Mysore BLOG PARK

A Tree in the Forest

2012-02-29T18:07:00.001+05:30

One day, navigating the traffic-choked madness of Lattice Bridge Road, he tells me that it is his life's dream to get his boy into XYZ School. All problems would cease, he told me, his voice suffused with wistful longing, and life would shine brightly forever after, if he could, somehow, anyhow, get his son in there. For G, XYZ School is the portal to a world that he and his forebears before him couldn’t, and perhaps didn’t, ever dream of. A world with an endless series of portals opening out into a universe of infinite possibilities. So that his child might step into that world, G tells me he will work around the clock, deny himself even the tiniest of pleasures, tighten the belt still further, do whatever he can to somehow scrape together the money for the tuition. Because it will all be worth it in the end.
Read more.......

Meanwhile, in a Small Sliver of South India...

2012-02-29T18:06:00.001+05:30

Last evening, my husband and I were at the Asia Society in New York, to attend a reading and performance by William Dalrymple and Vidya Shah and her orchestra. This event was arranged in conjunction with the Society’s current exhibit on Princes and Painters in Mughal Delhi, 1707-1857. The evening was, for the most part, interesting and entertaining. Dalrymple’s narrative, drawn largely from his book, The Last Mughal, was studded with entertaining anecdotes that brought his characters to life. Vidya Shah complemented and supplemented his stories with songs and poetry from the great and little-known poets and songsters of that era.
Read more.....

The Highway Poet

2012-02-29T18:02:00.002+05:30

Somewhere down the serpentine labyrinth that is the organization chart of the National Highways Authority of India is a little box that is an offshoot of the Department of Highway Safety. This box is the proud bearer of the title “Couplets and Proverbs Division (L&T K-W)”. It has a single employee, a long-haired, dreamy-eyed, thickly bespectacled youth, the nephew of the Chairman of the Department of Highway Safety (S-India). This young lad, who had been a gentle, sweet-natured child, the kind parents pointed out to their boisterous offspring as a shining example of what they ought to be like, created a major commotion in his family when he declared that he wanted to study Literature in college.
Read more....

Three matters

2012-02-28T19:53:00.000+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.in/2012/02/three-matters.html

Archery bloodline,

Trigger happy Italianmarines

Let the grains rot

An album of hibiscus flower photos

2012-02-24T16:23:00.003+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.in/2012/02/album-of-hibiscus-flower-photos.html

Poppycock!

2012-02-21T22:00:00.001+05:30

Poppies were things I looked down upon. They have this tendency to blaze for a day or two in glory before fluttering away their all in a mess on the ground. It's tempting to think of them as wastrels. They are completely out of place among superior species that hold their heads up as the well cultivated should.

Eco-friendly Vs Enviro-friendly - Some forced re-definitions

2012-02-20T15:23:00.004+05:30

P Sainath's writes in the article The Iron Laws of the Earth Sciences - "He also became the Minister for Earth Sciences (which, as often pointed out, is seen in his home State as jargon for real estate expertise). Jealous detractors say it is his raising this sector to the level of a science that makes him priceless to the Congress."

Just as (Ministry of) Earth Sciences means more about ministering to the real estate expertise, one can come up with more re-definitions.
Here's one - for those in the Indian (media) elite circles,
eco-friendly = (neo-liberal) ECOnomy-favouring policies.
Further, the words 'climate change' probably refer more to vagaries in the economic weather of the country than the Inconvenient Truth that humankind faces!

For those who bat for the environment - let's talk about being enviro-friendly, shall we?

Giants at J-School- Clarence Page

2012-02-20T05:16:00.001+05:30

Two-time Pulitzer winner Clarence Page gave a talk at the Columbia Journalism School this month. A compilation of running notes on my blog: http://gaurigharpure.blogspot.com/2012/02/diggurl-diggpermalinkurl.html

Photos: Beautiful leaves

2012-02-16T15:19:00.001+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.in/2012/02/photos-beautiful-leaves.html

Point Calimere - A visit over Pongal

2012-02-14T14:39:00.003+05:30

The 2012 Pongal weekend was unusual for me, as we drove down the TN coast, and explored the Point Calimere area, along with other members of the Madras Naturalist Society.

There was so much to learn, so much to see that there are several posts devoted to the visit.

You could start with the photo summary, which shows you where we went, and a quick sample of all we saw. Then read the description of The hamlet of Kodikarai and a slice of history in Lighthouses galore!

Did you know there are Feral horses in the grasslands of Point Calimere? Probably the only place in India.

Wherever, we went there were the ubiquitous Brahminy Kites. But, Point Calimere is famous for its flamingoes and migrating birds. Where were The missing waders?

