B Tech I SEM : Trailblazers: G R Gopinath

B Tech I SEM : Trailblazers: G R Gopinath

Gorur Ramaswamy Gopinath is an entrepreneur and founder of the Indian airlines ‘Air Deccan’. He is a retired captain of the Indian army, an author, a politician and a pioneer for low cost air travel within India.  
                G.R.Gopinath was born on 13^th, November 1951 in the village of Gorur in Karnataka. His father was a school teacher and farmer. When he was in fifth standard his school head master informed all the students that an admission test was going to be held in their school for those who wish to join Defence Forces. Unfortunately, Gopinath could not get through the exam as it was in English.
              The headmaster wrote a stern letter to the Ministry of Defence and pointed out how an all India test could only be conducted in English. After few days, Gopinath took the examination in Kannada and passed with flying colours. He learnt an important lesson from his headmaster that a person must be proactive to steer things one’s way, which he would remember for the rest of his life.
             Later, when he was commissioned as a captain in the Indian army, he took part in Bangladesh liberation war in 1971. He left the Indian army and purchased ten acres of barren land. He received the Rolex Laureate award for establishing an ecologically sustained sericulture farm. It was a good example of his grit and confidence. He started Malnad Mobikes, which supplied Enfield motor cycles. He opened a hotel in Hasan. He contributed articles in Kannada for magazines. With his experience in agriculture and farming, he established Water Resource Management Consultancy and started supplying irrigation systems.
             After securing solid reputation, he decided to tackle the world of politics. G.R. Gopinath, A.J.Sam, and Colonel Jayanth Poovaiah together started Deccan Aviation, the low-cost airline carrier in India. His business expanded and under the banner of LCC ,developed into a major player in the air industry. He received the “Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur”, the highest civilian award conferred by the French government.
            In 2007, Air Deccan was merged with Vijay Malaya’s Kingfisher Airlines. Then he started Deccan Charters and Deccan 360, which focus on cargo and the express logistics business. The future lies wide open for G.R. Gopinath.

THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY  -- A P J Abdul Kalam

          The “Knowledge society” is an extract taken from Abdul Kalam’s popular and famous book “Ignited Minds”. He tells that poverty can be rooted out by striking a balance between the past heritage and present day knowledge. He believes  in that India can reach the pinnacles and glory by following certain principles and applying modern technology.

          Knowledge has always been the prime mover of prosperity and power. India is a land of knowledge and it must rediscover itself. The foreign invasions and the colonial rule weakened India considerably. Knowledge has many forms and it is available at many places. It is acquired through education, information, intelligence and experience. It is manifested in artists, craftsmen, hakims, philosophers and saints. It plays a vital role.    

          India has been a country of great ancient heritage and culture. Knowledge acquisition has been thrust throughout the world. In addition, in Indian culture there has been the guru-shishya tradition and sharing of its knowledge even with the foreign travellers and students.

         During the last century the world has been changed from being an agriculture society to an industrial society. The technology played a crucial role. In 21^st century knowledge has become the primary production resource instead of capital and labour. The qualification of a nation as knowledge society goes concomitant with its creation and deployment of knowledge.

          The knowledge society has two very important components driven by societal transformation and wealth generation. The societal transformation is in respect of education, health-care, agriculture and governance.

          In order to emerge as a knowledge super power by 2010 we should have tri-dimensional objects of societal transformation, wealth generation and knowledge protection. For this we have to protect our network and information generators from electronic attacks through surveillance and monitoring. Further we should protect one ancient knowledge and culture and focus attention on intellectual rights and related issues.

Note: Untitled note

Rational thinking = intellectual thinking

Heavens = celestial sphere                        

Consequences = results

Impartial = being neutral; treating all equally                                                        

Segregate = separate

Goddess = a female deity

Savage = wild; uncivilized; rude             

Miraculous = wonderful; great

Cure = heal

Note: In London

An essay on In London by M.K.Gandhi

 

In London is an extract taken from the autobiography of Gandhi titled “My Experiments With Truth” being translated into English by Mahadev Desai. He went to England to pursue his law degree. He proceeded to South Africa to protest against racial discrimination by practicing Satyagraha.He actively involved in various movements such as Champaran Satyagraha,Non-Cooperation Movement,Dandi March, Civil Disobedience Movement etc. He was called the ‘Father of Nation’ and the ‘Mahatma’.This lesson gives us an insight into the mind of young Gandhi, when he was a student in London.

