To see why they branch this way he built a small solar array using the Fibonacci formula, stepping cells at specific intervals and heights. He then compared the energy output with identical cells set in a row. Aidan reports the results: “The Fibonacci tree design performed better than the flat-panel model. The tree design made 20% more electricity and collected 2 1/2 more hours of sunlight during the day. But the most interesting results were in December, when the Sun was at its lowest point in the sky. The tree design made 50% more electricity, and the collection time of sunlight was up to 50% longer!”

He says “But the best part of what I learned was that even in the darkest days of winter, nature is still trying to tell us its secrets!”

His work is certainly piquing the interest of the solar industry, and even more impressively he is demonstrating the power of biomimicry — a concept that many see as the pinnacle of good design, but one that thus far has been exceptionally difficult to achieve. Way to go!

This article was originally written by Andrew Michler. Read the full story here.

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How would you like your design? Image Credit: Collin Harman

Sidd: Thanks for stopping by my website and considering me for your project.How would you like your design?
Client: Oh don’t mention.We are clear about this. We want it, cheap and best.

Sidd: Thank you for your prompt reply.I am sorry but i will have to turn down this project.
Client: Why? I haven’t even told you the details yet. This is going to be one hell of a project.You’re going to love this one.

Sidd: May i take the liberty of speaking straight with you sire?
Client: Absolutely. Go ahead. Shoot. I like people who talk straight and honest.

Sidd: That this is going to be one hell of project. I agree. But not quite for the same reasons as you do, perhaps.
Client: I don’t understand that. I meant that this is a very important and big project.If this goes well, i am sure it will bring a lot of business for you.Plus, i know you are a “love-the-challenge”, type and i foresee, lot’s of challenges ahead on this one.

Sidd: I think you do sire. You do understand me well on this. Sure, this is going to be one hell of a project. And yes, the challenges will be great, i too can foresee that. And most likely too great to be overcome.
Client: Now i really don’t understand you. You seem to like the challenge part, but are you saying that this is going to be too much for you? That you won’t be able to rise to the challenge.

Sidd: Yes, sire that is right.
Client: I wish i could understand this better. So in other words, are you doing this project or not?

Sidd: Sorry, sire.No.
Client: Alright then. Thanks for your time. But i still don’t know why you turned down that project. I haven’t even told you any specifics and it’s over already.

Sidd: Sire, i am afraid that you did tell me enough.
Client: Now look young man. Please don’t play with words. I need a clear and precise explanation. Do you have one or not?

Sidd: I most certainly do sire.
Client: What?

Sidd: Sire, that cheap & best don’t go together. That which is best, will not come cheap and that which is cheap will not be the best. That alone sire was enough for me to make up mind. And not the first time, sire.
I wish you all the best with your project.If you will, excuse me for now sire.
Client: I see.Alright, go on.

Sidd: Thank you sire.

Doon Youth Centre
By Siddharth Sharma  |  View on Facebook

Empowering youth today for transformed and complete individuals and families of tomorrow !
Doon Youth Centre has now been serving in our communities for over 11 years.

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We have a centre where young people can hang out,meet other people, play sports, read, etc all in a healthy and safe environment.In addition, we offer counseling services for anyone who may want to talk to us about issues or challenges in their lives.
We have a team of volunteers trained to work with young people.In the eleven years since we opened, we feel that the needs of youth have really changed drastically especially since the advent of the internet.

We want our services to be relevant to today’s youth.We want to better understand what and where the youth of today are turning to for entertainment, friendship, etc.
One of the pitfalls of all the recent technological developments has been the host of negative influences that the youth today face thanks to the effects of television, internet, etc. We want to understand what these influences are and how young people are coping with them.

We are therefore conducting an online survey.
If you are a school or college student between the age group of 13-23 and Indian, then you are eligible to take the survey.
If you are not eligible to take the survey then you can do your bit by sharing this link [ http://bit.ly/dycsurvey ] on Facebook, Twitter, Orkut, email with others who are eligible.

You will notice that it is completely anonymous and the information shared will be totally confidential.
We would appreciate your honesty and openess in answering as some of the questions are quite bold and upfront.
Only by giving us real answers can we better serve you.

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Before I commence with anything, I have a question in my mind.

Do you have a better mind or are u blessed with better brains than others?

Trust me I am not being rude it is just that everyone on this planet earth is blessed with an equal brain of 1350 grams. God has not been biased at all.
He has been equal to all of us; when it is this way then who are we to decide that one is more intelligent than the other one ?

