Dream

I fell asleep under a warm blanket,
holding on to the leaves of a horror tale.

Woke up in the woods after a while,
wandering alone, and no humanly hum around.

Darkness surrounded, and wild roars echoed,
I shivered at sound of every growl.

Till a divine trigger from heaven,
Got the ground below shaken.

Tender goodnight kiss on forehead,
Was what my mother had just rendered...

Strain your brain

A collection of fairly good puzzles with detailed solution.
1.Odd wine out!

You have 1000 wine bottles, one of which is poisoned. You want to determine which bottle is poisoned by feeding the wine to rats. The poisoned wine takes 24 hours to work.

How many minimum number of rats are required to find the poisoned bottle in 24 hours?

Answer: 10

Solution:

Number the wine bottles from 1 to 1000. Write the binary equivalent of the number. Ten binary digits are required to so (2^10=1024). Let 10 rats correspond to each of the binary digits. For each wine bottles, in case its binary equivalent's digits are 1, feed wine from it to the corresponding rat. 

After 24 hrs see which all rats are dead. The wine bottle which has been fed to exactly those rats is therefore poisoned.

2. Cryptic addition

Each of the 10 letters here (m, a, r, s, v, e, n, u, t and p) represents a digit in the range 0 to 9. Same letters represent same digits and different letters represent different digits. Digits which are most frequently used are 1 and 6. What does n e p t u n e represent?

Answer: 1078610

Solution: 

Given that the most frequently used digits are 1 and 6, that would be n and u (5 times each).

n=1 , not 6 as per Column VI since sum of any two digits + carry has to be less than 30.

Therefore, u=6.  Replacing n and u in table, we get:

Columns		VI	V	IV	III	II	I
Carry		µ	w	z	y	x
				m	a	r	s
+			v	e	1	6	s
+		6	r	a	1	6	s
+		s	a	t	6	r	1
=	1	e	p	t	6	1	e

Column I: 3s+1=10.x+e

s<=9 , implies x<=2

Column II: x+2r+12=10.y+1 èodd implies x is odd, therefore x=1

2r+12=10.y, implies y<=3

If y=0 or 1, r will be negative, hence not possible

If y=2, r=8/2=4

If y=3, r=18/2=9

Therefore, y=2 or 3 and r=4 or 9.

Column III: y+a+8=10.z+6 è implies z<=1

y+a+2=10.z

If z=0, y+a will be negative, hence not possible

Therefore, z=1, y+a=8; 

If y=2, a=6 which is not possible as u=6

Therefore y=3, a=5 and r=9.

Column IV: z+m+e+a+t=10.w+t

m+e+6=10.w è implies w<=2

If w=0, m+e will be negative, hence not possible

If w=2, m+e+6=20; m+e=14 è (m=9,e=5 or m=5, e=9 or m=8, e=6 or m=6, e=8)

Since a=5 and u=6, none of these are possible.

Hence w=1, m+e+6=10; m+e=4 è (m=1,e=3 or m=3, e=1 or m=0, e=4 or m=4, e=0)

Since n=1 e or m cannot be 1. The remaining possibilities are (m=0, e=4 or m=4, e=0)

Let’s try the two possible values of e in Column I: 3s+1=10+e

If e=4, s=13/3 which is not an integer

Hence e=0, s=9/3=3, s=3, m=4

Column VI: µ+6+s=10+e, èµ=1

Column V: w+v+r+a=10.µ+p èv+5=p

Digits which are unassigned so far are 2,7,8

Clearly, v=2, p=7. Only alphabet left is t, hence t=8.

Our answer is : n e p t u n e= 1 0 7 8 6 1 0

What are the novel lessons that Corona has taught us?

A few weeks back corona was just a magnificent phenomenon you get to hear in physics books. But today its a fear that has brought almost the entire world to a lock down. As the novel corona virus (Covid-19) spreads like a wildfire, in many cases humanity could do nothing but to painfully watch. This exponentially spreading pandemic has been an eye opener for multiple reasons. 

Here are a few lessons which the year 2020 has taught us and probably will be remembered for. 

1: We humans are all fundamentally the same, irrespective of caste, religion, race or even nationality. The virus doesn't give a damn about your bank balance nor about your popularity. It doesn't care whether you are black, brown or white. Which makes us realize that these are all unreal divisions created by us in our minds. 

2: As long as, all of us don't recover from it, none of us can really overcome this contagion. The battle we are fighting today cannot be fought alone, but collectively. A good reason to hold on to unity and fraternity.

Courtesy: Twitter

3: Great economies or filled pockets doesn't really ensure wellness. Basic needs for living have been long under looked. It is in fact, in good health - mental, physical and emotional well being. And of course the environment  we live in. That brings us to the 4th point. 

4: As man goes into isolation, nature is able to breathe again and other life forms are reviving even in this short span of time. Time to give a thought about the long lasting damage we have been doing to nature since time immemorial. 

5: Humanity brags about conquering Mars and beyond. While creating an inhabitable world outside, we have been destroying it here on earth for our own needs and greed. Today we are all locked up in our homes, advised not even to step out. 

