Good Bye Dear Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh

Dr. Manmohan Singh will be leaving the Office of the Prime Minister, of the largest democracy in the world in 48 hours from now.  The Country has seen him as a great economist,  a good politician and unfortunately as he retire from his political whirlwind, there is less that this country appreciated in him and more it hated.  However,  when the time came for him to bid adieu to 7, Race Course Road, New Delhi as India's first Sikh Prime Minister, a truly highly qualified politician in Indian diaspora,  a balanced Libran born on 26th September 1932,  my heart aches.  As the world shouts at its peaks that we had a Silent Prime Minister, a dormant politician and a chamcha of the Gandhi family,  the shadows of the scams and silence truly have covered the other side of this humble and honest man who ruled our country for long good 10 years. 

Dr Singh is not a doctorate given by some university as a honor degree.  He earned it with efforts at Oxford.  He did not reach the seat of Prime Minister by luck or for fancy.  He climbed the political ladder step by step.  His experience in United Nations, in the Ministry of Foreign trade,  being Chief economic advisor and also as RBI Governor and heading the planning commission before getting in the ministerial spectrum.  

Thanks to then PM P.V. Narshimha Rao, another whirlwind politician and a shrewed decision maker, who took bolder decisions for the economic progress of this Nation.  It is so sad that the present generation do not even know about the achievements of PVN period that brought in a boom  of economic reliance and opened up gates for foreign investment which boosted our trade and industries.  The combination of PVN and Dr Singh changed the country's fate during the severe financial crisis in early 90's.  The liberal financial reforms changed the destiny of the Nation from being an agriculture based country to a technologically advanced country where the skills and competencies were given greater importance.  From being a self-reliant country to a vastly export oriented Nation generating revenues from global markets transformed the growth of this Nation.

 The Nation that was ravaged by the times of Mandal Commission, Reservation based riots and suicides of young Indians,  got a relief when Dr Singh took over the reigns of the Nation as a Finance Minister in 1991 in PVN's Cabinet.  Less would he have imagined that one day he would take over the hot seat and stay there under fire for 10 long years.   After the strong opposition that set in against Sonia Gandhi becoming Prime Minister after UPA won in 2004 elections, Dr Singh became Sonia's choice.    

Several reforms under his leadership took its wings and reached the common man.  Amongst which RTI definitely needs a mention.  UID, Rural Heath Care, Employment Guarantee and nuclear agreement with United States were surely his plus points during his tenure.  However,  his tenure saw the most traumatic conditions as well.  The government was day in day out haunted by the scams in all the streams of governance.  Corruption and Terrorism took different forms and sizes beyond control.   Dr Singh from being a  transforming leader was pushed to become a silent manager.  From being an aggressive governing head, he was forced to silently  withstand the turbulence within his own government and became a silent spectator. 

Dr Singh dream of creating a role of active politics for betterment of human affairs.  Thinking the unthinkable and making bold decisions keeping the larger growth of the country in mind, Dr Singh definitely made an impact on our economy.  What ever the media may call him, how much ever Press may degrade him and the jokes on Internet create him as a joker,  the truth is that he was a humble man, a honest person, a great academician,  a wonderful thoughtful leader, pushed to be a selfish politician unfortunately and overall a great human being.  For such a diversified Nation like India, it is not easy to manage several ups and downs and Dr. Singh did it with his own charisma

History may record him as a Silent Politician who was a mockery and a puppet in some one's hands.  But the truth will also be realized sooner than later that he was an example of integrity, a man of tolerance, and a leader who had healthy relationships with world leaders and built a strong relationship of understanding and harmony with neighbouring Nations.  Managing insurgencies on all sides, handled terrorism within the country, dealing with a long list of scams and still coming out clean is no easy task.  The biggest mistake probably he had done would be to go silent and immune as the scandals shocked the Nation.  The government would have collapsed many times costing the election commission exchequer further more losses effecting our economy had he gone on a mode of taking strict actions against his own ministers and parliamentarians who have tarnished the image of his government and him as a leader who has the competency to rule and a strong political power.  Being aware of the irregularities and corruption charges and still staying quite was his draw back that made him called as the weakest Prime Minister India could have.  However, despite all this, he quietly did his duties.  He silently went ahead with his reforms and governance.  He did not speak in favour or against of anyone.  He remained calm and himself.  Which is not a sign of a good leader but a great manager.  

At the age of 81, his decision to retire from active politics and giving away for new generations to come in, we would surely miss the wisdom of a great leader.  Every ruler will have his pros and cons.  Dr Singh should be remembered for the best he has given to our country.  Hope he will have a peaceful retired life.  And also wish that the chaos towards the end of his political era should not haunt him in his old age.  We should give him the due respects as some one who managed this Nation for a decade keeping the image of India strong, high, proud and in the growth trajectory in the world map for several causes and reforms .  

May god give Dr Man Mohan Singh a peaceful retired life,  good health and happiness.  May his time give him an opportunity to write why he should not be called a weak prime minister so that we would know his thoughts and as his conscience speaks up the truth.   May the wisdom he shared be appreciated and May he have a life with real internal strength and integral peace at least now that he is out of the hot seat.  God Bless!

Evolution from 'Why Me?' to 'Why Not Me?'- A Touching Life of Preethi Srinivasan..A Saga in search of Soul Free

Today we had the Inner Wheel -District 323 -District Conference and something made me not to miss it in the last minute.  I was determined that I will plan to attend and I went with only expectation to catch up with my Inner Wheel friends and also from other clubs in the District.  I have not realized that I would come across another Positive Siddharth...this time a beautiful woman called Preethi.

