Sakuntala Poetry Contest 2012- Topic: This is close to my heart

In memory of a great woman in our lives, we have instituted a Poetry Contest in her name -  Sakuntala Poetry Contest 2012-   The topic for this year is 'This is close to my heart'.


The form of poetry can be anything.  The topic can be related to place, person, hobby, dream, work etc.  Surprise gifts await top 3 poems selected.  End date for submission 15 July 2012.   Winners will be informed on 18th July 2012.  


Mail your submissions to umasree_r@yahoo.com with the subject line -  Sakuntala Poetry Contest 2012.


The poems need to be around 200 words but there is no limit.    Rush your entries now!
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Winning Entries:


1. From Kanchana Srinivasan

CLOSE TO MY HEART(MY AMMA)

I saw you in the sunshine

I saw you in the love of God

The warmth you gladly share

That makes you want to care,b'cause
You're so close to my heart!!!

The beauty of your heart

With love that you impart

I saw you in your prettiness

I saw you in the sunshine,b'cause

you're so close to my heart!!!

You are beautiful... as you don't need a mirror to see

You are generous... as you can take as sweetly as you can give.

You are wise... as you know the limits of your wisdom.

Poetry from the Heart,b'cause

you're so close to my heart!!!

When we're so far apart

it takes a toll on my heart

I wish you'd visit me again
in my dreams like before,b'cause

you're so close to my heart!!!

You're always on my mind

You're so far from my reach

maybe soon in real life
that last thought I adore,b'cause

you're so close to my heart!!!

FROM,

KANCHANA SRINIVASAN

PRESIDENT IWC NANGANALLUR

Winning Entry 2: From Sharmila Ramesh

MY FAMILY

There are many parts to it

Yet it is always called a unit

Each part has different wants

Yet there is joy and not taunts

The size of the parts may vary

Yet they are not cautious or wary

Some very small and so young

Yet others big, round or long

When one decides to work at home

To create magic not unlike a gnome

The other may want to work outside

Not by choice, but to save their hide

The home is always the base

Well laid brick work for the race

It is the ground every part returns to

For the safety and warmth of the cocoon

Nothing gives me more happiness

There is no place for nonchalance

This is that which is close to my heart

No award could coerce me to part

With my children, husband and his family

Who are as much mine as mine is to me

We are the parts of that wonderful unit

Sharing love like a million lamps, lit.

Winning Entries- Special Categories:  Zepphora Lyngdoh

Nature:

UNIQUE BEAUTY
By Zepphora Lyngdoh

O MEGHALAYA- serene landmarks of beauty you hold
A cue to the various Mysteries that you unfold !
Enchanting Peace and Grace that Captivates,
Lost in your wonder,no one Deviates.


You embrace every Foreigner without distinction,
But never part with your strong Culture and Tradition.
The Rich advice and heritage of the old,
Unravels the truth behind the folklores Untold.


You merge the seven districts and mould them into One,
Like a Rainbow that shimmers,keeping everybody stunned.
Your value,your dearness cannot be compared
When the courage of our warriors who didn't falter are shared


"Tis my Lovely Land"-you have it all
Outstanding resources,the lakes,the gleaming waterfalls
Dressed in an amazing attire you are truly Unique,
Music lovers,Sports fans,Cool climate at their highest peak.


I am thankful to God,to be a part of you
You nurtured me all these years,like mother's do
May you be secure from every plight,
And may your name stand supreme far and wide;

"Meghalaya- may you prosper in Everything."!!

Winning Entry- Special Category:  Sushi Natraj

Nature:

 

A green world, where man lives in harmony with nature

A just world, where people can live free without fear

A happy world, where neighbours are loving and giving

A caring world, where children are cherished and don’t work for a living

A beautiful world, where we nurture our heritage and history

An ordered world, where the law is the same for you and for me

A prosperous world, where poverty and need exist no more

A peaceful world, where countries meet not to go to war

A harmonious world, where man and beast play their natural roles

An accepting world, where differences are not treated like opposite poles

A progressive world, which learns to change for the better

A reasonable world, that does not quote the law to the letter

A questioning world, where science and spirituality work side by side

A welcoming world, where everything is greeted with wonder and pride

A sharing world, where the gap is small between the haves and the have-nots

A thinking world, where actions are decided by what good can be wrought

All this is my dream, my passion - and I wish to play a part

To make all this come true –This really is close to my heart!

