Government mismanagement

Recently Gukesh, a teenage chess player, won the first rank in an international chess tournament held in Canada. Like all patriotic citizens I feel proud at this. 

But what I cannot stand is the way in which our politicians and Government Agencies treat the winner by giving huge cash prizes such as Rs 75 Lakhs given to Gukesh. If it is Mr Stalin's personal money, it is up to him. But this money is tax payer's money. 

The boy comes from a very affluent parentage with his ENR surgeon father and Microbiologist mother. Besides, the very fact that he is a student of Velammal School is enough evidence of the boy's wealthy financial background provided the obvious fact that Velammal School has always been charging very exorbitant fees (far higher than that stipulated by the Government) and any even minded Education Management Professional would know how such high fee charging schools function.

I don't think that it is ethical of politicians to use public funds for self centered interests. Such practices should be banned.

The amount given to the boy could have been used very effectively to buy chess boards and other such materials, to improve sports facilities etc. in our Government Schools. In this way, children from poor families can also be benefitted.

Berlin in United Germany

During lunch, as I was browsing the TV Channels, I came across an interesting program on DW TV. It was a documentary on Berlin.

Half of Berlin city belonged to West Germany (known as Federal Republic of Germany) and the other half, to East Germany (German Democratic Republic) with the two countries backed by the US and the then USSR respectively before the Berlin Wall was dismantled in the late '80s or early '90s. I remember how my colleagues from West Germany were doubtful about the benefits of unification of these two countries as a single country. When we look at history, we can find that both countries benefited from the unification and the dismantling of the Berlin Wall.

I tried to provide a link to the program, but couldn't find any option in DW TV's website.

There are other examples such as Vietnam as well, with similar results.

I think that when countries unite, they are stronger.

Hanumad Jayanthi

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It is the birth anniversary of Hanumaanji, a great devotee of Lord Shree Raam. He is considered to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva, who is considered to be a great devotee of Shree Mahaa Vishnu.

Hanumaanji manifested as Bheemaa in Dwaapara Yugaa and as Shree Madhwaachaarya in this Kali Yugaa. Madhwaachaarya is the leading sage of Maadhwaa community, to which I belong.

Today is celeberated as Hanumad Jayanthi.

Hanumaanji with Lord Shree Raam and Shree Seethaa Devi in his heart

Ecstatic Shree Madhwaachaarya with Shree Krishna Idol that he found in the ocean

Let me share a Utube video showing Cambodian depiction of the part of Raamaayana, in which Hanumaanji meets Shree Seethaa Devi.

Migrants and community service

As I have mentioned in my previous posts, NHK WORLD JAPAN TV Channel brings out very good documentaries. One of these is 'Where We Call Home'.

This evening's episode of the program featured a migrant from Bangladesh who is settled in Japan for more than twenty years. Married to a Japanese woman, he and his wife serve the local community in Japan as well as his native village in Bangladesh. The episode also features a migrant from Morocco who helps the local community in Japan. Let me share the episode.

Chennai power cuts

It is a well known fact that frequent power cuts are normal in many parts of Chennai, including that in which I reside.

There has been a power cut for nearly two hours, as I am writing this post. I understand that the Tamilnadu Electricity Board office has been informed of this. But still, as usual, there is no appropriate action by Government officials. 

I think that politicians and officials who are insensitive to consumer (who is also a tax payer) needs, and are irresponsible should be brought to justice and dismissed from service for life (not mere suspension from duties). Unless this happens politician rascals and government official rascals will continue to behave in this disgraceful manner.

These evil people deserve handling.

 

Old traditions and customs

It was pleasure viewing a documentary on NHK WORLD JAPAN TV Channel's 'Zero Waste Life Special'. The program features a granny's attempts to preserve old traditions even today. Her attempt to educate her grandchilden on the use of mosquito nets made me remember my beloved mother's attempts, when we were children. We enjoyed sleeping inside the mosquito nets. Those were good old days. 

Divine discourse

It was great joy listening to Shreemad Bhagavath Kathaa this evening on Sanskaar TV by Acharya Mridul Krishna Maharaj.

Shree Raam Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. This day is celebrated as Shree Raama Navami by Hindu people all over the world.

Lord Shree Raam lived during Threthaa Yugaa that preceded Dwaapara Yugaa. Duration of Dwaapara Yugaa was 8 Lakhs and 64 thousand human years. It was during Dwaapara Yugaa that Lord Shree Krishna incarnated. Now we are in Kali Yugaa, that began nearly 5000 years after Dwaapara Yugaa ended. 

The Beatles memory

Recent news that the 1970 movie 'Let It Be' featuring The Beatles' last song is about to be released after 50 years, next month. It will be an occassion of pleasure to numerous fans of the Fab Four globally.

Lake Biwa and the wooden bench

As I have mentioned in some of my previous posts, Japan's NHK World TV Channel is a good source of information on Japanese Culture and Traditions. This morning, it was pleasure to view an episode of  it's 'Document 72 hours' programme. It featured lake Biwa and a small wooden bench in front of it. As in all such programmes, it was amazing to see how the people who visit the lake not only cherish all the goodness that the lake offers but also pay their thanks to the small wooden bench placed under a tree in front of the lake. Let me share the episode.

Traditional New Year Day

Hindus in Kerala, Tamilnadu and some other states in India celeberate today as their traditional New Year Day. People in countries such as Cambodia and Laos also celeberate today as their New Year Day due to their Hindu ancestry.

Electrifying vintage cars

Although I stopped self-driving years ago, I retain my interest in cars of 1980s to 2000, probably like many people of my age (72 years).

This morning's episode of WION TV'S Tech It Out carried a news report on electrifying vintage cars. Seems to be a good idea.

Mathsya Jayanthi

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. This day is celebrated as Mathsya Jayanthi.

Swagati Laxmi Dasgupta

Thanks to Tatasky and DD Madhya Pradesh; I had the pleasure of viewing a song by Ms Swagata Lakshmi Dasgupta in 'Geetaanjali' program on TV this afternoon. 

This song is a tribute to Gandhiji. The program showed Mrs Indira Gandhi as well. 

Gandhiji and Indira Gandhi  were assassinated by rascals. Indira Gandhi's assassin was acquitted by a rascal criminal lawyer named Ram Jethmalani. This Ram Jethmalani was appointed as Law Minister when Mr Vajpayee was Prime Minister in the BJP led Central Government at that time.

Traditional New Year Day

Some days in this week and the next are important to Hindus all over the world. They celeberate these days as traditional New Year Day depending upon their regional and traditional beliefs. For example,  people in Telengana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh celebrate today as Ugaadhi. People in Maharashtra celeberate it as Gudi Paadwaa. People in Kerala and Tamilnadu celeberate their New Year Day next week.

Divine discourse

I had the joy of listening to Dr Shyamsundar Parasharji's Shreemad Bhagavath Kathaa on Ashthaa TV Channel this morning. He explained how the seven sounds 'Sa,...Ni' were formed from sounds of seven different animals and birds, as he explained the verses such as those related to Kunthi's prayer to Lord Shree Krishna to keep giving  sorrowful  experiences to her so that she can remember Him always. Such was her purest form of Krishna Bhakthi.