Everyone is special in some sense. Take the example of your family itself. Our fathers are good at office and moms good at home.
If there ever was a test regarding who is better,It would have been unfair because both are superb in their respective fields. All I mean to say is that everyone cannot be good at everything.

I know it sounds very weird to many but the only thing that bothers me is “ who is someone to measure my ability” or in other words ” who has the right to measure my ability ?”
When I score a mark less than another,I am being denied of too many things or rather I am addressed as a failure.
There can be so many reasons of why I scored a mark less but the consequences that follow are too much to justify my fault.

Here is a situation:- I appear for an examination in which I score a mark less than my my nearest competitor. Fine !
The consequences however are – either drop that field or if I appear again.In both the cases I am a failure.

Even if it is not an examination, even if it is a business or any decision in life,if it doesn’t work out, I am considered a failure.

My father always says that I will learn from experiences in life, but if it is this way then no one is supposed to call me a failure because everyone must have gone through this phase so no one deserves to call me a failure.

When I go to bed at night I ask HIM “ why did you make me this way ? ”;“ why did you not give me birth in a royal family ?”;“ please Father help me, get me out of this!”
“Dad why does everyone has to point out a finger at me??”
And so many similar questions.
The only answer I get is -

‘What I have is something no one else has , this isn’t something to be proud of but I should be happy about being special.
I need not be born in a royal family because I am strong enough to make my way out.
I do not need any help. I have enough in me to make it.
If any one is pointing at me, ha ! Who cares !
Should I be bothered?’

I am here for a reason and no one can measure my ability except HIM. How could anyone possibly measure my ability on the basis of marks which I scored during an examination of three hours out of the thousands of hours that I am supposed to live in my life?

If I should be measured,it should be at the end of my life.
And no one else but Him deserves to rate me.
And I cannot be a failure,because if I am a failure,it’s not me but it will be HIM who will be the failure, which is impossible.

Image credit – dabarnabrani

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Children are waiting upon Santa Claus to arrive on a “one horse open sleigh” and bring them gifts. Big houses can’t get enough of Santa. The face of every successful marketing strategy on great sales of kids toys, clothes, etc is unmistakably the man in the red outfit- Santa Claus.
Bonuses have been paid out by employers.

Taking a break from work and re-uniting with family and friends is the unwritten rule of these few weeks.
So much, about the build up to it. As for the day itself, getting drunk and wasted all night long can’t be waited upon by many.
So far so good. I think we have gotten it all together. I am sure you agree with me on the points above. I think I managed to get the facts together.

However there is one small problem. What happened to Jesus ?

I think that name used to figure somewhere during Christmas, as we knew it back then as kids.
Truth be told, Christ-mas is about and only about the celebration of the birth of Christ, Jesus Christ.
And that is all. It is not about Santa Claus and is not about anything else, other commemorating the birth of Jesus.
It’s hard to believe but I tell you one thing, go around and ask , ‘what is Christmas’ and you will be surprised to  know, that people well and truly believe that it is Santa Claus’s big day.

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For me, a great source of learning what is good and what is not has been my own household. Probably, your dwelling is that part of life that allows you lengthy periods of inertia; freedom from explicit awareness of location. Admittedly, it is good to have that.  However, once in a while there is a situation or episode that jolts you out of your listless existence; taking you on a journey from the mundane to the most profound of lessons.

Staying abreast with the day to day developments taking place within the confines of my residence has been quite a challenge for me in recent times. My routine as regards getting myself formal education is demanding enough to keep me mentally, if not physically, occupied for most part of the day – including my sleep hours. This has a behavioral dimension, with the effect that I fail to take note of thoughtfully unimportant yet perceivably significant things about myself. Personal tidiness, for one, is nowhere near the top of my list of personal priorities. Combined with forgetfulness, the resulting consequences can be serious; even disquieting for that matter. Read on to know more.

It so happened that I hadn’t trimmed my fingernails in a while. It’s not surprising, for when your entire focus is on getting your study act right, even something as criminal as skipping meals doesn’t bother you much. My mother is a vociferous critic of such carelessness; understandably so. In matters of physical well-being, there is no compromise; as she often gets upset to the extent of losing her temper. Something as unkempt as untrimmed fingernails really gets her into action – it’s as though an irritant has entered her eyes!

