Finishing point

Blogathon- Count down # 1

   September has come to its end, and my 'Blogathon'. so, this is the last post in the Blog- marathon..

It was not an easy task for me to be up-to-date with my mission. I missed the flow, near the finishing end. It was really a very 'busy september'..

  Thank you all my friends, for all your love and support, during the Blogathon  Those who found time for reading my post and make some comments are really honoured.  Thanks a Ton!!. Privy, who wrote a guest post[ calculating life] for me can never be forgotten.

  So, I hope, I can do better next time..

Cheers!!!!



Sikha



   

'Abnormal' or 'Ab - normal'..?

Blogathon- Count down # 2

            Me go to college by our college bus. It is just  30 minutes travel  from my home. When I get in the bus, and settled near a window, I will be having the outside view, if nobody is near me to start any talk. Sometimes, I will lose myself in some thoughts. Yeah, I am such a crazy thinker..

            Some weeks ago, I came to see something different during my travel. I have seen a big house, named ‘ Ramanattumalika” on the road side itself. The thing, that caught my eye was the board which was kept near the gate. Something was written on that. But, I was not able to read it from a running bus. But, one day I really made it!! And you know, what was written on that?

            That read like this- “ Anybody who enter this house should switch off your body parts above  your neck by themselves”..I was just surprised. My mouth wide open.. and so as my colleague’s. What the..?[ imitating ASR in IPPKND in starplus].

            I am sure, you all may are wondering reading this. Me then enquired my bus mates about this. Most of them were already aware of that. And  here is the summary of what they told me- There lives a man alone by himself. He is not mentally normal. Sometimes he appears in-front of the house in a long kurta- pyjama and wearing big sunglasses. He is very tall,..abnormally tall. Sometimes he is found sitting near the gate. His wife is a doctor, and his children are also in good positions. But, they are not with him. He is alone in that big house. Everybody were saying about him just like a joke. But, I felt so.. bad. I have told them, ‘Oh, what a poor condition. We never have to laugh at such an unlucky person”. But, my own mind got changed when I heard about his flashback.

            That goes like this- He is a criminal, who just got out from the jail less than one year ago. He was accused and  punished on the murder of his own brother, for the huge money and property to which they were the share holders. And his brother who got murdered was a murderer by himself!! He killed his own father. That too for money. Oh! What a family!! May due to his abnormality in mental condition, he have got the concession on humanitarian ground and that may have helped him to get released from the jail.

            I got really shocked. I never thought such kind of people are there near my place. All the pity I had just before hearing his past, had gone by then. I don’t know, whether he deserves it.

            On another day, we have seen him infront of his house, with pure white kurta-pyjama and black colored glasses. But, there was something else that made every one laugh. In the court yard there were a large number of long pyjamas hanging!!! Surrounding his house, there were a lot of pyjamas in different colours. Most of them were in white. One of my colleague exclaimed “ Oh, this guy has got this much clothes?!!!!. Everybody laughed at this, and within no time, we all reached college. Everybody started their works. Me was thinking..”I he really mad? I mean, is hi abnormality is real? Does he deserve pity?”. I don’ know.. better, I leave that topic, and stop thinking about that...

      Is he 'abnormal' or 'Ab-normal'. [ In Hindi, 'ab' means 'now']

            Sikha

Today's thought # 2

Blogathon- Count down # 3



" A person who irritates you always is , the one who loves you very much but fails to express it...."



  What do you think my friends...?


Sikha

Feeling satisfied..

Blogathon- Count down # 4

            The symposium at college has come to an end today. Everything was fine, and well organized. The college authorities congratulated all the co-ordinators in making this a grant success. Ours is a new budding college, and this was our first symposium. Even, this was our first attempt, we could make it work!! And that too , within a limited time of 10 days. Cheers to all!!!

           

            

  Sikha

An experience that made me more strong..

Blogathon- count down # 5 

            There are some times, when we find ourselves so..helpless about the things happening around us..There are days full of unpleasant things, and nothing to make us happy. At these times, life become difficult day by day. We will start losing our own strength and confidence, as nothing to hope good.  We all may have experienced this, at least once in our lifetime. Me also had this more than once..

