Giving back to society.. #66 ..

When I was 14 years, on 7 April, 1978, I met with a bus accident in Aroor, Alleppey returning from Adoor on way to Irinjalakuda, (adoor is mother's place) after vacation. 

Lost my elder brother in the accident and I was unconscious with a serious head injury for 2 days in Medical Trust hospital Ekm. 

After lot of blood transfusions over2 days (from total strangers

) regained consciousness and came back to life. 

This is my way of giving back to that same society. Not told this incident to any of our classmates. 🙏🙏🙏👍👍

Visit to Uty of Oxford '26

This stunning panoramic view was taken in Oxford, England, from the tower balcony of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin on High Street.

​Climbing the tower offers the most famous vantage point in the city, looking directly over the heart of the *University of Oxford*. 

Here is what you are looking at:

​1. *The Round Building*: Radcliffe Camera

​The magnificent circular building on the left is the Radcliffe Camera (built 1737–1749). Designed by architect James Gibbs in the English Baroque style, it was built to house the Radcliffe Science Library. Today, it serves as a reading room for the world-famous Bodleian Library and is one of the University of Oxford's most iconic landmarks.

​2. *The Gothic Complex: All Souls College*

​The sprawling, ornate stone complex stretching across the center and right background is All Souls College (founded in 1438) in the University of Oxford.

​The prominent twin towers you see rising into the sky are the famous Codrington Library towers, designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor in a distinct Gothic Revival style.

​All Souls is one of the most prestigious and unique institutions in the world—it has no undergraduate students, and its members automatically become Fellows, elected through what is widely considered one of the hardest academic examinations in existence.

Visit to Uty of Cambridge.. 2026

​The stunning buildings on the riverbank behind you belong to King's College, Uty of Cambridge:

​King's College Chapel (Right): The magnificent Gothic building with the tall spires is one of the most iconic architectural landmarks in the world. Started in 1446 by King Henry VI, it features the world's largest fan-vaulted ceiling and spectacular medieval stained glass.

​The Gibbs Building (Center-Left): The long, elegant Neo-classical building sitting just to the left of the chapel is the Gibbs Building, constructed in the 1720s.

​The Bridge (Far Left): In the distance, you can see one of Cambridge's historic stone bridges arching over the water.

How much has AI has entered my life ?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the buzzword for all manufacturing / management professional out there. AI could redefine how humans think and act, how humans would act to increase the output optimally at the best costs and utilisng minimum of resources. This is definitely going to help planet earth in the long run. 

But can we sustain the the utopian dream on planet earth as portrayed by scientists and AI professionals world over. What are the basic challenges affecting growth, development and implementation of AI 

1. Poor awareness of artificial intelligence with the common public, even the educated

2. Poor penetration of AI concepts to the workmen. Workmen are being constantly threatened telling about the potential job loss that result

And many..

Boat from ernakulam to fort kochi

A big Thanks to God ..

A poem of heartfelt gratitude to God, written in free-verse poetic form:

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O Giver of breath, I bow in quiet wonder  

for the steady pulse that still dances in my chest.  

You painted health into these limbs,  

so they carry me through dawn and dusk without complaint.  

For the gift of learning—open books, patient teachers,  

a mind that learned to question and to kneel in awe.  

I thank You for the warm circle called family,  

parents whose hands first held me, whose love never wavered.  

For siblings who laughed with me, fought with me,  

and still choose to walk beside me.  

You sheltered me beneath this roof,  

walls that keep out rain, a home that holds our stories.  

Grateful for the work that finds my hands each morning,  

a job that lets me rise, contribute, grow.  

For the salary that turns into rice on the table,  

clothes on our backs, school fees paid, small kindnesses shared.  

Thank You for friends—those rare, steady souls  

who see my flaws and still stay, still call me by name.  

Every sunrise reminds me: nothing here was owed.  

All of it—grace upon grace—flowed from Your open hand.  

So here I stand, small and full, whispering thanks  

into the One who gave me everything worth loving.

Kothi kallu at Giby's Farm Mala, Trissur

On our trip to Mala Giby's farm on Dec 25th of 2025 to attend Reenu's marriage, I was surprised to find Kothi kallu in the outer boundary of the property. I had found a similar Kothikallu in my daughter-in-law Anna's property in Aarakkunnam. The info then was totally new to me and I was taken aback by it. The highlight of her property in Aarakkunnam is this stone, no doubt. 

