It was comforting to view and listen to Shree Bhupendra Bhai Pandyaa's mesmerising religious discourse in Hindi and excellent English on Aashthaa channel after several weeks. Needless to say that his Sanskrit quotes are inexplainably divine.

Missed marriage

It was soothing to view David Rocco's 'Dolce India' on TV this morning, after many days, particularly so when feeling lonely. 

I some times feel so lonely that it makes me think that I committed a large blunder in having married to the wrong woman with resultant divorce, and not having got married to my colleague at a Public School in Kotagiri, India, in 1977 or to my Caucasian American penpal (from Charleston, South Carolina) who expressed her desire to marry me, when I was studying for my B Sc Degree during 1968-71, or more recently in 1993, when a dark coloured and good looking gentle colleague displayed her interest in me by saying that I was handsome, when I was working in a school in Jhansi, India; I didn't have the guts to tell that I reciprocated the same desire, to any of these women.

Tigray unrest

I wish that the bombings and unrest in Ethiopia's Tigray region and its capital town 'Makelle' stops and the region returns to normalcy. I fondly remember the friendly people, the cinema hall where I and my fellow teacher recruits from India had enjoyed watching "Noori", a Hindi movie and Abraha Castle, a Government run restaurant in Makelle, where I and Sebastian, my malayaalee colleague used to dine out, way back in 1982. 

Following are photographs taken during my stay in the region:

I and Sebastian with a colleague's daughter in front of our roomsTo my left is Mr Asafa, the school's Director.

Let me share a picture post card that I sent to my beloved parents when I was teaching in Tigray:

Indira Gandhi's bithday

I heard from Vasanth TV channel this morning that today is the birthday of Mrs Indira Gandhi, former Indian Prime Minister. She was one of the best prime ministers in independent India. Although severely criticised for having declared emergency, every sane Indian knew that there was absolutely no corruption in government offices during that period.

Festival of lights (Krishna Fest)

Best wishes for a happy Diwali

James Bond

According to media reports, Sean Connery, 90 years old Scottish  actor who was famous for his roles in James Bond 007 movies died today. He will be remembered by his fans.

World Teachers Day

I had forgotten that 5th October was World Teachers Day (as designated by the UNO). Let us remember our good teachers.

Madhwa Jayanthi

Today is an auspicious day to a community of Brahmins known as Madhwas. This community spread all over the world, considers Madhwachaaryaa, a saint who established 8 Mutts at Udipi with Shree Krishna as  the presiding Deity, as it's Guru. Madhwaacharyaa is considered to have been born on this day. He is considered to have been an incarnation of Bheema, one of the five Paandavaa brothers who lived in Dwaapara Yugaa and of Hanumaanjee, the greatest devotee of Lord Shree Raam, an incarnation of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu. Hanumaanjee is revered and considered to be a chiranjeevi. Jai Shree Raam.

Dusserah Fest

Yesterday marked the end of a 10 day and 9 nights festival known as 'Dusserah' and 'Nava raathri' in Hindu households all over the world. As with many Fests, there had been colourful public celebrations too, for example the famous Raam Leela Fest in Delhi and Dusserah Festival in Mysuru, Karnataka.

During this period, Shree Paarvathi, Shree Mahaalakshmi and Shree Saraswathi are worshipped. During the last three days Shree Vedavyaasa, Shree Raam, Shree Krishna, Parashurama, Lord Hayagreeva and other avatars of Shree Mahaavishnu, as well as Shree Mahaalakshmi, Shree Durgaa and saints, residing in the heart of Shree Saraswathi are worshipped as 'Saraswathi Pooja'. You can read my earlier posts to know more about this annually occurring auspicious Festival.

Gandhiji and Shastriji

Today is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhiji (fondly remembered as father of our nation) and Shree Lal Bahadur Shastriji, our former prime minister.