            I was thinking about my PG project days.. It was the most stressful days I had yet. Mine was a very big and important project, and I was doing it alone. When I reached the Research & Development center  I was hoping to be got involved in any current project team. But, there was nobody to help me. They didn't acknowledged at least our presence [ me and my friend and classmate ‘J’; she was doing her project in an area different from mine], for the beginning months. Even our project Guide was not that much serious about us. But, we have made him to have mind us and appreciate us for our works. We both had to work a lot to achieve that.

            The big headache was not about the project work or topic. We were confident about our work, but there were some kind of people, who like to harass others. May be because of their ego and complex mind, they find happiness in making others to suffer and hurt. Whenever their superiors scold them, they come out from their frustration by throwing it on others. And we project students are the ‘things’ to trash out their frustrations. And, you know , me and she happened to be the ‘victims’ of that year. J

            There was a person, who comes in this category. He made us suffer a lot.. he used to laugh at us before everyone, always trying to be smart by ditching others. We were mentally tortured so..much. And about my condition- I was becoming more and more depressed day by day. I used to come to and leave from R&D on correct time, every day except Sunday. But, the thing is that, no any progress was there in my project. I have started hating to be there. Became more and more silent at home also. I felt myself detaching from my family also. I was feeling so bad ...and wishing to end this as soon as possible. Sometimes I have become so down , and even cursed my idea to do my Masters.

            On one day during that time, my project Guide called me in his cabin to inquire about my project progress. Actually he called me, knowing that things are not going well [about the project], and wanted to make me know, that he is aware of that. But, when he was about to scold me, I have lost my control and within no time, I was in tears. He got shocked on my behavior  and tried to calm me down, and started asking me the things very slowly. I was bursting out in tears and all my tensions, frustrations and everything was just flooding out, and what can I say.. I was feeling good, feeling my heart lightened to a great extent. To all my surprise, he, The project manager of this famous and reputed firm, was giving all his ears to me so..patiently. I never thought that, he is that much approachable and kind to such a ‘childish’ me. He asked more details about my family also. He made me understand, why such people behave like that, and how to deal with them. After this meeting, I felt so relieved and happy. And before leaving, I promised him that, I will try my best to give a good result to him.

            And from the very next day, I have flushed out the thoughts about all the bad experiences I had because of that person. And started avoiding him in every point. And you know, what happened finally? My project was a success, more than that expected from them. Then they appreciated and acknowledged everything I have done on the project. No words to explain my happiness..

            During those days, I mean after the new beginning, I used to write diary daily. I used to list 5 good things happened each day. And you know, it was a great success. Even in a very dull day, I could find out five good things. Also, I have started reading so many good blogs, which made me mentally peaceful and happy. And I have started facing life more positively, and that reflected in my work also..

            That was a very stressful period in my life. But, that really helped me to understand different kinds of people, and taught me how to face to such problems. The saying is so right- ‘Everything happens for a reason’...

Instant drawings # 2

Blogathon - Count down # 6

Faces...

Sikha

Today's thought

Blogathon- Count down # 7




" Anger is one letter short of ' Danger'  .."



Sikha

A serious problem..

 Blogathon- Count down # 8

I am facing a problem now. Everyone – my family, friends, colleagues etc.. all say the same thing. Even strangers also ask when they also got a chance to speak. All complains me about one thing. They also suggest me the remedy. But, all in vein....

            They all say in a single tone  “You are so..thin”..

            What can I do? I have tried a lot to change this image, but couldn’t. In school days and at the beginning of my graduation, things were okay then. But, as I have completed 4 yr’s graduation, I have lost 4 Kilos. Then during the working period, me got thinner again. And after post graduation, I have changed too much to be recognized by old friends and ‘ not- daily- meet’ relatives. Some people say, it’s because of the study (Hey, they think me as a very studious girl, and me NOT..never JJ), family says it’s due to my ‘worry- for-nothing’ character. Friends says, me have to love my food. Colleagues say, I have to compromise sometimes about the perfection in profession.

            

            I don’t know what’s the problem really is.. still trying my best to get a progress...

Sikha

Busy september

Blogathon- Count down # 9

  

  Privy, one of my dearest friend has a diary in which she used to name each month on account of what she looking forward in to that month. It's really a nice thought. You can read about it here. 