As she was wheeled into the Conference hall, her care giver and mother sat next to her silently.  We did not give much attention to her,  until she was called on to the stage and she was wheeled on to the dais and got a mic fixed to her dress to start to speak.   
Amidst the business as usual session,  her speech came as a wind of warmth, making our eyes misty, and thoughts stopped for a second. Eyes glued on her and ears wanted to hear her more.  Couple of times, many of us stood in to give our standing ovation to the woman who was in front of us.  She is one and only Preeti Srinivasan from Tiruvannamalai.

Her life goes on in her beautiful words...she was the only daughter adored and carefully brought up by her doting parents.  She had a wonderful childhood, jumping into the swimming pool at the age of 3 and running towards sports ambitions from the age of 4.  She was a swimmer, a cricketer and above all a very bubbly loving child of her parents and her life was in the path that is right as per the yardsticks of the society that we live in.  Her dreams of studying in United States, wanting to make it big in sports and make her parents proud was all part of her life until a freaky accident that tore her life into pieces in a split second.  

The tone of her voice did not shiver when she spoke about the trauma and troubles that came behind her in life after that one unfortunate moment.   Everything came to stand still.  She had a life damaging spinal cord injury that made her life upside down. Without any medical insurance for spinal cord injury, no rehabilitation center for entire breadth of this large Nation, with no civic responsibility caring for accessing positively abled people to commute, access required areas like post offices, banks and book stalls, living in India with such challenge became painful.   Thankfully her parents stood by her.  She was worried when she mentioned that not many in our country are fortunate enough to even afford a wheel chair and are let to die and are encouraged to commit suicide for they are burden to themselves, their families, on finances and to this society. 

Instead of making life easy for people like Preethi, our country still remains insensitive to the basic needs of physically challenged brethren.   Imagine for a day when you cannot move on your own, imagine a day where you cannot use your hands fully, imagine a day when the very air your breathe is making you battle for life....that imagination itself is a nightmare to all of us. 

Run for Inclusion, Inclusion Summit and many more such messages don't reach out governments to make effective transformation in our society.  We don't care or bother unless, something similar hits us.  With the stress filled world., life is just full of uncertainties and we don't get sensitive unless it hurts us personally.  Till such time, it is some one's sad story to hear,  mostly even not listen attentively, and ignore and forget the next day and move on with our lives regular chores.    People like Preethi are left to fight their own battles.  Until they fight, they yell and they become crusaders, the so called normal beings don't even acknowledge the existence of such trauma and people who are craving for life amidst lesser blessings.  

For them getting the basic education is a challenge because our distance education universities don't have ramps to the class rooms.  Employment is a distant dream for not many employers believe that they can be productive, equally determined and capable.  Family and Children is almost ruled out in many lives, for every normal being wants a perfect person as life partner.  The only solace is when they find life partners with some form of similar challenge.  Health care is a very costly affair.  We don't have communities coming forward to help the needy in our next door.   Governments do not care about this minority section, who may never be able to walk to the election booths and cast their votes, so they are negligible to the democratic leaders.   How else can we make them live?

Let alone the bigger dreams that people like Preethi had in life, the very existence in day to day affairs is tough.  They are mostly forced to hide and let to die unless they have some constant support to move on with life and look beyond physical possibilities.   This happens multifold in our rural areas.  When urban world itself is insensitive, illiterate and farming based villages, with no health care facilities and hospitals to reach on time is further more at sad state of affairs.

After the session, me and my friend made it a point to go and give her a big bear hug.  Telling her loud that we loved her..we admired her courage, we thanked her mother and prayed for her long life with health and energy to take care of Preethi.  She will not leave our  memory and her requests for help didn't go in vain.   Funds from Inner Wheel Clubs poured in , which she promised to transform as wheel chairs for friends in rural areas who will be empowered to at least make a move, within their own homes first. 

What she needs more than funds, is to spread her message, make people understand the difficulties and help when you find some one around, run to help and react to accidents on time.  To me ALERT and its golden hour work sounded like god sent.  How many people were rushed to hospitals before they became totally disabled.  Preethi mentioned that there are many people who suffered spinal cord injury not during the accidents but after and it was shocking to hear, for the delay in medical help during accidents make things worse and fatal. 

With my life's own battles, I stopped saying that I am busy, sick or not available to any one and stopped fighting for little things in life, stopped cribbing for failures and started to raise every time I fell.   I learnt to get up and run again in life.  Now I wish I can do something really to the cause for which Siddharth and now Preethi and many others are fighting for.  Unless we fight, we will not get things changed in our system.  For that the basic step is awareness.  Creating sensitivity in our society and people to react, proactively act to support and not just be mere spectators.  Only then dreams of Preethi and Siddharth will come true

To know more about Preethi, please visit her website : http://www.soulfree.org/

I will soon post the picture I have taken with her today, till then, please see the one from Internet.

For more about her

http://www.thebetterindia.com/8961/captain-19-womens-cricket-team-woman-now-deals-disability-inspires-others/

Hindu Women Performing Final Rites of Parents and Relatives- Why this is still a taboo in our society?

22 long years slipped into the history since a 15 year old girl took the courage to carry the funeral pyre in her hands to full-fill her father's last wish,  to be brave to do what all a son would do, to be emotionally strong to tell it to her relatives and neighbors on her decision and to convince her family to allow her to break the norms of Hindu Rituals and formalities during a person's final journey. 

That day she did not know what is being a change agent is;  she was not aware that the memory of the winter morning when she took the dip in the river after lighting the pyre fire would stay in her memory for ever;  she did not expect that what she did that day would be the news of the town and would be remember for years to come.   The young girl did not know if it is right or wrong.  She did as what her father murmured in the last hour of his life.  She embraced the act with courage to stand strong and do what even men would tremble to do.   Tears were locked behind the eyelids...words were few to share; hunger and anger both came no where.   She walked in front of the final journey carrying her deceased father, whose face still looked like a smile in his sleep. 

