Frozen Moments

April 27,2010

Norman

To Chandra Mohan anna,

Oklahoma was a hot spot receiving frequent tornado in the past. So they installed tornado alarms 15 years back on every street in every 50 feet. Also in every room of our apartment and every building we have tornado alarms. We are advised to get into bath tubs and cover with a mattress when we hear intense beep sound from the alarm. All the radios will repeatedly announce the direction and strength of tornado once it happens. Until the radio announces every thing is okay, we should not come out from the tub. There are some brave teams called "Tornado Watchers", whose job is to follow the tornado by car and inform the direction to radio stations. 

In past 15 years there were no tornado in Oklahoma, but still the alarms are working well and the maintenance guys check them every month first Friday. 

Oklahoma is also special for unpredictable weather. I saw, for example, heavy rain last night, 35 degree C this morning, freezing wind in the afternoon and snow fall tonight. Weather changes withing hours. So we should always keep our eyes on weather forecasts. We have emergency telephone posts (like small lamp post) in every 50 feet on streets with blue fluorescent light. Everybody knows that pressing tthe red button in the post will link us to OUPD (Oklahoma University Police Department). 

Frozen Moments

Last December, you might have seen news in Tamil Channels and The Hindu news paper about the Christmas Storm in Oklahoma. It was a day before Christmas, a heavy and sudden snow fall occurred for 20 inches and broke the record of a snow fall in 1940s. That day morning, it was so clam. One of my friends was suppose to catch a flight to India. So Robinson, and other 3 Tamil friends casually started from here Norman by a car to the Airport in Oklahoma City, half an hour distance. I avoided the trip since the car has no room for me.

When they reached Airport, snow fall started and all the flights were cancelled. They laughed at it and went to an Indian restaurant before returning to home. When they started from the restaurant, it turned heavy snow fall with unimaginable freezing and speedy wind. Thiru, who was driving his $4000 car that he bought a week before, was unable to control the car on the slippery ice road.  When he was on a 30 feet hight road without safety walls, hit another car on its back and let the front feel of his car slipped down the road. There were 30 feet down slopes on both sides of the road. He couldn't pull the wheel back, since the ice unfavored the reverse motion. So they were simply sitting inside the car until getting a help. 

But suddenly a third car hit their car from back. Since no diver could see beyond 3 feet, one after another, cars were continuously hitting and blocked the whole road. My friends got sacred and got down from their car and was standing down hills beside the road. There were more then ten cars on the road. It was snow fall and freezing storm. They neither had a jacket nor a building nearby in the deserted area. They used all their energies to keep themselves warm for 10 minutes. But the fast flying ice crystals hurt them severely. For another ten minutes they were just alive and can't even move, almost frozen. The snow on surface rose to their knee level. Suddenly a huge truck with all its power and speed hit all the ten cars and pushed them down from the road. The truck did not stop to hear anybody's scream. Then our friends changed their place before another truck roll the cars on them. When they call 911 emergency number, they replied "we got more than 100 calls from different places, please manage the situation by yourself, and call us back only if there is any problem of losing life". 

Finally an American who was familiar with this calamity helped my friends by giving his car for shelter. And after 4 hours people from all the cars grouped to clear the situation. My fiends came home alive around 9 at the night with the car hanging in a crane. Thiru had to spend $2000 to repair his car.

Nature never bother us, if we don't bother it.

Saravanan Ramasamy 

Kishore's Blog

April 29, 2010
Norman


To my PSG friends,

Hi all,

140, Dr.Jaganathan Nagar, Civil Aerodrome Post, Coimbatore -14 was the address Kishore and I were living during our college days. Most of our friends, who visited our house, might still remember there were a shelf full of general books, Anandha Vikadan, Junior Vikadan, The Hidnu, etc. A radio, an old ceiling fan, a calendar which always showed previous month, a damaged wall clock, our paintings too. We also shared our room with spiders, termites, ants, house lizards, and many unnamed species which could be found only in our room and Amazon forest. Those days were the pleasant part of our life. We read all kinds of books, for example Sathiya Sothanai of Gandhiji to Mein Kampf of Hitler. Really we had both of the books on our shelf. 

Kishore and I would discuss all genre like science, literature, politics, news, history, philosophy, cinema, etc. Especially after dinner at Udhayam mess every night we used to go for walk around the street. Ganesh and Loganathan joined us many days. We had a lot to share while walking. Kishore always puts his views on society, and raises so many "why?"s. He observes all levels of lives and implies his thoughts either while talking or writing. We also did go to CIT campus after a cup of tea at Krishna Bakes at the the time of sunset to refresh our mind. The scene of walking on yellow flowers on CIT roads are still in my memory. I found Kishore as a person who knew something about all whatever I started to speak. It showed he was interest on vast things. 