   

   If I have to name this month on account of my experiences, I will definitely call it as ' Busy September'. This is because I am soo.. busy nowadays. Especially this September. And you know what, me doing the Blogathon on the same month. I think, I can just list the things that make me this much occupied. So, they are;

1.     Semester end 'marathon'  :- Yes, I am doing another marathon at college.  One semester is said to be having 6 months duration. But only for a saying. Now, it's only nearly 3 months from the opening day. University exams are declared to be on 1st week of November. So, from the mid-October should be given for study leave. Now, you may have understood my problem. The portions are not completed yet. So, we all faculties are just trying to run fast. But, we can't just throw the lessons with out quality. that's the real issue. The students also become tired (only if they also try to study). JJ

2.     Symposium @ college:- Our college is conducting a technical symposium on 26th and 27th September. Electrical department( my department) is conducting this with Electronics Dept. and Instrumentation Dept. Me too have got duties in some of the events on those days. I got selected as the chief co-ordinator for the event ‘paper presentation’. Very little time left now, and a lot of things to do. I have almost completed the preparations, but a bit tensed about the day. [ Another reason for tension: Mixed college students are also invited to take part. Note, our’s is a girls only college. So you know the risk factor JJ].

3.     Two PSC tests (Kerala PSC) are coming on the next month. I haven’t started the preparations yet. But, still busy with the planning section [ finding the syllabus, get the topics , get the hall ticket, and How to prepare etc].

4.     I have got happy news to tell you my dear friends. My project paper got selected for a National Conference to be conducted from 3^rd to 5^th October. I have to prepare for this presentation, and ‘Oh my God! time is running..!!

5.     I have got an online job also. As subject Matter Expert in Cramster. My job is to give solutions for the questions in some text books given. I have finished the training course some days before. They have sent me the certificate, and I have been given my first assignment. I have to solve 55 questions in September and October. It’s going to be a little bit tough task.

6.     I have to go to my previous college to collect my scholarship and other certificates left.

7.     I have to go to bank, and have some deal with them.

8.     There are 4 unavoidable marriage functions coming the next week.

9.     I have to keep my ‘Blogathon’ running. I have to find one post each day [ not so easy for every day]

10.  Household chores, and other stuffs I need to do, my books left to read, my family time etc...

I think, it is a long list already. [ me too shocked!!]. I need to wind up now. Things are in the queue alreadyJ

 Bye for now...

Sikha

colorfully complicated

Blogathon- Count down # 10

(a)colorfully complicated

(b) Simply colored

(c) Hut

Sikha

3+1 = 4 Idiots

Blogathon- Count down # 11



  This is something I have written some months ago. Today, me not feeling well and can't break my blogathon..

8-05-2012

   The day after tomorrow, is my project evaluation day..But, till now, I haven’t started the preparations. Actually, I was disturbed, for some unknown reasons..This happens, sometimes..i mean, we worry for nothing..And here I don’t have the mood for studying.

          Normally when I feel a low, I used to read something(Most probably my favourites),and sometimes I used to hear music, or I will call any of my dearest ones…And, there is one more way ..that I am going to tell,..the same I applied today…

          3- idiots is one of my favourite films. It is really. superb na..? but here I am giving a different tag to it..For me, it is a stress reducer….Especially, when there is a lot of stuffs to do and study, and I am not in a mood to do that..

          Today also, I watched it just before sometime, and you know what..?I feel good now,and what is next??  Hey, starting the preparations..

  Do you feel me as an ‘idiot’?? Then, thank you for your compliment..you are free to say that, 3+1=4 Idiots. JJJ

Instant drawings # 1

Blogathon- Count down #12

  (i)  This is an outline of a Keralite Hindu bride.

 (ii) Clouds and sun in a different look! Sun..The king of stars.With a crown!!

(iii)A colorful canvas.




Smiley created by me..









Smiley turned out to......

  (iv)Remembering the stressful project days...





Sikha

My Diary-Almost forgotten

           Blogathon- Count Down # 13

     I have started writing diary from my school days, and it has become a routine from 2003. My Diary- my best friend was with me in all my happiness, my sorrows, my excitements, my ambitions, my foolish thoughts, my unnecessary worries... and in everything related to me. It was to her, I can open up myself completely. Even though I have many friends, I couldn’t feel free to talk everything about me. She was my close friend, my valuable possession. She always kept everything secret, unless I want to reveal. She had enjoyed my small- small victories with me. When I was feeling low, she was there to hold my hands. When I was complaining about anything, she used to hear everything silently. If I were crying, she also cries with me, making me laugh myself.[ sounds crazy?].

