Across the mountain valley slopes
The sight of the cross that droops
The heights of a forest in sight
Journey continues within its right
Struggle to survive is never ending
Passion to continue is mind boggling
Memories of time prelude our thought
Wavering mind refuses to get it taught
Whispering down the mind’s inner cells
Precious calmness dwindles upon wells
The secluded irony of prolonged will
That is beyond thought and a skill
Despite the wariness of reckless way
Life forces upon entity to take away
The strange feeling of overwhelmed
With a prized subdued soul besieged
Yet, the soul endears the wisdom of fight
The soul’s truthful self and glory in might
Turbulence's that never let to sleep
The happiness of success to leap
The glory of the human thought & mind
Conscious effort to enthrall upon grind
There emerges the seed of refuted wisdom
Solemnly questioning every move in the kingdom
Yet the journey is fine to keep
For there’re accomplishments to leap
Solidarity in the happiness of the quest
The quest of searching within….
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Online Carnatic Music Class
Today was my daughter's first carnatic music class online...It was really a very beautiful experience. The power of technology and Internet... irrespective of the time zones and the distance, nothing stopped from achieving the objective of being connected to the roots in today's world. It was Saturday 8 am, over the webex meeting, here in Los Angeles, California, USA, my pre-teen was ready for the tutor sitting on the other side of the planet across 3 oceans and continents.
I have done many a conference calls and webex meetings in my professional life, have counselled people on Internet and addressed many complex life situations sitting anywhere in the world as part of being a physcology counsellor...but this was truly an enriching experience.
One that my kid was excited to find a teacher who gives her fullest attention and next was not discontinuing her passioned learning despite of her relocation. Though it is not a very cost effective solution, it is surely an optimal one, as the attention is on, the teacher is focused as much as the child and the music is in the air.... today there is nothing that is not possible with internet to satisfy our quest buds of learning.
From E-Partying, to virtual marriages and virtual offices, the world is going towards a "Best Shore" option which my mentor and role model in office, Mrs Sudha Sastry emphasis in her speeches and motivational seminars....today as she receives this year's EWIT excellence award for the 3rd time in row, I am too proud of having knowing her and being in her path of success...to me women achievers beyond the personal calling, when they set themselves in the path of success managing both as a parent and professional, the person in me is excited and motivated....Love you Sudha, god bless you for more success and I am very very proud of you....
Glad I am part of this world where virtual aspects still have the human touch, the required emotional quotient and beyond all, the reality surviving in it....
I have done many a conference calls and webex meetings in my professional life, have counselled people on Internet and addressed many complex life situations sitting anywhere in the world as part of being a physcology counsellor...but this was truly an enriching experience.
One that my kid was excited to find a teacher who gives her fullest attention and next was not discontinuing her passioned learning despite of her relocation. Though it is not a very cost effective solution, it is surely an optimal one, as the attention is on, the teacher is focused as much as the child and the music is in the air.... today there is nothing that is not possible with internet to satisfy our quest buds of learning.
From E-Partying, to virtual marriages and virtual offices, the world is going towards a "Best Shore" option which my mentor and role model in office, Mrs Sudha Sastry emphasis in her speeches and motivational seminars....today as she receives this year's EWIT excellence award for the 3rd time in row, I am too proud of having knowing her and being in her path of success...to me women achievers beyond the personal calling, when they set themselves in the path of success managing both as a parent and professional, the person in me is excited and motivated....Love you Sudha, god bless you for more success and I am very very proud of you....
Glad I am part of this world where virtual aspects still have the human touch, the required emotional quotient and beyond all, the reality surviving in it....
Thursday, April 22, 2010
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 !
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 !
Friday, April 16, 2010
Earth's fury over mankind- Volconic eruption in Iceland
I know its been long time since I wrote a post on my blog....one reason being the relocation to Los Angeles from Chennai and looks like "Moving" had been the trend of our sisters with youngest one relocating to Toronto and the eldest moving across the blocks of Mumbai!!!
The temptation to write overtook all other things today as I kept watching and following the news of the Volcano eruption in Iceland. My first thought was "What???Volcano eruption under the icebergs???...Yes, its the Nature's way of showing unnatural things to mankind.
The scientific study shows that the pattern of eruptions are almost unpredictable and the kind of impact is also equally inaccessible. What does that mean? With all the technological advancement and scientific discoveries and man's quest to capture space, including footing on moon, capturing of Mar's surface and penetrating into the far away earth's orbits, man in all practical sense do not have control over his own Earth. Thankfully over the years, cyclones, earthquakes and major natural disasters are predicted...but still there are things that is beyond man's imagination.
Today we see this as a major economic set back costing close to $200 million dollars to the aviation industry and stranding the passenger and cargo traffic movement across the six continents.... closing down the major airports and diverting hundreds of flights causing havoc to travellers across the countries. One way of Nature telling the mankind that no matter who you are, how important is your journey or which class of travel you take...the whole of the journey is purely dependent on the way Nature provides the opportunity to mankind to survive.
Such disasters and unpredicted nature's behaviour had been read in the Hindu mythology and which indicates that the Earth is going towards the next yugam or kala chakram. Movement of the earth's metamorphosis's from one trend to the other...And this may be just a tip of the iceberg or a beginning of such uncontrollable kala chakram.....
The bottomline is not to harm Mother Earth and fight against the Natural essence of this world and live in harmony as long as Earth allows us to do so... Create a peaceful world beyond boundaries and respect the Natural phenomenon of Mother Earth and go with the time..... time to think again on global warming I guess!!!
Hope all the stranded world travellers find a quick solace and reach their destinations to end their trauma...Mother Earth, please leave them from your fury!!!
The temptation to write overtook all other things today as I kept watching and following the news of the Volcano eruption in Iceland. My first thought was "What???Volcano eruption under the icebergs???...Yes, its the Nature's way of showing unnatural things to mankind.