Almost all of our class boys visited our room for group study. But the first thing everyone did when they entered was looking for Anandha Vikadan. It updated many fields to us. I stopped reading A.V after I came US. I don't know how many of you read still, but Kishore doesn't miss a week. 

I read his blogs and give technical comments every time. He writes something versatile and also combines that with real life. I wish him to continue blogging. I could realize the effort he puts on it, and I don't want that to be wasted. You need to move on, Kishore. Sometimes we could not expect all the posts go excellent, the thing is to write persistently. We need to stand by from 15th to 35th over to win an ODI match. Instead of trying to hit all the overs to boundaries, a batsman should know to defend and move on the middle overs. So do write constantly and move it. Despite of writing on single track, try different things using different writing formats. 

In our college days we received more letters than the house owner received. I used to write on "inland covers" to my friends every week. It was a fun and joy to write letter even telephones were there. I know some of my friends still preserve my inland letters, because writing often does much things than speaking. I strongly believe writing is not just to pass information. It has its own power. So I encourage every one to write. 

In the beginning our writing should fit for the audience (readers), later on the audience will fit/adapt to our writings. I suggest this to Kishore. வள்ளுவன் வாழ்ந்த காலத்தில் திருக்குறளுக்கு ஏதாவது பொற்கிளியோ அல்லது குறைந்தது வெள்ளிக் காசோ கிடைத்ததா என்று தெரியாது. ஆனால் இன்று அதை உலகினுக்கே தந்து வான்புகழ் கொள்கிறது தமிழ் நாடு. குண்டடத்தில் எங்கள் வீட்டு சுவற்றில் மூன்று புகைப்படங்கள் மட்டுமே இருக்கும். ஒரு புலவன், ஒரு கவிஞன், ஒரு தலைவன். (வள்ளுவன், பாரதி, பெரியார்). 2000 ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பின்னும் எழுத்து வாழ்வதற்கு சாட்சி திருக்குறள். You will have your audience soon, Kishore.

You continue writing on all the fields that you know. My dad often says in my childhood, "உலகத்தில் எதன் மீதும் கருத்து சொல்லும் உரிமையை பெற்றுக்கொள்". My dad introduced me many fields in my young age. He was a reporter in Dinamalar for 15 years. He wriote in several columns in the Daily. Before he posted his report or article to the newspaper, he used to read that aloud  to me and my brother. I got interest on many things because of him. He often took us to the farm on the back side of our house. Those were pleasant walks when he shared all things with us. We would meet a pukka  farmer there (தெம்பர தோட்டத்து ஐயன்) and sit on a stone bench with him, he did not cross his primary schooling, but has great knowledge. My father and he used to chat many things. As a kid I didn't know what he was engraving on the stone bench every day while we visited there. After long days he finished that and I found that was a திருக்குறள், "இன்னா செய்தாரை ஒறுத்தல் அவர் நானா நன்னயஞ் செய்து விடல்". Today I surprise how did an almost illiterate former have inspiration to engrave a Thirukkural on a hard black stone bench by himself in a deserted farm. I admire of his knowledge on vast fields. When my dad asked, "where is the kural number?", he engraved that too later. I was about 6 years at the time. From where I got the practice of writing Thirukkural with its number, which you did see on our classroom black boards. 

Link to Kishore's blog: http://ttsab.blogspot.com/2010/07/week-5.html 

SR

Friendly

May 18, 2010
Norman
24 C


To my college friends,


Hi,

My final exams are over. Since summer holiday started, all UG students vacated their hostel and left the campus deserted. We have research work in lab, so challenging the hottest months here. 

How is life over there? Update me. 

வங்கக் கடலில் ஏற்ப்பட்டுள்ள குறைந்த காற்றழுத்தத் தாழ்வு மண்டலம் வலுப்பெற்று "லைலா" புயலாக உருவெடுக்கும் என்பதால் இன்னும் சில தினங்களுக்கு ரமணனை செய்திகளில் காணலாம்

Life in US

Thursday, 12:30 pm, March 11
Norman

15 C

To my college friends,

Hi,

Thanks for the e-book Kishore. 