            When I found my love, her responsibilities also got increased. Every emotion of mine got doubled. Let it be happiness, craziness, sorrows (whenever we had a fight or something) anything.. But, she was okay with all that. She accepted all that changes with all her heart. And keep on being with me giving extra support. With passing of each year, I used to give her a new look also. From the last year when my project started, I became more lazy about sharing my thoughts and feelings with her. I made the excuse that, ‘I am so busy’ and stressed with my works, and only shared the plans of next day. Only the ‘To do’ lists. I think, she may have felt so bad about this. And you know what, I am such a selfish that, I used to reach her, when I feel a bit down, and nobody else to share. This year too, she is being avoided by me. I regret.. Nowadays, I don’t even see her regularly. I have started pouring some of my feelings to my blog. And she became more and more neglected.

            I really feel sorry for her. Last night, I have opened my ‘treasure box’[will detail it later], and taken all my diaries out. They reflect ‘me’.. my growth..mental and spiritual growth. I really want to go through all those in one sitting. But, it was not an easy task really. I have gone through the oldest one, and wondered how much I got changed now from then..! That brought me back some old memories [sweet and sour, good and bad]. I really got changed a lot. I was feeling a bit sleepy and stopped at finishing the first one.

            On bed, I was thinking about the changes I had. I have found that all the changes are not fair. I mean, there are good changes as well as bad changes. I need to rectify it. I need to get back myself.

            I have again started to talk to her. J. Me happy.. J so as she JJ

Monday Images # 2

Blogathon- Count down # 14

    Wherever you may go, if you have a place to come back, if you have anyone waiting for you there, then that's your home. The people, who are having this shelter are the lucky ones..



      Sikha

Rejuvenating Sunday

Blogathon- Count Down # 15

Every weekend, after a week’s hectic schedule, I get one day off. Sundays are thus so special for me. Any how, there will be a lot of work to do . All the cleaning, washing, etc..etc..and preparation for the next week. Oh! Even Sundays are not free of work for me. But, I have decided to give myself some ‘ Me’ time. I have to rejuvenate myself. At the weekends, I feel so exhausted..

                Usually, on Sundays I wake up late. And start things a bit slowly. But, I found it no use. My intention was to feel relaxed, and behaving like nothing is ahead to do. But, this result in a very busy Sunday evening, as almost the works are pending, a lot to do and I will start to hate Mondays. This is repeating every week, and I am doing nothing about it!!. How can I be this much irresponsible?!!

            So, let me think about it. What should I do? Shall I start all the work as every other working days? Or shall I give up the idea of having a ‘precious off day’? Hey, It is not that I am becoming lazy, or don’t like my job. Actually, I love my job. I really enjoy doing it. But, I miss something. I miss, those days, in which I can be with a book (not study), any time. I love to read. I was such a restless book worm, who keeps on going to new -new books. But, you know, what happened now? I am not daring to make a look on the books, those I have bought with so much passion, which I keep near to my bed. In the past two months, I have finished only one book, other two still just in the starting point. The last book I have read was “One amazing Thing” , by Chitra Bannerji Divakaruni. It was really an amazing reading. Now, I just have started ‘Lessons in forgetting’ ,by Anita Nair. Oh! I  think, the topic has diverted now. Ok, getting back to that; I haven’t touched about 7 new books in my shelf, yet to read. I have brought these more than 3 months back. I have never had such a situation. ‘Books are there untouched by me?!!’ that was not possible. But, you know, it is what happening now.

            When I started my job, I haven’t there to make any blog post too.. One day, I felt so bad about this, and came back with the mission ‘Blogathon’- and it is going on well. Aren’t I busy nowadays? Then how can I keep my blog space refreshing every day? So, here is the answer. “where there is a will, there is a way”.

            So, coming back to the ‘rejuvenating Sunday’. I have decided to make my Sundays as ‘Spa day’[Mental spa]. Decided to wake up in the usual time [will make it a bit earlier step by step], and will have bath and breakfast on the usual time. The time between waking up and breakfast, will be my “Me time”. I will meditate in the cool mornings, without the tension to get ready and go college. I will have a long refreshing bath, as a compensation for the hasty-short one on other days. I will enjoy my breakfast, instead of just skipping it like in most of the days, or making it a Breakfast+ lunch on the past Sundays. Then only, I will start my works. Hey, I am not going to be called as a workaholic, who keeps on working on holidays. I will do if any urgent thing is to be done. Actually, I am planning to finish almost my work on Saturdays [then that will be called as Hectic Saturday J], leaving nothing  for Sundays. Then, after the house hold chores, I can be with any of my favourite books, movies or songs. I will enjoy ‘my day’ completely. And I will be going to bed with a happy, content and satisfied heart...

