We may have already read such
plots; we may already saw so many movies with similar plots; but the book “Wings
of Silence” by Shriram Iyer is different. It is indeed a magisterial work. The
book is so engaging, fast paced and a visual treat that once you start reading you
won’t feel like stop reading it till you finish. This book shows us the wonders of power of love and support from those close to you can do to your confidence.
“Ma bought me this book today.
This is my friend – Raj”. The story in the “Wings of Silence” created by
Shriram Iyer is consequence of the stealthy reading of elder brother Raj
Sethi’s diary (termed above as friend) by the younger brother Saurav Sethi. Both
are sons of Akshay Sethi, ex. Squadron leader who was bestowed with Veer
Chakra. He got injured in action in the India Pakistan war and had to retire
soon after the receipt of the award. Akshay teaches his son Sourav “Remember
Saurav, there are only two types of people in the world – winners and losers”
which had a lasting impression on Saurav and he follows categorizing his
acquaintances into two boxes. Saurav is a child prodigy, meritorious at studies
and sports (tennis) whereas his elder brother Raj was born deaf. Even though he
was born with normal vocal chord, the lack of an aural feedback prevented
coherent speech from birth. Hence due to lack of adequate expression, Raj Sethi
becomes an under-achiever and is written off as a loser by his father, who
demonstrates open insults on the elder son and appreciation for the younger
son. Saurav also thinks his brother is devoid of any feelings.
But, Saurav’s assumption turns
untrue and he is stunned at his brother’s expressions in his diary, where he
dreams of winning the gold medal for Olympics Marathon. Saurav sacrifices his
career in Tennis and sets on the toughest journey with his girl friend Shalini
to make his brother achieve his dreams. Amidst the intense cold war between USA and USSR, diffident environments and
the toughness of the Olympics contestants, Raj Sethi runs to victory in the
Olympics and wins the gold medal duly acknowledging the mammoth support given
by his little brother in front of whole world.
“Wings of Silence” illustrates
the element of family support required at every stage of an individual’s
accomplishment in addition to his own latent talents through the depiction of
characters like Father, Mother, Brother, Cousin, Aunt, Friends, Coaches and so
on. It is a must read book that also gives an insight of the sports like Tennis
and Marathon. It proves that human values of
love, discipline, respect, generosity, sacrifice and companion are essential
ingredients of success. The book will surely be an addition to the treasured
collection and can also be gifted to all near and dear. The “Wings of Silence”
is the Wings of Victory in the world of writing of Shriram Iyer. Looking
forward to many more such creations, Mr Iyer.
I was little skeptical with
myself when I decided to take up the job of a faculty in a University in India in 2010.
Unlike my wife who had two years of teaching experience I had no prior
experience in teaching. But with the kind of feedback I got in the last two
years from the students, knowingly or unknowingly I now know that I have chosen
the right career.
I took a course “Advanced
Wastewater Treatment” for graduate class this summer and at the end of the semester I asked them
to write and give it to me positives and negatives you found in my
teaching. I always do this exercise so that it helps me immensely in improving
as a teacher. Here are the comments I got from my students.
With all of my heart I can say that your
class is the only one class I haven't slept a single minute in my entire
student life. It cannot be said that your teaching is great but it has some
charm in it. It is not what you teach but how you teach which is attractive. i
am a die hard fan of your lines "this is not for your exam point of view
but for your understanding", which I feel like a bang on the face of those
who are running behind marks alone. Connecting your practical knowledge in teaching
is spot on and is very useful for us in knowing how things work in real world.
The assignments given specially the mass balance
and others are really one of a kind and have never experienced such kind of
happiness in doing assignments in any other subjects. Your anytime help policy
is one thing to be appreciated and your special care to those who are in need
is really inspirational.One problem i felt like is that at times you
feel confused with what u have written but then you will come with the solution
as fast as possible. I have always felt that we should have had you from the
first semester itself.
No need to mention your question papers.
The best exams I have ever written. i like your creativity!
I always envy my juniors having a programme manager
like you. Sir, I have a humble request that please take care of our juniors
from getting divided. I wish to see a bunch of juniors who don’t have groups in
tension and people who take unanimous decisions for achieving their own
desires.
**************************
The way you teach
the subject is very practical oriented and innovative which might actually help
us to face real time problems in the industry. Especially the assignments
you give and the way you frame the question paper improves our analyzing skills
and spontaneity. Your approach actually motivates us to understand the
subject and learn with interest than study for exam point of view.
When I got your first CAT question paper I really thought the invigilator has
confused with the English paper but when I realized it is our
question paper I was tensed and was confused how to answer. It has been always
a totally different experience answering your papers. I like the way you
communicate with the class through your mails. Your way of teaching is quite
different and let it be the same sir that actually makes the course unique and
interesting.
**************************
I would just like
to brief up not saying much about your teaching skills. There is not much
need to improve upon it as you know your experience very well how and what all
difficulties you faced in your studies. Your teaching is more practical
rather than just learning from books. All those fun, creative and learning
assignments were awesome. The subjects you taught us were of my interest and
yes I enjoyed learning it with you as my teacher. Looking your examination
question paper I must say I realized how you worked hard to
make it. The most interesting one was article on "Biological
treatment" for Hindu newspaper in general people words understanding. Notes you
gave were up to mark and just sufficient to make us understand the
basic concepts. It would have been much better if we you had taken us to a
well build up waste water treatment plant like a industrial visit.
Whenever you give assignment it would be better if you handle the doubts
and problems faced during completing it rather asking to understand from the
other students who have already completed it. Otherwise I never had
any problem. You have given us every information on time through mail or message.
