Curious Connections

 What use does the board in front of the Village Office or a Govt office serve? Most village offices have ta printed notice at the entrance: Anti Corruption something.... Do not give or take money as bribe or something of that sort! What is the use of it, when it's all just on paper!  What else can we use that real estate space for public interest?  What about a faq list, which contains the common questions people have about the services of the office? This kind of notice with helpful reply will be of constant use! Also, attach a QR code at the end of it, so that a person can scan it and get to know a big list on the website where it will provide detailed Q&N about the functions and how each service could be availed. Here put each of the answer in common man's words! No official wordings or unclear instructions!

 Today in the morning mass, priest was sharing the story of Herod! As I was listening to him, thought of the connection with Herod and Kamsa!  And, here's the answer from ChatGPT! Here are the similarities between the stories of Kamsa in Hindu texts and Herod in the Bible ordering the killing of infants: Prophecy of a Threat to the Throne Kamsa: A prophecy foretells that Kamsa will be killed by the eighth child of his sister, Devaki. Herod: Wise men (Magi) inform Herod of the birth of a new king, Jesus, threatening his rule. Fear and Paranoia of the Ruler Both rulers react with extreme fear and paranoia upon learning about a child who could potentially overthrow them. Mass Killing of Infants Kamsa: Orders the killing of all infants born to Devaki and imprisons her to ensure the prophecy doesn’t come true. Herod: Orders the massacre of all male children under the age of two in Bethlehem to eliminate the prophesied "King of the Jews." Divine Intervention Kamsa: Krishna, the...

 This post is based on my frustration of getting some amount from the Govt coffers! Yes, I was waiting for the govt handouts and I was in dire straits as my cash balance has dwindled to the scrap bottom of the pile. Somehow, what I thought about the timeline of getting approval got delayed, and delayed! Some freaking stories, confusion!  What better way to clear the confusion as to the rules than to get an AI chat box to answer all the freaking questions!  Also, another consideration that go on In the labyrinth of government offices, the seemingly insignificant role of the "paper pusher" often wields disproportionate power. These petty clerks, with their self-important demeanor, control the movement of files from one desk to another, turning bureaucracy into an unending wait for the common citizen. Their reluctance to expedite processes, coupled with the rigid hierarchy & rules of government offices, creates a system where progress is stalled at every step. Well, I re...

  Septage Collection Vehicle I just googled to see the meaning of the word septage and its malayalam translation. What if they mention these as a sub heading.  സെപ്റ്റിക് ടാങ്കിൽ അടങ്ങിയിരിക്കുന്നതോ അതിൽ നിന്ന് നീക്കം.....  Or this... We remove waste material from the septic tank.( Call us today at Septage Collection Control Room  94964 34488 in Thiruvananthapuram

  Kochi Municipal Corporation Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Pune Municipal Corporation Kanpur Municipal Corporation Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)  Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM/BMC) Vijayawada Municipal Corporation  Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Mysuru City Corporation Coimbatore Municipal Corporation Chennai Corporation Municipal Corporation Phone Number(s) Email Address(es) Website URL Kochi Municipal Corporation General: +91-484-2369007 Mayor: cochinmayor@gmail.com https://kochicorporation.lsgkerala.gov.in/ Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) General: +91-33-2286-1000 (28 Lines) Not specified https://www.kmcgov.in/ Pune Municipal Corporation Not specified Not specified https://www.pmc.gov.in/ Kanpur Municipal Corporation Not specified Not specified https://kmc.up.nic.in/ Ahmedaba...

  Septage Vechile parked near Medical College Other day I went out for a morning walk and while returning home I saw this yellow mini-lorry parked by the road side. The QR code on the lorry ignited my curiosity. I was thrilled to see an idea which I was thinking for a long time.  How come our city corporation introduced this concept? Who's brain child is this QR code on the lorry? But, why did they not keep the phone numbers?  A Fresh Take on QR Codes in Civic Services Seeing a QR code on a septage vehicle owned by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation was a pleasant surprise. It’s a commendable step towards integrating technology into public services. However, I believe this initiative could become even more impactful with a few enhancements. Make Contact Effortless While QR codes are convenient, adding a quick contact number or WhatsApp details would be a game-changer. It provides an alternative for those who might face difficulties scanning QR codes, ensuring accessibilit...