The scientific study shows that the pattern of eruptions are almost unpredictable and the kind of impact is also equally inaccessible. What does that mean? With all the technological advancement and scientific discoveries and man's quest to capture space, including footing on moon, capturing of Mar's surface and penetrating into the far away earth's orbits, man in all practical sense do not have control over his own Earth. Thankfully over the years, cyclones, earthquakes and major natural disasters are predicted...but still there are things that is beyond man's imagination.
Today we see this as a major economic set back costing close to $200 million dollars to the aviation industry and stranding the passenger and cargo traffic movement across the six continents.... closing down the major airports and diverting hundreds of flights causing havoc to travellers across the countries. One way of Nature telling the mankind that no matter who you are, how important is your journey or which class of travel you take...the whole of the journey is purely dependent on the way Nature provides the opportunity to mankind to survive.
Such disasters and unpredicted nature's behaviour had been read in the Hindu mythology and which indicates that the Earth is going towards the next yugam or kala chakram. Movement of the earth's metamorphosis's from one trend to the other...And this may be just a tip of the iceberg or a beginning of such uncontrollable kala chakram.....
The bottomline is not to harm Mother Earth and fight against the Natural essence of this world and live in harmony as long as Earth allows us to do so... Create a peaceful world beyond boundaries and respect the Natural phenomenon of Mother Earth and go with the time..... time to think again on global warming I guess!!!
Hope all the stranded world travellers find a quick solace and reach their destinations to end their trauma...Mother Earth, please leave them from your fury!!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
My Journey towards PMP- Lessons Learned
The inspiration to become a Project Management Professional started watching the best of managers who lead the teams with due diligence, balance, and integrity. One thing that was certain that a PMP Manager had a definite way of handling business, people and professional competence.
After due thinking and careful planning, I have initiated the process and within 3 months of sincere efforts backed with almost 10 years of experience and close to 7 years in Project delivery made the things possible. PMI Chennai chapter training and 4 day preparatory course added value to my preparation and gave me the strength and confidence to go ahead filling the gaps of my understanding the PMP examination and expectation.
Studying PMBOK thoroughly for first time, and then looking at corresponding reference material where you can get more of conceptual understanding with examples from live business situations is a beginning. One thing here is to understanding that we may be having different types of Project Management experiences from various projects in the past, but while preparing for PMP, the whole concentration should be on the PMBOK way of Project Management thinking. If you could identify the differences between the way projects went into your experience and what PMI suggests, it would be more beneficial to understand the difference and enrichment that PMP certification gives. It is a beginning and strength to handle projects more efficiently.
Nextly to put up a plan in place - a very practical schedule to practice and learn is very important. Most important is to follow the schedule and keep mapping the progress. PMP is not just another certification, but it is a profession that needs continuous practice. Like Medicine or any other profession that needs continuous education, so book knowledge alone will not help you,if you are aiming at PMP certification.
Strong interpretation, rightful approach, inner strength of crisis management, balancing expectations, maintaining time, understanding language (this helps to rightfully interpret the given business situation), managing resources and finally understanding the importance and strength of this certification is very very important. Unless you know the value of it, it is not going to even inspire you to take it up. It is worth every hour spent in this process.
The next would be take up practice tests to understand and realise where you stand in understanding the whole PMBOK knowledge areas. This will help you to further study on the weak areas identified and would encourage you to reassess your planning schedule and move forward.
Last but not the least, self-interest, support of both colleagues and family and above all lots of confidence will make PMP possible in the first attempt.
My word of pride and thanks is to my family, my mentor and friends who encouraged me, my managers who guided me, and my spouse who waited all four hours outside the exam hall just to be sure, that I would be ok at the end of it what ever may be the outcome, alas! it was such a relief to him than me, for he saw me dug deep in my process for a long time! Thank God, I am now a Certified Project Management Professional! I beleive it comes with lot more responsibility and expectations in my career as I progress!!!
After due thinking and careful planning, I have initiated the process and within 3 months of sincere efforts backed with almost 10 years of experience and close to 7 years in Project delivery made the things possible. PMI Chennai chapter training and 4 day preparatory course added value to my preparation and gave me the strength and confidence to go ahead filling the gaps of my understanding the PMP examination and expectation.
Studying PMBOK thoroughly for first time, and then looking at corresponding reference material where you can get more of conceptual understanding with examples from live business situations is a beginning. One thing here is to understanding that we may be having different types of Project Management experiences from various projects in the past, but while preparing for PMP, the whole concentration should be on the PMBOK way of Project Management thinking. If you could identify the differences between the way projects went into your experience and what PMI suggests, it would be more beneficial to understand the difference and enrichment that PMP certification gives. It is a beginning and strength to handle projects more efficiently.
Nextly to put up a plan in place - a very practical schedule to practice and learn is very important. Most important is to follow the schedule and keep mapping the progress. PMP is not just another certification, but it is a profession that needs continuous practice. Like Medicine or any other profession that needs continuous education, so book knowledge alone will not help you,if you are aiming at PMP certification.
Strong interpretation, rightful approach, inner strength of crisis management, balancing expectations, maintaining time, understanding language (this helps to rightfully interpret the given business situation), managing resources and finally understanding the importance and strength of this certification is very very important. Unless you know the value of it, it is not going to even inspire you to take it up. It is worth every hour spent in this process.
The next would be take up practice tests to understand and realise where you stand in understanding the whole PMBOK knowledge areas. This will help you to further study on the weak areas identified and would encourage you to reassess your planning schedule and move forward.
Last but not the least, self-interest, support of both colleagues and family and above all lots of confidence will make PMP possible in the first attempt.
My word of pride and thanks is to my family, my mentor and friends who encouraged me, my managers who guided me, and my spouse who waited all four hours outside the exam hall just to be sure, that I would be ok at the end of it what ever may be the outcome, alas! it was such a relief to him than me, for he saw me dug deep in my process for a long time! Thank God, I am now a Certified Project Management Professional! I beleive it comes with lot more responsibility and expectations in my career as I progress!!!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Educational Reforms by Kapil Sibal
One politician who really knows what he is doing and how best that can be done is Kapil Sibal...No doubt his intellect is taking over his intelligence as he drafts the latest Educational Reforms in India after he took over the Ministry of Human Resources development. 3 major decisions that would impact the most important human resources of our Future India- Our Children.