     Sikha

            

Happy Engineers Day

Blogathon- Count down # 16

My first 'blogger award'

   
Blogathon- Count down # 17


 I used to read so many interesting blogs, and have started mine too. Sometimes I wondered about how they are getting the 'Blogger awards'. But, getting one for myself was very much far from my wish. But, atlast that happened..Hey, me also got awarded by my sweetest friend privy trifles. She has given me the 'Leibster blog' award.

    The rules are:

1. You have to publish your award in your blog.
2. You have to answer the questions given by those who nominated you.
3. Find some nominees, and prepare questions for them and let them know about this.

These are the questions given by Privy. I have answered them, but not sure it got hit anywhere.

1.                   Define yourself in one word.

• Sentimental ( 1% ‘senti’ and 99% ‘mental’  J..)

2.                  If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?

• I would like to stay in my current age.

3.                  If you knew the world was ending in 2012, what would you do differently?

• I don’t know what I will do differently. But, if I knew the world was ending in 2012, I may have married to him as much early as possible.

4.                  If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?

• My parent’s marriage.[sorry, family first]

5.                  If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?

• Harry potter.

6.                  If you got a magic wand and could change only one thing, what would that be?

• I want a world without anybody who have to begg for their food. Especially little kids. I want to change the poverty, which is the basis of most of the crimes and immoral things.

7.                  If you could ask your future self one question what would it be?

•  This may sound crazy, but I will ask “Are you happy?”

8.                 What is your most prizest possession? Why?

• Letters from him. Because those made me change a lot. My views, my feelings and a lot.. those letters made me realize how much I can be loved and cared.

9.                  What is the one thing you feel is most mis-understood?

• A close friendship between a boy and a girl.

10.              One thing you would like to tell Me

• You are such an ‘amazing friend’...Lots of hugs..

  My nominees are,

            Riya

            Psych Babbler

            Tarang

            Swagathika

            Dhanya

            Simply livingsimply living

And the questions for them are,

1. What is your greatest achievement so far and why?
2. How do you spend your free time?
3. Your favourite food?
4. To date, what has been your worst disappointment in life?
5. What are the best five words that would describe you?
6. Your dream job?
7. If  you write your autobiography, what will be the title?
8. Who is your favourite writer?
9. Why you have started blogging?
10. What do you love to do most in your life?

           See you then...


Sikha

Right time..

Blogathon- count down # 18


" When it is not given in a right time,
                 Or
   When it is not asked in right time,

You will miss something/someone PRECIOUS  in your Life."



Sikha

Good deeds can defend us..

Blogathon- Count down # 19

“ In battle, in the forest, at the precipice in the mountains,

  In the dark great sea, in the midst of javelins and arrows,

   In sleep, in confusion, in the depths of shame,

          The good deeds a man has done before defend him”

-         From Bhagavad gita

            The ‘Good’ and ‘bad’ things- actually, this can’t be categorised generally. The thing, that seems to be good for someone may not be good for the other one. We all want to good things always. The things that can bring happiness and all the other good feelings. But, we are humans, and nobody can be perfect. So, we do so many bad things too. But, don’t worry if there is any good thing you have done, especially for others, then that will be counted on the right time.  

Expect & Accept

Blogathon- count down # 20

            What is the thing that makes most of us unhappy? I will say ‘Expectations..’. We expect things, situations and people around us to be in our favour. When that don’t work out, we will be left hurt.

            We all wish to be happy. We wish all that comes to us should be good..the best. But, that can never be true. Life is a sinusoid, which has got its ‘crests’ and ‘troughs’. A complete life cycle will have both the good things and bad things.

            This is also true in the case of people around us, those who love us, and the people whom we love.. We all expect good things. [the ‘good’ tings actually depends. The thing you feel is good for you may not be as the same for the other person.]. When we like someone, love someone, respects and admire someone, in our heart, we all wish to get it back. May be its from the same person or other. Everybody want to be considered, and appreciated. There can be nobody who don’t want to love and to be loved, to care and to be cared. It is not necessary that, we want to care a person, whom we want to be cared by.