As Karunakaran said, I do write some general things about US. But actually I am observing deeply how things differ in US. I realize how backward are we. It's not a sense to blame India, because we have been democratic for just past 63 years, US has been for around 250 years. Nevertheless, China will beat US economically in 2030, India will do in 2040. I recommend to everyone to see this presentation on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y52Vn5qW0uc

But how about the consistency? Does the development of a nation based only on its GDP (Gross Domestic Product)? No. It's on life of every individual. India needs some more decades to have that. It cannot be attained by just giving education to every citizen. But possible by giving career to every citizen. I am worrying about the future of million students who are currently in engineering colleges. 

Here our university has more than 200 departments. Among which 100 are certainly strange to me. (I added a list of colleges and departments at the end of this email. Like college of Architecture, Arts and Science, Atmosphere Science in alphabetical order. Each college has more than 10 departments). Students are equally spread in all departments. All of them have good career after their college. They choose departments according to their passion, not upon the income after passing out. One of my course mates is 54 years old. The American lady joined M.S. Biochemistry this year. When I asked the reason, she said, "I was working in a lab, I lost my job in the economic recession. I don't want to go to job again. My husband is earning and my grand children are going to school. It's bore to be at home. Doing M.S is my long time interest. So I joined here". And she is bright in classes too. 

I met an American guy in a bus. He recognized me as an Indian and opened talk to me.

He: Which part of India are you from? 

Me: Southern Part

He: Chennai?

Me: No, Coimbatore. Do you know about India?

He: Ya I am an anthropology student. I visited India and stayed in Mysore for two months with a guruji.

Me: Cool

He: Do you speak this language?

Me: Which language?

He: (he showed me the muffler he was wearing around his neck. It was a காவி துண்டு, written "hare rama hare krishna" in Hindi)

Me: கொய்யாலே நீயுமாடா? No, I don't speak Hindi. I speak Tamil and English.

He: Do you have monkeys in your state, I loved them in Mysore temples. 

Me: We do have many.

He: And the beggars?

Me: ?!?! Yes unfortunately. See you then, I gotta get down. 

I guess his thesis report might have a part on beggars. 

I come to my point, they have different departments and different studies. They love their program or choose the program what they love. Here the government has created jobs for all of them. If they don't get job they are ready to work in coffee shops and pizza shops. Actually after 16 years, parents don't pay for their children here. Children come out of home and stay with friends, They should earn in part time job in coffee shops, sweeping, gardening, etc. Some Indian also work in coffee shops here, but I have Teaching Assistant job in department itself. If I lose my job, I should work in shops. If we do part time job in India, தினமலர் writes "இன்ஜினியரிங் கனவோடு டேபிள் துடைக்கும் மாணவன்" in last page box news. After retirement some professors go to work as drivers, plumber, super market salesman etc. If nothing is there, they have "the Church" the do voluntary works in Church (I need a separate episode to write about church, I do that in next emails). Children don't pay for parents. Here people respect and love all jobs and the all employees. 

Few examples:

I know an American guy Jason, who is a good basketball player, he works for 3 months in any coffee shop, earns some money, leaves the job, enjoys next few months and after that gets new job for next three months. I visit his home for dinner and video game sometimes.

Another American friend Will, doing M.S in International Studies, is doing project on "Life of Kashmir Women". He discussed more about that with me. He is saving money to visit India to see them after he pass out form college. 

I do go to "Ken's Barber Shop" for haircut. An eighty five years old man is working part time in there. He can't stand for half an hour continuously. But is sincere in his job. His mannerism tells he might be an X-military man. Of course here most of the students do service in US army for at least two years after their college. 

Come to my question, does only the GDP or the Sensex or the Inflation tell our country's growth? I let it open for you. 

- Saravanan Ramasamy

Punctuations

April 20, 2010
Norman


To my college friends,


Hi,

I remember a story told by my middle school teacher to emphasize the 'importance of punctuation in English'. 

There was a judge, dealing with a criminal case in a court. After long years of investigation then came the judgement day. But unfortunately the judge went sick and flied to some other country for treatment. He knew the suspect of the case was innocent and the judge wanted him to release. Before the judge died in hospital he sent a telegram to another judge who is going to deal the case and give judgment. The telegram says,

"HANG HIM NOT RELEASE HIM" 

We know each word costs in telegram. So he minimized the count of words by avoided punctuations. What do you understand from the telegram sentence? It may be either

"Hang him not. Release him."

or 

"Hang him. Not release him"

The second judge preferred the latter one and ordered to hang the innocent to death. 

Thanks to my middle school teacher. I have been using punctuations properly then on to avoid misunderstanding.  

