…turning Into Shark

 

I always loved oceans. The size,depth and all the secrets which it holds really impresses me a lot. Intriguing, Mystic, full of challenges and the strength to support so many life forms is really amazing. World over many people dive in oceans to get a peek into what exactly oceans holds and experience of what oceans are all about. Some dive for fun, some dive for job- but every time is different time. May be the currents are not same, the scene is not same, the underwater companions are not same, the purpose is not same or the challenges are not same. Diving is an incredible sport which has the ability to push you to the limits- both physically and emotionally.It’s full of sights,emotions and feelings which you will never experience on land.Did you know that nearly 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans and 80% of all life on earth is found under the ocean surface! In fact, the oceans contain 99% of the living space on the planet. The the largest animal on our planet ever(larger than the greatest dinosaurs), the blue whale still lives in the ocean and it’s heart is the size of a Volkswagen.

I discovered my love for diving when i jumped into the big pukour ( big lake) near my dadu’s home. My father taught me swimming and i think every tribal boy must learn swimming and fish-catching. That’s right ! i learned swimming in a pukour. Sudden trenches and slippery soil are not the only problems. Small bamboo sticks and dead shells can cut your feet with much ease. But eventually i learned it. Diving in muddy water to diving in ganges in kolkata and rishikesh were not that different except for the current and few underwater glimpses of rohu fish and jol dhora snake. But diving in an ocean is not on the same league. Water is much clear..and the appearances of different colours and creatures increases manifold. But diving in ocean has got it’s own challenges. You will find every thing here. The loose soil of pukour , current of river, fishes, snakes and much more. It all started from havelock and it has became a passion. Diving brought out another passion – photographing wild life. I did like to catch fish and dive early morning- every day. I remember someone once said to me that i sound like a retired patriarch. I remember almost everything she said, rather cherish it but that one is particularly close to heart. I guess she spoke the truth- not about the retirement but yes i urge for inner peace. Maybe someday i would stop walking big MNC corridors and spend some life in peace. I saw a glimpse of that peace – in oceans.

 

“Dont under-estimate water.It’s very violent and once we jump out of this boat we will be in a different food chain and folks , you are not in the top spot” declared my instructor. True! i came to know that white head sharks are regular visitors at hard corals on pilot reefs. Later that evening i googled and found that white tips are very inquisitive sharks and circle divers multiple times before attacking.

I have many thoughts and ideas coming in to my mind- foremost of these are

1) To include a new section in my blog under the title of “EXPLORE THE BLUE” which will have info and articles related to diving and related gadgets and equipment and occasional swimming tips for different places. A wildlife photography section is also in the pipeline(which may take some time..)

 

2) Goin Back to havelock and laccadives( to see manta rays and do the ship wreck dives)

 

Watch out for this space!!

Enjoy Nature, Celebrate Life!!!

Happy women’s day!!!

This Should have come up early. The day revolves around the political and  human rights theme. It's also a occasion for men to express their love and gratitude to women in a way somewhat similar to the mixture of mother's day and St Valentine's Day.

             The power dynamics between men and women never stop, do they? Player or no player, peep toes or ballerinas; men are just about nothing without women and vice versa.These two complete each other. But still it's hard to find words to write something about women who leave a mark in our lives. The women I know may leave an impression of being submissive, but confidence is something they don’t lack. A woman has strengths that amaze men. She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens. She holds happiness, love and opinions. She smiles when she feels like screaming. She sings when she feels likes crying, cries when she’s happy and laughs when she’s afraid. Her "love" is unconditional. There’s only one thing wrong with her, she sometimes forgets what she is worth. And i think, that is what womenhood is all about.

The country which worships a mother goddess, India shows a dismal performance on women rights and empowerment. I wish all women across the world can live “good lives” -the way which is good for their health- both mental and physical….Without fear, without shame, without apology .

Dedicated to all the wonderful ladies who left some impression on my life...

(arranged in the order of appearences in ma' life)

Anulekha...Prono...Mellisa...Kimaya....Elham...Pooja...Dorsona...

..Lhasey....Ruhi....Priyam

and finally the lady who brought me to this world- My Mom.

Small Wonders….

