GATE Experiences

Hi all,

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I prepared for GATE with three of my BTech juniors – Anish, Pawan and Prasanna Karthik. They finished UG this year. They wrote GATE 2009 and got fantastic scores of 99.63, 99.60 and 99.71 percentiles respectively! The number of people who took the exam was around 41000, and these guys got ranks of 158, 162 and 117!! Needless to say, they performed spectacularly in the written tests and interviews and got admits into almost all the places they tried! Delighted to see them succeed SO spectacularly!!

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PK has started blogging here about his GATE experiences. Since I was fully preparing with them for GATE 2008, many posts are as much about me as they are about him.  I had blogged about IIT Interviews and choosing between MS and MTech. He’s written a lot of stuff that I wanted to, but was too lazy to write after these two Moreover, his detailed descriptions of the strategies we adopted for preparing, our experiences etc will help GATE aspirants. Two good reasons to check him out..

The strategies he puts up are tested on two GATEs, and all four of us have succeeded through them. So I can safely claim that they are good and that they work for most. Please go ahead and adopt them or modify them as you wish, and let us know what worked for you Do check out his blog.

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The previous few posts have been about some other blog or video or the like. That’s because I was nearly drowning in work ! Second sem got over, and I got an S in both the courses I took. I’m a ten-pointer this sem!! With this, my course requirement is fulfilled, and my final CGPA is 9.21 Now I’ve started my research. Am working on improving reliability of architectures.

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I also realized that my prof is a regular follower of the blog – he makes snide comments on every post, which means that he reads them all! Hi sir

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karthrags

 

ANOTHER Fake IPL Player Blog!!

Hi all,

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I had blogged about the KKR Fake IPL Player. It seems that a Chennai Super Kings player has started a blog!! No idea if its a real fake blog or if its a fake fake, but I LOVED the start! One post, but references to the original Fake IPL Player blog, Vijayakanth and his stats, tamil politics, Koundamani, Chennai and more. Seems promising. I think we can expect at least a few good posts from here, more enjoyable to tamil people as this guy has a LOT of vernacular references. Do check him out!

http://sennaisuperkinks.wordpress.com

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karthrags

 

Rangapura Vihara – Ranjani & Gayathri

Hi all,

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I LOVE the raga Brindavana Saranga, and this song especially. Moreover, I’m a big fan of Ranjani and Gayathri. Addicted to this song for the last few days Such an AWESOME version of it!!

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Some interesting points to note:

- the resonance of the singers’ voice. It amazes me EVERY time I hear the song!

- the percussions. At no point do they dominate. Rather, they keep rhythm and emphasise appropriate parts of the song, and let the focus remain on the singing, making the song much more beautiful. GREAT playing! The mridangist is Arun Prakash; don’t know about the ghatam player

- The improvisations. They are trained in both carnatic as well as hindustani, and their improvisations are a bit different and absolutely fantastic!

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Rangapura Vihara – Brindavana Saranga – Ranjani & Gayathri

Another FANTASTIC Brindavanasaranga is a Viruttam and then Kaliyuga Varadhan, by Sowmya. I like her singing also a lot, and the violinist, Embar S. Kannan, is just out of the world

Viruttam + Kaliyuga Varadhan – Brindavana Saranga – Sowmya

Aaaahh.. Divine

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karthrags

 

Fake IPL Blog

Hi all,

Please do visit http://fakeiplplayer.blogspot.com/. This guy is just AWESOME!! He claims to be a Kolkata Knight Riders player, and is blogging all juicy inside stuff. He writes really well too! Its FUN. STRONGLY recommended, even if this is a publicity stunt by IPL

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karthrags

Update:

Check this out – another fake IPL Player blog!!

 

Happy Birthday Blog!

Hi all,

My blog turned one year old today!!!

