Ganges is My Spring of Life

Final Draft of My Book is Ready!

2009-01-25T16:07:00.000-08:00

My new book:

"Qmaths! Mathematical Methods for Speed and Accuracy for Malaysian Schools" is almost out, hopefully in February.

I have solely used the Vedas and the Puranas to show the mathematical methodology, using the works of the Shankaracharya himself, Jagadguru Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtaji. I've also included some of my own formulas which are again based on the Vedas and the Puranas.

I also have a trained group of students (aged 10 to 15) who are math whizzes! A year ago they were just regular students struggling with numbers. Now they have super powers! :) Soon I shall be taking them on a nation wide tour.

Evolution of the presentation for Oct. 24, 2008

2008-11-03T02:51:00.000-08:00

24th October, 2008 was the date for our softlaunch, presided over by YB Dr. Halimah Ali. These sequence of photos explain some of the processes that went into the creation of the "Spinning Exploding Globe for MyTM" presentation and launch sequence.

The entire presentation was created using White Dune. Entirely written in VRML and not embedded into HTML. I used a VRML client to view the material which was then projected onto the large screen using a LCD projector.

The main guiding words for the presentation was:

1. Global
2. Local
3. Technology
4. Education

The first part of the sequence is the entry into the MYTM education Museum. The Museum shows all the education material, past and present, that had been or being developed by MYTM.

The museum's doors open out to a vast lawn, with trees in a row, leading to a podium where a spinning globe has been placed. The background is the Gunung Kinabalu! Cool eh?

The door itself is actually a indexed face set, which I created in CorelDraw and exported out as a 2D vector image. It was a simple oval shape.

(The scene outside, as viewed through White Dune)

This oval shape vector object was then imported into Truespace and I subjected it to a "Sweep", which created a swept 3D object from a 2D vector through a single axis.

This was then exported to VRML using the builtin exporter.

The image on the right shows the door (strange rendering by White Dune, because it shows only part of opening of the door). The actual oval door was then transformed by changing the transparency of the object, making it translucent.

I then added a script to make the door open by pulling the door down with the mouse. The actual door looks like the next image captured from the VRML viewer client.

The image also shows the objects beyond the door, which I placed simply by following the axes direction, seen in the image to the right (the axes are X, Y and Z).

The process of placing the objects is simple in White Dune.

(The door seen through the VRML viewer client). Note the translucency of the door and the object beyond it.

YB then proceeds to open the door, at which point she is presented with a stunning vista!

Trees lining her path, a red carpet, the vast Gunung Kinabalu ahead of her, she moves to the podium, where a spinning globe awaits. This is the point of impact, or start sequence.

The fact is there a 2 main timers in the VRML script which I wrote. The first timer is the spinning globe timer, which is connected to a orientation interpolator and connected to the transform group of the globe.

The second timer governs two main things, the explosion of the globe and the banner rising sequence.

At the push of the impact or start sequence, the first timer stops (I sent a "Stop Time" tick to the timer). Furthermore, I also created a Proximity Sensor to ensure that she is at the right spot for the Impact Sequence.

You can observe the Touch Sensor being enabled in the picture at right (I have enlarged a section of the "finger" and placed at lower left of the image). This is important since I didn't want the YB to launch the impact sequence from afar. I wanted her to stand as close as possible, creating a nice frame effect with the podium, spinning globe and the Kinabalu in the background. And the view we have is shown at right.

As soon as the Impact Sequence starts, the spinning globe explodes and various banners and boxes appear. The image at left shows at T+2 seconds after Impact Sequence start.

The entire Impact Sequence lasts 40 seconds, synced to music (Europe's Final Countdown). And at the end of the 40 seconds, the image is as shown at right.

Several tricks of the trade:

1. The trees along the path are not 3D! They are basically 2D images (PNG-Portable Network Graphics), with transparencies. This image is then mapped on a cube, approximately the ratio of the height and width of the image. This cube is then scripted to a "Billboard" function, which basically rotates the cube to face the avatar, creating an illusion of a rounded shape!

The cubes I used to place map the PNG image can be clearly seen in the image at right. These are invisible in the VRML viewer client. Also notice that Kinabalu ends abruptly in the background!

Thats the second trick I used to create an illusion of a wide vista. I mapped a plain JPEG image of Kinabalu onto a cube, which I placed at the background.

Attack on Yoga

2008-10-31T05:30:00.000-07:00

Sanatan dharma has been attacked again and again, yet it has persisted for thousands of years! The gifts of the dharma to the world are numerous, if not complete. Yet we see more attacks on our philosophy and religion.