See the pictorial results of our Beachcombing at Point Calimere, and travel to the mangroves at Muthupet.

The Butterflies at Udayamarthandapuram is a fitting finale to a wonderful weekend shared with friends and family!

Comrade Jesus Christ, CPI (M)

2012-02-09T18:03:00.000+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.in/2012/02/comrade-jesus-christ-cpi-m.html

A few days back a Kerala leaderof this Party, who is undergoing a contempt of Court case, made a rathersensational remark – Jesus Christ and Prakash Karat, the All India GeneralSecretary of the party are alike. One thing that I am sure of is that Karatwill not be crucified.

Talking the walk, Swapna’s Delhi Walk

2012-02-05T05:55:00.000+05:30

Carrying, as I do, an emotional baggage of having spent my college, and early working life in the city, I admit to reading Delhi – 14 historic walks with tinted eye-glasses that had weathered 30 Delhi summers (1950-80s)...More

India Decides To Support UNSC’s Syria Resolution

2012-02-04T12:24:00.000+05:30

I personally feel it is a wise decision, in terms of diplomatic strategy as well as humanity. First, it is important for India to get its voice heard in an international issue, as it will help it further strengthen its status as a power to reckon with. Secondly, there is the question of humanity and ethical responsibility, which compels India to do something to address the Syrian bloodshed that is continuing without any sign of end. More

A Walk in Harlem

2012-02-04T05:19:00.001+05:30

The signal is red. The M 60 bus reaches the 116th & Broadway stop at 4:00 pm. It has three passengers, five more get in. Buzz-beep-slash: passengers swipe their Metro cards and find solitary seats. The driver’s belly droops over his belt. From behind his black goggles, he looks disinterestedly at those stepping in. A recorded female voice greets mechanically: “Thank you for riding the MTA.”

The bus takes a right turn off Amsterdam Avenue onto W 125 St . Outside the Harlem USA II Nails salon two black women stand smoking cigarettes. The shade of one’s jacket perfectly matches her brown highlights. The other is shorter, plump and wears a black jacket.

Are they poor?

Continue to read at Life Rules

I finally found my Rosy

2012-02-01T15:29:00.003+05:30

It was a book that captured my heart and imagination during my school days. But I have no idea how it came into my hands. Read here.

Memories are history

2012-01-29T17:39:00.000+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.com/2012/01/memories-are-history.html

The point I am trying toestablish is that the observations and memories of a person form part ofhistory. If someone wants to do a study of the history of cinema houses in Mysore, Dinakar’s articlewould be an invaluable document. But not many people record their experiences.The regular excuse is “I can’t write”. That is not correct. Anyone can write ifhe has a pen and paper.

Photography – My New Passion

2012-01-28T17:22:00.001+05:30

It is not that my interest in photography is something completely new. Rather I always have had interest in it, since my childhood. More

Blue Whales of Sri Lanka!

2012-01-26T16:03:00.000+05:30

Before I start off on my Whale of a Tale, let me update some important information on travel to Sri Lanka. As of January 2012, all visitors to Sri Lanka need to apply and obtain an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before embarking on their trip. Read on for web link for ETA, photos and video of Blue Whales..

And the people have won!

2012-01-25T15:36:00.001+05:30

It was with much relief that I read the following news:

US lawmakers have indefinitely postponed votes on two anti-piracy bills following a massive outcry against the proposed legislation by internet companies, such as Wikipedia, Facebook and Red Hat.

http://under-the-tree-of-tranquility.blogspot.com/2012/01/and-people-won.html

HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY 2012

2012-01-24T11:57:00.001+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-republic-day-2012.html

My Bee Hive

2012-01-24T00:23:00.001+05:30

The edge is now bare and I miss their activity which I used to watch often. How disciplined the bees were! Neither did I disturb them nor did they harm me. Read more here...

Oprah, Rushdie rob limelight in Jaipur

2012-01-23T11:27:00.000+05:30

My issue, however, is with the Jaipur festival folk who hosted the Oprah show. Someone with celebrity status such as Oprah needs no promotion; she commands media attention wherever she goes. The same cannot be said for many others at the literature festival who deserve to be heard by a wider audience. I wish the organisers programmed their proceedings in ways that enable lesser known participants gain much-needed media exposure. More

FA's and SA's

2012-01-19T17:36:00.000+05:30

One more FA is over and I am exhausted!

http://under-the-tree-of-tranquility.blogspot.com/2012/01/fas-and-sas.html

Keep on saluting Gen. VK Singh?