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I was not sure if I’d keep writing for a year, and am a bit surprised that I stuck to it. Thanks to my blog, my writing has improved greatly. I can see the difference in the flow and variety.. I’ve also got a lot of new friends online. I thought I was pretty mediocre at writing, but was really shocked at the compliments that came my way. Cherish each one of them A big THANK YOU to all the encouragements

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This certainly was one of the most eventful of my years, and I’m glad to have blogged about a bit of it at least. I blindly blundered through two nightmarish months, and am living a dream now I did anticipate in my first post that things might become interesting, but never did expect it to become so wild! I messed up the most important exam of my life, graduated, visited 4 different IITs/IISc, got into college again, into where I wanted to go, despite the mess-up, started earning(and spending!!!), chose my research area, did fantastic courses, tried a thousand new things, introspected a LOT, changed a LOT, started learning carnatic violin, started listening to carnatic and fell MADLY in love with it, attended my first carnatic concert, cleared Mensa, started reading online extensively, attended my first rock concert….. Whew!

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Looking forward to the coming times as well. Sure going to be exciting! Hoping to keep blogging

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karthrags

 

Woo Hoo!!!!

Hi all,

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Check these out! This blog pops up first on 10, 200 results in Google for search key iitd mtech cs interview, and first among 223, 000 results for key iit pg interviews!!

Results for iitd mtech cs interview

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Results for iit pg interviews

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Note that I’m not signed in or anything

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karthrags

 

Forgive, but not Forget?

Hi all,

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My blog is seeing a sudden spurt in viewership, thanks to the articles about PG admissions. The third one is on its way – its my opinions on PG education in India vs abroad.. Taking some time to write a proper, coherent article

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This particular post has been sitting in my drafts for ages as just a thread of thought. The topic struck me suddenly when I was contemplating something. I forgot the context, but the conclusion was intriguing, and stuck to memory. Ruminating on it gave rise to interesting stuff. Hence a post about it.

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Conventional wisdom says forgive and forget. Its cliched, and cliches are not cliched without reason. They are so because they are true, mostly. My conclusion, though, seems to go against it. All this led me to ponder on it and find exactly why I came to it. I’ll try to justify this statement here. Some may not agree. Do let me know what you think..

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My contention is that it is beneficial to us to forgive people, but not to forget. The forgive part is easy – same arguments as usual. No need to carry around negativity, keep good relations etc. Regarding the second part, consider the reasons why one might be in a situation to forgive. When do you forgive? When someone has offended you, or hurt you in some way. When can someone offend you? Only when you take that person and his opinions of you seriously. When such a person says/thinks/does something that upsets you, either you could be at fault, or that person’s perception might be flawed, or there might be a basic disagreement in philosophy. I’m not able to think of other scenarios where this could happen. Can you??

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Anyways, if it was because we were in the wrong, it will be to our benefit to not forget it, but to take it seriously and think “is he right? Am I obstinately holding on to a mistaken belief?”. I tried this out and was surprised at the number of inconsistencies and misplaced ideals that I held. This especially is true if you’re surrounded by a diverse set of people, as I am now. Exposure to different cultures, beliefs, religions, paradigms. There’s bound to be friction and this is a good opportunity to test our beliefs against others’ to see if ours is tight. I go ahead one step further, and do this whenever I see two people in conflict. I feel I’ve improved a great deal by doing this. My views have become more informed and mature. Do try it out. It works

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If you’re offended because the other person saw things wrongly, its to your great benefit to go up to him and talk things out. This might result in you getting offended again, on any of the three grounds, leading to further introspection/action, in turn leading to more benefit. If it was just a case of misinformation or semi-information that caused the slight, it can easily be resolved and the relationship can be back to being normal.

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If it is the third case, that there is a basic difference in philosophy, no amount of persuasion or argument will change the other’s convictions. It’ll only end in embittering things further. Rather, I’d introspect to validate my opinions, and if I think they’re right, accept that there is a difference in opinion and take it from there. Relationships aren’t binary. Its not that A is either my friend, or isn’t. Not forgetting makes MOST sense when there is a difference. That particular topic could be actively avoided in the future. If the difference is fundamental and irreconcilable, we could take a step back and become a bit lesser friend so that the difference does not matter so much anymore.

