The Name "Paradise" itself has unique type of invisible joy which can be felt while experiencing the process of going on a journey .This is also a Down memory lane of a paradise unknown. The word paradise is synonymous with places like Ladakh, Himachal, Kedarnath , Manali. This is one of them "Sidhabari" in Himachal Pradesh. A state which is known for it's snow covered peaks, greenish mountains and flowing streams and the lovely country side . These are excerpts from a diary which i wrote way back in 1993. I actively being a part of the CHYK or Chinmaya Yuva Kendra had news that there would be a camp held by Swami Chinmayananda in Sidhabari from May 25th to 31st . A Geetha Lecture by Swamiji anywhere in the world would have been a pleasure to hear and informative .The Preparation for the camp had started, collecting applications, booking tickets , organising people .Once Done everybody was in the joy of visiting this paradise which had been heard from different devotees.
Just a few days before the camp a tragedy struck our household and there were doubts of me going for the camp but with the blessings of gurudev my father's mind changed and i was allowed to go. I landed in banaglore on 21st morning and went to the railway station to catch the karnataka express.I was the first one and then people started to trickle in with thier luggages and home made food packets. Every body wishing each other for safe and a pleasant spiritual journey.Everybody's parents was around except mine but i could undertsand the situation . I love them and thank them for making me possible to attend the camp.I could hear somebody say Happy journey . I knew it was amma and appa . From illusion i came back to reality to see people discussing around, there were around 52 people including people from tumkur.After usual goodbye's and group photographs we left on a journey to the paradise. We were also joined a Couple Mr. and Mrs Mallya( not Vijay Mallya of UBgroup) from mangalore who was a good friend of gurudev and follower of Osho.His conversation in the train was inspiring .
I had been on many train journeys but this was one was different experience . They collected Rs 300/- as common fund at the start of the journey . Hema took care of accounts , Sai, Tarun and narendra took care of other things . We had night shift to monitor luggages . I had a patrolling duty between 2am to 4am in the morning.I read books , heard music, sang bhajans and above all had a good sleep . The food each day was delicious.The shrikand at sholapur was a mouth watering experience . On 23rd we reached Nizamuddin around 2pm . We had to catch a train the same to pathankot at 8.30pm. Nizammudin had the poshest area close the station with houses having wonderful architecture.The train was full . We didnt want to board up the train in Delhi thinking it would be a mad rush but were wrong as lots of people were to get down at Delhi and we could only board S5 coach and had to take all luggages and go to S2 which was tiring in the delhi summer.
We were all tired and hit the beds ... as we reached pathkot the misson had organised a bus from pathankot to Sidhabari our last leg of the journey .We had some tastefull lassi and started the Bus journey . It was mind blowing as we had to cross 78 mountains and nature at it's best we reached Dharmasala around 1pm on 24th .From Dharmasala it was around 4 kms .As we were coming near to the Ashram we could see a Shiv ling at the top of the building , our hearts was inquisitive to see the place so the voices of bhajans grew louder as the driver turned towards the ashram we could see beautiful mountains along the rod with occasional houses. , plain fields with lots of grass, a stream flowing behind the ashram. As the bus stopped we took our luggages and registered our names and remitted the camp fees .We were alloted the nursing quarters nearby which was half a km away .We were all tired so we walked put our luggages had lunch and slept off for sometime .After around a hour we were asked to shift inside the ashram campus which was blessing in disguise.We took some rest and went around the place .
It was indeed heaven or paradise .The place surrounding was with snow peaked montains , clean air , solitude environment .Peace just was in the air all around .you could feel the kind of positive energy.We from bangalore were given kitchen duty and we are all very happy that we could see gurudev from close quarters.
25th May the camp started we were all dressed in white and were given a saffron robe on that with a tulsi mala . this attire was compulsory when were moving around the Ashram.We all assembled in the morning and Camp organisers explained the rules and regulations .We were also briefed by purushothammandaji and Sudhamshuji. The camp would started in the evening with a lecture by Gurudev on Gita Chapter 9.There were talks that Gurudev might not even come due to his illhealth and left us all in very sober mood . But Hope is life so we went ahead and started our Karmic activities assigned . We also had a chance to know the Tapovan Ashram.
