Our lives today are the stuff that science fiction movies were made of, perhaps, a decade or two ago. With virtual assistants, driverless cars, hoverboards, and missions to Mars, devices that come alive at the sound of your voice and perform your every bidding, technology is nothing short of a fantastical miracle.

Our smart devices are only getting smarter. Just look around: devices are getting faster, more accurate. Billions of bytes of data can be broken down into meaningful insights in a matter of seconds. Computers can now respond to human speech. Siri could give some of our contemporary stand-up comics a run for their money with her dry wit. We can already create small models thanks to 3D printing technology; perhaps, tomorrow we would be mass manufacturing everything from medicines to garments thanks to the same tech. Software has already conquered automobiles, and it may not be much longer before they learn how to perform other more complex tasks with ease.

Just as in real life, what makes our computers and mobiles and other devices ‘smart’ is intelligence. Artificial Intelligence or AI, is quite apt in describing the phenomenon when machines start to imitate the human mind; when they begin demonstrating learning, responsiveness and problem solving. When your phone recognizes your voice command to search for the newest restaurants near you and throws up a plausible list of options, that’s artificial intelligence at play. Siri offering up ideas for your Halloween costume or a drone that navigates overhead scanning the geography below — all fuelled and driven by artificial intelligence.

In the world of technology, the applications of artificial intelligence are only growing, giving rise to hopes for a connected future. AI could mean higher productivity and efficiency, better applications in planning, production, security and development, leading to an overall better quality of life. Perhaps, even world peace?

“The potential benefits of creating intelligence are huge,” Stephen Hawking noted earlier this year. “We cannot predict what we might achieve when our own minds are amplified by AI. Perhaps with the tools of this new technological revolution, we will be able to undo some of the damage done to the natural world by the last one — industrialization. And surely we will aim to finally eradicate disease and poverty. Every aspect of our lives will be transformed. In short, success in creating AI could be the biggest event in the history of our civilization.”

Not before adding though that, artificial intelligence will be “either the best, or the worst thing, ever to happen to humanity”.

All this even as machines are beating humans at games of Go and Chess, and some technologists claim to have achieved voice recognition at par with humans.

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The ‘Indian Woman’ has been making waves over the last couple of weeks. A landmark judgement by the Delhi High Court ruled that a woman can be a karta, a unique position of leadership in the Hindu Undivided Family defined by ancient Indian texts that has historically always been held by men. In a debate that stirred the nation, groups of women demanded equal rights to gain access and entry to places of worship. In other news, Indian businesswomen have been taking the start-up world by storm, and Indian sportswomen have been leaving a mark at various international tournaments.

In many ways it is a glorious time for women in India. With resilience and strength women in India have been beacons of hope and inspiration for generations overcoming prejudices, cultural barriers and inequality.

In recent times there have also been dire claims on the state of violence against women, lack of equal rights in not just workplaces but also other areas such as sports, politics, arts, culture and overall society have become issues of national concern and rightly so! However, despite the odds, there have been numerous women that have put India’s name on the world map.

From business leaders who are at the helm of affairs at some of India’s largest financial, technology and consumer businesses, to political powerhouses, sportswomen who have trained with dedication often with little resources or support, women who have authored globally acclaimed books, made music, arts and films that have wowed audiences the world over, climbed Everest, been on space missions, stood up for animal rights, feminism and societal welfare.

It is their examples that we can all emulate.

Let’s look at some of these successful, wonderful women and learn from their experiences to chart our own path to success.

Step out on the court with a clear goal. Saina Nehwal has witnessed prejudice throughout her career — whether it was critics who wrote her off too soon, or even her own extended family who were not too thrilled with her career choices. Saina has, however, come a long way since, and once said, “Once you are satisfied with your goal, it is the real happiness.” Get your head in the game and eye on your target, and you are set to roll!

Channel your inner Mary Kom and knock out challenges. The five-time world boxing champion once shared her story of determination saying, “People used to say that boxing is for men and not for women and I thought I will show them some day. I promised myself and I proved myself.” Hailing from a humble background, Mary Kom had to overcome insurmountable odds right from limited financial backing to undue societal and cultural pressures.

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Have you ever looked at a toddler, in the throes of a tantrum, at the mall or the multiplex, and enviously wished that you could do the same? Did you watch The Avengers and wish you could turn into the big, green colossal Hulk and swat or smash the things that got in your way or irritate you? If you have, I can reassure you that you’re not alone.

I know I have!

When Bruce Banner turns to Captain America and says “That’s my secret? I’m ALWAYS angry,” I could feel my friends all turn to me with knowing looks, and it was all I could do to not turn into my ow version of the Hulk right then!

Truth be told, I still like to indulge in a rant — catch hold of a willing (or helpless!) friend and vent out all my frustrations. I have to be careful to avoid doing that too often though.After all, we have been taught over the years that anger is juvenile. Right?

We have been told to grow up. Rein it in. Suck it up.Move on. Let it go. Forget about it. And, a few other combinations of verbs!

We have been advised that whatever we’re angry about is temporary or not worth our time and energy. We’re like that only. Just adjust. It is the way it is. What can you do about it. And, other combinations of rhetoric!

We have also been reassured that it will all pass. It will be okay. It’s alright. All is well.

Over the years, we have been conditioned to believe that temper tantrums are for toddlers and rants in angst should be left behind with our teenage years. It has been reinforced that anger is a negative emotion to be suppressed and overcome, and rarely, if ever, to be expressed.

But is it really such a bad thing to feel angry? It’s natural, isn’t it?

Anger, after all, is an important emotion. It is an indication that you feel deeply about something, it can be a powerful call to action. Anger can also present a warning, a red flag waving in your tracks, indicating a time to slow down, stop and change. If channeled right, anger can be transformed into something positive and passionate.

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