The impending death of the Tamil Brahmin Community..
This is something that I have thought about for quite some time, the impending death of the Tamil Brahmin Community. Essentially a migrant community in search of better opportunities and security, this community is perhaps the most dispersed and urban of all Tamil Communities. Settled in Tamil Nadu for centuries this community witnessed mass migration from villages to cities such as Bombay, Delhi,Calcutta in the British times.With Bombay and Delhi becoming economic hubs,the future generations stayed on and picked up the cosmopolitan culture and married into other communities. Calcutta is perhaps an exception wherein there was a re-migration to other parts of the country and abroad due to economic reasons. Then came the migrations from Indian cities to the western countries again in search of economic prosperity and security. Though the first generation of migrants tried to retain their cultural identity, it is very clear that the future generations are slowly marrying into western communities. The last abode of this community is perhaps Madras, a city known for its conservative outlook. But again it is becoming clear that with cosmopolitanism hitting Madras and economic prosperity becoming a great leveler across communities, cross-community marriage is definitely on the rise.Thus it doesn't take an Einstein to predict that this community will die a slow death in a matter of 50 years or so. The absence of social rigidity in urban centers, economic prosperity and cosmopolitanism could be some of the reasons for the impending death.Frightful thought to some, but the event would indeed be a bellwether of a more progressive India...

K S Balaji - The coolest Physics Prof ever...
It was June 1996. I was a class 11 student contemplating whether to prepare for the IIT JEE. An earlier attempt to meet a renowned professor, the venerable Balasubramaniam aka Balsu or Balu resulted in heartbreak.A friend of mine suggested that I meet KS Balaji at his Gandhinagar, Adyar residence in Madras. I went to his residence reluctantly mindful of the disgrace I had suffered under Balsu. KSB invited me to his room upstairs and treated me with dignity not generally conferred to students. That started my 2 year association with KSB. I was a shy type, never asked questions, but my mind was a sponge savoring all that was on offer in KSB's classes. Our schooling system with its penchant for discipline had turned me into a insecure wreck. I can still remember a problem that KSB solved in class, that I didn't quite understand, but I never had the courage to ask for his help in solving the problem. The problem is still fresh in my mind and I know KSB's solution was brilliant. Despite my inhibitions, I turned to be the best student of his class. In 1998 when I give the IIT entrance exam, all I knew was little bit of Physics. That was enough to get me a rank in the exam but wasn't good enough to get me an admission to any of the best engineering departments in the IIT's. The following years saw me studying in 3 academic institutions of repute. KSB had set a benchmark for teaching and no one else has been able to come close. KSB's classes had instilled a sense of scientific temper in me. It had instilled in me an ability and an eagerness to look for the first principles in all aspects of life. A learning that has been a pillar of hope at times of personal failing. 13 years after I last met the man, I still owe the man for whatever I am today, a tribute to one of the coolest professors in India.

An abrupt end to the 3rd stint...

30 years of my life has seen 3 stints in academia. The first one lasted 16 years , the second 2 and the third lasted one. The years have seen me understanding some of the best academic institutions in India. It has also helped me to understand how things work in the best institutions of the world. I thought Corporate world was a rat race, a place of inflated egos. How mistaken was I. During coursework phase, it is a rat race to get top grades, a signalling mechanism for ability. Later it is a rat race to publish papers in top journals.In the process education and understanding becomes a casualty. Except for the 2 years I learnt my Physics under KS Balaji (The coolest guy who could ever teach Physics in India), I don't think I can ever claim to have enjoyed the learning process in a classroom. Education , except for being a signalling mechanism, is in practice, one of the most useless pursuits mankind could have ever undertaken. What I learnt about economics from my colleague, MS Shankar ,an ex serviceman with a passion for economics pursuing a PhD in HR!!, I hadn't learnt after going through hours of coursework.In one sense it is nice to be back to the Corporate world. I can pursue my academic interests without being fettered by grades and simply enjoy the process of learning.