Nov 27, 2016

Are we blessed?


Change


We have a choice


Oct 5, 2016

Salute the bravehearts


This is perhaps the best advertisement I have watched in recent times. We, Indians in general and Navodayans in particular should learn to salute these brave-hearts for whom the protection of the country comes first above all things. I have taken an oath to express my gratitude to all these 'men in uniform' by saluting them wherever I see them. What about you, then?  

Courtesy : www.youtube.com
                 Hero 

[The video is used for academic purpose only]

Why Ambani and Adani are richest? Why not Tata….?



 [As shared by an Army Officer Mr. Batra]

"It’s always not about Business”

I was on Temporary duty to attend Republic Day Parade in Delhi. I had to stay for two nights in Delhi. So, I stayed in hotel TAJ. I had specifically chosen the hotel because of its location.

In the evening, I called the reception and requested them to get my dress ironed.

Ratan Tata
 After a while, the room service boy came to pick my dress. I handed over him my uniform for ironing. He was shocked to see my uniform and politely asked Sir, you are in Army. I replied yes, he immediately took out his mobile, and took selfie with me and said Sir, I am seeing an Army officer for the first time. I have seen them in movies only. He instantly stamped his feet and saluted. He said Jai Hind Sir and left.

After a while, somebody knocked at the door. I opened the door and to my amaze two beautiful girls were standing with their cell phones in hand. One of them said Sir, we request for one selfie. I didn’t know how to react. I smiled like a fool. I gave them chocolates from the mini bar, as if they were kids. But you know, what nervousness can do to you. It stops the logical flow of thoughts.

At around 2100 Hrs., I Got a call from the reception, asking me if, I can come down for the dinner as it can’t be served in room, in an extremely polite manner. I went down to have dinner, then I noticed the real beauty of that place, amazingly awesome interior. Landing from the jungles of Kashmir, the ambience was too shinny for me. The moment I entered the main arena, to my surprise the entire staff was standing there.

Hotel Taj. New Delhi
The staff approached me with manager leading the contingent. The manager said- Welcome to our hotel Sir, It’s our pleasure to have you in our hotel, handing me the beautiful bouquet. The manager himself had dinner with me.

Next Day.

To my surprise, I was provided with a BMW car by the hotel for my move to “Rashtrapati Bhawan”. Frankly speaking, we are not used to such type of VIP treatment. We fauzis are more comfortable in our Gypsy.

Day of Check Out.

I went to the reception, handed over the card.

Receptionist: Thank you for your stay Sir. How was your stay?

Me: Stay was very comfortable. My Bill please.

Receptionist: Your stay has been sponsored by our hotel. You protect our Nation. So this is our small token of gratitude for you. We respect your patronage.

It was not about the saving money which made me feel good, but it was about the respect they have shown towards the “Olive Green”

I was deeply touched by this gratitude. What a great nation we live in!

After that incident, I wrote to the CEO of TAJ group of hotels. Narrating the incident and appreciating the gesture shown by the Manager of TAJ Delhi.

To my surprise, I got a return mail from the CEO stating that TAJ group of hotels have decided to give discount to Army officers for their stay in TAJ hotels across the country.

Wow, what a way to pay the tribute and respect to the soldiers.

TATA has the best work ethics environment.

Sep 23, 2016

Letter to Editor - Bridge the gap

My letter to editor published in Deccan Chronicle [Chennai Edition]
on 22.09.2016


May 25, 2016

How to live and die

This article is specially posted for the students of JNV Mahabub Nagar and JNV Puducherry.

People often found me happy though I have a sober face. Well, how happy I am and if I am really happy are the questions that can be answered later during a private talk. While contemplating on what really makes man reasonably happy [complete happiness is impossible?] I ran across this article by Kushwanth Singh whom I admire for his lucid writings. I think, the points he mentions for a happy life can be a mantra for each one of us to follow.

*******

I don’t believe in rebirth or in reincarnation, in the day of judgement or in heaven or hell. I accept the finality of death. We do not know what happens to us after we die but one should help a person go in peace—at peace with himself and with the world.
I’ve lived a reasonably contented life. I’ve often thought about what it is that makes people happy—what one has to do in order to achieve happiness.

