About me

It was recently suggested to me by certain audiences that I should personalize my blog. I have made a few personal posts over the course of my time here, but they tend to get lost in the main content, and I’m perfectly fine with that. But I thought it’s a good idea to add a page so that people who do want to know more, can find out. Lets start then.

As far as academics go, I’m essentially still a student. I recently (and I mean recently, the results were released on June 11th, 2013) became a Post-Graduate, attaining a Masters’ degree in Computer Science. As far as academic lines go, that is my preferred one. However, quite a long time ago, I had planned that I’ll take a break once I complete this course. A one year break, to take some time for myself and assess where I’m going. Not an orthodox route, but I still think its the best route, instead of just going through the motions for the sake of it.

Meanwhile, since 2010, I have been involved in the Puzzle community that I’m now a somewhat known part of, and have found my passion here. As a solver, my biggest achievement so far is finishing a runner-up at the 2012 Indian Puzzle Championship.

Due to the interest in puzzles, I got something to base my one year break on, and thats furthering the possibility that Puzzles as we know them could become a mainstream part of the Indian culture, and thus, Puzzle-related ventures could become my future. I realize this isn’t that high a possibility, but I’ve given myself a year in which to execute as many plans as possible before re-evaluating. Having had some success already, I’m hopeful.

Over the past year or so, in addition to maintaining this blog, I have contributed as a puzzle constructor to as many places as possible, sometimes pushing the limit of my schedule, believing that exposure comes first. I have had the pleasure of authoring Puzzle sets for Logic Masters India, National Championships in many different countries, and also the 24 HPC which is an International level event. I have also contributed to books published by Akil Oyunlari among others. This is all mainly for exposure, and also to give back to the community that has given me so much joy and direction. But to sustain/justify all the time I put into this, I need some return, and I get that in the form of my two jobs here in India, both of which I am very grateful for. I get to work with some of the nicest people, really, which is always refreshing. The two jobs are:

1. Life 365. This is a Pune newspaper that gave me my first major out-of-puzzle-community opportunity. I have a column here that has a daily puzzle along with the solution to the previous day’s puzzle. I have now been working with them for more than a year, and they seem quite happy with my contribution, and so am I.

2. SportzConsult. This is a Sports Management company thats started organizing Brain Games in different cities and shares my goal of creating awareness and interest in a wider audience for puzzles, and intellectual sport in general. Needless to say, I enjoy working with them as well, although this partnership is still young.

Update : 2013 achievements so far –

Indian Puzzle Champion.

Times Sudoku Championship Runner-Up.

Indian Sudoku Champion.

World Puzzle Championship contributing author.

So thats it from me. Other than this, the only thing you need to know is that I watch a lot of sports, follow India in cricket, and am a big Manchester United fan in football. You can contact me through the “about the blog” page with anything puzzle-related or blog-related and I’d be happy to hear you out and see how I can help.