Autofares in Tamilnadu

My current residence is good enough for me. The only problem that I face is the inaccesibility of online stores such as Big Bazaar in our area. As far as I know, Amazon Store is the only one that caters to our area. Whenever residents need any immediately essential consumer items, they travel to Kumbakonam town by shelling out at least Rs 600 for a return trip. This is expensive. But I don't blame the auto guys as this is the norm in Tamilnadu for decades, with no action by any State Government to fix the issue provided the fact that in all other States, autofares are relatively low. 

One alternative seems to be to self drive an economically viable small car such as TATA NANO XE. But self driving at my age of 75 years is difficult and risky on our roads.

Our Tamilnadu State Governments have failed to address the autofare issue for decades. No political party has included this issue in it's pre-election manifesto. Strangely, although different communities have staged protests and demonstrations on different issues, none of them have included autofares in their agenda at any time.

I think that it is high time that our State Government looks at this issue and fix it at least now, after several years of neglect.

Hindu Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. Devotees perform Naaga Panchami on this day. 

I fondly remember my beloved mother performing this poojaa every year except during her last few years when she  became very weak.

My beloved parents 

Shree Mahaa Vishnu with His wife Shree Mahaa Lakshmi 

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayana🙏

Southern African Indian Cuisine

This evening there was an episode of 'Every bite takes you home' presentd by Indira Naidoo on ABC TV CHANNEL. 

The episode featured South African Indian Cuisine. Although the documentary was not interesting to me as it centered on non-veg food, it reminded me of the late 1980s and early 1990s when I was working in Southern Africa. I nostalgically remember my visits to my Brahmin friends such as Shree Dayanand Sharmaji, Shree Manjunath, Shree Balasubramaniam and Shree Ganapathi. I am thankful to them for not only enabling me eat delicious 100% vegetarian food items but also for good conversations. I am also thankful to Mrs Dr Ram Devineni, wife of the Chief Medical Officer at the District Govt Hospital, Mrs Meera Chandra, my colleague and Mrs Surjeet Singh Gill, wife of my colleague, for cooking delicious vegetarian Indian food and enabling single guys such as me and my colleague Sasikant Rai to enjoy eating them. I and my Indian friends used to get home cooked vegetarian snacks from a few Gujarathi families settled in the region. I thank them too. Those were golden days.

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏

Divine Discourse on Lord Shree Raam

I am typing this post a minute after electric power cut as I am viewing the inagural day's divine discourse 'Raam Katha Maanas Guru Prasad' by respected Morari Bapuji on Lord Shree Raam from Harvard University Campus in the US. The University is internationally acclaimed and has produced several Nobel laureates. I think that Bapuji delivers this discourse every year at this University. Although most men who are in the audience were in western attire, they seemed to show a lot of respect with silence to what Bapuji said. The University is recharged with Shree Mahaa Vishnu's Grace via Sanaathana Dharmaa Discourses.

It was a pleasure to see my favourite spiritual speakers such as Bhupendrabhai Pandyaji among the audience.

(As in Chennai, these power cuts remain to be frequent in my new residential area too. However essential requirements such as ceiling fans are fulfilled as each of our houses has an inverter. 

I'm grateful to Shree Mahaa Vishnu that power has returned now after a brief period of absence).

Jai Shree Seethaa Raam🙏

  

Role of technology in preserving traditions

We live in world that is changing due to changes in technology that affect individuals as well as communities.

In countries such as Bhaarath (India), communities strive to preserve old traditions by adapting improvements in technology. 

For instance, religiuos discourses used to be given by Gurus, and the teacher versus taught interaction used to be largely oral and written since ancient times until a few decades ago. 

Now these are replaced to a significant extent by computer and mobile based technologies, particularly after the Internet came into being. Today it is abnormal to find even spiritual programs without using computers and IT backed social media. It is an obvious fact that it is not easy to preserve our old tradions without embracing today's technology. 

Unless technology is in bad people's hands, it can be used amazingly effectively, as we see in Sanaathana Dharmaa Organisations today.

Maadhwaa Saint

Today is an auspicious day in the Maadhwaa calender. It is the anniversary of the day on which Shree Appavaru attained the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna.

Today is a very important day to all citizens of Bhaarath (India), our beloved mother land. It was in 15 August 1947 that our great country got independence from British rule. Google doodle has aptly honored our Independence Day.

Lord Shree Krishna and Arjunaa

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum 🙏

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

From 8 August to 26 September, Shree Satyatma Theertha Swaamiji, our respected Chief Pontiff of our Uttaradi Mutt will grace Dharvaad, Karnaatakaa, by his presence and perform Chaathurmaasya Vratham. I fondly remember my visit to Dhaarvaad on work when I was working in Macmillan India Limited. I remember Shree Sathyanaaraayana, journalist, who took me to a FMCG Fair in the town. I think that he also took me to a Shree Raam Temple in the town. I remember my visit to Shree Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in Bellaary, a nearby town, and my visit to Shree Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in Manthraalayam. 

Hari Sarvoththamaa

Vaayu jeevoththamaa🙏

Sanaathana Dharmaa Fests

Tomorrow is a very auspicious in the Hindu Calender. It is Wednesday; Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu, CEO of our entire Universe is the Presiding Deity of Wednesdays.

It is the last day of the Samskrith month Aashaada. Just like the last day of every month, this day is known as Amaavaasyaa and men perform ancestral worship on this day. This day is also known as Naagara Amaavaasyaa Day.

Ladies perform Dheepasthamba Gowri Vratham and Dhivasee Gowri Vratham on this day. 

Shree Sathyaadheesha Theertha attained the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna on this day.

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏

Shree Rudraa Fest

Tomorrow is a very auspicious in the Hindu Calender. Shree Rudraa devotees observe this day as Pradhosham day and offer special worship to Shree Rudhraa and His wife Paarvathi Devi. 

L to R: Shree Karthikeyaa, Shree Rudhraa, Shree Paarvathi and Shree Ganesh

(Karthikeyaa and Ganesh are sons of Lord Rudhraa and Paarvathi)

Shree Rudraa is a great devotee of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu.

Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu and His wife Shree Mahaa Lakshmi 

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a very auspicious in the Hindu Calender. This day is known as Kamika Ekaadashi Day. Shree Mahaa Vishnu devotees observe fasting on this day and meditate on Shree Lakshmi Naaraayan.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