MY THOUGHTS

Purani (Old) Jeans

2023-04-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

Purani Jeans

I used to scoff at wearing jeans,

Formal clothes were more my scene.

But one day, while searching in my wardrobe,

I found some Purani Jeans, my thoughts untoward.

Blue and purple, the colors they were,

Hardly worn, almost a blur.

I tried them on, to my surprise,

They fit like a glove, no compromise.

I found some shirts, they matched so well,

I wore them out, not at all compelled.

Now I wear them to the market with glee,

Comfortable in jeans, who'd have thought it'd be me?

Purani Jeans my newfound love,

Comfortable as clouds above.

No longer shall I be bound,

In these jeans, I have found my ground.

My friends suggest I wear them more,

But they haven't seen me, that's for sure.

Away on a tour , away from scene,

But when I return, my jeans they'll have seen.

Father dear Father

2023-04-08T23:08:00.002-07:00

Amidst life's trials, my Dad stood tall,

Each obstacle faced with grit and gall, No grumbling nor discontent did he show, His strength and resilience would always glow. Challenges came, but he didn't falter, His best effort he'd always offer, Through his unwavering attitude, I learnt to be strong and self-assured. Inspired by his unwavering grace, I faced life's hurdles with a steady pace, For my Dad's spirit shall always live on, In the fearless heart of his beloved son.

The Mango Tree, the Birds and the Water Bowl

2010-06-20T03:32:00.000-07:00

Shifting to this small new house in the heart of the city was pleasant. Moreover, it was enchanting to see greenery everywhere. Our house is on first floor. Our downstairs neighbor has an exquisite Mango Tree. The branches and leaves of the mango tree engulf our balcony. Early morning various birds like the sparrows, pigeons, parrots, crows, woodpecker and many other birds chirp to wake me up from sleep. Each summer delicious mangoes hanging on the tree makes a picturesque view.

My family members and I would leave little food for the birds to feed on the parapet of the balcony. All problems started this summer, when I received a sms requesting me to leave a water bowl for the birds, due to the scorching heat. Every day I would fill a small water bowl with water and leave it for the birds to drink, after eating the tidbits.
Firstly, the crows then the other birds, then the pigeons and lastly the sparrows would come to drink water and after few intervals, I would change the water. I was feeling very happy about this ritual as, I thought that I am also doing something for the environment. However, all this ended when one day in the afternoon, I saw a crow dipping a dead rat in the water bowl. This made me furious. I shooed the crow away; fortunately, he took the dead rat away with him and I threw the water from the water bowl. Next day, all the birds came as per their daily routine and they had no water to drink. They were chirping and twittering but I was adamant. For two days, the birds were cheeping loudly. On the third day, I decided to place the water bowl for a short duration and was watchful for the crow. Slowly the number of birds approaching to drink water diminished.

However, the crow was equally unwavering. He would come every day at the designated time and croak. The other day I saw the crow drinking water from the potted plants or sometimes dripping water of our cooler tank.

THE EVENING WALK

2010-06-10T00:42:00.000-07:00

As the sun is setting,
The birds are chirping,
The sky graying
The shadows are appearing,
I go walking, walking ,walking.

Recently I decided to go for evening walk to a near by park. Sliding into track pants and walking shoes, I would go regularly for the same. There is a skating ring in the park .On Monday to Friday at a designated time a skating instructor would come and Instruct his young students the skills of roller skating. His students are young boys and girls accompanied by their mothers. The Mothers of the student take a walk in the circular trail of the park as their ward are skating. As I am also on the circular trail, I observed that most of the people are walking in anti – clockwise direction while some very few others like me are walking in clockwise direction. As I move on the trail. I meet the same people again and almost every day it is a habit. There is one short lady talking to someone on her cell phone headphones attached to her ears, there are a group of old ladies walking and chatting away to glory. A regular , old man who is swaying as he is walking. There is a woman who drives to the park which her little daughter her nanny, a goody bag for her toddler and a tricycle. A group of boys play cricket. Some children from the nearby slums come and sway on the branches of the trees. The beat constable is busy looking for any suspicious characters.

However, the weekends are dull as the skating instructor has an off, so his students and guardian do not come.

