AI in our hands...

In circuits of thought and rivers of code,

A new kind of intelligence quietly flowed.

Born not of breath, nor heartbeat’s art,

But shaped by the brilliance of the human heart.

From ChatGPT that weaves words into light,

To DALL·E painting dreams in colors bright,

From GitHub Copilot whispering code in a developer’s ear,

To Midjourney crafting visions surreal and clear—

These tools are echoes of minds that dare,

To build, to imagine, to deeply care.

Algorithms dance where ideas begin,

A partnership forms—of soul and silicon.

Yet behind each line, each spark, each start,

Lies a human dream, a restless heart.

For AI may learn, evolve, and grow,

But it mirrors the truths that we bestow.

In hospitals, it heals; in classrooms, it guides,

In stories, it listens; in data, it hides.

A quiet companion in a world so fast,

Bridging the future with echoes of the past.

But let us remember, as we rise and create,

We are the keepers of balance and fate.

For technology shines its brightest hue,

When it walks hand in hand with the human in you.

Not man versus machine, nor a battle to be,

But a symphony played in shared harmony.

Where wisdom meets wonder, and logic meets art—

AI in our hands, but humanity in our heart.

~ Dawn 

We make mistakes by accident or accidentally not on accident ..

 

Let's talk about today's Facebook, WhatApps and Instagram outage as everyone is talking about it anyway ..lol!

Usually, my morning starts with my alarm and then news after that. During the news I heard about Frances Haugen the ex-employee of Facebook how she leaked internal research details to Wall Street Journals. And I thought yet another scandal out. After the new hour was over, I went and got ready for my work. 

After finishing my breakfast I quickly got on to my office work and there after meetings. In between, I was sending a reply to someone who messaged me on messenger and the message didn't go. Anyhow I moved on to WhatsApp as my parents wishes me greetings of the day, so I responded to them and a few to my college friends on the group and then I noticed, none of my messages are being delivered.

I thought it must be my internet but then that was working fine because my office laptop was working and I attended couple of meetings on zoom too. So I tried rebooting my phone and checked but no luck.

"That awkward moment when you accidentally hit the LIKE button during Facebook stalking." ~ Hussein Nishah

I just got busy with work and my routine work continued, until I heard Facebook service outage and then I heard its their Domain Name System (DNS) that got messed up, which actually looks up for the IP address  for Facebook.com and brings the page up but later heard that the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) router is removed which actually connects the network with one another. 

Anyway this was the longest time when their service was down and how time is precious for businesses like this, yet seems Mark Z the lost six billion in personal wealth and yet what I heard is that this is a drop in the bucket for the Tech Crunch. 

"We don't meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason."

One thing we all must learn from this is that nothing is permanent in this world and hence don't get hooked on to anything, that's about social media but in reality isn't it the same that we come alone and we go alone from this planet and whatever we get through is acquaintances which we leave one way or the other.

Enjoy the time that you got off of the social media as time is precious at the end of the day!

"Detachment is an art of enjoying something while always being open to the possibility of losing it someday." ~ John B. Bejo

~ Dawn

Think and reflect upon!

No matter where we land

No matter what we hand 

There is a way of expression

One can look and feel around

A speedy racing time-bound

Like a machine human kind

Went so far that recent times

Covid and it's game surrounds

In no matter of time in sea or land

It kept everyone isolated and

Made them slow-down

Making everyone wonder

And think and reflect upon

No matter where you come from

No matter who you are friends with

No mater who knows you and

What you carry in stock or hand

Rich or poor, Big or small

No matter what you eat or wear

Covid has nothing to care

Not even country you belong

Treats all as one and embraced beyond

Telling to stop and think hard

A moment it gave to reflect upon

Small things that could bring peace

Small place that could keep you safe

A place to shelter and eat and live

But look at the bad luck haunts there

What the homeless do to deserve it?

He has no shelter, no home to stay

But to wander for safety like a caveman!

~ Dawn 

The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all....!