            “Some people are so lucky that, even after hurting , they get so much love  and some are so unlucky that, even after giving so much love, they always get hurt”..

           

            There are some people who like to be loved and cared by others, but they don’t think it is necessary to return this. Instead, they think it as their privilege just to take things from others and not to give. They don’t even bother about that. And there are some others, who never acknowledge others, for the love and care given by them. They don’t think these things and people should be appreciated and valued for their kind heart. They feel that, they don’t need anybody. They can sustain without the help of any of them. And what is the condition of the other party? Those, who only giving affection and not getting anything in return? There can be only very few of them who giving, because they find happiness in giving. It is not necessary for them to check if they are getting back everything according to their giving. And there can be another type, who expect the same kind of affection and consideration from others. They get disappointed, when the things don’t reach up to their expected level. So, what should we do?

            I think, I know the answer. “Accept”. Yes, we all have to accept whatever comes to us. We can’t do anything about that. But the thing is , how we receive that. The very happiest, and successful people are not the people having least problems. It is not like, God has done any ‘partiality’ to them. The difference is made when the attitude of accepting things changes.

            If you are a person, who like to be loved and cared, then accept that others do wish the same from you. And try to give  with the same heart as you receive favours from them. If you are someone who think ‘I don’t need anybody, I don’t want to care and to be cared”, you are lying. Because, that can never be true. After all, why we all have this life? Just think about it. Consider and appreciate the people who love you even after you continued to be avoiding them. You really need them, and they need you too.. And, for the last type of people who are sad on not getting back the same affection from the other person, accept that too. Accept that, you have to wait some more time, to make them realise, how important you are to them, and how much you need them. Give them some time too. Accept that, we can’t force somebody to love us. Care us... if they deserve you, they will surely understand you and , everything will reach you without any intimation which can be beyond your expectations..

            Some body said “ Expectations always hurt. To be happy, avoid expectations..”. just accept what you get, but in a positive way.

"Monday Images"

Blogathon- count down # 21

 Sikha

Revolt….

                                   

  Blogathon - Count down # 22

    “I like revolution  to read in books, and like to hear about the same..But never tried to speak as a revolt, nor behave as the same…”-

 

    Don’t worry, the above words is given by me itself.

     

     At this point I will wonder about the meaning of revolution..Wondering in the sense that, there can be a lot of meaning for this single word. Anything that changes the current situation can be a revolution, and the one who make this happen (or try to make the change) can be known to be a revolt.

“ Remember…

                When you give blindness to a single eye,

                 There will be thousands of eyes which can light as candles..

                 If you can kill an innocent bird by a single bullet.,

                 You can’t kill the freedom even with thousands of bullets…”
                                                      
                                                                 [from 'Pravasam' by, M. Mukundan]

A visit to Idamalyar

Blogathon- Count down # 23

  I have returned from the industrial visit to Idamalayar power Generating station with my students. So, today I’m thinking about sharing some of the interesting things about the trip.

            We were 47 people in total. 40 students+5 Faculties+ 2 Drivers. We all set out in our College bus( it’s not a less thing. Airconditioned, videocoach-Marcopolo). Students were so much excited about the trip. This is my first industrial visit as a teacher. I have gone for some I.V’s before, but that all were when I was a student. So, this is special for me too.

            As you can expect, the girls were (Our’s is a girl’s only college) enjoying their freedom. They were singing and dancing and making so much noise. We teachers let them enjoy the trip fully, and made some control over them whenever needed. (ha,! I’m talking just like a teacher. ! smiling when remembering my own college days, and our feelings towards teachers when they try to control us).

            The destination is not so far from our college. After going the 3/4^th of the way, the road was becoming  more and more narrow. Then we are in the jungle. Hey, we were travelling through the jungle. Somebody told that, there is chance of seeing some of the animals. We have seen some little monkeys, on the trees on roadside. Our Good luck to say, no any Elephant thought about coming between our way, and make things difficult. But, watching the road becoming narrower again,we were thinking, that road finally may shrink to nothing and we will lost. But, thank God, somehow we made it!. Our big bus managed to reach there. Idamalayar Power Station.

            There was a police check post. Without prior permission, nobody is allowed entering the respective area. We had their permission letters ready with us, and that was not an issue then. Cheers!! We passed our first milestone.