Cooking is an art which requires years of experience and patience. Not everyone can boast of a tasty feast to treat their and others taste buds.Every person who is regular with cooking, eventually develops his/her own style.Some shortcuts, some tips, some improvisations.Staying alone and cooking everyday gives you the opportunity to experiment everyday. Here are a few effective and simple cookery tips to help you make your meals even more delicious.

Make Basmati Out Of Ordinary Rice

While cooking ordinary rice, add some dry and whole bay leaves. Remove these after the rice is cooked. This gives the rice a distinct aroma and delicate flavour, a la Basmati.

Make Your Home-Made Paneer (Cottage Cheese) Soft And Fresh

The milk used to prepare paneer should be heated in a heavy-bottomed pan on a medium flame. Dissolve about 1/4th teaspoon of fresh lemon juice in two table-spoons of water. When the milk is just about to rise, pour this lemon water slowly into the milk, stirring with a wooden ladle. The milk will start to curdle almost immediately. Keep stirring the milk till the paneer rises to the top, leaving a clear greenish liquid in the pan. Shut off the flame. Strain the paneer in a clean muslin kind of cloth. To prevent the paneer from hardening or becoming rubbery, dip it in cold water for 10 minutes. Hang it for about 2-3 hours to drain water completely. Paneer made in this process remains soft even after frying or cooking. So you can now look forward to tastier curries with paneer!

Cook Crispy Ladyfingers

To prepare ladyfingers (bhindi) without getting the vegetable all sticky and messy, wash the vegetable before cutting and wipe it with a clean soft cloth or tissue. While cooking add a sour ingredient to the preparation. This can be tomatoes/kocum/amchur (dried mango powder) or even a teaspoon of lemon juice. The sour ingredient prevents the vegetable from getting sticky.

Flavoured Yogurt At Home

Chill out this summer with one of the world's most favoured diet snacks. To make flavoured yogurt (curd/dahi) at home, mix together the following: 1-2 table spoons of your favourite jam/jelly, a few drops of vanilla essence and sugar (just as much as you want to taste). Stir this and a teaspoon of yogurt into warm milk and leave aside to set. You may also add chunks of fruits like strawberries and pineapples. Select fruits that will not secrete excessive juices. When the yogurt is set, keep it in the refrigerator to cool. Serve chilled.Trust me it tastes awesome!

Keep Your Boiled Peas Bright Green

Green peas loose their natural bright colour when boiled and become pale. Here is a simple trick to avoid that. Before cooking, boil the peas separately with a little water. Add a few grains of sugar and cover the pan. Cook under medium heat for few minutes. The peas will remain bright green even as they become soft adding colour to your regular curries.

Make Your Lentils Soft And Tender

Tough lentils and legumes can be cooked soft and tender by following this simple tip. Before preparing the lentils wash and clean them thoroughly. Soak them in water for some time. While cooking, use the same water in which they were soaked. The grains will turn out very tender without completely melting or getting slimy.

So next time you plan to prepare a delectable meal, remember the above pointers and you would simply relish your cooking!

Spark Becomes Flame….

 

2010 winters Olympics just went by- I was not that interested ,ever , in winter Olympics but i just happened to see the ski-dance performance by Davis and Charlie white on a bollywood mix.

I have one thing to say- That was spectacular!

 

Have a Look…

 

 

PAKFA, F-22A and F-35JSF: Hypothetical Combat Performance Evaluation

On January 29, 2010 Sukhoi Design Bureau's T-50 aka PAKFA took to the skies on a publicized test  flight .PAKFA literally means “ Future Frontline Aircraft System”.T-50 has been designed to replace MiG-29 and Su-27, so you can expect it to be super maneuverable. PAKFA is a closely guarded project and all the aspects of this aicraft are classified as top secret military information. India is also a partner in the program , though as usual india will have a customized version with indian,russian and hopefully israeli subsystems. It would be a direct compititor to F-22 Raptor and F-35 JSF Lightning II. People have already started discussing about PAKFA. Defence Discussion boards are packed and threads on F-22/F-35 Vs PAKFA are red hot. PAKFA will still need atleast 5 years to come into active service. 

Let me tell you a story- a hypothetical situation-

Our story takes place in Stockholm, Sweden. Three fighter pilots meeting in the bar at an air combat conference in Stockholm, in the year 2017.  Chuck is a US F-22A Raptor pilot based in Germany, Boris an Su-35-1 Flanker E Plus pilot flying from one of the bases protecting Moscow, and Johan, a F-35A Lightning II pilot from the Netherlands.  All are masters of their craft and after drinks, “merely to lubricate the vocal chords”, they do what fighter pilots all over the world do – swap stories and make claims about their beloved aircraft.

