The 'Design Challenge' that we won

Well, it all began when I registered for the 'Design Challenge' in August. This particular course is a 12 credit course spread over the whole semester. I was in a team of six students out of which two were Indians, three Chinese and an African. The project given to us was on 'Intelligent Street lighting'. Our client was another Indian who had graduated from TU Delft about 4 years ago.

This being a 12 credit course involved a lot of work and took most of the time during the week. The challenge was to come up with the live working prototype of 'intelligent street lighting', which till that time was just a concept on paper. We as a team gelled in very quickly and made up a timetable and schedule to which we adhered ourselves. We also had minor team clashes (which team doesn't); it was great fun and a learning experience to solve all those minor hurdles, meet deadlines, complete weekly tasks and update our progress with the coach.

The project began taking shape during the final two months (later half of the first semester). We believed that to come up with a great product extensive testing of the same was a must. We spent considerable amount of time doing field trials and carrying out tests of different permutations and combinations. Finally we were ready with the product and the system as a whole was working in exactly the same way as we had visualized.

But to get the credit points we not only had to make the live working demo but also a poster, a report and a final presentation in hall filled with people from various disciplines and potential investors. There were two Chinese girls in my team and both were from the Faculty of Industrial Design. So they could make really cool animations and visualizations. One of the Chinese girls made the poster for our project and mind you in was awesome. I took on the responsibility of doing the final presentation. There are two reasons for it first I am not afraid to speak in front of a large audience and second my three years of work experience has made a quite a good public speaker.

The final D day was about a week ahead and I still had not finalized the presentation. I revised it completely just the day before the D day and practiced it just once in front of my room mate ( he being a Chinese too). On the D day I was the last one to give the presentation, competing against the other four rival teams for a prize and possibly for a trophy too. I was dressed in plain grey trousers and normal white half shirt. I started off quite well and I kept on improvising with the flow. At the end of my 15 minute talk I was given a thunderous applause and congratulated by many for such a lucid and simple presentation.

Later during the drinks party our team was announced the winner, with the most investments. My joy knew no bounds. All hard work that we put in finally paid off and I was on cloud nine, dopamine levels shooting in my brain.

How to make 'Addai'

Ingredients Required:

Rice - 1 Cup
Urad dal+Moong Dal+Tuar Dal- 1 Cup
Green chillies
Big Red chillies
Salt

Procedure:

1. Soak the rice and the dal mixture in water for minimum one and half hours.
2. Drain the water from the rice and dal mixture and grind the whole mixture along with green chillies and big red chillies in the blender (mixie). Add water accordingly while grinding, depending on how thick the paste should be. Add more water if you want thinner 'addais'.
3. Add salt according to ones taste.
4. Heat a flat pan and grease it with oil. Use a ladle to spread the 'addai batter'. Allow it to get cooked and turn it upside down, allow this side also to get cooked. Spread little oil around the periphery of the addai, while it gets cooked.
5. Repeat the step 4 for 'n' number of addais.
6. Your addais are ready to eat. Enjoy it with either 'avviyal' or 'onion chutney'.

Liverpool muscles out Chelsea

Liverpool vs Chelsea (7 Nov 2010)

Two big giants of English football took to the field on Sunday evening for one of the important games in the Barclays Premier League. Chelsea, the league leaders with 25 points in their bag travelled to Anfield, Liverpool to take on the merseysiders. Liverpool's form this season has been disappointing, losing home games to Blackpool and the one in the league cup. But with back to back wins against Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers the mood in the team was quite upbeat.

Roy Hodgson had put out his best team to take on Chelsea. Chelsea kick started the first half and were control of the game till the eleventh minute. Liverpool's best striker, Torres struck form at the right time. A superb pass by Dirk Kuyt was neatly put into the back of the net by Torres. Terry was beaten for pace and so was the Chelsea goalkeeper, Petr Cech. Twelve minutes gones Liverpool were in the lead, to the surprise and astonishment of the players and spectators alike.

The Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelloti had kept his best striker Drogba on the bench. Chelsea looked dangerous even though they were a goal behind. Just before half time superman Torres gave the merseysiders another delight with a sublime curl, the ball gradually curving into the back of the net. Liverpool were up by two goals and the mood in the bench was upbeat.

Anfield erupted.

