Indian political leaders

Today marks the death anniversary of Mrs Indira Gandhi and birth anniversary of Shri Vallabhai Patel. Both leaders did many sacrifices and served the country.

Bikaner and it's food history

I had the pleasure of viewing 'RAJA RASOI AUR ANYA KAHAANIYAAN' on Epic TV  Channel this evening. The program is presented by charismatic Prof. Pushpesh Pant, a food historian and author.

This evening's episode differed in two aspects from the usual. It featured 100% vegetarian food items and featured the Royal family  of Bikaner, Rajasthan. It was amazing to see the simplicity of Mahima Kumari and Siddhi Kumari, the princesses when cooking food items using their own hands (though for the program's sake) and when they sat on a simple cot offered by local village folk and conversed with them. It was nice to see that both the princesses and the village people were comfortable with each other. The princesses travelled in an autorikshaw though they could have used any luxurious car. Their simplicity is admirable. Raajasthaani folk song added colour to the episode.

(I was called for an interview for the post of Principal, by Birla Public School, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in 1993. Somehow I didn't attend the interview. If I had attended, I would have probably been selected and would have visited Jaipur, Bikaner and other places in Rajasthan. I think that I made a mistake in not having attended the interview).

Multicultural restaurant

It was interesting viewing 'Food Safari Australia' on Foxlife TV Channel this evrning. It featured multicultural restaurants in Australia. 

Although most of the contents put me off as they involve non-vegetarian food, a few such as the South African origin restaurant owned and run by people of South African origin including Indians, Zulus etc. are interesting. 

This evening's episode introduced 'Bunny Chow', basically a delicious Indian snack consisting of bread in which vegetables cum fruits are mixed in their liquid forms. 

I fondly remember the Indian restaurants not only in South Africa but also in neighbouring countries in Southern Africa. I particularly remember an Indian origin South African restaurant in Gaborone. It was owned and run by a Malayaalee guy from Kerala and his  South African Indian wife. I was a regular customer to his restaurant (the name of which I don't remember).

Bishen Singh Bedi's demise

Today's news that Bishen Singh Bedi has passed away comes as a shock provided the fact that he was a legendary bowler and was just 77.

I liked his cricket performance as I was considered to be a slow speed left arm spin bowler during my college days. (My left arm and left leg are always stronger than than my right ones due to my polio). 

His fans will remember him for the laurels that he brought for our country.

Divine discourse

This evening, it was immensely joyful to view a Divine discourse on 'Shreemad Bhagavath Kathaa' by highly charismatic Shree Krishna Chandra Shastri Jee on Ashthaa TV Channel. Shree Shastri Jee was explaining the importance of mind control, devotion and humility.

Madhwa Jayanthi

Today is an auspicious day to Shree Mahaa Vishnu devotees who follow Shree Madhwaachaarya's teachings, traditions and religious practices. Madhwaachaarya guides devotees to develop Gnaana (Knowledge about Shree Hari), Bhakthi (Devotion to Shree Hari) and Vairaaghyaa (Detachment).

It gives joy to me to share a Utube video containing an animated version of the life history of Shree Madhwaachaarya.

Food history

I had the pleasure of viewing 'RAJA RASOI AUR ANYA KAHAANIYAAN' on Epic TV Channel this evening. The program is presented by charismatic Prof. Pushpesh Pant, a food historian and author.

This evening's episode differed in two aspects from the usual. It featured 100% vegetarian food items and featured the Royal family  of Bikaner, Rajasthan. It was amazing to see the simplicity of two princesses when cooking food items using their own hands (though for the program's sake) and when they sat on a simple cot offered by local village folk and conversed with them. It was nice to see that both the princesses and the village people were comfortable with each other. The princesses travelled in an autorikshaw though they could have used any luxurious car. Their simplicity is admirable. 

I think that this is what good governance is all about.