6: Time! Time has been regarded as the second most important thing in the world. Most important thing being, life itself. We have been so busily running to meet our daily targets, we could hardly spare a day for ourselves, our family or the environment. Today we have ample of time to not do what we have been doing all through. All we can give away today is time, to save ourselves and our dear ones.

Graph Courtesy: Facebook user

7: We have been fighting among ourselves over temples, mosques and churches, in a race to establish the supremacy of our God's over other’s. But during this time of helplessness, all the supernatural powers shut their doors in front of us. We only have living angels in the form of doctors, nurses and other health workers who are working tirelessly in the sacred buildings called hospitals. 

And this time too, would surely pass. Hopefully soon enough. But let's take some of these messages forward for a better tomorrow!

Why I hate men!

I was born into a conservative Muslim family belonging to North kerala. My family is mostly women dominated, in count, not in decision making. My mother is the eldest of the four daughters. Her parents didn't have any son. Her first child, that's my elder sibling, is also a girl. When I was about to be born, there was no reason why anybody wanted it to be a girl. But to everyone's disappointment here I am, their second daughter. I'm sure I must have brought a wrinkle to everyone's face!

If you're a malayali you are sure to have watched the movie Ustaad hotel. It's a must watch movie for biriyani lovers. But it is not biriyani that I want to mention here. Before Faizi’s birth, that's the lead role played by Dulquer Salman, his father was so eager to have a baby boy. He was anxious during each delivery praying that it be a boy. He had a lot of hopes and aspirations for his son who is yet to be born. But to his disappointment each time it was a girl. He did not give up. Finally his dream boy arrives, who was brought up in a royal way. I wonder whether anybody gives the slightest of thought about the girls who were born before. How it feels like to be unwanted and unlucky for the family.

Fortunately for me, my parents didn't see me as unwanted. Both of them being government employees, decided to limit to two children and be grateful for having daughters. They probably brought me up the same way they would have brought up a boy.

Now just for thought, there are a good number of girls around us who have to be ‘Faizi’s sisters’. They are the unappreciated ones, silently labeled as a burden to family. Their sole purpose is to get married and help the family vent out its load.

But don't you think girls too deserve the same importance as boys! Shouldn't parents have similar aspirations and dreams about a girl's life and career as much as they have for boy’s?

PS: I don't hate men. Just used it to make the caption catchy!  😉
In fact, it's the patriarchy inhabiting in us knowingly or unknowingly is what I dislike.

A Road trip to Mesmerizing Tawang!

Tawang, a cold misted mountain range in the eastern arm of India. Belonging to the state of Arunachal pradesh, one among the seven sisters, each one possessing a unique identity in terms of geography, climate, linguistics and culture.

We, a group of 5 friends, started our trip from the southernmost tip of India. We are not the excessively thrill loving gang, who would dare to hire a two wheeler and pull the accelerator to thousands of kilometers. Instead, we took flight upto Guwahati and hired a self drive car. Making our way through the banks of river Brahmaputra and forests of Nameri national park, we arrived at Bhalukpung. Bhalukpung, a small town where you get in line permit to the easternmost state,

is in fact, the gateway to Arunachal.

We had just entered the hilly terrains that the road maintenance work halted our trip. The enthusiasm of seeing hills made us run into it and we spent time playing in the fresh waters of baby waterfalls and streams. The road got cleared by 1pm and we proceeded ahead not knowing what was awaiting us.

The roads were clearly not driver friendly. Almost all of it was filled with stones, mud and other remnants of landslides. I wondered whether tarred road even existed underneath! Every few hundred meters bring you to a hairpin curve. As you reach uphill, the view gets breathtakingly beautiful. We traversed kilometers through the ups and downs from one hill to another. Slight drizzle to cloudy sky was what early October skies had to offer.

En route Bhalukpung to Bomdila

Soon we realized that the mud covered road is not going to be good for our Brezza. The road was bumped out in the middle. On either sides of the bump, mud had been carved out by the wheels of previously traveled vehicles. It was almost impossible to drive without hitting the bottom of the car. Protruding stones and rock pieces made it even more worse. At some point, the wheel got trapped in the loose mud. Despite pressing accelerator, the wheel kept spinning but the car didn’t move an inch forward. At that moment of panic, we got out of the car and pushed it as hard as we could. As it moved forward, we breathed a sigh of relief and continued. On the way, there were natives of the place driving Maruti alto so swiftly that amazed us to the core. To our great astonishment, a little guy drove a vehicle which looked somewhat similar to a bulldozer (but having more degrees of freedom) through the edge of the road. A few centimeters of miscalculation could have cost him his life. In our minds we stood up and saluted this guy.

Further ahead we went on, guided by Google maps. Our way was interrupted at a narrow slope by another vehicle coming from opposite direction. For both vehicles to pass, we had to go uphill in reverse and make some space for the opposite vehicle. The steep slope and stone blocks made it difficult. All of us got out to push the vehicle. At the same time, it started to drizzle and there were stones shooting down the hill giving us another nerve cracking moment. With all our might we did make a way out, but the whole trip was not enough to get it out of our heads.