Ashram: On the entrance of the ashram there are 2 huge pillars with a gate attached, further from there is a beautiful hanuman huge statue.in front of that is gurudev's kutia .It's a beautiful place .Gurudev's kutia is a very unique struture. The Kutia has a Shiv ling on the top which can be seen from long distances.to the back of his kutia is a ganesha idol which is adjacent to gurudev's office or reading room .One can see gurudev very ealry in the morning at around 3am to 4am sit there and write letters to his devotees. Just beside the room is huge door .Once you open the door the door directly gives u the sight of the himalayas.Ohh what can i say about this picturesque place .The great Himalayas which has guarded our country for so long.The serenity , solitude and the breeze emanates a freshness to your mind and tries to contemplate on everything u see . Beside his Kutia is the "komala Hall" where the discourses will be conducted .there is a satsung hall inside which has the idol of Rama, Lakshamana and Sita . The Meditation classes would held there .
The ashram has no television, no newspaper. We didnt know how a week passed , there was not a moment which was dull . The environment was vibrant with people , serene with nature .The place was like Mt.Kailash .It was place where one could control his agitating mind and have inner peace. It was indeed we felt like we had done a journey from the earth to the heaven .That was Tapovan Ashram, Sidhabari.
It was a the Sadhana Sapthaha for all of us.We were doing our kitchen work when the news arrived that indeed gurudev had arrived from Mumbai and went to his kutia for rest.After the meal we went for a nap, had evening tea and were ready for the evening classes. My heart pounded with joy to see swamiji.Every body finished the Arati at the Ram temple and sat 15 minutes before for the classes .There were advance booking for front seats, chairs . At the stroke of 6.30pm we could see swamiji enter on a wheel chair which was holded by Swami Subhodhanandji.He got up from his wheel chair , left his padukas, made pranams to his guru Tapovan Maharaj then to adi shankaracharyaand then to all of us saying HARI OM!! . He sat on his chair and beagn to give the introduction to Gita and briefly explain the 8 chapters before coming to the 9th chapter.All our attention , thoughts were focussed towards him and his words .The magnetic force was compelling and joyous. After the discourse we dispersed .The second day started with meditation from 5.30am to 6.00am then 6.00am to 6.15am we used to have tea , 6.15am onwards for an hour we used to have kenoupanishad classes , ground discussions, breakfast , workshops by various people, lunch with swamiji, some rest , walk in the ashram by 4.30pm and the discourse at 6.30pm .After the discourse everyday we used to have cultural activities held by CHYK's from each states on each day . Swamiji used to be present on all days . He was unwell internally but used to enjoy the programmes with the devotees.
We from Bangalore enjoyed our Anna seva at the kitchen . It is one occassion i will never forget as i got a chance to see Gurudev so close .He used to kept a large silver plate and silver bowls with various dishes. Gurudev used to eat very less . he used to taste some dishes not disappoint the devotees.One day there was shortage food and we rendered bhajans so that evrbody forgot they were waiting for lunch . The love and affection the chyk's showed while doing seva won everybody's heart in the camp.
Each day Gurudev unfolded the importance of Gita in our lives .It was vibrant, electrifying, amazing and chilling thinking that this was the person who was in ICU in mumbai Jaslok Hospital some days back and was here addressing 800 Chyk's and devotess from all over India . His electrfying presence had made the arrangements in the Ashram go without any hitch.He had said nobody will go from the camp for the want of space . He wa right as everybody was accomodated . Around 1000 people the ashram was beehiving with activity and energy . Everybody came forward to do any seva. It was indeed a memorable one . The Saptaha was a life enriching experience .
Apart from the lectures and spiritual discussions the cultural activity each day will stuck in our minds for a long time particlualry the sanskrit drama by tumkur ,the national soul sandhya by blr and garba danceby mumbai .
On the last night of the Saptaha as the Garbha Dance began there was joy asual everywhere, all were quietly watching when gurudev turned and said c'mon everybody dance . The room was filled with excitement, everybody clapped chanting krishna. Gurudev also chanted krishna maybe saying Lord keep my children well and take care of them as i have only a few more days to go as this will be my last in India .
In the End there was India Map and al of us were asked to keep a light in our states . The Map looked wonderfull with lights . United we stand and proud to be Indians we said .
