks
of
lacks
his
a
ailing
clear a clear
mother’s
and and pure
death
pure
during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, do complete tasks to the best of their abilities when they do so out
the memory of its details slowly fades away, whereas 156 herd, to appease a mean relative, or to increase one’s own
can say can was “confetti”. say broken “confetti”. to So him. why, So Peter’s why, despite despite bond all the with all big the his plans big mother plans being ran being made motivating factor, it is destined for doom. People are inclined to
these resolutions take a miserable turn?
deep: made motivating factor, it is destined for doom. People are inclined to
she had rescued of curiosity him from and enjoyment. an abominable Emotional orphanage, investment catapulting is imperative him into
million people probably give up on their resolution before one self-confidence? If a resolution lacks a clear and pure
during during the loving week the week arms between between of a mother Christmas Christmas who and stood and New by New him Year’s through Year’s Day, Day, do complete tasks to the best of their abilities when they do so out
A significant contributor to the failure of resolutions thick do complete tasks to the best of their abilities when they do so out
is our and thin, during leaving the an forging indelible ceremony. mark. His eyes You have glistened to enjoy with an the unending process;
can say “confetti”. So why, despite all the big plans being made motivating factor, it is destined for doom. People are inclined to
these these deluge resolutions of tears take take as a miserable he a set miserable out turn?
of curiosity and Emotional is imperative
tendency to overestimate what on turn?
of curiosity and enjoyment. Emotional investment is imperative
we the can arduous do in journey a day to and his mother. only The then wee will hours the outcome had aggravated follow.
during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, do complete tasks to the best of their abilities his insurmountable when they do sorrow;
out
A significant A before significant long, he contributor found to himself the to the failure overcome failure of with of resolutions grief and is slipped our is our during during the forging the forging ceremony. ceremony. You You have have to enjoy to enjoy the process; the process;
underestimate what we can do in a lifetime. When the goals are into a Break slumber. the resolution into doable daily goals, then set out to
these resolutions take a miserable turn?
of curiosity and enjoyment. Emotional investment is imperative
tendency tendency Peter to reckons to overestimate that he what has what a we couple we can of can do seconds in do a in before day a day and only then will the outcome follow.
too high, the chance of running out of motivation quickly the and only then will the outcome follow.
car is goes accomplish headlong into them. nearing This will abyss. eventually The brakes ease are already path a lost to
A significant contributor to the failure of resolutions is our during the forging ceremony. You have to enjoy the process;
underestimate
cause. He
what
slams
what we
the
can we
door can in do
open.
a lifetime. in a
To
lifetime.
his
When
dismay,
When the
it
goals the
refuses
goals are Break the resolution into doable daily goals, then set out to
higher, hence leading to the abandonment of said resolution to
are Break the resolution into doable daily goals, then set out to
give way, accomplishing perhaps owing a to bigger the tussle goal. in the Most woods, importantly, accelerating make
tendency to overestimate what we can do in a day and only then will the outcome follow.
his
too high, too high, the chance the chance of running of running out of out motivation of motivation quickly quickly is is
accomplish them. them. This This will will eventually eventually ease ease the the path path to to
before rapidly any beating progress heart. can be made.
resolutions for nobody else’s soul but your own.
underestimate what we can do in a lifetime. When the goals are Break the resolution into doable daily goals, then set out to
higher, higher, hence hence leading leading to the to the abandonment of said of said resolution resolution
accomplishing a bigger a bigger goal. goal. Most Most importantly, make make
too high, the chance of running out of motivation quickly is accomplish them. This will eventually ease the path to
before before any progress any progress can be can made. be made.
resolutions for nobody for nobody else’s else’s soul soul but your but your own. own.
higher, “Use hence the headrest!” leading to whispers the abandonment his mother into of said his ears. resolution Peter finds accomplishing a glimmer of hope a as bigger he recounts goal. how, Most as importantly, a child, his mother make
before enlightened any progress him on can the be utility made. of a headrest to break out of a car. The resolutions episode invigorates for nobody him. else’s To soul buy but time, your he own. kills the engine and
uproots the headrest from his seat. He takes a huge gasp of air just before he jolts the headrest into the glass pane, shattering it
thereupon. He leaps out of the broken pane YOUR like a hare and crashes LIFE’S onto the ground.
