Crystal Castle at Mullumbimby, NSW, Australia...images

A must place to visit if you are at NSW or around. I got an opportunity to visit the home of the biggest and beautiful crystals in the world. It was a unique experience that enriched us. The positivity and energy of this sacred place is worthy. Crystals are store house of wisdom and a potent source of energy.

The Enchanted Cave

The Crystal Guardians

The Crystal Guardians

Ninetieth year celebrations of AIWC at Aluva

                                             

                                             

                                              

                                                AIWC is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) based in New Delhi founded in 1927 by Margaret Cousins, an Irish lady who made India her home. It is dedicated for the betterment of women and children. Now with more than 500 branches across the country AIWC is recognized worldwide as a premier organization working for women’s development and empowerment. We the Aluva branch too got an opportunity to celebrate the event in our State Kerala.

                                                AIWC Aluva is one of the leading branches in South India founded by Smt. Jayanthi Appu Menon and Smt. Meenakshy Ramakrishnan (Mami) our founder President and founder Secretary respectively. It is situated in the heart of Aluva town opposite to Head post office since January 1971 with a mission to build up literacy of women and uplift their status in the society, beholding our vision to bring them in the mainstream of socioeconomic fields to join hands with men thus enabling better quality in life of women and children. The centre runs baby crèches in and around Aluva, after school care, care for old, computer literacy, yoga and meditation, technical education and skill development in tailoring and allied activities, career guidance and training in apparel making for VHSS students. It also houses an ‘A’ grade library from 1975 with the support of State Library council, Kerala named as ‘Vanitha Varsha Smaraka Grandhasala’. Scholarships are being provided for bright students of economically backward classes with the financial support from our Head Quarters. Regular awareness programs such as seminars, workshops, discussions, classes and camps on women related issues and subjects along with cultural and social celebrations are the highlights of our activities.

                                               After 90 years since inception, AIWC continues to be active through its branches and volunteers, striving to better the lives of millions of women and children in India fulfilling the basic goal of improving women literacy.

                                              At this time of 90 years, in Kerala we are having eighteen branches and an equal number of constituent branches. The activities in Kerala covers wide areas from literacy, skill training, health and hygiene, legal awareness, consumer protection rights, conservation of energy, yoga and meditation, adolescent trainings and career guidance to climate change and disaster management.

                                              The event on 20^th November 2017 at Aluva, the day got glittered in the pages of AIWC, Delhi with significance to Kerala and special reference to Aluva. Glories of the past, glitters of the present, gallants for the future, that is what emphasized in the 90^th year celebration of AIWC in the holy land of Adi Shankaracharya. The state level celebration in ‘God’s Own Country’ was unmatched by the magnanimous presence and action of our national and zonal leaders. The charm of the day was the gallantry of women assembled to discuss their vision; mission and activities carried out in their branches for the development of women especially the downtrodden. The speeches and presentations revealed the history of the growth of AIWC of ninety years regarding the contribution of leaders who groomed the organization. It was an eye opening for the participants, of the hurdles that the senior members faced and their eventful journey that materialized freedom and fraternity. The souvenir ‘TANVI’ published by us was the pinnacle of the program which itself showed the team spirit of Aluva branch in all its activities. The program came to an end after the business session in the evening with a pledge to rededicate ourselves to the noble ideas of our founders with more innovative schemes for the welfare and empowerment of womanhood.

                                        We, the team behind are blessed to have a quality and vibrant superannuation life by serving the society of my sisters and our country in particular.

 

 

Pathway to Know Thy, Be Thy and Become Thy

                  

                                       From the ape man to the present human being mankind has evolved through

millennium of countless changes in physical, mental and spiritual spheres. Learning to use hands

was an intellectual leap to ensure survival. Then in succession linguistic competence and cultural

take off occurred. As the evolvement gifted the human being a super intelligent brain, having two

hemispheres one handling the logical emotional and the other the holistic and creative, mankind

was able to master and control the universe and consequently the mind became ineffably

complex. As the gratification of sensual appetite and luxuries began to flourish, life became a

chaotic web leaving the world restless and turmoil. But because of the gift of the higher thinking

brain, manhood have been relentlessly searching for the removal of sorrows and pain and to make

life meaningful and happy. The fortuitous unpredictable and transient nature of life led to the

thinking of purpose of creation and the sublime duties of mankind. And it dawned on that there

is a spiritual core for transcendental awareness to live in love, peace and harmony.

                                     Spirituality is the expression of love, compassion and service. Everlasting

happiness is possible only through adherence to truthfulness in thought, word and deed and

that is what meant by spirituality. It is the basics of human life that is not to be conformed but

confined. It is not avidity, vagary or subject to choice. It is like the candescence of light inherent

in human being.

                                         The inceptive way to that holy travel begins with the inward knowing.

Sense organs are the internal representation of the external world. It is always alluring and

appeasing to the person’s frame of reference and habit which is deflective. Knowing self begins

with metaphysical awareness. For which just sit down for some time setting a timer. Then record

the thoughts that passed through your mind, no matter whether it is good or bad, right or wrong.