Chuck starts. “I’m king of the skies,” he claims. “I supercruise at 52,000 feet and Mach 1.7. Boris, I can see you from ~100 nm, and my AIM-120D launch range at this Mach is 70 nm. You are one dead Flanker.” Boris acknowledges the performance of the APG-77 and the Raptor, but replies, “Your missiles are easy to avoid. When you fire, my OLS-35 will see the flare, and I will turn away to out-run the missile.I will deploy flares and chaffs to confuse your missile seeker. You need to fire closer than 50 nm – even then at 50,000 feet and Mach 1.2, my Flanker can out-turn your missile. If you are side or rear on I can get a lock-on at ~40 nm and I have a choice of seeker heads, so you will get hit by an R-77M in the backside.” “No way Boris,” Chuck replies, “I know that game. I’m head on and you can’t see me until about ~15 nm. If I have not killed you at 50 nautical, I’m outa there at the speed of heat.” Boris and Chuck concede that there might be a nil-all draw, with Chuck being untouchable because of the Raptor’s stealth, altitude and speed and the well defended Su-35-1 defeating the Raptor’s missiles.

Now Boris makes his point. “Comrade Johan, I have something special for you. My IRBIS-E will see you head-on at ~25nm, but I fly my boys very wide and share the paints on our digital network. At side and rear looks, I see you at ~45 nm and my ramjet RVV-AE-PDs can get you at that range.” “No way”, Johan responds, “my APG-81 radar will see you at ~75 nm and I can launch at 50 nm. If you fire, my DAS will see the missile at launch, so I’ll turn away to break lock”. “And my wingman will see you in the turn, computer network will still know where you are” Boris’s replies, “and you will run out of missiles before I do, If I duck your AIM-120D shots, I will win easily”. They bicker about the strengths of their own aircraft and weaknesses of the other’s and Johan grudgingly agrees the Flanker might be the winner.

Chuck and Johan stay in the bar after Boris is unexpectedly ‘called away’ by men in dark coats, and agree that work needs to be done on improving the AIM-120D’s terminal lethality.

Essentially, this is a deadly play between stealth, agility, sensors and missiles. From the front quarter the Raptor’s 0.0001 square meter Radar Cross Section (RCS) and the Lightning II’s 0.001 square metres make them difficult targets. The Flanker-E Plus, while having a reduced radar signature, still has a residual RCS of about 2 square metres, such that the F-22A and the F-35 will see the Su-35-1 way beyond their missile launch range. The Su-35-1 struggles to see the F-22A on radar, but can find the F-35’s 0.01 square metre lower side and rear RCS. The AIM-120D is a fine missile, but the Su-35-1 has finer defences, so the missile kill probabilities are likely to be low. When out of missiles, the F-22 Raptor can escape. The F-35 Lightning II cannot.

A more likely future scenario is that Boris will be banned from subsequent air combat conferences, so we must rely on more conventional air combat operations analyses. If we move forward just a couple of years, say to the year 2019, and the PAK-FA is fully operational, there is a profound change in air combat engagements.Suppose the Russians don’t quite master stealth to the degree of the F-22A, but manage a RCS of 0.01 square metres from all aspects. The F-22A’s APG-77 will detect the PAK-FA at ~40 nm and the F-35’s APG-81 at ~30 nm. Passive electronic surveillance might increase detection ranges, but this still makes long-range missile shots problematic, as tracking depends upon the opponent emitting, which smart opponents will try not to do.The PAK-FA’s radar can be expected to be an improvement on the IRBIS-E so at front-on aspects might detect the F-22A at ~15 nautical miles and the F-35 at ~28 nautical miles; and from side and rear aspects, the F-22A at ~43 nautical miles and the F-35 at ~51 nautical miles.