MAGIC
Supporting himself on his elbows, he watches dismally as his car plummets into oblivion. He flops on the ground, engulfed by the
YOUR LIFE’S A A MAGIC
night sky. He looks on as if to thank his mother in the stars. The question that accosts him now? How to get back home.
अमृतसर
Ishaan Gupta, 2nd Year, ME
REALISM YOUR LIFE’S PROJECT A MAGIC
REALISM PROJECT
Ishaan REALISM Gupta, 2nd Year, ME PROJECT
Ishaan Gupta, 2nd Year, ME
As omnipresent as God is, I've rarely met him one-on-one. Despite what everyone has led
me Ishaan to believe, Gupta, 2nd altitude, Year, ME in no way, makes a difference कपिल to शर्मा, the number प्रथम वर्ष, of questions सी. ओ. ई. one
As As omnipresent as God as God is, I've is, rarely I've rarely met met him him one-on-one. Despite Despite what what everyone everyone has led has led
keeps under his tongue. For when I stand at a mountain top, the only thing that may clear
me to me believe, to believe, altitude, altitude, in no in way, no way, makes makes a difference a difference to the to number the number of questions of questions one one
up As omnipresent is the cloud behind as God my is, I've eyes rarely as dawn met him fades one-on-one. away and Despite the horizon’s what everyone gradient defines has led
keeps keeps under under his tongue. his tongue. For when For when I stand I stand at a mountain at a mountain top, the top, only the only thing thing that that may may clear clear
itself. me to believe, altitude, in no way, makes a difference to the number of questions one
पिछली बार मैं अमृतसर 7 वर्ष पूर्व गया up था; is up और the is तब cloud the की cloud behind बहुत behind सी my eyes my लगने eyes as लगा। dawn as dawn घर, fades गली, fades away इमारतें; away and लगने and the horizon’s the लगा horizon’s की सब gradient पहले gradient भी defines ऐसा defines
The keeps very under act of his rising tongue. above For holds when just I stand as much at a mountain evasion as top, running the only away thing does. that The may lesson clear ही
itself. itself.
धुंधली यादें बार-बार वापस उधर जाने का आग्रह of up finding is the करती cloud a purposeful थीं। behind तो my utopia था। eyes तब is as मुझे a dawn laborious आभास fades हुआ one. away कि This यादों and may के the आकार be horizon’s because में जब gradient rarely वास्तविकता have defines we
The very The very act of act rising of rising above above holds holds just as just much as much evasion evasion running as running away away does. does. The lesson The lesson
known itself. the depth of an ocean without diving into one. If heaven exists, and indeed, if it
दिसम्बर में जैसे ही कॉलेज की छुट्टियाँ प्रारंभ of finding of हुईं, finding मैंने a अमृतसर a purposeful की utopia utopia के is रंग a फीके is laborious a laborious पड़ गए one. थे तो one. This मैंने This may उन्मे may be कल्पना because because के रंग rarely भर rarely दिए have थे। have we रंग, we
exists The very here, act we of rising should above begin holds our search just as somewhere much evasion between as running the home away that does. brought The lesson us up
known known the depth the depth of an of ocean ocean without without diving diving into into one. one. If heaven If heaven exists, exists, and and indeed, indeed, if it if it
राह पकड़ ली। ट्रेन से उतर कर पहले एक बार and of मन finding भर the चारों dream a ओर purposeful that देखा we keep utopia जिनका holding is कोई a laborious अस्तित्व hands with. ही one. नहीं This था। may अब जब be because वास्तविक rarely रंग फिर have उभर we
exists exists here, here, we should we should begin begin our search our search somewhere between between the home the home that that brought brought us up us up
और स्वयं को कहा,”लो भई, आ गए”, और and मामा
known
the के dream घर
the
की
depth
that ओर we चल
of an ocean
keep holding आए थे
without
तो hands यहाँ आने
diving
with. से
into
पहले
one.