                             When the lesson begins, he decides that he should not trouble others. He is a vegetarian and wants to cultivate a few accomplishments which makes one a decent gentleman in London. As he decides that Bombay clothes are unsuitable for English society, he purchases new clothes at the Army and Navy Stores. He purchases a chimney-pot hat, asks his brother to send him a “double watch chain of gold”. He also learns the art of tying himself. He watches himself before a huge mirror to part/put his hair in the correct fashion.

                                    As if it were not enough, he further takes coaching for dancing, French language, Elocution. He wastes 3 pounds for purchasing a Violin too in order to cultivate an ear for western music. But he utterly fails to learn all these things.

                                 Gandhi, however, gets realization by undergoing introspection while he is reading the speech of Pitt from the book, “Bell’s Standard Elocutionist”. He thinks that he is not going to spend his life time in England. This thought makes him realize that he is wasting money. From that time onwards he struggles for austerity and frugality. He exercises strict economy in all aspects.

                                   As his living with a family involves him in a lot of unnecessary expenditure, he decides to take a couple of rooms on his own account. The rooms he selects are low in price and also very close to the place of business which he can reach on foot in half an hour. This also keeps him physically healthy. Gandhi knows that the Bar examinations did not require great study. On a friend’s advice Gandhi decides to pass the London Matriculation, thought it is very difficult to clear. He acquires a taste for Latin, French, appears in Matriculation though he fails in the first attempt.

                                     Gandhi feels that his way of living doesn’t fit to the modest means of his family. So he adjusts himself with one room instead of two and cooks food at home and manages to live on a shilling and three pence per a day. That is a period of intensive study too. Plain living saves him plenty of time and he passes his examination. Gandhi says at the end that he found lot of joy by leading this modest life which by no means a dreary one.                                             

Meanings:-

→extract = a short passage from a book

→pursue = study

→insight = clear understanding of a situation

→cultivate = (here) adapt oneself to the situation

→accomplishments = the abilities that have to acquire by training

→introspection = the contemplation of one’s own thoughts, desires and behavior

→elocution = the art of effective speaking

→frugality = careful in avoiding waste of money

→austerity = plain living

→acquires a taste = improves interest

→modest life = plain living

Note: chapter 3

The scientific point of view by J.B. Haldane

       In the essay “The Scientific Point of View” J.B.S. Haldane opposes superstition and supports rational thinking. He says that science affects us in two ways – we are benefited by its applications and it affects our opinions.

            According to Haldane, the scientific point of view must come out of the laboratory and be applied to the events of daily life. What has already revolutionized industry, agriculture, war and medicine must be applied to the family, nation or the human race.

            Haldane says the the scientist is superior to God as he is ethically neutral. The scientist works out the consequences of many actions by the does not p[ass judgment of them. In the eyes of the bacteriologist, polluting public water supply is as destructive as exploding an atom bomb in the public street.

            The average man dwells on the emotional and ethical side of a case rather than on facts which interest the scientist. Haldane gives two examples, the problem of the American Negro and the problem of disease. The American negro is accustomed to the hot climate of the cotton estates in the Southern states. His population increase there. If he is made to live in luxury, he loses his stamina and even dies. So the scientist prefers the Negro to live a life of hardship.

            Haldane says that modern medicine has come out with miraculous drugs. Diabetes can be controlled by injecting insulin and typhoid can be controlled by drinking boiled water. But many people are unscientific. Even cancer can be cured but people do not follow the doctor’s advice.

            Haldane quotes St. Paul’s words that the world is ruled by demons. Haldane modifies this statement saying that the world is misruled by ignorance and unscientific thinking.

