July

On July 1st, I subscribed to a Medium membership and joined the trending Clubhouse app, which I believed would aid my content creation efforts. I started a dedicated club for my podcast and blog.

With some respite, my next exam was a non-departmental elective on July 4th: Linear Algebra, a pure mathematics paper that challenged me after a two-year hiatus from similar topics. I utilized YouTube extensively to prepare. On the same day, I published my article on AI applications.

<h2>Lesser-Known Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Daily Life</h2>

<h3>Explaining various applications of Machine Learning and AI</h3>

<p>medium.com</p>

As previously mentioned, I had an interview for the Geopolitics and International Relations Master’s course at Manipal, which went decently. The following day, I interviewed at Christ University, Bangalore, where I felt I performed well, discussing topics ranging from state dynamics to cryptocurrencies.

The dilemma of choosing between two admissions and a job offer became evident. I decided against signing with Infosys, opting instead for a position in Content Marketing at Cavli Wireless. They provided a comprehensive onboarding experience, detailing their tools and company history.

The honors exam on July 8th was my final assessment for my bachelor's degree, focusing on Machine Learning. On July 7th, I received unfortunate news: my brother tested positive for dengue and was hospitalized. I had to balance visits with my responsibilities, bringing him food and essentials.

On July 11th, I published an article reflecting on how my college, MEC, shaped my life over the past four years, spurred by requests from friends.

<h2>How ‘MEC’ College Has Changed My Life</h2>

<h3>All about my college life, how it has influenced me as an individual. A glimpse of 4 years in a capsule</h3>

<p>medium.com</p>

I had another interview on July 13th for the European Studies program at Manipal, which I felt went well. Now faced with three college admissions and a job offer, I needed to make a decision promptly. Much of this deliberation took place during visits to the hospital.

After discussions with alumni and others in the field, I ultimately chose to attend Christ University, Bangalore, despite feeling regret over declining the European Studies offer. I paid my fees and informed Cavli of my decision to pursue freelance work instead of a full-time position.

Classes were set to begin on August 1st, which was sooner than I had hoped, leaving me little time to prepare.

On July 17th, I released a podcast episode on business facilitation, inspired by a Clubhouse discussion the previous day. I also completed a Udemy course on Spotify podcasting.

In the last week of July, my cousin visited before leaving for her master's in San Diego, which allowed us to catch up. I also had my first visit to Cavli's office, marking a milestone in my new role.

The final day of July saw the publication of my much-anticipated article on the Disputed Regions of the World for History of Yesterday.

<h2>Disputed Regions of the World</h2>

<h3>Looking into states, wars, and conflicts. Understanding various disputed regions of the world. The causes for the…</h3>

<p>historyofyesterday.com</p>

August

The first week of August involved online orientation for my new college, with staff providing details about our courses and a new G-Suite account for communications.

My first class was a new experience, and I struggled to adjust to the new schedule. A lengthy orientation introduced us to various clubs and activities.

The classes proved demanding, with both synchronous and asynchronous sessions requiring daily assignments. My first semester subjects included Political Theory, World History, International Relations Theory, International Economics, Indian Foreign Policy, and French. I plan to delve deeper into these courses in future writings.

On August 5th, I published my Newscapsule article summarizing significant events from July.

<h2>Significant Events and News in July 2021</h2>

<h3>News capsule for the month of July 2021</h3>

<p>medium.com</p>

That week, my family returned to our ancestral home for traditional functions.

In the second week, I recorded a successful podcast episode on contemporary human rights with Safal Tom and Nebu Titus Thomas.

On August 15th, I received my first vaccination dose, experiencing mild side effects. That evening, I was disheartened to see news of the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan, prompting me to write a reflective piece.

<h2>Afghanistan, Taliban, the US and some questions to ponder</h2>

<h3>Afghanistan is a Religious Conservative country, the support for the Taliban and hatred for the US is overwhelming in…</h3>

<p>infodailybyjrp.blogspot.com</p>

I also ventured into cooking, successfully trying a Soya Fried Rice recipe. As part of my orientation, I wrote and presented on Perestroika and its implications for the USSR's downfall, alongside a country profile report on Czech Republic and Serbia.

The last week of August involved celebrating Onam, an important festival in Kerala, with my family. We enjoyed a beach drive over the weekend and ordered a BBQ takeaway.

In early September, I took the South Asian University entrance exam for International Relations, which had been delayed from April. I unexpectedly met a classmate, Vaighna, during the exam.

September

The first week of September marked the internal assessment period at college, referred to as CIA, which consisted of mostly written assignments. That week, I received unexpected news about my father's job transfer to Trivandrum, creating a logistical challenge as I was relocating to Bangalore.

I decided to write an article addressing the Pegasus spyware controversy, combining my interests in politics and technology.

<h2>Pegasus Spy Software and the Politics That Followed</h2>

<h3>Understanding the recent revelations, usage of pegasus, the underlying software, the politics and the implications of…</h3>

<p>medium.com</p>

In the third week, I participated in the EMF-RYB webinar series and attended several IRIS webinars hosted by IIT-Madras. I also published a Campus Placements Guide, aiming to assist fellow students.

<h2>Engineering Campus Placement Guide</h2>

<h3>Campus placement guide for KTU B-Tech students</h3>

<p>medium.com</p>

The following weekend, my family visited Kadamakkudy, a nearby tourist destination, and then we enjoyed some snacks at Lulu Mall.