It looks particularly menacing now, using threats of violence and persecution as a means of achieving their goal. But I hope the people of the dharma remain truthful to the basic philosophy - ahimsa (peace).

For those who wish harm on our philosophy and religion, I tell you, it won't be me to hang the sword of karma over you! It will be shakti herself! And that force won't stop to take names! Remember that....

The truth is yoga works! But because its a derivative of the dharma philosophy, you can sense the hatred. The hatred is like stabbing, straight to the bone. The need to see anguish in our eyes is blatant. Their desire is to see us hide ourselves in sadness and shame. Why? Because we believe in something that really, truly works!

Well, I know yoga works because I can show you the results:

If I were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: search the Truth through non-violent means. A man many not believe in God and still call himself a Hindu. Hinduism is a relentless pursuit after truth. - Mahatma Gandhi on Hinduism.

Looking for the Silver-eared Mesia....

2008-08-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

The Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris), one of the most beautiful babblers that I have ever seen. Thought I would spend next weekend looking for it.

Saw a whole group at the Boh Tea Plantation at Cameron Highlands some time ago. Hmmmm...

Multiplications using bases other than 10, 100, 1000 etc.

2008-08-05T23:24:00.001-07:00

I have shown how easy and fast it is to multiply numbers using a base number. However, these bases tend to be factors of 10 or 100, etc. And if the numbers we are dealing with are not close to these factors, using bases such 20, 30 or 40 is desirable.

HINT: Using any number is possible as a base! Wait for the next streaming.

NOTE: These methods are derived from the Hindu scriptures, particularly the Vedas. For further info, check out Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha's Vedic mathematics.

Live video chat by Ustream

Wanted to Go Live Streaming!

2008-07-31T22:44:00.000-07:00

Sek Keb Jalan Meru (2):

Streaming Video by Ustream.TV

J'accuse...!

2008-07-30T05:05:00.000-07:00

Melaka Program at Naza Hotel, 5 July, 2008

2008-07-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Impressive crowd and good work by the MyTm Community!

We promised the folks we will return in a fortnight.

Yayasan Amal Malaysia

2008-07-01T16:15:00.001-07:00

Had a great time presenting the Qmaths and Str8A to Yayasan Amal Malaysia at Shah Alam.

Loceng maut...

2008-05-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

"Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." -- John Donne

If you gotta listen to the news.....

2008-05-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

Eagles! I love em...

"...Its interesting when people die-
Give us dirty laundry..."

"...We all know that crap is king
Give us dirty laundry!..." Haha! Brilliant!

Good beat, I like...

2008-05-14T10:08:00.000-07:00

Its really reminiscent of the Thaipusam dance beat. What DarkKey has done is to infuse it with that almighty musical instrument - the electric guitar. Good stuff! I bet Richard Dorrall would give me a two hour tongue lashing if he hears this!

Some of the lyrics (truly Malaysian, I tell you):

"...dei maccha, nee sollu dari mana? vadda, vadda, vadda, vadda, vadda maccha, bijak..."
"...tarak pa, tarak pa, mugatulle rettum vadikitu, tarak pa...kerana, kerana, sandapottu, [can't make it out] merana..."

And of course the title of the song - Karatana. A "karat" person (karat = rust).

Rock On Guys!

Subtractions, a primer...

2008-05-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

I was in Taman Medan Jaya, Klang, on Saturday for a preview of our program, especially Qmaths. Its always a good feeling, especially if the kids and their parents show up and take part.

I had finished the "all of nine, last of ten" formula when one of the parents asked: "What if the number to be subtracted from (edit: the minuend, if you must know) is not 100 or 1000 or whatever, but a complex number, like 4,321?"

OK, I said. Lets figure that out.

Lets say we are trying to find the difference between 1,234 and 4,321:

Step 1:
Subtract 2,000 from 4,321. Why? Because 2,000 is the nearest thousandth number and larger then 1,234. If the subtrahend (thats the name we give to 1,234 in our example here) is say is only 234, then it is not 2,000 but 300. Get it? Anyway, we get 2,321 as our answer.

Step 2:
Using "All of nine, last of ten" we subtract 234 out of 1000. Easy aint it?

Step 3:
Add 2,321 and 766! Thats all there is to it!

QED!

Convent Klang and Qmaths!

2008-04-07T15:30:00.000-07:00

We were there on 29th March, 2008 to demonstrate Qmaths. The kids took to it like duck to water!

3D Island!