Then analyse the thoughts to see mind’s ramblings. Here comes the importance of

contemplation to confine the dissipating mind. Your journey to self realisation has begun and you

will find the inner energy orchestrating with the external energy and sublimating the universe

with love, compassion and selfless service.  Harmonising the body, mind and spirit is highly

essential since a peaceful spirit/soul can only exist in a healthy body. Here comes the importance

of activity of body and mind. Physical exercises of Yoga focus to maintain balance and concentration

through coordination of body, mind and spirit. A flexible spine is the key to vitality because

life force can move freely through a supple spine which can be attained through Yoga. When your

body is fit, then start working on your mind. There is a saying “train your mind to mind your life.”

Mind can be compared to a monkey. Mind can easily build stories, create dramas and set a series

of episodes with the emotions ruling us which can tend us to be weak or strong, happy or

unhappy, peaceful or worried, pure or impure, healthy or unhealthy, lovable or cruel.

Meditation is the strongest tool ever to keep the mind strong, happy and peaceful. It is good

to accept a master to help undergo the workouts. When the skills are acquired, you can do

yourself and guide others to reap happiness and harmony.

                                                            Once the body is healthy and the mind is powerful the

spirit/inner energy starts working. When the spirit gets the control you are in the right path.

It increases the capacity to love and be kind to self and others and attain the strength to

confront and transform sufferings and offer everything to life thereby one can realise self,

love self, respect self, care self, heal self and transform self. It helps you to know your

higher self and can feel lighter  and become more empathic which results in self volunteering.

Attaining the spiritual knowledge and power reminds us that “we are all ONE.” In my

Perspective spirituality is “Think good, Say good and Do good” which in turn kindle the light

of love transforming us to a heavenly abode.

                                                        

 

                                                                                          

    

      

 

 

            

               

Reminescence of Ethos

The ninetieth  birthday of All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) , New Delhi, inspired me to scribble down my journey with AIWC, Aluva and the strong women behind the venture in a real sense of ‘Gratitude’.

When the gravity of the situation drums up one cannot but find out means to solve the situation. That is what compelled me to reach out AIWC, Aluva branch. On 29^th December 1982, I went to the centre to enrol my fifteen month old daughter in the crèche run by AIWC situated opposite to the Aluva Head Post Office. My four year old son was in upper kinder garden at St John’s the Baptist School, Aluva. Both, me and my husband being employed we were forced to live 180 kilometres away from our ancestral homes and so away from our parents and relatives. It was not at all easy for us to get a reliable person to look after the baby. These were the factors led us to find a crèche and enrol our little one. Being very near to the bus stop was the real attraction for us to think about AIWC, Aluva.

I was having only a vague idea of what was going on under the roof of AIWC. As it was my first rendezvous with AIWC, to me it seemed to be an energetic place for women and girls who were busy in learning Hindi, undergoing the courses of KGTE Tailoring, Embroidery, Craft and Typewriting besides with the plays, laughs and cries of the little inmates of the crèche.

I met Mrs. Meenakshi Ramakrishnan, founder Secretary, a legend in humanity and Hindi language at office, filled the application form and enrolled my daughter in the crèche. Since she noticed from the application form that I am an Agricultural Officer, she asked me whether I could associate with the agricultural activities such as taking classes for women on kitchen gardening, composting and homestead farming. Since extension was and even now is my passion without a second thought I agreed to associate with the activities. Being in the Department of Agriculture I was involved in extension activities in my jurisdiction experimenting new varieties of rice, pulses and vegetable seeds in fields and homesteads along with the visits and discussions to farmer’s fields and their houses besides attending fortnightly and monthly meetings at thaluk and district levels and organising seminars, campaigns on soil testing, rodent control, eradication of bunchy top disease in banana, weed control etc.

The beautiful connection relation and with AIWC began there and was so happy to know Mrs. Vasanthy Kanakambaran, wife of the then District Head of Agriculture, a teacher of the SNDP School close by AIWC, and a woman of dignity and Mrs. Jayanthy Appu Menon, our founder President, a person of astounding energy with her charismatic abilities, was there to co-ordinate the activities along with a team of vibrant ladies.

After my promotion and transfer to the District HQ in 1990, I was busy with both technical and administrational works. I was destined to liaison with the State HQ and was almost out of touch with AIWC. Further in the peak of my career with multidistrict responsibilities, I became too busy, mentoring the farming personnel both men and women in Capacity building, Women in Agriculture, Project Preparation, Planning and Monitoring for the whole state.

In 2008, at the age of fifty five, as Joint Director of Agriculture, I was superannuated from the State Agriculture Department after a productive phase of thirty four years of service in the span of my life. One fine morning at a temple premises in Aluva I met, our family friend, Mrs. K. Droupathy Amma, a person of dynamicity, the then Standing Committee Member of AIWC. She invited me to attend a seminar on ‘Domestic Violence at Home and Workplace against Women’. The seminar for a full day was well organised by AIWC and it went well with excellent speeches by Advocates, Social Activists and a women Sub Inspector of Police along with the lively interactions by the participants.

