Life-long learning

Most of us have heard about life-long learning that means that we keep learning through out our lives. I realised the meaning of this some time back. We Indians know that Jaipur is known as 'Pink city'. This evening from a documentary on FRANCE 24 TV Channel, I learnt that Toulouse in France is also known as Pink City. Let me share the interesting documentary show here. 

Kris Kristofferson

According to a TV News Report , 88 years old Kris Kristofferson, an American  singer and actor, died at his home in Hawai.

I don't remember having listened to any of his songs. But people of my generation know that he was associated with popular singers such as Bob Dylan, Barbara Streisland and Johnny Cash. I used to enjoy listening to Country singer Johnny Cash, folk singer-cum-song writer Bob Dylan, etc. during my college days. (I once read that Bob Dylan was influenced by the American poet Dylan Thomas).

Although western soft rock, country and folk music sound similar superficially, music enthusiasts know that they do have obvious differences amongst them.

Kris will be remembered for his Country songs and films by his numerous fans.

International Translation Day

Today is celeberated as International Translation Day. On this day, I fondly remember Mrs Mini Krishnan, my friend and former colleague at Macmillan India Limited now known as Macmillan Education India Private Limited.  She is a simple lady with a great sense of humour. My best wishes to her.

Berlin Marathon

Two Ethiopian athletes have won Men's and Women's Titles in this year's Berlin Marathon. This is not surprising if we look at the history of global athletics. It has always been Africans, in particular Ethiopians and Kenyans, who have been at the top in athletic events. In my professional experience in African countries, I have seen the importance that the public, Government Systems and NGOs attach to popularise athletics and soccar among youth. It is an undeniable fact that these two are more economical than games such as cricket.

Many times I have seen African students practising athletics and soccar during school hours and during weekends. Even in remote African villages, locals gathered to witness their favourite sportspersons take part in these games during holidays.

Technology in our lives

In my previous post, I mentioned the anniversary of Google. It is an undeniable fact that we experience the benefits of technology in our daily lives.

(In my own life, I keep deriving the benefits of technology. When I was a high school student, I was considered to have very good handwriting. Somehow, it gradually became shabby. As I finished my first degree, I thought that typewriter was a better option than writing by hand, when writing letters to friends. I bought a portable typewriter and it did serve me very well. Later in the early '90s, like most people of my age, I began using desktop computer alongwith scanner and printer. In those days, most computers had Windows as the Operating System. I nostalgically remember Windows 3.1 that was easy to use. Rightly or wrongly, compared to Windows 11 that I use in current PC, a laptop, I think that Windows 3.1 was more attractive).

I think that people of my age at 73, are generally not as  interested in going for outings, eating out etc. as they would have been, when they were younger. I like to avoid walking on the streets partly due to my age and partly to avoid rowdy looks of men who smoke and stare at elderly people. Bicycling or self driving one's own car becomes hazardous even after 60 years of age. Thanks to Technology, we have call taxi facilities and mobile phones to assist.

After Google Pay came into being, most of us don't physically go to the bank to pay bills and for other transactions. We don't need to go out for shopping. I am glad that I can pay the monthly wage to my servant maid, rent to my landlord etc. using Google Pay. When calltaxis fail, we are forced to depend on autorikshaw drivers in the city. Although most of them charge exhorbitantly (about no Tamilnadu State Government has taken any step so far), it is good that the drivers can accept payment via Google Pay. 

Technology is beneficial if it is in good hands.    

Google anniversary

Today is Google's 26th anniversary. We all know the immense benefits of Google in our daily lives. Best wishes to Sundar Pichai and his team.

Teacher Recognition

Any educated or unbiased person in India would know the enormous undue pressure from parents and school administraion on school teachers today. 

A few days ago, Singapore Government came up with drastic changes to fix the problem. According to cna TV Channel, teachers in Korea are also under a lot of pressure. The TV programme featured teachers, education professionals at their Education Ministry and parents. It was a well defined documentary. I tried to give a link to the programme but couldn't access any in CNA TV website. 

I think that teachers' status and well being is sidelined by our Central and State Governments although there is a lot of lip service and functions such as Teacher's Day when a few teachers are honoured. But, I don't think that this honour is adequate for the sacrifices made by teachers, who are as important as doctors.   

Shree Raam Kathaa

As I write this post, I derive joy of viewing a divine discourse on Shree Raam Kathaa by Shree Avadeshanandjee Maharaj on Sanskar TV Channel. 

Maharajji explained the importance of offering tharpan to pitrus, arpan to rishis and samarpan to Shree Hari. As usual he quoted verses from the revered Shreemad Bhagavath Geethaa .

(I came to know that he had given discourses in South Africa in the early 1990s. Although I had been working in Southern Africa during that period, there were only a small number of Indian radio stations and only one Indian channel on South African TV. This TV channel used to telecast a Sunday programme lasting 2 hours or so. Hence there was no way to know news about discourses by pundits from India via TV. There was no Internet at that time. If I had known about such discourses, I would have probably enjoyed and spiritually benefitted by listening to them).

Jai Shree Raam🙏.

Dr Manmohan Singh's birthday

Today is birth anniversary of Dr Manmohan Singh. When Shree P V Narasimha Rao was our Prime Minister, these two gentlemen introduced drastic development toward economic growth in our country. Unfortunately, their Congress party lost in general elections due to corrupt politicians in the party, just like when Dr M G Ramachandran was Chief Minister of Tamilnadu; although he was very straight forward, his party lost the general election due to corrupt politicians in the party. 

