Sahaya Illam- A Social Visit- Join hands to support

Situation

Every parent treats the child like a flower
Feeds them, prunes them and cares for them in galore
As they grow old, and children fly off the nests
Circumstances change and priorities rests
The very parents become a unwanted part in life
The very hands that cared are left alone to walk
The eyes that showered love are left back in tears
As old age and helplessness creeps, they are left in fears

RESULT

Helpless, downtrodden, destitute and lone parents
Left behind to the mercy of some helping souls alone
The society is still not a jungle where we prey on others suffering
Still, this world thankfully is a better place to live and care

Resolution

Few good and generous trusts come forward to support
Let them live their rest of lives in dignity and respect
Corporate Youngsters awake to a social cause
Let alone the partying or western influences or what not
They are blamed and thought to be irresponsible
These youngsters join hands to celebrate in giving back
To the society in their little ways possible
Tomorrow they make better children and good citizens
For they have seen the other side of the comfortable lives
What makes them do this, is not just a fun or time pass
But an inner awakening that is rejuvenated as a team
The little steps they take make a big difference
In bringing back the long lost smiles on the elderly faces
For one day, the faces shined leaving behind the fearful traces!

See it to believe it:

Social Visit of Chennai Trekking Club friends to Sahaya Illam, St. Patrick Church Trust, St.Thomas Mount, Chennai on 17 May 2012….an evening of a working dayJ  Celebrating birthdays of Malika and Mahendra Vaska….same time bringing in smiles of the aged!

Few glimpses

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3186411495427.2120386.1119974468&t

This is for my 'Amma'....From Aishu's desk!

It's all the words they say.

That can't be taken so easily. 

It's all the things they mean. 

That can hurt us unimaginably. 

Though I tell myself to control my rage. 

But the doubts on me is, is simply out of the range. 

I really wish I had someone by my side telling me 'it's gonna be alright' 

But who is that 'someone'?

Where is that 'someone'?

What is that 'someone' doing?

Ain't that 'someone' supposed to be by my side?

When am I gonna find that someone?

Its easy for a random person telling me 'its common, things happen'. 

But it's not easy to bear the pain of an intense wound, that can't be healed so easily...

Words can hurt...

They stay back reminding you all the time.

I really want that 'someone' who can guarantee me that,
'someone' is gonna be with me until the end;

give me a shoulder and does not pretend.

Who holds my hand until the last second.

I really wish I had that someone right hear,

Right now,

Right at this moment with me!

It's the words that accuse for the stupidest reasons!

It's the words that make me feel demotivated!

It's that words that tell me that I'm good for nothing!

It's all the things they mean that can't be let out for reasons...

It's not just words!?!

But these words can hurt!!!

Why does all the words have to exist?

I'm tired of these awful  words!!

It's easy to say 'why don't u follow your intuition?'

But following your intuition is really hard!

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When am I gonna be relied!?!

Relied on that 'SOMEONE'!!

But I'm sure that there is that someone waiting for me!

And I will wait for that someone!

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In my case that someone is my MOTHER!!

Happy mothers day Amma!!!

(Moved with this poem coming in from my child.....what else can I say?)

Internet is Fun- Its a way of Life!

Internet is Fun

As I keep on my Run!

Every day it’s a sin

Without Internet to win!

Crazy games that I play

Funny jokes that I share

News on the go!

I am ahead of the row!

Songs that keep me tuned!

RJs who dive me pruned

Facebook that is the only face

I see every day for every race

Tumbling upon the Oddee site

Googling everything this earth has

Cant imagine life without Internet

For we know life is intertwinednet

Illusions that get shared

Our breadths to take away

Videos that make you go gong!

Or just relax with your favorite song!

Where is life today without Internet?

I know there is no fun as I can bet!