Attending the seminar, something triggered in me and reminded that this is the platform where I can dedicate my time, energy, resources and rich experiences for the upliftment of women and children for a new horizon. The inspiring, untiring, hardworking members of AIWC, Aluva like Ms Kunjamma Cherian, Amritha Unnikrishnan, Cecily Mathew, Daisy Joy, Sumathy Resalam, Remani Kurup, Hymavathy, Omana, Beena Jacob, Padmini, Sarala Balakrishnan, Indira Asokan and Haleema Naina were real boost to me to become part of the organization and to join with them. (Paying tributes to our beloved Haleema Naina, Sarala Balakrishnan and Indira Asokan who are no more with us)

As the name indicates AIWC, Aluva is a real conference for women from all walks of life irrespective of caste, creed, religion, politics, education forming a heterogeneous group together striving for the betterment of the women and the down trodden. Our dream is the betterment of the world through women empowerment. We are doing sincere service for the upliftment of women to the main stream in the societal setup by running crèches, conducting awareness programmes such as seminars, discussions and campaigns on adolescent programmes, yoga and meditation, gender equality, entrepreneurial skills on tailoring, fashion designing, jewellery and soft toy making, computer literacy and old age day care for lonely women. All these programmes are keeping us also active and vibrant.

AIWC is gloriously marching to the ninetieth year. There were hurdles in the past as it was awakening from the slavery to the freedom and to the aftermath of freedom. The past was as thrilling for the leaders in charge as they bravely held the torch of love and compassion for the social upliftment of women. The future is calling us. Let us join hands for the global renaissance of womanhood.

“A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman.”    Melinda Gates

 

Happiness is a State of Mind

 

                                  Happiness is a word which is very difficult to abstract its real meaning because it is the cognitive process of the mind of the person and it is influenced by the motivation of the environment in which one lives.

                                  Ease, simply means freedom from pain or anxiety. We cannot always be at ease because of the varying effects of the energy we possess. Energy is not a state. When energy is low we become disease bound and consequently we become unhappy. So we say health is a parameter of happiness.

                                  A person was walking along with his friend. Suddenly he felt a terrific pain in his chest and become unconscious. When he returned to normality he found that he was in a hospital being taken care of. He knew that his friend took the timely action to save his life. He was so happy because of the simple fact that a friend in need is a friend in deed. Here we see action besides health as a parameter for happiness.

                                   The great philosopher Socrates was alleged by the Athens for corrupting the youth. The jury imprisoned him and sentenced to death by drinking the cup of hemlock. He drank the poison happily by saying “but whatever you do, know that, I shall never change or alter my ways not even if I have to die many times.” Here we are drawn into a paradigm that happiness is nothing but mindset.

                                    Happiness in a sense is very simple when we hear it, nimble when we experience it, complex when we try to interpret its real meaning but essential for the human survival even though it remains at large by tantalising in throughout our lives.

                                     The illusory nature of happiness is that we believe it is something we have to get from outside of ourselves. The greed of the mind masquerades as happiness and bring all miseries. If one gets ten, he will yearn for hundred, if he gets hundred will yearn for thousand and the mind satiation goes on and on. Here comes the importance of the famous quote “Give a Man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a Man to Fish and you feed him for a life time.” It is more worthwhile you teach someone to do something than to do it for them.

                                      The cream of heavenly life is what we are striving for. Heaven is the vision of the noble soul where we live in harmony, peace and happiness. It is where we see the oneness and ecstasy. That is what life is meant for human beings. It is the highest order of the capacity of humanity. But to the earthly living mind is sometimes like a Pandora’s Box filled with all the junks and evils. In the mind’s hallucination all the subjective pleasures are seen as happiness. It is here the nobility excels the commonality and the purity of heart is counted. Happiness is the purity of heart and is the harmony of feeling thoughts and action.

                                        Life is all about choices. Right choice motivates to the right action that lead to happiness. It is that which ensues. It differs from person to person because of “as you think so shall you be.” The half glass empty mentality propels them to see only the negatives instead of the positives. To them happiness is a mirage. The feeling of being happy is happiness; it is intangible and related to the here and now living. It doesn’t exist in the past or in the future. It is the logical fallacy of the people to neglect the happiness for future achievement there by straining themselves and sacrificing the peace of mind. Happiness is a journey not a destination.

                                          Happiness is neither relative nor comparable. It comes from self realisation and is the result of compassion, humility, honesty and patience. Happiness begets happiness. Contentment of the mind is the sparkling of happiness. It is the spirit of liveliness radiating from the person and is contagious.

                                            As a social being, happiness is through giving and taking, means giving through love and taking through compassion which enables the release of endorphins, the happy hormones in the human body resulting in happiness which in turn boosts the immune system of the body. In order for that there are simple truths of life that we do have to adhere. Those are respect, fairness, acceptance, admiration and accordance.