The Scientific Point Of View. J B S Haldane Essay. Reintroduced By P S Remesh Chandran

061. 

The Scientific Point Of View. J B S Haldane Essay

Adopting a scientific point of view is useful in many ways, whether for solving the Negro problem or for solving the problem of diseases. J.B.S.Haldane was a famous British scientist and author who later took Indian citizenship. His writings on biological subjects made scientific ideas clear and popular among people. The author argues that adopting a scientific point of view is essential and beneficial for man, rather than adopting an emotional point of view. 

Scientific point of view is God’s eye-view. A good scientist, like God, will view and examine things impartially and truthfully, and will not have emotional considerations and pass judgments. 

Science influences the average man in two ways- its practical applications are useful to man and it affects his opinions also. One of science’s main contributions to common man was its presenting man with a scientific point of view. Science continuously tells us we should give up smoking and consumption of liquor, and adopt walking and swimming daily activities to remain healthy. Once we viewed these warnings skeptically, but we now have begun to understand that there is sense and logic in these warnings. That is science’s contribution, creating this awareness and consciousness of health. The average man is attracted by the emotional and ethical aspects of a problem, not by the facts, whereas a scientist considers only the facts. A scientific point of view places everything and everyone on the same emotional level which is impartial and truthful. Because of this equalization in emotional levels, scientific point of view can be called the God’s eye-view. A good scientist will, like God, view and examine things impartially and truthfully, and will not have emotional considerations and pass judgments. Even though the enemies of science wish science to do both, and abuse scientists for being deaf to moral considerations, a scientist will remain such impartial that Mr. John, Mr. Chang, Mr. Smith, the Tape Worm and the Solar System will be equal to him. A scientific point of view enables people also to adopt the same view of an impartial scientist, in analyzing things of importance to him. 

When Negros enjoyed friendship of whites during the American Civil War, the new Democratic Negro became a heavy drinker and died in thousands, more in numbers than were killed in the actual war. 

Haldane is of the opinion that the Negro problem, i.e., the problem of Negros becoming a problem for the whites, and the problem of diseases can be solved by adopting scientific point of view. He uses these two examples to illustrate that adopting scientific point of view in solving social, human problems is feasible and useful. Though there have of course been strong oppositions to his this point of view, let us examine his observations on the living conditions of Negros in America, most of which are things of past in America now. Negros was considered inferior to white men. In the Southern states of America where slavery existed, the Negros were pulled out of cars and driven to cotton plantations to work hard in harsh sun light. Openness to nature favoured them and there they prospered and multiplied, creating thus the so-called Negro problem for whites. But had they been extended consideration and fellowship, they would have become softened and died of American diseases. This is the question J B S Haldane rises- whether emotional or scientific attitude is to be adopted in solving social, human problems, which is beneficial and useful? During the American Civil War, the Negros enjoyed friendship of the whites, as a result of which the new democratic Negro became a heavy drinker and died in thousands. The number of Negros killed that way was far greater than the number of Negros killed in the actual war. Once we shed the emotional point of view, adopt scientific point of view, we allow Negros to return to nature and live in their natural habitats, and there is and will be no problem from the Negros. 

Scientific point of view is the moral equivalent of war; they are equally fast in teaching peoples lessons.

Adopting the scientific point of view helps solve the problem of diseases also. For ages, and even now, common people think that diseases are caused by the Sin of man. But now, thanks to science, more people know that diseases are caused by the attack of foreign organisms known as microbes. By studying microbes with a scientific point of view, preventive medicines can be developed against diseases. The moral use of war is its teaching people lessons fast. Scientific point of view also teaches people lessons equally fast. That is why J.B.S.Haldane theorizes that scientific point of view is the moral equivalent of war. It teaches people lessons as fast as war. Knowledge of biological facts helps people prevent diseases. Diseases are manifestations of nature’s laws. By knowing about these laws, people can cure or prevent these diseases. The only problem remains is, people not being punctual and regular in administration of their prescribed medicines. Attitudes like this are such common that discovery of insulin has not helped reduce the death rate of diabetic patients in England and elsewhere, for medicines and their usage do not still have a scientific basis among people. It is a paradox that ‘the study of medicine, apart from its scientific basis, has created more neurotics than scientists,’ Haldane observes. 