First and foremost is good health. If you do not enjoy good health, you can never be happy. Any ailment, however trivial, will deduct something from your happiness.

Second, a healthy bank balance. It need not run into crores, but it should be enough to provide for comforts, and there should be something to spare for recreation—eating out, going to the movies, travel and holidays in the hills or by the sea. Shortage of money can be demoralising. Living on credit or borrowing is demeaning and lowers one in one’s own eyes.

Third, your own home. Rented places can never give you the comfort or security of a home that is yours for keeps. If it has garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees and flowers, see them grow and blossom, and cultivate a sense of kinship with them.

Fourth, an understanding companion, be it your spouse or a friend. If you have too many misunderstandings, it robs you of your peace of mind. It is better to be divorced than to be quarrelling all the time.

Fifth, stop envying those who have done better than you in life—risen higher, made more money, or earned more fame. Envy can be corroding; avoid comparing yourself with others.

Sixth, do not allow people to descend on you for gup-shup. By the time you get rid of them, you will feel exhausted and poisoned by their gossip-mongering.

Seventh, cultivate a hobby or two that will fulfil you—gardening, reading, writing, painting, playing or listening to music. Going to clubs or parties to get free drinks, or to meet celebrities, is a criminal waste of time. It’s important to concentrate on something that keeps you occupied meaningfully. I have family members and friends who spend their entire day caring for stray dogs, giving them food and medicines. There are others who run mobile clinics, treating sick people and animals free of charge.

Eighth, every morning and evening devote 15 minutes to introspection. In the mornings, 10 minutes should be spent in keeping the mind absolutely still, and five listing the things you have to do that day. In the evenings, five minutes should be set aside to keep the mind still and 10 to go over the tasks you had intended to do.

Ninth, don’t lose your temper. Try not to be short-tempered, or vengeful. Even when a friend has been rude, just move on.

Above all, when the time comes to go, one should go like a man without any regret or grievance against anyone.  Iqbal said it beautifully in a couplet in Persian: “You ask me about the signs of a man of faith? When death comes to him, he has a smile on his lips.”

(Excerpted from the Absolute Khushwant: The Low-Down on Life, Death & Most Things In-Between)

                                                  

May 20, 2016

Folk Songs Translation for All India Radio Puducherry

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B8qUyTkGux7eLTlDbHViZHo0MHc&usp=sharing

Click on the link to read my English translation of Tamil folk songs done for All India Radio Puducherry. 

You too can become great


Let rules not rule your life


Don't let


English is crazy

English is the most widely read language in the world. One in every seven human beings can speak it. English has the largest vocabulary – perhaps as many as two million words.

English is also a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant. Neither pine nor apple in pineapple and no ham in hamburger.  Sweetmeats are candy, while sweetbreads, which are not sweet, are meat. Quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig nor from Guinea.

And why do writers write but fingers do not fing, grocers do not groce and hammers do not ham?

It vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?
Perhaps all English speakers should be sent to an asylum for the verbally insane. In which language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Have noses that run and feet that smell? How do ‘a wise man’ and ‘a wise guy’ differ in meaning? Why are ‘over look’ and ‘over see’ antonyms? Why are quite a lot and quite a few alike?

Don’t you marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which your alarm clock goes off by going on!

English was not invented by computers. It has the creativity of the human race [which is not a race at all]. That is why, when stars are out they are visible, when lights are out they are invisible. And why, when I wind up my watch I start it, when I wind up this essay I end it. 

May 6, 2016

KARGIL WAR HERO............ SALUTE........


Harish Nayani, an ex-NDA, erstwhile IAF fighter pilot, now a Captain flying for Indigo Airlines, had a war-hero passenger on his flight the other day.


Naik Deep Chand, who lost both his legs and an arm in the 1999 Kargil War, was flying Indigo. Harish announced the presence of the war hero on the flight, to the delighted applause of 180 passengers.

This is all the recognition war heroes need, for acts no nation can repay them for.

[Source - Rajiv Tyagi]

May 1, 2016

From Answer Sheets - Class XI and XII

[Check - beggar, prostitute, to die]

[car parking]


[shower, filled, tiles, electricity]

[slipped down]


[face colour was colourless, lifeless death body]
[recycle, Published in public interest]