                                            Based on spirituality the novel principles such as self awareness, logical thinking, healthy relationships and good behaviour, worth living, positive attitude, consciousness and self realisation will alleviate sufferings. A candle light is enough to allay the darkness. If the intensity of the light is high it gives a shining glow. Just like, even if one is living simply following the above principles he will be experiencing happiness. If one is a strong follower of these basic principles, becomes the ‘Enlightened’ and experiences the absolute happiness and can utilise for the benefits of mankind.

    According to Mahatma Gandhi, “Happiness is when, what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.”

 

 

 

Change yourself to Change the World

 

 

As Tolstoy said “Everybody wants to change the world, but nobody wants to change himself.”

At present, we live in a modern world. Thanks to the gift of education and scientific development.

Everybody knows ‘ABC’ of everything. No branch of knowledge is not beyond his grip and his

oratorical prominence has enriched. Articles, speeches and preaching are abundant as guiding tools

to the civilised mankind. But pollution in words, deeds and creeds are increasing day by day.

             All the theists believe that “man is born to do karma, the fruit of karma will be given by the

Almighty.” Of all the living beings man is only destined to work and earn for the benefit of the

universe. To everlasting peace and contentment of the universe the only creative panacea is the

human being. The heaven is in his hands and also the hell.

              An incident that comes to my mind is what my father told me about a ten year old boy,

when I was a little child. The boy lived in a remote village where there was not even electricity

and street lights. One rainy day, on the way to local market he saw a branch of a tree broken

down almost in the middle of the road. With much effort he pulled the branch to the side of the

road and resumed his walk. An old man was surprised to see the act of the young boy and asked

him “Are you Ok? Why you did that?” The boy gently replied that, pedestrians and cyclist may

come along the road at night and they may hit the branch on the road accidently and result in

injuries. The old man was speechless and hugged the boy and blessed him. This story still remind

me the goodness when I think of changing the world.

                 I would like to share with the readers, my experiences as part of my social commitment.

After my superannuation, I wholeheartedly stepped into the path of volunteering. I joined two

organisations, one ‘Thanalil’, which is a shelter for the lonely distressed women and the other one

All India Women's Conference (AIWC), an organisation aimed in the upliftment of women and

children.

                 At Thanalil, the inmates were mostly elders who are all alone in their lives. Being a human

resource person, relating to them was my priority to start with. I found that they were hesitating to

express, accept or even to smile. To make a change towards me with each of them, I made an effort

to be close with the inmates through love chat in groups and individually, with eye contact and

warm touch to create a rapport. Slowly they became at ease to relate with me. They began

unwinding and free to interact and express their feelings. The main problem I realised was, they

were under fear. Slowly I initiated talk therapy, relaxation, simple breathing exercises and

meditation. As the sessions progressed, they became friendly to open up. A feeling of wantedness

developed in between us. Then I started laughter and music therapy, which worked very well to

keep them healthy and happy. This results in the development of progressive relationship

between the inmates and members of our organisation, and a lively atmosphere occurred in our

campus. The inmates were really empowered to express their needs and capable to interact with

others and involve in the activities. Remembering or celebrating their birthdays was alien to them

as was the severity of distribution they found of themselves. Their birthdays were traced out and as

secretary of the organisation I started celebrating their birthdays with special gifts to them. It is

continuing as a practice which make them feel they are no more alone, they can also take part in

changing the world.

               At AIWC in the day care centre for old, our aim is to create a sense of sociability for those

who are alone at home. They were starving, not for food but for acceptance. The activities like

reading, experience and jokes sharing, singing along with yoga and meditation sessions, they

started to be more energetic. Special emphasis is given to make them interact freely in weekly

review programmes. Besides the monthly medical check-ups and terminal day trips are also

arranged for exploring and increasing the creative pursuits in them. All these activities created

a lively and happy feeling, which propelled a change to physical and mental wellbeing in them.

They don’t want to miss a single day from Monday to Friday every week.

                  At San Antonio, United States  during the short visit to our daughter

 I was really blessed to befriend a couple from India who were also

visiting United States. During our evening walk, we started sharing and found out the lady was

totally disturbed with insomnia, joint aches, heart burn and constipation. Being a visitor it is not

that easy to have doctor’s appointment. Both of them were unhappy and helpless. I thought to

share my experience with neurobics and offered a seven day course at our residence.

They accepted and we started it, daily two hours.

           Neurobics is the best methodology to utilise mind power to keep, mind and body healthy.

By concentrating on the seven life centres (Chakras) in our body, holding hand gestures (Mudras),

by breathing action and visualization are the keys to neurobics. Daily practice of thirty minutes to an

hour helps in cleansing the life centres, thus maintaining a balance in the energy flow in our body

resulting in making body and mind completely fit.

          Special care of two hours a day for a week, worked out on them and they start feeling their

uneasiness slowly shedding away. With a thankful heart, full of love, they bid farewell and left

exchanging phone numbers and email id to keep the friendship forever.

           These experiences are making me more and more powerful with positive attitude.

My principle is to master , the skills I acquired, and use it for the needy, so that I can also take

part in changing the world.