2012-01-17T22:16:00.003+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.com/2012/01/keep-on-saluting-gen-vk-singh.html

"After You Sir"

2012-01-17T21:34:00.007+05:30

The Sainik School at Kazhakoottam, Trivandrum which happens to be the Alma Mater of so many of my friends, is observing the Golden Jubilee of its existence this academic year, and the grand finale is scheduled for 21 Jan 2012.

One of the SSKZM alumni has brought out a collection of school stories titled "After You Sir", .... continue reading...

Messing up Kochi Metro Project?

2012-01-11T18:46:00.000+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.com/2012/01/messing-up-kochi-metro-project.html

DMRC was asked to do twopreliminary jobs. Keralites who are quite gullible sometimes believed that herewe go ahead with the Rs.5000+ crores project in association with DMRC andSreedharan. But last month the PWD Minister announced that the work would beawarded through a global tender. It was also heard that the KMRL has submittedan affidavit in the Kerala High Court confirming this.

Earliest memories of watching a movie

2012-01-10T11:35:00.000+05:30

My earliest in my memory timeline of watching a film in a theatre dates back to the early 1960s. It was a matinee show. The theatre was Ganesh Picture House. The movie was Absent Minded Professor. (Read more..)

A magazine called Sport and Pastime

2012-01-10T11:30:00.000+05:30

The Hindu is also probably the first to publish an exclusive magazine dedicated to sports. It started "Sport and Pastime" in 1947 under the leadership of S.K.Gurunathan...... (Read more..)

Five Yercaud Flowers

2012-01-09T12:24:00.000+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.com/2012/01/five-yercaud-flowers.html

As birthdays go by…

2012-01-04T16:03:00.003+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.com/2012/01/as-birthdays-go-by.html

Life goes on like this tillone reaches an age when sometimes the image of one’s own garlanded photohanging on the wall flashes through the mind.

Yes Madam Speaker.. have the AYES finally given the nation something?

2011-12-28T13:15:00.000+05:30

Yes Madam Speaker.. have the AYES finally given the nation something?

The whole scene looked comical while Meira Kumar went on and on.

Neverthless, after years and years (42 long years) of deliberation, finally a version of the Lokpal bill has seen light and I would like to believe that it is an achievement for the nation.

http://under-the-tree-of-tranquility.blogspot.com/2011/12/i-think-ayes-have-it-ayes-have-it.html

Mango trees flower

2011-12-26T11:02:00.000+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.com/2011/12/mango-trees-flower.html

Christmas – The Pan-religious Festival Meant For The Entire World

2011-12-25T14:08:00.000+05:30

Officially Christmas may be just a religious festival of a certain religious community. But in reality it is a pan-religious festival, widely popular with and enthusiastically celebrated by people of all religions across the world.

Why is it so? Well, the reason lies in the pan-religious appeal of Christmas. More

Dam Business

2011-12-17T21:08:00.000+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.com/2011/12/dam-business.html

Kerala Government isabsolutely justified in its concern for the safety of its people. But the waythe present government has gone about it is counter productive. The antics andone-upmanship by the Kerala parties over the issue have provoked the Tamilians.Keralites are at the losing end and further problems could arise for peopleliving in Kerala and those Keralites in TN. Going into details would make thisa long essay. As the Supreme Court said, “Both parties, instead of dousing thefire, are adding fuel to it.”

Lesson For India – UK Aims At Empowering Voters To Recall MPs With Questionable Activities

2011-12-17T13:43:00.000+05:30

It is a development that offers a lesson and inspiration for all parliamentary democracies of the world, including India. More

Going bananas....

2011-12-16T20:12:00.002+05:30

He got hold of some banana saplings and planted them, and tended them so sincerely. It was no wonder when one of them flowered. When we returned after our extended trip we were so happy to see the small fruits.
Read more here.

Putting FDI in retail on hold – sense or nonsense?

2011-12-13T12:03:00.002+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.com/2011/12/putting-fdi-in-retail-on-hold-sense-or.html

BJP must realize that theparty is very important to India.They would be/should be either running the government or sitting the oppositionin a responsible manner. Seeing the BJP lining up with the left parties toooften these days makes one worried. TheCommunists have opposed everything good for the country from Quit India tocomputers. That is why they are where they are today.

Is Tamilnadu in Pakistan?

2011-12-11T13:35:00.001+05:30

An exasperated voice came from the TV in the living room while I was in the bedroom all warm and cozy since it is now winter here in Kuwait.