The next day the camp ended after breakfast .the campers left to thier destinations .Swamiji took a 3 to 4 days before leaving to US. Swamiji breathed his last in US in Aug after being in coma for a few days . Who knew but himself that this would be the last Gita discourse he would give in India . He came from ICU to give a discourse where somebody seeing him for the first time would not believe his health condition .Tears fill my eyes even now and then too when we had to part with Swamiji and the paradise in Sidhabari.
For us who came from bustling bangalore leaving behind all the materialistic comforts we found serenity in our minds, we had clarity in our thoughts yet i felt the paradise was unknown before we visited and is still unknown till date . The search within will be a continuous one and the teachings of Gurudev will always inspire me and others for generations to come .Wish i can visit the paradise someday once again .
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Salute to our Unsung Heroes!!!!
Our salute to the unsung Heroes of the country (NSG Commando's, Police officers, Constables, Firemen, Hotel staff of Taj and Trident & citizens ) who laid their lives in order to protect us and the country in the course of the tragic events in Mumbai. Let their souls rest in peace .
Let the country stand united to fight against such barbaric act.
Let the country stand united to fight against such barbaric act.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Namma school ,kaate,Gelayaru matu Girinagara
The growing up years or Namma A-Dinagalu is a wonderful memory which can never be forgotten. I landed up in Girinagara in 1984 and on the first day in my new house we had a gang coming into my house .Girinagara was pretty small area where each of us would know if a new house came up . They all came and chatted with me and became friends and the best part was they saw my comic collections and in the next 10 minutes it all had disappeared into their hands . All of us loved novels , comics and cricket and i think that's what bonded all of us. Venki, Kiran, Vasuki,Balu
( Bhola), Puchi, Rajiva, Sanjeeva, Kulla, Vinii,Raju, Shashi,Jagi, Prakasha,Madan...
What a list and what a group . Some of us are still the best friends and meet regularly . It's long journey .
Some were in Webster's, Some in BHS, Some in Kumaran's and after our school we used to all meet at our favourite adda the compound wall of Venki's house . Addu namma 2nd house.We used to form our team and then head towards any open area to play cricket .Since the group was big we could form 2 teams . Once we played we used to come back and chat for soemtime before we came back home .The chit chat would go for longer hour's in the summer holidays.
The 3B , 3E bus journey from Seetha circle to Nagasandra circle for my school Kumaran's was eventfull. We had group there too " The Bus friends" and lots of them making merry in the full packed bus.If we dont get a seat we used to just dump the bags at the seated passengers as though it was their job to hold our bags. Some were crazy on the bus numbers .They used to remember well then our algorithm problems.My Friend Deepu used to remember the driver, conductor name and bus no. of 36E exactly .Our bus journey was eventful because of the girls in the bus too . So of them got down at ramakrishna ashram, some at Nation high school stop and rest at nagasandra . Dashu and Vasuki used to board the bus in nirmala stores and they were the most notorious in the bus . the walk back from the bust stop to the house was another amazing thing where we used to have a race as to who would walk faster in the adjacent roads.
The summer holidays were always fun as vinay used to land up as early as like 7am in front of venki's house for a cricket match or just to chit-chat .He used to get frowned on by kiran ,venki's brother seeing him so early .All our parents used to crib saying we would never improve in life and succeed but nothing bothered us .We played all day along came back only to have some juice or water .We can never forgets all our mothers who although cribbed used to serve us with juice, water or snacks . How many window panes has been shattered .How many infights .How many scoldings.I cna never forget the famous sanjeeeva and Mr.Jayaram fight when the cricket ball fell in his house and how madan went inside the house to mediate . The constant fight among senior and junior gangs . The pulling of puchi's shorts whenever he faught and cried and left us to go home .The way vasuki would be said " rascal" when we used to fight among ourselves .With all these our day would end back on the payment in front of venki's house recollecting these things and laughing over it . I had never seen sushila aunty crib on us . Hats of to her patience and they way she treated us all . One was not well always we fought and some times the fight has stayed for years before a patch up.
