Photo by Yannis Papanastasopoulos on Unsplash
Queenbee

Queenbee
The Queen Bee bosses (read "begs") the Bee-Hive to get the latest issue out in time.
Illustration by Nilapratim Sengupta
“Peace in the universe rests on the shoulders of the tellers of good tales, the tellers of tales that give hope. They are the hope whisperers.“
The “Tribe of Hope Whisperers” grew from several roots but primarily from a beautifully recontextualized folklore (source of the above quote) by Sherline Pimenta, a Kathanika or professional teller of tales, that we published in our first issue of 2020. The phrase the “Tribe of Hope Whisperers” had such a lovely ring to it that we decided to put together an entire issue around the theme.
Now, after living a year when reality has often seemed stranger than fiction, an issue about “hope” cannot but embrace the whole of humanity. Hoping is, after all, an inherent part of being human. But how can one find hope amid uncertainty, conflict, or loss? How does one keep hope alive? To answer these questions, we set out on a quest that took us beyond the tribe of storytellers. The outcome is this issue in which hope takes many forms and voices, which we have divided into three themes.
Spreading Hope
Representing our original vision for this issue, we have the tribe of “storytellers,” “artists,” and “doers” who spread the myriad colors of hope through their actions, words, and deeds. There are stories about storytellers, and stories about men and women whose innovations and initiatives have changed the world (or a small corner of it) for the better, in whatever fashion, to whatever degree.
Driven by Hope: Engineering, Economics and Strategy
An inspiring account of how sound engineering, economics and strategy, driven by hope enabled a struggling Indian company to survive the international competition and emerge triumphant in the post-liberalization era.
Finding Silver Lining in a Cloud
One of the positive changes that 2020 wrought – an increased consciousness about good health and a willingness to do something about it. The authors’ journey to better health, and his efforts to share what he’d learnt with a wider audience in 2020.
Living with Hope
We also hear the voices of those who live with hope for the situation to right itself; those caught between the ‘now’ and the ‘not yet’ who have been patiently holding up a candle to darkness. These are tales of sheer determination, tenacity and resilience.
And, then we have stories of ordinary people finding hope and solace in the smallest things of life such as dandelions that push their way up toward the sunlight.
Finding Hope
The dandelion that features in the cover illustration of this issue, in fact, beautifully embodies the elusive yet all-pervasiveness nature of hope — unnoticeable and gentle at first sight but with an amazing determination to self-propagate. Like a dandelion seed that sets sail on the back of winds in search of renewed life in unknown lands, we hope that you can ride on the back of this issue into a land of light and promise. And, reawaken, even if it is for a fleeting instant, the “instinct of hope” within you.
To end with a much-loved quote from Ruskin Bond: Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. The same can be said about hope. This issue of Fundamatics is all about finding hope, living with hope, and spreading hope even in the bleakest of times when it is indeed most needed.
Tomorrow will be beautiful.
Cover Illustration by Rajat Patle
The COVID 19 pandemic has been devastating, globally. Despite the development of new vaccines, many are still wondering what recovery could look like. Many are also pondering on how the pandemic has changed the world and the life lessons that it has taught us. The articles in this issue aim to help our readers assess the changes that have occurred in 2020 and give them a perspective of what could be expected over the next two to three years, what would change irrevocably and how can they adjust to it. As our Guest Editor for this issue, Chandru Chawla captures it beautifully in his Editorial “we are pretty much locked into a new paradigm for some time – a surreal digital life in the safety of a gated cocoon…” This edition has an extraordinary array of writers speaking on wide-ranging topics like effective delivery of justice, financial inclusion of the marginalized, existential issues of a social sector startup, transition to e-learning, mental health during a pandemic. Also, included is a liberal dose of art that captures the lighter side of the crisis.
Table of Contents
The Entrepreneurial Roller Coaster: Peppermint Robots
The first instalment of a regular column that will cover entrepreneurs and their journeys in the startup-land. In this one, we bring you Runal Dahiwade and Miraj Vora’s journey in building Peppermint.
Illustration by Nilapratim Sengupta
“A healthy planet should not be a moonshot,” writes one of the authors of this Climate Change issue of Fundamatics. As a global pandemic continues to rock the world causing untold hardships to the human race, there is a greater challenge lurking behind the scenes. The Guest Editor of this issue Raghuram Murtugudde, succinctly points out in his Editorial piece, good health comes from consuming mindfully not just food, but also energy and water. Read a kaleidoscopic range of views on climate change – anecdotal, some scientific, and others discursive – that will drive home the realization that the threat of global warming no longer a far-off phenomenon. The set of articles in this issue not only discuss the various implications of climate change but focus on efforts to mitigate its impact on ecosystems and communities, and share guidelines to achieve a sustainable future.
Table of Contents
Government and Citizen responses to Climate Change
Raises pertinent questions that all of us should be aware of. Are problems being ascribed to Climate Change alone when there are multiple factors impacting them, and what can citizens and governments do about this?
Matters We Don’t See
The simple life of birds serve as a reminder for us that in our haste to claim over everything nature has to offer— its space, air, or the privilege of a lake or a hill—we must not forget that life works best in symbiosis.
