John Lennon remembered

It was on this day exactly 40 years back that John Lennon of 'The Beatles', one of the most liked soft rock bands of the '60s, was shot dead in his home in New York. He will be remembered by his fans for years to come.

My brother's birthday

Today is my beloved brother's  birthday according to the Western Calender. He was born on 8 December 1957. My best wishes go with him.

Sabhari and Sabharimalaa

Amrita TV channel's Sandhyaa Dheepam is one of my favourite spiritual programmes. In this evening's programme, the speaker (shown in the screen shot below) mentioned that Sabhari Malaa in Kerala, which is popular due to Aiyappan temple, is where Sabhari, an old lady and a devotee of Lord Shree Raam, featured in 'The Raamaayanam', had her Aashram. (Though I am considered to be somewhat good in spoken Malayalaam, my reading skill is zero. Hence I don't know the speaker's name. I didn't hear his name as I was in the kitchen at that time).

It was nice to see Rajendradas jee Maharaaj, one of my favourite gurus, in this morning's episode of Shree Raam Kathaa discourse given by Shree Morari Baapu, at Mathura (where Lord Shree Krishna spent his childhood years).

I think that Shree Avadeshaanandjee Maharaaj is one of the few saintly humans who does great service to humanity through his discourses. It is a divinely satisfying experience to listen to his discourse (given in Johannesburg, South Africa) daily in the evenings, on Aashthaa channel. 

His discourses remind me of the time period during which I worked in Southern Africa.

It was comforting to view and listen to Shree Bhupendra Bhai Pandyaa's mesmerising religious discourse in Hindi and excellent English on Aashthaa channel after several weeks. Needless to say that his Sanskrit quotes are inexplainably divine.

Missed marriage

It was soothing to view David Rocco's 'Dolce India' on TV this morning, after many days, particularly so when feeling lonely. 

I some times feel so lonely that it makes me think that I committed a large blunder in having married to the wrong woman with resultant divorce, and not having got married to my colleague at a Public School in Kotagiri, India, in 1977 or to my Caucasian American penpal (from Charleston, South Carolina) who expressed her desire to marry me, when I was studying for my B Sc Degree during 1968-71, or more recently in 1993, when a dark coloured and good looking gentle colleague displayed her interest in me by saying that I was handsome, when I was working in a school in Jhansi, India; I didn't have the guts to tell that I reciprocated the same desire, to any of these women.

Tigray unrest

I wish that the bombings and unrest in Ethiopia's Tigray region and its capital town 'Makelle' stops and the region returns to normalcy. I fondly remember the friendly people, the cinema hall where I and my fellow teacher recruits from India had enjoyed watching "Noori", a Hindi movie and Abraha Castle, a Government run restaurant in Makelle, where I and Sebastian, my malayaalee colleague used to dine out, way back in 1982. 

Following are photographs taken during my stay in the region:

I and Sebastian with a colleague's daughter in front of our roomsTo my left is Mr Asafa, the school's Director.

Let me share a picture post card that I sent to my beloved parents when I was teaching in Tigray:

Indira Gandhi's bithday

I heard from Vasanth TV channel this morning that today is the birthday of Mrs Indira Gandhi, former Indian Prime Minister. She was one of the best prime ministers in independent India. Although severely criticised for having declared emergency, every sane Indian knew that there was absolutely no corruption in government offices during that period.

Festival of lights (Krishna Fest)

Best wishes for a happy Diwali

James Bond

According to media reports, Sean Connery, 90 years old Scottish  actor who was famous for his roles in James Bond 007 movies died today. He will be remembered by his fans.

World Teachers Day

I had forgotten that 5th October was World Teachers Day (as designated by the UNO). Let us remember our good teachers.