Girinagar saw the start of a Leather Cricket team and a volley ball team that time around .There was association or sangha formed by our friends which conducted quiz, ganesha festival, athletics for the elders and us . Our venue would be the roads and the sachidanada ashram auditorium.I remember my father winning 2 shields in 100 and 200m race and he was elated . I started as a ball boy in the cricket team and occassionally got myself to get paddedup to bat .The everyday nets before going to school or the long nets on sunday made my desire to play cricket more concrete.As the concrete jungle expanded in Girinagar the friends split for some years.I had joined a Residential school and was coming only in holidays and then college in bangalore and we started back to meet . Times had changed , we had grown .Kiran was going to join army .Raju was on the brink of finishing engineering .Shashi was doing ICWA. Balu was doing evening college and also working in Bandbox.Apart from this We ( me, venki, balu, puchi, vasuki and the new entrant sridhar)had all started to do what young boys indulge in for fun. The evening meeting continued from school to college to our working days till date . Only cricket stopped for some . We met for years on Sundays for a dosa breakfast at mangala or a idli/ upma breakfast at BSK 2nd stage SLV till Balu flew to chennai or dubai.
As i look back the school remains the same with new buildings , the kaate has made way for new pathway, Girinagara has grown rapidly and colourfully but what makes me smile is We Gelayaru are still the same, we meet up till date now with families and kids . We still meet up for drinks. We still meet near venki's place and chit chat when we get time . We still fight and dont talk for days. The mangala dosa stil awaits us on sunday's , the upma vada in SLV still makes us to meet ,We still watch cricket with rapt attention.The love and affection among us has only strengthened over years .Each one of us have gone thru so many personal turbulations but one thing which still bonds us is our friendship which comes out of trust and love . May god be kind to all of us in all times to come and may this friendship carry on for generations to come .
Three cheers to the Girinagara Gelayaru !!!!!!!
Snehada Kadalali payaniga nannamma!!!!!
( Bhola), Puchi, Rajiva, Sanjeeva, Kulla, Vinii,Raju, Shashi,Jagi, Prakasha,Madan...
What a list and what a group . Some of us are still the best friends and meet regularly . It's long journey .
Some were in Webster's, Some in BHS, Some in Kumaran's and after our school we used to all meet at our favourite adda the compound wall of Venki's house . Addu namma 2nd house.We used to form our team and then head towards any open area to play cricket .Since the group was big we could form 2 teams . Once we played we used to come back and chat for soemtime before we came back home .The chit chat would go for longer hour's in the summer holidays.
The 3B , 3E bus journey from Seetha circle to Nagasandra circle for my school Kumaran's was eventfull. We had group there too " The Bus friends" and lots of them making merry in the full packed bus.If we dont get a seat we used to just dump the bags at the seated passengers as though it was their job to hold our bags. Some were crazy on the bus numbers .They used to remember well then our algorithm problems.My Friend Deepu used to remember the driver, conductor name and bus no. of 36E exactly .Our bus journey was eventful because of the girls in the bus too . So of them got down at ramakrishna ashram, some at Nation high school stop and rest at nagasandra . Dashu and Vasuki used to board the bus in nirmala stores and they were the most notorious in the bus . the walk back from the bust stop to the house was another amazing thing where we used to have a race as to who would walk faster in the adjacent roads.
The summer holidays were always fun as vinay used to land up as early as like 7am in front of venki's house for a cricket match or just to chit-chat .He used to get frowned on by kiran ,venki's brother seeing him so early .All our parents used to crib saying we would never improve in life and succeed but nothing bothered us .We played all day along came back only to have some juice or water .We can never forgets all our mothers who although cribbed used to serve us with juice, water or snacks . How many window panes has been shattered .How many infights .How many scoldings.I cna never forget the famous sanjeeeva and Mr.Jayaram fight when the cricket ball fell in his house and how madan went inside the house to mediate . The constant fight among senior and junior gangs . The pulling of puchi's shorts whenever he faught and cried and left us to go home .The way vasuki would be said " rascal" when we used to fight among ourselves .With all these our day would end back on the payment in front of venki's house recollecting these things and laughing over it . I had never seen sushila aunty crib on us . Hats of to her patience and they way she treated us all . One was not well always we fought and some times the fight has stayed for years before a patch up.
