and what are the rest??? here’s the full list… uh i never knew past Echo

A Alpha
B Bravo
C Charlie
D Delta
E Echo
F Foxtrot
G Golf
H Hotel
I India
J Juliet
K Kilo
L Lima
M Mike
N November
O Oscar
P Papa
Q Quebec
R Romeo
S Sierra
T Tango
U Uniform
V Victor
W Whiskey
X X-ray
Y Yankee
Z Zulu

Book Title:The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror
Author: Bernard Lewis
Year written/published: 2003
Book Source: Amazon
Summary: A history from the beginning of Islam during 600A.D till the present day.  And of course an analysis of several historical situations.
My Comments:This is my first book on Islam and i got to know a lot about it’s rich hostiry and the beliefs. This book definitely made me think a lot about various concepts in politics as well as religion.
Contents page:

1. Defining Islam
2. The House of War
3. From Crusaders to Imperialists
4. Discovering America
5. Satan and the Soviets
6. Double Standard
7. A Failure of Modernity
8. The Marriage of Saudi Power and Wahhabi Teaching
9. The rise of Terrorism

Some extracts:

On Nations and religions…

In the western world, the basic unit of human organisation is the nation, in American but not European usage virtually synonymous with country. This is then subdivided in various ways, one of which is by religion. Muslims, however, tend to see not a nation subdivided into religious groups but a religion subdivided into nations.

Centre of the Islamic world…

The Prophet Muhammad lived and died in Arabia, as did his immediate successors, the caliphs, in the headship of the community. Therefore, expect for a brief interlude in Syria, the center of the Islamic World and the scene of its major achievements was Iraq, and its capital Baghdad, as the seat of the caliphate for half a millennium. For Muslims, no piece of land once added to the realm of Islam can ever be finally renounced, but none compare in significance with Arabia and Iraq.

Major religions..

Islam as a religion is in every aspect far closer to the Judeo-Christian tradition than to any of the greater religions of Asia, such as Hinduism Buddhism, or Confucianism. Judaism and Islam share the belief in a divine law that regulates all aspects of human activity, including even food and drink. … … … compared to the remote religions of the East, all Middle Eastern religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – are closely related and indeed appear as variants of the same religious traditions.

A bit of history…

In 1953, an Ottoman official who also served as a chronicler of current events, Selaniki Mustafa Efendi, recorded the arrival in Istanbul of an English Ambassador. … … …  he was much struck by the English ship … “A ship as strange as this has never entered the port of Istanbul,” he wrote. ‘It has crossed 3700 miles of sea and carried 83 guns besides other weapons… … …  The ruler of the island of England is a woman [Elizabeth 1] who governs her inherited realm… with complete power.’

Discovering America…

For a long time, remarkably little was known about America in the lands of Islam. At first, the voyages of discovery aroused some interest – the only surviving copy of Christopher Columbus’ own map of America is a Turkish translation and adaptation, still preserved in the Topkapi Paplace Museum in Istanbul.

The first recorded mention of America as a political symbol in the Islamic world was in Istanbul on July 14, 1793 when the newly arrived ambassador of the French Republic held a public ceremony culminating in a salute of guns from 3 French ships moored as the Seraglio Point.

Colonialism and imperialism…

The American Revolution, as they frequently remark, was fought not by Native American nationalists but by the British settlers, and far from being history against colonialism, it represented colonialism’s triumph; the English in North America succeeded in colonising the land so thoroughly that they no longer needed the support of the mother country against the original inhabitant.

It is hardly surprising that former colonial subjects in the Middle east would see America as being tainted by the same kind if imperialism as Western Europe. But middle Eastern resentment of imperial powers has not always been consistent.

The people’s resentment…

The people of the Middle East are increasingly aware of the deep and widening gulf between the opportunities of the free world outside their borders and the appalling privation and repression within them. The resulting anger is naturally directed first against their rulers, and then against those whom they see as keeping those rulers in power for selfish reasons. Ir is surely significant that all the terrorists who have been identified in the 911 attacks on New York and Washington cam from Saudi Arabia and Egypt – that is, countries who rulers are deemed friendly to the United States.

The terms…

Most Muslims are not fundamentalists and most fundamentalists are not terrorists, but most present day terrorists are Muslims and proudly identify themselves as such. Understandably, Muslims complain when the media speak of these terrorists movements and actions as ‘Islamic’ and ask why the media do not similarly identify the Irish and Basque terrorists and terrorism as ‘Christian’. The answer is simple and obvious – they do not describe themselves as such.

Freedom and independence….

For a while, freedom and independence were used as more or less synonymous and interchangeable terms. The early experience of independence, however, revealed that this was  a sad error. Independence, and freedom are very different, and all too often the attainment of one meant the end of the other and the replacement of foreign overloads by domestic tyrants more adept, more intimate, and less constrained in their tyranny.