Madhwa Jayanthi

Today is an auspicious day to a community of Brahmins known as Madhwas. This community spread all over the world, considers Madhwachaaryaa, a saint who established 8 Mutts at Udipi with Shree Krishna as  the presiding Deity, as it's Guru. Madhwaacharyaa is considered to have been born on this day. He is considered to have been an incarnation of Bheema, one of the five Paandavaa brothers who lived in Dwaapara Yugaa and of Hanumaanjee, the greatest devotee of Lord Shree Raam, an incarnation of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu. Hanumaanjee is revered and considered to be a chiranjeevi. Jai Shree Raam.

Dusserah Fest

Yesterday marked the end of a 10 day and 9 nights festival known as 'Dusserah' and 'Nava raathri' in Hindu households all over the world. As with many Fests, there had been colourful public celebrations too, for example the famous Raam Leela Fest in Delhi and Dusserah Festival in Mysuru, Karnataka.

During this period, Shree Paarvathi, Shree Mahaalakshmi and Shree Saraswathi are worshipped. During the last three days Shree Vedavyaasa, Shree Raam, Shree Krishna, Parashurama, Lord Hayagreeva and other avatars of Shree Mahaavishnu, as well as Shree Mahaalakshmi, Shree Durgaa and saints, residing in the heart of Shree Saraswathi are worshipped as 'Saraswathi Pooja'. You can read my earlier posts to know more about this annually occurring auspicious Festival.

Gandhiji and Shastriji

Today is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhiji (fondly remembered as father of our nation) and Shree Lal Bahadur Shastriji, our former prime minister. 

A friend in need

Just an hour after I wrote my previous post, my brother phoned me to let me know that Manohar, one of his old friends during school days, phoned him and conveyed his wishes to me. Manohar's elder brother Thyagu was of my age. While Manohar worked in State Bank of India in senior positions, Thyagu did his B Tech in Metallurgy (like Google's Sundar Pitchai) in IIT, Chennai, worked as Senior Executive in the then Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation of Govt of India, went to Tanzania and continued in the Tanzania Government Service. It is nice to hear from old friends after a long time, and to renew friendship (friendship that is sincere unlike the one described in my previous post). I thank God for my sincere friends such as Sreejith, Jose, Selwynn and a few others.

A 'friend' in need

I think that many of us are misled by people whom we trust as good friends. In 1983, when I got admission into the M.Sc. Physics Education Degree Course of the University of Reading in the UK, I applied for scholarship, but didn't succeed. My father asked me to apply for a bank loan by pledging our house (built by hard earned and saved money by my beloved parents). Though I was reluctant to place the symbol of my parents' sacrifices as collateral for the bank loan, after some contemplation and discussion with my parents, I accepted my dad's advice. Soon I visited the local branch of Indian Overseas Bank (Vellore) and met the Branch Manager. He was my neighbour, classmate and a close friend by name V Pandurangan. When I explained the purpose of my visit, he told me that the bank would provide a loan but on one condition that the amount should be repayed within three years, failing which the house would be confiscated by the bank. As I was not sure as to whether I would be able to satisfy this condition, I abandoned the idea. I asked my brother in law (my sister's husband) who was employed in the State Bank of India, as to the rules and regulations for bank loan. He replied that he had no idea about bank loan rules and regulations. Many years later I came to know that what my 'friend' told me was not correct. A few days after I wrote about this episode in this blog a few years back, I received an email from Pandurangan saying how happy he was to know about me from my blog after many years and that he liked to renew our friendship. He also denied what he told me at the bank and asked me to remove the post. I removed the post thinking that it was ethics. But now I think on the contrary. I think that if some one does any thing evil deliberately, his/her action deserves exposure so that others can learn a lesson. Hence I am writing about the incidence now in this post. When he sent his email to me, I didn't reply. I think that he understood the meaning that I was not interested in renewing our friendship.

Doctor's demise

The passing away of Dr P R Krishna Kumar proprietor of Arya Vaidya Shala, Coimbatore, due to comorbid conditions and Covid19 on day before yesterday, is a loss to humanity in general and Ayurvedic fraternity in particular. He was two months younger than me.

This week

This week marks the birth anniversaries of my beloved parents (13th and 17th) according to the English Calender. I fondly remember them.