This post of mine took two days to sink in as I wanted to feel what I felt and didn't want the entire essence of it to be poured in here in my post.
Friday -Feb 7th, 2020 I was invited for a lunch at one of my friend and colleague from work. A little background about this friend.
A very ambitious, young dynamic woman who is fearless when it comes to talk about technology and product enhancements. I have had a couple of tiff with her when I joined the company but one thing you should understand and that is when two people are talking about improving things whether its process, software development or its methodology it can begin with a tiff until you understand each other and I think that is what happened where she accepted my idea and we together worked as a team.
This friend of mine was diagnosed recently with cancer in multiple organs while she was visiting India to visit her Mom who is suffering from cancer. Yes, how common this word has become in our daily life that it also scares the hell out of all of us.
Knowing this friend I always tell her to kick ass as I know she is strong but its always easy for us to tell sitting at this side of the fence.
The first time I went and saw her in her house that was after her first chemo. She was doing good other than her deep breaths in between our talk she was doing good. We had our chats and jokes from work and then holidays came and I went for my vacation trip to India. Before leaving I had wished her and said will see her in new year. I am a believer and I always feel if our will power is strong nothing can stop us from what we want. I always tell this to her too.

"Ones you become fearless, life becomes limitless".

After I came back from my vacation I sent her messages but there was no response. Anyhow, I thought she might be in her chemo or the initial days of chemo because thats when they are more tired and under the impact of that strong medicine which also has side effects even though it might be killing the cancer cells.
Finally that day came when I was invited for a Friday lunch. It was an auspicious day from a Hindu calendar perspective as well I believe because I heard there is a puja (prayer) at her place. I went to her place with some oranges from my garden. We were few ladies from work who were invited. We knocked the door and what I saw was a well decked woman in 9 yard saree, her confidence had no less spark than what she had earlier except her hair everything was oozing with life.
Our friend invited us inside and she started doing things in the kitchen as if everything is normal. She also expected us not be there like a guest but get in the kitchen and help her with making the lamp for the puja with flour mixed with ginger, and ghee. Once it was done she asked us to be in the puja room that she has in the house. A small room enough for four people to sit and perform the puja.
The puja started with chanting Vishnu sahasranamam (chanting 1000 names of lord Vishnu) though none of us remember other than her so we took the help of internet and good the pdf on the phone and started chanting. As she was performing the puja, my mind went back to my childhood days where I had witnessed and been part of these and look today it was all new to me!

Faith, is something which differs from people to people based on where they find their strength in ~ Dawn.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase" ~ Martin Luther King

After the puja we all went to the dinning table and started helping setting the table with plates. Everything was cooked from scratch and nothing we did as she had done it all. Like any Indian host she was serving us and we were telling her to sit down and we can help ourselves. She said, I am fully energetic and doctor has asked me to be rough with my leg as the chemo has its own side effects and she was on the roll.
After listening that, I felt she know what she is doing because otherwise she would be more cautious. This is after her 4th chemo and waiting for two more!!!

Each grain of food as I ate was thanking her and her effort to get back. She looked like one of those Tamil woman who just came back from the pilgrimage (Tirupati) where she might have given her entire hair as an offering to God. She was as graceful as she was before having cancer.
After having a long chat with lots of laughter we had the evening tea and left wishing her all the luck for two remaining chemo and looking forward to see her joining back in April, 2020.

The amount of time we spent and the laughter we had, no one wanted to leave neither the friend was ready to say bye!!! Thought we left with the plan to meet her often on Friday's when she is out of her chemo effects. We got out with a little goody bag with the offerings that was given to the God during the prayers and a little gift.

Through out my return to work and then back to home and my weekend was with full of thoughts for her and the look forward for her come back!!!!

I have faith in her!

"Let everything happen to you,
Beauty and Terror,
Just keep going 
No feeling is final" ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

You can make anything happen in your favor if you will is powerful!!! Face everything and rise - thats FEAR!!!!

~ Dawn

Humanity should be our race. Love should be our religion!

I remember when my Hindi poetry book 'Khwabon Ki Zameen' - Land of dreams, was published in 2008 the funds that I collected was mainly for HIV kids in India and during that time I heard from my Mom-in law about Palliative Care and her decision to practice that after her retirement in a hospital for AIDS patients in Calicut, Kerala India. She had mentioned that my Father-in law Dr Narayanan, wanted to do this and since he is no more she would like to take that dream forward.
I was very much touched by that and I also decided at that time of doing the same in one or the other way through whatever way I can support.
Many times our family responsibilities come as priority but I believe there are many other ways that we can support such as financial help, professional help and also through spreading the message across as this is something that not many know about the palliative care and the need of it.
Being in the developed countries such as Canada and USA, I have heard of these and I have seen how patients are supported, in fact I had volunteered in my early days in Toronto, Canada by visiting the old age home where patients need that compassion and love. I used to spend one hour every time I went there and the amount of love I received from each one of them was something I can't even describe in words and many times I felt did they needed that or was it me, who had no family or friends in that country at that time. It is such a therapy that everyone can benefit by mere showing compassion and love to each other.

