Facile technology for warding off the evil-eye: inexpensive “nazar suraksha”

Abstract: The "evil-eye" better known as nazar is a severely detrimental energy field that impacts the well-being of individuals in South Asia. Previously, others have demonstrated the effectiveness of the evil-eye deterring pendant known as Nazar Suraksha Kawach which works by interfering the dangerous frequencies of the evil-eye. However, this is inadequate since the protective … Continue reading Facile technology for warding off the evil-eye: inexpensive “nazar suraksha” →

How to get rich by selling “homemade” rudraksha seeds

Prayer beads made of rudrakshas* (also spelled as rudrakshs) are very commonly used by Hindus. My grandfather had one which he used like rosary beads to count the number of times he had recited a mantra. TeleSkyShopping Network, a direct-to-home shopping outlet that sells various charms and amulets in North America for hundreds of dollars … Continue reading How to get rich by selling “homemade” rudraksha seeds →

Did Prahlad Jani survive 70 years without food or drink?

As someone actively engaged in the dissemination of scientific information, I find it incumbent on myself to sift through the news to see how science is being represented by the media. Last week many media outlets including the AFP, reported a curious case of an Indian holy man who claimed to have survived without sustenance … Continue reading Did Prahlad Jani survive 70 years without food or drink? →

The role of scientists in society: thoughts on cholera reduction using sari-cloth.

If you are searching for sarcasm in the following sentences, you will be disappointed. What you will find is sincere appreciation for two landmark scientific studies. In an extreme example of social asymmetry, while privileged individuals can debate whether or not to drink purified bottled water, over one billion others on this planet do not … Continue reading The role of scientists in society: thoughts on cholera reduction using sari-cloth. →

ReLAX: you are in the City of Angels

"California: bordering always on the Pacific and sometimes on the ridiculous"                                                                             –  George Carlin "Lay off California... We have bears and great white-sharks and even our washed-up actors are allowed to kill one blonde chick."      -    Bill Maher I’ve been out of the loop for a while and … Continue reading ReLAX: you are in the City of Angels →

How to tip desi-style – a guide to the “baksheesh”

Pappu Patligali was seated with his friends at at a table in the A.C. section of New Aroma Restaurant located just off of National Highway 6. He was visiting India during semester break and he had a few days to enjoy with friends and family before heading back to the US to finish up his … Continue reading How to tip desi-style – a guide to the “baksheesh” →

India though the eyes of a former Viceroy

A chance encounter with a copy of the October 1943 issue of the National Geographic magazine at a library book-sale piqued my interest since the headline article was about British India. I have always had more than a passing curiosity in the opinions of the British ruling-class during the days of the Raj. What did … Continue reading India though the eyes of a former Viceroy →

A mandatory conversation before you leave India for higher studies in the US

In 1999, Pappu Patligali "passed out" of the New Elite Institute of Technology with a job in hand. He had been recruited on-campus by Technotomorrow, an IT firm that promised to send gullible prospects on-site to their Connecticut branch to work on VLP (very-low priority) coding solutions for the Y2K problem. Technotomorrow wasn't innovative and … Continue reading A mandatory conversation before you leave India for higher studies in the US →