There are flowers the bloom everyday

In the virtual world we are living today

Internet is not just another technology

But it is the way of life- a new mythology

Its more of connecting lives today

The way we interact and live every day

Fun, that is just a spring that sings

Internet is the hub of the blings

Passions, hobbies and friends

Social media that makes our lives no ends!

We wake up with a beep of the net

YouTube wishes with yoga videos abundant

Mom’s cooking live telecasted on skype

We eat and breath broadcasting across

Birthday parties and e- parties come alive

Across the oceans and vivid timezones

We share our thoughts and prayers

Live our lives connected through wires!

Gardens we grow and farms we share

Changes to peep in other worlds with glare

Join any housing, job or fun fares

With just the click on my mobile world

 I may die and perish

But my virtual world will live on

I may forget living,

But art on my walls will be built on!

To go beyond and bust the myth

That there is no change ever constant

The lives of the digital world

Will live just not long but wide to prolong!

So, Here I repeat!

Internet is Fun

As I keep on my Run!

Every day it’s a sin

Without Internet to win!

A Visit to Udavum Ullangal Illam- Adambakkam- A heart touching experience

60 lovely flowers in a garden called Udavum Ullangal Illam...Innocence in every face....relief from the distress of having been distressed in life for ever.....a home away from home...these children definitely did not look disoriented, depressed or dull even for a moment.   

There was a kind of empathy in the air...no requests for sympathy though..... happy to welcome love and care from the public....managed by a trust of retired elderly people who wanted to give back their bit to the society....this place just did not seem like a Orphanage...it more looked like any other home.   

The children were well disciplined, we were happy to hear that all children between 5-17 years are all schooled and medical needs taken care with the closest SP Hospital.   Children were with smiles, innocent looks and a kind of fire for life....and it was so refreshing to have celebrated my kid's birthday with them.   

The home keepers were all friendly, approachable, and passionate about the service they do.   Hopefully behind the scenes situation is also all the time the same..and I passionately wished, I could take home one child.  But I guess they don't do  adoptions.   They have another home for elderly and children in Maraimalarnagar.  Both the homes accept donations and any kind of support is highly appreciated.   

Only wish our country has a dawn where there is no need for such homes...at the same, thankful that these children have homes though they have been abused, betrayed, distressed by their own parents, circumstances and families.   

Thankfully, with the help of pure souls that serve in the smallest ways possible, these children are not shunned from the society and lead a decent life...aiming high and higher every day to become more responsible citizens...aiming high dreams..that should one day become realities

A Poetic Tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore

What best we can do to pay our respects

Than scribble our thoughts in his memory

How can such a person be even a story of the past

For there cannot be another Tagore who can replace

Picture Courtesy-Totalbhakti.com

The wisdom of thoughts lie small under his feet

The words of his pen makes us think even this day

Making the life simple and straight

O Master Poet, I have sat down at Thy feet

(These are his words! Echoed back to him)

Dwindling whispers of the divine form

The human endevours could capture in calm

The air around us is filled with unheard music

The calmness of the nature on his thinking

From 'The Hindu' Archives-  Gurudev and Helen Keller

The thoughts of the great poet run behind

The raving and restless unusual mind

Forgive me , O , Lord, if I ever fail

In making the most of your memory trail

O Lord,  we abide by the thoughts of great human

Who lived 150 years ago during your glorious times

There can no parallel to his literature and wisdom

All we can do is pay our respects and prayers in his kingdom

Trekking at Nagalapuram Hills, Andhra Pradesh- A destination to fall in love with Nature…. A weekend getaway from Chennai.

If you are overwhelmed with the city life, buzzing traffic,  never ending pollution,  stressful work environments, routine family life….trust me, you have an option to escape for a day from every thing that makes your life bored, routine and never ending.   For those who seek peace and tranquility in the serenity of Mother Nature in its roughest, truest and modest form with no human intervention of manipulation, transforming for travel or recreation purpose,   here is one destination in its original form-  Nagalapuram Hills, close to Tirupathi/Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh.   2 hours drive from Chennai,  92 kms from the mid of the city and close to 8 hours package with Nature.  