Infrared sensors are the next growth area in air combat. Every air combat jet has unavoidable infrared signatures – converting kerosene into thrust . The existing OLS-35, developed for the Su-35BM, is credited with the ability to detect a ‘fighter type’ target head on from 27 nautical miles, and from behind at around 50 nautical miles, through a 90° sector. It uses conventional detector technology, and provides similar performance to the Eurofighter Typhoon PIRATE infrared sensor. It is likely the PAK-FA will have infrared signature management as is found on the designs of the YF-23A, B-2A and, but not on the F-35/F-22A (The AIRST was deleted from the F-22 avionic suite during development as a cost saving measure). QWIP(Quantum Well Imaging PhotoDetectors) based imaging Infra Red Search and Track (IRST) detectors can be “tuned” by design for sensitivity in a particular infrared band using a fundamentally different detection technique to conventional “band gap” detectors where the material determines the colour sensitivity of the detector. First commercialised by Germany’s AIM/Diehl-BGT, QWIPs have since been adapted for ballistic missile defence applications. QWIPs have also been built to operate not only in the “conventional” midwave and longwave infrared bands, but also in the “very longwave” 15 micron band to detect very cool targets. QWIPs capable of simultaneously imaging in two, three or four infrared bands have also been manufactured and marketed. QWIP technology, therefore, opens up the potential for even greater detection ranges against targets cooler than what current production infrared sensors can track, and provide for much better infrared background rejection.

Consider a QWIP technology “OLS-50M” installed in the PAK-FA. Such a device could be design-optimised for simultaneous detection and tracking of aircraft exhausts, jet-plumes and missile flares to ranges of 70 nm and beyond – the limiting factors are the size of the optics, cooling system and detector area. Russia has decades of experience in the integration of infrared sensors into its weapons systems, and QWIPs could well become the primary sensor and radar the secondary. This means that the F-22A AN/ALR-94 will be denied signals to detect and track the PAK-FA.

The ‘shooting match’ shifts from radar-centric to ‘infrared centric’. The problem here is that the PAK-FA will have it, the F-22A does not, and the ability of the F-35 EOTS and DAS to make long range aircraft detections and guide weapons is at best ‘unproven’. The F-35 systems have not been designed to be highly sensitive at the task of searching and tracking distant aircraft at those infrared colours where aircraft and their jet engines emit most of their infrared energy. An understanding of the physics, or for the ever-hopeful, a simple Developmental Test and Evaluation exercise will demonstrate this.With the Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) radar detections being reduced to distances below 60 nautical miles and infrared sensor detection ranges growing beyond 50 nautical miles, a new generation of missiles will be required to dominate the battlespace. Russian missile companies have shown much more flexibility and adaptability in the design of missiles, so the PAK-FA could have a new-generation of shorter range, but higher agility missiles – a fusion of the ideas in the R-74 and R-77M, with a diverse mix of seeker heads.The Indian version of PAKFA will most probably have the option to fire israeli missiles which are highly agile,reliable and proven in combat These missiles will likely be cued by the IRST sensor, be equipped with inertial midcourse guidance and, probably, mid-course guidance update capability transmitted either by radio, or possibly infra-red laser or millimetric wave links.

Expect the PAK-FA to have 360 vectored thrust and high levels of agility like the Flankers ,it is to either replace or complement. Long missile range requires large rocket or ram-jet motors and these heavy weapons lack the agility to pull high terminal ‘G’, and may be ‘ducked’ by the PAK-FA as easily as by the Su-35-1.The PAK-FA will use a new super-cruising engine, based on technology from the Al-41F series, so its tactic might be to maintain combat speeds of about Mach 1.5 and use a more compact version of the ramjet RVV-AE-PD. A supersonic launch enables a ramjet to light without a powerful booster – thereby denying an opponent the detection of the usual missile launch flare. Fights between the F-22A and the PAK-FA will be close, high, fast and lethal. The F-22A may get ‘first look’ with the APG-77, but the PAK-FA may get an advantage using its advanced infrared sensor. Then, the engagement becomes a supersonic equivalent of the Battle of Britain or air combat over North Korea. The outcome will be difficult to predict as it will depend a lot on the combat skills of the pilots and the capabilities of the missiles for end-game kills. There is no guarantee that the F-22 will prevail every time.