1. Making the 10th standard CBSE examination optional and making it a performance and grade oriented system
2. Bringing in a uniform pattern of evaluation for both engineering and medicine entrance
3. Best of all- No Pre school till the age of four.
With these reforms in place, there is lot more expected from him to continue bringing in a better Educational System in India.
1. Curb the practice of building funds and huge capitation and donations for school and college admissions
2. Streamline college elections and competitions without any political involvement
3. Put a regulatory authority to monitor exhoribant educational expenses
4. Bringing in more recent methods of teaching, enabling Government Schools to become primary educational institutions in India
5. Improving salaries and infrastructure supporting teachers well-beings
6. Building proper schools and libraries in Rural India making education within reach of common man across India
7. Adult education for illiterate Indians to be at mass scale to make India, the most educated Nation in the world.
If these few steps are taken, India not only will prove as the hub for knowledge and development but will also stand tall in terms of growth and economic well being. We need lot more Kapil Sibals' in the process to make this happen sooner than later!
1. Making the 10th standard CBSE examination optional and making it a performance and grade oriented system
2. Bringing in a uniform pattern of evaluation for both engineering and medicine entrance
3. Best of all- No Pre school till the age of four.
With these reforms in place, there is lot more expected from him to continue bringing in a better Educational System in India.
1. Curb the practice of building funds and huge capitation and donations for school and college admissions
2. Streamline college elections and competitions without any political involvement
3. Put a regulatory authority to monitor exhoribant educational expenses
4. Bringing in more recent methods of teaching, enabling Government Schools to become primary educational institutions in India
5. Improving salaries and infrastructure supporting teachers well-beings
6. Building proper schools and libraries in Rural India making education within reach of common man across India
7. Adult education for illiterate Indians to be at mass scale to make India, the most educated Nation in the world.
If these few steps are taken, India not only will prove as the hub for knowledge and development but will also stand tall in terms of growth and economic well being. We need lot more Kapil Sibals' in the process to make this happen sooner than later!
A Dream House !
The Beauty of this imagination is that when I actually went to Michigan and found a place as similar to my age old imagination.....Cant believe it myself. Interestingly, I found the tall chirstmas trees..wooden houses...lots of snow...but not the horse driven carriage! May be next time!
Treasure Hunt- My age old sketches and paintings
While searching for something, found something so interesting. Almost an 18 year old rough notes with Maths and Hindi inbetween stored within its pages some seriously forgotten art of my school days....It was really nice to find them, especially the Geeta Upadesh... ironically, as I keep attending Swami Parthasarathy's speech and explanation of Chapter 16 from Bhagavat Geetha whole of this week at Kamaraj Memorial....this was quite a coincidence!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Currency Symbol for Indian Rupee
Eagerly Awaited!
After the Indian Government's quest and search for the currency symbol that would denote our currency like US $, £ for GBP, € for Euro, five of the best entries have been short listed as the Symbol of Indian Rupee.
Though my entry to the logo / symbol contest didnt get selected to final five, my curiosity knew no bounds to imagine what the final symbol would look like. "R" somewhere close to anything that have this letter probably or no:-),,If so, I would be really elated... and finally our key boards on laptops and computers will have this as a Shift+Key...Wow time when the Ministry of Finance and Reserve Bank of India are going to release the same shortly....
It is the agonizing wait for the final five finalists including a school teacher Shibin KK , two designing firms JWT and Publicisi Ambience and architect Correa Mehtrotra and a typography scholar Udaya Kumar from IIT Mumbai.. The creation that wins is going to represent the currency of world's fastest growing economy and going to find place globally and with swift speed. One of the 5 contenstants will be the proud winner finding place in the History of India...something as great as designing a National Flag...its all about creativity, relevancy and a big bountiful luck.... Just waiting for the big day to come soon!
My choice in the final 5 is # 3. What is yours?
Disgusting Terror Attacks in Pune
Once again, India is bleeding. Who is giving the rights for killing others in this world? Why is this ideology of achieving something by killing innocent civilians. A real war will not be won without facing one on one...be it between two humans or two Nations or two different ideologies. From the times of Hitler to Prabhakaran, the causes failed despite the world ways of handling ideologies because, the way in which the success is sought is not globally accepted. The worst part is making India a scary place to travel for foreigners abroad. We talk, fight, and hate when our Indians are treated badly, or getting killed anywhere in the world today... at the same time, are we are not responsible to collectively aim at protecting the best interests of people coming to India?
One side, the memories of Mumbai blasts did not go away from the world memory,,,the other side, the clashes in Hyderbad in name of Economy, Language and State is defeating the objectives of Progress... and now this Pune Blasts indicate that we have thief's within us. It is not possible for a foreign hand to succeed in creating a terror fear in the Nation without the help of an insider. First and foremost, the responsibility of the Intelligence and Security forces would be to identify the insiders and uproot them from our society. There is no point in playing the blame game, unless we are sure that none in India would support or stand by the terrorists, no matter how much ever we make a noise in the global platform, the Indian Cities are still an easy target.
Security consciousness and National Integrity and Protection is highly visible in the Western World where every Citizen's first responsibility and common sense aims at Home Land Security. Do we have this in us? The day should come when we stop seeing religious flags, party hoardings and flags flying and seeing the National Flag standing in pride as we walk down the streets. Till such day, there is nothing called Patriotism in the minds of Modern Indians that provoke them to fight internally against any form of terrorism. Be it Jai Hind or Jai Ho, we have not set our homes right yet! That's the disgusting truth of terrorism in India today!