Hundreds of men and women followed to see the event that was unfolding; which never happened before nor would happen again in near future.   As the girl went around 3 times with the pot of water, tapped trice to final break it to pieces before the camphor and wood covered her dad's remains, she remained absolutely silent and calm.  Her uncles and friends who were with her advised her not to look back once the pyre fire was lit....after walking 10 feet, she forced herself and looked back, just to see the pyre fire engulfing up above  and that memory remained fresh for her life time.  Yes, that's the end of a wonderful father who was just cremated by her beloved daughter whom he raised almost like a son!

Now, the question is 'Does Hindu Religion allow or disallow girls / women from performing the final rites?'  No where in the Vedas - there is a description of women being disallowed to perform such acts, but mostly it is written time and again that men are to follow certain rituals and it is their responsibility to do the final rites.   It also states that when male heirs perform the last rites, parents soul will reach the gates of the heaven!  For those who don't have sons; a son-in-law , a male grand child or a close male relative performs these rites.  For them, they may not be understanding the person, have lived with them, would not have experienced the ups and down and then why the hell they should do this alone and girl children be abandoned from doing this pious act.

Once way I look at this, is that emotional aspects of a women.  When men perform these rites as their duty,  very soon they will come out of it.  But when it is women who involved in this,  this will be in their memory throughout their lives...and time is only the healer in both the cases.  What time it takes for a man compared to women to come out of such memories is questionable.  What has religion, caste or rituals got to do with human emotions that are so different between women and men.

Every tradition is changed as the times changes,  people's mind-sets and perceptions change.  Life-style changes,  world become a smaller stage to play, people are now welcoming any changes that suit their conveniences.  Every tradition had its birth based on people's necessity and this is not immune to this paradigm.  

There are certain rituals that are not followed when women perform these rites, like wearing the scared thread to do the mantras reading,  tonsuring of  the head, staying indoors all the 10-16 days till the ceremonies are completed etc.  Which again is an alignment to the way it can be done.   Systems are created to the convenience of man kind and they keep changing as needed. But like any change that will have its own resistance, it takes long time for the same to be accepted by the larger sections of the society.  

When this very Hindu society could abolish Sati, and allow widow re-marriages and today with the increasing onset of fight against dowry harassment, illegal sex, alarming rise of divorces, women are more and more aware of their rights and responsibilities.  Women are today prepared to do what ever they feel is right.  As long as it is not imposed on them in the name of formality, women today are ready to go above their emotional limitations towards what their hearts say is right and what their thoughts guide them to do. 

After 20 years since the 15 year old lit the pyre fire, this is one aspect that is still not largely accepted as a permissible ritual in the society. Many women have come forward and are joining the funeral possessions and not limiting themselves till the gates of their homes.  However, this is one aspect that is not widely debated, not openly accepted and not many women have the courage to do what their brothers and fathers do.   Girl children need to be brave, demand this as their right., stand up and be brave to do what their loved one's wish for than leave these responsibilities to some person who is just related by blood and caste and have no real emotions for the deceased.  It is time for a new call of duty which we women can definitely do

Now,  the 15 year girl old in the society is the writer of this post.  Yes,  on 10th Jan 1992, I braved to follow my heart,  full-fill my dad's last wish,  felt it right to do it as my responsibility and felt relieved for my family and friends did not object but stood by me and walked with me to the cremation ground and strangely I did not cry till I saw the ashes on the 3rd day.....probably I don't have that kind of courage now as a woman, but that's how our father raised us, all his three girls, equally in par with boys...We learnt to handle any thing and everything in life.  My mom stood as the biggest strength ever since he disappeared on that winter morning on 9th Jan , leaving behind his dream for us to achieve, his blessings that silently shower on us all the time., his foot prints that we don't miss to walk in and his aspirations and goodness that guide us unlimited.  

Miss you Dad.  Years may go, but your thoughts will be always there to aspire, your dreams for us to achieve more, Gone too soon, but never forgotten.  

Love You-   Umasree Sampath Kumar aka Umasree Raghunath .
With S. Yamini Krishnan and Jayanthi .S. Vimal

 

Thanks- A Poem dedicated to my dear friend

This poem was originally written in Telugu and was a tribute to my dear friend Srujana whom we missed in a freaky car accident a month ago.  Her death was as devastating as possible and her memories are as glorious as we could cherish.  Her family published the poem titled ' Krutagnathalu' means thanks in Telugu and I made a simple effort to translate the same in English ......

Thanks

Thanks to the five cosmic elements of Nature;  Water, Wind, Fire, Earth & Sky

Thanks to the entire creation, and thanks to the creator

Thanks to the parents, thanks to our teachers,

Thanks to the thought of expressing thanks,  within me, a big thanks

Thanks to those who troubled me and whom I troubled,

Thanks to the forgiveness that was taught

Thanks to the ignorance

For creating the thirst for knowledge

Thanks to the failures,

For teaching the lessons of success

Thanks to the problems in life

For giving strength to finding right solutions

Thanks to the loneliness and lackness

For being the reason to be strong and together

Thanks to the every thanks

For letting me appreciate the greatness of gratitude, life and thanks

- A Tribute to Maganti (Chava) Srujana Choudary

Life is Beautiful....... Srujana....

Sevai Karangal- A special pool of love and service thats flowering in Chennai

Around an year back, my friend and colleague Vadi introduced me to his friend Thilak.  A simple and soft man with a great vision,  simple aspirations to bring in smiles in under privileged children and elderly,  a calm person but with strong convictions.   Slowly as we started understanding what Sevai Karangal is...we realized its way beyond a typical NGO.  