On a typical Sunday afternoon, my parents and I have lunch with my maternal grandparents. It’s one of those places – the dining table – where just anything can become the topic of an engaging discussion. Given a choice, I would never want myself or anything to do with that to become the topic. But being the only ‘kid’ around, evasion is not easy. Even if I go unnoticed there, courtesy more important issues like my grandparents’ health or somebody’s marriage, there is simply no escape during the lounge session in which the sweets-after-the-meals are savoured. As it is, I am not too fond of sweets, and people in my family think that I refuse to consume them ‘cause I am weight conscious. On the whole, the setting is almost always perfect for the inspection of me – from the hair on my head to the soles of my footwear. My grandfather lovingly asks me every now and then – Health Bulletin ke kya haal hain? (What’s up with your health!?) He particularly dislikes my keeping a goatee, which he disapproves by calling it Bakara Daari (Goat’s beard)…though he encourages me to apply a fixxo to my mustache, which involves growing a mustache long and thick enough to give it an upward curl on both ends!

Pampered I have been, and it seems pampered I will be.

This past Sunday, during the sweets’ session, my Grandfather pointedly said to me that my nails have indeed grown big; implying that I really need to clip them. My mother had already thrown light upon the matter during lunch; I had been slapped-on-the-wrist and asked to take care of the outgrowth a.s.a.p. Thankfully, she was not around when my grandfather worded his observation; his opinion automatically increases the force of the argument.

My parents arrived home a little later than myself. They were expecting me to have cut my nails by the time they reached home, whereas the thought had not even occurred to me. My mother was quick to notice this – my father wouldn’t have been able to take note even if I had met him face-to-face, which I actually didn’t until a couple of hours later. When my mother suggested that I should get going right away, I excused myself by saying that I was sleepy. However, I told her that even Nanaji (Grandpa) had asked me to get rid of my dirty nails. The acknowledgment had the anticipated effect, but I was able to postpone the much-in-demand act.

But I was certainly reminded that I was giving germs license to enter my system.

The real thing happened after I woke up early evening. The first thing my mother uttered was ‘get up and cut your nails’. The calmness rewarded by a good nap discouraged me to make the move. So I said that let me do the needful next morning. And I reiterated the same at her subsequent assertions. That’s when she lost her cool – the first thing she did was shout down-the-stairs – to tell my father that I was not giving in. This is something that I don’t quite like. So I became even more resolute (I give myself some grace by not using the word s-t-u-b-b-o-r-n!).

To add to the stupidity of the situation, I started teasing mummy instead of agreeing to do what I had to. In response, she scolded me and reminded me how I leave everything to ‘tomorrow’. As her anger grew, she said a couple of other things which she unarguably shouldn’t have.

In the midst of this, I had already made a trip downstairs to where my father was watching TV. Having received the news from upstairs, he too theorized about my habit of procrastination. I argued that it didn’t apply to a petty activity like trimming nails. But he was vehement as usual.

My mother maintained her note as I returned upstairs to pick up a few things. The nail cutter was waiting – resting on the table. Seeing the inappropriateness of her tone continue, I too let my guard down and proclaimed that I do not agree with her concept of cleanliness. I went to the extent of saying that I cannot respect such behavior on her part. But all too much had been said and I had no choice but to give in. After having heard from her that I won’t be able to concentrate on my studies until and unless I clipped my nails short, I was feeling angry and hurt.

Papa, however, was right. Nails’ maintenance took me exactly 2 minutes. While I was subconsciously appreciative of this, I was determined to not talk to my mother for sometime – quite some time to be honest. But everything changed after I sat next to my father; having accomplished the task.

It is one of the most unique conversational experiences I have ever had. The conversation started off by my complaining to Papa about mummy’s unjustified behavior. It’s not good, I said – how she gets hyper for small things.  When he repeated his own opinion about my procrastination and its ramifications, I said one of those things that I regard as completely original and clever. It doesn’t sound the same when said in English as it does in Hindi but here goes:

Ahem…Has it ever happened that my fingernails have remained uncut? (Can it ever happen???!!)

This wasn’t the first time I had worded this sentiment; I’ve used it whenever asked urgently to trim nails. This time out, it did manage to mollify my father.

My father then addressed my concern regarding my mother’s behavior. What he said took me by surprise (no one like him, I must confess…): “She does get angry once in a while but she has changed her attitude a lot over the years, and is still i-m-p-r-o-v-i-n-g”.

The words struck me. Having been familiarized with the ‘Feelings Cycle’ at the Doon Youth Centre (DYC), they made a lot more sense to me than I assume they would to people who haven’t heard of it. I couldn’t then, and can’t now, deny that my mother has made some very good changes in her lifestyle.

How could I obstruct her humble efforts by enacting ‘reactive choices’ like not talking to her or telling her that she is unreasonable and difficult? Foolish it would have been, had I made such a choice. In an instant, I had a change of heart…

That is when the thought occurred that I could manage my ruffled feelings by writing down the experience. That is how this post happened. It was the best response I could think of!