The Lucasian Chair of Mathematics is a Professorship for the Cambridge University founded in 1663. As we can see the list of holders here, there are famous names… i know the names in bold…

1. 1664 Isaac Barrow
2. 1669 Sir Isaac Newton
3. 1702 William Whiston
4. 1711 Nicolas Saunderson
5. 1739 John Colson
6. 1760 Edward Waring
7. 1798 Isaac Milner
8. 1820 Robert Woodhouse
9. 1822 Thomas Turton
10. 1826 Sir George Airy
11. 1828 Charles Babbage
12. 1839 Joshua King
13. 1849 Sir George Stokes
14. 1903 Sir Joseph Larmor
15. 1932 Paul Dirac
16. 1969 Sir M. James Lighthill
17. 1980 Stephen Hawking

Book Title: Drop the Pink Elephant: 15 ways to say what you mean – and mean what you say
Author:Bill Mc Farlan
Year written/published: 2003
Book Source: Amazon, Library
Summary: This book is on diplomacy and how to relate and convey messages to people around us effectively
Contents page:

1. Dump the Baggage and create clarity
2. Be Principled in what you say
3. Positively asset yourself
4. Think of the Audience
5. Create a deeper understanding

Some extracts:

so what exactly are Pink Elephants?

Let me quote Richard Nixon, President of the United States, in a televised address to the nation in April 1973: “There can be no whitewash at the White-house.’ Until that point, the American people refused to believe that their president could have had any prior knowledge of the break-in at the Democratic Party HQ at the Watergate Building. That on phrase, linking the White House with whitewash reversed their thinking.

i’m not eating my crayons

there can be no whitewash at the White House

I did not have sexual relation with that woman

I didn’t stand on the radiator

Every picture tells a story

1. Speak in vivid pictures to paint clear descriptions
2. Use analogies to turn abstract concepts and jargon into bright pictures
3. Avoid talking above or below your audience’s level. Instead talk to their level

sorry seems to be the hardest word…

1. saying sorry is the best way to start rebuilding confidence in your relationship after something has gone wrong
2. we respect those who apologise – and lose respect for those who pretend to be infallible
3. regret, reason and remedy offers an apology, explanation and solution. It manages expectation, which must then be met

Thank you and well done…

1. saying ‘thank you’ and well-done demonstrates your appreciation. It raises your self-confidence and that of the person you’re thanking
2. it builds loyalty, while lack of recognition builds indifference

who looks stupid when you criticize in public?

1. destructive criticism of children and adults alike destroys their self confidence and often turns them into critics themselves
2. only offer criticism privately – and ensure you’re able to explain how things can be done better
3. humour’s great!

Flush out the watering words…

1. remove words that dilute your message – words like ‘quite’, ‘relatively’, ‘hopefully’…
2. ‘i’ll do my best’ and ‘i’ll try’ both lack firm commitment

create deeper understanding…

1. listen carefully to the person you are talking with
2. contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way, rather than just waiting to butt in
3. use body language and the tone of your voice to add conviction to your well-chosen words

i dunno why but suddenly this thought occured to me that i would wanna trace down the line up from Prince William, or down from Zeus or even mahabharata and the Roman / Egyptian gods…i found some family trees worth looking at…

1. British Monarchy
2. Japanese Monarchy
3. Greek Gods
4. Mahabharata Kuru Family Tree
5. Egyptian Gods

Book Title: How to think like Leonardo Da Vinci: 7 steps to the Genius Every day
Author:Micahel J. Gelb
Year written/published: 1998
Book Source: Amazon, Library
My Comments:i’m awed by the talent and the brilliance of Leonardo Da Vinci.
Some extracts:

7 intelligences and some genius examples…

1. Logical-mathematical - Stephen Hawking, Newton, Marie Curie
2. verbal-Intelligence - Shakespeare
3. Spatial-Mechanical – Michelangelo, Buckminster Fuller
4. Musical – Mozart, Gershwin
5. Bodily-Kinesthetic – Muhammad Ali
6. Interpersonal-Social – Mandela, Gandhi
7. Intrepersonal – Mother Teresa

7 Da Vincian Principles…

1. Curiosita – An insatiable curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning
2. Dimostrazione – A commitment to test knowledge through experience, persistence, and a willingness to learn form mistakes
3. Sensazione – The continual refinement of senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience
4. Sfumato – A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty
5. Arte/Scienza – The development of the Balance between science and art, logic and imagination. ‘Whole-brain thinking’
6. Corporalita – The cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise
7. Connessione – A recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena. Systems thinking.