It has its wings flying high above the clouds...and shining hard with the new sunshine adding every single day... I can only be glad to be associated with this team of committed, hardworking professional, who find time to spend their way of contributing to the society.    

What makes them special is the variety of things they do to contribute to the society..... Sevai Karangal 'Chankya' project of educating underprivileged children started reaping results with Yazhini securing Medical Seat on merit at Madurai Medical college and lot more to follow.  Book distribution is part of it, and Home of Hope is just an example

Old age homes started having visits from full time professional who spent their time with the elderly giving hope and love, spreading joy and sharing sorrows.... Sahaya Illam is one of the pet projects.  for all their celebrations

SIP home, the home for HIV kids and children of HIV positive parents, is a destination of hope.  This home which usually is a far reach for normal society, is a regularly visited home to spend joy and provide relief and support to the beautiful garden of children

If education, support, medical aid, and festivals food distribution is one part, the next part is the consciousness towards environment and happy outings.     Be it fortnightly tree plantation around Retteri area in Chennai or pruning and growing them and repeat visits to ensure the trees are growing as planned.

Trekking is a passion for this group and taking children on social treks is fun, a responsibility and educative way of preserving our environment.   Running , Walking and Cycling events are all where you can find a volunteer from Sevai Karangal waving their hands extending help.  They are also a very special part of the most famous Chennai Trekking Club now having more than 18000 enthusiasts and still growing...

Causes are abundant., their care for the society is plenty, their hard work is abundant, and their love for the less privileged is just too valuable.  Wishing Thilak, his wife Dhana and the entire Sevai Karangal gang abundant happiness in all their endeavours, success in their projects, love spread beyond the extended hands of help and may god bless them with loads of opportunities to serve and succeed to carry on with peace and hope.   Joining hands ....all along....

Happy 5th Anniversary dear team:-)  God bless you all.....

To My Dad, with Love- Poem dedicated all fathers in this world

It has been 45 days since the year began and the writer's block hit me hard this time, not giving time and space to write the most precious article to begin with in the year.  A reader's comment provoked me to make a beginning....to start posting again..so that I would get rid of my block and start thinking, musing,,,fretting and freely going on with my thoughts in my precious blog.  Thanks to the anonymous reader for the comment asking me to write again.....

This Poem was written on 9th Jan 2013 and getting its placeholder now....

To my dad, with love.....


Years pass by, silently into the serenity you left behind,
Tears yet shed, for having lost a wonderful dad...a person known to be very kind.
Looking behind the two decades that slipped,
Not a day where we forgot or not dearly missed.
Your dreams, that make us to aspire more....
The wisdom you injected in us in galore.....
Feelings of love, care, emotions and service
Thoughts of simple living and high thinking....
That you taught us when were kids
will be surely passed on to our generations
For, it is the biggest wealth we had, and
possibly the biggest we can give
21 years.  Are you really gone from this world?
For I felt your divine presence and words told
When ever I had no where to go, I know for
sure where I can look upon and speak
Suddenly and surely, I heard answers back
and blessings uncounted and unimagined in track
Yes Daddy, I feel you still, besides me ever
guiding us, and letting us walk
take those simple steps of life slowly but truly
in the direction set by you unwither by the winds
Love you Daddy, Miss you Too!

Specially got it here on Valentine's day to remember the man who taught us what real love in life is and the meaning of sharing it with the world around us! 
 

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

Best Mother's Day Gift

As a mother, I always had fascinating experiences and my child surprised me with her most touching ways possible. Especially on my birthdays, wedding anniversary, new years and now with Mother's day phobia on...infact I dont like celebrating Mother's day, father's day, lover's day and so on,,...for they are not the occasions but the very relationships of our every day life and the purpose of our living.... yet, dont want to discourage her little moments that she brighten's up my day many a times...here is just what I got today from her...the most beautiful and cherished handmade poster that I am sure is the best mother's day gift I could ever get...Love you Aish...its because of you I am what I am today...for you inspire me, encourage me and love me like no one else could do:-)

Swami Parthasarathy- Vedantha Cultural Association

You have to see it to believe it.... this is one thing that strongly came into my mind to recall in this post, those beautiful evenings of one full week I spent watching the octogenarian speaking on Bhagavat Gita. Swami Parthasarathy every year delivers a week long recitation of Bhagavath Gita in Chennai and lectures on Vedanta. Curiosity was the beginning to go to his lecture and believe me, I was glued. His way of reciting and explaining our traditional values was amazing. Unlike Christians who read Bible from very young age and Quran which is inculcated into Muslim children, we are not forced to read Bhagavat Gita being born in Hindu family. But the moment I started listening to him, I realized that I wasted three decades of my life not valuing something that is of total enlightenment and a repository of high human values and a knowledge system. That is what transformed in me when I heard him on Chapter 16 of Bhagavat Gita... our own goldmine of knowledge

It is almost 2 months and I hardly found time to write on this beautiful topic....Swamiji talks about Infinite human bliss, and the quest for acquisition that is driven by the intrinsic and extrinsic illusion which is called Maya. He reminds that mind should be fixed on truth... divine rise to the highest goals in life...and the demonic sink to the lowest level. Its not what you do but how you do matters,..emanation and values you set define you... Experiencing the world matters and inspiring qualities are to be practised. There are 26 qualities of a divine person and these qualities properly guides us to stop wickedness. Vidhya or the knowledge goes with Vinaya (Respect). The knowledge goes with humility... Humility leads to humanity within us. The 6 general qualities of demon including ostentation, arrogance, self-conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance. The pithiest of all is when one doesn't even know that they cant control their anger.

After a storm, there is calm. Harshness means being impatient, disrespectful and impertinent and ignoring the knowledge and higher values of life.