Later that day, I had a long chat with my mother when she was in the mood. Really, all she had wanted was me to trim my fingernails. She was pleased to see that I had done the job, and I was calm enough to let her know that I had planned not to talk to her! I got my opportunity to explain my point of view. I did a lot of bakwaas (Translation _________ )…countered everything that she had to say…

But it was okay. The in-the-end was worth the trouble…

As it always is…!

Situations keep happening, and methinks that the best ones happen at home. Admirably, it is the little things that give you away. Rather, it’s the little things that give you a way…to be better in every sense of the term.

Probably, the best four words that can precede the clause ‘from this situation’ are ‘What can I learn’. This is what the tale of the fingernails has taught me – but I can already see – there is a lot more to come out of my household…

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I’m stuck up, I can’t breathe,
I can’t live my own life,
Though my life is mine .
So many promises to keep,
So that ‘They’ can smile .

Loads of worries I have of my own,
Still keeping up with the burden.
Burden, to fulfill all the expectations.
I have no time for me.

“Go, run. Get lost in the dark sycamore.”
My heart, one day it shouted.
“Go! Live your own life,
The way you always wanted.”

I ran towards the sycamore,
In search of a new life.
Away from that wretched old life.
Alone. No problems will be there,
No tensions will be mine.

Near my destination I stopped,
To look back one last time.
To see old faces once more,
And all that I left behind.

My eyes met those lovely eyes,
Those bright lit up faces.
How could I run away from them?
They are loved ones, my only ones.
They’ve been with me all through this time,
Some one like them, could I ever find?

Tears finding way through their cheeks,
Their love, their care, their smiles,
Their anger, their fights, their ridicule,
I’m leaving them all behind.

Realization hit me, tears rolled down.
How mean of me to leave them there,
With pain and hurt and cries.
They need me, I need them too,
I realized they are my life.

I turned, desperate to get back to them,
But aaahhhh !!! There he was,
A distorted figure in front of me.
The guard of the dark life,
A spirit from the sycamore.

He looked at me with ferret red eyes,
He looked horribly awful.
A shrill laugh and then he took out,
A beautiful, sparkling dagger.
And then…………………………
……………………… He stabbed me.

Pain nearly killed me,
Fresh blood oozed out.
He disappeared, I tried to stand.
I couldn’t and I collapsed.

I gasped for breath, every thing was fading.
I thought I saw a known face.
Blurred image of one of my loved one,
With great difficulty, I called out for help,
Then deep sleep covered me all around.

I opened my eyes and hurriedly got up,
Sweat trickled down, heart thumping.
It was dark but I looked by my side,
With fear showing on my face.

A loved one was peacefully sleeping by me,
I thanked God and smiled.

Hurdles are crossed when your loved ones are with you.
You fulfill the expectations,
Keep the promises,
And then every thing’s fine.

I guess life’s not that bad too.
Expectations and promises are nice.
Problems make your relation stronger.
And also that good and bad times,
Are phases of life you have to pass.

And the most important thing I’ve known,
I confide it to you –
“Life’s good, whichever way it is.”
Hope I’m not wrong,
No. I’m not wrong,
Because this is very true.

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By Parishrut

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Guddu aged around 55 years is/was working with my brother as an assistant to him, in a daily newspaper at Allahabad.
He is innocent, hard working, good natured and always ready to help anyone. He is not married and is living with his elder brother, bhabhi(sister-in-law), their two kids and mother who is bed ridden.
He loves and respects his mother and all other members in the family a lot (as we all do). Now the reason , as to why this name is echoing in my mind.
As his mother is not really well and he loves her a lot, he has left his job to give his full time and attention to his mother (which we ALL may not do – I believe).

Was it required to quit the job? Do such steps really help?

If one answers in the affirmative considering that this is being done for his mother, then I am ready to accept the fact that mothers are priceless and should be well attended.  But won’t you go deep into the realities of life? He has no one to look after him. If you say it’s his brother then I would definitely respond with an answer that how can we expect him to get aid from a brother, who is unable to take care of his mother.
What will Guddu do for his livelihood and till when? Is he a fool or does he have some vested interest in doing all this for his mother?
Then I recollect that Guddu is innocent etc. etc. Is he stupid? Yes? That means I outright, am refusing to accept the fact that mothers should be taken care by her off- springs during trying circumstances.  Is his love for his mother so great that he has nothing else to think of ?
My article may seem to be confusing as I am not able to get an answer to my own question.

So will someone help me to know this strange person Guddu and the actual reason for him to take this step of quitting his Job for the reason of looking after his ailing mother?

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