By 6pm, the sun had disappeared and lights were dissolving. We still had about 80kms more to go. The roads became unclear surrounded by fog. Visibility was limited to 2-3 meters. We went forward with extreme caution, two eyes focused on Google maps warning of hairpin curves and all the remaining eyes focused on the road. By 8pm we made it to Bomdila, where we could get a shelter for the night. A cosy little homestay in the chilling cold! We filled our stomachs with hot chicken chowmeen prepared for us by an elderly lady. That’s when we realized that the terrible road had almost made us forget about food. Mentally and physically exhausted, we went to bed and it took hardly seconds for sleep to overpower us.

Landscape at Bomdila

Next morning we woke up afresh. We were not surprised to see the Brezza painted with mud in and out. We took it to a local workshop to assess the damage. The mechanic did a few minor repairs and a complete wash. He nodded green signal for us to go ahead, giving positive assurance of the road further to Tawang. Believing his words and keeping the spirit of adventure high, we drove forward. The road indeed was good up to Dirang. The green and serene place filled our hearts with joy again. In the evening we visited Dirang monastery located at a hilltop. The monastery was clean, calm and quiet. We breathed the fresh air, meditated for a while and felt rejuvenated. On the walls of the monastery there were paintings depicting life stories of Buddha. The pleasant weather prompted us to walk further to Dirang market. In the moderately crowded lane, we could find stoles, scarves, sweaters, jackets, gloves and other thermal wares. There were also different types of garlands made of beads having Tibetan engravings. We bought Tibetan prayer flags to tie it on to our two wheelers once we get back to trivandrum. We dined at a nearby restaurant which served us fried rice, fish fry, roti, dal and vegetable fry.

Dirang Monastery

Dirang to Tawang is nearly 130kms and takes about 5hrs drive. Keeping this in mind, the next morning we started early from hotel so as to reach our destination before nightfall. Arunachal being at the extreme east of India, darkness surrounds by 5pm. On the way, we stopped for breakfast at a countryside dhaba. As we got down the car, a furry dog welcomed us with loud barks. The dhaba was run by a family comprising of three generations. The youngest was an extremely chubby and fair faced toddler, whom the grandfather carried behind his shoulders wrapped in cloth. The lady offered us breakfast thali having poori, sabji and omelette. We washed hands in a thin stream falling downhill alongside the dhaba.

Sela pass

Further traversing 70kms, we arrived at Sela pass, which is the second highest motorable road in the world. We had hot soupy Maggi at the army canteen and clicked a mandatory picture in front of the Tibetan style gate which says ‘Welcome to Tawang’. Yes, we finally made it to our destination - Tawang! We climbed up a nearby hill to get a spectacular view of sela lake. By evening we made it to Tawang Town. We got accommodation at a hotel near Tawang monastery. We tasted the Tibetan cuisines like chicken thukpa, Momos and soup for dinner. Later at night we witnessed the costumed lion dance at a nearby school auditorium played to amuse tourists.

Bumla Pass: Indo China border

Next morning we proceeded to Bumla pass- Indo China border which is about 15k feet above sea level. We had hot samosas served by the army team in the freezing cold as we watched the 1962 Indo Sino War memorial video. Army personnel accompanied us to the border where a rope is tied to mark the border between the two neighbours. All we could do was to stretch our legs as far we could to set foot in China. Far far away, one could only see dry barren mountains extending to infinity. We bid goodbye to China and proceeded to Sungester lake, popularly known as Madhuri lake. Madhuri Dixit had been there to shoot for a movie song, hence the name. Clear transparent lake having upright tree trunks, blended with fresh greenery and mist, makes the lake view no less than a Bollywood movie. We spent the evening roaming around the lake and clicking pictures for our Facebook profile.

Misty Madhuri Lake

Next morning, we prepared ourselves for the return trip. Knowing that the trip was coming to an end was a sweet pain. Soon we noticed one wheel of our car punctured and realized that the adventure is not yet over. Replacing the stepney tyre consumed our time and energy. On the way back, we got the tyre repaired at a workshop. To our surprise there were 6 punctures on that one tyre. We could only thank all the Gods for taking us safely till this point.

We came to know about an alternate route from Bomdila to Guwahati which passes close to Bhutan border. Seeing Bhalukpong road and experiencing it, one would never want to take that route again. The alternate road was almost straight but extremely narrow. Either side of the road was covered with tall grasses with no sign of civilization. By nightfall we had reached Guwahati, where we were greeted with colorful lights and traffic blocks on the eve of Dussehra festival.

For almost a week, we survived on momos, Maggi noodles, chowmeen and other Tibetan cuisines. Next morning in Guwahati, as soon as we were awake, we rushed to Barbeque nation for brunch and filled our tummies with all that we craved for. Finally, we boarded the flight back to trivandrum with lots of wonderful memories. And yes, the positive vibes of the trip stayed within us for many more days that followed.