Goa’s People say NO to Coal
The key role of civil society participation in movements related to the protection of the environment as illustrated by the recent popular upsurge against projects in the Mollem National Park led by the youth of Goa.
Seeing Climate Change: First Hand
For monsoon-dependent India, rain truly is a grace from the sky and climate change, a storm closer to home than we think. This article illustrates the different ways in which cities and rural areas experience the impact of climate change ( or a heavy monsoon).
Growth in Sustainable Investing
Sustainable initiatives need not be seen as charitable efforts. The need for capital investment in climate-related initiatives has resulted in instruments such as Green Funds and Green Bonds. This article outlines the growth and performance of these forms of sustainable investing.
Illustration by Frits Ahlefeldt
“A healthy planet should not be a moonshot,” writes one of the authors of this Climate Change issue of Fundamatics. As a global pandemic continues to rock the world causing untold hardships to the human race, there is a greater challenge lurking behind the scenes. The Guest Editor of this issue Raghuram Murtugudde, succinctly points out in his Editorial piece, good health comes from consuming mindfully not just food, but also energy and water. Read a kaleidoscopic range of views on climate change – anecdotal, some scientific, and others discursive – that will drive home the realization that the threat of global warming no longer a far-off phenomenon. The set of articles in this issue not only discuss the various implications of climate change but focus on efforts to mitigate its impact on ecosystems and communities, and share guidelines to achieve a sustainable future.
Evergreen Hoss-tales
Nostalgia time! For some fundoo hostel memories. Pondies. Gaalis. Water fights. EPs/PAFs. Cult trophy. Sports trophy. Inter wing tourneys. Bridge. Carom. TT. Footer. Basketball. Volleyball. Chess. Antakshari. Chayageet. Dumb Charades.…
This month we bring to you a “children-themed” issue of Fundamatics. And, by children, we mean for children and mostly by children who are connected to IIT Bombay through their parents — alumni and faculty.
We have a request for you, our readers. Do spare a few minutes from your busy schedules to read and acknowledge the work of these children who have poured their souls into this issue. Please encourage them by leaving your comments at the end of posts that you like and appreciate. It would mean the world to the young ones.
This issue is our tribute to a demographic affected by the COVID pandemic, which has robbed them of green fields and the company of their peers. A few of us on the Editorial team were curious to find how these tiny tots, tweens and teens are coping with the new world order. We did not specify any theme and merely asked them to share a submission reflecting whatever is closest to their hearts.
The cover illustration of the issue (displayed above) is by a 12-year old. A tiny tot illustrated her mother Sherline Pimenta’s (also the author of this issue’s Foreword) story. A group of children presented us with comic strips that hold up a mirror to society – Asterix & Obelix fighting COVID, two brothers saving the farmers’ crop from a swarm of locusts, and a protest against the ruthless treatment of animals – all available in the section titled “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall”. Another group came to us with amazing stories all captured in the section Thereby Hangs a Tale. Others shared mindboggling artwork (grouped together in the section “Brush Strokes”), each a masterpiece in itself. The star piece of the artwork section is The ABCs of Art by the incredibly talented Prof. Arun Inamdar — a perceptive cartoonist and caricaturist — who shares some words of wisdom for aspiring artists. The lead piece of the issue “Story of a Story” is, however, by Prof. Shilpa Ranade, an IDC faculty, who gives us a glimpse into her childhood, adroitly interweaving it with the story behind the making of the award-winning animation “Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya.”
Is there anything for the “adult” alumni in this issue? Of course, there is. This is your chance to peek into the mind of the generation that will be taking over our planet in the next couple of decades. And, we can tell you this much — they will not disappoint you. Indeed, we have lots of hope for our future.
We’re sure you will enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Happy reading and once again. Please don’t forget to comment and share through your social media.
Foreword by Sherline Pimenta
Sections in this Issue
This time, we have had a wealth of submissions, and so have grouped the content thematically into the following four sections for your easy perusal.
We hope you have enjoyed reading Fundamatics, the award-winning ezine published by the IIT Bombay Alumni Association, envisioned as one that is by IIT Bombay alumni, faculty and students, and for the same vast community. And, the best part of Fundamatics is that it is completely free and can be accessed by thousands of our alumni who are spread all over the world. But this does not mean that we do not incur any operational costs in bringing the ezine to you. Your financial support can mean that we can continue to remain in circulation and “free” to you, our readers.
Janaki
Sita, the heroine of the Ramayana, the great Indian epic, was found in a furrow by her father King Janak. The name Sita is derived from the Sanskrit word seeta which means furrow. She is one amongst the dozens of characters from Indian mythology, who is adopted.
A Comprehensive Guide to Rebranding
An irreverent, satirical, action-filled romp through Heaven, Hell and that little world in between. Laugh out loud as you read this delightful fantasy about Ari Havenmark matching wits with humans, Archangels, and the Devil himself ; you’ll never think of Hell the same way again, but then, that’s what rebranding is all about, right ?
A Treasure Hunt
I must now find a treasure to hide in my castle, thought the boy. It was a good time for a treasure hunt. The sea had just gone back. He found a few shells, pebbles, some seaweed, and an empty can. But, they did not look that special. Then he found something else.