Girinagar saw the start of a Leather Cricket team and a volley ball team that time around .There was association or sangha formed by our friends which conducted quiz, ganesha festival, athletics for the elders and us . Our venue would be the roads and the sachidanada ashram auditorium.I remember my father winning 2 shields in 100 and 200m race and he was elated . I started as a ball boy in the cricket team and occassionally got myself to get paddedup to bat .The everyday nets before going to school or the long nets on sunday made my desire to play cricket more concrete.As the concrete jungle expanded in Girinagar the friends split for some years.I had joined a Residential school and was coming only in holidays and then college in bangalore and we started back to meet . Times had changed , we had grown .Kiran was going to join army .Raju was on the brink of finishing engineering .Shashi was doing ICWA. Balu was doing evening college and also working in Bandbox.Apart from this We ( me, venki, balu, puchi, vasuki and the new entrant sridhar)had all started to do what young boys indulge in for fun. The evening meeting continued from school to college to our working days till date . Only cricket stopped for some . We met for years on Sundays for a dosa breakfast at mangala or a idli/ upma breakfast at BSK 2nd stage SLV till Balu flew to chennai or dubai.
As i look back the school remains the same with new buildings , the kaate has made way for new pathway, Girinagara has grown rapidly and colourfully but what makes me smile is We Gelayaru are still the same, we meet up till date now with families and kids . We still meet up for drinks. We still meet near venki's place and chit chat when we get time . We still fight and dont talk for days. The mangala dosa stil awaits us on sunday's , the upma vada in SLV still makes us to meet ,We still watch cricket with rapt attention.The love and affection among us has only strengthened over years .Each one of us have gone thru so many personal turbulations but one thing which still bonds us is our friendship which comes out of trust and love . May god be kind to all of us in all times to come and may this friendship carry on for generations to come .
Three cheers to the Girinagara Gelayaru !!!!!!!
Snehada Kadalali payaniga nannamma!!!!!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Kumble - The Jumbo of Cricket
Cricket is a passion, religion in the country. I am not far behind in following the sport from childhood as many other youngsters would do.I say this because irrespective of this global economic crisis and the other things going around if you find a person irrespective of undergoing a crisis personally or professionally he would be glued to a television set to watch a game of cricket . There is a joke which all of you must have heard that once a person was on a verge of committing a suicide and did happen to hear a voice of commentary on cricket and apparently that happened to be a critical moment of the match .So the person actually got engrossed so much that he forgot his intentions or postponed the same.Such could be the effect of a cricket match .We can debate over the craziness for the sport and i am sure there would be many for and against but the point is that it is defintely a religion in our country.
Karnataka has produced some great cricketers like Chandrashekar, Vishwanath G.R., Brijesh Patel,Kirmani,Prasanna,Srinath, Dravid and Kumble in the international arena and some great ranji players like jayprakash, raghuram bhat, sudhakar rao, ranjit kanwilkar and others.They have been pillars in the game of cricket .With the announcement of the retirement of Anil Kumble we will miss the greatest spinner and a gentleman cricketer of modern cricket.He was a rare gem . He was well educated and he knew his mind well and was not involved in any controversies.His grit, passion and dedication was incomparable . Kudos Jumbo!!!! for all those memorable moments you have given . He was not a great spinner of the ball but the length and height he produced out of the red leather was amazing.As cricket player myself and following the sport i happened to watch Anil kumble in his younger days playing in national college grounds and one would have wondered who was this fast bowler as he was never a spinner that time . I remember a time when he was playing for RV engineering college and was selected for the India team and there was this big hue and cry from some of our relatives and friends over the decision to postpone the engineering exams but one cannot run away from the fact that cricket is a game which is a part and parcel of lives in India .
My memories of Kumble's greatest moments inorder would be the West indies test match where he came back and bowled after having a injured Jaw. The Titan cup Semifinal and final , the one day international in bangalore against Australia where srinath and he batted till the last to win the one day for India .His first hundred in Old Trafford. His win at Perth despite all odds.How can one forget his face expression for a misfield though he himself was not a great fielder . His angryness on himself on giving a four in the 22nd over of his spell.
I have watched many a matches in KSCA stadium in bangalore and everytime i see Kumble come down and practice before any match as though it was his first match .Such dedication, commitment talks tall about a fantastic cricketer.
Wishing Jumbo a great path ahead after international cricket .Our salute to a great champion cricketer our country has produced .