As I move around the trail, I feel clam and de stressed. Evening walk has become a habit.

This is a scenic description of my evening walk.

GAYATRI MANTRA

2010-05-31T01:06:00.000-07:00

OM,
BHUR BHUVAH SVAHA,
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM,
BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAAHI,
DHIYO YO NAH PROCHODAYAT.

Gayatri is the 'Blessed Mother 'of Vedas
Gayatri Mantra - develops purity of mind

Meaning of each word of mantra
OM - Para brahma
BHUR- Bhu loka ( physical plane)
BHUVAH - Antariksa ( sky)
SVAHA- Swarga loka( celestial region)
TAT - Paramatma
SAVITUR - Ishvara ( surya)
VARENYAM- fit to be worshipped
BHARGO- remover of sins of Ignorance
DEVASYA - glory ( jnana swaroop)
DHEEMAAHI - we meditate
DHIYO - buddhi ( intellect)
YO - which
NAH - our
PROCHODAYAT - enlighten

Meaning Of Gayatri Mantra

Let us meditate on Ishvara and his glory, who has created the universe, who is fit to be worshipped, who is the remover of all sins and ignorance, may he enlighten our intellect.

It is also called the universal mantra.

Bitter gourd (karela)

2010-05-27T23:28:00.000-07:00

The other evening I went to the market to fetch vegetables. The price of each vegetable was nothing less than rs.40/kg. After buying the required vegetables and muttering to my self about high inflation of the necessary commodities, I heard a poor looking vegetable seller, standing with his wares under a tree, coaxing me to buy karela. My hands were full; moreover, none of my family members really enjoyed eating them. Feeling sorry for him, I marched away. Suddenly he pleaded that the karela’s were for Rs.10/kg. I returned and asked him to repeat the price. I could not believe that the fresh looking karela’s were so economical. I was tempted to buy few but did not have enough change, so I decided to buy 1 kg. After buying the bitter gourd, I was very contented. What do I do with them I thought? I was also terrified of my mom’s wrath of seeing so many karela’s. I thought now whole week I will be eating only the bitter gourd. Once I reached home, I told my mom that the karela has been so economical and explained the situation to her. She said doesn’t matter and that it should be cut into round shape and dried in the sunlight, so that they can be preserved with salt and eaten after frying . As am typing my blog my ‘sweet’ bitter gourd are basking in the sun of summer of May.

THE LONG CAR

2010-05-26T01:26:00.000-07:00

I do not remember when this particular incident happened; it may have been few years ago. At that time I was using local bus or auto, as mode of transportation. I used to prefer a bus because bus being higher than an auto, the levels of oxygen supply to my lungs was far better in a bus, moreover it didn't make my pocket lighter. One fine day one of my friends 'A' invited me and another friend 'B' to her new office. After spending a nice afternoon with them, my friend A, being very generous told us that her official car could drive her two friends to a common destination. Since my friend 'B' and I had to go very far, both of us happily agreed.

After thanking and saying good bye to our friend 'A', My friend 'B' and I sat in the long car (am very poor at recognizing cars) and started chit chatting. However, suddenly I started feeling claustrophobic and giddy. The air conditioner of the car was working properly but I felt that I was not able to breathe. I wanted to get out the car and hop into my regular transport i.e. bus. I did not tell my friend 'B' about my misery. At last, I reached my bus stop, I jumped out car, I completed rest of my journey in the bus and I was able to breathe again.

As soon as I reached home my friend, 'B' phoned me to ask me about my strange look in the car. I complained to her about my being claustrophobic in the Long Car. My friend exclaimed and said that the Long Car was a Merc.

DARK CLOUDY EVENING

2010-05-24T06:35:00.001-07:00

TRAVELLING IN DELHI’S AUTORICKSHAW GIVES ME NIGHTMARES. THEY OVER CHARGE THE FARE OR REFUSE TO GO TO A GIVEN DESTINATION.

THIS INCIDENT HAS CHANGED MY OUTLOOK TOWARDS THEM.

No one can tell me,
Nobody knows,
Where the thunder and lightening comes from
And where they go.