Curiosita…

• i keep a journal/notebook to record my insights
• i take adequate time for contemplation and reflection
• i am always learning something new
• i am a voracious reader
• i learn from little children
• i know/involved in learning non-native languages
• my friends describe me as open minded and curious

Domostrazione

• i am willing to acknowledge my mistakes
• i learn from mistakes and rarely repeat them
• i can articulate mu most fundamental beliefs and the reasons i hold them
• i persevere in the face of obstacles

Sensazione

• i enjoy describing one sense in terms of another
• i am aware of the role of synthesia in the thinking of great artists and scientists

sfumato…

• i am comfortable with ambiguity
• i am attuned to the rhythms of my intuition
• i thrive with change
• i see humour in everyday life
• i trust my gut
• i can comfortably hold contradictory ideas in my mind
• i appreciate the importance of conflict in inspiring creativity

arte/scienza

• i like details
• i am always on time
• i am skilled at math
• i rely on logic
• i write clearly
• analysis is one of my strengths
• i am organised and disciplined
• i like lists

• i am highly imaginative
• i am good at brainstorming
• i love to doodle
• i rely on intuition
• i prefer to look at the big picture and leave the details to someone else

Corporalita

• i am aerobically fit
• i am getting stronger
• my flexibility is improving
• i am well coordinated

connessione

• i am ecologically aware
• i enjoy similes, analogies and metaphor
• i frequently make connections that people don’t see
• when i travel i’m struck more my similarities of people than their differences
• i have a well-developed sense of proportion
• i somehow experience a sense of connectedness with all creation

Book Title: Discover your Genius: How to Think like History’s 10 most Revolutionary Minds
Author:Michael J. Gelb
Year written/published: 2003
Book Source: Amazon, Library
Summary:Based on 10 most revolutionary historical figures, Gelb tells us the patterns about the way they led their life and thought about their dreams and desires.
My Comments: It’s a brilliant book full of little pondering exercises and examples from these historical men and women.
Contents page:

1. Plato: Deepening your love of Wisdom
2. Brunelleschi: Expanding your perspective
3. Columbus: Going Perpendicular: Strengthening your optimism, Vision and Courage
4. Copernicus: Revolutionising your Worldview
5. Elizabeth 1: Wielding your Power with Balance and Effectiveness
6. Shakespeare: Cultivating your Emotional Intelligence
7. Jefferson: Celebrating your freedom in the pursuit of happiness
8. Darwin: Developing your power of observation and opening your mind
9. Gandhi: Applying the principles of spiritual genius to harmonise spirit, mind and body
10. Einstein: Unleashing your imagination and combinatory Play

Some extracts:

Some thought provoking quotations…

life must be lived as play
~ Plato

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time
~T. S. Elit’s The 4 Quartets

History knows of no man who ever did the like
~ Inscription on Columbus’ tomb in Seville Cathedral

Success does not always go along with merit: America is not named after Columbus
~Sigmund Freud

the speculations of a philosopher are far removed form the judgement of the multitude, for his aim is to seek truth in all things
~Copernicus, preface to the Revolution of the heavenly spheres

Video et taceo (I see but i say nothing)
~Elizabeth I1s motto

All the world’s a stage
And all the men and women are merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts…
~Shakespeare, As You Like It

For a bowl of water give a goodly mean;
For a kindly greeting bow thou down with zeal;
For a simple penny pay thou back with gold;
If thy life me rescued, life do not withhold;
Thus the words and actions of the wise regard;
Every little service tenfold they reward;
But the truly noble know all men as one,
And return with gladness good for every evil done.
~ Hindi sacred text

Study and in general the pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives
~ Albert Einstein

Plato self assessment:

• My Happiness is based on my success at work
• My happiness is based on how others see me
• My happiness is based on my financial success and material possessions
• My happiness is based on nurturing my soul
• I have a well-reasoned perspective on goodness and a strong code of ethics and moral behaviour
• I seek the essence of beauty every day
• i ask probing, challenging questions of myself and others
• For which principles would i be willing to sacrifice?

Brunelleschi…

• When i begin a project i start with visualisation of its successful completion
• I keep my priorities when i’m under stress
• I have faith in my own ideas
• I can think out of the box and then apply creative solutions to real-life problems
• I have faith in my own ideas

Columbus…

• I have a dream or vision that sets the course for my life
• I can persuade others to share my dream or vision
• i can communicate my ideas clearly to others
• i am an optimist
• i take the word ‘impossible’ as a challenge
• i have the courage to pursue new ideas
• i believe that my dreams will become a reality

Copernicus…

• My mind is open to new ideas
• i am willing to question my assumptions and beliefs
• i am sensitive to others when presenting them with my ideas
• i seek truth in all things
• i use my reason and logic to solve problems
• i cultivate my memory power

Elizabeth I:

• I am self-reliant and can keep important information to myself
• I can wait patiently for the right moment
• I am tolerant of other’s views
• I am calm in crisis
• I am no easily intimidated
• i study something new everyday
• i have a strong sense of purpose

Shakespeare…

• I am aware of the different roles i play
• I can laugh at myself at any time
• I take delight in the richness of languages
• I make my time to give my imagination free rein

Jefferson…

• I understand and embrace the responsibilities that come with freedom
• I actively protect the rights and freedoms of other people
• I cherish and support intellectual freedom
• I regard religious freedom as a fundamental human right

Darwin…

• i accentuate the positives in my life
• i do not cling to old familiar ideas when they are proved wrong
• i am patient and persistent
• i do not let illness, childhood issues, or other people’s criticism intimidate me, dampen my spirits or affect my self confidence
• my love for truth is greater than my need to be right

Gandhi…

• I can forgive those who upset, offend, or oppose me
• I regularly experience service to others as a source of joy
• i’m vigilant in monitoring my own integrity
• i believe in and practise nonviolence in dealings with others

Einstein…

• I like to daydream
• i can take serious challenges and play with in my mind
• i balance logic with my gut feeling in making decisions
• i seek solace and inspiration in nature
• i maintain my sense of humour in the face of serious problems
• i maintain my sense of humility in the face of great success
• i nurture the rational and imaginative sides of myself
• i create a brain nourishing environment at work and home
• i can take an open, childlike approach to problems
• i notice things that others wouldn’t think were important and wonder about them

1927 5th Solvay Conference is one of the most famous conferences where the world’s most notable scientists gathered together to discuss on Quantum Mechanics. 17 out of the 29 attendees became or were Nobel Laureates.

This picture shows the meeting of the famous scientists… [full resolution]

Seating Plan:
Back Row: A. Piccard, E. Henriot, P. Ehrenfest, Ed. Herzen, Th. De Donder, E. Schrödinger, E. Verschaffelt, W. Pauli, W. Heisenberg, R.H. Fowler, L. Brillouin,
Middlw Row: P. Debye, M. Knudsen, W.L. Bragg, H.A. Kramers, P.A.M. Dirac, A.H. Compton, L. de Broglie, M. Born, N. Bohr,
Front Row: I. Langmuir, M. Planck, M. Curie, H.A. Lorentz, A. Einstein, P. Langevin, Ch. E. Guye, C.T.R. Wilson, O.W. Richardson

What is railway signalling?? It is a system of controlling the trains on the tracks safely so as to avoid any colliding or jamming. here are some links to read more…

1. Wikipedia

2. Wikipedia Categories

Railway signalling first started in Europe and in the 1900s drivers just used to drive on sight to prevent any collision with other trains on tracks. Pretty soon, with the rising number of trains, speed and the frequency between each train departure or arrival, the driving on sight proved to be too dangerous. The distance was simply not enough to brake and stop safely before a serious dangerous collision. Clearly, a more efficient set of techniques and algorithm needed to be developed for a safe and seamless railway journey And some links on the rich history of railway signalling dating more than a 100 years …

1. UK rail history

2. history

In present times, railway signalling algorithms and technology became more advanced to tackle the need for total automation and sometimes even driver-less! Some technology dealing with automated railway signalling…

• Automatic Train Control

• Automatic Train Protection

• Automatic Train Supervision

• Interlocking

Some rail project examples would include:

• line 14 of Paris Metro – fully automated line
• North-east Line and Circle Line of Singapore – world’s first fully automated driver-less and underground heavy rail system
• List of world projects on railways

some companies dealing with rail industry and technology…

1. SIEMENS Transport
2. GE Transport
3. Alstorm

Book Title: Gift Wrapping – Creative Ideas from Japan
Author: Kunio Ekiguchi
Year written/published: 1985
Book Source: Amazon, Library
Summary: This book has great illustrations on how to wrap boxes, gifts, bottles and cards in a really creative manner following the Japanses crafts method.
My Comments: I’m a complete sucker for art and crafts books… this one’s simply simple and brilliant at the same time

Some extracts:

the art of gift wrapping – tsutsumi…

Tsutsumi encompasses many areas not included in the Western concept of wrapping… … … The wrapping style illustrated by these examples is not a tight, hermetic seal, but a loose, flexible covering or shading.

papers used…

1. Light weight paper: cellophane, crepe paper, tissue paper, some washi, any thin almost transparent paper

2. Medium weight paper: most wrappeing paper, typing paper, stationery, pages from magazines, newspapers

3. heavyweight paper: thicker paper, including some wrapping paper, paper used ofr art posters, momi-gami

4. cardboard: includes any heavy card stock such as that used for shoe boxes and other commercial packing.

Furoshiki…

Furoshiki is a unique piece of material used to wrap and carry objects of all shapes and sizes. Its corners are drawn up and knotted into a makeshift handle.