Softrock music fest

Softrock music fans of my age know that ABBA, a Sweedish Music Band was very popular in 1980s.

I remember having seen Mama Mia, a 2008 Musical in which Ms Meryl Streep plays the lead role and sings ABBA's songs. It was shown in a restaurant in a cool evening in Phnom Penh. I and Hans Langendam, a Dutch colleague had gone to see the movie. 

This evening, ABC AUSTRALIA TV CHANNEL telecast an interesting documentary on ABBA Fest in Trundle, Australia thereby bringing back memories of the Band.

Members of ABBA

Divine Discourse

It was soothing to my lonliness laden mind to view Shree Devkinandan Thakurjee's discourse on Shreemad Bhagavath Kathaa on Aashthaa TV Channel today. 

He mentioned the importance of repaying gratitude to His Almighty Shree Mahaa Vishnu, Sages, ancestors, living things and fellow human beings.

I heard from a discourse by a learned Maadhwaa scholar, that if sages, ancestors including parents, and other fellow human beings lead us in a wrong direction, it is our utmost duty to let them know that they are doing some thing wrong, and correct them if possible or simply ignore their 'guidance'.

Shree Devkinandan Thakurjee also explained what freedom means and how it's meaning is misused today.

He is considered as a charismatic and effective spiritual speaker at a young age. 

If I were married to the right woman, I would have probably had a son or daughter who would be a few years younger than Thakurjee. It didn't happen.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Divine Discourse

Whenever possible, I view divine discourses by sages and scholars. Many of them use Shree Thulasi Das' Raam Charitha Maanas as reference. Shree Thulasi Das uses the term Rames" to mean Lord Shree Raam.

With heavy heart I remember Ramesh, my beloved brother, who passed away last year.

Jai Shree Raam🙏.

Sibling significance

A few days ago, during a 1000 km return journey by calltaxi, I experienced double vision all along the journey. Every thing on the road and it's sides looked double. 

I had an eye check at Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital near my residence and got the dust formation in my eye lens (inside the eyes) removed by laser treatment. The doctor has prescribed eye drops for two weeks.

Previously I visited Aravind Eye Hospital near Chennai for my cararact. It was my beloved brother who took me there for pre op, ops and post ops. The hospital was nearly 50 km from my residence. My brother had taken trouble even when it was hot summer. He had been of enormous physical and emotional support to me. I fondly remember him.

Similarly, when I had sudden drop in serum hemoglobin and consequent unpleasant symptoms including loose motion, it was my landlord and his wife (both of whom are well qualified engineers) who were of immense physical and emotional support to me. My beloved sister advised me to go to Vellore, get my problem treated at a nearby Multispeciality Hospital, stay in their house, and return to my residence in Chennai after getting my illness cured completely. She also advised me to get my denture fixed at a nearby dental clinic. 

During the two weeks of my hospitalization at Vellore, my sister stayed with me round the clock giving enormous physical and emotional support. I fondly remember her help. 

Sushma, my niece, offered enormous physical support during my frequent visits to the dental clinic and back.

With heavy heart I am bearing the pain of having lost both my siblings within one and a half years time gap.

Sarvam Krishna Mayam🙏.

Corruption

Recently there was news about NEET Exam question paper leak. 

Professionals who have worked as Centre Superintendents of CBSE Exams know that CBSE follows strict security measures in it's exam system. Usually CBSE Exam Centre Superintendents are Principals of the schools alotted as Exam Centres. Students of these schools go to other Centres to write the exams, and vice versa. 

Question papers are kept in lockers of designated National Banks amidst tight security. On the day of each exam, Chief Superintendent goes to the Bank and collects the question papers with 100% security. This happens just before the exam begins. From this time onwards, the Principal and school staff who are assigned exam duties are neither allowed to go to other parts of the school building nor allowed to mingle with other school staff. 

After the exams are over, the answer scripts are sent to the Office of the Regional Deputy Director of CBSE amidst tight security. 

Only after the person who delivered the answer scripts returns to the school, the Chief Superintendent and his team are allowed to leave the area. I know these as a former Superintendent of CBSE Exams.

With such strict rules and regulations, I don't understand how question papers can leak, unless corrupt officials and workers are involved.

I think that the culprits should be given harsh punishment such that they would not even imagine comitting offence ever again.

Bhaarath South Africa Relationship

There was an interesting interview with Shree Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of South Africa to India on RT TV Channel this afternoon. Any person who has visited or lived on South Africa knows about Indian contribution to South Africa and how people of Indian origin live harmoniously with their fellow South Africans. 

Shree Anil Sooklal 

Let me share an interesting South African article on people of Indian origin in South Africa, here.

Divine Discourse

Today in his Raam Kathaa discourse on Aashthaa TV Channel, respected Shree Morari Bapujee mentioned how any man's life is ruined and he is reborn as an animal such as dog, if he listens to his wife's words and acts on them even if they are wrong. 

Many men including me and my beloved brother have experienced what Morari Bapujee mentioned. 

I think that it will be disastrous if a wife listens to whatever her husband says, and functions accordingly, by believing him blindly. 

He emphasized the importance of mutual respect between husband and wife.

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏

Sacred River

Yesterday was a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It was celebrated as Bhaagheerathi Jayanthi. 

As I mentioned in a previous post, I read that River Mekong, one of the longest river in South East Asia, derives it's name from 'Maa Gangaa' (meaning 'Mother Gangaa'). 

(When I was working in Cambodia, I have enjoyed the smooth flow of Mekong, with nice Desi sweets served by local Indian restaurants, on my dining table).

River Gangaa is one of the most sacred rivers in Bhaarath Varsh (India). 

As I was out of station yesterday, I couldn't add this post. Yesterday, during my travel, I saw cashew plants on both sides of the National Hughway. I have heard that people eat not only cashew nuts but also the fruits.

The plant isn't large in size. It's green and spread on the land as if it worships Mother Earth with utmost devotion. Although it us well respected nut for eating as well as an offering to Shree Mahaa Vishnu, Shree Mahaa Lakshmi and other dieties, it is very humble.  

Let me share a photo of the plant that I shot from the calltaxi window as follows:

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Shameless Judiciary

Yesterday I bumped in to Dhruvam, a Malayaalam language movie on Amrita TV Channel. As I have mentioned in a few of my previous posts, Malayaalam movies shot in 1980s and 90s were better than other language movies in general. 

The movie revolves around a financially and physically powerful criminal who escapes death sentence. Narasimha Mannadiar, a well respected feudal lord and member of formal royal family intervenes and kills the criminal by himself. But unfortunately he gets death sentence by the judiciary.

Mammooty (one of my most favourite actors) and Suresh Gopi play the roles of Narasimha Mannadiar and a police officer respectively, in this movie. 

Suresh Gopi is a BJP MP and Minister in our Central Government led by Shree Narendra Modi. 

This movie is an apt depiction of present day scenario with shameless judiciary and police departments with only a minority of honest and straight forward people.

Saatvikaa's success

A few days ago, Tamilnadu Standard 10 Public Exam results were announced. I feel proud that Saatvikaa, younger daughter of Sushma, my niece (my beloved sister's daughter) got 476 out of 500 marks and obtained 4th rank in her class. I congratulated her and her mother (for guiding her). Blessings to Saatvikaa for a bright future. I think that souls of my beloved parents, brother and sister would be glad to hear the news.

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

Saasvathi is also a brilliant student. She is studying for B Sc Degree in Psychology in a reputed college.

The photo was taken a few days before my beloved sister passed away. 

Kishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