           To lift self into full potential is to know the purpose of life. Each one of us has the unspoken

assignment to propel ourselves. The core purpose, when we embrace it, lifts us feeling wonderful

and fulfilled. As we progress in the path, we start forgetting self and discomforts in our personal

 life. The goal ahead truly kindles light in our body, mind and soul. Dedicated and enlightened in

the purpose of life is a bliss which is always positive. Positive means being creative and fearless.

At this stage one can feel the total change in self and start doing things with their unique talents.

When we feel how everything works together in nature, we can realize that there is benevolent

underlying flow to things that we can tap and ride.

           I would wish to conclude with the quote of Mother Teresa that always inspires me,” Nothing

makes you happier than when you really reach out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt.”

   

 

Panacea to Life Journey

                                                Love is in a way can be said as mutual dependence. A life form, even a seed, is embedded with all that is required for a full life cycle. There are certain needs for it to blossom. Plants need energy from the external as well as the internal source for photosynthesis and osmosis. Likewise all the life forms are dependent on both ways to grow and flourish.

                                                  In the evolutionary age language of man was the expression through his body and that expressions were being originated from his heart. They were experiencing love -the basic form of life- through their heart. It was the total dedication of one’s life for the betterment of other’s lives as compassion and sacrifice without any return in any way. Slowly man started the verbal form of expression which was in essence influenced by the brain. The dual expression, one from the heart and the other from the brain came into existing. In language love is expressed as the fundamental energy of life and life is the confluence of love, intelligence, emotions and energy.

                                                     Heat cannot be separated from fire because it is the inherent nature of fire. Without heat there is no fire. Heat is the quality, capacity and totality of fire. So is love in human beings. Love is the omnipotent in mankind and that is what inspired Mahatma Gandhi to define, “God is Love”.

                                                       Love is something very intangible, but it becomes tangible the moment we feel it. It is the panacea of life. It is the healing cosmology; it is the pertinent, pervasive and perpetual emotional deed of well being of the Universe.

                                                        Quality, quantity and intensity of love vary from person to person. Lack of love makes one moronic and nihilistic and the possession of love makes one the ‘Son of God’. People become transparent when they are lovable. Openness and fearlessness are the qualities of love. Acceptance, recognition, respect, empathy and compassion are all the results of love.

                                                         Love is the powerful tool to uplift humanity. Mahatma Gandhi used this tool to get freedom for India. Mother Teresa used this tool to heal and solace the sick and the destitute. SriBudha used this tool to liberate humankind from sufferings thus creating peace in the Universe.

                                                              Love is an expression of relating that, ‘I want to be with you, irrespective of your form, looks or whatever others think of you and me’. It is not the quantum of wealth, body makeup or external attraction that makes people love; it is the compassion that makes people loves others. Love is quality of the person that makes one lovable. Love is commitment, loyalty, care and concern and putting other’s good above one’s own. 

                                                                Wise and divine people of all ages say, love should be returned for hate and good for evil because love is unanswerable. Love swallows up hatred as it is the only solution to problems which arise from our relationship as social being. 

                                                                 Love is both eternal and expressional. Mother’s love which is incomparable is the greatest expression of womanhood and eternal in human life. Love is what you do, not what you say. It is the beauty of tenderness. The beauty of life is built with love. Love is the synonym of sacrifice, forgiveness, patience, grace, compassion and laughter.

                                                                   Universe is showering love on us exuberantly. Enjoying the love of the Universe is possible through a spiritual journey. Spiritual journey is the soul of the loving feeling of oneness and a creative life experience. Spiritual path brings a pure conscious awareness into our mind which is the real energy source of love. Love is pure and real and it is always in a state of flowing. Spiritual love is like the sunshine which falls uniformly on all objects on the earth. Love of Universe is abundantly shining on us. To feel this abundance, simply relax, feel the joy of pure being, practice silence and receive the love. Be in the love of Universe and spread the love to all the creatures around us without any expectations and become a role model of loving soul to all those who are associated with us.

                                                                            Love to share a simple workout which I follow for the past twenty five years which absolutely helps life to be healthy, happy, lovable and peaceful. 

                               Every day, every moment think of the love showered on us by the Supreme Soul (Supreme Power/ Supreme Father) with gratitude for providing us shelter, air, water, food, health, happiness and solutions to overcome the problems throughout the day. Daily, spend at least twenty minutes in meditation and as far as possible a little time with nature, which help us to get rid of the ego, help to love ourselves and accept and enjoy our lives gifted by the Universe. Also honestly and regularly practice openness, be self compassionate and spread the unconditional love to all the creatures in the Universe. Travel through the true spiritual love with the mantra, “May the whole Universe enjoy happiness, prosperity, peace and harmony. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti!!!

                                     Life in it true sense is in the present moment even though mind swings between the past and future. Always bring mind back to the present energy of love. Let the Soul reign over and dedicate your life to love the Universe for the uplift of humanity and the Cosmos.

Make your Day worth....