Karnataka has produced some great cricketers like Chandrashekar, Vishwanath G.R., Brijesh Patel,Kirmani,Prasanna,Srinath, Dravid and Kumble in the international arena and some great ranji players like jayprakash, raghuram bhat, sudhakar rao, ranjit kanwilkar and others.They have been pillars in the game of cricket .With the announcement of the retirement of Anil Kumble we will miss the greatest spinner and a gentleman cricketer of modern cricket.He was a rare gem . He was well educated and he knew his mind well and was not involved in any controversies.His grit, passion and dedication was incomparable . Kudos Jumbo!!!! for all those memorable moments you have given . He was not a great spinner of the ball but the length and height he produced out of the red leather was amazing.As cricket player myself and following the sport i happened to watch Anil kumble in his younger days playing in national college grounds and one would have wondered who was this fast bowler as he was never a spinner that time . I remember a time when he was playing for RV engineering college and was selected for the India team and there was this big hue and cry from some of our relatives and friends over the decision to postpone the engineering exams but one cannot run away from the fact that cricket is a game which is a part and parcel of lives in India .
My memories of Kumble's greatest moments inorder would be the West indies test match where he came back and bowled after having a injured Jaw. The Titan cup Semifinal and final , the one day international in bangalore against Australia where srinath and he batted till the last to win the one day for India .His first hundred in Old Trafford. His win at Perth despite all odds.How can one forget his face expression for a misfield though he himself was not a great fielder . His angryness on himself on giving a four in the 22nd over of his spell.
I have watched many a matches in KSCA stadium in bangalore and everytime i see Kumble come down and practice before any match as though it was his first match .Such dedication, commitment talks tall about a fantastic cricketer.
Wishing Jumbo a great path ahead after international cricket .Our salute to a great champion cricketer our country has produced .
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya!!!!!!
Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya!!!!!! Let the Cloud of darkness fade away and open up to the bright light of sunshine in all our lives .Let Diwali bring happiness and joy in all our lives.
The world has been reeling under the economic crisis and for many it would have been a black diwali either by loosing jobs or money in the stock market. The corridor of uncertainty haunts all of us either one or the other way. As i write the anticipation and anxiety of what would happen is a question mark in my mind. As somebody said jokingly Eh Saat Din decide karege apna naseeb :) (like the Anil kapoor film Woh Saat din!!!).I am sure most of them across industry and particularly the IT sector is faced constantly with such dark questions for themselves.I believe there could be no simple answer to that but to enhance our skills and be prepared for the worst .I can see those worried faces like myself thinking about the commitments we have made and how we would repay them back. At these testing times of crisis the family plays an important role in our lives . The support , advice and the positive thinking of them would make us much stronger to lead a better life. This is recession cycle which occurs probably once in 6 or 7 yrs and i am sure good times is somewhere round the corner.Being positive lets pray and hope that the crisis subsides down at the earliest .
The other thing which irks my mind is about the current issue in Mumbai,when the world is going thru the recession and such turbulence what is happening in Mumbai is absolutely unpardonable and looks like a political mileage nothing else. A Commercial Capital of India should be open for anybody and everybody to come and work and boost the economy . I hope the concerned people realize that if the same thing had happened to them in USA... will they shout slogans and hit americans to give them a job or will these politicians bring them back to their country and provide jobs .I hope the hooligan elements in our country realize that our political system is making use of them for such rowdy acts and not for any better purpose . I hope they are led from darkness to light .
The world has been reeling under the economic crisis and for many it would have been a black diwali either by loosing jobs or money in the stock market. The corridor of uncertainty haunts all of us either one or the other way. As i write the anticipation and anxiety of what would happen is a question mark in my mind. As somebody said jokingly Eh Saat Din decide karege apna naseeb :) (like the Anil kapoor film Woh Saat din!!!).I am sure most of them across industry and particularly the IT sector is faced constantly with such dark questions for themselves.I believe there could be no simple answer to that but to enhance our skills and be prepared for the worst .I can see those worried faces like myself thinking about the commitments we have made and how we would repay them back. At these testing times of crisis the family plays an important role in our lives . The support , advice and the positive thinking of them would make us much stronger to lead a better life. This is recession cycle which occurs probably once in 6 or 7 yrs and i am sure good times is somewhere round the corner.Being positive lets pray and hope that the crisis subsides down at the earliest .
The other thing which irks my mind is about the current issue in Mumbai,when the world is going thru the recession and such turbulence what is happening in Mumbai is absolutely unpardonable and looks like a political mileage nothing else. A Commercial Capital of India should be open for anybody and everybody to come and work and boost the economy . I hope the concerned people realize that if the same thing had happened to them in USA... will they shout slogans and hit americans to give them a job or will these politicians bring them back to their country and provide jobs .I hope the hooligan elements in our country realize that our political system is making use of them for such rowdy acts and not for any better purpose . I hope they are led from darkness to light .