2008-03-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

This is the 3D island I created for EVO. You'll need to download the VRML viewer. click

You will need a VRML viewer for this...

Phantom of the Opera....

2008-03-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, I love Bruce, but sometimes Paul Di'anno is just sooooo good! I listen to this everyday:

Malek Noor!

2008-03-16T07:39:00.001-07:00

Met the man himself at a function at MyTm Dot Biz. Look at the size of those deltoids!

Dedicated to those who fought and won for a new Malaysia!

2008-03-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

You guys, with the titanium cojoneses, for winning under tremendous pressure and threats, physical and psychological, from the Barisan Nasional. For slaying the dragon, and getting to hell and back! (A song inspired by a poem, inspired, in turn, by an act of extraordinary courage)

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
-Charge of the Light Brigade (Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1854)

NvU - Web Building class for the community - Class 01032008

2008-03-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

I ran the class last Saturday (1st March, 2008). 14 members showed up, which is a sign of improvement.

I am told the next class has been scheduled for the 15th of March. So if you are interested in learning how to create a web presence, sign up!

Faster Than Lightning! Expanding on multiplication method for numbers near to a base number....

2008-02-29T14:32:00.000-08:00

How fast would you able to calculate 105 X 104, without pen or paper or a calculator?

Let me demonstrate a method to compute the answer in your brain in less than 10 seconds!

If you are proficient with using a base number to calculate your squares or simple multiplications, this, then, is a breeze. First off, use 100 as your base number.

Simply add the deviations (either one) and .... multiply them (the deviations)!

105 X 104 = [104 + 5].[4 X5]

= [109].[20]

= 10920 #

Try it with other numbers nearer to 100 (either less or more). What do you think? With my own karat old brain, I can compute the answers in 5 seconds or less. Test yourself.

Donate Rice! Play and Feed the Hungry!

2008-02-28T16:13:00.000-08:00

If you are good at vocabulary, or if you think you are good in English, why don't you help out feeding people? How you ask?

Just click on the image:

What a novel idea!

Check with SPR.GOV quick, please people!

2008-02-24T10:23:00.000-08:00

Please check the Election Commission's website for your polling stations and all the relevant channel and serial numbers. Write it down somewhere, if you can't print the data out. Check the location on a map and plan to be there early. I can't believe that this is my third time voting in this constituency!

I checked mine, which surprisingly, even came with a picture ;-)

Speed is the Key!

2008-02-18T08:12:00.000-08:00

Lets look at the multiplications of 9 (that special number!) :

9 X 1 = 09
9 X 2 = 18
9 X 3 = 27
9 X 4 = 36
9 X 5 = 45
9 X 6 = 54
9 X 7 = 63
9 X 8 = 72
9 X 9 = 81
9 X 10 = 90

If you look closely, the product of the multiplication seem to follow a simple pattern. And if you are familiar with the concept of "Digital Sum", you will also notice something else. What?

First of all, if you look at the first result, (I have deliberately written it as 09 rather than just 9), you will notice that the Digital Sum of the the result is also 9. This is the same for all the multiplications of nine. So this is our first clue.

Secondly, when 9 is multiplied by a number (up to 10, in the first set), the result then starts with a number that is one less. Say for instance, 9 X 6, the result must start with a number one less than 6, which is 5. And since we know that the Digital Sum of the result must be also 9, so the second number must be....4, of course! So the answer is simply 54.

Simple isn't it?

Expanding if further, notice that any product of multiplications of 9 has a Digital Sum of 9: e.g.:

108 X 9 = 972

972 --> 9+7+2 --> 18 --> 1+8 --> 9!

Speed and Power: Multiplying Numbers with the Same Ending...

2008-02-09T01:35:00.000-08:00

Jagadguru Swami Sri Bhārati Kŗşņa Tīrthaji Mahāraja showed through Nikhilam Navatascaram Dasatah that you can instantly multiply numbers using a base number. Lets say we are trying to multiply 18 X 13. Here if we use 10 as our base, and we find the deviation of the numbers from the base, the rest is so easy to calculate.

18 : deviation from base = 8
13 : deviation from base = 3

Now, we cross-add one of the deviations to the number, for instance, 18 + 3. Either way we get 21. That will be our left most number. Now we multiply the deviations, 8 X 3, to get 24. Now since we are using base 10, we leave 4 (from the 24) as the right most number and carry the 2 to the left most number, which is 21. So we get [21 + 2].[4] = 234!

This is explained quite thoroughly in other websites and posts, especially here.