We have different duties in a day. If we are happy in performing the duties, your day will be happy. If you are pulling your day through the duties then it will be very hard to accept and enjoy. Then after the day, will start thinking about the activities those are ahead for tomorrow.
Here see, the biggest obstacles in life are nothing other then the barriers that our mind creates. The situations are easy when we take it as a commitment and pleasure. The situations are hard when we take it as simple daily duty. So it is very important not to allow mind to take things as big problems. Enjoy your task and make it as far as possible interactive. So take the problems and challenges to learn and experience it for your betterment everyday. Enjoy your day to live a quality life.

Live with Smile to fill life with Cheers...

A simple smile is so influential. It can change the mood of a person or a group. It is lovely to make the people around us happy and hassle-free.
When kids are growing up they are innocent and ready to face the day/ surroundings/ world. But what elders do? They try to encroach their beautiful world and give them some tips how to face the day.
If there is lighting or thunders, the kids wonder what is that? We can teach them and guide them. Instead if we start frightening them, then they will hide or go in their bed under the blanket getting away from the sight and sound. The same thing happened in case of mixer running and pressure cooker working. I had met some parents proudly saying, when the kids are away they operate their mixer and pressure cooker. What they are doing? Instead of making their child emotional strong they are bringing them up with fear an doubt.
We are teaching our children negatives instead of positives. A smile with facts can teach the child to face their life. A smile can cut through all barriers. A smile represents goodwill, affection and openness towards their life and others. Smile communicates acceptance, happiness and builds up strong immune system.

An Ode to Nature

                                        Pranaamam Sridevi, my son in law's mom, who left this world for heavenly abode on 11th August 2017.

Sridevi (right)

                                         ‘Nature’, is very fascinating and rapturous delight to all especially who are nature lovers. Enjoying nature soothes our body, relieves stress and brings happiness. The word itself is very simple but by itself it is shrouded in mystery. Those who contemplate deeply the apprehension of the word nature is incomprehensible. It is tangible and at the same time intangible. There is a saying that if you don’t understand the nature of the world you don’t understand yourself. Here it is connecting the metaphysical aspects of nature. Nature is the quality that makes something what it is and is also the sum total of both animate and inanimate in the universe. It represents the flow of life.

                                            Nature has different connotations on different contexts in the domains of knowledge. A naturalist is an ardent lover of physical nature who enthuses at the charm of nature and anguishes at the destruction of nature. A metaphysician’s nature is philosophical and seeks to explain the nature of being and the origin and structure of the world. Whatever be the interpretations of the erudite geniuses it can be assumed that nature is the phenomena of the universe relating to life.

                                              In philosophy the SANKHYA metaphysics recognises only two kinds of ultimate realities namely ‘purusha’ and ‘prakriti’. Prakriti is the clandestine representation of nature. Prakriti is constituted by three gunas, satva, rajas and tamas. They are inferred from the objects of the world which are their effects. The effects they produce by their nature are pleasure, pain or indifference. These thoughts echoed in my mind when the memory of my son in law’s mom, Sridevi, who is my best friend was whirling in me due to her loss. The trips and journeys we made to enjoy the destinations of natural attractions lighted in me ecstasy and the cruel exploitations of the super speciality cancer hospital in the veneer of cure shuddered.

                                                The happiest memory is the travel we had together to Srinagar, the paradise on earth with its stunning natural beauty.  Major P. Rane, friend and neighbour of our son in law made all the arrangements to make the trip comfortable for four of us. We (me and husband) joined Sridevi and Vijayakrishnan at Pune for the dream trip. Morning at 6 we started from home and reached Srinagar via New Delhi at 12.40 noon. At the arrival gate we saw a person holding welcome board for Sreedevi. We rushed to him, he saluted us and loaded our baggage in his cab and started. He was nodding yes to our questions. After about four kms, he got a phone call that his guests led by another Sridevi are waiting in the airport. At the same time we too got the phone call from our driver. We all hurried back to the airport. Our host’s orderly took charge of us giving an end to the accidental incident. We used to quote and share the funny memory happened to us with our friends due to the impertinent action of us.

                                                Our joy knew no bounds when we landed in Srinagar. We are in nature, the land beyond expectations, the heavenly abode, the impeccably groomed dazzling damsel with her beauty lustre and lambency invoking in our veins and mesmerising us to satiate with her abound beauty. Srinagar, the Venice of the east is a charming city of lakes and gardens. The undulating happiness from the variegated sights is so delightful. In the evening the sight becomes immensely beautiful. We reached our guest house suites named kokernag and Verinag in Victor Force Signal Regiment at Awantipura 28 kms away from airport through NH 44. After refreshing we sat outside in the lawn under the umbrella shade with a hot cup of tea and hot samosa which soothes us in the cold weather. Suddenly it drizzled with hail stone shower. With high curiosity we girls went picking it up. The drizzling and smell of the virgin soil, the wonderful arts of the clouds in the sky, the murmuring of the birds, the cool breeze, the dancing of the tree branches and everything in the nature is creating a transcendent excellence of happiness in us. We all were in the same opinion that this dream invoking wonder land is beautiful than heaven. In the evening we just walked around in the campus through the stadium, common prayer hall, library, gymnasium and helipad, but since it was getting colder we thought of being back in our room to meet our host. The itinerary of the tour programme with the detailed chart during our stay in Srinagar surprised us for the well versed arrangements provided with guide, vehicle, refreshments, relaxation and stay.