David Rocco's Durban

David Rocco's 'DOLCE AFRICA' on Foxlife is one of my favourite channels for it takes us to different places and people. This morning's program featured Durban, a city that I liked and visited a few times.

The program took me down my memory lane to Southern Africa, where I worked for a few years nearly 30 yeas back.

 

Vaamanaa Fest

Yesterday was a very auspicious day for Hindus all over the world. It was on this day, billions of years back, that Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated as Vaamanaa, a Brahmin boy, and granted boon to King Mahaa Bali. This day is celebrated as Vaamana Jayanthi. 

People in Kerala and Malayaalee people all over the world celebrate today as Thiru Onam, the last day of 10 day festivities and believe that their ancient king Mahaa Bali visits his subjects in Kerala on this day every year. King Mahaa Bali was the grandson of Prahalaadhaa, the greatest devotee of Lord Lakshmi Narasimhaa, an incarnation  of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu who killed the demon king Hiranya Kashapu, father of Prahalaadhaa.

My beloved father's death anniversary

Today is the death anniversary of my beloved father, according to the Hindu Calender. I and my brother performed the shradhdhaa ritual for him. We fondly remember him. We remember the sacrifices that my beloved parents did, to bring us up.

Ganesh Fest

Today is an auspicious day in the Hindu Calendar. This day is celebrated as Ganesh Chathurti. Lord Ganesh, son of Shree Shiva and Paarvathi Devi, was created on this day, many Yugaas back.

Shree Varaaha Fest

Today is an auspicious day in the Hindu Calendar. This is the day on which Shree Hari took Avataar as Lord Shree Varaahaa, killed Hiranyaakshaa, and protected the Vedaas and all Sanaathana Dharmaa Scriptures as well as our Mother Earth and all living things.

Divine Fests

Today is an auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It was on his day that Shree Mahaa Vishnu appeared as Lord Dhanvanthri during the Divine Churning of the Ocean. Lord Dhanvanthri is worshipped  as Lord of Health and medicines. More recently Lord Balaram was born on this day as elder brother of Lord Shree Krishna on this day in Dwaapara Yugam. In the previous Trethaa Yugam, he was born as Lakshmanaa, younger brother of Lord Shree Raamaa. 

 A few days back there were a message on my TV screen that Tata Sky would drop NHK World TV and Hindu Dharmam from 11 August. Fortunately they haven't done so. Good of Tata Sky. Thanks to them.

Krishna Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu calendar. It is on this day that Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated as Krishna. According to Uttaradi Mutt, to which I belong,  He was born just past midnight.

Self centred Satellite dish providers

I have been a regular subscriber to Tatasky, a Satellite Dish distributor in India, for the past 10 years.

Recently they have announced that they would stop transmitting NHK World TV from 11th. This has been my favourite channel for their  culturally relevant content.

I don't understand the logic behind such moves by Tatasky all of a sudden.

I wish to recall how TATA Motors stopped production of Tata NANO, its single door minicar. It was a very good car.

I think that our Central Government should intervene and put to end such practices by business houses.

Saint Fest

In Madhwa traditions of Vaishnavism, Raghavendra Swamy was one of the most revered saints. Like all saints, although he relinquished his mortal remains and attained SamaadhI, Mantralaya, the place where he attained Samaadhi as well as all those places where the soil from Mantralaya are placed, are revered as divine places not only in India but all over the world. Devotees worship Shree Hari residing in the saint's heart. The  saint  was Prahlaadaa (the  greatest devotee of Lord  Narasimha, an Avataar of Shree Mahaa Vishnu) and Hanumaan Ji (the greatest devotee of Lord Shree Seetha Raam).

Milestone in Indian History

Yesterday marked a mile stone in the history of our great country. As leader and representative of our country's people, honourable Shree Narendra Damodara Modi, participated in the foundation laying ceremony for a new Shree Raam temple in Ayodhya, Lord Shree Raam's  birth place. For the first time, I have seen a Prime Minister well versed in Hindu Scriptural verses. It was pleasure to see our RSS Chief as well as spiritual celebrities such as Poojya Shree Govind Giriji Maharaj and Yoga Rishi Baba Ramdevji Maharaj in the Divine function. Jai Shree Raam.

