The fields of pattern recognition and machine learning are on a fundamental quest to design systems that can learn the way humans do. One important aspect of human intelligence that has so far not been given sufficient attention is the capability of humans to express when they are certain about a decision, or when they are not. like a bird', in his words). I cannot thank him enough for his strong belief in me over the years, for setting standards of excellence that will take me a lifetime to scale, for housing me in an environment suffused with bright minds and numerous opportunities for exposure and growth, and most importantly, for his never-failing support through every high and low of my PhD.