In spite of scientists and science reigning in this world for so many long years and teaching, many people still think that diseases are products of our sin. 

Scientists and science have reigned in this world for so many long years but in spite of their teaching that diseases are manifestation of natural laws caused by microbial attacks, a considerable number of people still think that they are products of our sin. When Jesus Christ was asked why a man became blind, he answered: ‘Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents; but the works of God should be made manifest in him.” He considered it an opportunity to prove God’s manifestations and cured the blind by his simple touch. The scientists cure people with diseases, instead of accusing not only them but their ancestors through generations also of sinning. In this respect, a scientist’s view of diseases is not unlike the view held by Jesus Christ. Many of his followers but still hold to views which Jesus Christ opposed. They are not scientific but emotional in viewing many social and human issues such as remarriage and abortion. When diseases affect, some of them do not treat it scientifically but pray. Many more people hold to the view that diseases can be cured by returning to nature which is just another fallacy- we will die before we begin to get rectifying restoratives from nature. To live according to nature to escape from diseases also is quite meaningless because civilization, savagery, health and sickness are all part of nature.

G.D.Naidu’s Views

Answer the following questions in a sentence or two.

1)Where was Naidu born?

A:- G.D.Naidu was born in Kalangal, India on 23rd March 1893.

2)What was Naidu’s first job?

A:- After leaving his family, he took up a waiter job at a hotel in Coimbatore city.

3)List three inventions Naidu created or helped to create.

A:- Naidu built the first electric motor in India.He created an electric razor, a tamper-proof note recording machine and a kerosene fan.

4)What was Naidu’s farm a source of curiosity for many?

A:- The farm Naidu made had become a source of curiosity for many as he apparently had the entire building built within eight hours time.

5)When did Naidu become principal of the polytechnic college he founded?

A:- Since he was so passionate about education, in 1945 Naidu became the principal of the polytechnic college he founded.

Answer the following questions in 100 words.

6)Give an account of Naidu as a school child.

A:- When he was a school child, Naidu’s childhood years were spent getting in trouble. He disliked attending lessons and was frequently punished for his habit of hurling sand at teachers during class. Naidu’s this mischievous( bad) nature often noticed at home, where he would ignore his chores and responsibilities. He at once lit a stack of hay on fire, simply to see what would happen. However, over time, Naidu would come to appreciate the importance and value of a comprehensive education.

7)Identify one of Naidu’s habits.

A:- G.D.Naidu was born on 23rd March 1893 in Kalangal, India. He was an Indian engineer and inventor. He is commonly referred as ‘the Edison’ of India for his contribution to the fields of technology,industry and development. It has been recognized that he built the first electric motor in India.

          G.D.Naidu disliked attending lessons. He had a habit of hurling sand at teachers during the classes and was frequently punished for it. He did it because many of the classes took place on dry,muddy fields.

8)What field of study Naidu interested in?

A:- .G.D.Naidu was born on 23rd March 1893 in Kalangal, India. He was an Indian engineer and inventor. He is commonly referred as ‘the Edison’ of India for his contribution to the fields of technology,industry and development. It has been recognized that he built the first electric motor in India.

           G.D.Naidu was interested in technical education, in particular, in Mechanics. As soon as he had the sight of a foreigner, who had ridden through the village of Kalangal on a motorcycle, he not only desired to ride the motorcycle but also determined to understand the mechanism of it. More over to this, he wished a lot of time to fiddle with mechanical gadgets as a mechanic in Coimbatore. All this shows that Naidu was interested in Mechanical Engineering.

9)What was the defining moment in Naidu’s life?

A:-G. D.Naidu was born on 23rd March 1893 in Kalangal, India. He was an Indian engineer and inventor. He is commonly referred as ‘the Edison’ of India for his contribution to the fields of technology,industry and development. It has been recognized that he built the first electric motor in India.