Vijaya Dashami

Today is the last day of the Navaraathri Festival. This day is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami. According to our Uttaraadi Mutt Almanac, today is Budhdha Jayanthi, birth anniversary of Budhdhaa, an incarnation of our Supreme Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu, who is the Founder President and CEO of the entire Universe and the 14 worlds, space and all things in them. Shree Mahaa Lakshmi serves Him as the Vice President and COO of the Enterprise. 

I fondly remember the dolls exhibition in our house, like in many Brahmin houses in those golden years. I have described about this in a few previous posts.

I also fondly remember 'Gangamma Jaathraa' held by local people as a form of worshipping Gangamma (meaning 'Mother Gangaa') in Greamspet, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, where my maternal grandparents were settled. 

Navaraathri Fest

As a part of Navaraathri Fest, today is an important day and is observed as Saraswathi Poojaa. On this day, devotees worship Sage Vedavyaasaa and his disciple Sages. They also worship divine mother Saraswathi, wife of Lord Brahmaa. 

(My landlord invited me to take lunch with his family today. He is a nice gentleman with a family of kind wife, a son and a daughter. He is a retired engineer and has worked in reputed Companies. One of the dishes served in the lunch was 'busy uppinikkaayi', a Kaanada language term meaning freshly made mango pickles. I remember my mother making this delicious side dish as my father liked it very much). Following is a Google image of bisi uppinikkaayi:

As in all Fests, devotees worship Shree Mahaa Vishnu (the God Supreme) and His wife Shree Mahaa Lakshmi, our Divine Parents.

Following is a Google image of our Divine Parents surrounded by Lord Brahmaa, Lord Rudraa, Garudaa, Seshaa and Deva Rishi Naaradaa, all of whom are His creations.

Lord Shree Krishnaa's Pandhokhar Dham

Whenever possible, I view a program from Pandhkhar Dhaam on Aashthaa TV Channel. I regret that it never struck to me to visit this divine place in Dhatheeya, MP, when I was serving in a school in Lalitpur, UP, for a few months in the early 90s, after returning from South Africa. Datheeya was just an hour or two by train from Lalitpur. 

The program reminds me of pleasant moments (though I did have very unpleasant moments) during my stay at Lalitpur. I fondly remember my good colleagues such as Mrs Renu Bansal, Mrs/Ms Ametha Singh, Selvaraj, Mrs Sangeetha Sharma etc.

Nine nights Fest

Today marks the beginning of Navaraathri, a festival known as 'Nine nights Festival'. This period is very auspicious and devotees worship Goddesses Shree Mahaa Lakshmi, Shree Paarvathi and Shree Saraswathi. Goddess Shree Durgaa, who also played numerous roles including assuring the evil minded king Kamsa (maternal uncle of Lord Shree Krishna) that Lord Shree Krishna will kill him and thereby destroy evil. In places such as West Bengal, this Fest is celebrated as Durgaa Poojaa.

A good colleague's death

This evening, Sreejith, a good young man and a former colleague sent a message that Ramesh Khanna, a brilliant 3 D animator and a soft spoken and well mannered guy in his early forties or so passed away last night. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.

World Teachers' Day

Today is World Teachers' Day, a day of tribute to all dedicated teachers all over the world, and a day of thanks-giving to Shree Mahaa Vishnu, our Divine Guru and and President & Founder CEO of our Universe.

I fondly remember my beloved parents, good teachers who taught me during my school and college days, and dedixated colleagues in different countries (in which I worked).

Shree Mahaa Vishnu (Akshar Dham)

This evening I had the joy of viewing a religious program presented by Gujarat based Swami Naaraayan Temple. The program featured the Dheekshaa Ceremony

It was nice to see a portrait of Shree Madhwaachayaa in the temple complex.

It was amazing to infer the deep Bhakthi aspect of devotees in a land mass that is situated far away from Bhaarath, our home country.

Gandhi Jayanthi

Today being the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhiji, is an important day to all patriotic Indians. Gandhian philosophy shaped many leaders such as Neslson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. Today is also the birth anniversary of Shree Lal Bahadur Shastri.