The fate of the F-35 Lightning II would be far worse in an air combat environment challenged by the PAK-FA. If the Mach 1.5 PAK-FA is using its infrared sensor as the primary sensor and observes radio frequency emission control (EMCON), then the first detection by the F-35’s APG-81 radar could be at ~20 nautical miles or less with a missile launched by the PAK-FA’s infrared sensors already inbound from 60 to 70 nautical miles away. The PAK-FA could easily break to a direction outside the F-35’s AIM-120 engagement zone.The sustained turning performance of the F-35A Lightning II was recently disclosed as 4.95 G at Mach 0.8 and 15,000 ft. A 1969 F-4E Phantom II could sustain 5.5 Gs at 0.8 Mach with 40 percent internal fuel at 20,000 feet. The F-35 is also much slower than the 1960s F-4E or F-105D. So the F-35A’s aerodynamic performance is ‘retrograde’ when compared with 1960s legacy fighters. The consequence of such inferior JSF performance is that its DAS might detect an incoming missile, but the aircraft lacks the turn-rate to out-fly it. As the F-35 also lacks the performance to engage or escape, repeated ‘freebie’ shots from the PAK-FA could inflict high losses. Expect the exchange rate to be of the order of 4:1 in favour of the PAK-FA, possibly much higher^[3].

 

 

NOTE:: I will write about QWIPs in seperate posts

Happy Holi to all of u…..

Burning all the fallen,dead leaves ,twigs, dirt and filth marks the end of winters and symbolizes the new season of spring..Spring symbolizes the new life and wish the new season will bring new opportunities and reasons to be happy for all of us.

Holi is undoubtedly one of the oldest indian festival. The myths and stories around holi are as diverse as the country. There are different versions in North,south,east and west..but even after that the festival is celebrated with hyper enthusiasm across almost all the parts of this great nation.

Quake in Chile…

Why did fewer die in chile’s earthquake than in haiti’s ? This is not me asking that strange question…Anthony Reuben on BBC News is asking that question. It’s more towards analysing the situation. He is right, the death toll of chile is much less compared to 220,000 toll of haiti. Why is that. Sure, chile is much more presperous and building qualities and relief work is swifter there. But it’s also because chileans know how to tackle earthquake. Chilean infrastructure organisations use a safe and proven seismic design code for new buildings, which makes them more stronger. the system is known as “Strong Columns Weak Beams”. the idea is that buildings are held by reinforced concrete columns, which are strenghtened by a steel frame. Reinforced concrete beams are used to lay the roofs. If there is an earthquake , the idea is that the concrete on the beams should break at the ends which will dissipate much of the jolt-force of quake. But the steel reinforcement will remain and colums should stand upright , which means that the building will stay upright. Chileans were lucky also , the epicentre was 21 miles underground, offshore and 70 miles fom the nearest biggest town. On the other hand the haitian quake was only 8 miles underground and right on the edge of port au prince.

Animal Entourage: Pick A Drinking Buddy

At our "Asylum Drinking Sessions", it's an age old debate - if you could have any animal as a friend and more importantly as a drinking buddy..which would it be?? It;s a race of imagination and there are few obvious rules also...like.. no imaginary animal like "unicorn" can be given alcohol.We stumble upon this discussion every time we have "intoxicated" ourselves with alcohol and here are some snappy summaries....


The Bear: The Wise old Git
(Bandeep Bhatia aka Bani..I love her when she drinks wearing white)
A wise ol bear is typically found sitting at the pub, Reading his paper from cover to cover and wishing he could still smoke his pipe indoors(I think Bani misses her grand dad). He cuts a foreboding figure with his half moon glasses and slightly thinning thatch on top, but he is full of reliable knowledge on honey making, fishing and current affairs-related makes him an indispensable conversational companion.

Drink Of Choice:..A Bottle Of Old Monk Rum


St Bernard: The Faithful Friend
(Rajat Talukdar...The Quality Freak ..Oops..Quality Guy!)
No second thought about it..Dog is the man's best friend...Loyal,dopey and always willing to chuckle at your jokes(even though 9 out of 10 times he don't understand them)...st Bernard is the dog to call for if you have got something to moan about ad infinitum or just want someone to listen u( Plz note: Rajat's fav movie :Hum aapke Hai kaun!!..that's where it's coming from)...He's also got a secret stash of rum around his neck, so that's always , ahem , useful...(what a thought...A miniature distilling rum stash around dog's neck..wow...."Race of Imagination")

Drink of Choice: A carton of Heinenken would be good! ( A carton!..geez)


Snake: Slippery,the one which gets away!!
(Rakesh Mahato aka Doctor)
Hard to please, even hard to get a hold on, Snake is not one which makes friend.He hunts alone and he dies alone.He's never noisy or deliberately outspoken and has excellent manners. Snakes have always been a seducers(like the one which seduced eve in to sin).... Snake is a nice oversexed normal human being(wow..this is my best line!)He's an intellectual and philosophically live..but you should take care..He has a delicate ego.