But if that intrigued your interest, how about if we try something else? Lets say we have two numbers, both end with the same number, lets say 23 and 13.

If we want to quickly (and mentally) multiply the numbers, just do this 3 step process:

1. Square the ending number to get the the right-most number of the answer: in this case its 9
2. Add the two first numbers together, (2 + 1) and multiply it with the ending number (3): in this case its 3 X 3. This gives us the middle number, which is 9.
3. To get the left-most number, just multiply the first numbers together, in this case (2 X 1), to get 2.

So, the answer is 299.

Lets try that with a bigger number, lets say (212 X 312). In this case the common ending number is not 2 but 12! So to get the right-most number, we just square the ending number, which is 12 to get 144. But since the ending number is based on ten, we leave 44 as the right-most number of the answer and carry the 1 to add to the middle.

The middle number is simply (2+3) X 12, which is 60. Add the 1 from the carry we just did, and you get 61, which is the middle number.

The left most number is simply (2X3) = 6.

So the answer is: 66144.

Since the idea is to keep the multiplication as simple as possible, this technique can cut your calculation time considerably and even save on paper! I can do this similar calculations in less than 10 seconds, and I would think younger students can do it in less.

What do you think? Email me.

Blood Donation with the boss...(2)

2008-01-24T08:24:00.001-08:00

Here are the pics of us at the Blood Bank: This is with the boss, Sam. Sam is the CEO of MyTm. A Master Marketer, his life story is something everyone should read!

Somehow I persuaded him to donate blood! Anyway he was gracious enough to come with me and get stuck with needles too.

Again, Staff Nurse Sharifah expertly collected the blood, and the boss was smiling at the end! Thanks Sam for a great day!

Blood Donation with the boss...

2008-01-24T04:04:00.001-08:00

Since yesterday was a public holiday, the blood bank was closed. So today I thought I might get the big-boss-man to go with me to the donation center. He was gracious enough and off we went to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang!

The cutie pie made a HOLE(!) in my finger and sucked out the blood!!

Sorry, that was not the way it was done. This is how it went:

The technician (a definite cutie) pricked my fingers and pipetted out a small amount of blood. She did the ABO test and also the colorimetric hemoglobin test using a hemoglobin photometer.

Next, a short interview. "Did you recently have sex with a prostitute?" "No ma'am, I've been celibate for the past 7 years!" Then she took my weight (80 kg.) and my BP (120/80).

Next, I lay on the cushioned seat while the orderly prepares the tubes, cannula and collection bag. She was sweet enough to take some pictures of us. She even prepared our drinks and food when we had done donating.

Next, the Staff Nurse, Puan Sharifah, wrapped a torniquet around my upper arm, which helps to speed up the process. before giving me a Lidocaine injection, which is an anaesthetic, on my inner elbow.

This is then followed by the cannula, a large needle which will draw out the blood from my median cubital vein.

It took just under two minutes for the 450 cc collection bag to be filled. The final portion of the process is to collect blood samples for screening. Typically the blood is screened for Hepatitis B and C, HIV, Syphilis, etc.

We rested for a few minutes before we were given complimentary drinks and food.

The entire process was pleasant because of the professionalism of the staff, without a doubt.

I do it as a "dharma", a duty. The amount of blood given is easily replaced by the body, but to the patient in need, it may be the life saver.

For the donor, there are so many advantages. Indeed the whole donation process burns about 650 calories! Try that for trimming your body a little bit.

Studies have also shown that donating blood reduces the risk of heart disease, in men especially. It stimulates the production of red blood cells

Off to the temple, then to the hospital....

2008-01-22T20:39:00.000-08:00

Temple for prayers, hospital for blood donation.

It s not easy being a Hindu, or Is it that hard being Hindu (well, maybe in Malaysia)

2007-12-22T21:16:00.000-08:00

I saw this on another blog:

Well folks…

I guess that it is not easy to be a Hindu not only here in Malaysia (as highlighted by HINDRAF) but also in other parts of the world. Take a look at the recent fuss raised by the Hindu community in the United Kingdom for an example. I don’t think anyone else outside their Hindu community can help them on that. The Hindus have to help themselves first.
[can't link to video]
Why can’t they just abolish that caste system of theirs and treat everyone like equals?

And I commented on the blog like so:

Wanna see my comments? Please send me a message.

Fact is, I give as good as I get.

Creating a Bittorrent File for Sharing on a Peer to Peer Network...

2007-12-19T08:26:00.000-08:00

First off, make sure your file (s) is clean! Don't upload thrash, virus, adware or malware! People will hate you, forever!

