Shree Hari Fests

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender for two reasons. This day is observed as Shayani Ekaadashi. Today marks the beginning of Chaathur maasya vrata.

NHK World TV

As I have mentioned in my earlier posts, NHK World TV is one of my favourite TV Channels. This morning there was an interesting episode in it's 'Home town stories'.

As you can see, this video gives insight into often ignored or overlooked aspects of teacher student relationship that is followed strictly in Hinduism, from which Bhudhism derived.

My interest in Cambodia

As a professional who worked in Cambodia, I retain my interest in this country and it's people. This morning it was interesting to view a program on Angkor Wat as telecast by CNN. Bhudhism is the state religion of the country. As Bhudhism is derived from Hinduism, many traditions of ancient Hindu practices such as bachelor young men seeking food by visiting households in the area and presenting them to priests in the temple, who used to share the food with their disciples are being followed to this day all over the country. It is believed that the country was inhabited by kings from Chola or Pallava dynasty in Tamilnadu and that they established the Khmer dynasty in the country. 

After viewing the above mentioned program, I had the pleasure of viewing another interesting program on TravelXP, another favourire TV Channel of mine. This program reminded of my stay in Shaba, where I worked as a teacher, and my 4 miles walks to Paro post office to collect my letters after lunch by which time the classes would be over. I fondly remember my colleague and good friend Nagarajan (from Nagapattinam), who used to accompany me to Paro and back. He was a Brahmin like me. State religion Bhutan is also Bhudhism.

According to historic evidences, these two countries and many others including present day Afghanistan in West Asia to Indonesia in South East Asia were parts of ancient India known as 'Bhaarath versh'.

Jagannaath Puri Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in Bhaarath. Today marks the beginning of two days festivities commemorating Lord Shree Krishna in His Form as Lord Jagannaath in Ratha Yaathraa.

As in all such occasions, the program is telecast live by our national and regional TV Channels as shown in this video. Puri Jagannaath Temple itself telecasts this program live as in this link.

Lord Jagannaath's Ratha Yaatraa Fest is organised and enjoyed not only in Bhaarath ((India) but also in many other countries by Vaishnavite devotees.

I fondly remember ISKCON's Ratha Yaatraa festival organised by my beloved brother in our apartment complex; our beloved mother was alive at that time.

Divine book launch

It was great joy to view the launch function of the book '1000 Naamangal and 1000 Kathaikal' on Sankara TV this morning. Dr U Ve Venkatesh is a young Vaishnavite gentleman professionally qualified as medical doctor. He is a highly charismatic  divine speaker with charming personality.

African leaders meeting with Putin

Recent news that African leaders are meeting Vladimir Putin seems to be a very welcome move. I have literally seen how Russia had helped Ethiopia, when I was working in Ethiopia in 1982-83. Almost every educated Ethiopian had been influenced by Russian socialist views.

I hope that the meeting brings a halt to the Russia Ukrain war.

Nauseating neighbourhood

With increasing number of apartment complexes, we are left with no choice to reside in them. Like elsewhere, we are fine if neighbours are fine. But otherwise, problems crop up. I am experiencing one such problem sometimes; when I move into my bathroom, I find it to be overwhelmed by a very nauseating foul smell. I heard that some relatives have come to visit my neighbour residing in the floor below that of mine. I don't understand why the person who uses the toilet doesn't flush the toilet immediately after every defacation. 

It is frustrating when people don't rise above basic animal instincts although they try their best to show off how educated they are.

Indo-Cambodia Relationship

A few days back, Mr Norodom Sihamony, King few of Cambodia, was on a three days' state visit to our country.

Interestingly, the previous visit of Cabodian Head of State to India was by the present King's father Norodom Sihanouk, in 1963 (at which time I was a 12 years old high school student).

I fondly remember my tenure in Cambodia when I had the pleasure of meeting our Indian ambassador to Cambodia and discussing and initiating possibilities of training Cambodian Education Ministry staff in capacity building in Institutes of Higher Learning and Universities in our country.