At half time Drogba was brought in for Kalou because the Chelsea manager felt that being two goals behind to Liverpool at their home turf was not to be taken lightly. Lucas, Mereilles and Gerrard all played their roles well, passing and moving forward and trying to score another goal to put the game beyond the reach of the Blues. Young boy Martin Kelly was plying his first major game of the season for Liverpool in the right fullback position. Carragher and Skrtel taking care of the central defence.

Chelsea were unlucky when Anelka's shot scrapped Reina's gloves and hit the crossbar. The ball was till open for Drogba to put it into the net but Jamie Carragher ensured that Liverpool maintained a clean sheet. Just 15 minutes before half Kuyt made a good run with the ball before passing it to Rodriguez who almost finished the game for Liverpool but Cech's outstretched leg denied them the third goal. Full time gone Liverpool could hold off Chelsea with a two goal margin.

The Barclay's premier league is still wide open for anyone to win. Chelsea weren't allowed to run away with the points. Liverpool's classic performance on Sunday will definitely be an eye opener for them and other teams as well. They now sit at the ninth place with 15 points in their kitty.

Liverpool leaps out of 'Relegation Zone'

Bolton Wanderers vs Liverpool (31 Oct 2010)

Liverpool's season has not brought out the usual cheers for its fans. Until last week the English giant was lingering in the bottom of the table with just 9 points in the bag. This poor performance by Liverpool can partly be attributed to the ownership and financial worries at the merseyside club. But yesterday's match against Bolton Wanderers brought some respite for the fans and the manager.

Putting up a strong squad Roy Hodgson wanted to get an easy 3 points at the Reebok stadium but was given stiff resistance by the Wanderers. Bolton started off the first half with more confidence than Liverpool and almost over 50% of the on field action was happening at Liverpool's end. Holden tested the Liverpool goalie with a flash kick but Reina was quick to spot the ball and punch it away. Bolton looked more and more aggressive as the game progressed. Liverpool's upfront attack looked meek and non threatening. Big names like Torres and Joe Cole looked impressive on paper but couldn't deliver.

Bolton on the other hand had a couple of good opportunities to take an early lead but failed to capitalize on any. With skipper Kevin Davies and defender Matt Taylor playing some good football. First half gone the scores were tied at 0-0.

Kevin Davies was just centimeters away from giving Bolton the lead in the second half from a free kick. He headed the ball perfectly but just shy of the goal. Liverpool improved its opportunities and played more attacking football in the second half of the game. Steven Gerrard, Rodriguez and Torres playing some good pass and move football. However neither of the teams could break the deadlock until the 85th minute. Joe Cole had to be substituted with Ngog because Cole had pulled a hamstring. The Chelsea midfielder has not yet delivered the quality he possesses to get Liverpool the victories much needed in the Premier League.

There is saying in football 'Never judge too quickly in football, wait until the last minute'. The same came true. Some superb skills by Torres and diligent passing to maxi Rodriguez ensured Liverpool that they left the Reebok stadium with full three points. Rodriguez was quick to latch on to the pass from Torres and slot it into the net past the Bolton keeper. This victory even got Liverpool out of the bottom three and now they sit at #12 in the table with 12 points, 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea.

Liverpool needs to ensure that they continue winning and not drop points from their future games to secure a place in the top 6 else next season the hope for a Europa qualification will seem bleak. Manager Roy Hodgson says' this victory might be the catalyst for his side's revival this season'.

How to make masala 'Brussel Sprouts'

Ingredients Required:

Brussel Sprouts- approx 7 for each person

Chilli powder - 2 tablespoons

Salt- 1 teaspoon (can be more as per one's taste)

Chat/ Garam masala - 2 tablespoons

Cooking oil- 3 tablespoons

Procedure:

1. Cut the 'Brussel Sprouts' in 4 halves but only till a certain level. Meaning you must be able to hold the sprout in your hand and still see the 4 halves. See the picture.
2. 

   Mix the chilli powder,salt and chat/garam masala together. The spice mixture is ready.
3. Stuff the spice mixture into the above cut 'Brussel Spouts'. Stuff more if you need it more spicier.
4. Pour the oil in a pan and wait until the oil heats up.
5. Put the stuffed 'Brussel Sprouts' into the pan and fry it in oil till they are cooked properly. This will take around 15 minutes.

Your 'Brussel Sprouts' are now ready for eating. Garnish them with chopped coriander leaves.