A tree of sorrow and its flowers that are teardrops

2011-12-03T11:48:00.001+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.com/

Onceupon a time in a kingdom in Indiawas a princess. Her name was Parijathika.She fell in love with the Sun. After years of waiting and pleading, sherealized that her wishes were in vain. She committed suicide. From her ashes arosea plant. It grew fast, and started flowering. The plant and its flowers werenamed parijatham, after the princess. The fragrant blossoms opened only atnight so that they won’t have to see the Sun. They fall off in the morning.They are the teardrops of Parijathika. More...

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn!

2011-11-30T14:24:00.001+05:30

What is wrong with these people? Why can't they talk about something else?

Dam, dam, dam dam.. damn!

The above lines may go through the minds of anyone else, but not a single Keralite, even if he now resides in the North Pole.

Frankly speaking, I have never seen Kerala united in such a manner!

Go to

FDI in Retail in India

2011-11-30T10:52:00.007+05:30

The debate rages on.
This is one area where ringing in the new may not be quite what the nation needs....
Instead of the friendly neighbourhood, dhoti-clad grocer selling you rice, atta and dal, you will be piling up all sorts of mostly superfluous items on to your shopping trolley and get checked out of store by young, suited and booted, extra-polite MBA degree holders.

Read the rest of this entry

I bellow my flames: An incident of fire

2011-11-28T13:25:00.001+05:30

‘Hey, get down!! Get down NOW and head out to the front. We’re trying to control the fire.’ It was a Police Officer with his flashlight. As I rushed inside to let everyone know, my heart was throbbing.‘Quick, fire, evacuate.’ What do you take with you?More..

Art and Wine

2011-11-28T11:27:00.001+05:30

http://parayilat.blogspot.com/2011/11/art-and-wine.html
What is art? What is the connection between art andwine? These were some of the questions a few of us discussed some days back. Itwas at the Art & Wine event at Ramada Resort that was promoted by PaulGeorge (on the right in photo), a well known art connoisseur and business man of Cochin, and Sulu Wines. The opening lamp waslit by Mr. K. Ramachandran Nair (on the left in photo), who has contributed so much for the promotionof art with his galleries.....

Is Team Anna a threat to democracy ?

2011-11-27T05:52:00.000+05:30

Britain’s academic and a Labour peer Bhikhu Parekh, in a recent lecture on the crisis in Indian democracy, is reported as saying, a growing public support for Anna Hazare-style protests, led by unelected campaigners, bode ill for Indian democracy...More..

Indian Govt. Mulling Institutionalization Of Community Policing

2011-11-26T19:34:00.001+05:30

It is undoubtedly a very significant development. It is now an established fact that appropriate involvement of community always enhances the quality of the governance. This explains why it has now become such a popular practice for governments across the world to partner with local community members for carrying out various tasks and activities (one notable example is that of “Community Forestry”). More

Talking books, unread & reread

2011-11-21T05:54:00.000+05:30

The bookshelf in front of my desk has often had me wonder, ‘would I ever be able to read all those books before my time is up’. I am 73 . Browsing the Net and channel surfing have pushed reading books to a back-seat in my re-ordered daily routine...More

Shine On, Shorn Or Long!

2011-11-19T08:49:00.004+05:30

Long or short, women are fascinated with the styling and grooming of hair. If it is curly, we want it straight. If straight, we want it wavy.

I used to long for wavy hair, I remember, and hated it when the ends of my plaits stuck out like broomsticks. While as children we suffered the weekly oil massage and following wash, we now realise now that it helps bring a rush of blood to the roots and stimulate them. During the days I was growing up, there was a biweekly ritual of massaging the head with coconut oil.I still do it, though the biweekly massage seems to have become bi annual! Well almost.

Thalai Diwali

2011-11-19T08:40:00.002+05:30

This year’s Diwali was Danielle-Kartik’s Thalai Diwali, the Diwali they celebrate as a couple for the first time. I sent them a mail from which I quote two or three sentences:
“In those days – I am talking about 75 years back -- newly-married couples used to wait eagerly for Diwali, the reason being they had to wait a year or so to start living together as man and wife.

Gin and Tonic http://parayilat.blogspot.com/2011/11/gin-and-tonic.htmlGin and tonic

2011-11-15T11:28:00.001+05:30

The midday drink of the sahibs when they ruled India was gin andtonic.... The British had a purpose in taking that drinkother than alcoholic aspect. The ‘tonic’ is quinine water which prevents/curesmalaria and is health wise beneficial in several ways

Petroleum products manufacturing and pricing policy

2011-11-08T18:17:00.000+05:30

Three years back I had written a post titled Tackling the oil crisis. One point I failed mentioning then was that the vehicles should be kept in good condition. Anyway, let us have a look at what could be done to handle the situation:

Ms. Manusmriti Of India Becomes The 4th Generation Cop, Makes World Record

2011-11-06T17:05:00.001+05:30

And now Manusmriti has lived up to the legacy of her family by joining the IPS. She has joined the Union Territory cadre. She and her father have also made the record of being the only serving father-daughter IPS duo. A bright student, Manusmriti is an alumnus of Delhi’s St. Stephens College and London School of Economics. More

The gentlemen of the highways...