Shree Mahaa Lakshmi Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. Devotees worship Shree Mahaa Lakshmi, who is the Consort of Shree Mahaa Vishnu.

There is a beautiful song known as "Those were the days" sung by Mary Hopkin in the '60s.

I don't know about others, but I have comitted a few mistakes, which if avoided, would have made me and thereby my parents, happy.

In 1978, I was working in a Public School in Kotagiri, near Ooty, India. There was a colleague; she was daughter of a retired Government Officer. When she introduced me to her father once, he was so happy and asked me to help her tone up her English language skills. As it was a boarding school, she also had to reside in the teacher's quarters and used to go home only on weekends. When doing so, she used to ask me to give my used clothes so that she would get them washed. When the weather was too chilly, she used to take her pull-over and monkey cap away and put these on to me. She relished my singing. On the first page of my songbook where I had written my name, she would add her name so that it would be 'Josephine Guruprasad' and ask me as to how nice the name looked (Her name was not Josephine; I am not letting the readers know her real name for ethical reasons). I was such a fool that I never understood it's meaning (when watching movies I used to close my eyes when fighting, death and romantic scenes were shown, because I didn't like them). I too liked her but never had the guts to tell her so. At that time I had another colleague by name Manohar. He was my classmate and from the same area where we lived in Vellore. He was previously working in a nearby school in Kotagiri and resigned for some reason. I got a job for him in my school. When I told him about Josephine's interest in me, he asked me not believe women. He was probably jealous.  I believed him foolishly. When leaving for Bhutan, I didn't even give my address or phone number to her. I just gave a pen as parting gift (though I had romantic feeling for her). I should have continued to communicate with her from Bhutan; but unfortunately I didn't do this. She was a bit short, soft spoken, dark and good looking. She was from a tribal community but from an educated middle class Hindu parentage. At that time my sister Jyothi was not yet married. Much later, after my marriage failed, when I told my parents about Josephine, they told me that if I had let them know, they would have spoken to her parents, got the marriage fixed and got it done immediately after my sister's marriage. Years later on return from South Africa, I sought a job in the same school with the intention of meeting her if she were not married. To my disappointment, she had got married and settled in Kerala. 

As my cousin said the other day, there seems to be some thing known as fate, and it cannot be changed.

Divine Discourse

Day before yesterday, I had the joy of viewing a Spiritual Discourse on Shree Krishna, by a popular saintly gentleman (a screenshot of whom is posted below), in Telugu. I was drawn to his discourses too, after seeing my mother viewing his discourses with interest.

It was nice to view Shree Bhupesh Bhai Pandya's discourse on Ashta Channel this afternoon, after many months.

After a long time I had the joy of viewing a Praavachanaa by one of my favourite saints on Bhakti TV channel last night. I was worried as to what happened to him all these days. I began liking his discourses after observing my beloved mother viewing his discourses with interest. I don't know his name as I don't know how to read Telugu (If my mother were alive today, I would have asked her).

Rishi Kapoor

It is sad that veteran actor Rishi Kapoor passed away. His fans will remember him for years to come. People of my generation would remember many good Hindi language movies such as 'Amar, Akbar, Antony' and 'Bobby' in which he acted.

Yesterday during his Religious Discourse, respected 'Bhaishree' mentioned as to how marriages breakdown due to ill advice that mothers give to their daughters. It happened in my own case when I got married in 1982 and took my wife abroad where I was working. I think that boys' parents should look into this aspect before their sons get married.

Yesterday was the third anniversary of the death of my beloved mother, according to our traditional Hindu Calender.

Parashuraam Fest

Today is an auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. This was the day when Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated as Lord Parashuraam on this Earth, billions of years back. Devotees offer special worship to Lord Parashuraam on this day.

