About Me

I am Abhilash Gopi, an eccentric creature on earth and created so by the Almighty.

Hey there!!! I am really very eccentric as my blogname suggests. Wanna get a dose of eccentricity. C’mon.

Welcome to the eccentric place of Abhilash. |
Welcome to the Eccentric Place. |
Such a lovely place, such a lovely place. |
Plenty of room at this eccentric place. |
You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave. |

A place for Software Testing basics, Health Tips and Weight Training tips.

Occupation : Working to enforce better softwares

Hobbies : Painting, Sketching, Poetry, Aero Modelling, Reading, Fitness Freak, Palmistry, Graphology, BreakDancin.

To know me better, read through this. Back from the dead…

Positive Traits : Emotional, Loving, Intuitive, Imaginative (the reason for my various hobbies), Protective, Sympathetic.

Negative Traits: Cautious, Protective, Moody.

Beware of : My anger (It’s out of the world, but there is a flipside. I have loads ‘n’ loads of patience, so my blowing the cork is a rare phenomenon. Cheer up!!!).

Dislike most : Selfishness, Dishonesty, Bragging, Snobbishness.

Likes most : Originality (being true to oneself) and humility.

Ultimate Fitness Health Club

My Hobbies :

Like I mentioned earlier myself being a Jack of all trades, I have varied hobbies and interests. I definitely take my time out and try to vent out my constructive energies into these hobbies. Some of them I would like to put across are Sketching, Painting, Poetry, Weight Training, Boxing, Cooking, Music, Dancing, Making miniature models, reading, Writing essays & short stories…

My Work :

I have been in the Software Industry since the year 1989, starting with Foxpro and dBase and gradually been associated with Oracle, SQL Server, Visual Basic, C and subsequently into Software Quality Assurance and Testing. My favorite has always been the C language. I have around 17 years of experience in the Software Industry, and has contributed to lots of projects both Domestic and International (58 Domestic and 7 International – only development). I also had the opportunity to be part of a Quality team directly involved in implementation of CMM and ISO. Also actively took part in Gap analysis, and Causal Analysis towards the requirement for CMM. Currently working for an India based Software Development and Testing center as a Software Senior Test Lead for Sarbanes Oxley and Audit related functional application.

I have been in the Programming area for 9 years and in the administrative, Process and testing environment for the remaining 10 years. Major projects have been done in the area of C, Oracle.

My current organization is involved in Offshore Product Development Services.

My childhood

I was born in a city named Nasik Road, on the outskirts of Nasik, a pilgrimage city. Being the first born, I was adored, loved and given the utmost care by my parents. Perhaps, they crossed the limit, for which I would have serious repercussions later in life. 

In my childhood, I was the obedient, parent fearing child. I will not do anything, without their permission. It includes virtually anything I want to do. Due to this strict upbringing, since my childhood days; I was getting molded for future life with no confidence in facing life and with lot of psychological problems and the result was a guy with a lot of inferiority complex. I grew up like this, until my graduation, totally obedient & scared of my parents. I don’t mean that I am no longer scared of my parents or not obedient now; but I have ceased to be the inferior complex spook I once was. The respect and obedience to my parents still exists.

Since my 9^th standard, I have never seen a playground in the evening, and forget how it looks like with children playing on it. I would be back from school by 5:30 pm, have some snacks and be ready for studying. I was being molded on the lines of a baby elephant, who remembers the chain to which it is bound and be under the impression that the chain cannot be unbound or broken. The result, I became one of the most brilliant students in India (probably a bookworm). I have been 3 times runners up for National Talent Scholarship examination; 3 times runners up in General Knowledge exams at All India level; been a winner once and a runners up for Science exhibition at the All India level, and was a state level elocutionist too. My teachers considered me an ideal student, for which subsequently my siblings had to suffer. Every teacher wanted to be my teacher and my mentor at some point of time. But on the other side, I was losing in life. I was not healthy at all, had an inherent health problem, due to lack of physical activity. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” held true in my case during my childhood. I was growing up scared to take on the world. As a result, I was being cowed down in school too. Every guy in the class would take pleasure in beating me. This was how I grew up, until my 9^th standard. One thing I am proud of my parents is imbibing in me the virtue of honesty. (I have gained and suffered too because of this trait in me).