The beauty of this place lies in the fact that it is natural.   Rough route, tough trek, original serenity of forests and rocky trails,   little touches  of zooming insects and possibly small snakes….the hills being Nagala’s original kingdom of peace!   As you drive close the destination, you don’t realize which of the mountains surrounded you are going to trek…. Few kilometers away from Ottukotai…you keep wishing the next road takes you to the trails beginning…. Be prepared for unexplored adventure in the forests, the rocky hills and steep climbs that is in store for you.   As you cross the Poondi Reservoir and couple of other smaller one’s you see a shady road with beautiful trees on either side…and then you enter a stretch of 3 kms which your cars will have a test drive!    The road is fit of cars and bikes…but bit rough roads so be prepared to manage this stretch.

For all the nature lovers,  remember this is the quickest, most wonderful destination from Chennai.   The visit to the forests, sloppy mountains, brooks and the narrow tunnels., the lively waterfalls and the pools that let you swim, dive, dance and fall in love all over again with life…..I would love to recommend this place for all that is closer to your heart.

Please remember this is a litter- free zone, and also to maintain the calmness and tranquility of the place, please do not pollute it by any means. 

Here is the agenda from our trip guide, a great friend and our biggest moral and physical support Vadivel. K, who is a senior trekker, part of the Chennai trekking club.  He would love to take more folks and friends to enjoy this trip that we thoroughly enjoyed.

Agenda:

Leave early around 5 am in Chennai, Trekking at Nagalapuram Hills, Andhra Pradesh-   A destination to fall in love with Nature…. A weekend getaway from Chennai. 

Have breakfast @Udhukottai

Purchase food items for lunch and proceed to Nagala western entry Via Pichatur Dam.

Park vehicles near Aree village

Climb over dam and proceed along stream.

Reach 1st pool and Proceed to 2^nd pool.

Have Lunch and pleasant time there.

Return back to parking area in same trail.

Must Carry Items:

Please travel as light as possible. The lighter you travel the easier your trek.

1. Good walking shoes or a pair of sandals which will sustain the trek and can be used for the whole of the trek;

2. 1 x 1 litre water bottle filled with drinkable water

3. Medium sized back-pack to carry luggage, food, water & miscellaneous items

4. LED torch(Optional)

5. One extra set of clothes for return

6. Car/Bike owners -Bring your original licence and vehicle documents.

7. Extra plastic covers to wrap things if it rains.

9. Swimming tube for non-swimmers.

Route:

http://maps.google.co.in/maps?saddr=Guindy,+Chennai,+Tamil+Nadu&daddr=Porur,+Chennai,+Tamil+Nadu+to:Poonamalle,+Tamil+Nadu+to:Pichatur+Dam&hl=en&ll=13.146018,79.867516&spn=0.184213,0.338173&sll=13.150364,80.04776&sspn=0.368419,0.676346&geocode=FdWExgAdEO3HBCl9CqSacGdSOjFQJ1H8lYY0yg%3BFSIDxwAdVRnHBClRj0iQG2FSOjF0MDM7NaFllg%3BFb8XxwAd_XTGBCkH5kxKxGFSOjGw6iTg_SObdA%3BFVW2zAAd5avABCmxWmayHF5NOjHCND9h9V0EAw&mra=ls&z=12

Food Menu:  Breakfast(Idly/Pongal/Dosa) @Udhukottai  (It was our choice..:-)

2)      We can buy Bread and Jam, biscuits, fruits and snacks for lunch at Udhukottai

What to Wear:

1. Shorts / track pants and T Shirt.

2. Carry Swimming costume if you don't want to sleep in wet clothes.

What not to wear:

1. Do not wear Formal wear/casual wear - Jeans, Corduroy or any other

What not to do:

1. Smoking not allowed

2. No littering and waste dumping in the forest..