Shifting Sands - From the editor's desk

EDITORIAL (published in the first issue of "Shifting Sands" - the official newsletter of MATRIX, BITS Pilani)

Far away from the sophisticated din of life, as the shifting sands of Pilani shape up to create the oasis called BITS. As the complex equations of engineering and technology reverberate across the minds of every BITSian, the Shifting Sands of MATRIX make an attempt to introduce you to a new exciting world. A world where you would be enthralled by books; a world where you would fall in love with movies.

Is it possible? For a busy BITSian always lost in the tumult of tutorials, tests, labs, assignments and comprees to admire, appreciate and analyse books and movies.

Have a look at the Shifting Sands which tries reiterating to the dwellers of this oasis “Go for a change.”

MATRIX has always made an attempt to approach the BITSians and urge them to engulf themselves in this labyrinth of art and literature. The numerous book-reviews, movie screenings, quizzes and workshops organised by this club have proved successful in bringing about this culture.

Shifting Sands is another small endeavour by this club that can help some more people to realise the prowess and beauty of this exciting world. Contributions in the form of book-reviews, movie-reviews or other relevant articles are invited from the BITSian junta for the forthcoming issues of this newsletter. The best contributions will find a berth in the pages of this newsletter and the contributors will be handsomely rewarded for their efforts.

Hoping that the Shifting Sands help in refreshing minds for a while as the busy and stressed BITSians try to look beyond their heavy books of science, technology and engineering.

Avinash Upadhyaya

Random Thoughts

What do you do when you realise that you have to sit in half a dozen exams in less than a week? And then you remember that it has been ages since you have touched a book. A sensible mind might prefer to go and study, so that at least something hopeful might be generated. Some other extra-sensible minds might think of taking things in the "lighter" sense. Facing with such a situation in BITS has been a habit for people like us who have to live in a world filled with exams, exams and exams. Still, we mange to do so much of other things in this world.

The last few months have been eventful for me. I have ventured into doing new things, plunged my nose in new adventures and witnessed some of the diversity in this planet. Yes, a few months back I was very close to the snow-capped Himalayas. I witnessed the dreary Aravallis. I perceived the extent of the never ending Arabian Sea. And I come from a place which itself is a piece of Nature's most exuberant creations. (Come to the North-East and you will feel its beauty!!)

Nature has always mesmerised me. I find beauty in the semi-arid small town of Pilani. It is nature's way of showing her diversity. The same diversity that we see in human-beings. And still the unity that persists. 

Wasn't the unity divulged when millions across the nation prayed and cheered India to victory in the cricket World Cup. Watching the semi-finals and finals in the jam-packed BITS audi with tricolour in our hands and faces makes me feel privileged. I was a part of the historic moment!!!

Isn't the unity divulged when a nation stands united to support a 73-year old man fighting against the rampant corruption in this democracy. This is the same land 

where 72% of its population live below the age of 40. 

Regrets, I could not attend the "Support for Anna Hazare" movement in our college owing to two exams I had yesterday.

I can't help wondering how many people who have been successful in their lives had been successful in their exams too !!!!