            Then after some formalities there, we have arranged the children in four different groups each group with 10 students, and 1 faculty. Our HOD Mam also accompanied the first group. Then we entered the power station. Each group is allotted with a guide to make the tour of the place.

            So, about the power station- Idamalyar Power Generating station is a hydro electric power station, which uses the water stored in the Idamalyar Dam (4km from Generating station). The total generating capacity is 75 Mega watts, with the help of two generators of 37.5 Mega Watts each. The turbines used were  two ‘Francis turbines’.

            There is only one floor above the ground , which is called as ‘ Service Bay’. It is the top most floor (the rest of the 3 floors are under the ground). The servicing or maintenance is carrying out on this floor. At the time when we reached, one of the generator is under maintenance, and the other was not made operating at that time (That will be made working, when the authorities tell them to do so, as per the energy demand). As, one of them is under  maintenance, we could see the huge parts of the huge machine, that we have read in text books. Students looked so much surprised on the huge size of the generator, which occupy one complete floor, the very next floor under the ground- the “Generator Floor”. We could enter inside the machine, that was on maintenance. I felt a bit suffocation, as we went down and down from earth. The next floor is ‘Turbine floor’- containing two Francis type turbines.This floor also manages the cooling and insulation of the machines and  the bottom most floor does the draining of the used up water.

            I will explain the working of the generating station briefly. How, electricity is generated in a hydro electric power station. The water reservoir (Dam) is at a higher level compared to the turbine level. The water at a high head have a high value of potential energy. (the potential energy of a steady thing increases with increase in height). The water is carried to the power station through two large steel pipes called ‘penstocks’. This water is directly given to the turbine floor, which in turn rotate the turbine wheels. The turbine is rotated making use of the energy of the flowing water. This turbine rotates the rotor (rotating part in the generator). The rotor is rotating inside a magnetic field, inside the stator windings( stationary part). Whenever a conductor moves in a magnetic field, a potential (voltage) is generated. Thus, in this way electricity is generated in a generator. A generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy (which causes rotation) in to electrical energy, whereas a motor is a machine which converts electrical energy in to mechanical energy.

            The water, after using its energy should be made to come outside. As the water comes in the floor under the ground, there should be some special arrangements to drain the waste water (waste-in the sense, the water left after using the energy in it). This left over water is stored a well. the water from the well is pumped to outside where it is known as "tail race". The generators also need some cooling arrangement as the working parts got heated during the operation. The cooling is provided by arranging some oil flowing through small tubes,that surrounds the copper parts. The heat of the parts are first transferred to the oil and and then to water through which the oil tubes are passed finally. There are automatic arrangements for the controlling of this cooling and insulation.

            All the four groups again gathered on the ground floor after visiting all the floors. My students were very much curious about all the things there, and were asking questions and making notes, as they have to submit a report about the I.V.

            You may be knowing that, the voltage generated in every generating station is 11Kilo Volts. And this 11 KV is stepped up to the high transmission voltage using transformers. Idamlayar power station has got a transmission voltage of 110 Kilo Volts. There are a total of 6 transformers, with 3 transformers for each generator. They are equipped on the ground floor, outside the building.

            The power station also take supply from other source, for the working of the entire station, when the generators are idle. When the machines starts generating voltage, the supply source is replaced by the supply that generated by the station itself.
             Before we left the place, we got a chance to see one of the machine working, and the water flowing to the tail race. 

            Thus, our visit to the power station is over. Neglecting some of the problems we faced (2 of the students was about to faint), everything was okay.

            Then we set out for seeing the ‘Idamalayar Dam’. We had planned to have our lunch there. We have been said not to have lunch inside the bus. But, when we were just about to start, there came, without any prior notice, the rain.. It got started raining heavily, and we all scattered to get a shelter. Most of the students got in to the bus, and we faculties got another shelter, which was opened for us by the security staffs there. Then we all had our lunch between that, heavy rain. Thank God! There was no any lightning or thunder (I am so scared of both).

            Then we got the call from college that, we have to reach college before the scheduled time, as all the college buses has to leave at that time because of some unexpected thing. So, we have left our idea to stay some more time, to visit another dam called “Bhoothatahan kettu”(English translation- ‘Beast Dam”). The return journey was also nice. Students were not ready to return so fast. They wanted to stay some more time. So, they were enjoying the return trip to the maximum.

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            I didn’t expect such a long post. So, I’m winding up here. Pardon, if you find this a bit boring..

Sikha