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Apart from this angle, I was also thinking along the lines of reductio ad absurdum. What if we did forget? If there was a problem with us, its going to go uncorrected. If there was a communication gap, its going to remain as such, becoming tougher to rectify with time. If there was an ideals clash, there are chances of that occurring again. On the whole, forgetting seems to be anywhere between disadvantageous to injurious.

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Seems to me that its not good to forget. At least till all that’s there to be learnt is learnt. And not good to forget the lessons ever. What do you think??

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karthrags

 

IIT PG Admissions Part 2 – The Interviews

Hi all,

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Interviews are a big bugbear for many, and foremost among them was me! Who’d not get terrified when a gang of senior professors from the most reputed institute in India sit around facing him/her and fire questions on the area to ehose study they’ve dedicated their life to? There’s a lot of confusion and apprehension regarding this, and I thought an article on this would be helpful.

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Typically, MTech programs may or may not have interviews, but MS and PhD programs certainly will, with PhD interviews being tougher than the MS ones, naturally. In addition, some IITs might have a written test (objective or subjective) as a preliminary filter to the interviews. I’ll list the process (as it was in 2008) for some of the programs:

IISc ME CSA – Direct Admission

IISc MSc (Engg) CSA, SERC, EC – Interview (heard there’s a written test this time)

IISc MTech SERC – Written test, interview

IITB MTech TA – Direct admission

IITB MTech RA – Interview (2 rounds – general, then on the area of interest)

IITM MTech – Direct Admission

IITM MS – Written test (mix of objective and subjective), interview

IITK MTech – Written test, Interview

IITD MTech CS – Interview

IITD MTech Computer Technology – Interview

IITD MTech Computer Applications – Interview

IITD MTech Telecom Tech & Mgmt – Interview (I think)

IITD MS – Interview (I think)

IITKGP MTech – Direct Admission

IITG MTech CA/Internet Security – Interview (I think)

Random Notes

• Interview panels typically let you choose your poison (they ask you which area you want to be questioned on, and proceed to screw you in that area)
• It is good to be prepared in two subjects. It might so happen that no prof in the panel is working in the area you mention. If you have a backup area, they can ask you in that. They’d be impressed too
• It is good to choose two disconnected subjects. One each from Theory, Systems and Intelligent Systems would be fantastic. Being versatile appeal to all profs, and raise their opinion of you.
• Questions will generally not be from the text book, but a few will be, to test if your basics are strong.
• Questions will typically test your ability to think on your feet and apply concepts you know.
• Your approach will turn out to be as important, or more important than the final solution.
• Interview dates will clash. You’ll have to choose according to your desire to get in, and your chances of getting in.
• It is better to give a dignified “sorry, but I don’t know” than try to fool the panel. But do not EVER give up without trying. Try for a while, and when you think you’re making too big a fool out of yourself, give up.
• It is allowed to ask questions back to the panel. In fact, they like it.
• Don’t feel bad if you’re insulted a lot or ridiculed at. The profs try to distract the students by all these tactics.
• The longer your interview, the more hopes you should have of getting calls. My interview durations ranged from 5 mins at SERC (no admit) to 1 1/2 hours at IISc (shortlisted). Long interviews simply mean that the profs are impressed with you, and are taking a close look, deciding whether to offer you an admit or not.

Random Notes on Specific Institutes:

• IISc EC lays great emphasis on maths. Need to be confident in at least two disciplines of maths. Subject-wise interview only if the maths interview is cleared.
• IISc MSc interviews in general are very tough. Grueling. Tend to go on for a long time as well.
• IITK test was highly theory-oriented. Not surprising, considering the fact that half the profs are for theory..
• IITD Computer Technology interview tends to be a stress interview every year.
• IITD Computer Technology does not prefer CS people, going by the past few years trends. EE seems to be a lot more preferred.