Next, if you have a video you want to share, the best way is to set up a torrent file and upload the torrent file (NOT the video file!) to a tracker. Without going in too much detail, torrent works by sharing the video directly from your hard disk to the folks who wants it.

These are the steps:

1. Download a bittorrent agent. My favorite is μtorrent. Its easy and its safe. It does not have any viruses, adware or malware.

Double click on the μtorrent icon and you'll see this:

Cool hah?

2. Now, click on "File" and "Create New Torrent"

3. Then you will get this screen:

This is where you specify the file to be shared, and μtorrent will create the torrent file. The first thing you do is to specify the file to share - click "Add file" or if you have copied an entire VCD or DVD to your hard drive, click "Add directory". Next: Add the tracker ("A BitTorrent tracker is a server which assists in the communication between peers using the BitTorrent protocol..."). You can use any of these trackers:

http://open.tracker.thepiratebay.org/announce
http://www.torrent-downloads.to:2710/announce
http://denis.stalker.h3q.com:6969/announce
udp://denis.stalker.h3q.com:6969/announce
http://www.sumotracker.com/announce
http://pirates.sumotracker.com/announce

Just copy the whole address of the tracker such as http://open.tracker.thepiratebay.org/announce and place it into the tracker

sekejap ah, belum habis.... mau letak gambar

Please don't ask me what it means.

2007-12-19T04:08:00.000-08:00

"Life, one thing go confidential wrong is dangerous" - VK Lingam, c. 2002

Please don't ask me what it means. Thank you.

Underwear model...NOT!

2007-12-12T06:03:00.000-08:00

BAIL DENIED FOR BATU CAVES 31!

2007-12-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

Well, I didn't really expect they would be kind to us, did I?

--From Malaysiakini:
Judge Azimah Omar says she is denying bail for national security reasons and based on the severity of the charges. More--

How 26 Hindus who tried to kill a cop but couldn't is beyond me. Absurd you say! But I know exactly what they are trying to do. Root word: Hindus Behave!

But why do I feel guilty about it? Anyway, I am heartened by this comment at Kit's blog:

"Don’t know the facts of what happened on Sunday 25th Nov in Batu Caves except hearsay acount.

However an unusually large crowd might have have assembled at Batu Caves Murugan Temple the night before. “Unusually large ” means (say) twice more than the usual numbers experienced in such religious celebrations.

It leads to inference that:-

(a) Some were there solely to celebrate religious festivities unassociated with Hindraf’s call to assemble;
(b) Some probably for both reasons to celebrate religious festivities as well as participate in Hindraf’s assembly;
(c) Maybe some mainly as a gathering point to participate in the assembly.

The fact is you’d never know who was who mingled together and what were motives. However those under (a) were completely innocent of illegal assembly. I would say if one could read others minds whether they belonged to (a)(b) or (c ), then for so long as they were within temple precincts, it must be presumed all were innocent of intention to participate in Hindraf’s assembly.

Situation changed once they assembled outside the temple and didn’t go their own way.

According to account of RPK (MalaysiaToday) (I don’t know true or not)“at 4.00am, when the Indians tried to start their march, they were pushed back into the temple grounds and the gates locked”. When you people came out and assembled (rather than go different ways) in large numbers outside the temple at 4 am in the morning, I would say that it is reasonable inference of participation in Hindraf’s rally – which at that point of time and place would be an illegal asembly (in sense no permit) and defence under (a) becomes implausible….

The police under these circumstances had the right to disperse such an assembly by use of reasonable force if their calls to disperse were not heeded. (What is reasonable force, and whether using chemical laced water canons and canisters of tear gas is such or not such is a matter of opinion which I don’t think it is necessary to express in context of the real issues in contention).

Had the stones or rocks been thrown by persons in such an assembly at FRUs and police injuring them, these persons singly or in concert throwing such objects, will - I suppose – be guilty of committing offence of grievous hurt or even aggravated battery/assault on law enforecement personel.

It is no defence to say that it was a response to the police were shooting water canons and tear gas when the latter acts were within “reasonable force” to stop and disperse an illegal assembly.

To say that it was an attempt to murder, that I think is a trifle far fetched. Such a charge was formulated and the AG is personally prosecuting the case to deliver the signal that the government would tolerate no such behaviour (in the demonstrations to come) and intend to use the 26 as deterrent to prove the point.

Now the situation and conclusions would radically change in another scenario : ie when massive show of police force had pushed all illegal assemblers back into the temple precincts and grounds and the gates were locked and people trapped inside.