There was no burden felt for your subjects. Learning Microsoft Excel in a
better way was good. The combination of use of Board and presentation was
perfect. Learning in your class was fun with more interaction from your
experiences and teaching. Just this all I observed and analyzed. Thank you
sir
**************************
Positive things
1- u are very
friendly ...so it wont hesitate us to ask any question or to share
our problem.
2- u are really
strong in concepts about waste water treatment.......and ur notes are really good
it will help in our future.
3- please don’t
mind sir but I like your balancing between personal life and professional life
........
Negative things
1- u r very
busy...
2- sir please
make your ppt at least little attractive ....ha ha.
3- sir u r really
strong in your concepts but sometimes Ii feel that u wont able to express all
the things that u want to teach us for a particular topic.
**************************
I take this opportunity to thank you for offering not just two
courses but also for helping us to think in more realistic and practical way.
Your way of class was more interesting but some time felt you never made class
rooms so interesting us entertained us in our exams. Being an average student i
felt little inferior when in class but only thing which made us comfortable is
your advices that need we not mug up things just understand. I today can
proudly tell that i know something in your subject more then any other
one.
sir you always made sure people feel comfortable in all means
and the best thing about is your exams i in ma life never wrote or saw any
questions of such immense effort to make people think for 3 hours rather then
mug and vomit something in the exam sheet i may not have written that great in
your papers but really i tried cracking my head so that i thought for while
which we biotech people normally don't do.
You made as feel more relaxed by sending mail and your FB
updates on latest issues was such a kind gesture. I felt we know you late sir,
don't why there was a gap in first semester and sometimes felt like that you
really hated me for my handwriting upon which i didn't have any control and i
think cant be easily changed as considering my age please forgive me for that
sir. Your very innovative in giving assignments and truly believe any
teacher would have asked as to go through You Tube and find things. Sir
your subject is and will be always a unique one for me.
Wishing you a very success in future.....
Thumps Up and Cheers….
**************************
It was really a nice and different experience in sitting your
classes. The best thing i liked is, you were the one who did things on the
basis of student’s future benefits. You used to tell in class always don’t
learn anything on the exam point of view. You taught us all the real concepts
behind the subject. This was the only subject were we used time to understand
things more than mugging up the theory parts. The way you teaches the subject
is really good and if we miss any classes we found it very difficult to
understand the subject. Even though you never used to take attendance also we
made a point to attend all your classes. Whereas most of the other classes we
used to attend only for attendance. So you are the one who proved that students
will attend classes even if there is no attendance provided the classes are
interesting.
But i found very difficult in attending your question papers
since its beyond our standards. And I used to get panicked most of the times.
But we all have a confidence that we all
pass for the exam except we don’t know whether it l affect our grades.
As a teacher you are one of the most respected one who is able
to understand each students capability. Since i was from biotech background i
found designing part very difficult to understand. But you made your classes
lively. It was really a wonderful experience for me and we all are going to
miss that.
God bless you Sir.
**************************
A few positives I would like to mention. Your way of conveying
things to us is very effective, like you include videos, process diagrams and
all. I am pretty sure that everyone who has taken your subjects now knows the
entire wastewater treatment process. It was taught in such a way that we won't
forget it. I have came across only a few Teachers who has that ability. You are
always open to suggestions and you always take our convenience and time limits
into consideration. You always make it a point that you will set a question to
estimate our level of understanding, which was an entirely new experience as
far as I am concerned and we all understand how much time you had spend to set
such papers.
Coming to the negatives, I don't have
much to say, apart from the fact that you rarely used to inform us regarding
class cancellation before coming to class, but we all enjoyed the free hours.
**************************
Truly speaking sir I really enjoyed
your class. One class in which I was wide awake all the time. Your classes gave
me a good idea about the entire wastewater treatment process and actually we
were all lively throughout your entire classes. Your exam papers were the best
sir. Even though I used to get tensed seeing the paper, I used to like solving
the questions. And the best thing I liked about you sir was that you considered
all the students alike and made sure that all had good marks. After two
semesters of your class sir, I feel we really missed you in the first semester.
I am really happy that you have become our program manager and you have been
always approachable for all of you.
**************************
Firstly Sir, i want to mention that, I am very much satisfied
from the marks that I got in 2nd sem, because at that time I was not satisfied
with my attempt due to some minor fracture in my feet and even I was even 20
min late for the exam.
Secondly, I really appreciate the way
you design the question papers and your attempt to make us clear all our basics
through challenging assignments. I am very much confident that both the
subjects Industrial and Advance wastewater Treatment and extra basics related
to the designing of waste water treatment plants will really help us in our
future and 9 months project. Last but not the least, I am very thankful
for your contribution and efforts made by you during the whole period of our
course under your valuable guidance and hope the same for the future.
**************************
When i joined V.I.T, i was very scared about adjusting to
environment here. As i am being completely from North , i heard about south and
the lifestyle here. And it was a dream that came true to be a V.I.T ian. I was
very scared that how should I interact with the faculty here. But it was so
great that you have been assigned as our faculty. it was great experience to
study under you sir. You were sofriendly, enthusiastic
and focused towards us. You always tried to help us in every
situation.You were so motivating in your lectures and for other things also.
With yourassignments, we started thinking
logically and solving them, and not by Cramming the things. ThePapersset
up by you were really challenging and Every time we learnt a new thing from it.
it was really a great opportunity to be your Student.
Hope I will be able to rise up to the expectation
of my students in the future also.
We may have already read such
plots; we may already saw so many movies with similar plots; but the book “Wings
of Silence” by Shriram Iyer is different. It is indeed a magisterial work. The
book is so engaging, fast paced and a visual treat that once you start reading you
won’t feel like stop reading it till you finish. This book shows us the wonders of power of love and support from those close to you can do to your confidence.