2011-11-04T09:26:00.000+05:30

I’ve been traveling extensively since I was a kid. When we were small we rarely spent a weekend at home. Weekends were synonymous with travel. We hit the road every weekend and I went to school on Mondays with a note to explain missed weekend homework. Karnataka has something called Dussehra holidays that comes as a welcome break during October. Dussera hols lasted ten days and we traveled a little further like Darjeeling or Jaipur or Kashmir. Summer break usually meant a holiday in Kerala or abroad. My Dad’s love for driving has seen us driving through pitch dark jungles roads, getting a puncture in deserted places and getting stranded on a mountain with a ruptured fuel pipe. But he was an experienced driver and had a remedy for every eventuality...more

AN EXPERIENCE

2011-11-01T21:02:00.002+05:30

The young man just looked at my face and gave the girl a ‘thumbs up’ sign. The girl walked back and after a short time came back wearing another pair which did not suit her at all.

More here

THE LETTER I DID NOT SEND

2011-11-01T20:55:00.002+05:30

We are back after spending six months with our children in Seattle and Newport. Our return trip on October 17, a Monday, from Seattle was also via London – a British Airways flight with a one hour stop. One hour to make the connecting flight to Chennai! When I realised that, panic master that I am, I started worrying about it – will we make the connection or not? What would happen if we did not? Read below

What actually happened

Two months of silence – relocation and cataract operation

2011-10-31T16:42:00.000+05:30

Well, my keeping quiet on the blogosphere for two months was not because of any mouna vrutha. Such noble undertakings are only for people like our present day ‘Gandhian’ in creaseless clothes.

Hang Out There!

2011-10-29T00:07:00.001+05:30

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is a World Heritage site.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee describes it thus:
"The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the first, and still the most outstanding example of a hill passenger railway. Opened in 1881, it applied bold and ingenious engineering solutions to the problems of establishing an effective rail link cross a mountainous terrain of great beauty. It is still fully operational* and retains most of its original features intact."

Hello, darkness my old friend!

2011-10-04T10:20:00.002+05:30

For some years now, I've enjoyed taking a solitary outing at nightfall. All those years ago, the loneliness was as frightening as the darkness. Over time, a love of solitude replaced the fear. Silence and darkness can become a rich environment for those who like to wander about in the spaces of the mind.

Three Weddings - Part 2

2011-09-28T21:04:00.004+05:30

A wedding in the family and that too in Trichur, was carrot enough for me to decide to go there. So it was for Raji, Muthu and Raja. And we were off to Trichur; we had a grand time enjoying the ceremonies which lasted two days. Yes Rajesh’s wedding was a typical South Indian one with the vritham and the kappu kettal for the bride done side by side the morning before the day of the wedding, and the reception the same evening.

SINGAPORE RECENT EVENTS - SNAPSHOTS

2011-09-20T10:10:00.001+05:30

http://mymysore72.blogspot.com/2011/09/recent-events-singapore.html

Three Weddings

2011-09-20T07:58:00.004+05:30

In June, there was such a wedding in Chicago. My grandson Kartik got married to Danielle, his friend of five years. It was a perfect wedding in every sense of the word, a pot-pourri of two cultures. There was no Mappilai Azhaipu, no vritham, no Kasiyathirai, no Mallai Mattal, no oonjal. There was a Sasthrigal (priest) who conducted the wedding in a very dignified manner with the bare essential rites such as the Vinayaka Poojai, the Kappukettal which the Sastrigal himself did both for the bride and the groom, the Kannika Daanam, recital of the Gothram and then the Mangalya Dharanyam or Thali kattu,( the ‘Mundru Mudichu) or Three Knots.

HURRICANE POWER

2011-09-20T07:54:00.000+05:30

A couple of weeks ago, when Hurricane Irene was not even thought of, we went with my son Sriram and his family from Newport, New Jersey for a short vacation to Corpus Christi in Texas, to join my son Sankar and his family for his birthday celebrations at his sister-in-law’s. Two days into the holiday, Hurricane Irene came into being and took on great significance, since it was predicted that it would hit just where we resided, bang opposite the river from New York city. Initial relief at having escaped the fury of nature, turned to alarm as we realized (a) our return flight was cancelled. (b) our apartment could be in one of the areas most affected by the hurricanes, with rains pouring into the 10th floor balcony and entering the rooms. My son narrates what happened next….

