Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today being Ekaadashi, is a very auspicious in the Hindu Calender. On Ekaadashi days, the presiding deity is none other than Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu Himself.

Today is also an auspicious day in the Maadhwaa community of Brahmins.  It is the anniversary of the day on which in Sathyvijaya Nagaram, Shree Sathyavijaya Theertha attained the Lotus Feet of Lord Shree Krishna.

(Sathyavijaya Nagaram was home to many Sanskrit scholars. One such was my mother's maternal uncle known as 'Vaasu Maamaa'.  He was Principal of a Sanskrit College in  Mysuru in those days).

On Ekaadashi days, I view only Hindu Spiritual Programs on TV or on Utube. This evening I had the joy of listening to 'Hari Kathaa Amrutha Saara' meaning 'Essence of Shree Hari's Stories' in Kaanaadaa language as explained by a scholar. In his discourse he explains how Sampaathi, a vulture, got it's wings burnt when approaching the Sun, and how it got them back when listening to Shree Raam's Story as told by a monkey who was in the large team set out to serve Lord Shree Raam to rescue Seetha Devi, His wife, from Sri Lankaa. One of the monkeys requested Sampaathi to fly over Sri Lanka and find out Seethaa Devi's location. Sampaathi immediately flew over the ocean and Sri Lanka, came back to the monkeys and told Seetha Devi's presence in the Ashoka Vanaa in Sri Lanka. I think that this information helped Hanumaanji, the greatest devotee of Lord Shree Raam, in uniting Lord Shree Raam with Shree Seethaa Devi, His Wife and our Divine Mother. 

Sampaathi

Lord Shree Raam, Shree Seethaa Devi and Hanumaanji 

Jai Shree Raam🙏.

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏.

My beloved sister's demise

My beloved sister passed away yesterday. She was in hospital for a few days but the medical treatment was in vain. I am unable to bear the pain.

Following photos show her:

My sister is seated in the left. It was during her younger daughter's wedding in 2020.

My sister is seated 2nd from left. This was at a family function of my beloved brother three years ago.

Two months ago when I was hospitalized for two weeks, it was my sister who was with me round the clock at the hospital. I cannot forget the emotional support that she gave. It was she who recommended an efficient dental clinic near her home for getting my dentures fixed.

She was proud of Reshma, her younger daughter. Having had brilliant academic credential in her B Tech Degree followed by hardworking career in a multinational Publishing Company, she has travelled to many countries on work. My sister told me that recently her Company sanctioned an increase in salary such that her salary per month is Rs One lakh. 

My sister was proud of Sushma, her elder daughter too. Sushma is taking care of Saaswathi and Saatwickaa, two daughters. 

My sister never thought of leaving her matrimonial home for her parents' home even in non-conducive situations.

Following photoes were taken most recently:

My sister and Reshma

L to R: Reshma, my sister, and Satheesh, Reshma's husband

L to R: Saathwikaa, Saaswathi (Sushma's daughters), Reshma, Kamala Jyothi (my beloved sister), Satheesh (Reshma's husband), Murali (my brother-in-law) and Sushma.

My sister's mortal remains were cremated this evening.

I wish that Shree Hari gives mental strength to her husband, daughters, grand-daughters and son-in-law to bear the loss.

My parents gave birth to three of us (children). Having lost my beloved parents and beloved siblings, I am overwhelmed by loneliness.

I wish that my beloved sister's soul will be on it's way to serve the Lotus Feet of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu🙏🙏.

Rascals in politics and their atrocities

As election date is nearing in Tamilnadu, political parties seem to have toned up their ugly propagandas and largely false manifestoes to dupe the public in Chennai.

For the past two three days, high level sounding substandard amplifier systems and voices of filthy party men and women disturb not only the ecosystem but also the low level sounds of people and traffic in many areas in the city.

It is a pity that there is no strict watchdog system to monitor this chaos (although a lot of rules and regulations are already there in government notifications on paper as well on social media).

Filthy political rascals should get lost into oblivion permanently. 

Companion cup of coffee

We all know that coffee and tea are most consumed beverages all over the world. There are people like me who drink coffee in the morning not only to refresh but also for smooth bowel movement. I drink just one cup of not more than 200 ml per day. I drink equal amount of tea with milk in the evening. I think that most Indians consume coffee and tea in this manner.

This morning CNA TV Channel telecast an interesting documentary on coffee a screenshot of which is as follows:

I remember Koffius brand of coffee when I was working in South Africa. There were high quality Chinese brands in Cambodia. My line manager made sure that I had an electric sater kettle, milk powder, sugar and instant coffee powder made available daily in my office. 