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My rank being barely good enough, I had to depend on interviews to get admits. All this was gleaned during the process.. It is all valid as far as I know. The process would keep changing, but the general intent of the interviews remain the same.

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If possible, try to stay one day extra on compus. Contact profs and students before-hand, and try to meet as many as possible. Orkut has communities for every program, and institute websites have contact info. Meet up with a lot of people to get a good idea of the institute, program, prospects, etc.

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If you’re a fresher, be ready to answer questions on your final year project, especially if its in your area of interest. If expreienced, you might be quizzed upon your work.

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Hostile panels will adopt one of two strategies to catch you – they’ll either cut you off as soon as you’ve said two sentences, or simply stare at you, forcing you to trail away into uncomfortable silence, and then blubber and make a fool out of yourself.One nice way to counter this is to give precise, succint answers. This will be appreciated by all panels, since it shows your command over the subject.

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Most of this information is common sense, or can be obtained from brochures. Still, putting things in one place might help. Do let me know if you had experiences conforming to this, or different from this.

I’m sure I’ve missed many points. I’ll be updating if I think of something I missed out..

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All the best for the interviews! Would love to hear from you on your experiences.

Enjoy

karthrags

Updates

1. March 30th: The results of the written test will be out the same day, or the next. The results of the interviews will be  officially out in a couple of weeks to a month, but you can get it unofficially from the office or the profs after a few days.

 

IIT PG Admissions Part 1 – MS or MTech?

Hi all,

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Its circus time again! Admissions season. Loads of decisions to make. Loads of data available, but very little information. Having gone through the entire thing last year, I thought I’d write a set of articles in aid of the poor souls trying to get in this time

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I’ll be talking about IIT admissions only, as my knowledge is limited to that. I’ll assume that people have decided to study here. Here or abroad is a question that must’ve been answered by now

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One of the first things to decide once you’ve decided to do your PG in India is whether to go for an MS or for an MTech. I wrote a detailed reply to this question in gatementor.com, on which the following is based.

MS or MTech?

FACTS:
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- MTech and MS need ~60 credits (or a scaled value, depending on the institution)
- MTech is 2 years;
MS is 1 1/2 years to 3 years
- MTech by definition is a course program, where the emphasis is on advanced coursework spanning various areas;
MS by definition is a research program, where the emphasis is on doing ORIGINAL work in one particular area.
- MTech credits is split as ~40 coursework and ~20 project;
MS credits split as ~20 coursework and ~40 thesis
- MTech courses span different areas;
MS coursework is typically chosen to provide knowledge in your chosen area of research
- MTech project (~1 year) is not necessarily research oriented;
MS thesis is research-oriented
- MTech in India is equivalent to an “MS with project” option in the US
MS in India is equivalent to an “MS with thesis” option in the US
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MY OPINIONS:
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It must be understood that one is not better than the other – both are equivalent programs. At least on paper. But the public perception and the perception amongst students (as evinced by the trends) is that MTech is better than MS. iIdisagree; both cannot be compared. They’re like the cliched apples and oranges. Is apple better because its sweet? Does it mean being tangy is bad? No such comparison can be made.
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How to choose between MS and MTech
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Decide what you want first. If you’re interested in working in one particular area, then MS is the thing for you. If you are not able to decide and want to taste different areas in CS, then MTech is the thing for you.
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I’ll tell you my case:

I didn’t get a GATE rank good enough to get Direct Admission, but got interview calls. I got an admit at IITD (JCA) and IITK(Mtech CS) and IISc (Msc Engg. EC), but I chose IITM (MS) because this suited my interests best. I am interested in VLSI/Computer Architecture/OS. My institute is really good for VLSI, and there is a prof here with whom I really wanted to work. My research area here is precisely what I mentioned. The coursework I’ve done/doing here are Computer Architecture, Digital Design Testing, Digital Design Verification, Device Drivers Practicum and Mathematical Concepts for CS. No more courses. No dumb SE or Networks. Total focus on one area, and an extensive thesis on that. Pretty cool no?
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Whereas if you’re an MTech, you’ll have 3 or 4 courses that are compulsory. Apart from that, you need to choose 5 or 6 papers as electives. You also need to do a semester long (year long in some places) project.
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I chose MS, a supposedly lesser course over MTech though I got it. I chose IITM over the supposedly better places – IISc, IITK and IITD, though I got admits there. And guess what? I’m having a FANTASTIC time here!! I THOROUGHLY ENJOY the work I do, the place everything! That’s because this was the best thing for ME.
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Please DO NOT do ANYTHING simply because others are doing, or because its the politically correct thing to do. Do what YOU want to do
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A Caveat: In MS, unlike MTech, you’ll come directly under your guide. Choose your guide well. Many profs are good, but not all. There will be some profs who’ll give you an MS in 1 1/2 or 2 years itself, provided you’ve done good work. There will be some who’ll be particular that you work for 3 years. There’ll be some who’ll guide very well. There’ll be some who will not give much guidance. Every IIT will have profs of both kind, and naturally, we being inside, cannot publicly speak our mind about each prof individually Ask around before choosing a guide.
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I hope this gives at least some direction to think in so as to decide between MS and MTech. Next part (hopefully I write it!) may be on the interviews, or on choosing the institute.. Please do ask if you have any clarifications, or if you have a specific question in mind.

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karthrags

 

Indifference, Apathy, Depravity, Debauchery, Futility, Profligacy

Hi,

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My friend Sree had posted recently about irresponsible and profligate behaviour generally, and specifically at his college – IIT Bombay.He was talking about things he saw, and typical reactions when he intervened. Really happy that he took the effort to write on this and post.. We can never have enough bellwethers GREAT GOING, SREE!!

I’ve had a lot of similar experiences, and have thought a lot about such people and incidents. This post is an off-shoot of them..

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First, I’ll describe a typical scenario:

A guy picks up a piece of trash and throws it in the dustbin. His friends ridicule him. Their arguments are

- you cannot clean all streets

- what’s the point? Its not your business

- you cannot bring about any change

- just because you throw away trash, people are not going to stop all this. They might in fact be encouraged further because they’ll think there’s someone to clean up (I’ve personally been at the receiving end of such assumptions)

- fuel conservation, conscionable usage of resources, discipline and such lofty ideals are impractical and are good for movies and crusades; not for daily life

- why do we pay and keep cleaners? Let them do it

- mind your own business; don’t be supercilious and act saintly. You cannot tell me what to do and what not to do. Its a free country

- I’m too busy to think about all this

- I can afford to pay for fuel. Why can I not use my car?

and finally, the MOST important point

- What difference will it make my me alone changing? Its not going to result in any perceptible gain

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It could be keeping the environment clean, or conscionable usage of resources like paper, fuel, electricity, or the like. The reactions are always the same. I’ve listed just some of the most common reactions I’ve faced, when I’ve spoken to them about this. I’m sure I’ve missed a lot, but this captures the attitude of such people (majority, in fact). This leads me to my question – how will you convince these guys to become more aware?

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I’ve tried a lot of arguments, but none seem to work :l I’ve tried telling them about

- being the change you want to see

- effect of scaling and accumulation (the famous Anniyan 5 paisa * 5 million dialogue )

- demonstrating responsibilty

All to no avail Have you faced any such scenarios? Were you able to influence them? How? I’d LOVE to hear from you all on this.. It’ll be of great help to many

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karthrags

P.S. – The title is a bunch of some of the attitudes I’ve encountered on this issue. I’m sure all find possession of such qualities reprehensible (though the words themselves are quite beautiful ). But are you indulging in such behaviour? Would such epithets be applicable? If so, is it fine to leave it so? Are you going to give me one of the reactions I listed in the blog?

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Update: Talk about timing! One of my friends’ gmail status message:

If you think that you are too small to make a difference, then you have never tried to sleep with a mosquito in the same room.