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Thanks to all participants and congratulations to the winning entries.    Look forward for more contests in this space

-  Uma
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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..

Life is what you make it!

The silences of the heart...get unnoticed with the noises of the vehicles and voices of the official calls
The travel every day is a journey on its own....with the fears filled the walls and tears not down the falls

Yet with the grace built over the wisdom of years...hiding the facts of life behind curtains of social self
We run behind the schedules, run behind the traffic lights....run behind the dreams and all our engulfs

The clouds that dont really rain down....the fears that easily dont fade away...the dreams that are not far
The mountains of faith that stay unshaken....the charms of sweat that had been shed.... the fears gone afar

There comes the shades of life.....far from being the shadows of one self

There arises the charms amidst the valleys of the endearing faith and ensuring trust

Of the life that can make journeys unparalleled....

Our Ways of ensuring that tears and fears are just to overcome!

Dreams are to be dared and dreamt with out any constraints

The daring acts of the will of the heart to go beyond what we thought as possible!

Where is the end to the Man's quest of acheivements in the one single life he has!

The Saga of the Quest continues with the footprints one leave behind

We weave the threads of life to ever prolong the way We were made!

From the fact of truth, that shines from each one of us within!

The Glory, the Fortune, the Luck, the Love, the Care, the Success!

Its all in the way you make it...out of your own life! with its own recess!

Is Watching Pron a Passtime?

Frequent reports of our democratically elected politicians watching pron in the assembly is making us think-  Think Big!. 

Watching pron was not taken seriously and considered as a time pass for many, mostly a regular men's pass time.   of course, women are not spared as well!

Thankfully so far we have not heard on reported incidents of such things in corporate offices, colleges and schools, institutions, though I am sure many keep watching various videos on YouTube and other movies stuff in office cubicles and college corridors. 

The same become criminally offensive than just a pass time when it involves coercion and force...involve minors  and children and involuntary participation.   90% of the junk available on the net is either secretly videoed,. forced, blackmailed, or made for money.   I don't think the globe's  oldest profession had come into existence without force and dire need of survival

What was once confined as  intrinsic (private) dances/ devadasis of old days in the court halls of kings and emperors....now get displayed as item girls , number songs. and hard core sexual display and violent pron without the consent of those involved.  

Good things don't go viral so fast...but these things take so much space on our web.   And .xxx websites are not the once restricted with this stuff.

With every device from the computers, Internet, mobile phones, ipods, ipads, movies, advertisements, television, video games, magazines, books.......everything has an element of Pron, exploitation and rapes...news papers full of news around how children are being raped and killed,  women are abducted and exploited...how films miss use aspiring youngsters,...how young men get molested in hostels and colleges.... the news is only bad!  

 

How are we going to change this mind set.....how are we going to stop this senseless.....sensuous craving of human race as the civilizations progress?  

What is supposed to be confined as a sacred bondage between a man and woman for the continuity of mankind in the name of love,......in the form of lust totally taken a different dimension making SEX a bad word.....and sexual harassment cases a common news.  

Victims don't come forward to complain and fight for justice keeping the sensitivity of the issue.....but how long and how far?  

It reminds me of Sunitha Krishnan and her fight for justice ......but what we need is a sunitha krishnan in each one of us....to rightfully react to injustice...punish the guilty...support the victims,  understand and provide harassed victims with required emotional support and society to provide opportunities to those to revive and rebuild their lives.

Fighting for stopping any form of abuse is every one's right!