Paradigm shift

Subsequent years after my 9^th class, was witness to a paradigm change in my life. Due to my failing health, my parents were worried and consulted a Doctor, who advised them that I need some physical activity desperately. Another aspect was the prospect of an inferior being locked deep inside me. I wouldn’t dare to look anybody in the eye due to the inferiority complex which I suffered and was deeply etched in my being. My father took a decision which I think changed my whole life. He got me admitted to a karate class, which I continued for 5 years and got various certificates at State level. It has been a struggle for me and I saw myself change from an unhealthy spook to a healthy, fitness conscious freak. I am personally indebted to Soke Solomon Issac, who has nurtured me during these days as my Karate Instructor. He is currently Lifetime Chairman of World Ishudo Federation and Director of All India KickBoxing Federation. I am really indebted to him, for he has paved the way for me to face the world and the struggles that come with it. He has been a great source of inspiration with his motivational techniques and imbibing in me the feeling of an inspired person. He has played a significant part in awakening the dormant mental strength and optimism that lied buried deep within my grey matter, and inspired me to believe in myself. Soke Solomon Issac, thanks a lot.

As is commonplace in most youngsters, it happened to me too. Gradually with the exposure to a lot of physical activity, I lost interest in studies, and no coaxing and beating from my parents could bring a change in me. Every advice, beating from my parents had an adverse affect on me, and it created a resolve in me to not go back to my studious routine. Eventually, I turned to other sports and became addicted to Football and Boxing. But there was one thing I could not change, the psychological scars in me about being inferior to others.

Finally the day came when I could shed that. In my second year of my PG, I was forced to join a Gymnasium by my friends. I was taken to this place, and I realized it became an outlet to vent my frustrations. The extensive and painful physical routine helped me to convert my negative energy into something positive. My father was dead against it. So I joined a typing class in the morning from 7 to 9 and instead of learning to type, I would keep myself busy at the Gym. I am sorry to say, that to misdirect my father, I would do some exercise at home in the evening. Even today, I thank God for providing me a unlimited source of energy, motivation and dedication to pursue the art of healthy living. Focussing my negative energies and the positive energies within me, I could transform my life from an obscure person to somebody who has gained fame, respect, name and recognition. It made me believe that everything is possible if you are focussed on your objectives and have a practical way to achieve these in a planned manner. It was in the Gymnasium, I met another great personality Sudhir Vikhankar, a friend, a coach, a mentor who initiated me into the nuances of Bodybuilding.

An advice to all my folks out there “IT IS VERY EASY TO GET TO THE TOP, BUT TO REMAIN THERE AND SHOW CONSISTENCY IS A WHOLE LOT OF EFFORT, DEDICATION, AND ABOVE ALL, MOTIVATION“.

At this moment when I found myself at the crossroads of life, I had the previlege of having some great friends who have guided me time and again, and persisted with me; so that I learn the ways of the world. C. Sunil, a friend and whom I consider like my elder brother has been a great source of inspiration. Another person to influence me a lot is Prashant Kangade. He has always stood besides me in times of trouble. I felt he was an angel sent by God to help me inch towards the light at the end of the tunnel. Vijay Rai, a great friend, who exposed me to the two sides of the coin of life. He is no longer amidst us, and my rolicking days with him will always be etched in memory. Here are the people who taught me the mental and physical aspects of life. Sunil with his ideas and provoking thoughts has molded my way of thinking and has taken me to a point, where there was no looking back. Prashant with his ever lasting presence whenever I needed him. Vijay with his brawn and brashness has unknowingly nurtured in me the same characteristic for which he was known. “Thanks a lot”, that’s all I can say. No words can express my gratitude to you.

Another friend I’m really indebted to is Joshy Thomas, my friend in troubled times at Bombay. A great friend, a brother, someone whom I could approach and talk to without any hassles. Thanks Buddy.

Some close friends whom I cherish and played a role in my life (Ramkumar, S. Venu, Prashant Kangade, Hasnat Ansari, Rakesh K R, Squinty, Suresh Reddy). More shall be added to the list.

My Education

I completed my education from one of the prestigious schools in Maharashtra, situated at Nasik and affiliated to the Poona University. The name “G.E.S HAL HIGH SCHOOL & Junior COLLEGE” invokes memories in many of us who have studied in this school. It was here, we inculcated discipline into our system, gained knowledge, found respect and motivation from our teachers; who went out of their way to give the best to us. It is always a very happy moment for us, when we meet our teachers, who have given us a life that is smooth sailing in this world of competitiveness.  I studied in this school from my Kindergarten to the XII standard, and then joined the same education group for my Bachelor in Electronic Studies (B.E.S). Being interested in so many sports activities, I found myself not in the good books of my teachers. I was basking in my new found freedom of not having to study all the time. I paid the price and could only muster to pass my Bachelor degree.

For my Post-Graduation, I had to go to the main city in Nasik. I joined Institute of Management Research and Technology, Nasik for my Master’s in Computer Management degree. I resolved to not let the same freedom which I enjoyed during my Bachelor degree days, overcome me during my Post-Grad days and took my PG degree with First class.