A friend in need

Just an hour after I wrote my previous post, my brother phoned me to let me know that Manohar, one of his old friends during school days, phoned him and conveyed his wishes to me. Manohar's elder brother Thyagu was of my age. While Manohar worked in State Bank of India in senior positions, Thyagu did his B Tech in Metallurgy (like Google's Sundar Pitchai) in IIT, Chennai, worked as Senior Executive in the then Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation of Govt of India, went to Tanzania and continued in the Tanzania Government Service. It is nice to hear from old friends after a long time, and to renew friendship (friendship that is sincere unlike the one described in my previous post). I thank God for my sincere friends such as Sreejith, Jose, Selwynn and a few others.

A 'friend' in need

I think that many of us are misled by people whom we trust as good friends. In 1983, when I got admission into the M.Sc. Physics Education Degree Course of the University of Reading in the UK, I applied for scholarship, but didn't succeed. My father asked me to apply for a bank loan by pledging our house (built by hard earned and saved money by my beloved parents). Though I was reluctant to place the symbol of my parents' sacrifices as collateral for the bank loan, after some contemplation and discussion with my parents, I accepted my dad's advice. Soon I visited the local branch of Indian Overseas Bank (Vellore) and met the Branch Manager. He was my neighbour, classmate and a close friend by name V Pandurangan. When I explained the purpose of my visit, he told me that the bank would provide a loan but on one condition that the amount should be repayed within three years, failing which the house would be confiscated by the bank. As I was not sure as to whether I would be able to satisfy this condition, I abandoned the idea. I asked my brother in law (my sister's husband) who was employed in the State Bank of India, as to the rules and regulations for bank loan. He replied that he had no idea about bank loan rules and regulations. Many years later I came to know that what my 'friend' told me was not correct. A few days after I wrote about this episode in this blog a few years back, I received an email from Pandurangan saying how happy he was to know about me from my blog after many years and that he liked to renew our friendship. He also denied what he told me at the bank and asked me to remove the post. I removed the post thinking that it was ethics. But now I think on the contrary. I think that if some one does any thing evil deliberately, his/her action deserves exposure so that others can learn a lesson. Hence I am writing about the incidence now in this post. When he sent his email to me, I didn't reply. I think that he understood the meaning that I was not interested in renewing our friendship.

Doctor's demise

The passing away of Dr P R Krishna Kumar proprietor of Arya Vaidya Shala, Coimbatore, due to comorbid conditions and Covid19 on day before yesterday, is a loss to humanity in general and Ayurvedic fraternity in particular. He was two months younger than me.

This week

This week marks the birth anniversaries of my beloved parents (13th and 17th) according to the English Calender. I fondly remember them.

David Rocco's Durban

David Rocco's 'DOLCE AFRICA' on Foxlife is one of my favourite channels for it takes us to different places and people. This morning's program featured Durban, a city that I liked and visited a few times.

The program took me down my memory lane to Southern Africa, where I worked for a few years nearly 30 yeas back.

 

Vaamanaa Fest

Yesterday was a very auspicious day for Hindus all over the world. It was on this day, billions of years back, that Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated as Vaamanaa, a Brahmin boy, and granted boon to King Mahaa Bali. This day is celebrated as Vaamana Jayanthi. 

People in Kerala and Malayaalee people all over the world celebrate today as Thiru Onam, the last day of 10 day festivities and believe that their ancient king Mahaa Bali visits his subjects in Kerala on this day every year. King Mahaa Bali was the grandson of Prahalaadhaa, the greatest devotee of Lord Lakshmi Narasimhaa, an incarnation  of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu who killed the demon king Hiranya Kashapu, father of Prahalaadhaa.

My beloved father's death anniversary

Today is the death anniversary of my beloved father, according to the Hindu Calender. I and my brother performed the shradhdhaa ritual for him. We fondly remember him. We remember the sacrifices that my beloved parents did, to bring us up.

Ganesh Fest

Today is an auspicious day in the Hindu Calendar. This day is celebrated as Ganesh Chathurti. Lord Ganesh, son of Shree Shiva and Paarvathi Devi, was created on this day, many Yugaas back.

Shree Varaaha Fest

Today is an auspicious day in the Hindu Calendar. This is the day on which Shree Hari took Avataar as Lord Shree Varaahaa, killed Hiranyaakshaa, and protected the Vedaas and all Sanaathana Dharmaa Scriptures as well as our Mother Earth and all living things.

Divine Fests

Today is an auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It was on his day that Shree Mahaa Vishnu appeared as Lord Dhanvanthri during the Divine Churning of the Ocean. Lord Dhanvanthri is worshipped  as Lord of Health and medicines. More recently Lord Balaram was born on this day as elder brother of Lord Shree Krishna on this day in Dwaapara Yugam. In the previous Trethaa Yugam, he was born as Lakshmanaa, younger brother of Lord Shree Raamaa.