Earthquake!

2011-09-19T12:02:00.002+05:30

We were shaken and rattled about. The lights went off at once. The noise was frightening. Once we made it outside we stood together holding one another at the door. We knew we should be running down the stairs but we couldn't move. The building was rocking violently. It felt as if everything would come crashing down any second.

About Pencils

2011-09-11T13:13:00.000+05:30

As young kids we yearned to get promoted from the slate and chalk (baLapa) level to the pencil and paper level. The newer generation urban kids begin with the latter and they may not even be aware of the slate and baLapa though they know the blackboard in schools. There used to be a 'slate baLapa' in the form of a pencil! I used to write with ... Read more.....

Butterflies in my yard

2011-09-11T13:08:00.000+05:30

Who does not want to stop and watch a colourful butterfly flutter by? If you have a few flowering plants, shrubs and trees in your yard, the butterflies find them. It is for many reasons butterflies are great attractions to children and I grew up watching them in our yard, which hosted much greenery. I still do. Earlier we just watched them without observing much. Read and see more images...

Toy Cars and Buses

2011-09-11T13:04:00.000+05:30

Often, we young boys did not need a toy bus or a car to play the game of driving. Just some running space was enough! What a pleasure and feeling it was to 'drive' barefoot, making the most pleasant sound of the engine using the lips - 'brrrr brrrrrr' and sometimes 'bbrrrooooom', when we sped! While we had to make a horn, the engine had to 'stop'! The 'vehicle' can be made to turn in sharp angles as well without changing gears. When there was an opportunity to travel by..... Read more....

A strange coincidence of WTC 9/11

2011-09-11T12:59:00.000+05:30

It is already ten years now since that fateful day which came to be referred as “9/11”. The US has got rid of its mastermind (OBL) recently. I don't need to decipher. I would like to share a strange coincidence I came across in relation to this infamous terrorist act which has stuck in my memory. I was in Chennai for a cricket engagement. Read more...

Greetings

2011-09-01T14:35:00.000+05:30

“No Pillows, No Blankets”

2011-08-24T13:23:00.000+05:30

Yesterday (Aug.23) I took an early morning flight of a major Indian airways from Cochin to Chennai.. Usually there would be the airline chaps to help needy passengers with baggage and checking in. I required assistance because of a back problem. Looked around for support staff. No luck.

Click on the title to read on.

A Few Thousand Words

2011-08-22T16:43:00.002+05:30

Flanked by its belt of defensive jungles is that city
Whose doors are never closed to those who seek the prize
Lovely like the pericarp of the many-petalled lotus
The navel of the dark-hued Lord.....

An update

2011-08-21T21:52:00.001+05:30

I earned the Fulbright scholarship and am now studying journalism at my dream school: Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism, in the city of New York.

It's humbling how many "dream" milestones God granted in 2011.

I assume I shall be hard-pressed for time as the semester rolls on, but this blog is too dear a place to let it remain quiet.

See you with more posts, more musings. And soon!

I blog at Life Rules

Sungei Serangoon River - Singapore

2011-08-10T17:59:00.001+05:30

On the other side of the river from the housing estates is a wet land reserve, a haven for small birds and large ones like the Sea Eagle. Some wildlife enthusiasts have also encountered wild boar! In Singapore, where there are wet lands, there are water monitor lizards. All 10 minutes from where I live!

About Pencils

2011-08-06T21:07:00.000+05:30

The pencil was one of the most fought for item among school-going brothers or sisters at home. Everybody wanted the longer or new pencil. When I used to visit my maternal grandparents' house, I used to get attracted to the shortened pencils of my uncle lying in the shelf with his books. See more...

Creating Gen Next Engineers

2011-08-01T15:45:00.000+05:30

The motivation to convert young men and women into efficient technicians on whom the future of the country depends is noble. First requirement for this of course is an engineering college. Take Kerala for instance where there are quite a few of them. As long as friendly politicians are around the necessary clearances don’t pose a problem. Thereafter it is a simple process of accounting, sometimes in the books, sometimes outside them. If you happen to hear the tinkle of money, don’t be surprised.