"The best way to find yourself is to loose yourself in the service of others." ~ M. K. Gandhi

These things are not that common in countries like India and many others. We all within ourselves know that every living being needs love, compassion and support during all the times. It's even more when one is suffering but I feel we in this fast paced era forget about compassion or it gets ignored and lost in many other priorities but what we forget is the main fundamental thing that we are human!

Padma Shri Dr. M. R. Rajagopal is an Indian palliative care physician. He is the founder chairman of Pallium India, a palliative care non-governmental organization based in Kerala, India. 
He is often referred to as the 'Father of Palliative Care in India', in honor of his significant contribution to the palliative care scene in India. In 2018, the Indian Government honored Dr M. R. Rajagopal with the Padma Shri award.

I would like to share a documentary movie based on Dr M. R. Rajagopal's life, titled "Hippocratic: 18 Experiments in Gently Shaking the World" which was released on World Palliative Care Day - Oct 14th, 2017.

"We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity; more than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost." ~ Charles Chaplin

Yesterday I had the privilege to meet in person Padma Shri Dr. M. R. Rajagopal at a charity event hosted by Punyam. Listening to his speech where many stories he shared from his real life and experience that brought tears in many people's eyes who were present there. It really touched some of the inner core of my soul and the question that I keep asking myself came back again - why are we living if we are not there for each other to support. 
Personally when I hear about someone suffering or being expired because of illness, my immediate thought goes to my loved ones because I know one fact about life is that we all are going to die. It's matter of time and matter of who goes first. No matter when it happens and who goes first, all I care about is to give that happiness and peace while they are there with us. It is so important to do things while people are alive because after death they are not there to see anything, not even your tears.
No matter how much technology takes lead in our lives, love and compassion can never be given by technology. I am a supporter of technology but as an enabler for us. Technology can help with many aspects of health industry but the human touch, and compassion can only be through us i.e., we humans.

"We are very, very small, but we are profoundly capable of very, very big things" ~ Stephen Hawking 

Many times I have wished myself to be at places where I can be of some help for humanity and at times the responsibilities takes the first priority and so I try my best to support financially wherever it is possible but my ultimate goal is to be there and help in person on the field for humanity sake.

This is not possible by one person as it takes a whole village to help and support the cause and I am a believer of 'Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good' !

So lets pledge to support Dr. M. R. Rajagopal in his mission for our loved ones sake and for humanity.

"Strong people stand up for themselves, but stronger people stand up for others"

~ Dawn

These scattered clouds!

Thoughts today are like,

These scattered clouds,

Whether to be or not,

Comprehensive or open,

Backups or no backups,

Scale sets or auto scales,

Simplify or complicate,

Snowball or glaciers,

Import or export,

Cloud watch or cloud trail,

Deep learning or machine learning,

Media tailor or media store,

Cloud search or elastic search,

And it goes on and on,

Without making its mind,

But I am on top of the cloud,

May be Cloud9 or in the pipeline,

Thoughts today are like,

These scattered clouds!

~ Dawn

#happypoetrymonth

I believe the first test of a truly great human is in their humility ...

Yesterday we all reached one by one at the Salt Lake City airport from different parts of the world. It was amazing to see how virtually connected people get more close when they meet you in person. Life cannot get better if we as human can be nice and kind to each other.

Since many of them are coming from different country, USA residents offered to drive the rental cars and I was amazed and surprised that I was driving a minivan which was a first time for me.
Great drive from Salt Lake City to Delta- Utah, where besides the scenic roads rain was a relief to the heat.
Along with my group members, we reached safely to our hotel. It was nice to connect and regroup with everyone as soon we are going to be rocking with our mission.

Today was day 1 of the Good Gig and everyone was pretty excited to see how the day is going to unfold for us. Delta Utah, is a small town with close community ties, where people take care of each other which gave a feeling of India when I was growing up as a kid. 
People cared for each other and that resonated here too in Utah.