History sleeps in that place. This was the main trading areas during the Muziris port times, about 2000 years back, though the stones are just around three hundred  years old, the age of Travancore and Kochi kingdoms. These stones are part of history and are preserved by the owners as very valuable property. Here is some info on these stones. 

Kothi Kallu (also spelled Kothikallu or Ko-Thi Kallu) refers to ancient boundary stones erected to mark the border between the erstwhile princely states of the Kingdom of Cochin (Kochi Rajyam) and the Kingdom of Travancore (Thiruvithamkoor) in Kerala.

These stones, often made of granite and shaped like milestones (typically 6–10 feet tall with a square cross-section), feature inscriptions:

- The Malayalam letter "കൊ" (Ko) on one side, facing the Cochin side.

- "തി" (Thi)on the opposite side, facing the Travancore side (short for Thiruvithamkoor).

They were placed along the boundary line, sometimes 15–30 meters apart in certain areas, to clearly demarcate territories and resolve disputes. This was particularly important for trade, customs, and administration, as goods moving across borders (especially via waterways in the coastal Muziris region) required clear demarcation.

Historical Context

The boundary stones date back to the 18th century, during the expansion of Travancore under rulers like Marthanda Varma and Dharma Raja, who extended their kingdom northward to the borders of Cochin. Areas like North Paravur and Alangad shifted hands, and these stones helped formalize the borders. Some were placed near forts, canals, rivers, or significant houses.

Many surviving Kothikallu are found in the ancient Muziris heritage region (around Kodungallur-North Paravur in present-day Ernakulam and Thrissur districts), as well as other spots like:

- Chathedam–Thuruthippuram

- Cherai

- Palarivattom

- Tripunithura

- Karingachira

- Annamanada

They hold archaeological significance as remnants of Kerala's pre-independence princely state era.

After India's independence, Cochin and Travancore merged in 1949 to form Travancore-Cochin (Thiru-Kochi), and in 1956, this united with Malabar to form modern Kerala, rendering the boundaries obsolete.

Some of these stones today are preserved by the owners of the land or noted in heritage sites, and they serve as references in local land surveys. They symbolize the historical division (and eventual unity) of these kingdoms.

Fishing at Giby's Farm Mala Trissur..

At Giby's Farm, Mala, Trissur.

A Hidden Sanctuary in Mala, Trichur, Kerala.

With family we are currently unwinding at a hidden gem called Giby’s Farm in Mala, Kerala to attend to my niece Reenu's marriage with Sharath. It is nothing short of a paradise. 

Tucked away and embraced by backwaters on three sides, this place feels like a private island of calm.

The landscape is a beautifully curated mix of the wild and the manicured. Dense mangroves line the water's edge, creating a natural sanctuary for countless birds—their calls are the only "noise" you hear here. 

The property itself is lush with exotic flora; majestic Mahogany and Teak trees stand tall, providing cool shade, while vibrant flowers bloom in every corner, showing just how lovingly this place is maintained.

It is rare to find a spot that feels so untouched yet so comfortable. I’ll be soaking in this tranquility and fresh air until Sunday evening. If you are looking for a place to pause and breathe, this is it. 👍👍👍

Marble bust of self..

Orthodox way of life - AI

https://chatgpt.com/g/g-693e8bd27868819195a8888efed01171-malankara-orthodox-guide  

This is an excellent AI based guide on the Malankara orthodox church and way of life in India. Any doubt you have, feel free to ask here and get an intelligent and gainful answer to all your queries ..

3 day AI workshop in ASoB, Bangalore..

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Three-Day AI Workshop: Summary Report (10–12 December)

Overview

Over three days (10–12 December), I participated in an intensive AI workshop focused on applications of Artificial Intelligence in management, operations, strategy, and digital transformation. The workshop blended conceptual learning, hands-on experimentation with AI tools, and the development of practical academic artefacts such as case studies, presentations, quizzes, and course outlines.
It had a deep engagement with AI for teaching, content creation, operations management, and strategic decision-making.