                                         After breakfast we proceeded to Pahalgam which is 58 kms away through NH 1A. Closely grown pine trees salute us and shelter on both sides of the road. The rhythmatically flowing Jhelum River on the sides, the circumambient hills and valleys and the enchanting nature are infatuating us. On the way we visited the ruins of a Vaishnava temple by earthquake, centuries before. The rattling and clattering of Chinab River flowing parallel to the highway is really astonishing. The sizzling sound of the leaves of Chinar trees grown on both the sides when the breeze kisses was melodious. Pahalgam, the dream land is situated on the origin point of Lider and Sheshnag lakes. The uneven beautiful greenish meadows surrounded and intersected by Pine trees, the snow clad hills and the valleys are really grandeur and a real feast to eyes. Horse riding is the attractive sport at Pahalgam which enables us to reach to the top of a hill plane of 2130 mts high. The 11/2 hours of horse ride is an awesome experience through hairpin curves and clutters through the forest of Devatharu trees, the effortful moving of the horses, the pedestrians moving up and down, the local people carrying charcoal and fire wood on their head are all like a movie which is really an exciting aesthetic pleasure. The spot is famous for film shooting. Had lunch at the hotel named Pine and Peak which is encircled by luxurious beautiful natural gardens combined with meadows, Pine and Devatharu trees provide great ambience and relaxation. Experience of percolating cold in the dwindling day light snacking hot peanuts, green peas and bhelpuri at Aru valley and Betheb valley enthuse us to spend more time on the fumy snow clad mountain. Late evening we reached our camp at Ashwa mugh guest house of 3RR Assam Riffles. Even though the temperature outside was 5degree Celsius the big lantern inside the tin sheet guest room with thatched roofs gave us comfortable warmth throughout.

                                                    Early morning next day we visited Mattan temple, a divine complex of Lord Sun, Sri Rama and Goddess Durga which is a pageantry of temple arts. An invisible water stream starting from the hill valley passes down through the platform of the shrine reaches a pond in front of the temple called Vimal kund and overflows as a lake to the villages. The Gurudwara near the temple is a meditation place even though it is surrounded by the army.  Kokernag botanical garden, 70kms away from Srinagar situated at a height of 2020 mts, is a place of felicity, beauty and magnificent. Thick forested mountain ranges and their valleys, trees with brownish red leaves signalling winter arrival, foot path and pavements carpeted with the fallen leaves, flowers of different colours, dancing flowering plants and beautiful meadows with shyly flowing Kokernag spring with the rhythm of shaking chilankas (ankle chains)  are enthusing and exhilarating.

                                              Verinag, the spot where Jhelum River originates is 10 km away from Kokernag. The unique octagonal gate at the birth place of the lake is an attraction for the tourists. The place was beautified by Jahangir and Shajahan the Mughal kings. Charming garden, elegant waterfalls and canals, fruit trees, ornamental plants, comely meadows, magnificent hill valleys make the place a dream world. On the way back to Awanthipur guest house we had a quick visit to the vegetable and fruit market of Anandnag. There we bought some apples, oranges, banana, pear, peach and cherries which were extremely sweet and tasty.

                                                   Next day we started off to Gulmarg in Baramulla Township. The golf play ground here is world’s no: 1 due to its height lustre. The beauty of Gulmarg will make us hysteric. The trees have a special charm. They change the colour of leaves in time with seasons like the umbrella changing pageant of Trissur Pooram, greenish in spring, emerald in summer and gold in autumn which reveals the nature’s carnival show. The journey over the snow clad mountains in the ‘gondola’, straddling on the ice covered valleys enchants the tourists. Gulmarg resembles Alps Mountains which has the most fascinating beauty in the world. The gondola drive over the top of the ice kissing hills, the picnic spot where the horizon meets, the snow clad mountains and the glaciated landscape gives us an impression of a mysterious fairy land of illusionary experience. After lunch at the guest house of Goorka Riffles Regiment we went to the nearby famous Siva temple on the hill top where the shoot of the Hindi film ‘Apke Kasam’ was done. Had ‘darsan’ and visited the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering. The evening was wonderful with its beauty and chill.

                                                        The view of sunrise from our campsite was a blissful experience. The sun was slowly rising up against a background of multicoloured canvas of the horizon. The walk to observe the scenic spots Alpthar lake, Babaknag and Killen nag astonished us. After breakfast we visited the famous shrine of Baba Rishi which is being visited by devotees irrespective of caste, creed and religion. On the way back to Awanthipur, the Green village the factory show room helped us to buy some ethnic items as souvenirs.