One side, the memories of Mumbai blasts did not go away from the world memory,,,the other side, the clashes in Hyderbad in name of Economy, Language and State is defeating the objectives of Progress... and now this Pune Blasts indicate that we have thief's within us. It is not possible for a foreign hand to succeed in creating a terror fear in the Nation without the help of an insider. First and foremost, the responsibility of the Intelligence and Security forces would be to identify the insiders and uproot them from our society. There is no point in playing the blame game, unless we are sure that none in India would support or stand by the terrorists, no matter how much ever we make a noise in the global platform, the Indian Cities are still an easy target.
Security consciousness and National Integrity and Protection is highly visible in the Western World where every Citizen's first responsibility and common sense aims at Home Land Security. Do we have this in us? The day should come when we stop seeing religious flags, party hoardings and flags flying and seeing the National Flag standing in pride as we walk down the streets. Till such day, there is nothing called Patriotism in the minds of Modern Indians that provoke them to fight internally against any form of terrorism. Be it Jai Hind or Jai Ho, we have not set our homes right yet! That's the disgusting truth of terrorism in India today!
State Bank Of India- New Ways of Global Reach
State Bank of India is in news for all good reasons. When I say that it is of the Global Reach, it is not across the countries but across our own villages. Towards a larger and remote connectively bridging all the villages to the ambit of Finance, Support and Micro- Money Management. Opening of Bank Accounts and accessing through mobile phones is the best way to use the advantage of the Most Buzzing Telecom revolution in India.
The Project is for all the below who own mobile phones and have income less than Rs 5000 a month where they can access the nearest grocery stores to send and transact money to anywhere in India. This is as simple as buying a prepaid card in a retail outlet. Doesnt it sound revolutionary....Yes, Small is all times Revolutionary!
Something that sounds like an western union outlet, but from our modern best nationalised bank is a grand welcome to all public,..as people can transact by depositing, transferring and withdrawing money in the nearest retail outlet. This is going to generate employment opportunities as business correspondent close to half a million people in India.... is this not the big best thing happening in the first quarter of the year... Am sure, this will be a successful venture... God Bless you SBI!
Every Day Heroes Making this their own world!
Exact Narration by Suvendu Roy of Titan Industries, who shares his inspirational encounter with a rickshaw driver in Mumbai:
Last Sunday, my wife, kid, and I had to travel to Andheri from Bandra.
When I waved at a passing auto rickshaw, little did I expect that this ride would be any different...
As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel. My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines.
This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle.
Then I looked round again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths
- from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan.
I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.
As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel. My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines.
This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle.
Then I looked round again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths
- from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan.
I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.
I started chatting with him and the initial sense of ridicule and disbelief gradually diminished.
I gathered that he had been driving an auto rickshaw for the past 8-9 years; he had lost his job when his employer's plastic company was shut down.
He had two school-going children, and he drove from 8 in the morning till 10 at night.
No break unless he was unwell. "Sahab, ghar mein baith ke T.V dekh kar kya faida? Do paisa income karega toh future mein kaam aayega."
We realised that we had come across a man who represents Mumbai – the spirit of work, the spirit of travel and the spirit of excelling in life.
I asked him whether he does anything else as I figured that he did not have too much spare time.
He said that he goes to an old age home for women in Andheri once a week or whenever he has some extra income, where he donates tooth brushes, toothpastes, soap, hair oil, and other items of daily use.
He pointed out to a painted message below the meter that read: "25 per cent discount on metered fare for the handicapped.
Free rides for blind passengers up to Rs. 50. My wife and I were struck with awe. The man was a HERO!
A hero who deserves all our respect!!!
Our journey came to an end;
45 minutes of a lesson in humility, selflessness, and of a hero-worshipping Mumbai, my temporary home.
We disembarked, and all I could do was
to pay him a tip that would hardly cover a
free ride for a blind man.
I hope, one day, you too have a chance to meet Mr Sandeep Bachhe in his auto rickshaw: MH-02-Z-8508.
My religion is a matter between me and my maker : Gandhiji
Last Sunday, my wife, kid, and I had to travel to Andheri from Bandra.
When I waved at a passing auto rickshaw, little did I expect that this ride would be any different...
As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel. My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines.
This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle.
Then I looked round again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths
- from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan.
I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.
As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel. My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines.
This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle.
Then I looked round again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths
- from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan.
I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.
I started chatting with him and the initial sense of ridicule and disbelief gradually diminished.
I gathered that he had been driving an auto rickshaw for the past 8-9 years; he had lost his job when his employer's plastic company was shut down.
He had two school-going children, and he drove from 8 in the morning till 10 at night.
No break unless he was unwell. "Sahab, ghar mein baith ke T.V dekh kar kya faida? Do paisa income karega toh future mein kaam aayega."
We realised that we had come across a man who represents Mumbai – the spirit of work, the spirit of travel and the spirit of excelling in life.
I asked him whether he does anything else as I figured that he did not have too much spare time.
He said that he goes to an old age home for women in Andheri once a week or whenever he has some extra income, where he donates tooth brushes, toothpastes, soap, hair oil, and other items of daily use.
He pointed out to a painted message below the meter that read: "25 per cent discount on metered fare for the handicapped.
Free rides for blind passengers up to Rs. 50. My wife and I were struck with awe. The man was a HERO!
A hero who deserves all our respect!!!
Our journey came to an end;
45 minutes of a lesson in humility, selflessness, and of a hero-worshipping Mumbai, my temporary home.
We disembarked, and all I could do was
to pay him a tip that would hardly cover a
free ride for a blind man.
I hope, one day, you too have a chance to meet Mr Sandeep Bachhe in his auto rickshaw: MH-02-Z-8508.
My religion is a matter between me and my maker : Gandhiji
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Our Meeting with Dr Rudhran
It had been a transforming experience meeting Dr Rudhran today with Raghu. What best can we make out of this meeting than creating a lasting happiness of having met him as one of my best friends today. It is a tale of turning adversities into opportunities.