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Day 1 — 10 December: AI for Operations, Case Writing & Strategic Thinking

Key Topics Covered

• AI-assisted case study development for major Indian organizations (Bengaluru Metro, ISRO, Infosys, Tata Sons, Google & Amazon investment cases).

• Application of AI for scenario planning, sustainability, and infrastructure operations.

• Using AI tools for analysis of large-scale projects (metro systems, airports, corporates, aerospace).

Hands-On Activities

• Creating detailed case studies with:

  • Origins and evolution

  • Operational challenges

  • Strategic opportunities

  • Environmental & economic impact

• Generating multi-slide presentations and operational analyses.

Learning Outcomes

• Learned to use AI to structure rich academic narratives.

• Understood how AI can support operations strategy, benchmarking, and comparative analysis.

• Strengthened capability to transform raw queries into teaching-ready content.

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Day 2 — 11 December: AI for Teaching, Assessment & Course Design

Key Topics Covered

• Designing AI-supported MBA teaching materials.

• Creating syllabi, lesson plans, CDAPs, and detailed course files.

• Developing objective quizzes mapped to COs/POs for accreditation standards.

Hands-On Activities

• Producing:

  • 30-hour Operations Strategy & Sustainability syllabus

  • Detailed CDAP aligned with AACSB-style learning outcomes

  • Case banks for classroom discussion

  • Faculty course file components

  • Hour-wise lesson plans & teaching slides

Learning Outcomes

• Mastery of AI-assisted academic documentation.

• Ability to automate repetitive teaching tasks.

• Understanding of AI’s role in curriculum development and instructional design.

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Day 3 — 12 December: AI for Entrepreneurship, Simulation, Analytics & Personal Productivity

Key Topics Covered

• AI for startup ideation, financial modeling, and payback analysis.

• AI in corporate simulations, crisis decision-making, and strategy formulation.

• Document auditing: CDAP review, auditing frameworks, templates.

• Technical understanding: How to create a GPT and practical use of AI for automation.

Hands-On Activities

• Developing a complete startup concept (adventure gaming):

  • Problem framing

  • Solution differentiation

  • Target customer

  • Minimum investment

  • Payback period calculation

  • Abstract & slide deck

• Running CEO-style business simulations.

• Auditing academic documents with AI assistance.

• Exploring AI model creation and architectural basics.

Learning Outcomes

• Integrated AI into entrepreneurial reasoning, financial estimation, and storytelling.

• Learned AI-supported corporate decision-making workflows.

• Gained clarity on the conceptual process of building custom GPT systems.

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Overall Learning Reflections

1. AI as a Productivity Multiplier

Using AI to create high-quality teaching materials at a speed and depth that traditional methods cannot match.

2. AI for Operational Excellence

Repeated case study work showed how AI can benchmark operational performance and uncover insights for:

• transportation systems

• manufacturing firms

• aerospace organizations

• technology companies

3. AI for Academic Leadership

Tasks reveal a shift toward becoming an AI-augmented educator, designing modern curricula aligned with industry and accreditation needs.

4. AI for Strategic & Entrepreneurial Thinking

The workshop demonstrated how AI supports:

• startup analysis

• risk management

• strategic simulations

5. AI for Everyday Administrative Efficiency

Document audits, presentation generation, and quiz preparation highlighted AI’s ability to streamline faculty workflows.

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Conclusion

Across the three days, engaged deeply with AI as a tool for operations management, strategy, teaching, research, and innovation. The pattern of tasks suggests that the workshop successfully enabled  to integrate AI into both academic responsibilities and strategic thinking—positioning one to lead AI-driven initiatives in education and management. 

How AI can redo things ?

An AI generated pencil sketch of myself.

Breakfast in a forest in Bengaluru city

Having breakfast this morning , 29 Nov '25, in our Alliance uty campus food court first floor, in Anekal  campus in Bengaluru. Our campus is a small green forest , really ... !!

Voluntary blood donation #63 SJMC

It was great to do my seventh platelet apheresis (single donor platelets) of this year at SJMC yesterday, total 63 so far ..... 

It started on 7 feb 2025, #57 at CMC Vellore, followed by 8 march, 12 April, 3 July, 26 July, 4 Sept and 11 Nov yesterday.