                                                            Sonamarg, the ‘Meadow of Gold ‘is in Gandharbad district, situated at a height of 2730 mts. from the sea level and is famous for its scenic beauty. On the way we passed through Badamibag, Magini, Kankan and Guru to reach Sonamarg which is the gateway to Ladakh and also to the holy pilgrimage Amarnath Temple. Nichu Nipas which is the confluence of the lakes Kishansar, Vishansar and Gangabal. Zojila pass is at a distance of 25km which is 3540 mts high and the route leading to Ladakh plateau. Sonamarg is an important base for many trekking routes. The charismatic Sonamarg is the real beauty of the blooming valley of alpine flowers and towering conifers. Sindh River is flowing through the valley.

                                                   The boat trip through Dal Lake was awesome. The largest lake of the city is an icon and focal point of Srinagar. Shikara rides, stay in house boats and water skiing are the major tourist’s attractions in the lake. The sight of the floating market will trill us. Nehru Park is situated somewhat in the middle of the lake which is gorgeously illuminated in the evenings. The children’s park is a favourite spot for kids and parents with a variety of games and light and sound show in the evenings. The enchanting Char Chinar Island in the lake with four Stately Chinar (Maple trees) trees together as if in a comradeship is very famous.

                                 With the lovely thoughts of Shikara ride we went to the gardens architectured by the Mughal rulers. The gardens were specially noted for their stepped terraces and flowing water bodies. The famous gardens including Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Cheshma Shahi and Siraj Bagh are located on the Far East side and banks of Dal Lake amidst spectacular scenic beauty overlooking the city. Shalimar Bagh is known as the garden of love laid by emperor Jehangir for his beloved wife Nurjahan. Nishat Bagh known as the garden of bliss was built by Asaf Khan, brother of empress Nurjahan in 1633. Cheshma Shahi, lay out by emperor Shajahan in 1632 is the smallest of the gardens. It is known for the natural spring of water with curative properties for stomach ailments. Siraj Bagh is named as Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden is a romanticist’s delight with over 3.5lakh colourful tulip flowers carpeting the garden during the blooming season. Pari Mahal is a grand palace perched atop a hill near Cheshma Shahi garden was originally a Buddhist monastery and later converted to a palace by Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of emperor Shajahan. The garden ornamented streets are well preserved and illuminated at night which add extra beauty to these tourist spots.

                                 Last day of our trip we planned to buy something of the origin of Srinagar to memorise the beautiful journey in the dream land. We proceeded to Badamibag cantonment base where our family friend Mr Balasubramanian, Asst Manager, Stores received us. The Siva Temple in the vicinity of the base camp located in the middle of an artificial pond is known as Pani Mandir. Here the devotees themselves can do ‘aarathi’. The base campsite is a township with banks, shops, malls, cinema theatre, restaurants and clinics. We bought dry fruits, kaser, handicrafts, Kashmir silks and handloom saris and dresses with much delight. Our lunch was arranged by our host Major Rana in advance at the ‘Holiday Home’ of the base. In the evening we went to our last destination Sri Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar as per the itinerary of the tour. This ancient temple nestles on the Takht-i-Sulaiman hill at a height of 1000 ft above Srinagar city.                                                          The shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva dates back to emperor Jahangir’s time. It is said to be built on the site where the great Advaita philosopher saint Adi Shankaracharya stayed during his visit to Kashmir centuries back. We will reach the temple climbing 242 steps. The interiors of the temple are quite artistic. The awe-inspiring sight from the temple offers the view of the Dal Lake, the snowy peaks of Pir Panjal range and the illuminations in the evening. With gratitude fulfilling our dream visit to the wonder land Kashmir, along with our dear relatives, we reached back in our guest house.

                               Next day morning, the day of our departure from Kashmir, Major Rana joined us to bid farewell.  With the reminiscence of a lifetime experience of joy and festal fervour we four, being a beautiful team as the same feature birds, enjoyed the trip in full swing and reached back home at 11pm.

                                 I was describing the Sathwa guna element of nature, the eternal bond of life. It recently happened to experience the terribleness of nature as I was with Sridevi when she was hospitalised for cancer treatment. She was responding to the chemotherapy positively and back home after her third chemo, she sent messages to all her dear and near ones thanking for the prayers and blessings showered during the course of treatment. It last hardly for ten days only. One by one all the symptoms reappeared and the cancer was back as it became malignant. Instead of letting her to have a hospice by trauma care the expert team treating her belligerently influenced to go for stem cell transplant as the next phase of treatment. It was a moment of helplessness where the logic of sensibility will be overshadowed by the emotional state, a moment of conflict. If the apostles of cure are expected to be like Srikrishna to Arjun in such a situation, that is what the real eternal nature. But the nature of cure turns to affliction due to the wickedness. Stem cell transplant and blood transfusions were of no use to Sridevi and she left the world on 11^th August 2017 for heavenly abode. It remembered me Mother Teresa’s words, “Nothing makes you happier than when you really reach out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt”. Here I conclude this memoir.

                                  “Mind is the fore runner of conditions.

                                    Mind is their leader and they are mind made.

                          If with a pure mind you speak or act, then happiness comes,

                                       after you like your never- departing shadow.”

                                                                    Dhammapada, 1-2