A 20 year old journey ended with creating the finest memory of this day. Without having to wait for 4 hours, going through a process of counselling and therapy, understanding from a social service person there, without the token number followed by the year, meeting him within 5 minutes of visiting his office this morning was the last thing we would have dreamt in our life. That too as a writer and his friend.
Today, Dr Rudhran and me, both appreciate each others views and articles, contacts and network and share common philosophies of life with much broader vision and ambitions. Strong will power, unconditional love and trust can cure any damn illness in this world and we today stand as a strong testimony to this fact and would fight for the rights of victims of such situations and provide support and solace to the vulnerable lot.
As usual, Dr Rudhran is filled with a drawing charisma, truly understanding persona, a broad welcoming smile, giving a true sense to his profession and personality. God Bless you Dr.
A 20 year old journey ended with creating the finest memory of this day. Without having to wait for 4 hours, going through a process of counselling and therapy, understanding from a social service person there, without the token number followed by the year, meeting him within 5 minutes of visiting his office this morning was the last thing we would have dreamt in our life. That too as a writer and his friend.
Today, Dr Rudhran and me, both appreciate each others views and articles, contacts and network and share common philosophies of life with much broader vision and ambitions. Strong will power, unconditional love and trust can cure any damn illness in this world and we today stand as a strong testimony to this fact and would fight for the rights of victims of such situations and provide support and solace to the vulnerable lot.
As usual, Dr Rudhran is filled with a drawing charisma, truly understanding persona, a broad welcoming smile, giving a true sense to his profession and personality. God Bless you Dr.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Cricket, IPL, Pakistan and Looking Beyond
I am sure cricket fans at home and office would search to hit me for writing this post and I need to get bailed out from their arms.... But when is that we would learn to look beyond??... Cricket in India is not just another sport or game...it is a fervent addiction... a ever living fever with no vaccines.
Cricket has become a part of Average Indian's life and people discuss, debate, devote, dedicate themselves to the love of the matches, players, and the very essence of Modern Day Commercialized Cricket and what else. Even cost of living, corruption, movies, will take a back seat when compared to Cricket Mania in the country.
But the fact is that Cricketers are also human beings and no demi-gods, there is absolutely no necessity to devote so much attention and energies to the game which is supposed to be entertainment and a good sport. Today it has become a worse addiction, money minting industry, fully commercialized and above all, killing other fields of sports. I just wonder why our text books still say Hockey is our National Game.... It should be Cricket now right...
IPL Is a classic example of how 1% of the population can control and absorb the wealth from the 99% of the society... Today, television channels and movies are just copying the events and shows of the west in their regional languages. IPL also did the same trick..instead of foot ball, there emerged cricket deals.....The craziness, the frenzies and the boundless amusement of the game is no doubt a well planned business option ....same time, this addiction had broken the barriers in the name of countries or continents..... IPL succeeded in its endeavour...and we the average Indian made them rich....!
Now comes to my hot topic, Pakistan... Masha Allah! Why Me! Pakistan players not included in the IPL 3rd season... Yeah... let me tell u the story of my neighbour who was once my brother...we fought, we broke, we don't talk, we don't meet, and now slowly we grudge, we hurt, we hate, we destroy, we end. In such a situation, how can I let my children play with his children...doesn't it not sound ridiculous... this hatred is genuine and need to be ongoing process...don't I want it... Huh! its the same story...It is this destroying attitude that is causing a friction everywhere between India and Pakistan...Today we have reached to such a situation where we cant appreciate any bridges between two countries how every peaceful they aim to be at....we always suspect every peace move, we are always threatened by their existence, we are restless with the neighbours... this is not going to change even after 60 years of a havocing partition... gone is gone...RIP the brotherhood! At least let live as sensible neighbours... or else we are making each other's area a harvesting ground not just for terror but for the developed nations to aim at each other, in the time of next world war...which is not so very far! God bless this Planet not just from climatic destruction but a nuclear warfare! Now we Indians, should learn to look beyond cricket, for cricket is no more just a game, but a culture, predominantly changing the way we think and act!!!!
Cricket has become a part of Average Indian's life and people discuss, debate, devote, dedicate themselves to the love of the matches, players, and the very essence of Modern Day Commercialized Cricket and what else. Even cost of living, corruption, movies, will take a back seat when compared to Cricket Mania in the country.
But the fact is that Cricketers are also human beings and no demi-gods, there is absolutely no necessity to devote so much attention and energies to the game which is supposed to be entertainment and a good sport. Today it has become a worse addiction, money minting industry, fully commercialized and above all, killing other fields of sports. I just wonder why our text books still say Hockey is our National Game.... It should be Cricket now right...
IPL Is a classic example of how 1% of the population can control and absorb the wealth from the 99% of the society... Today, television channels and movies are just copying the events and shows of the west in their regional languages. IPL also did the same trick..instead of foot ball, there emerged cricket deals.....The craziness, the frenzies and the boundless amusement of the game is no doubt a well planned business option ....same time, this addiction had broken the barriers in the name of countries or continents..... IPL succeeded in its endeavour...and we the average Indian made them rich....!
Now comes to my hot topic, Pakistan... Masha Allah! Why Me! Pakistan players not included in the IPL 3rd season... Yeah... let me tell u the story of my neighbour who was once my brother...we fought, we broke, we don't talk, we don't meet, and now slowly we grudge, we hurt, we hate, we destroy, we end. In such a situation, how can I let my children play with his children...doesn't it not sound ridiculous... this hatred is genuine and need to be ongoing process...don't I want it... Huh! its the same story...It is this destroying attitude that is causing a friction everywhere between India and Pakistan...Today we have reached to such a situation where we cant appreciate any bridges between two countries how every peaceful they aim to be at....we always suspect every peace move, we are always threatened by their existence, we are restless with the neighbours... this is not going to change even after 60 years of a havocing partition... gone is gone...RIP the brotherhood! At least let live as sensible neighbours... or else we are making each other's area a harvesting ground not just for terror but for the developed nations to aim at each other, in the time of next world war...which is not so very far! God bless this Planet not just from climatic destruction but a nuclear warfare! Now we Indians, should learn to look beyond cricket, for cricket is no more just a game, but a culture, predominantly changing the way we think and act!!!!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Law of Attraction
From my childhood, I used to be so fond of guessing things, and getting glad when they happen....slowly this syndrome became a sixth sense and an intuition kind.. and what ever I strongly thought or dreamt started to happen...sometimes, negative things also started to show up startling me endlessly.... but everytime, there was also a courage that emerged, a confidence that is built within and a faith that surmounted all difficulties...Last 3 years, I have been thinking alot about the goals, the larger than life dreams and ambitions that sometime astround my ownself, and unbelievably, some where some thing supported to make these proportion less ambitions also materialize.... some happened just as I kept thinking, some happened slowly over the years...but the end result, it happen...