Our day was scheduled with plans but while we were there on our activities things always got changed for the good. The best I liked was that we were spending time with the Millard School District members and faculties who strived through to make digital divide for their children.
The way people came together to support our presence here is incredible, special service, cooked food by the technical director who made sure he met everyone's needs such as those who are vegetarians, or non-onion eating and meat lovers - everyone was taken special care and hospitality.

The amazing part was that for cooking this dinner people who are on summer vacation showed up and some of the officials drove from far to welcome us along with the local press.
I felt as we live this fast pace life in cities, people here in small towns are much more connected with the community, they enjoy life even though there may not be too many options however they eat healthy food. Nice dinner cooked in Dutch oven on charcoals was something always made me very special as it's the natural way of cooking which makes the food much tastier and healthy.

There's lot of dreams that they have planned for their children, however they don't know how we will meet those yet, a ray of hope for them was we as a Good-gigs team.

I learned a lot about the people of Utah, the mormons, the humble and down to earth people who kept on thanking us for coming all the way to Delta to help setting up with technology and support with training for their teacher initiators.
It was amazing to see how the School Superintendent personally came and asked me where I am originally from and how did I come this far... I gave a glimpse of my adventurous move and it made him excited as we were about to leave and he said, 'we need to continue this discussion further...' and the best was that he remembered each and everyone's name and shared with me his Indore, India trip to me as well. 

The kind of gratitude and humbleness in the Millard School District people I saw was something very touching and emotional for me. I felt like giving them a hug and cry.

"There is nothing better on this earth than a soul that you can connect with on every level"

~ Dawn

Communication is a knife !?!

What is communication? We all talk about this word whether its in office with our team, in the company or even in the family and in relationship as well.

What in reality communication means? Is it only to convey a message? Is it only to listen and don't give your opinion? Or is it a selective listening strategy which one expresses that yes we communicate well.

My thought process and belief about communication is that between two people, or many people such as in a company - it is to openly communicate, share and discuss. During this one can share what they know and others don't, they can discuss if there is a question or solution that they are asking from others or to even to a next level where you can challenge someone if you don't agree with their discussion or point. Many times in stead of creating a healthy discussion, and communication between two people or a group, it ends up in an argument.

Have you come across such a situation ever in life? Many times this comes out with people who are close to you because colleagues will always take it in a professional manner and try to respect each other's opinion rather than getting into an argument - easy to express your opinion and easy to move out by listening to others opinion even though you might not agree with their views.

People argue to agree to disagree and later it turns out to be in two ways - either you stop discussing / communicating / ignore OR you move out of that zone altogether where you don't even communicate with them because the outcome of the whole thing leaves a sour taste in your mouth.

In such case what is there? Healthy communication which should improve the relationship and bring closeness or even bring a broad minded thinking it turns out to be total disaster. 

Why people then say for any relationship to flourish or any process and team to work appropriately - communication should be there. In my so far life I have heard of over communication is better than no communication.

I grew up communicating with my parents about everything that used to happen in my life and that was most of the school time stories and discussions. Sometimes things that I shared were looked at different ways and I used to get a feedback or suggestion that you should have done this way or that way and I used to respect their opinion and used to logically think about it such that I could use that next time.

School life to college life and so forth but nothing changed in my style of communication. I rather became more close to my parents and brother as I wanted them to be part of everything that I do in school or outside of house.

Time changed and as I moved to a independent level I realized communication always helped in all stages of life. Whether it was to communicate to someone about a pain, or even a happiness it was very obvious and clear in communication. 

But many times this communication has become a big problem in life. Have you ever come across this way? 

My still belief is that good or bad if someone is taking a comment or topic discussion as personal then it can become an argumentative communication but then isn't communication all about opening up, giving room to others to express their views and opinions and respectfully communicate your own views or opinions?

I feel mostly these days communication is what killing the relationship or bringing issues. The more smart and intelligent we assume about ourselves the more we keep expectations from others as how to react to our communications or discussions and views. It is becoming as to dictate others and this is something I don't consider as an open communication to flourish any relationship or resolve any issues or come to any solutions.

At the end communication I see as a sharp knife, which can cut fruits and vegetables for you at the same time if you don't use the knife properly it can cut your fingers too.