One particular evening I was returning, from N.C.E.R.T building, after attending a seminar. Suddenly the weather GOD played havoc. As I was coming out of the building, I saw that the long pathway to the main road was filled with puddles of water. Some trees were also lying uprooted. Calling for any of my family members would have been time consuming as the road, I thought would be jammed with vehicles by now. As soon as I reached the main road. I tried to look for some mode of public transport. All the buses were packed and were not going directly to my destination (house). It was getting very dark now although it was 6’o clock in the evening, the dark clouds had blocked the sunlight. Then suddenly from nowhere an auto rickshaw stopped in front of me. The driver inquired my destination and I told him so. He was very happy to drive me to my destination at nominal charges. I was little suspicious as he was very friendly and helpful.

After traveling 2 to 3 km., the auto was stuck in some puddle. The auto wala told me to sit inside, as it was raining very hard now. He went out and pushed the auto out of the puddle by now he was completely drenched. To add sorrow to our misery a blue line bus, overtook my auto, the water on the road splashed on the auto shaking it very hard. I was very nervous by now. However, I put up a brave front. The auto wala again stopped the vehicle and started pushing it for half a kilometer , on enquiring he told be to sit inside as he cannot start the engine because the road is filled with water and the water might get into it and we would be stranded. The auto wala told me that I should not worry and that he would ensure that I would reach home safely I was touched by his attitude. The 10 km drive to my house took two hours.

SCIENCE OF WORSHIP

2010-05-24T06:25:00.001-07:00

OUR HINDU CUSTOM OF WORSHIP HAS MANY SYMBOLS. RECENTLY I CAME ACROSS SCIENCE OF THEM:

• BELLS – SHUT OUT THE EXTERNAL SOUNDS AND TO MAKE THE MIND INWARD TO CONCENTRATE.

• INCENSE – THE SMOKE SPREADS THROUGH THE ROOM – IT ACTS AS DISINFECTANT.BURNING OF INCENSE DENOTED LORD IS ALL- PERVADING;

HE FILLS UNIVERSE BY HIS PRESENCE.

• CAMPHOR – DENOTED INDIVIDUAL EGO MELTS

• SANDALWOOD – IS GROUND INTO PASTE – IT REMINDS THAT THE DEVOTEE SHOULD BE PATIENT IN HER DIFFICULTIES, AND YET REMAIN CHEERFUL AND HAPPY LIKE THE ODOUR OF THE SANDALWOOD.

MY SRILANKAN EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

2010-05-20T22:38:00.000-07:00

ON 19th June 2007, GROUP OF 1O STUDENTS AND TWO TEACHERS OF MYSCHOOL, BOARDED THE SRILANKAN AIRLINES TO REACH COLOMBO.WE WERE THE PIONEERS FOR THE EXCHANGE PROGRAME. THE DESTINATION WAS HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL, BAMBILIPITIYA COLOMBO. THE PROGRAMME WAS ORGANISED BY INDIAN – SRILANKAN FOUNDATION.
THE GROUP WAS CORDIALLY RECEIVED BY A PROTOCOL OFFICER OF THE INDIAN HIGH COMMISSION IN SRILANKA, AND THE VICE – PRINCIPAL SR.MANGALIKA OF HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL. THE INITIAL HURDLE WAS TO CONVERT THE US DOLLARS INTO THE SRILANKAN RUPEES. THE STUDENTS WERE ASKED TO TAKE IT UP AS A CHALLENGE AND IN THIS LEARNING PROCESS EVERYBODY SUCCEEDED.THE JOURNEY FROM THE BANDARNAIAKE AIRPORT TO THE HOLY FAMILY CONVENT TOOK AS ABOUT AN HOUR.

THE GROUP WAS RECEIVED BY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SR.CHANDANI. THE STUDENTS WERE ACCOMMODATED WITH THE STUDENTS IN THE BOARDING HOUSE.THE OFFICIAL WELCOME WAS A GRAND AFFAIR, THE GROUP WAS WELCOMED BY THEIR MESMORISING EASTERN BAND IN THEIR TRADITIONAL COSTUME. AFTER THE WELCOME SPEECH THE INDIAN STUDENTS INTRODUCED THEMSELVES TO THE FAMILIAN STUDENTS OF SRILANKA. DURING THE SCHOOL HOURS STUDENTS ATTENDED THEIR HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY CLASSES. A SPECIAL POWER POINT PRESENTATION ON SRILANKA’S HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY WAS SHOWN TO THE INDIAN STUDENTS. THE STUDENTS WERE INTRODUCED TO