In the last week of September, I recorded a podcast episode on polarized Indian politics, expressing gratitude to my collaborators. I also completed a Udemy course on OBS software.

October

In October, I made several trips to my ancestral home, which were enjoyable. I discovered a new restaurant, Vrindavan, and completed a comprehensive content writing course on Udemy.

Mid-month, I faced my college mid-semester exams, which were mostly open-book except for the French exam. The challenges varied, with History and Political Theory being particularly difficult. I shared an article aimed at helping juniors succeed in their BTech projects.

<h2>Guide for a Successful B. Tech. Project</h2>

<h3>How you engineering students can build an excellent final year project that aligns with their subject. Specialised for…</h3>

<p>medium.com</p>

Following the exams, we enjoyed a small break coinciding with the Dussera Festival. I watched The Imitation Game, which was both touching and informative. I also released a podcast episode discussing the politics surrounding COVID-19 vaccines.

As we transitioned to hybrid classes, I chose to join in-person later. The end of the month commemorated the anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, leading me to write an article detailing this critical moment in Cold War history.

<h2>The Cuban Missile Crisis</h2>

<h3>It is understanding the tensest period during Cold War that could have led to a third world war with nuclear weapons.</h3>

<p>historyofyesterday.com</p>

The final weekend of October saw me announce my Future Plans, which received considerable support.

<h2>Announcing My Future Plans</h2>

<h3>Talking about my studies, work and blogging. Also, a brief on Infodaily and the Journal of Knowledge podcast.</h3>

<p>medium.com</p>

November

November 1st marked Kerala Piravi, celebrating the state's formation. On the 3rd, I hosted friends from MEC at the Periyar River and later enjoyed lunch at a newly opened café.

I eagerly anticipated the CNN Citizen Virtual event on the 4th, for which I was fortunate to receive a special goodies box from CNN.

I met Hisham Hashir for the first time and had a great time showing him around. On November 7th, my class had a farewell gathering at the beach, prompting me to create a guide for final year engineering projects.

<h2>Guide for a Successful B. Tech. Project</h2>

<h3>How you engineering students can build an excellent final year project that aligns with their subject. Specialised for…</h3>

<p>medium.com</p>

November 11th marked the 20th anniversary of 9/11, prompting me to complete a Coursera course on its implications.

My father’s birthday was on the 13th, and I spent time with family that day. I also reunited with Nafih Shemeer KM after two years, sharing a meal at my favorite dosa restaurant.

As internal assessments approached, I collected photos for my History project and completed a MOOC on Nuclear South Asia, enriching my knowledge for my Indian Foreign Policy assignment.

A unique opportunity arose to interact with Basile Moyarets from KU College in Belgium, where we discussed topics of colonization and European politics.

The last week before heading to Bangalore for in-person classes was filled with fond farewells and final preparations. I was excited yet anxious about the upcoming transition.

December

My first semester concluded on December 2nd, allowing me to engage in group study initiatives for French and manage the Economics Buddy Project. The semester exams started on the 6th, coinciding with the publication of my article on China’s moon mission.

<h2>China’s Record Moon Mission</h2>

<h3>Examining China’s Chang’e 5 moon mission can steer China’s lunar exploration goals</h3>

<p>medium.com</p>

Bangalore's street food scene captivated me, offering a delightful variety at reasonable prices. My friend Nandu and I explored this culinary landscape and discovered a fantastic new waffle shop.

I also published an article discussing the Omicron variant and its implications for India as the semester exams loomed.

<h2>The Omicron Variant and The Options For India</h2>

<h3>The unprecedented threat of third-wave due to ravaging Omicron Variant</h3>

<p>medium.com</p>

My exams included World History, International Relations Theory, French, Economics, Indian Foreign Policy, and Political Theory. Each presented unique challenges, with the final exam being particularly demanding.

After completing my exams, I returned home early in the morning to join a family gathering at Bolgatty Island, where we enjoyed a buffet and a scenic boat ride.

I also wrote an article reflecting on India's political landscape for 2022, considering the impact of recent developments.

<h2>How BJP's repealing of farmer bills has changed the political narrative for 2022 and beyond</h2>

<h3>PM Modi on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti announced that his government will repeal the three farm laws that were passed…</h3>

<p>infodailybyjrp.blogspot.com</p>

On the 23rd, I visited MEC for a Christmas celebration and to complete some paperwork. The festive atmosphere was palpable on campus. Later, I attended a Rotary Kochi event, which was a delightful experience.

On Christmas, I treated my brother and cousin to dinner at my favorite vegetarian restaurant. Shortly after, my family subscribed to Netflix, and we watched Minnal Murali, India’s first superhero film.

As the year wrapped up, I enjoyed a dosa feast and prepared for the new year’s celebrations, reflecting on the whirlwind of experiences that 2021 brought.

Here’s to a promising year ahead! 2021 was a remarkable time as I navigated two colleges, freelanced, and managed my podcasts and blogs.

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<h2>Jairam R Prabhu is Blogger, Podcaster, Student, Researcher</h2>

<h3>Hey ? I am a blogger on Politics, International Relations, Technology and a lot more. I use a lot of resources and…</h3>

<p>www.buymeacoffee.com</p>