What should the FRUs/police do? I would say nothing. They had done their job. They had stopped an illegal assembly.

Even if they had failed to disperse the crowd, they were contained with the assembly confined within the temple grounds.

In such a case (here again if RPK’s account were to be believed) if the police (as alleged) shot into the temple grounds “with volley after volley of tear gas until they ran out of stock, with new supplies were brought in”, this would, I imagine, constitute unlawful police brutality.

It was hardly a necesary act to contain a problem - tyhe illegal asembly was already prevented from proceeding - it was an act to punish people trapped within a confined area because they had intended to participate in Hindraf’s rally.

That the area is a temple ground, made these acts (to devotees) sacrilegious, and to other faithfuls, tantamount descrecrating a place of worship.

Had the fracas (rock and stone throwing) occurred within the temple precincts – or even if the rock throwers were within and law enforcement personel were outside (separated by gate), such offence of rock throwing might arguably be excused or mitigated substantially as a kind of self defence against unlawful assault and punishment of a group of people trapped within temple grounds.

Never mind this group had originally intended to participate in an illegal asembly but they were no more now, the assembly had been stopped, they were confined in an area together with other innocent bystanders within the precincts whose presence within might entirely be for worship, having nothing to do with the assembly. Yes I think those locked in within the temple grounds, injured by police action, could try redress by civil suit under these circumstances.

This would not extend to those ‘heroes’ who climbed the gates, scaled the walls to go outside to purposely battle the police with rocks and stones in retaliation for the police actions."

Most of the lawyers are followers of the Sanathana Dharma. Lets see truth prevail!

HINDRAF RULES, OK!

Remember this picture. Forever.

2007-12-02T05:20:00.000-08:00

Remember this pic. Remember it well. If you seek peace in Malaysia, this is what they will do to you. Remember this. Don't ever forget."They may torture my body, break my bones, even kill me; then they will have my dead body. Not my obedience!" - Mahatma Gandhi

HINDRAF RULES, OK!

MIC to set up hotlines: Is this a joke?

2007-11-29T18:57:00.000-08:00

Like the "Aduan LPKP" kind of hotline? Jika Kenderaan Ini Dipandu Secara Merbahaya, Sila Buat Aduan Di....
(refer to The Star story here)

I suppose the mandors now realise they have to listen to their coolies. Sometimes. For so long these idiots have been living in cloud cuckoo land (with apologies to Aristophanes), with their Mercs and gangsta life (with gangsta bodyguards to boot!), and all the bling bling, suddenly they grace us with their divine presence? Has Vishnu taken on a new Avatar? Don't think so.

Pinjam RM1000, Dapat RM1000!
Perhaps the most ingenious method of Ah Long advertisement (that I've come across) is that of using a reproduction of a half of RM50 (albeit with the text "SPECIMEN" written in the smallest of letters) on one side and the Ah Long ad on the other. These are then deliberately strewn on the "kaki lima". What would a hot blooded, All-Malaysian, brota or sista to do?

This "Hotline" is almost that, in my opinion. Its devoid of innovation, thats for sure, but it sure will attract a lot of attention! Nombor Aduan LPKP, who hasn't seen that? The blind, of course! Has anyone used it? Has it made any difference to:

the way Malaysians drive?
the number of accidents?
the horrendous nature of road deaths?
the length of traffic jams just to gawk at the people trying to change their tyres?
the amount of money (adjusted for inflation and taxes) you have to fork out to the "officer"?
the way the Bas Ekpress driver takes the hairpin turn near Bukit Berapit (that would have Fernando Alonso go "Wow!")?

"Asked if all these measures were due to the Hindraf protest last Sunday, he said MIC had always submitted a report to the Prime Minister every six months." Sure, sure. I'd be impressed if they update their website every six months! (Don't fool me now, I have the screen capture of the MIC website with me, which I took about six seconds ago!)

Perhaps MIC should place the hotline numbers at the rear of their Mercs "Nombor Aduan MIC". Don't forget to put "Specimen" mark on it though!

HINDRAF RULES, OK!

HINDRAF RULES, OK!

2007-11-26T08:05:00.000-08:00

You Talking To Me?

2007-11-05T07:36:00.000-08:00

Wanna be healthy? Do Yoga!

Navagraha, the decimal system and the concept of zero...

2007-10-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

I've always wondered the significance of circumambulating the Navagraha (Pradakshina). And why Nava - graha (Nine - Realms)? Almost all temples have them, but most people I talk to give mythological explanations, which I am skeptical of, since I believe the sages had other more deep scientific reasoning behind it.