THE RELIGIONS- BUDDHISTS, HINDUS, CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS

THE COMMUNITIES-SINGHALESE, TAMILIANS, BURGER

THE FAMILIAN STUDENTS WERE DRESSED IN THE ATTIRE BASED ON THE RELIGION AND COMMUNITY. THE STUDENTS ALSO SERVED FOOD ACCORDING TO THEIR CUSTOMS.

MY STUDENTS ALSO ATTENDED THEIR WESTERN MUSIC, ORIENTAL MUSIC AND DANCE CLASSES. THEY ALSO TRIED TO LEARN A FEW ORIENTAL DANCING STEPS.

THE FAMILIANS HAD ORGANISED INTERACTIVE SESSIONS IN WHICH THE STUDENTS SHARED THEIR THOUGHTS, IDEAS, SOCIAL ISSUES ETC. THIS PROCESS HELPED THEM TO UNDERSTAND AND BE FRIENDLY TO EACH OTHER. THEY ALSO MADE MANY FRIENDS AND EXCHANGED EMAIL ID’S DURING THESE SESSIONS. MANY VALUE BASED GAMES WERE ALSO ORGANISED DURING THESE SESSION. THE STUDENTS OF HOLY FAMILY CONVENT WERE ASSIGNED VARIOUS DUTIES TO MAKE OUR STAY COMFORTABLE AT THEIR SCHOOL.

AFTER SCHOOL HOURS THE STUDENT GROUP WAS TAKEN TO HISTORY MUSEUM, MOUNT LATIVINIA BEACH, SHOPPING CENTRES LIKE ODEL AND MAJESTIC CITY, HOUSE OF FASHION.

ANOTHER DAY THE STUDENTS WERE TAKEN TO A PLACE CALLED KANDY (KANDHA-HILLS). ON OUR WAY TO KANDY WE WERE TAKEN TO AN ELEPHANT ORFANAGE AT PINNAWALA, A TEA ESTATE AT HANTANNA AND A GEMS SHOWROOM. AT THE GEMS SHOW ROOM STUDENTS WERE EXPLAINED ABOUT VARIOUS TYPES OF GEMS AND WERE ALSO SHOWN A MOVIE ON GEMS MINING.

THE STUDENTS WERE TAKEN TO A KANDIAN CULTURAL SHOW AT MALIGAWA. THE STUDENTS ALSO VISITED THE BUDDHIST SACRED TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH AT KANDY.

ON A SUNDAY SCHOOL, THE STUDENTS WERE SENT TO 10 DIFFERENT SRILANKAN FAMILIES TO SPEND THE DAY. INITIALLY THE STUDENTS WERE LITTLE HESITANT TO MEET UNKNOWN PEOPLE, BUT WHEN THEY RETURNED THEY WERE VERY HAPPY TO BE SENT AND WERE AFFIRMATIVE THAT THEY HAD GREAT DAY.

THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL WAS GLAD TO INNAUGRATE THEIR SCHOOL AUDITORIUM IN OUR PRESENCE, ON OUR LAST DAY OF JOURNEY TO SRILANKA. THE PROGRAMME BEGAN WITH PRAYERS AND THEN THE SRILANKAN STUDENTS PERFORMED THEIR CULTURAL PROGRAMME FOLLOWED BY INDIAN STUDENTS CULTURAL PERFORMANCE. THE SHOW CONCLUDED WITH THE SCHOOL ANTHEMS OF BOTH THE SCHOOLS AND NATIONAL ANTHEMS OF BOTH THE COUNTRIES. THE INDIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM WAS SUNG BY THE SRILANKAN SCHOOL BAND WHICH LEFT US SPEECHLESS.

ON OUR WAY TO THE AIRPORT THE GROUP VISITED THE INDIAN HIGH COMMISSION AND WERE ADDRESSED BY HIGH COMMISSIONER HIS EXCELLENCY MR.ALOK PRASAD.