Drink Of Choice: Reyka Vodka Martini


Hyena: The crazy Comedian
(Srinivasan aka Sri)
Impossibly Hilarious, totally wild...hyena is the animal which feeds on other's hunt.He loves free or discounted items...so u can generally see him during happy hours. If you like going crazy, laughing your arse off and end up tied to a lamppost than this is your companion. You can hear him from streets away...thanks to his enormous drain like laugh- **** Disclaimer: He's an excessive gambler and will happily snort salt to get a free drink

Drink Of Choice: Godfather Beer( Oh Man!...Now i know why he laughs so much)


Parrot: The Chatterbox
(Simran Garg aka simi)
A Full-to Chattie..a total air headed..has nothing interesting as such but is good with stats..For parrot, every day is a bad hair day.

Drink Of Choice: Fruit beer( Fruit beer...wat???.is that a liqour??)







Elephant: The Bruiser
(Chandrakant Manohar Sharma aka The Pundit)
Despite his effeminate name, you dont mess with him. He is weightlifting champ and as far as liquor is concerned, unlike others, he doesnot talks in ml(s)..he talks in gallons..He's the fella you need by your side when some uppretty mongoose starts giving you some hard time. Not an animal of words, He talks with his fists( I mean Feets and ofcourse, Trunck) and speaks loudly with them at that( like .."Teri Maa ki...", "Teri Behen ko..."etc etc).

Drink Of Choice: A Gallon of Coruba (Good choice...the infamous jamaican rum)


Mallard: The WaterBuddy
(Neha Oberoi aka Abbe)
Self-assured, Confident, Curvy (I mean...Sleek), well dressed (always wearing a white collar) mallard is every man's dream. She is the beauty with brain combo. good at almost everything. Looks really graceful while swimming..walking
..talking..and ahem ofcourse while flying. She can and does charms birds out of the trees. Fortunately she is respectful of your own attempts with other ladies and more than willing to to take a waddle when you are making your moves. But one slip-up and she's there with a wise crack that will save you from ignominious social disaster. Top Buddy, No mistake!

Drink Of Choice: Vodka Green and Ro-afza( what!!.what kind of combination is this??.I don't believe this!!)

Book No Book..Delhi Book Fair

Today was the last day of Delhi international book fair and reached almost at time. I reached at around 2:30 pm. The fair was scheduled to be wrapped up within 5pm. I knew that it’s the last day and people will give atleast 1 hour extra. The book fair at pragati  maidan is quite smaller than what i expected. In kolkata ,book fair is celebrated with hyper enthusiasm and relatively large and better arrangements. Anyways the delhi book fair hardly looked and felt like an international fair. Apart from a big stall for germany i didn’t see any other “firangi’ stall. Kolkata book fair attracts huge amount of international attention. i was bit shocked to see that the people who are manning the stalls ,volunteers and customers  are mostly bengalis. Well, It’s a well known fact that bongs have inherited the love for books right from the british era- when ‘kolkata’ was ‘calcutta’ and was known as the literature and education capital of india.

I thought of getting good discounts but the publishers are offering a max of 20% discount. That was really ridiculous, I expected more. This wasthe first time i went to delhi book fair and by the time i was coming out i could make out one important thing – delhites are not at all book appreciators. Mostly people were from Eastern India or Southern India.I heard some conversations which are not likely in delhi. People talking about Genghis Khan and Napoleon Bonaparte.i think the situation will definately improve if delhites take more interest in meaningful things like books.

At the end - i got the books which i was looking for(didn’t get the expected discount though).One thing io really appreciated is that there was a huge crowd in hindi pavillion. These days parents want their kids to read Tolkien,Ruskin bond but not prem chand. That’s really a pity! As someone cruel once said “India is a country of Copycats”.Overall, the fair is average, definately not up to the mark for a city like delhi. But there lot of room for improvement and participation.