SR

Fools' Day

April 1, 2010
Norman


To my SRMV College Friends,


Hi,
I am missing the get together. You guys enjoy well and send me the photos. I try to call you on your get together day. 

A small question. 

1) April 1 is celebrated as Fools' day. 2) Banks and financial ministries wind their account in the last week of March. There is an indirect connection between these two, whats that?

You guys try to find out that. Dudes who already know the answer may wait for others responses

(Next email)

Guys, 

Hope you had good week. I give answer to my previous question.

1. Fools' Day : There are many reasons for why April 1 is celebrated as fools' day, but the most accepted one is in earlier days Julian Calendar was in practice. In which the new year started on March 25, and the one week new year holiday ended on March 31. Later in ca.1582 A.D. France and other countries converted to Gergorian Calendar (what we practice now), in which the new year starts on January 1. At the time of conversion, people used to comment on few who still celebrated March 25 to March 31, Julian new year holiday. People called them "Fools" who returned to job on April 1 after holiday. 

2. Financial Year : UK, Canada, India, Japan etc, have official Financial year starts on April 1 and ends in March 31. Which reflects United Kingdom and it's colonies were practicing Julian Calander in Middle ages before they converted to Gergorain Calander in ca.1752 A.D. So now the banks and other financial ministries close their accounts in the last week of March. Open new account in April 1.

This is the indirect connection between two events. 

Note: 

1. History is alway a mystery. So lots of controversial are there about the origin of above two events. I write what I know.

2. I used an abbreviation "ca." before the years, which stands for the Latin word "Circa" means "approximately". This is often used in historical writings. Nowadays it is used in Science also. When we write research papers we mention, "we got the yield of ca. 38% in experiment A and ca. 54% in experiment B"

(Next email)

Just after I finished writing above answers a spark came to my mind.

Recently our Tamil Nadu government announced தை 1 (January 14) as Tamil New year. Before it was சித்திரை 1 (April 14). It does resemble the conversion of Julian calendar to Gergorain calendar, doesn't it? The months are same. Is this just a coincidence or is some historical background there? I don't know. 

When I read other states' new years, they also start more or less at same time. But this has a background, the சித்திரை, வைகாசி, ஆணி,..to...பங்குனி  are not actually Tamil months. They are from north, common to many states, may be with slightly different names and days.

Hindus' new years:

Kashmir start their new year - Navreh - in mid March. At the same time (March), the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh begin their new year - Ugadi. The Maharashtra people celebrate their new year Gudi Padwa, and the Sindhis observe Cheti Chand, the coming of new year, during the same time. Usually, the Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Kashmiri and Sindhi New Year falls on the same day - the first day of the month of Chaitra. 

Saravanan Ramasamy

Daylight Saving

March 17, 2010

10 degree C

Norman

To my college friends,

Hi guys, 

I think everyone of you are busy in your career. I think we missed to communicate for long days. I was active with other threads and communities, but I could not write to you. I wish to read more from you guys.

Did I write about Day Light Saving earlier to you?

 Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice in US and Europe. Every year on March first Sunday early morning 01:59:59 AM all the clocks jump to 03:00:00 AM. So it dawns later and night comes later too. People will have more evening time, can save energy by switching on street lamps and lights at houses later, people drive to home before night comes, so save energy from vehicle lamps, avoid crimes, night accidents etc.. Jumping one hour makes much difference in country's economy. Then on November first Sunday early morning 01:59:59 all the clocks go back to 01:00:00 AM. Comes back to normal life. Yet there are lots of controversy in practicing this DST. Lots of trouble in changing all clocks, computers, billing systems, communications, but still the practice goes on. Hey, I don't wanna blah blah more here. If you want to know more, do google that.
 

Last Sunday (March 14, 2010) early morning all the clocks in US jumped from 1:59:59 am to 3:00:00 am. (Laptops and mobile phones changed automatically. We changed the wrist watches and wall clocks manually). So for next 6 months the time difference between Oklahoma (US Central Time zone) and India would be 10:30 hrs. (it was 11:30 hrs. last week). If you are working in an MNC, you could realize this. Shifts are changing in MNCs. 

Voyage of Beagle

December 8, 2010

-3 degree Celsius

Norman

To my college friends,

Hi,

I think everyone is gone busy. Any new updates?

We are nearing the end of 2009. How do you mark this year? I would appreciate everyone to share your remarks on this year. You may write about your story of 2009 or any general things happened in 2009. You may recall any importance of this year. I am happy to read your lines. So get participated in this. 