Verse 5 - Divine nature is deemed for liberation, the demoniac for bondage, grieve not, you are born of the divine nature 'O, Pandava'.... intellectual bondage is rigidity, fanatic beliefs, full of perceptions, emotions and thoughts.

Verse 6- Two created things and beings in this world...they are demonic and divine.. learn the SRT- Satvic, Rajas and Tamas which means state of mind in poise and serenity, never quiet and state like sleeping.....learn to live beyond

Verse 7- Demoniac people do not know action from inaction, neither purity nor good conduct nor truth is found in them.

Intellectual brilliance judges what has to be done for every action before it is done. No proper action can be taken without proper conviction.

The verse 8 says the world thinks without reality, without foundation, without lord, born out of mutual union caused by lust, what else? Reality is which persists and exists in past, present and future. Ability to realise it is a blessing. Trouble with most folks is not ignorance but their knowing as many things as they don't know.

Verse 9 says holding this view, the ruined souls of small intellect of fierce deeds come forth as enemies for the destruction of this world.

You need Buddi (intelligence) to understand buddi( intellect). Intelligence is external knowledge, intellect is inbuilt, developed by yourself, by questioning everything and taking things for granted is a sure no...

Routine existence following herd and no intellect scraps all religions if not used with intellect for humanity to survive.

Amazing... its just few of them that I could recollect, but believe me... you should hear him in person to appreciate the volume of knowledge swamiji can share with us... his daughter disciple Sunandaji is also truly outstanding... cant believe that its written more than thousand years ago and its still applicable to mankind of all times... only wish we find more of Swamy Parthsarathy's in this world to spread this divine knowledge that is beyond human intelligence to understand the whole of universe. God bless !

Back to School? If not School Mates!!!!

Last two days, Internet and television in US, is continuously running advertisements asking mothers to get back to school. Ha ha, not a bad idea. But after having completed the school and graduation successfully, I don't think personally I have plans to go back to school, may be to learn a new language, philosophy , psychology, social service, communication or even a diploma in film making, wow, that's a good idea., may I would be interested in. Thanks Obama anyway for your invitation and of course with all happiness to go back home at the end of my assignment, I thought I can take your idea in a different stride. If not getting back to school, why not get back to some of your school mates.
Lovely idea. Thanks to Orkut, Face book, FaniQ, Hi5 and of all to the Internet, the world has become too small. The people I wanted to be in touch for long many years, suddenly re-entered into my friendly kingdom of happiness. The people who shared my childhood, classes, classroom, teachers, playground, library, sports, parliament (yes, the mock parliament where we had Prime Minister, Opposition leader and a good amount of ministers,,, wow, I remember being an opposition leader, for gosh, i lost in the SPL election in 10th)... not bad a memory. Happiest part is the annual day, sports day (March Fast-- Hmm, still remember my teachers, running with a stick cautioning us on Left and Right), and the big grand Christmas party...that always had Sunitha as Mary, and sirisha and my sister Jay as angels... and Lakshmi Suguna as Jesus Christ... hmm, I remember being once, among the Three Wise Men, once being a sheep, once being one of the disciples and only being just in the crowd. I loved my dramatics. The drama of Last Judgement and being in the great play made me remember and tell one line to my husband even till this day " You tooooo Brutus""" and I love it. Flag bearers of every special salute to chief guest used to be Archu and Siri, with their smart looks, may be I watched them so much in life, that Aish looks more like a combo of them....great one.
Scout and Guides- Satyavathi teacher- the first one to pat me on the back and made me shed my introvert nature in life,...cant believe right, that i was a back bench er, talkative but not active, never in the first ranker's, nor remember being a real class leader than in 5th standard for a while with Kranthi, the boy who got first rank. After her initial encouragement, nothing stopped me. The inner strength in me flew like a river that was controlled all the while by a stupid dam. I was the best orator in school both in Telugu and English... forget about Hindi and special hindi batch that we fondly belonged to.... still remember the day, my music teacher throwed me out of the class, may be she was scared I would attract Donkeys!!!! I think that would have been the reason, why I made my child get into singing...prove a point, that if not me, My child would do it,...be a master in music!!!! Just kidding!!! Dancing is something that I never experimented till I hit the floor on Flames in later part of my life.... a hidden talent of course, not in school but.
Science Fairs--one whole week-- One other lovely affair where we end up meeting people from other schools and enjoyed with our experiments and model,,after winning in District level and moving to State level, was a feather in my cap... Science Huh,, I still wonder how come??
Social service camps at Godavari pushkarams, where we spent more than 15 days doing lot of things- controlling crowds, helping old people, safeguarding baggages, counting pilgrims, support at the first aid centre, and yeah, finding one child her lost parents! I did it, and of course we used to cook, clean and play at the end of the day in the camps.... we used to go rock tired, but never used to sleep for we used to enjoy talking, singing and playing with others at midnight.... remembering loosing my white shoes!!! And my picture with sowji announcing medical tips got published in Deccan chronicl on 17th August 1991,,,cant believe, 6 years later getting married on the same day!! Irony!!!!
My tree- You know what, after 10 long years of leaving school, I went back and one thing that did not change is my good old tree under which I ate all my lunches in school. Love you old heart... I could see flowers falling one me and leaves that kissed me as I went and hugged her for long. The tree got a round cement now and still stands in the playground of the school. The school building colors changes but the walls speak volumes of the students who studied there and went across the globe. Strongest foundations of the best education was laid in my Alma Mater.
Prayer is one thing, that I transferred to my family from school...It has a powerful vibration that keeps you active and enthusiastic and towards righteousness. My motive of school is love and service and I can see that very much in every bit of me!!! Church is one other place that I loved to spend my silent hours speaking to god. Born in a Hindu family, brought up and educated in a convent, having Muslim friends giving righteousness, the secularism got integrated in my thoughts and actions all the time. Love you St.Theresa's for what you have given me in life, a new lease of life towards the best in life.
Friends! for lifetime. Teachers! who guided me the best. School Stage: That made me extrovert and confident. School Prayer: That built my faith. Tree: That showed me a way for environment consciousness. Science fairs: Made me creative and innovative. Forest Dept Competitions: Made me a strong Orator. UN Tests: Made me have a global aspirations. Scouts Camps: Rekindled the service spirit. Classroom: Where my childhood is shared. Library: That not only made me a voracious reader, but inspired me to write!.... my sisters: who always been there for me. My Dad and godmother: Parental care with interaction with teachers that made difference. My mother- my fear to gain marks. My headmistress Sister Florence, who believed that I am the best outgoing student in 1oth. and awarded me for it. Rs.50, that will be my best price money ever getting the first Award as "Durgabai Deshbook Student of the Year"- I love remembering this getting from Dr Ajay Kalam, collector of West Godavari District and Collector Madan Mohan Reddy advising me personally that I should read 10 words from the dictionary every day while giving me the best orator award in the Forest Department Annual celebrations... I think that helped me to improve my command over language and communication. Above all! My Alma Mater: All my childhood from 4 years to 15 years spent happily, productively and confidently in the lawns of St.Theresas Girls High school, Eluru. Thank you

