Japan TV Channel

NHK WORLD TV CHANNEL  telecasts many documentaries featuring Japanese culture and traditions.  One such is Core Kyoto.  In this morning's episode "Seven lucky Gods...", it featured a few shrines in the country. It is amazing that many Japanese shrines have aspects of Hinduism in them.

Although Budhdhism began after Gauthama Budhdhaa was born, it became very popular in India as well as South and South East Asian countries. Tibet, Bhutan and places such as Ladakh follow one type of the sect whereas Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Srilanka etc. follow the other, with some differences in their rituals.

Having worked in Bhutan and Cambodia, two Budhist countries, I have personally seen how the old Hindu tradition of meditation is followed strictly in households and schools in Bhutan as shown in the following image:

When I was working in Bhutan, all K-12 Schools were Boarding Schools. There used to be mandatory meditation by students for at least two hours daily.

Similarly, I have seen how the ancient Hindu tradition of receiving food by Hindu monks from households is still being followed in Cambodia as shown in the following image: 

It is a pity that we don't have such ancient Hindu traditions being followed in our country with great ancient Hindu roots.

Tamilnadu Government

There has been drastic reduction in the powercut frequency in our area in Chennai. According to a News Report, the new State Administration has come up with draft policies and implementation to fix issues. The newly formed Government in Tamilnadu seems to have made a good gesture in waiving loans taken by farmers. Farmers are backbone of any community.

Let us hope that Shree Vijay and his team continue on their newly formed right track.

Maadhwaa Saint

Today is an auspicious day in the Maadhwaa Calender. This day is celeberated as anniversary on which Shree Satysandhatheerthaa reached the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna.

Our revered Uttaradi Mutt has released info about Shree Satysandhatheerthaa as follows:

Sarvam Krishna Mayam🙏

My friend Suresh

I have always had very few friends. One of them is Suresh, a very good gentleman. He comes from Iyer Brahmin parentage. He did his B Com Degree from Delhi University. His wife passed away a few years ago. He has a married son who is a chartered acountant. 

Suresh served as an Agent in Life Insurance Corporation of India. Yesterday he sent a nice message that he received an Award from LIC for his service. His parents and my parents were very good friends. I come from Maadhwaa Brahmin parentage.

Suresh

LIC Award that Suresh won

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏

Lumumba's Africa

After many weeks, Russia Today TV Channel telecast an epidode of Lumumba's Africa this morning. Prof. Lumumba explained how the Organization of African Unity was founded. I remember my visit to OAU and it's library in Addis Ababa in 1982 when I was working in Ethiopia. It was a memorable experience.

Lord Shree Jagannaath

I worked in a Chennai based NGO for a few years 1990s. I had to travel to Odisha every once in a month or so on work. I fondly remember Shree Shiv Prasad, my colleague at our Rayagada branch. My accommodation used to be provided in a hotel in the town. 

Many times Shiv Prasad has dropped me from my residence to my workplace located in a village known as Penta. I remember my visit to a Vaishnavite temple located in between Penta and Rayagada.

Although I inherit spiritual aspects from my late beloved mother  I regret that I didn't inherit these fully like most men of my age.

I regret that it didn't strike to me to visit Jagannaath Puri and have Dharshan of Lord Shree Jagannaath at His Temple in Odisha.

Jai Shree Shubadhraa evam Shree Balabadhraa sametha Shree Jagannaatha🙏

The Beatles

According to the official website of The Beatles, one of the most popular softrock bands of the 1960s and 70s, 25th of this month will be celebrated as Global Beatles Day, in fitting tribute to the band. Let me share the website's media report here. 

George Harrison was devotee of Lord Shree Krishna. Let me share a Utube video of a new version of George Harrison's 'My Sweet Lord' here.

According to a media report, George had a close relationship with ISKCON.

My beloved brother was life member of ISKCON. He donated just a few months old TATA Nano car to ISKCON. He used to tell me that he knew about ISKCON because of me: During one of my visits to Chennai in the late 1980s, I had taken him to ISKCON Temple. In those days, it was a small shrine in a busy street in  TNagar (or West Mambalam). Now it is situated in a spacious area in suburban Chennai.

My beloved brother 

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏.

Good governance

By God's Grace, there is no power cut in our area in Chennai since last night. Probably the Electricity Board has been functioning well. Thanks to politicians and EB employees for this. Best wishes to them.

Krishnam Sarva Mayam🙏

My niece's newborn baby son

Reshma, my beloved sister's younger daughter, gave birth to a baby boy this morning. Best wishes to the baby and his parents🙏🙏.

My beloved parents, sister and brother would have been immensely happy if they were alive today. My sister who passed away recently considered helping Reshma for good delivery as priority.

Following photo shows Reshma, her husband Satheesh, and Reshma's parents:

 L to R: Saatvika (my niece Sushma's younger daughter, Saasvathi (Sushma's elder daughter), Reshma, my beloved sister, Satheesh (Reshma's husband), D Murali (my beloved sister's husband) and Sushma (my beloved sister's elder daughter)

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏.

Divine Discourse

In today's discourse on Shreemad Bhagavath Kathaa, respected Devkinandan Thakurji mentioned that  we are all decendents of Lord Brahmaa not descendents of monkeys. According to our Scriptures, Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu created Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma created Manu and Satroopa, a male and female respectively. We are all decendents of this human husband and wife. Ashamedly, our school and college textbooks still mention the absurd Darwin's Theory as if it is authentic. 

There are numerous misconceptions such as discovery of gravity by Isaac Newton, discovery that our planet Earth is spherical by Robert Cooke, and so on in our textbooks. I have mentioned these in a few of my earlier posts. I have also mentioned how irresponsible our textbook publishers and advisors have been.