Channel News Asia

My dear friend Jos Kottutundiyil is not only a brilliant guy but also a voracious reader. What is amazing is that he uses his computer to read books. (I would prefer books in hard copy format than on a computer screen. When it comes to news and documentaries too I don't find computer screen as easy to view as TV screen). A few months back Jos started an editorial services company which I think would serve a lot of people. If you are interested, you can mail him at jcheri58@gmail.com or elc.es315@gmail.com.

Coming to satellite dish based TV channel providers, I have always wondered as to why TATA Sky doesn't include channels such as Singapore based Channel News Asia. It's nice to see this channel included in TATA SKY recently. Now viewers can watch news items and documentaries from the ASEAN region given the fact that the channel covers ASEAN countries more elaborately than any other channel. 

K-12 Education and M-Governance

Many Indians would have found last week to be very interesting due to our Prime Minister's visit to Ireland and the US.  As some one who literally experienced common folk aspects of Shri Narendra Modi's governance (for example minimum auto-fare of Rs 7 when I worked in Vadodara a few years back), I too like most of my fellow citizens, look forward to a significantly better India in all aspects.

Our PM mentioned about the importance of 'm-governance' in `digital' India. Hope that `m-governance' is implemented in our school education system after thorough quality oriented planning. Of course the project may involve risks. I think that we have to take risks as long as these do not affect children negatively. It is also important that classroom teachers are given importance at all stages of the process. Any experienced educator would know that using mobile phone technology in our classrooms in cost effective manner is not difficult at all today.

From what Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said recently (during his meeting with our PM), I gather that he sees Education as an important area. Hope that all K-12 schools, particularly those in remote areas, benefit from this partnership.  It is after all not only important to aim for `Education for All' but also `Quality Education for All'. This includes all children across barriers and warrants drastic changes in Curriculum, School Governance as well as Stakeholder aspects at diverse angles.        

Radio waves from Raghavendra

This morning I had the pleasure of listening to the newly begun Internet Radio from Raaghavendra Swaamy Muttt, Mantraalayaa.

Teachers' Day

Today is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India. (Incidentally, this is the day on which my father passed away; he passed away on 5 September 1997. He was a dedicated school headmaster). Nearly 70 years having gone by since independence, has our country succeeded in training its teachers to be effective in all respects? I think that our policy makers need to take a close look at this important issue.  

Krishna Janmaashtami

Today is one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. This is the day on which Lord Vishnu took avathaar as Krishna 5000 years back in Dwaapara Yuga. This day is known as Gokulaashtami or Krishna Janmaashtami.

From Mahaa Lakshmi to Mantraalayam

Past week contained four important days in the Hindu calendar. These were the days on which Mahaa Varalakshmi Vratam, Hayagreeva Jayanthi, Upaakarmaa and 344th aaraadhanaa of Raghavendra Theertharu were celebrated. Today is the 3rd and final day of this year's aaraadhanaa celebrations. As usual Sri Sankara TV and Bhakti TV telecast the festivity from Mantraalayam, where Raghavendra Theertharu attained samaadhi. It is nice to hear songs related to Raghavendra Theertharu on Radio Satyatma Vani as well, pranaams to our Uttaradhi Mutt Swaamiji.

  

Requirements of Spiritual Karma

As someone who has always been interested in Hindu spiritual discourses, I see myself attracted to discourses by many spiritual people. One such is Poojya Shree Bhupendrabhaiji Pandya. 

A highly charismatic speaker with excellent command of English, his discourses have been magnetic to me. He integrates simple aspects of daily living with spiritual concepts. A few days back, I had the pleasure of listening to his explanation of the following essential requirements of Spiritual Karma: Proper mindset, Precise goal, Positive attitude (despite adversaries and difficulties), Humility, Faith towards work, Emotional quotient and Intelligent quotient. 

He said that Hanumaanji had all these as well as the most important Spiritual quotient (Devotion to Lord Shree Raam). Hanumaanji is known as the greatest devotee of Lord Shree Raam.   

Oasis in the media desert

I have always thought that common audio-visual media cover far too low programs that are really value based. Probably, many people of my age and older also think the same way. Well, thanks to all those people who do continue to produce good programs.  One such program was a documentary on Mahatma Gandhi this morning around 11 AM IST on History TV 18 Channel. Well presented by Mishal Hussain, the documentary reminded of my visit to places like Gandhi Ashram in Phoenix near Durban and Pietermaritzburgh railway station nearly 20 years back when I was teaching in a high school in the North West Province.  

Like most visitors from India, I  was keen in taking snapshots, thanks to my Nikon TW2. But unfortunately, my camera got dropped (due to my carelessness) and the film roll fell out! (I wish technological development in visual arts had a swifter pace then so that we could have carried our mobile cameras with far less scope of losing record of memorable places). 

Veda Vyaasa Jayanti (or) Guru Pournimaa

31 July was an auspicious day for Hindus. It was celebrated as Veda Vyaasa Jayanthi.

Chaaturmaasya Vrata

Today is an auspicious day for Hindus. It is devotedly celebrated as Shayani Ekaadashi and as the the beginning of Chaaturmaasya Vrata.