Friday, October 24, 2008
Belaku
As the festival of belaku( Diwali) is round the corner i hope the darkness inside is blown out and we have belaku in our lives externally and internally . In order to spread some happiness and love we went looking for belaku . This belaku shishu nivasa is a orphanage and destitute home for children in NR colony in Bangalore . I had traveled all my life on this road as i am a south banglorean and hadn't noticed it till one my good friends and family well wisher did inform me about the same. She promised me that this was one of those other orphanages where children were taken care well as good as a child in house.
On a Tuesday afternoon as i claimed the stairs of this house i saw racks of shoes kept neatly in the corridor of the house . I remembered my school days in Sandur Residential School where as boarders that we threw everything as soon as we came near our bed cupboard. The arrogance that our father sent money and it is meant to be spent and the ignorance of what the value of that money was unknown to me .As i look back today u wonder what blunders you made and the sacrifices that our parents made to give us good education and support to lead our lives and what lucky one's we were . There are thousands of people who are not as lucky as we were or rather shall i say are as we are still lucky today . As some great men said Life is a accumulation of bricks of experience , as you place it orderly strengthen with cement the wall becomes strong . Belaku is nothing but a collection of experiences inorder to filter and purify your inner thoughts to make u a equpped as a better person for the outside world .
I was greeted by a smiling face of the care taker/helper Nagarathna. I introduced myself and expressed my intentions to spend sometime withe the kids . As it was a day of my daughter who had turned one i had also taken her so that she doesn't do the same mistake as i did in my childhood.I wanted her to learn that giving is as good a experience than receiving.
As we went in to our surprise though being a weekday we could find all the kids watching a Dr.Rajkumar movie " Vasantha Geeta". As we greeted each other and sat with them i knew that i was disturbing thier movie time . Nagarathna volunteered to switch off the movie but we said no. i am sure our kids would not switch of the television even if some guest was there .
As they saw Tejal they had a glow , they all took her and started to play with her .They gave her a toy to play and she was all in smiles . As we went around the place we were amazed to see the neatness particularly the kitchen . Sometimes i wonder if all our kitchens can be so neat .
Mohan who has spearheading this organisation from the past 9years then met us returning from a late bath . He also spearheads a Vridhhashrama - a Home for the aged in JP nagar .A True person with service in mind . We spent some time knowing him and his inspiration behind belaku. We had taken some sweets and some materials for the kids which we gave him and then spent the rest one hour with children .Some happened to be orphans and some had only mother's.
Most of the kids were well behaved and nurtured with care. They were alll put into different schools . Some of them are studying Std V, VI, only one was in I Std . If i remember lakshmi. As we were talking to them there was a circle formed around Tejal making her to play with them .She was enjoying thoroughly and so were they . After spending a hour when we got up to return back i told in my mind that this should not be a yearly affair. We need to come here and experience belaku and spread across the love and affection . These children need that. As the lunch time and thier sleep time was nearing we rose to leave .
I promised nagarthna and Mohan that i would visit them regularly .As i carried Tejal back from them i could see the resistance of her not willing to leave them then i heard a voice from manjunath saying "Ram Ram". I knew these was said when one leaves the home . I also said "ram ram" and as i walked back thanking mohan and the kids i wondered how many in our houses even do namaste when somebody comes in to the house .The values constitute so much in our lives . As i boarded my car i could see the a glow , a belaku in our hearts and mind . It gave us satisfaction and contentment in us .
Incase somebody happens to read my blog at any point i would recommend people to visit
Belaku Shishu nivasa
opp to BMsri hall ,
NR Colony .
and spread across the love and affection thur kind or cash.
Belagali belaku namma nimma matu elara jeevanadalli!!!!
On a Tuesday afternoon as i claimed the stairs of this house i saw racks of shoes kept neatly in the corridor of the house . I remembered my school days in Sandur Residential School where as boarders that we threw everything as soon as we came near our bed cupboard. The arrogance that our father sent money and it is meant to be spent and the ignorance of what the value of that money was unknown to me .As i look back today u wonder what blunders you made and the sacrifices that our parents made to give us good education and support to lead our lives and what lucky one's we were . There are thousands of people who are not as lucky as we were or rather shall i say are as we are still lucky today . As some great men said Life is a accumulation of bricks of experience , as you place it orderly strengthen with cement the wall becomes strong . Belaku is nothing but a collection of experiences inorder to filter and purify your inner thoughts to make u a equpped as a better person for the outside world .