THE EXCHANGE PROGAMME NOT ONLY ENRICHED THE STUDENTS ABOUT EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL COOPERATION BUT ALSO MADE THEM FAMILIAR TO THE SRILANKAN HOSPITALITY AND SIMPLICITY.

WALKING DOWN THE MEMORY LANE

2010-05-20T01:35:00.000-07:00

WALKING DOWN THE MEMORY LANE…………
As one enters the school campus one can see a banyan tree, it seems it was always there.
In the year 1976, in class nursery A was my first day in school was made comfortable by Ma’am Uma. My father told me that the name of my school is Carmel Convent. I was very happy to be in my new school. I thought the building was huge & must be touching the sky.

During the year 1980-81, our school auditorium was being built. Students would try to enter the built up area but were forbidden to do so by watchful eyes of our teachers.

In the year 1982, I was in class five, the year our school celebrated its silver jubilee. To mark this occasion students performed a play based on the life of our school founder Mother Veronica. Thus I saw many progressive changes in our school.

Adieu! The day of our school farewell, we lit up the school campus with candle lights. That was in year 1990.

April 1999, I got an opportunity, to teach in my very own school Carmel. Initially I was a bit hesitant to join because the idea of having my very own teachers as colleagues was very disturbing. But finally I joined as a teaching staff. It was a heart warming experience. My very own teachers helped me as colleagues.

I think I am one of the lucky few to work for the same school where one has been a student too.

MY BRANDED GOGS

2010-05-19T23:47:00.000-07:00

Very recently I bought a new set of branded goggles for INR.1200. I wanted my friends to admire it .But alas nobody took notice of it. Then I thought, let me admire their goggles may be then they will notice mine. The target was chosen. For two three days I tried to notice the goggles of a particular friend of mine who wore goggles everyday. I noticed her brand and on a chosen day I asked her Whether her goggles are new , her reply was affirmative. I mentioned the brand to her ( I had made careful observation the previous day - had noticed her case), she was very happy and impressed that I was able to recognise the brand and appreciate it.Then I asked her how much she had spent on such an expensive brand her reply was INR .12000.

Kumbh Mela - is a mass Hindu pilgrimage.

2010-05-19T04:17:00.000-07:00

Kumbh Mela - is a mass Hindu pilgrimage.

This Easter holidays I had the opportunity to visit Haridwar by road and take a holy dip at the brahm kund at Har ki pauri.

The Uttranchal government had made really good arrangements for the dip and also had made arrangements for car parking.

But availability of hotels was an impossible task. I had an opportunity to stay at Ved Vyasa ashram 5 km away from har ki pauri, at a place called sadhu bela. I could see a large number of sadhu’s living there and walking up to har- ki- pauri. I visited a lot number of temples like the bharat mata temple, gita mandir ,etc. and had a heavenly experience after visiting them. On inquiring about the kumbh Mela understood that :

The Purna (complete) Kumbh takes place at four places (Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik) every twelve years. while the Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years at Haridwar and Prayag.The Maha Kumbh Mela ('Great' Kumbh Mela) which comes after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas' which is after every 144 years. The 2010, Maha Kumbh Mela was attended by around 60 million people, making it the largest gathering anywhere in the world.

In Hindu mythology, its origin is found in one of the popular creation myths and the Hindu theories on evolution, the Samudra manthan episode (Churning of the ocean of milk), mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, the Mahabharata, and the Ramayana

The account goes that the Gods had lost their strength, and to regain it, they thought of churning the Ksheera Sagara (primordial ocean of milk) for amrit (the nectar of immortality). This required them to make a temporary agreement with their arch enemies, the demons or Asuras, to work together with a promise of sharing the nectar equally thereafter. However, when the Kumbha (urn) containing the amrita appeared, a fight ensued. For twelve days and twelve nights (equivalent to twelve human years) the gods and demons fought in the sky for the pot of amrita. It is believed that during the battle, Lord Vishnu flew away with the Kumbha of elixir spilling drops of amrita at four places: Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik.

After visiting haridwar I went to Rishikesh, i.e. 10km away from Haridwar. At Rishekesh I saw Laxman jhula Ram Jhula, and many temples.

Many tourists go in for river rafting.

Thus I had a wonderful pilgrim with my family.