Happy Women's Day! A dedicated poem to all the women of this world

As a woman I died several times in this life

But just being a woman, I had to courage to raise again

As a woman, I fell to the gutters of chauvinism

Yet, just being a woman, I took that in stride of my feminism

As a woman, I cried several unending nights

Yet, I showed up a brave face and ready to fight

As a woman, I hurried to several trains to catch

Yet, I never left behind any unfinished match

As a woman, I loved being loved all the time

Yet, I had the courage to withstand ditching too

As a woman, I always liked to be dressed the best

But just being a woman, I did dress up to the situations true

As a woman, I shared my meal and peace all the time

Yet, I also learnt to let go my meal for a cause in tide

As a woman, I got shunned by the people of the society

Yet, I stood back and said, I am proud to be what I am as a woman

As a woman, I know I glorified everything that I liked

Yet, I had the right to reject what is not right in its form

As a woman, I lent my shoulders for friends to lean on

But just being a woman, I warned them not to be vulnerable on

As a woman, I know the struggles are many and always on

Yet being a woman, I know God made us that way to deal on

As a woman, I like the way You look at me and say so

But just being a woman, remember I am not a show case piece

As a woman, I love rest of my women folks who are wonderful

In not just the way they are, but for being great friends too

For being enduring Mothers, efficient professionals, loving daughters

And for being great wives and being Divas in their own Right!

Smile is the Name of the Man! Love you Dad!

Smile is the name of the man

Who made us his life’s ever green

Held our hands as we learnt to walk

Smiled at every word as we learned to talk

Giggled us all over to see us smile

Ran behind us in our every small mile

Endearingly spent all his precious time

To cheer us, support us and love us

As a Dad, he gave us all his love

Walked beside us every day then and now

As one winter morning snatched him away

Brutally spoiling our nest’s happy days

He still smiled on us from the sky above

Showing us his blessings and love

One Star followed us everywhere we go

Spreading his divine will with glow

I can see his smiles running behind us

As we take every step towards his dreams

The dreams that he dreamt for us

The dreams that would not let us sleep

Love you Dad, always in our hearts

You will live with eternal peace within us

Never missed you Dad, for you blessed

All the time in all our ups and downs to rise

Truly and endearingly guiding us

With your divine will and grace!

Travelling Via Hongkong and having Transit time..... Read this!

I would like to share my experience of visitng Hongkong during our journey to India....for this would be useful for those who are planning their stop over flights in HongKong. 

Minimum Time Needed:  

If you have minimum of 4-5 hours between your flights in Hongkong then it is advisable to use the transit visa and visit the City of Great Infrastructure.

Transit Visa Details:

Get refreshed after the first flight, and then go to the Immigration Counter, Fill up the form, and in the place asking for local address in HongKong you can fill up saying that you are in Transit and mention your next flight details.   The immigration officer will check your passport and give you visa anywhere between 1 day to 14 days for tourism.   We had no questions asked and got a 2 week tourist visa.  You dont need a visa before entering the country and it is usually on Arrival for close to 200 countries including for Indian Nationals.

Currency Exchange:

The airport has a foreign exchange western union where you can get your foriegn exchange converted to HKD.  Please note that you can only sell your Indian Currency, but unfortunately you cannot buy Indian Rupee in most of the airports across the world and this hurts.

Local Tourist Packages

Go to the HongKong Airport Customer Service Area and go to the Counter B12 where you get a HongKong Tourism Development driven tourist packages.   If you have more than 5 hours, you can choose from the various tourist sightseeing options they have and also can check in other counters with other tourist and hoteliers who can provide much customized packages.  

The transit package provides you a bus taking you across the HongKong and leaves you back in the downtown area where you can do plenty of shopping and roaming around and then take the Airport Express from the IFC Mall and come back to Airport well in time for your next flight

Food & Rest Areas

You can get all types of food, including Asian, Continental and Mediterrian cusinies.  If you want to eat in a good place, you have plenty of hotels inside the IFC Mall and if you want to have an economy food options, you can have in the World Wide Plaza area, but it will be very crowded and not so hygenic.  

You have paid rest areas in the Airport and also small hotels all over HongKong.

Take the exiting Ferry from HongKong to Macau...

