U S Election 2024 Trump 2.0

Congratulations to Mr Donald Trump on his having won the election. I think that he is a good friend of India. He has always reminded me of Mr Bob Williams, a Caucasian American and my Headmaster when I was teaching Physics in a Government Senior Secondary School in Southern Africa during the late 1980s.  

Mr Donald Trump and Shree Narendra Modi

Divine discourse

This evening it was spiritually enriching to view Shreemad Bhaagavath Kathaa by Shree Sanjai Krishna Saleelji Maharaj in Kolkota, via Aashthaa TV Channel.  He explained how Shree Mahaa Vishnu gave mokshaa to Gajendraa, an elephant whose leg was tightly held and bitten by a crocodile. This incident is popularly known as Gajendra Moksham. 

The programme was sponsored by Naaraayan Sevaa Sansthaan.

Divine discourse

This evening it was joy to view spiritual talk by Shree Prembhushanji Maharaj in Hindu Spiritual Programme on Aashthaa TV Channel. Shree Morari Bapu's presence in the audience added more spiritual aroma to the function.

Jai Shree Raam🙏.

Death of Quincy Jones

Recent death of legendary singer and producer Quincy Jones has made the American Music scene deficient.

Although I have not listened to any of his songs, like many soft rock enthusiasts in the 1960s to 1980s, I knew that he worked with many talented singers such as Stevie Wonder, and that he was instrumental in producing the 1985 hit song We are the world in which many legendary singers participated. Singers in the song included legendary musicians from different genres of western pop music of those times. The team included Kenny Rogers (Country and Western), Lionel Ritchie, West Indian singer Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon (softrock musician who was previously in 'Simon and Garfunkel' with  'Mrs Robinson' as title song in the movie 'The Graduate'), etc. Bob Geldoff gave shape to this project after visiting Ethiopia.

I nostalgically remember the song. Let Mr Quincy Jones' soul rest in peace.

Saint's Mukthi Day

Today is an important day as anniversary of the day on which Shree Satyapramodha Theertha Swaamiji, Guru of Shree Sathyaathma Theertha Swaamiji, our community's chief Swaamiji, passed away. Shree Sathyaathma Theertha Swaamiji has composed a song as tribute to his Guru. Let me share his song.

From left to right: Shree Satyapramodha Theertha Swaamiji and Shree Sathyaathma Theertha Swaamiji 

Shree Krishna arpanam asthu🙏.

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a spiritually very historic day in the Hindu Calender. This day is celebrated as Bali Prathipat.

Festival of lights

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It is celeberated as Deepaavali (meaning Festival of lights). This is the day on which Lord Shree Krishna killed Narakaasuraa, a demon. Lord Shree Krishna, Lord Shree Raam, Shree Mahaa Vishnu and His wife Shree Mahaa Lakshmi are offered special worship today. Wick lamps are humbly submitted to Shree Mahaa Vishnu as a token of gratitude for all that He has given to us with humble request to Him to dispel the darkness in us and enlighten us, that just like a lamp dispels darkness.  A ritual of respect to Yama Dharma Raajaa, one of the numerous deities in Shree Mahaa Vishnu's Empire, is also performed on this day.

Yama Dharma Raajaa 

Shree Mahaa Vishnu and Shree Mahaa Lakshmi surrounded by Garuda, Seshaa, Brahmaa, Rudraa, Deva Rishi Naaradaa and other deities in Vaikuntaa

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏

Divine Discourse

It is good that Aastha TV Channel keeps introducing spiritual speakers. This evening it was joy viewing Shreemad Bhagavath Kathaa by Shree Sanjeev Mishra. He explained the popular Ajaamil Charithram. He also mentioned about the Shree Mahaa Vishnu devotion of Kabirdas.

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏

South Pacific

It is a well known fact that regions such as West Indies and Pacific Islands are sidelined by Media including TV Channels. Thankfully there are a few TV Channels that do cover these regions as well. One such is ABC Australia TV Channel. This channel telecast an interesting programme this evening. Let me share the programme. Samoa may not be as strong as American Samoa, but this island country is culturally more authentic than it's American counterpart.

CHOGM at Samoa reminds me of the late 1980s when it was once held in Nassau, The Bahamas. My maternal uncle (my mother's brother) was Branch Manager of the Offshore Branch of State Bank of India at that time. The then Prime Minister Shree Rajiv Gandhi and his wife visited the Branch and met with the Indian community , on a good will visit.

 

Ramon Magsaysay Awards

This evening there was an interesting news documentary on this year's Ramon Magsaysay Awards . One of the awardees is a Bhutanese medical doctor. As a school teacher who worked in Bhutan for a few years in the late 1980s, I found thedocumentary very interesting.