In Ethiopia, I used to buy local brands; they were excellent. When searching using Google Search I didn't find "Koffious". The brand would have been changed. I found other brands as follows:

Ethiopian coffee is one of the best with it's different varieties such as makkiatho, bunnaa wotet, cuppuchino etc. sold even in rural restaurants.

I clearly remember sipping a cup of makkiatho (strong coffee with milk) at a restaurant in Addis Ababa on a drizzling evening in January 1982 on my way back from the local British Council Library. The only sound heard in the restaurant was that of coffee glasses and spoons.

Let me sign off from this post by sharing a photo of Ethiopian Coffee ritual as follows:

National Siblings Day

Many countries celebrate today as National Siblings Day.

I am blessed with a brother and a sister. I fondly remember my beloved brother who passed away last year.

My beloved brother 

This morning Suresh, a friend of mine sent the following photo to me:

Suresh and his younger brother Ramesh

Suresh's parents and my parents were great friends. Suresh spent his career in Life Insurance Corporation of India and has won awards.

There are numerous examples of strong brotherhood and sisterhood in our ancient Hindu Scriptures. Well known ones are that between Lord Shree Raam and his brothers, that between Paandava brothers, and that between Lord Shree Krishna, Lord Shree Balaraam and Shubadhraa.

Lord Shree Raam with Shree Seethaa Devi, His wife, Hanumaanji and His three brothers

Paandava brothers 

Lord Shree Krishna with Lord Balaraam and Shubadhraa 

Brotherhood between Vibheeshan and demon King Raavan. Although they were siblings, Vibheeshan was a great devotee of Lord Shree Raam whereas Raavan had enmity with Lord Shree Raam. In spite of Vibeeshan's advice that what Raavan was doing was not good, Raavan didn't listen. 

Vibheeshan advising Raavan

Hence Raavan was killed by Lord Shree Raam, and Vibheeshan was placed as King of Sri Lanka by Lord Shree Raam.

Vibheeshan placed as King of Sri Lanka by Lord Shree Raam 

Sathyam Param Dheemahi🙏

Sarvam Krishna Mayam🙏.

My niece's birthday

Tomorrow is the birth anniversary of Sushma, younger of the two daughters of my beloved sister. I have already conveyed my birthday greetings to Sushma.

Sushma is 4th from left, during the wedding of Reshma, her younger sister, a few years ago.

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏.

DD Serial

As far as I know there are a few good programs telecast on DD Malayalam TV Channel. One such is Dheera, a serial depicting community realities. I happened to bump in today's episode. It was nice to seea well disciplined Sub collector of a District who likes to help the community. She self drives her car to the office and back. As we all know this is something unique in people holding high profile positions in the Government. It seems that the serial is educative and should be seen by the masses.

Screenshot from today's episode of Dheera

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏.

African Legacy

As a former expatriate Indian who worked abroad for many years, I have always been keeping in touch with development scenario in countries where I worked. Thus African countries are of interest to me. 

Russia Today TV Channel's episodes of African Legacy is one program that I don't usually miss. Episodes of this program are presented by descendants of legendary African leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Kenneth Kaunda, Oliver Tambo,  Sir Anerood Jugnath, F W de Klerk and Kwame Nkrumah. These episodes give an insight into issues from main stakeholders'  points of view.

Climatic change

Although summer season has already begun with hot spells during days, today the weather in Chennai is very cloudy with some rain in parts of the city. 

According to Hindu Almanac, it is time for summer. But we find erratic untimely weather conditions, some thing which was never there a few decades ago. Any sane person in our country would know that the culprit is ourselves. Being completely self centred with no respect to Nature, people cut trees, destroy forsets and build apartment complexes etc. in those areas. I have literally seen how merciless construction company owners extract underground water using massive machines. 

We are paying the price for disrespecting God's Order of not obeying laws of Nature.

Our politicians regularly include Nature conservation in their election manifestoes with due responsibility in fulfilling their promises. Voters seem insensitive to this issue and vote to the party which gives free pre-election gifts to them.

Our country needs a drastic change in the political system and governance. .

Jai Shree Raam🙏.

Boat race

Water sports enthusiasts are delighted to watch or participate in boat races. Some famous boat races are Cambridge Oxford Boat Race in UK and Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzhaa, Keralam, India.

I remember viewing boat races in Cambodia when I worked in that country.

I remember the 1960s when Raman Subbarow (of Indian origin) used to be a regular participant in the Cambrdige Oxford Boat Race.