The Voyage that Shook the World

This is the 200th year of Charles Darwin (1809-82). The English Naturalist realized that all the species of life evolved over time from common ancestors. He started "The Voyage of the Beagle" in 1831 and traveled around the globe for 5 years. (Beagle is the name of the ship). In his voyage he invented many thing, he collected natural specimens which evidenced for his theory. At that time he was a geologist not a biologist. He surveyed the costs and prepared maps too. After his research on evolution he published the famous book "On the Origin of Species" in 1859. His theory of evolution shook the world of biology how E=mc^2 did on physics, and created bases for todays research in biology. His life too is interesting as Enstein's. You can read more in Wikipedia. If you get chance, watch the documentary film "The Voyage that shook the World". I can give online link to that movie to those who are interested. 

- Saravanan Ramasay

Tornado

May 12, 2010
Norman


To all my friends


After long years Tornado hit Norman today May 10, 2010. Norman is second largest city next to Oklahoma City (25 miles away) and we have our university here. When we heard the intense Tornado Alarm at 4:30 pm we ran to safe place in our house. Power went off and after some time, when we felt safe, we came out. Our American friend Anderw came to our home, and hurried us get into car. Robinson and I not delaying jumped into his car. He took us to where Tornado has hit few minutes before, literally we were chasing Tornado few kilometers apart. There were many news channel, vehicles, rescue team, helicopters, and people like us rushed on the way towards tornado. But that was a safe ride. We went 15 km from our home. Finally reached a deserted lake, that met the tornado just before few minutes, and waves were still violent. 

Watch some videos on video page of my orkut / facebook wall shot by me. But I did not cover other vehicles or damaged areas since we did ride fast. All the videos have are roadsides what I caught through car window. And you can hear live radio news what we had in our car.

Saravanan Ramasamy

Hail Storm

May 23, 2010
Norman


To all my friends,


Hi,

Oklahoma is famous for unpredictable weather. It's the hot spot in US where frequent tornado occurs. If you have watched the famous movie "Twister" (1996 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twister_(1996_film)  you might have remember the movie was about research of tornado in Oklahoma. Here people build house with tornado proof underground rooms. I could not understand the reason for tornado in Oklahoma. Geography of this state is clear, no huge mountains, no coastal border and no water reservoirs. But I guess the wind cycle makes it all happen. 

Tornado (சுழல்) never comes alone and never warn us before. Last Monday, May 16th we had second tornado of this year. It was a bright morning, but the noon turned cloudy and warm. We got emails in forenoon from University Weather Research Institute, said severe weather could be expected that evening and asked us to stay alert. When I reached home at 6 pm in the evening that was very calm and cloudy sky. The unusual warm, calm and slow wind said some thing was going to happen. It started sudden rain and storm with all its force. Within seconds the tornado warning alarms blown on streets. Everyone went to the interiors of their houses, staying as far as possible from glass windows and furniture is safe. (I went out with my camera and tripod stand to capture the rain is different story). The less intensity of the warning alarms said we were not in the epicenter of tornado, it might be around 5 miles away. But the Oklahoma City (capital of Oklahoma and 20 miles far from our home) was affected by the tornado. I said tornado never comes alone, that day OK city had rain, storm and hail (falling ice crystals of size 5mm to 5 inches diameter - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail) along with tornado. Snow fall under 0 degree C in December is common, but huge ice crystals at 25 C in May is weird. Some houses, vehicles, electric posts, cattle, etc are blown away. Thrilling experience to stay here. 

Do you what to look at the power of hail storm. See the video somebody captured in Oklahoma city. Must see. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFv2W7Duqiw&feature=player_embedded

A typical hail video in another state.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZr8jXo1Uso&feature=related

Saravanan Ramasamy

PhD is a Marathon

March 28, 2010
Norman


To my chemistry friends,

I just sent an email to Balusamy and wrote about his health. We all know PhD is a trek. We have a lot of chances to be frustrated. How do we come across the frustrations? Do you really care on your health? You should. I am not talking about the precautions like wearing goggles, gloves, coats, etc. but normal health. 

I share something what I do here. 