The new lower class

2011-08-01T13:33:00.001+05:30

We drove into the Oberoi and I watched as the driver quickly retrieved the bags and deposited it with the bell boy. Shaking my colleague’s hands and bidding him good night and promising him to pick him up in the morning, the driver came back to the car. He got in looked around and asked me tersely where I wanted to be dropped. The sudden change in tone of this amiable man was startling. He drove out quietly when I gave him my address. I asked him a few questions about the road near my house that was under repair. I wanted to avoid it. First he refused to answer and then when I repeated the question snapped that it was still under repair. I asked him to bypass the road and gave him directions to the bypass. He replied rudely that if he was going to deviate then it would cost me more. By this time I had had enough and snapped that if he charged me more than whole days hire rate then he can find himself another company to work for...more

A Font Type Inspired by Gandhiji

2011-07-28T14:32:00.001+05:30

"Mahatma Gandhi - A different type" aptly sums up the design of a font inspired by the Mahatma. You can download the font from gandhijifont.com.

Let's strive to keep everything simple!

A. Raja’s Ridiculous Attempt To Drag The PM’s Name Into The 2G Controversy

2011-07-28T13:01:00.000+05:30

Mr. A Raja’s desperation to defend himself is understandable. But he must realize that espousal of any baseless reasoning to wash his hands off can hardly dilute the charge against him. Rather such acts will leave his image to be murkier. More

Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting - how I have done

2011-07-25T22:08:00.000+05:30

I collect from a rooftop area of about 380 square feet into the sump through filters. Using that calcuator, I get about 65,000 - 70,000 litres per annum. A rough figure from wastage from 'first flush' deducted. The sump capacity is about 7000 litres. We will be using municipal water supply usually but during the regular rainy season, I stop the supply and utilize rainwater which keeps topping up the sump. See more.....

Indian Boardrooms

2011-07-25T14:29:00.000+05:30

Pic courtesy - The Hindu
In Indian boardrooms, we hardly see any colour and some sense of national identity. Why do we don dress that is appropriate in some other climate, and also use extra energy to cool. Big Paradox!

A Travancore Lady by Raja Ravi Varma

2011-07-25T10:02:00.000+05:30

Click on the title to see.

General Election To Be Held In Egypt – A Good News, But…

2011-07-24T11:41:00.001+05:30

However, there is one issue that is preventing some people from becoming completely happy and relieved. The Military Council has barred international monitors from observing the poll, and has chosen Egypt’s judiciary to play that role. More

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Agreement – The End, Or The Beginning?

2011-07-20T09:56:00.001+05:30

All this may be taken as a sign that the GTA has been successful in placating the grievances/feeling of discrimination/etc. of the so called sons of the soil (sorry, all of these local people are not indigenous to Darjeeling), and now they are no more interested in having a separate Gorkhaland state.

However, the matter might not be that simple. While Bimal Gurung himself did not say anything about Gorkhaland demand, the occasion saw many of his supporters raising slogans like “We Want Gorkhaland”. More importantly, on the sidelines of the signing of the agreement, a couple of GJM leaders told journalists that the GTA agreement was not going to put an end to the struggle for Gorkhand state. Rather that demand will very much remain in place, and in fact that is their ultimate goal. More

Let There Be “Shoot-At-Sight” Orders Against IM And LeT Operatives

2011-07-18T18:25:00.000+05:30

The idea might not appeal to so-called intellectuals who are obsessed with catchy words like “Human Rights”, “ethics”, “morality”, etc. Well, I have due respect for the philosophy of “Human Rights”. But I am sorry to say that I do not feel it to be more valuable than the lives of my fellow Indian citizens. More

From Venad to World Focus: The Travancore Royal Family

2011-07-13T21:42:00.000+05:30

The photo above must have been taken many a decade back. It captures the grandeur of the Travancore Maharaja’s royal carriage in front of Sree Padmanamaswamy Temple, Trivandrum. How does it compare with Sree Chithira Thirunal, the former Maharaja rushing one morning to his deity in an auto rickshaw that I described in The last of the Travancore Maharajas?

Click on title to read on.

Wild Elephants run amok in Mysore City!

2011-07-08T12:14:00.000+05:30

Morning of June 8, 2011, the news about a few (wild) elephants which had entered the city was spreading like wildfire all over. Our mobile phone received a call too. Those who had cable TV network were watching live coverage of the 'event'. The local TV cameraman was there to catch the action. See more....

Temple's Riches

2011-07-05T14:16:00.004+05:30

The Lord's abode is in the news, because material treasures have been found in secret vaults under the temple precincts.
I can't help contrasting this event with the other incidents where treasure taken away from India have been merrily auctioned away.
If kings and chieftains elsewhere in India had also reposited / donated similarly, Indian history and civics and perhaps even geopgraphy would have been very, very different! More...

A Temple of Gold

2011-07-04T01:11:00.001+05:30

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum is in the news the world over for its colossal collection of gold and gems. The Kerala High Court had ordered the Kerala State Government to takeover the administration of the shrine. For fear of contempt of Court, I am not saying anything about the judgement.