Another thing that had always been a mystery to me (and I am sure to most people) is the symbol "0" for zero.

We know the zero is an invention of the Hindus, forming part of the decimal numbering system, but what was the evolution of the symbol?

The first clue for me came from this video from Rebecca Newburn

Now consider this: One pradakshina is passing through 9 grahas right? How do you graphically represent one circle? "0"! Now comes the best part - one pradashina is 9 grahas, what happens if you pass the next graha? 1 graha past 0, right? 10! To check - if you go round three times, you pass (literally) 27 grahas right? Plus 3 more grahas - 3 grahas past 0, right? 30!

So 40 grahas is actually 4 grahas past the end of the circle (0) four times (which is 4 X 9 plus 4 more grahas). More importantly, in the Vedic Math usage, any and each number can be contained within the Navagrahas.

In Ms Newburns video, we actually see the usage of this containment. I have used this effectively in my lectures. One example is here.

Now there are other secrets of the Navagraha that I wish to explore...

The Hindu Concept of the Beginning and End of the Universe...

2007-10-15T02:14:00.000-07:00

I am speechless! This is the link to Carl Sagan (!!) talking about Hinduism and the evolution of the universe (s!).

I did a little more research and found that the Hindu concept is the basis of the current scientific thinking on the universe creation and dissolution. This is from MSNBC, Neil Turok of Cambridge and Paul Steinhard of Princeton.

"...Balslev began the exchange by noting that, in Hindu tradition, the universe was “beginningless” — and that even such an eternal universe was dependent upon the sustaining power of the divine..."

Wow!

Post Blood Donation...

2007-10-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

Rested for 24 hours after the donation. I didn't feel any particular effect due to the donation, although the record book indicates 450 cc were taken. Today I did some asanas, and I don't any particular pain or tiredness.

Feels pretty good really!

Donated Blood Today...

2007-10-11T02:30:00.000-07:00

Went to Hospital Tunku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang for blood donation today. Had a quick test, though BP was not to my liking, probably due to me walking there (130/90). Last week it was 128/78.

Anyway, this is a Dharma and needs to be done.

Pranayam: Breath Control for a Tight Bod....

2007-09-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

...Pranayama (Sanskrit: prāṇāyāma) is a Sanskrit word often translated as control of the life force (prana).^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4] When used as a technical term in yoga, it is often translated more specifically as "breath control". ... Source: Wikipedia

Due to sudden increase in bp, in the past few days, I decided to try some Pranayam techniques. I suspected a viral infection, and I tried the simplest of pranayam technique (see below). It took about 3 days for the infection to subside.

1. using your left thumb, press to close the left nostril
2. inhale using your right nostril - use the abdomen as much as possible
3. hold for 2 seconds
4. whilst releasing your left thumb, use your left index to close the right nostril
5. exhale through the left nostril
6. repeat for about 10 to 15 times

Not too much or you'll feel dizzy! Too much oxygen...

"Yoga works primarily with the energy in the body, through the science of pranayama, or energy-control. Prana means also ‘breath.’ Yoga teaches how, through breath-control, to still the mind and attain higher states of awareness. The higher teachings of yoga take one beyond techniques, and show the yogi, or yoga practitioner, how to direct his concentration in such a way as not only to harmonize human with divine consciousness, but to merge his consciousness in the Infinite." — Paramahansa Yogananda

Does Meat Contain Starch?

2007-09-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

"...Previously, experts had wondered if meat in the diet was the answer.

Brain food

However, Dr Nathaniel Dominy and colleagues argue this is improbable.

"Even when you look at modern human hunter-gatherers, meat is a relatively small fraction of their diet.

"To think that, two to four million years ago, a small-brained, awkwardly bipedal animal could efficiently acquire meat, even by scavenging, just doesn't make a whole lot of sense."..."

From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6983330.stm

Case closed!

Dang! I hate it when I am right!

Jim's Golden Sea Bream

2007-09-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

Well Jim, Captain Cook got it wrong! This is NOT a Snapper, but a Sea Bream!

(Jim's holding a Golden Sea Bream Pagrus auratus, caught around Moreton Bay, off Brisbane. Apparently the northern limit for this particular species.)

August Progress....

2007-08-29T04:50:00.000-07:00

This month I started high repetition exercises. I am using different Yoga poses, but with high rep positions.

I am also trying out some of the other high impact, low rep positions as well.