I was greeted by a smiling face of the care taker/helper Nagarathna. I introduced myself and expressed my intentions to spend sometime withe the kids . As it was a day of my daughter who had turned one i had also taken her so that she doesn't do the same mistake as i did in my childhood.I wanted her to learn that giving is as good a experience than receiving.
As we went in to our surprise though being a weekday we could find all the kids watching a Dr.Rajkumar movie " Vasantha Geeta". As we greeted each other and sat with them i knew that i was disturbing thier movie time . Nagarathna volunteered to switch off the movie but we said no. i am sure our kids would not switch of the television even if some guest was there .
As they saw Tejal they had a glow , they all took her and started to play with her .They gave her a toy to play and she was all in smiles . As we went around the place we were amazed to see the neatness particularly the kitchen . Sometimes i wonder if all our kitchens can be so neat .
Mohan who has spearheading this organisation from the past 9years then met us returning from a late bath . He also spearheads a Vridhhashrama - a Home for the aged in JP nagar .A True person with service in mind . We spent some time knowing him and his inspiration behind belaku. We had taken some sweets and some materials for the kids which we gave him and then spent the rest one hour with children .Some happened to be orphans and some had only mother's.
Most of the kids were well behaved and nurtured with care. They were alll put into different schools . Some of them are studying Std V, VI, only one was in I Std . If i remember lakshmi. As we were talking to them there was a circle formed around Tejal making her to play with them .She was enjoying thoroughly and so were they . After spending a hour when we got up to return back i told in my mind that this should not be a yearly affair. We need to come here and experience belaku and spread across the love and affection . These children need that. As the lunch time and thier sleep time was nearing we rose to leave .
I promised nagarthna and Mohan that i would visit them regularly .As i carried Tejal back from them i could see the resistance of her not willing to leave them then i heard a voice from manjunath saying "Ram Ram". I knew these was said when one leaves the home . I also said "ram ram" and as i walked back thanking mohan and the kids i wondered how many in our houses even do namaste when somebody comes in to the house .The values constitute so much in our lives . As i boarded my car i could see the a glow , a belaku in our hearts and mind . It gave us satisfaction and contentment in us .
Incase somebody happens to read my blog at any point i would recommend people to visit
Belaku Shishu nivasa
opp to BMsri hall ,
NR Colony .
and spread across the love and affection thur kind or cash.
Belagali belaku namma nimma matu elara jeevanadalli!!!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Birthday: Just a celebration or a Significant day with contentment
As Tejal's first year birthday drew near both me and vidya faced constant questions ."What is the plans?"How will be the celebrations .I started to introspect does a birthday mean only celebration or just an another day in the passing of time in life or a significant day with contentment. Though i have attended many birthday functions of my friends and have had sumptuous lunch.I always wondered "Why do u need to do " .It sometimes appeared as flaunting of status, or to blindly follow a kind of norm set by another person or family or to ensure u are with the times which i don't agree with.
We were constantly bitten by the fact that people would like to heap their choices on us without even thinking twice as to what we aspired to do .Though me and family always believed that we need to teach and follow a precedence of true values and upbringing for our children in this fast age of modernization . Celebration to us was not flaunting of status or a symbol of prestige .I have always believed that a stretch of both palms of your hand can denote two meanings.One it denotes seeking a helping hand . Second it denotes expressing a helping hand . I believe the second is more meaningful.
A birthday celebrated would be more significant with contentment when one wishes to stretch his palms out to help others.
We were constantly bitten by the fact that people would like to heap their choices on us without even thinking twice as to what we aspired to do .Though me and family always believed that we need to teach and follow a precedence of true values and upbringing for our children in this fast age of modernization . Celebration to us was not flaunting of status or a symbol of prestige .I have always believed that a stretch of both palms of your hand can denote two meanings.One it denotes seeking a helping hand . Second it denotes expressing a helping hand . I believe the second is more meaningful.
A birthday celebrated would be more significant with contentment when one wishes to stretch his palms out to help others.
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