• If I am in 100 meters running race, I would run fast from the very beginning. But this is marathon, I need to be steady, to take rest often in the middle, save energy to reach the terminal.
• My boss never force me to finish a work on deadline. I simply send email or directly answer to him, "Dr. Halterman, I didn't find time to run that reaction in last week, I have an exam this week too, probably I will finish the reaction in next week". So my point is don't strain yourself on day and nights to finish a work to submit. Better explain your situation to your boss. Care on your health to not quit in the middle of the track (marathon). 
• My labmates are quite open. Anybody can open our table drawers and use anybody's apparatus. They help me lot. We often sit for discussion on our research. Before the meeting we send emails, "can you guys sit with me this evening? I need to discuss few problems with you". In the meeting they give suggestions to my problems and show care on me. 
• Eat healthy: Chemistry labs atmosphere make us tired, irritated or sick. Having healthy food will give you the sustainability. Don't delay your meal time and bed time. We have refrigerator, microwave oven and coffee maker in our lab. My lab mates keep lunch in the fridge and heat in oven before having that. My boss brings roasted coffee seeds from his home and gives us pleasant coffee daily. There is a big sofa to take rest. We can't expect this in all labs, but at least take good lunch and rest in the noon. Better avoid eating outside.
• Physical exercise: Even we are standing throughout the day in the lab, we need more physical exercise. Go for a pleasant walk every evening in fresh atmosphere. I do go to gym an hour daily. That keeps me energetic. We don't need to build body, but have good physic. 
• Diet: As you know, I am much care on my diet. These days I buy all fresh vegetables, nuts, meat, milk every week from supermarket (Walmart) and cook for my need. No coke, chocolate, tea, coffee and spices. We need to take care of ourselves. Here in US medicines are too expensive.
• Have good routine: Keep a good life style. Do all works at time, eat and sleep at time. Our parents are good example, the realized the marathon, they wake up earlier, finish works at time, sleep at time. So they run long with a steady fast. Our generations are messed up. In your weekly calendar don't engage any extra program, and don't attend anything extra which are not engaged. 
• Frustration the biggest problem:I see many scholars are frustrated of having not good results in experiments. And they go abnormal for few days. We should do anything immediately to come out of that. When I go disappointed with my work, I do few things, I talk to Priya or my family, I clean my room, wash my cloths, go out with my camera, cook delicious food, etc. to avoid negative thoughts. My room mate Robinson does differently, he calls up some American friends to home, prays Jesus with them for some time, goes out with them, donates some money to church and poor, does some social service. Everybody does different things, that may be funny on others view, but we all need them to have our energy back, keep the fire on. You cannot winany thing by losing your originality. 
• Share your ideas with others. Write here in the thread. Never feel you are suffering alone. 

Saravanan Ramasamy

Failure is an Option

March 20, 2010

Norman, OK

To my Chemistry Friends,

I am a member of American Chemical Society, I do listen to some live webinars often on ACS website. Those are open to non-members also but need pre-registration. Or you can listen to recorded webinars later. 

Last month I listened to a webinar on the topic "Failure is an option". I want to share what I learnt from the webinar. When you are suppose to execute an assignment, you will have few options to do the assignment. Like Option A, Option B, Option C. You will start working on any one. But the lecturer of webinar Dr. Ben Yerxa said that, we need to consider another option called "Failure". And sometimes we have to take that option voluntarily.

Let us think like this, you are in the middle of your research project and your reactions are not working good. It seems you are going to fail. What do you do? Fail fast. Don't delay. When you fear to face the failure, it will worsen your job. The funding agency will have negative remark on your project, you will be wasting time and chemicals, you will be delaying further research by someone else on the topic, losing your energy. So fail as soon as possible. And start new one earlier. 

Calculate your risk. Answer me to one question, how much calculation do you do before you start a research project? The lecturer points out few calculations. Due date for the result, percentage of product's purity, amount of chemicals needed, size of the budget, number of workers involved, your knowledge and ability on the project, chance of failure, etc. A good decision maker should do this calculation numerically, for what we studied mathematics throughout our schools. This is called risk calculation. This applies to your daily lab works too. 

Bigger the risk, greater the invention. When Right brothers risked their life in flying, they came up with a boon to mankind. When Alfred Noble risked his life with nitroglycerin, he came up with explosive that could bomb heavy rocks. The 'guts' to risk will keep your project alive. It doesn't mean you should accept project that's going to fail. But trust your calculation and rely on that throughout your project.

It's easier to take risk which will affect only you. How about if your decision risks your whole team? At this time you need to select members for your team who could understand the risk. (And if they feel you are the only risk to them, then better call others to take the decision making job. Ha ha ha.) 

To be crispy, "If you want to fail, fail quicker. That's the only way to succeed sooner".  Applies to your research. 

Saravanan Ramasamy