Sculpturing a stone to a success story...

Many a time, lot of things in this world go meaningless and value less, just because they dont happen at the right time, at the right place and with the right people. Lot of talent goes unnoticed because they dont know the way of right exposure. Lot of experience go useless without others learning from it. Lot of efforts result in no visible changes or profits or making a difference. Why does this happen? And how often does this happen. It can happen to anyone, any time and any where. What makes the change? How come some people experience a difference in life? When they find that something called "Right" in all aspects.

There is an inspiring story of two people - simple friends who did simple things in an extra ordinary way. They did not do different things, but did things differently from others around them. A decade of perservarance, warmth and unchanged understanding and equivilibrium of thougts to grow in life. They still remain simple friends who fight, who laugh together and who cry together for ups and downs in life.
It was the beginning of their careers, simple and small pay jobs that kept their kitchen fires running. A small moped that helped them shuttle to office. She used to help him fuel that little vehicle and he used to pool her to office, to avoid the atrocities of heavily crowded city buses, and protecting her from the men who are still meaner in their behaviours in the buses. He used to help her by training during lunch and after office hours on technology that she never understood completely. She used to listen to his classes and suggest improvements. 3 years went off by the time, the little office they worked, had its shutters closed. Just 5 collegues and 3 best friends emerged. First birthday of her child celebrated with the sponsered money from him. She rushed with her last few hundreds to help him take his wife for a surgery. Life unfolded by each other helping in times of need and still managing to look at being something big in the future.

From there they had to take different paths in career, but still remained together in life, with the same care and concern, love and affection. There emerged two interdependent families.

With a huge joint family, little child, sick husband then and a demanding job at a call centre, she shouted at him, when he proposed her to start taking up an MBA course. Finally his cause won. She gave him a direction to move from a training institute to a software career, a dream that he dreamt from his Anna University days as a trainee and student. From then, nothing made them look back.

People looked at them with envy. With always a wrong intention but they never bothered about what others think. What mattered to them was their growth, their children, their families and future. For that if they had to spend time together everyday, they did it. They did not regret for the false looks they had just because its a married man moving with another married woman. Society looks upon you and puts you down, only if there is something for which you should be guilty of. As long as there is no such wrong notions between them, I think that made them never ever bother about all this scrap of the dirty minds. A pious friendship, a carefilled relationship and fathomless affection. Together they toiled towards their growth, worked unearthly hours, shared beautiful thoughts and all good wishes, equally handled issues and troubles on the way, stood besides each other when trauma stuck and started to realise their dreams. Building a success story from scrap is a tiring process, but with someone's faith and confidence, nothing is impossible in this world. Today they inspire youngsters like them to aim big and move forward what ever may be the circumstances. Especially he doesnt give lectures like she does, but his sets examples by his actions. She is an orator and a writer who I think inspires people around. Today she and her husband regard him as one in their family, nothing happens without him at home. His family gets elited with them around. Now they chase each other to grow further big, leaving behind all the tragedies of poverty, vulnerability, fears and insecurities.

Moral of the story: A stone is just a stone unless its in the right sculptures hand.
Bottomline: That is Krishnan Vadivel for me! My Mentor, Guide and a Best Friend.