Yesterday watching the video on the SECRET of SUCCESS...and the Law of Attraction, I discovered what I had been going through all these years...I have been attracting my own circumstances and situations. I have been attracting negatives things giving it lot of thinking of not wanting it... I have been slowly ignoring unnecessary things and keep them away from my thought process and slowly all unpleasantness started to fade away............lot of positive energy, lot of goodness, lot of confidence started to grow from this positive thinking. I do look back on the past, the history, but I stopped carrying the baggage forward....it like leaving the garbage at the door, and just taking with me the most important lessons learnt in the hardest way possible.
As I started to be positive, good to people, I gained lot of good people in my life, I dreamt big, and started to slowly feel that happening.... I started to give back to the world simple little things that made me feel contented and fulfilled. I have learned immense knowledge and gained unmeasurable wealth of understanding the universe.... Yes, the fact that Universe says "Your Wish is My Command" is very true. What you think, you perceive. What you ask, you believe is what you get. How truthful... 1% of the world's populations who are successful and possess the 90% of this world's wealth are the people who know this secret for success. Transforming difficulties as opportunities, learnings as stepping stones, failures as lessons learned and move forward are the people who succeed...
Yesterday watching the video on the SECRET of SUCCESS...and the Law of Attraction, I discovered what I had been going through all these years...I have been attracting my own circumstances and situations. I have been attracting negatives things giving it lot of thinking of not wanting it... I have been slowly ignoring unnecessary things and keep them away from my thought process and slowly all unpleasantness started to fade away............lot of positive energy, lot of goodness, lot of confidence started to grow from this positive thinking. I do look back on the past, the history, but I stopped carrying the baggage forward....it like leaving the garbage at the door, and just taking with me the most important lessons learnt in the hardest way possible.
As I started to be positive, good to people, I gained lot of good people in my life, I dreamt big, and started to slowly feel that happening.... I started to give back to the world simple little things that made me feel contented and fulfilled. I have learned immense knowledge and gained unmeasurable wealth of understanding the universe.... Yes, the fact that Universe says "Your Wish is My Command" is very true. What you think, you perceive. What you ask, you believe is what you get. How truthful... 1% of the world's populations who are successful and possess the 90% of this world's wealth are the people who know this secret for success. Transforming difficulties as opportunities, learnings as stepping stones, failures as lessons learned and move forward are the people who succeed...
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Temples in Nanganallur
I wanted the first topic of the year to be something really positive and motivating..and hence waited for 10 long days but much of the current affairs do not seem to be encouraging me to do so... Hence I thought its time to dive deep into whats best around me in the neighbourhood...and Yes...Being in the suburbs of Chennai, what best could I begin with than the beautiful temples and music festivals:
Here is my quick list of temples in and around Nanganallur, for those of you, who have two things in common- one ardent devotion towards idol worship and second is interest in the beautiful architectural excellence from our good old days and sculptures that speak volumes of human history.
1. Nanganallur Means Anjaneya Temple. Vishwaroop Anjaneya stands tall as the testimony of courage, beliefs and happiness in the great idol worship, its around 2 miles from the Palavanthangal/ Nanganallur Railway Station. You can visit the site
http://www.anjaneyaswami.com/index.asp for full details
2. Varasidhi Vinayagar Temple:- Located at Ram Nagar 2nd Street,. is said to be one of the oldest temples which had Kanchi Periyavar staying in the temple during his visits to Nanganallur.
3. Sri Lakshmi Haygreevar Temple:- Hayagreevar said to be the Lord of Knowledge and Learning, this temple which is very close to Varasidhi Vinayagar temple is one of rarest Haygreevar temples in Tamil Nadu
4. Sri Guruvayur appan temple:- Beautiful temple in Kerala style and very close to the above two temples having the main deity Guruvayurappan almost similar to the Lord in Guruvayoor. Goddess Bhagavathi is a beautiful part of this temple along with sanidanams for Ayyapan and Prasanna Vinayaka along with Navagrahas. This temple is also famous for "Anna Prasanam" functions to the little children
5. Sri Raghavendra Temple:- Temple is reknowned as Dakshina Mantralayam and is an abode of peace and simpleness and the beautiful image of Lord Raghavendra in the mandap opposite to the temple is also a must see. This temple is very close to Anjaneyar temple
6. Sri Satya Sai Baba Temple:- This temple is just at the end of the road of Raghavendra temple and the temple is developed by local devotees who join to sing Baba bhajans and spread the message of Dharma. Thursdays 7 pm is the best time one can really enjoy the fullness of this temple
7. Sri Ayyappan Temple:- To me personally, this temple is very close to my heart. Lord Ayyappan here look almost like in Sabarimala, uncrowded and peaceful temple just on the back side of the Anjaneyar temple. It is said that no where in the world, there are two powerful Bharmachari swami's standing back to back and giving blessing to devotees in the world. It is said that visiting both Ayyappan and Anjaneyar temples for 9 weeks on saturdays will ward of any kind of evil and unpleasantnesses in life.. trust me, it is truth.
8. Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan Temple:- Walkable distance from Ayyapan and Ajaneyar temples is the beautiful new temple of Lord Lakshmi Narasimhan. The pleasant Narasimhan with his consort on the lap gives you all blessings and its is believed that Lakshmi Narasimha always blesses for Runa Vimochanam. Means, we get rid of our loans, here the great context of our bondages with people, materialistic things and life I guess. Real beautiful temple that you should not miss seeing. It is in 24th Street of TillagangaNagar.
9. Karumani Amman Temple:- This is the old temple which is on the adjacent side of Lakshmi Narasimhan temple and facing the new bridge connecting velacheri..The goddess is beautiful here and adjacently we have Lord Balaji blessing as you enter the temple
10. Sri Raja Rajeshwari Temple and sri Lakshmi satyanarayana perumal temple:- Nanganallur Raja rajeshwari is famous since old days and because of this temple's goddess "Nangai"..the area got its name as Nanganallur. The approach roads are bad but plan to park your vehicles at distance and walk to the beauty of the godess with Kumkumam in the first floor of the temple. 16 steps and every step is adored with one form of the goddess and its nice to visit Perumal after Amman darshan in the ground floor adjascent Satyanarayan swami temple,.where goddess Lakshmi who is present on the chest of Satyanarayan swami.
11. Sri Ardhanadeeswaran and Durgai Temple:- This temple is located in the main market place of Nanganallur. This temple is called as KethuStalam and the near by temple tank is said to be where the idol of Ardhanadeeswarar was found by Paramcharya. Durgai amman is beautiful and pleasant in this temple and called as "Sarvapalla Nayaki" means the goddess who gives everything.
12. Dharmlingeswaran Temple:- This temple is located in south Nanganallur and is said to be the oldest temple in the area. Build during Pallava dynasty, more than 1000 years old, this temple is an indication of a established civilization during good olden days as well in Nanganallur,. Lord Dhanmeswar was discovered during a construction and the temple was later renovated and worshiped.
13. Navaneetha Krishnan and Lakshmi Narasimhar temple - This temple is an old one dated to 8th century and beautiful for its architecture. The main sanctum, facing east enshrines the imposing image of the principal Deity, Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. The other murtis, which adorned the beautiful main sanctum are those of Lord Pradosha Narasimha, for whom special worship is performed during every pradosha and Sri Chakrattazhvar (Sudarsana). Also seen here are images of Sri Vishvaksena, Svami Nammazhvar, Sri Ramanuja and Sri Vedanta Desika. An interesting and rare architectural feature of this sanctum is a circular shaped pillar which resembles a stambha from which Lord Narisimha emerged to protect His child-devotee Prahlada.
14. Oppliappan Temple:- This temple is the oldest temple for Oppliappan in Madipakkam and the main deity is Lord Rama in Pattabishekam rupam.
15. Sri Gayathri Devi Temple and Mother and Aurobindo Centre:- Gayathri devi temple is in the complex of the Mother Centre for Meditation and with Vinayagar and Gayathri devi.
Close to Puzhithivakam late is the beautiful meditation centre of Mother of Pondicherry. Similar to Pondy, the serenity of the silence, flowers and incense smell, makes the place vibrate in a silence where only our inner consciousness emerges with peace and contentment.
16. Visa Anjaneyar:- This is the small Anjaneyar temple very close to Modern school in Nanganallur, where people believe that prayers at this temple brings them opportunties abroad :-) Sounds funny, but its again , believes and thats turn true I guess...so try your luck.
Past weekend was amazing with visits to some of these temples taking my mom on her spiritual tour of Nanganallur and same time trying to imbide values of worship, faith and rituals in my little one... Enjoy your temple visits. There can be many more that I am not aware of and would like readers to share information on them with me in comments.
Here is my quick list of temples in and around Nanganallur, for those of you, who have two things in common- one ardent devotion towards idol worship and second is interest in the beautiful architectural excellence from our good old days and sculptures that speak volumes of human history.
1. Nanganallur Means Anjaneya Temple. Vishwaroop Anjaneya stands tall as the testimony of courage, beliefs and happiness in the great idol worship, its around 2 miles from the Palavanthangal/ Nanganallur Railway Station. You can visit the site
http://www.anjaneyaswami.com/index.asp for full details
2. Varasidhi Vinayagar Temple:- Located at Ram Nagar 2nd Street,. is said to be one of the oldest temples which had Kanchi Periyavar staying in the temple during his visits to Nanganallur.
3. Sri Lakshmi Haygreevar Temple:- Hayagreevar said to be the Lord of Knowledge and Learning, this temple which is very close to Varasidhi Vinayagar temple is one of rarest Haygreevar temples in Tamil Nadu
4. Sri Guruvayur appan temple:- Beautiful temple in Kerala style and very close to the above two temples having the main deity Guruvayurappan almost similar to the Lord in Guruvayoor. Goddess Bhagavathi is a beautiful part of this temple along with sanidanams for Ayyapan and Prasanna Vinayaka along with Navagrahas. This temple is also famous for "Anna Prasanam" functions to the little children
5. Sri Raghavendra Temple:- Temple is reknowned as Dakshina Mantralayam and is an abode of peace and simpleness and the beautiful image of Lord Raghavendra in the mandap opposite to the temple is also a must see. This temple is very close to Anjaneyar temple
6. Sri Satya Sai Baba Temple:- This temple is just at the end of the road of Raghavendra temple and the temple is developed by local devotees who join to sing Baba bhajans and spread the message of Dharma. Thursdays 7 pm is the best time one can really enjoy the fullness of this temple
7. Sri Ayyappan Temple:- To me personally, this temple is very close to my heart. Lord Ayyappan here look almost like in Sabarimala, uncrowded and peaceful temple just on the back side of the Anjaneyar temple. It is said that no where in the world, there are two powerful Bharmachari swami's standing back to back and giving blessing to devotees in the world. It is said that visiting both Ayyappan and Anjaneyar temples for 9 weeks on saturdays will ward of any kind of evil and unpleasantnesses in life.. trust me, it is truth.
8. Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan Temple:- Walkable distance from Ayyapan and Ajaneyar temples is the beautiful new temple of Lord Lakshmi Narasimhan. The pleasant Narasimhan with his consort on the lap gives you all blessings and its is believed that Lakshmi Narasimha always blesses for Runa Vimochanam. Means, we get rid of our loans, here the great context of our bondages with people, materialistic things and life I guess. Real beautiful temple that you should not miss seeing. It is in 24th Street of TillagangaNagar.
9. Karumani Amman Temple:- This is the old temple which is on the adjacent side of Lakshmi Narasimhan temple and facing the new bridge connecting velacheri..The goddess is beautiful here and adjacently we have Lord Balaji blessing as you enter the temple
10. Sri Raja Rajeshwari Temple and sri Lakshmi satyanarayana perumal temple:- Nanganallur Raja rajeshwari is famous since old days and because of this temple's goddess "Nangai"..the area got its name as Nanganallur. The approach roads are bad but plan to park your vehicles at distance and walk to the beauty of the godess with Kumkumam in the first floor of the temple. 16 steps and every step is adored with one form of the goddess and its nice to visit Perumal after Amman darshan in the ground floor adjascent Satyanarayan swami temple,.where goddess Lakshmi who is present on the chest of Satyanarayan swami.
11. Sri Ardhanadeeswaran and Durgai Temple:- This temple is located in the main market place of Nanganallur. This temple is called as KethuStalam and the near by temple tank is said to be where the idol of Ardhanadeeswarar was found by Paramcharya. Durgai amman is beautiful and pleasant in this temple and called as "Sarvapalla Nayaki" means the goddess who gives everything.
12. Dharmlingeswaran Temple:- This temple is located in south Nanganallur and is said to be the oldest temple in the area. Build during Pallava dynasty, more than 1000 years old, this temple is an indication of a established civilization during good olden days as well in Nanganallur,. Lord Dhanmeswar was discovered during a construction and the temple was later renovated and worshiped.
13. Navaneetha Krishnan and Lakshmi Narasimhar temple - This temple is an old one dated to 8th century and beautiful for its architecture. The main sanctum, facing east enshrines the imposing image of the principal Deity, Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. The other murtis, which adorned the beautiful main sanctum are those of Lord Pradosha Narasimha, for whom special worship is performed during every pradosha and Sri Chakrattazhvar (Sudarsana). Also seen here are images of Sri Vishvaksena, Svami Nammazhvar, Sri Ramanuja and Sri Vedanta Desika. An interesting and rare architectural feature of this sanctum is a circular shaped pillar which resembles a stambha from which Lord Narisimha emerged to protect His child-devotee Prahlada.
14. Oppliappan Temple:- This temple is the oldest temple for Oppliappan in Madipakkam and the main deity is Lord Rama in Pattabishekam rupam.
15. Sri Gayathri Devi Temple and Mother and Aurobindo Centre:- Gayathri devi temple is in the complex of the Mother Centre for Meditation and with Vinayagar and Gayathri devi.
Close to Puzhithivakam late is the beautiful meditation centre of Mother of Pondicherry. Similar to Pondy, the serenity of the silence, flowers and incense smell, makes the place vibrate in a silence where only our inner consciousness emerges with peace and contentment.
16. Visa Anjaneyar:- This is the small Anjaneyar temple very close to Modern school in Nanganallur, where people believe that prayers at this temple brings them opportunties abroad :-) Sounds funny, but its again , believes and thats turn true I guess...so try your luck.
Past weekend was amazing with visits to some of these temples taking my mom on her spiritual tour of Nanganallur and same time trying to imbide values of worship, faith and rituals in my little one... Enjoy your temple visits. There can be many more that I am not aware of and would like readers to share information on them with me in comments.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Why is Diwali Celebrated? Be a Light Unto Yourself
Be a Light Unto Yourself
Swami
Chaitanya Keerti
For Osho-lovers around the world, the celebration is not confined to any
particular day such as Holi or Diwali. Osho teaches us to live each moment of
our life with a spirit of celebration, as it is a non-ending phenomenon of
timeless dimension. But at the same time we welcome each festival celebrated by
different people of different cultures, as our basic approach is positive. What
really matters is positive and celebrative approach. We welcome Diwali and all
other festivals with this spirit.
This festival of lights is very significant for all of us, as it can
function as a reminder that we need to bring light into our life. Though there
are historical reasons to celebrate Diwali - to remember Lord Rama's victory
over Ravana, victory of Good over Evil, and celebrate with lighting the lamps
and enjoying the firecrackers but that's not the main purpose of celebrating
Diwali. People need to meditate and transform their lives, enlighten themselves
and spread light all around.
Osho says: Two religions in
That is the Hindu reason. For Jains this is not the reason. Mahavira became
enlightened on the same day, and Mahavira is the most important individual in
the history of Jainism. Jainas are celebrating because Mahavira attained
liberation. And he attained liberation in a unique way - Gautam Buddha became
enlightened on a full-moon night. And except for Mahavira, anybody who has
become enlightened has done so either on a full-moon night or close to it.
Mahavira is unique in that he became enlightened on the night of amawas ,
no moon, and complete darkness. He is alone; there is nobody else who has
become enlightened on the night of amawas.
Osho adds: Mahavira became enlightened
on the no-moon night, amawas . The full moon night is called purnima -
the moon has become perfect, purna. And the no-moon night is when there
is no moon at all, absolute darkness. Except Mahavira, nobody has become
enlightened on amawas, no-moon night. Mahavira's name was not Mahavira -
Mahavira means a great warrior. His name was Vardhaman. But because he became
enlightened on amawas , no-moon night, he proved that he could go
against the current. It was natural for everybody to become enlightened on the
full moon night, but this fellow Mahavira tried to go against the normal order
of things, and still managed to become enlightened.
In
Diwali simply means moving from darkness to light - Tamso Ma Jyotirgamaya .
And that's the message of Upanishads, the sages and all the enlightened Beings.
Buddha says: Appo Deepo Bhav . Be a light unto yourself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)