My niece's birthday

Yesterday was my niece (sister's daughter) Reshma's birthday. She was born in 1993. Married to a Mechanical Engineer, she is an Electronics and Telecomm Engineer. She works in a multinational Publishing Company and has travelled to many countries from Czekoslovakia to Singapore on work. 

Sometimes, my beloved brother used to forget birthdays. I used to remind him the day before the birthdays of my close relatives. 

Like every time I remember him, this time too I miss him with heavy heart and moist eyes.

L to R: My niece and my beloved brother during the 1st birthday of my brother's grandson nearly a year ago.

My blessings to my niece and her family.

Pottery mending

If our porcelain teacup or plate is broken, most of us discard these and buy new ones. But some people strive to repair these and continue to use these. This gives a feeling of belonging. I came across an interesting documentary on such people and craftspeople who mend the broken pottery. The show ends with a display of the power of planting a tree. Let me share the amazing show. 

Prof Lumumba's Africa

In his most recent episode of Lumumba's Africa, charismatic Prof. Lumumba continued explaining the effects of colonisation of African countries. He explained the contributions of leaders such as Julius Nyerere as well as those of Russia against colonisation. I have literally seen Russian contribution in economic development of Ethiopia. Russia never colonised any African country. It is sad that today Russia and Ukraine are in war although as far as I have known, people's of both countries in general, are good. I wish that the war ends as early as possible and that peace prevails in both countries.

Sansthan Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. This day is celebrated as Holikaa Paurnimaa.

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏

Pamela Bach

Day before yesterday's death of Pamela Bach at 62 is sad news. Her fans will remember her action in TV shows such as Baywatch telecast in late 1980s. This was a period when TV Channels used to telecast shows such as Bold and the Beautiful. (These shows were very popular among educated middle and upper middle class folks like me, all over the world).

May Pamela's soul rest in peace.

Saint Raaghavendra Swaamy

This evening there was a spiritually enriching programme on Sri Sankara TV Channel. In this program entitled 'Raghavendra Bhavayami', Shri Dushyanth Sridhar, explained how evil Mantharaa brainwashed Keikeyee etc. He also mentioned about Shree Madhwaachaarya, Chief Aacharyaa of Maadhwaa community to which I belong. 

Although Shree Raghavendra Swamy shed his mortal remains and called by Shree Mahaa Vishnu, many years ago, he is believed to continue to bless Shree Mahaa Vishnu devotees; his Ashram is popularly known as Shree Raghavendra Swamy Mutt. 

The programme featured melodious religious songs by Sivasri Skandaprasad

As I have mentioned before, my brother was a devotee of Lord Shree Krishna to the extent that most of his computer related online passwords were related to Lord Shree Krishna's Names and that he donated his reasonably new (a few months old) TATA Nono car to ISKCON Chennai, nearly 15 years ago.

With heavy heart, I remember that the last time I met my beloved brother last month, a few days before he passed away, I saw a laminated  pocket sized picture of Shree Raghavendra Swamy on his bed near him.

Shree Dushyant Shreedhar 

Sivasri Skandaprasad 

Shree Raghavendra Swamy 

My beloved brother Ramesh

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Library

From my boyhood days, I have always had a fascination for good books. During college days, I used to spend my free time in the college library. 

I fondly remember how the British Council Library and the USIS Library used to send books by mail to their members who reside in places away from Chennai. I was resident in Vellore, and I used to long for these books.

After entering the teaching profession, I used to spend my leisure times either in the School Library or in the Physics lab. 

Wherever I got posted, I used to be a regular visitor to the local library. I fondly remember the UNESCO Library, German Cultural Centre Library and the British Council Library in Addis Ababa. I remember the British Council Library in Gaborone, Southern Africa; I used to visit it to collect books and media for me as well as for the Science Department of School in which I worked; I was Audio-visual Coordinator in the Department.

In the mid 1990s, I had the pleasure of obtaining Institutional Membership of the British Council Library, Chennai, for PREPARE, an excellent NGO in which I worked. This became the first NGO to be a Member of the British Council Library, Chennai.

This afternoon NHK WORLD JAPAN TV Channel telecast an interesting documentary on libraries. Let me share it here.

Tofu: Japanese delecasy

This afternoon, NHK WORLD JAPAN TV Channel telecast an interesting documentary on Tofu, a very popular food item not only in Japan but also globally including in our country. The show featured different types of Tofu.

It is 100% vegetarian and delicious.

Tofu to Japan is what coffee is to Ethiopia, piezza is to Italy, noodles are to countries such as Thailand and Cambodia, Netherlands to cheese, Switzerland to chocolates, wine to Germany, beer to South Africa, and dosa is to India.

Girl's day in Japan

Japan celeberates it's Girl's Day today. 

Ukraine and Russia

Although I am neither an enthusiast in politics nor  a competent person in commenting on political affairs, from a socio-economic perspective, I am a keen observer of the political scenario.

In the recently held meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymir Zelanskky, it looks like the former overplayed his role. Besides, it looked like the US side dominating the dialogue. I think that there should be no place for domination in any dialogue or bilateral communication. 

It brings a ray of hope for peace in Ukraine and Russia, with today's meeting of European leaders convened by the Britsh Prime Minister. 

Let us hope that the meeting strives to achieve peace in Ukraine and Russia. 

I wish that Mr Volodymir Zelanskyy is not isolated and that he is given all support that he and his people deserve.