Flast Fliers in Life

Few people stay in your life all the time, they stand beside you in thick and thin, share your everyday activity, keep knowing every aspect of your life, and they just go on. Few people come at some part of your life, make a huge impact on your thinking, feelings, activities and go off. People who are there always may or may not influence you to the extent than these Flash Fliers in life. Its the difference of a usual sea or an occasional tsunami.
One person pulled me to walking everyday for half hour, saying why the hell am I spending all my time on the laptop! We walked miles and miles, sharing the sun, frenzy weather, fearful winds, snow showers and with all this our thoughts. We travelled back to three decades, memories that age more than my own age, and became an ardent listener always. The other person spent most of the weekends with me, With all their permissions, I would like to write about these two special people I came across in my recent past.
Just a fortnight before the well planned travel to USA, 35 years back, a 36 year old woman with 4 children aged between 5 and 10, faced one of the most difficult adversity. The sudden death of her husband. All the relatives who eagerly awaited for the family suddenly disappeared. Friends kept a distance. But her convictions were strong and she made the bold decision to still go ahead with the travel. This time, she had to handle it all herself. 7$ per person was what was allowed to be carried and lot more shocks awaited her in a cold country. Jersey City welcomed her with a cold shoulder, with absolutely no people to support or guide. Though born in a wealthy business family, she had to restart everything afresh. Did different jobs that she did not even want to recall to feed her children, working night shifts, making food for neighbours in the morning and baby sitting forgoing her few hours of sleep during day. In all her 30 plus years of stay in US, she never owned a vehicle. I was shocked to know that for a month we could not manage with out a car here. Not a single time, she went to a restaurant nor bought shoes costing more than $10.
As the roads took new turns in life, there emerged four success stories. One daughter as a senior vice president in a leading bank, other two daughters running their own pharmacy' s and medical aid centres, and her son who is a leading Auditor and an upcoming solicitor. Today when her family meets at her apartment in Jersey, she is embarrassed with 3 BMWs and couple of Ferrari's coming down at her parking lot, envying her neighbours. Summer comes, she is again busy making her dhoklas, papads, and roti's this time not for 4 but 7 of her grand children who eagerly awaits her in every summer. One way, I felt that I found my mom in Michigan.
I saw a pain in her eyes when I went to tell her that I am leaving. May be she found someone to share after many years, few moments to say, Ho, Ya and walk ahead with smiles. Yes, looks like I rekindled her emotions, and am writing this here, only to inspire people like me, that no adversity is difficult not to cross. All it needs is a strong conviction, determination, will power, enormous amount of self less love and sacrifice, hard work and perseverance. As she set back to Jersey city, from Pontiac for Thanksgiving this week, I know she is a flash flier in my life. I may not see her again but her spirit and determination had definitely made an influence on me! People who make a difference!

A Fighter called Siddharth

Blessed I am for Siddhu is my ex-collegue and a great friend. Blessed I am for I have met him during my most challenging days in life. Blessed I am for he is the inspiration to look beyond adversities in life. Blessed I am for he is a friend not just to me, but to Dr Abdul Kalam. It would be unfair on me to write about Siddhu, Siddharth Jeyakumar after Dr. Kalam himself had described about this young man and his strengths that strike us with no words but an ardent dedication to him. Below given are the extracts from Dr Kalam's speech in Kerala in his own words:
""Quote""
Following is the text of President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s remarks while visiting Adarsh Charitable Trust in Kerala:
Brain to remove the pain
“I am delighted to visit ‘Adarsh Charitable Trust’ which is based on the intense need of the parents of the children with autism and cerebral palsy. A mother's love for such a child right from conception, pregnancy to birth and growth has transformed into a big mission of making the child to live a near-normal life... I would like to share my experience with a young boy suffering from Cerebral Palsy, whom I met in Chennai on December 2, 2005.
My experience with a special young man
I met Shri Siddharth Jayakumar at Chennai, who was born in Chikmagalur in Karnataka in the year 1980. He gave me a presentation using a laptop. His father’s name is Shri Jayakumar and his mother’s name is Komala. When he was born the doctors did not know what he was suffering from. Later on, they said he is mentally retarded. After detailed examination, it was found that he was suffering from Cerebral Palsy. As a result of this disease he has difficulty in co-ordination between his mind and body. He studied in Vidyasagar at Chennai. Though he studied very well, he has to dictate the answers to another student while writing the examination. In spite of this process in the 10th class examination he had scored 80%. He says he could not score more just because he was not allowed to do the practical and could not draw the diagrams. In the plus two examinations, he had secured an overall 90% and scored 100% in computer science. It is pertinent to note that he is the only boy to score 100% in this subject. Later he studied B.Com and scored 75%. He wanted to study Master in Social Work whereas he was given M.A. Economics in the Loyola College. He has scored 78% in his final examination. Shri Siddharth after completing his M.A., worked as a teacher in Vidyasagar itself. Later he attended Disability Job Fair organized by Ability Foundation, an NGO working for the welfare of the disabled. In the job fair he was selected by ABN AMRO looking at his academic track record. ABN AMRO has designated him as an Officer for verifying the export and import documents of the clients. To enable him to perform this job ABN AMRO has trained him to learn the banking and import and export procedures of countries like Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and Australia. He is the first student to be employed with Cerebral Palsy outside Vidyasagar school. He loves Mathematics. He has a mission of carrying out social work particularly for uplifting the life of special people with multiple disabilities. What a beautiful thought. The experience of Shri Siddharth clearly brings out the special strengths available with certain people with some disabilities. The two important thoughts emanate from Siddarth’s life.

a. The will power of Siddarth that “I will win, I will win” can be propagated among all the children.
b. The initiative of ABN AMRO to take a special person like Siddarth for regular work in the bank shows how it values the inherent strength and knowledge of the person irrespective of the difficulties. This type of outgoing effort of an organization can be followed by many institutions.
In this connection, I appreciate the action taken by Sakthi Masala, Erode (Tamil Nadu), who are employing special persons for many of their production activities. Thirty-two per cent of its employees are special people including mentally challenged people. Our social system and the educational institutions must recognize the strengths of the individual and provide the opportunity for these flowers to blossom. I am sure the children trained in Adarsh Charitable Trust will also be able to take up independent job as has been demonstrated by Shri Siddharth Jayakumar.
Conclusion
Any disorder in human faculty reduces the self-esteem of the individual and increases the dependence on others. Our efforts must be to bring about a sense of equality amongst them through a conducive environment. Equality can be generated by training them to acquire certain skills and engage their minds in productive efforts to enable them to lead a normal life
May God bless you.”

""Unquote"""
To me, Siddharth had taught me the toughest lesson and gave me a realization to look beyond imperfections. Unknowingly he changed the way I was leading my life. Today I owe my acceptance of the facts in my life to this brave friend of mine who transformed my thinking to a greater extent. Thank you Siddhu... blessed I am to be your friend!