Very healthy and feeling great to be able to give back to society..

Ge..

Visited Daddy mummy tomb at Elamkulam St Gregorios Orthodox church

It was a blessed Sunday morning service 19 Oct at Elamkulam orthodox church in ernakulam and also to visit Daddy mummy tomb. Was in Trivandrum on Saturday morning by 8 am Indigo flight from Bangalore, to talk at Career Launcher to students yesterday. Stayed at Alicemamas house in Golf Links road. After lunch went to tvm railway station and reached kochi last night by Super fast train Vande Bharat ,4 pm tvm  - 7 pm ekm, stops at kollam 5 pm, Alleppey 6 pm and Ekm south 7 pm. After 2 meetings with students at 11 am and 1 pm, back in airport for 5 pm Bangalore indigo, reaching home by 8 pm. The AU Kerala RM Shiyaaz was a big help ..

My recent pic ..

Recent one, with AI help 

How to be creative post 60 .

To ease anxiety about the future, particularly post-60, engaging in purposeful, fulfilling, and proactive activities can help you maintain mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Here are ten activities tailored to context, designed to foster resilience, connection, and peace of mind:

1. Lifelong Learning and Teaching

   Continue engaging with academia by mentoring younger scholars, offering guest lectures, or teaching part-time at local institutions or online platforms. This keeps your intellectual spark alive and builds a legacy. For example, you could develop a free online course on a subject you're passionate about, sharing your expertise with a global audience.

2. Write a Book or Memoir  

   Document your academic journey, insights, or personal experiences in a book or memoir. Writing can be therapeutic, helping you process your career and life while leaving a meaningful contribution for future generations. Start with a small goal, like 500 words a week, to make it manageable.

3. Cultivate a Creative Hobby  

   Explore a creative outlet unrelated to your academic work, such as painting, music, or creative writing. These activities stimulate the brain, reduce stress, and offer a sense of accomplishment. For instance, joining a local art class or learning an instrument like the piano can be both fun and fulfilling.

4. Physical Activity for Longevity  

   Incorporate regular, low-impact exercise like yoga, tai chi, or walking to maintain physical health and reduce anxiety. Aim for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, to boost endorphins and improve mobility. Consider group classes to add a social element, which can further enhance mental well-being.

5. Volunteer in Your Community  

   Use your skills to give back, such as tutoring students, advising nonprofits, or leading workshops at community centers. Volunteering fosters a sense of purpose and connection, countering feelings of isolation. Look for opportunities through local libraries or organizations like SCORE for retired professionals.

6. Build and Maintain Social Connections  

   Strengthen relationships with friends, family, or colleagues to create a robust support network. Schedule regular meetups, such as a monthly book club or coffee with former students, to stay socially engaged. Strong social ties are linked to lower anxiety and better mental health in later years.

7. Explore Technology and Digital Literacy  

   Stay current with technology to remain connected and empowered. Learn to use new tools, such as AI platforms or social media, to engage with academic communities or share your work. Online courses on platforms like Coursera can help you master emerging technologies at your own pace.

8. Practice Mindfulness or Meditation  

   Develop a mindfulness practice to manage anxiety and stay grounded. Even 10 minutes a day of meditation or deep-breathing exercises can reduce stress. Apps like Headspace or free guided sessions on YouTube can be a good starting point, tailored to beginners or busy professionals.

9. Plan Financially for Peace of Mind  

   Work with a financial advisor to ensure your retirement savings and investments align with your future goals. Understanding your financial security can alleviate worries about post-60 life. If you haven’t already, review your pension, investments, or part-time income options like consulting.

10. Travel or Explore Locally  

   Plan trips to places you’ve always wanted to visit, or explore local cultural sites, museums, or nature trails. Travel stimulates curiosity and provides new perspectives, while local exploration can be just as enriching without the stress of long-distance planning. Consider group tours for academics to combine learning and adventure.

These activities blend intellectual stimulation, physical health, social connection, and personal growth, all of which can reduce anxiety by giving you agency over your future. Start small by picking one or two that resonate most, and gradually incorporate others as you build confidence in your post-60 vision.

Interesting pics from Google AI

First day trip on Yellow line Bangalore metro 11 Aug '25