Some of the effects are intense, even if I am feeling OK, but I can sense the higher impact on the muscles. I've also been able to add up to 3 sets to the current number of sets (6 each) possible.

Blood Sugar Level...

2007-08-27T04:13:00.000-07:00

My blood sugar level today: 5.3 mmol/L and my Blood Pressure: 122/81 mmHg. Heart Rate: 62 bpm.

Earth, Wind and Fire - September

2007-08-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite sounds!

Vedic Math Classes

2007-08-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

I actually ran the class on the 12th of August, 2007. Had about 20 students. I showed the digit sum technique for checking additions and "all of nine, last of ten" formula. One technique that I showed is from this youtube video. Try it!

STR8A Product Launch 1st of September!

2007-08-16T04:01:00.000-07:00

Str8A, the innovative learning phenomenon, is set for 1st September 2007 official launch date! Check back here for details. I'll try to publish as soon as possible.

Mom and Dad Remembered...

2007-08-08T03:14:00.000-07:00

Thevasam for mom and dad at big brother's place

Was in Parit Buntar. Good function.

Off to Penang

2007-08-03T09:02:00.001-07:00

I just got back from Kuantan. Tomorrow I am flying off to Penang for dad's second year Thevasam.

Kuantan trip was pretty good (well, actually very, very good!!). Good place to stay too!

View from the hotel. Pic on the left is view upriver, and the view below is view toward the sea. The sea is actually the body of water middle right.

Muscle Mass and Vegetarianism....

2007-07-31T21:58:00.000-07:00

Was in Penang the weekend for a meeting at DynaPharm. Explained the muscle mass building techniques suitable for vegetarians and those on restricted diet.

The best part? I had collected one whole box full of toys for my niece and had the chance to meet up with her. Good stuff!

Flying off to Kuantan today.

Bahan-bahan Baru Untuk STR8A...

2007-07-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

Untuk yang masih belum tahu lagi, anda sudah boleh mendaftar untuk Str8A, jika anda adalah ahli Sam Millenium Networld. Pastikan anda menghubungi Ari pejabat utama untuk keterangan lanjut mengenai keahlian.

Keahlian umum akan dibuka tidak lama lagi.

More about Shambo...

2007-07-27T01:11:00.000-07:00

Reading the many blogs that arose during the Shambo affair, you get a sense that the west is absolutely bonkers. I cannot fathom the very deep, deep desire to kill this creature, triviliasing its death and the scorn poured on the people at the Skanda Vale temple.

All through the ordeal, and I was viewing it live, even if I was not in the UK, I sensed that it would not end as I would've liked it. How could I write it down? Is there anything that I can write to explain how and what I feel? Fortunately, there are people on this planet who can articulate the feeling that I had better than I ever could!

"They kept their vows and celebrated the sanctity and divine nature of all life without violent resistance even when confronted with an act of desecration." - Paul Flynn

I thought this phrase really did sum up my feeling on the matter. I can't beat that.

UPDATE:Wenda at Paul Flynn's blog has reported that "...for an independant post mortem to be carried out alongside the WAG post mortem. The Skanda Vale lawyers have advised ... that this has been declined by the Welsh assembly although they have said that the vet can observe...."

Please Save Shambo!

2007-07-26T07:06:00.000-07:00

I am following the story of Shambo, the bull kept by the Skanda Vale Hindu community, Wales, UK.

As a vegetarian myself (and a Hindu), the death of any life is abhorrent to me, but this case is the worst. If anything the bull is NOT a health hazard. The disease is curable, and the people taking care of the animal are willing to treat it.

I think its just the killing culture of the west. Sadly most wouldn't have even seen the way they kill these animals. What do you expect from people who kill Iraqi children for breakfast?

I am following the story here.

UPDATE: The temple website has confirmed that the bull has been removed to be slaughtered. Well, I certainly didn't expect a miracle, but I prayed. Karma may not be as kind as me though.

Str8A has its own home...

2007-07-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

Str8A is now located at http://str8a.com.my. Str8A (for those who are not familiar, is the innovative Malaysian education site) will now be hosted here and all material can be found here as well. However, if you need to demo, please go to http://myedu.my-tm.biz and use the login there.

I am developing a 3D web education site....

2007-05-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

Check it out at the forum:
http://straighta.14.forumer.com/index.php

Or go to the site:
http://myedu.my-tm.biz

Hello World!

2007-03-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

Ganges truly is my spring of life! Its my late mother's name. Ganges. She is the life spring I appeared forth.