Stones Sing songs under his magic spell- Dr K Subba Reddy - Pallava Granites

One person who made a success story which started from stones. Today he is the leading industrialist who accelerates the Indian economy with his share of contribution by making wonders with the stones he dwell with. Minerals make magic and stones sings success songs under his magic spell. I believe in late 1970's people used to make fun of this legend saying that he is a lunatic searching his life in stone. The very people now are spellbound with the success he is showing in his business across the globe.
Dr. K.Subba Reddy, popular called as KSR amidst his closest circle of business fraternity is a person who made wonders with his hard work, determination and relentless efforts to bring in a granite story to the world. Indian granite exports marked a all time high under his leadership and this ardent exporter is also a world class leader winning the Mine safety awards, CAPEXIL Merit awards, and best export house certificate from the Government of India.
None can even imagine that there is a biggest export market to cater to the emotional needs of the world around by providing granites to the tombstones across the globe. This market is highly captured and lot many such innovative export areas had been discovered and patented by this leader in the industry.
Dr. Reddy is a simple and straightforward personality who inspires young Indians and make a remarkable influence on the young minds who interact with him with his wit and humour and at the same time providing food for thought. His simple message is that we all should dream big, aspire and put in our hard work towards our goals. No achievement is impossible as long as we conceptualise and visualise what we aim in life and work towards it. Quality, Innovation and safety of the products are of prime importance in any business and this great stalwart leader proved that his business will hold its highest regard for these aspects that make them unique in the global markets.
To me, knowing him is a blessing and having had the opportunity to interact with him had given me enough inspiration to think big, dream big and aim big. Thank you Sir!. May god bless you with lot more success and good health to keep inspiring amateurs like me!! May your journey of success be an inspiration to the world around!

My Mother- My living roadmap!

I need to tell you a story of a little girl who had nothing but hatred towards her mother. She never loved her, been with her closely, never remember her kiss or a hug. The little girl never had an opportunity to be close to her working mother who was miles away from her hometown where she lived. All that mattered to her was her grandmother who she regards as god mother, her Dad who had been her all time favorite friend and her siblings with whom she enjoyed fighting. Parents had all good reasons why they worked in two different places and concentrated on the childrens future. But our little girl never understood that as a child for to her what was important is her mom attending parent teachers meetings, her school functions and her friends birthday parties like all other mothers do. As she started to grow, she started to welcome her mom once in a month for a few days for thats the time she got lot of new clothes, new gifts, books and pocket money. This was the way the little girl was in her childhood, enjoying her boyish upbringing by her dad, her friends and fun with neighbourhood boys that she enjoyed the most. She was up for a fight for a cycle, pulling of her neighbour's cricket bats and wanting to be part of the church carol singers and play drums on the silent night. It was all the same till one winter morning when her dad succumbed to an unthinkable silent stroke. All was over within minutes for this little girl to whom the life was nothing but onething that evolved around her dad. Few weeks after, a dawn of realization came upon the little girl that she now have to stay with her mom, in a new place, new school, new language, new friends and new books. Alas! that was the end of expectations and the little girl literally wanted to run away from all this unexpected turning in her life. The young widow, whose the mother of three teenage girls, all in their years of public examination stood bravely to face the reality. She had the courage to pull back the strings of life quickly and more vibrantly with one objective- to see her girls have the same kind of life they had so far. The woman had no big finances to back up on, no strong support from the relatives, no standby from close friends, all she had was a decent job that pays her a regular monthly salary. Irony is that the children were so far studying in the best of the schools in a small town, but had the best of everything possible in a average upper middle class family in India. The woman herself being a asthamatic and chronically ill under high medication did brave to bring all the three children to her place of work and put them in the best of schools. The kids realised the eventuality and reality that surrounded them. She was a very arrogant mother, who was adamant about the conservative way of life the children had to lead. They were not allowed to step out of the house in her absence. They were not allowed to watch television than for the stipulated time set by her. They were not allowed to watch movies, play games, go out with friends, demand costly dresses and shoes, or anything else that usual urban children crave for. But the mother gave the children plenty of opportunity to read good books, hear good music, and study what they opted for. It was very troublesome for the otherwise boyish little girl about whom we were talking. The mother silently did her job, making food on time for the kids, running errands both at home and outside, managing work and family stringent finances, saving little money to expand the house to maintain three children and also save for their future marriages and careers. In a gap of five years, the mother managed to marry off her all three daughters welcoming the new hope and new sons to the family. In the timespan of 10 years, there emerged three beautiful women who were strong to face any kind of adversities in life, who professionally make their presence felt in the organizations they work for, have managed to maintain a big network of friends and also managed to keep up their hobbies and personal interests in tact. Today after many years, the mother still lives on her hardwork, perseverance and faith in herself. The journey was not easy, but was possible. Today the mother, who is now a proud grandmother to her three grandchildren still do not stop from her endevour of teaching her grandchildren the basics of life, that nothing is free in this world. She makes the children learn the rythms of life, that hardwork is the only way to success. Today, the old woman do not sleep away from her quest and her initiatives are all towards the future planning for her grandchildren. The little girl who is now a responsible woman in the society, is no more the one having hatred with her mother, but the very girl who is determined to take care of her in her oldage. This girl is the very woman who today understand the fact that no mother stays away from the children by choice but because they have no other chance. Had it not been for the determination and struggle of this mother, I dont think the three girls would have had the opportunity to today proclaim themselves as strong professionals, caring wives and good mothers and also being responsible citizens in the society. The little girl is none other than me!!! To me today, my mom is everything, my roadmap to success, my living legend and my most empowered woman!!!