Traditional New Year's Day

Today is an important day that marks the beginning of traditional new year in states such as Kerala and Tamilnadu in India, as well as in countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Laos in South East Asia. South East Asian countries celebrate their new year's day at the same time because these countries were ruled by kings who migrated from Southern India, particularly Pallavaa kings from Chennai. According to well documented and authentic historic records, ancient India, known as 'Bhaarahta Varsha" stretched from present day Afghanistan to the islands of Bali in Indonesia. I remember the three day long festivities in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2009. People from all over the country used to gather in their capital city for this colorful annual Fest.

New year greetings to all my friends who celebrate the occassion.

Hanumaan Fest

Today is a very auspicious day for Hindus. This is on this day, billions of years back, during Trethaa Yugaa, that Hanumaan, the greatest devotee and servant of Lord Shree Raam, was born. This day is celebrated as Hanumad Jayanthi by Hindus all over the world.

Shree Raam Fest

Today is a very auspicious day for Hindus. It was on this day, billions of years ago, in Tretaa Yuvgaa, that Shree Hari incarnated as Shree Raamachandra and was born to King Dasarathaa and Queen Kaushalyaa in Ayodhyaa, India. This day is celebrated as Shree Raama Navami.

God's Incarnation as Divine Fish

Today is an auspicious day for Hindus. According to tradional Hindu Calender, it is on this day billions of years ago that Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated as a huge fish and saved the Scriptures and saints from demons. This day is known as Matsya Jayanthi. In Samskrit, "matsya" means fish and "Jayanthi" means birth anniversary. Devotees offer special worship to the Divine Fish form of God on this day. This was His Almighty's first among His ten incarnations.

Covid19

As our Governments and communities take all possible steps to treat and prevent the spreading of Coronavirus, I think that it is important to follow what the World Health Organisation says, thanks to the WHO Chief Dr Tedros Gebhreyesus, Asmara (Eritrea) born Medical Doctor.

By the way, the sincerity and dedication of medical staff in Eritrea is nothing new. I and many of my Indian friends have literally experienced their work ethics when we were teaching in their schools, in the early '80s. At that time, Eritrea was a region in Ethiopia. I remember very well equipped hospitals such as Yekatit 12 with modern facilites and very patient friendly staff including local and multinational doctors in Addis Ababa and other cities and towns.

Traditional New Year's Day

Yesterday marked the beginning of traditional new year in many regions of India. In Karnaatakaa, Telengaanaa and Aandhra Pradesh this day is known as Ugaadhi, whereas in Mahaaraashtraa, Raajasthaan etc., it is known as Gudi Paadwaa.

Best wishes to all those who celebrated this day.

One more shutter on the "Country Road"

This evening as I was watching BBC World, I came to know that Kenny Rogers, legendary country music songwriter and singer, passed away. Legendary musicians like Kenny, Glenn Campbell, Nancy Sinatra and Linda Ronstadt, and their songs will be remembered by their fans, for years to come.

Shivaa Fest

Today is an auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It is celebrated as Mahaa Shiva Raathri. Devotees offer special worship to Lord Shiva on this day.

Seethaa Jayanthi

Today is an auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It is the anniversary of the day on which Shree Seetha Devi in her infant form, was found by King Janakaa, during the Tretaa Yugaa, more than 8,69,000 years ago. She was an incarnation of Shree Mahaa Lakshmi and she married Shree Raam (an incarnation of Shree Mahaa Vishnu). Shree Seetha Devi and Shree Raam lived in Tretaa Yuga.

My niece's wedding

I forgot to mention that the wedding of Reshma (my sister's younger daughter) was celebrated on 5th February. I join numerous relatives and friends in wishing the newly married couple.

Crime and punishment

Our President has done a right thing in rejecting the clemency petition of one of the criminals involved in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case. In fact the criminals should not have been given time. They should have been hanged immediately after their offence was proved.

Same severity should be shown on women offenders too if they are involved in rape and murder cases, given the fact that people of both genders are exposed to filthy media nowadays with increasing technological ease.