We had an amazing experience and awestuck with the kind of infrastructure that this small country built after its Independence in 1997...There is lot to learn from visits to such small but sophisticated countries within Asia....Happy Travelling!

Planning to bring your USA TV with NTSC to India ? Read this !

For those NRI's returning home having NTSC specification American standard televisions wanting to bring the same to India, have to note the following

 
Major Differences between USA and India TV Systems and Other Possible Concerns:

1. The US Televisions are in the format NTSC, which is region specific. Where as the India Broadcast systems have AUTO or PAL Formats.   Most of the recent televisions have both NTSC and PAL.  So please check the global specifications on your televisions for any type -LED/LCD/Etc

2. Voltage systems used in India and USA.  US has the 110-120V @ 60 Hz while India uses 230V @ 50 Hz

3.  Packaging - Safety issues during Transit

4.  How much to pay at Customs at Indian Airports? How much do Airlines charge for transportation?  



Solutions to the above differences

1.  NTSC to PAL System Conversion

Most of the TV service provides in India, including Dish TV, Airtel and Sun Direct provide set up boxes that have the HDMI support feature and also internal NTSC to PAL converstion possibilities.    Dish TV Tru HD and Airtel HD Set up  boxes work with the HDMI output connected to the TV HDMI input and works like a charm.   I have set up the Airtel HD set up box and it works like a wonder on my Sony LED with only NTSC option.   

For those wanting to know the price I spent, it comes around Rs.3000 for set up boxes and Rs 1200 for convertor and choose any package of your choice starting from Rs.170 a month. 

What happens if you try to connect to normal TV cable is that the picture is only in Black and white with no sound.  

Non Worked Solutions ...So dont waste your time on these given below:     Using the earlier mentioned options in other online forums asking to set up the PAL to NTSC converter and external PAL tuner and etc are not viable and efficient options that I have researched...for they are very costly and a grey lines keep poping up on the TV using the Tuner.     Connecting with the TV tuner to your laptop and connecting the laptop to TV through HDMI is also a tough solution as every time you want to watch TV you have to start your laptop.  

2.  Voltage Conversion

230V- 110 V convertors are available in the India local markets and you can get a good convertor between Rs. 800-  Rs 1200.    Spending few extra Rupees would ensure that convertors also handle often dripping voltage fluctuations in India .  Check with your local electrician who can suggest you a good local brands that work in the locality

3.  Packaging

Please do use only the Company Provided packaging for the television that you intially got with the TV.   That is the best and safest packing that you can do.  Further protection based on the weight of the television,  you can package it in the Wooden Box or additional packing boxes available in Home Depo or Office Depo.    You can add bubble wrap or shredded paper around the television in the blank space so that the TV has additional support.   Dont forget to put all your screws, small stuff, remote along with the TV and dont forget to remove the batteries from the remote.  If possible keep the batteries in different baggage.   Check the dimensions of the box and weight and check with the airlines specifications.    

4.  Airport Transit

Check the dimensions and weight of the baggage and if you have extra billed baggage, ensure you put this as an additional paid baggage for check in instead of the free baggage allowance.  In that way, you can claim any damages in case of transit breakage.      Please ensure that you add Fragile Stickers all around and keep the UPPER Side indication so that the TV is not handled wrongly.    Speak to the airline representative for addition of Fragile Indicators from their side and a personal request for careful handling

5.  Customs to Pay at Indian Airports

Every person travelling back home is entitled to carry Rs.25k work of goods from abroad.  So keep you bill handy and also the dollar value on that date of purchase.  Most of the used home TVs more than 180 days old usually do not attract Octroi unless you dont have the correct bill and the package is looking brand new.     Otherwise, the difference of the TV value and Rs 25K limit attracts Customs Duty and you have to pay by cash at the SBI counter available and get a receipt before you take the TV out of the airport.   

There are other corrupt cheap means people do in the airports which I dont want to suggest.

Now Wall Mount or Get a good entertainment centre, and enjoy Happy Televisioning in India....same time dont get hooked to the forever crying soap operas of the India telediaspora!

Enjoy!