Oasis in the desert

Any one will know that today's social media including TV Channels are flooded with programmes of bad content. By God's Grace, there are a few channels that stand out from the rest. One such is DD National's Serial on Lord Shree Raam. I strongly feel that parents should encourage children to view these programmes so that they can develope as good adults with devotion to Shree Hari.

Jai Shree Raam🙏.

Lizard menace

Lizards are a common sight in many houses. Mine is no exception. 

I have always been trying to prevent these creatures from stepping into my house. Once I spot any lizard, I try to chase it out. I have been using lizard repellants for a long time. But still, it has not worked, as evidenced by a small lizard that stepped out of the voltage stabilizer of my AC a few minutes back.

I am very allergic to cats and lizards. I don't hate these, but I don't like to let them occupy my residence. I don't know whether there are plenty of people like me. 

Living with lizards is frustrating.

Radical changes in School Education

Singapore is one of the best countries that offers quality school education, although there are common problems such as teachers' workload.

Singapore Education Ministry has come up with drastic reforms in the system according to a news report.

As far as I have observed, there are many problems in School Systems in India, Cambodia etc. Every sensible Indian would know our classroom and school realities such as large sized classrooms, violence, undue workload on teachers etc. 

When I was working in Cambodia, my line manager and Director General at the Inspectorate of Education, Ministry of Education, told me how the school principals used to encourage private tuitions due to poor salary of teachers and how the Education Ministry was trying to handle the issue.

I think that developing countries including our own country can implement similar strategies in our school systems. 

My professional responsibilities in Cambodia included developing materials to improve school quality, gender mainstreaming in schools and different departments in Education Ministry etc. I was glad that I could guide their school principals to monitor and work to get the quality of their schools improved, by developing easy to use materials such as the one outlined  here.

Following is photo that I took when my students were enjoying their game in a high school in which I served as Principal in 1997. It was in Bengaluru:

Mahaalaya Paksha

According to the Hindu Calender, from today to 2 October is a very important period to all Hindus. This period is known as Mahaalaya Paksha. 

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It is celeberated as Anantha Chathurdashi.

Bhaarathee Ramana Mukhyapraana anthargatha Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

My mother's birth anniversary

According to western calender, today is the birth anniversary of my beloved mother. I fondly remember her and my beloved father.

Today is also the birth anniversary of Shree Narendra Modi, our beloved Prime Minister. Best wishes for a happy birthday and many happy returns of the day to Shree Modijee😀🙏.

My father's birth anniversary

I forgot to mention on 13 September that it was my beloved father's birth anniversary.  I fondly remember him and my beloved mother.

Vaamana Jayanthi

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It is the day on which Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated on Earth as Vaamana, a Brahmin boy and blessed King Mahaa Bali. This day is celebrated as Vaamana Jayanthi.

Every year on this day, King Mahaabali is believed to visit his kingdom and return to Pathaala Loka. King Mahaa Bali is a great devotee of Shree Mahaa Vishnu. Malayalees all over the world celeberate this day as Onam.

News from The Beatles

Let me share a recent news item from the official website of legendary soft rock band The Beatles.

Lord Shree Krishna

All Shree Mahaa Vishnu devotees know that the Shree Krishna Temple in Udipi is a very divine abode of Lord Shree Krishna. 

Many of us may not be knowing about the origin of the Divine Idol of Lord Shree Krishna. 

In a recent discourse, the speaker described that Shree Rukmini Devi requested Lord Shree Krishna for His Idol to worship regularly; the Lord blessed her with His Idol; this Idol from Dwaarakka reached Udipi by boat. Shree Madhwaachaarya installed this Idol and thereby installed the Shree Krishna Temple. Let me share the discourse.

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

World Literacy Day

Today is celeberated as World Literacy Day. In spite of numerous National Education Commissions since our country's independence in 1947 and numerous International Education Conferences including Dakar Summit, involving our country as a participant, our country has not reached a satisfactory target. I honestly think that neither successive Central or State Governments including those of Kerala and Punjab, have made any commendable achievement in boosting up the literacy level in financially poor communities in cities, towns, villages and remote areas. I think that our Governments should consider Basic Literacy as priority.

My father's death anniversary

According to the Sanathana Dharma Calender, today is the death anniversary of my beloved father. As in every year, this morning I went to a local Ashram and performed the Shraddhaa ceremony to my beloved father. Every year my brother and I perform the ceremony together. But this year, my beloved brother is ill and is admitted in a hospital. I hope that his health returns to normalcy soon.

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It is celeberated as Ganesh Chathurthi. Like all other deities, Lord Ganesh got his divine powers by Shree Mahaa Vishnu's Grace. Shree Mahaa Vishnu devotees offer special worship to Shree Mahaa Vishnu seated in Lord Ganesh's heart. 

National Teachers Day

Today is celeberated as Teachers Day in Bhaarath Varsh (India), our country.

Divine Fests

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It is celeberated as Balaram Jayanthi, Shree Varaaha Jayanthi and Dhanvanthari Jayanthi. Lord Balaram is the elder brother of Lord Shree Krishna. Shree Varaahaa and Dhanvanthari are incarnations of Shree Mahaa Vishnu.