        The defining moment of Naidu’s life came when he was still a youngster. That is, a foreigner had ridden through the village of Kalangal on motor cycle. In the views of the majority of the people in the village, the foreigner was simply a passer by. As soon as he departure from their village, they ignored him. But for Naidu, the sight of the motorcycle was inspiring as he wanted to ride it. More importantly, he wanted to understand how it operated. This was the defining moment of Naidu’s life.

10)Describe Naidu’s travels and experiences while travelling.

A:- G. D.Naidu was born on 23rd March 1893 in Kalangal, India. He was an Indian engineer and inventor. He is commonly referred as ‘the Edison’ of India for his contribution to the fields of technology,industry and development. It has been recognized that he built the first electric motor in India.

                   Naidu was ecstatic when he was gifted the motorcycle from the British surveyor as it was the prize he had long sought. In his free time, he rode his motorcycle as far as possible and he tried to understand the mechanism of it at all. He began dismantling the bike and then refitting the equipment. In this process he became familiar with how the engine operated and how the brakes operated over time was able to put this experience to get a job as a mechanic.

14)What was Naidu’s relationship with agriculture?

A:- G. D.Naidu was born on 23rd March 1893 in Kalangal, India. He was an Indian engineer and inventor. He is commonly referred as ‘the Edison’ of India for his contribution to the fields of technology,industry and development. It has been recognized that he built the first electric motor in India.

     His time in cotton business had improved Naidu’s interest in agriculture. He spent considerable time researching and identifying new forms and varieties of cotton, maize and papaya. The farm he lived on prospered and was a source of curiosity for many, as he apparently completed the entire building built within eight hours time. Sir C.V.Raman, the Noble prize-winning Indian Physicist and Mokshagundam Viswesvaraiah and the Diwan of the then Mysore visited Naidu’s farm several times and were impressed by his dedication and passion for invitation.

15)What was Naidu doing between the 1920s and the 1930s?

A:- . D.Naidu was born on 23rd March 1893 in Kalangal, India. He was an Indian engineer and inventor. He is commonly referred as ‘the Edison’ of India for his contribution to the fields of technology, industry and development. It has been recognized that he built the first electric motor in India.

         In 1920s Naidu set up his own transport business, called UMS(Universal Motor Service).He also dabbled in the cotton, got tremendous success in it. Living comfortably and building reputation for himself, Naidu began travelling in the years of 1930s. His passion for technology extended to films and cameras and in 1935, he filmed ‘The Funeral of King George’ in London. Later he met with Adolf Hitler to secure manufacturing contracts of developing and manufacturing of razors. He later tried his hand at politics too but lost in 1936 Provincial General Elections.

I BTech I SEM : Trail Blazers (NON-DETAILED TEXT) -- GD NAIDU

I BTech I SEM : Trail Blazers (NON-DETAILED TEXT) -- GD NAIDU

Trail Blazers (NON-DETAILED TEXT) -- GD NAIDU

1. Give ANTONYMS of the following words:

     significant X insignificant
     dislike  X  like, liking
     passion X calm, calmness
     luxury   X need, essential, penury
     understatement   X  exaggeration

2. Give ANTONYMS of the following words:

     Frequently = again and again, often, regularly
     comprehensive = absolute, whole
     comfort    =   amenity, quiet, plenty
     purchase = acquire, buy, again
     prosper = benefit, arrive, bloom, blossom
  
3. Give the meaning of the following phrases and use them in sentences of your own:

     a. Over time=working hours in addition to those of a regular schedule.
          ex: He did five hours over time this week.
      b. long sought after= in great demand , need
          ex: An Olympic gold medal is the long sought after prize in spots.
      c.  expand one's horizons = to experience and learn new things,
           ex: Read more! Go our! and expand your horizons.
      d. try one's hand at something = to try doing something for the first time .
          ex: I might try my hand at a bit of North Indian cooking .
      f. With regard to = concerning, about
          ex: A change in the laws with regard to food safety.