Are we moving more towards a world where technology is taking over without even making us realizing about what we are missing about in-person communication or one on one communication? People are more tend to get communication from internet, documentaries or TED talks etc but people are so sold out to these that when they find someone in person to communicate or talk, they end up arguing and part with ill-feeling.

Sad, but we should think about it technology should be working for us and not we becoming handicap to technology and lose connection with real people.

An expression - whether its happiness, anger, disagreement its all a way of communicating and expressing the feelings. If you consider your loved ones are really your loved ones then do listen and give room to think about and listen to what they are trying to communicate.

Communication is a knife which anyway is going to cut things try to use it to cut through all barriers and reduce distances rather than murdering it.

~ Dawn

“Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.”

Lately, I have been in transition mode with job. Coming back to Cisco is like bringing back my initial times of US, when I was a bit sad for leaving Canada and that’s when I found friends at work…!
Now I am back there and searching for those friends :), I know they are there it’s just that I am not able to connect without my laptop! Yes, you take a week or more to get a laptop in Cisco ;) ~ like they say ~ in big company’s things take a bit time!!

“Technology makes it possible for people to gain control over everything, except over technology” ~ John Tudor

So, what am I doing in Cisco without laptop (as mostly one seems to not working at all without the laptop ;) ), I am reading stack of documents, making my days long and sleepy!

Hey exciting news which really is exciting for me... Loll! I got a call in the morning saying – one of my Hindi poem has been selected by a kido (shweet one of 6-7 yr old), we call her ‘Zhansi Ki Rani’ (I guess the world’s first woman who fought in the battle in India to save her Zhansi!!!).

This Kido - Niharika decided to recite one of my poems in school for her poem reciting competition…I am so thrilled to hear this, all I could wish was ‘Good Luck’.

I don’t know what the result would be but I feel very honored when a child selected my poetry to recite of all others :)

“Mine honor is my life; both grow in one; Take honor from me and my life is done.” ~ William Shakespeare

My day started with excitement and I still feel the breeze of it ;), even though without laptop this technology has made me feel like handicap!!

“Once a new technology rolls over you, if you're not part of the steamroller, you're part of the road.” ~ Stewart Brand

“Once a new technology rolls over you, if you're not part of the steamroller, you're part of the road.”

Now a days am kind of busy …yes of course it’s my work but am enjoying it.

I have been dealing with systems and technology world yet it wasn’t that interesting as it is now: D…! Everyday I get amazed with the wonders of the technology and the brilliant mind of human to make it to our most wonderful manner usage!

“Poetry should be great and unobtrusive, a thing which enters into one's soul, and does not startle it or amaze it with itself, but with its subject.” ~ John Keats

Yes, am in Wireless and believe me the kind where this world is heading ….it really makes amazing the way mobile world is moving with its pace and mobility.

“The wireless telegraph is not difficult to understand. The ordinary telegraph is like a very long cat. You pull the tail in New York, and it meows in Los Angeles. The wireless is the same, only without the cat.” ~ Albert Einstein

It is overwhelming sometimes…yet the kinds of projects that am dealing with makes me study more and make aware of new things which I haven’t used or might have just heard. It’s a beautiful view when I look outside my window and indeed an awesome one inside too!

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” ~ Albert Einstein

I wanted to share this with my friends lately am busy in learning and working on many projects at the same time…trying to add value in what I am doing! Finally, I feel good as I learn more and more…reminds me of my school days…only difference is that I don’t have to give exams here … :D yet…when it comes to application…its more than an exam, isn’t it?

“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.” ~Winston Churchill

All these and yet am wondering technology is like that drug which is good in limitation however said that…when its more than its usual dose it becomes unhealthy!

So true isn’t it? Again it’s manmade: D…sometime I wonder did we progress to win or loose? …the other day I saw a wall paper screen on my friend’s laptop. It was earth as a giant cat eating the moon as mouse: D…seemed quite cute but the fact …if it happens then ….ever thought about this?

“Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Too many waves and ripples in mind and heart!!! I feel very happy about the learning and the changes that are taking place yet a bit of scare…may be thinking of the worst or…may be thinking if its getting too much…we can’t even take care of our own home – the Earth…yet we boast about our capability – is it worth!!??

“In the spider-web of facts, many a truth is strangled.” ~Paul Eldridge