 Introduction to After-School Programs After-school programs provide children with structured activities and learning opportunities outside regular school hours. These programs focus on holistic development by offering a blend of academic support, life skills, and extracurricular activities. They are especially beneficial in shaping well-rounded individuals, keeping children engaged in meaningful pursuits, and equipping them with skills that traditional curricula might not cover. In Kerala, after-school programs can have a transformative impact. They can address gaps in education by introducing real-world skills, reducing the screen time of children, and fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Such programs can also empower children to become confident and community-minded individuals, bridging the gap between academics and practical life applications. 12 Things an After-School Program Can Teach Kids Cooking and Healthy Eating Teach basic cooking skills and the ...

 I was reading this article from Long Reads. This article dwels on the creation of Blue Zone areas wehre they replicate life habits, activities which can replicate the life expectancy of people as in Blue Zones.  One of the point about Blue Zones is the  sense of purpose and belonging. In this context, I wonder how can we create societal engagement and build a purpose and belonging among those in Kerala and also people who are residing outside of Kerala. Building A Purpose and Belonging  Creating a society in Kerala where people have a stronger sense of purpose and belonging, while addressing the migration of young people and fostering connections with those settled abroad, requires a holistic and innovative approach. Here are 7 ways to achieve this goal: 1. Foster Community Participation through Local Initiatives Encourage people to engage in projects that directly impact their community, such as: Reviving Anganwadi schools: Partner with local artists, architec...

Artistic expression  Indian railway platforms are bustling hubs that millions traverse daily. Leveraging a small part of this space to showcase the work of local artists—be it paintings, photography, or other visual arts—can transform these spaces into vibrant cultural corners. Here’s an expanded idea, highlighting benefits, examples, and a call to action: Benefits of Art Displays on Railway Platforms Cultural Enrichment: Infuse platforms with local artistic traditions, contemporary styles, or thematic displays. Create an environment of exploration, learning, and connection through art. Also, each railway station can make a list of local artists segmented by genre. It can be kept as a poster with a QR code. On scanning the code, it will take to a page on irctc site where there will be more information about the artist, contact information, their portfolio.  Also, those who are into teaching art, will have details of their lessons, duration, etc. Platform for Local Talent: Offe...

 I'm not much sure of of the story of Jaguar brand's new avatar! It seems like, it's going for a full-on, rebuilding, re-imagining the brand.  Electric Phase of Jaguar! Looking at the scheme of things around the development and future of electric vehicles, it's quite evident that there's no future for gas based cars! At least, in the mid-range sector! So, the question we have in mind is this - Is this too early for the make-over. Or is it, better to go for a full-on change early one, without waiting for the inevitable change! Finally, what do you think of this makeover? Will this improve their odds of success, considering the fact that the technology ridden world that is hard to predict and evolving! Also, a suggestion I was thinking - What if Jaguar makes a bold attempt to give unprecedented customization feature in each car, based on individual buyer! What if they provide some 30 odds things that could be fixed or changed inside of the car - from retro looks, or a...

Catering to a Niche Audience  Reading a blog post from Non-obvious Blog, there was this post about eating different types of fruits on each day! Oh, that sounds cool! So, I was wondering which fruit store in Trivandrum has such a combination? None!  Don't you think it would be a great opportunity to tap a niche market where a fruit seller can make a fruit box filled with exotic ( imported and desi) fruits. Well, it's meant for all but for those who are willing to spend high, and enjoy fresh, variety of fruits that are not available everywhere! How's this fruit box idea? Try it it if you're a fruit seller, or a person who likes fruits and who can do the selling from home! How about an online fruit store which ships such combo to customers across India! Sounds good! Curious Konnections P.S - I remember one fruit shop down Brigade Road in B'lore which used to have exotic fruits which I was unfamilar of. Also, three was a fruit fragrace from the fruits as we walk past t...