जो अमृतसर
If heaven
की
exists,
यादें थीं
and
वो सब
indeed,
मुरझा
if it
and the dream that we keep holding hands with.
exists here, we should begin our search somewhere between the home that brought us up
It दिया। scatters यूँ तो equally मुझे सब across शहर different एक से ही phases लगते हैं of किंतु life. स्टेशन From a से blissfully मामा oblivious गईं। हम सभी childhood के मन में to बचपन the first को taste पुनः जीने of freedom की चाह होती that adulthood
and the dream that we keep holding hands with.
है। जानता
brings, seeking utopia feels almost redundant. This happiness leaves a memory on your lips only after you've tasted rebellion for
It scatters It के scatters घर equally के रास्ते equally across में जहाँ across different नज़र different पड़ती, phases लगता phases of life. बदलाव of From life. झलक From a blissfully a रहा blissfully है। oblivious oblivious हूँ बचपन childhood अमृतसर childhood to की the to तरह first the कोई first taste जगह taste of freedom नहीं of freedom है, परंतु that अब that adulthood लगता adulthood
the first time. This happiness refracts golden light into your eyes and sticks to your feet only once you get comfortable with walking है की
brings, brings, seeking seeking utopia utopia feels feels almost almost redundant. This This happiness happiness leaves leaves a memory a memory on your on your lips only lips only after after you've you've tasted tasted rebellion rebellion for for
barefoot It अनजान scatters जगह, on equally the अनजानी sand. across There's इमारत; different a सब form phases के of सब happiness एक of life. धुन From में out बदलाव there a blissfully made का up oblivious अगर of equal एक childhood बार parts फिर in बचपन fulfillment to the जीने first and को taste wonder. मिल of freedom जाएगा It breathes तो that शायद adulthood itself दोबारा into
the first the first time. time. This This happiness happiness refracts refracts golden golden light light into into your your eyes eyes and sticks and sticks to your to your feet feet only only once once you get you get comfortable with with walking walking
your brings, lungs every time you look at another sunset and call it prettier than the last. You learn that the softness inside your palms isn't
barefoot गुणगान seeking
on the कर sand. रहे थे। utopia
There's वैसे feels तो a बचपन almost
form of में redundant.
happiness भी मामा के out घर This
there आया happiness
made था तब leaves
up of उसे a
equal भी memory
parts जीने का on
in fulfillment मन your न करेगा। lips only
and वास्तविकता after you've
wonder. It breathes और tasted कल्पना rebellion
itself पर into चिंतन for
barefoot on the sand. There's a form of happiness out there made up of equal parts in fulfillment and wonder. It breathes itself into
the first fog making time. This a home—it's happiness the refracts grass, golden it's the light light, into it's your the eyes voice and behind sticks your to your eyeballs feet that only seeks once you a new get home comfortable every morning—but
with walking
your your तो lungs ये lungs घर every कोई every time बहुत time you नया look you नहीं look at था another परंतु at another अब sunset देखा sunset तो and उम्मीद call and it call से prettier अधिक it prettier than than के the इस last. the निष्कर्ष last. You You learn से learn जूझता that that the जब softness the मैं स्टेशन softness inside पर inside खड़ा your हो your palms वापस palms isn't
you're barefoot fine on with the it. sand. You're There's fine with a form your of version happiness of utopia out there that made doesn't up dwell of equal in altars parts or in the fulfillment footsteps and of wonder. a mosque It breathes but in rainstorms, itself दिल्ली isn't
into
the fog the making fog making a home—it's a home—it's the grass, the grass, it's the it's light, the light, it's the it's voice the voice behind behind your your eyeballs eyeballs that that seeks seeks a new a new home home every every morning—but
in your
you're पुराना-सा incessant lungs
fine with लगा, every snowfall,
it. You're मानो time
fine बूढ़ा you and
with हो look once गया at in
your हो। another a while,
version गली sunset भी in a
of utopia जैसे forest and कुछ fire. call
that सकरी-सी it God prettier often than
doesn't dwell जाने refuses the
in वाली last. to
altars ट्रेन meet You
or the का me, learn
footsteps इंतज़ार but that कर welcomes the
of रहा softness था mosque तो me अज्ञेय with inside teary
but in के your यात्रा eyes palms वृतांत as mine isn't
you're fine with it. You're fine with your version of utopia that doesn't dwell in altars or the footsteps of a mosque but rainstorms, का
snap the fog shut; making the waterfall a home—it's is always the grass, good it's place the light, to make it's the peace voice with behind him. your eyeballs that seeks a new home every morning—but
in incessant हो incessant गई है। snowfall, ऐसे snowfall, आश्चर्य and once and से once चीज़ों in a while, in को a while, देखने in a forest का in a सिलसिला forest fire. fire. God दो-तीन God often often refuses शीर्षक refuses to meet बार-बार to meet me, दिमाग but me, welcomes but में गूँज welcomes रहा था,”अरे with me with teary यायावर! teary eyes रहेगा eyes as mine याद?”। as mine
you're fine with it. You're fine with your version of utopia that doesn't dwell in altars or the footsteps of a mosque but in rainstorms,
snap snap shut; shut; the waterfall the waterfall is always is always a good a good place place to make to make peace peace with with him. him.