Amsterdam Marathon 2010

Well, I made my decision to run my first international run exactly one month back and I registered for the Amsterdam half marathon on 18 Sept 2010 (just 1 day before the closing date). Right from the day when I had registered I was quite thrilled and was waiting anxiously for the D day.

On sunday 17 Oct 2010 myself, my roomies (two Chinese students) and another classmate of mine boarded the train to Amsterdam from Delft. They were coming all the way to Amsterdam to cheer for me and I really appreciate that. We boarded the train at 9:03 from Delft and then reached Amsterdam Zuid at 10:45. I must admit the train service in The Netherlands is simply amazing.

We then navigated our way from the station to Sporthallen Zuid, this was the place where the marathon expo was being held and also the place where the running bibs were being distributed. I collected my running number from the designated counter and asked for the 'goodie bag'. But the lady at the counter couldn't understand the meaning of 'goodie bag', she thought it was some kind of brand. Then I explained that usually a bag with lots of stuff is distributed whenever a marathon is conducted but it seems Amsterdam Marathon doesn't give out any stuff like this. May be this is one of the reasons it is still rated 'Silver Class' by the IAAF.

I had about 2 hours left before the start of the run. Thankfully it was a cold and sunny day and the Sun God was merciful in showing his face all day long. I changed my clothes and had a quick meal (bread+biscuits+banana). We then proceeded towards the 'STARTVAK' the dutch term for starting point. I handed over my bags and belongings to my friends and did my warm up session. This is the first time I was running a half marathon in the afternoon. The runners were divided into 4-5 packs and I was in the last pack. The time was 13:30 and our pack still had not started, I was getting a bit anxious. Finally our pack was flagged off at 13:45. I waved to my friends and started on a positive note.

The route was superb and the climate excellent. But at many places the route was quite narrow and the runners had to squeeze through or slow down so that they don't bump into one another. I had set my mind for a finish under 2 hours but the last three miles were tough. I had to slow down my pace in the end. Usually when one doesn't have any friends taking part in the run he/she sets another runner as his/her target and then follows/overtakes the target. In my case I had set my target on a girl, who was pretty good. It soon became like a cat and mouse game. I overtaking her and then she overtaking me then again I overtook her only to find that she was just behind my heels and overtook me after the tenth mile. I couldn't catch up with her after 10 miles.

I finally reached the olympic stadium, this is where the finish point was and completed my run with a net timing of 2:08:26 hrs. Oh man, I was at the olympic stadium and that was a wonderful feeling, may be once in a life time opportunity. I received my finisher's medal and was looking out for my friends but couldn't find them. I joined them back at the same place from where I had collected my running number. They were happy for me that i finished the run successfully.

RUNNING NUMBER: 31321

NET FINISH TIME: 2:08:26

THIS IS MY 8TH HALF MARATHON AND MY FIRST INTERNATIONAL ONE.

How to make WHEAT DOSA

Ingredients required:

Wheat flour ( use qty according to number of persons)

Salt ( as per one’s requirement)

Onions, finely chopped

Green chillies, finely chopped

Mustard ( 1 teaspoon)

Cumin seeds (1 teaspoon)

Asafoetida (for taste and smell)

Procedure:

1. Take sufficient quantity of wheat flour for required number of persons.

2. Add water to the wheat flour till a watery mixture is formed. ( NOTE: do not add too much water thereby making the mixture very dilute)

3. Add the finely chopped onions and green chillies to the above mixture.

4. Add salt to suit one’s taste and as per one’s requirement.

5. In a separate small ‘kadai’ pour some oil and wait till the oil heats. Now add mustard, cumin seeds and asafoetida.

6. Pour the above spices into the flour mixture. Now your batter is ready.

7. Take a flat pan (tawa) and heat it up. Add some oil on the pan and spread it evenly throughout the pan (this is needed to prevent the dosa from sticking to the pan).

8. Pour the batter onto the flat pan in small quantities and spread it evenly on the pan. Add small quantities of oil on top so that the batter is cooked properly.

9. After you start seeing holes beginning to be formed on top of the batter, invert the batter to the other side (flip it over by an angle of 180 degrees). Wait till the other side is cooked. Now you may remove the batter from the pan.

10. Repeat the above step to make as many dosas as you want.

11. Your ‘Wheat Dosas’ are ready now. You can serve them with coconut chutney or molaga podi (chilly powder), mint chutney or plain tomato sauce.