From Jazz festival to Jos

It is rather very difficult to come across melodious music in an ocean of deafening hifi music in any kind of media today. But, sometimes there are exceptions. One such is right at present, as I am writing this post, with NDTV Prime TV Channel telecasting a music performance by a Hungarian group known as The Smarton Trio at Nehru Park, Delhi. Their melodious music using just three instruments viz. guitar, drums and bass is simply superb and shows the metamorphosis that Jazz music itself has undergone over the past few decades. Thanks to The Smarton Trio for their fusion of jazz, soul, pop and hippie rock. 

Well, talking about changes, some of us are a bit slow in accepting them. (For instance I have still not replaced my conventional mobile phone by a smart phone though I know well that the latter will certainly be more effective). It was nice to hear from my good friend Jos last night that he has got into smartphone format already.

Once again, best wishes for a merry Xmas and a happy New Year to Jos (and all my Christian friends).       

Vaikunta Ekaadashi

21st of this month was a very auspicious day for Hindus as it was Vaikunta Ekaadashi.

Pandyaaji and Parikrama

After 12 days of electronic oblivion (due to heavy rains and aftermath) in the city, it was great watching Shree Bhupendrabhaiji Pandya on Sanskar TV Channel yesterday afternoon. Filled with apt emotion, he was explaining the meeting of Sudhaamaa and Lord Krishnaa. I have always liked Mr Pandya's discourses for their meaning and his excellent language.

This morning, as I was browsing the TV channels I bumped in to one that telecast a heavy metal rock music performance by a Delhi based rock (fusion) group known as `Parikrama'. Though I have never liked heavy metal rock, some of these songs had a soft tone qualifying them to be labelled soft rock. The band took me back to 1985 when I used to visit a nearby restaurant in Kochi to eat my favorite cheese sandwich and sip my cup of strong coffee and listen to live rendering by some local soft rock band or the other.     

Rain rain go away

After nearly a fortnight, here is Chennai gradually restoring its normalcy. Many people lost their lives; many more lost their material belongings; many many more lost their normal lifestyle. Thanks to media, Government Agencies, NGOs and individuals who seemed to have worked hard to help the poor and the needy setting aside their differences. This was also a time for people like me to remember the oft-forgotten fact that God is Great. 

Kaarthika Deepoatsavam (Kaarthika Devine Light Fest)

Day before yesterday was celebrated as Mathsya Jayanthi and Kaarthika Deepotsavam. This day was also celebrated as the day of Kaarthikai Deepam in the Southern States of India. Special lamps are lit as a form of worship to Shree Hari and Lord Shiva respectively. Shree Hari is worshipped in His Damodara form on this day and devotees meditate on the infinite Grace of the Almighty in being bound by the Bhakthi of Yashoda.

Child Krishna and Yashoda

As in every year, this year also Mr Narendra Chaudary and his team at Bhakti TV have organised spectacular events in connection with Kaarthika Maasa Koti Deepotsavam.

Utthaana Dwaadashi

Yesterday was a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calendar. It was celebrated as Utthaana Dwaadashi.  As far as I know, womenfolk perform special pooja to the Tulasi plant in their houses like my mother used to do in those days when we had a Tulasi Brindavan at our house in Vellore and other places where we resided. (As my father was in Government Service, he used to be transferred once in every three years. It was interesting for us to move with our parents to new places). 

This morning when I visited my profile at Linkedin website, I was shocked to find my profile photograph displayed near a link to a Company the name of which was displayed as `Edmentum'. In addition to this, when I clicked on my photo, it took me to a page with more details about this Company. I am shocked because I neither work for nor represent this Company (or any other Company). Probably this Company is run by a fraudulent guy who used to run a K-12 Assessment Company based in the US with an office in Noida, near New Delhi. He cheated me by not paying my salary for a few months. I lodged a complaint with Noida Police in vain. This happened a few years back. A few months back I sent a reminder to the Police with a request to Delhi Chief Minister's Office to do justice. But still I have not got any response.  (The name of the guy who ran the Company is still featured on facebook and his profile displays that he got educated at Columbia University). (A few years back I had a similar unpleasant experience). I'll complain to LinkedIn about this. If I don't get a swift response, I intend deleting my profile from LinkedIn as I don't think that I can waste my time complaining in vain.

Technology is useful to a large extent but not in the hands of wrong people. 

Diwali greetings

As there was a problem with my internet connection yesterday, I could not write my post.

Best wishes for a happy Diwali,

India - Africa Summit 2015

As I am typing this post, I'm eagerly viewing the India Africa Summit on Lok Sabha TV. I'll write more on this function which is of immense interest to me when I find time. (I taught in schools in Africa for many years).

Dusserah Fest 2015

Hindus all over the world celebrate today as Vijayadashami, the last of Dusserah. As with all festivities, this fest is immensely related day to day living of many Hindus. Today is also celebrated as Madhwa Jayanti (The day on which Madhwachaarya, Founder Saint of Madhwa Mutt, was born).

Madhwaachaaryaa