in दिन incessant चला और snowfall, फिर जब and मै अभ्यस्त once in हो while, गया तो in सब a forest कुछ fire. पहले God जैसा often refuses to meet me, but welcomes me with teary eyes as mine
snap shut; the waterfall is always a good place to make peace with him.
A PERFECT SOCIETY FOR
IMPERFECT HUMANS
The title is, effectively, what a utopia wishes to achieve. Humans tend to
strive for the next best thing, regardless of where they stand currently.
We strive not for excellence, but for perfection. Be it the exam taken or
the interview appeared in, we always come out thinking about what could
have gone better. There is an inherent flaw in this rationale of judging
by not a relative but an absolute metric, which lies in a question deeply
rooted in our psyche.
Is mankind meant to be perfect?
Since the original sin, philosophers have yearned to decipher the eldritch
truth about our race. Some say that man is inherently good, yet it is
his institutions that make him bad; others say that man is bad and his
institutions serve as a reflection of his self, giving him a path to absolution
by blaming it on unfavourable circumstances. In the words of Jose Ortega
y Gasset, “Man, in a word, has no nature; what he has is - history.”. Are
we inherently hardwired to pursue perfection, or are we a function of our
environment, constrained by variables set before us by society?
I ask a different question: does it matter? In today’s competitive society,
where each one is trying to outdo the other, mistakes are an inevitability
of existence. The smallest of mistakes may birth dire consequences, such
as the loss of admission into a dream institute by a single negative mark.
Even the Matrix wound up to the same conclusion: humanity cannot thrive in a utopia; something within feels off. A race such as ours
requires constant sacrifice, struggle, and a proportional success to truly stay engrossed in the game of life, seeking improvement,
not perfection. No human being is born perfect, and no one dies that way. The standards set to reach are destinations to be fulfilled
alone.
After all, the word utopia itself is coined from ‘ou topos’, meaning nowhere or noplace. Rather, utopia is a realization that the world
we are born into has its merits and its flaws. Love this world, and do a little to make it a better place, for what are our scars if not
a lesson from our past?
A SPORADIC DISPUTE
As my thoughts wandered from cheerful memories to dazing
regrets, a silence prevailed, a silence so loud it was coherent
with my milieu. Perhaps the process of introspection had begun,
and when it had begun I couldn’t help but ponder:
For all the tidings I have heard,
the one which I find the most absurd
despondent and wretched did it sound
unfolding the jittery strain which made the scars profound.
Those scars, I heard were made unseen
enveloped by a layer of dismal sheen.
My mind wanted to be big and proud,
but the inner voice was silenced by the crowd.
Mihir Ranjan, 2nd Year, EE
N. Krithika, 1st year, ENE
Nobody did support the plan that seemed to be outlandish,
the impulse to do something big slowly started to vanish.
Perhaps following the stereotype is the trend,
I ought to remain mundane so that no one is offend?
My mind became a silly place, struggling with new ideas
and causing self menace.
For every struggle is a victory, it fails to understand,
dancing barefoot is a way to create history.
And the path to success is always alone,
only self determination can carve the stone.
Idiosyncratic soul I’d kiss,
for solitude is the eternal bliss.
DTU TIMES • November 2019 - January 2020 • 37