Click on the title to read on

Hey Subhasis, Hearty Congrats For Your Debut Novel – “Those Were The Days”

2011-06-30T17:28:00.001+05:30

It was just one or two months back that Subhasis told me, during a Facebook chat, that he was through with the novel, and it would be published soon. And then the other day I got the good news. His novel, named “Those Were The Days”, is out in the market. My beloved friend Subhasis is now an author. More

Hair extension

2011-06-28T13:36:00.000+05:30

No, I was not looking for it myself since I still have enough on my head to satisfy my ego, unlike my Hubby, who is forever threatening that he will be taking the service of one of those hair fixers like Gulf Gate etc. Have also noticed that he is very quick in spotting those who have them too :). Maybe, we shall both take their service together someday!

Tragedy: Indian vs. Indian, Hindu vs. Hindu, Caste vs. Caste

2011-06-26T23:05:00.000+05:30

Have you come across the news that I am writing about? It appeared on page 6 of the Chennai Edition of the Indian Express yesterday (June 25). It is absolutely shocking and hard to believe. Some of the details for the report are provided by Evidence, a Madurai (TN) based NGO.

Weekly Warbler

2011-06-23T18:22:00.002+05:30

Anna Hazare : Hot and cold blasts! Sizzles between Anshan in Jantar
Mantar and pleas to Sonia Gandhi.

Amitabh Bachhan : Says Melody has gone from Hindi film music. True;
That is from the day he sang Rang Barse..!

Flower photos

2011-06-15T00:13:00.000+05:30

Figs – Medicine store in a tree

2011-06-04T19:22:00.000+05:30

I think the most important fig is Ficus carica Linn [Moraceae]. Its nutritive index is 11 against 9 of apple. It is supposed to contain vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, iron, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, sodium, potassium chlorine, Omega 3, Omega 6, calcium, Pectin and so on.

Click on the title to read.

Mamata’s “Revolutionary” Decision – West Bengal To Have 6 More Official Languages

2011-06-04T14:51:00.001+05:30

Mamata Banerjee-led TMC-Congress government of West Bengal has taken an “innovative” and “revolutionary” decision.

From now, apart from Bengali and English, West Bengal will have 6 more “second” official languages - Urdu, Punjabi, Nepali, Ol-Chiki, Oriya and Hindi.

So from now onwards every government communication will be printed in all these languages, the Calcutta Doordarshan will have news programme in all these languages, and so on. Wow, what a revolutionary step by our firebrand Chief Minister. More

Photos: Hibiscus flowers

2011-05-29T13:08:00.000+05:30

See the photo collection. Click on the title.

And why?

2011-05-26T12:57:00.000+05:30

One thought education and means would save our girls. But the latest report by The Lancet tells us that it is those mothers with lesser education and wealth but with a better sense of responsibility who seems to be saving our girls.

The Kerala Political Scenario

2011-05-22T23:04:00.000+05:30

Oommen Chandy is back as Chief Minister of Kerala and ready to lead the State to where he did five years ago – a landslide victory for the Left. In the recent election the surprise result was that the Congress and the UDF slipped from boasting of a 100 seat victory to a miserably narrow margin. Three people are mainly responsible for this verdict – Oommen Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala and VS Achuthanandan.

'Tis the Witching Hour of Night

2011-05-21T20:31:00.001+05:30

......They were duly surprised - and suitably impressed - when I announced, on a recent Saturday, that I was going to attend part of an all-night concert. At 2am, the dark heart of the witching hour. That I was not so uncool, after all. That there was yet hope that I might be transformed into one of those ultra-hip New Yorkers who teeter about in impossibly tight clothes and high heels. Read more here

Grassroots Activism And Digital Activism - Complementary To Each Other

2011-05-20T14:36:00.000+05:30

I appreciate and respect the “hands on” approach of grassroots activists. Given the fact that it is they who actually run a movement on the ground, there is no doubt that they form the most vital part of a movement’s lifeline.

However, while taking justified pride in their role, they should also appreciate the significant role played by digital activists in bringing an issue to the world’s notice, thereby generating public support and sympathy in many parts of the world. More

A Few Humble Suggestions To Ms Girija Vyas, President, National Commission For Women (India)

2011-05-20T14:35:00.000+05:30

However, I sometimes feel that there are certain occasions when NCW might get vulnerable to misuse and misutilization, without even realizing it. Such incidents are sure to malign your organization, not withstanding its noble objectives.

If you do take it as an audacity, then I will like to present just a couple of humble suggestions which may help you to ensure that there is no misuse of your organization. More

About Karnataka

2011-05-16T14:43:00.000+05:30

About the present political situation in Karnataka. Please click on title.