A notable day

Today is my Tamil Birthday. When I look back, I could not believe myself that I walked through good 50 years! Many UPs in life along with some Downs also to correct myself for my better life.

Sugavanam Chittappa made it a day by wishing me personally. I wrote some time back that Manni used to give gifts as token of love during our birthdays and who is going to give such gift in the coming days -- Chittappa did it by presenting a beautiful lighted Ramar Pattabishegam photo on this day. Thanks a lot Chittappa.

Thank God for giving me whatever needed to me and keeping me happy and peace. He gave me a good cultured family, Care taking Relation, Good Health, On-growing Wealth. Everyone is with me in making my goal in life & helping and coming along with me in achieving the same. I will be with you all, always.

O God, please continue to protect my, my family’s, my relative’s, my friend’s MIND, HEALTH and WEALTH from bad evil’s attack and keep everyone of us happy always.

50th Birthday Celebration

So far completed a good journey and sure the rest will be more comfortable and enjoyable.

As 26th Oct is my birthday, I started getting calls with wishes right from early morning and through SMSs. Many conveyed their wishes via Facebook also. Easier mode of communication, now-a-days.

I started for my routine work after wearing the new pant & shirt and went to office as usual. I had a plan to leave office little earlier to go to temple.

Without knowing anything I started from the office and reached home by about 1930 hours. When I reached home, I saw Vibha’s scooty was parked and Abhi came out to move the scooty. I thought they just came to the house and started going towards home.

When I reached the main door, it was in closed condition and lights were in off condition. Still I thought that may be some problem in inverter. When I entered the house, there was a big chorus greeting from inside and all lights were switched on. It was a great surprise for me to receive such a welcome and I found good arrangements were made to celebrate the birthday.

I came to know later that Sruthi was behind the arrangement from Chennai and she guided Sujani to make such surprise arrangement for birthday celebration. On the background they invited all to our house for the celebration which also I don’t know. Great effort and well done. Sujani with the help of Vibha, Abhi and Sandhya made elaborate arrangements. Balloons’ were hanging across the hall, birthday wish on other side, a big number 50 drawn with multi colour (46 also present – Raghavan’s age), Cakes were ready, night dinner preparation was at last stage etc. and we were waiting for others to come and join.

Everyone reached home by 2100 hours and cake cutting function started. Self and Raghavan cut the cake and there was a loud birthday song came-out. For the first time in my life, I cut a birthday cake on my birthday. Gifts were given by everyone and I was overwhelmed by the love and affection that everyone shown. Earlier Raji purchase a gold ring for me and she put it on my finger. Sruthi was on-line over phone to know the proceedings.

Children (esp. Srinath & Ranju) were happy while gave the presentation. Srinath gone one step ahead and told the shirt he gave will look good if I wear it and go to office ! Children are not only demands but equally happy to give to their loved ones. Sujani garlanded me with a garland made of well wishes from everyone. Each one of the family members written their wishes on a paper and it was made as a garland. Different wishes, great sentences.

Raji with help from others prepared Roti, Channa Masala, Fried Rice, Mixed Veg etc and dinner was on.

Everyone left our home with a happy note by 2300 hours.

It was a happy end of the day with everyone around me with a small short come that Sruthi was not with us physically.

Thanks a lot Sruthi & Sujani to make it as big surprise function for my birthday. Sruthi, you will get special treat when you come to Delhi!

In normal working day many of the family members reaches home late but for this day, everyone made it a day and came to wish me. It showed the unity of the family.

இன்பம் வந்த போதும், துன்பம் வந்த போதும்
என்றும் எங்கள் சொந்தம் மாறாது ........

Evolution of family culture from Nature

In the beginning of this month, we all went to Chennai for a week and no one was there to take care of watering the Thulsi plant in our house. When we returned, we found the plant was in bad shape, all leaves became dry and it was struggling for life.  We started watering the plant and within next 3 days, the plant started coming back to life with new leaves coming out.  I was watching the plant everyday morning and I could understand how human family life culture is developed by observing and taking lesson from nature.  This particular Thulsi plant is having about 5 branches and 2 of them were in very bad shape when we came back on 9^th morning.

Some of the thought process I had

Why plants in “Gamla” face this problem more compare to the plants that grow directly on the field? When I was in Cuddalore, we never watered the plants in the garden but they could survive on its own long time.

        In a family, if one is always in a comfortable situation, he will find difficult to face any abnormal situation effectively

Problem occurred in this case and plant is forced to face such problem of not getting enough water for a week and it could not sustain and started loosing its leaves

       In a family, if such problem comes, it is impacting the children first rather than a grown person

Some of the branches of the plant started loosing its position quickly than other part

     Under one family, some of the family head is strong enough to withstand the situation than the weak family head

The stronger branch of the plant try to give back its strength to keep the weak branch live till the whole plant gets its need

     The elder or the family head try to help and uphold the other family member till they recover

Even when all the branches could not sustain the problem, the root will still search for survival and once it gets a small help, it will start its life cycle again

     Father and mother of the family will never give-up the life and will somehow find-out a way to bring back life to the family. Similar to plant, most of the time the sacrifice and life of family head is always under the carpet

In the plant, it may have different branches with many sub branches but entire plant or tree is identified uniquely as a whole and not differently by branches. Good or bad, it refers the plant or tree.

     In a family, members may work and think differently but will be identified uniquely and as a plant or tree will be called as a good family or bad family

In a plant, one of the branches can not function separately as per its wish and can function only within its range and is having binding with entire plant. Within the range it can move here and there and is forced to give what it is suppose to give. It can de-associate itself only if it breaks and fell down.

     In a family all members are bounded by family values and everyone contributes to their best to the benefit of the family without deviating from the common undisclosed understanding and developed values.

Whenever new branches come out, always it looks for higher growth and grows towards brighter world. A plant will never looses its height what it attained.

     Next generation of the family always wants to have a better and brighter life and work for the same. Family also should not loose its credit and name it gained.

I saw even if half of the connection of a branch breaks from the main tree due to accident, other branches holds it as such till the time the broken branch manages to reunite itself with the main plant

     I saw / seeing in many of our families, still people are ready to hand holds the needy brothers, sisters and others if they need any help in the event of crisis and to bring them up till they are capable to handle the situation on their own.

Our Thulsi plant survived now, in just matter of days care and we are happy to see it with all new small leaves coming out daily and spreading good fragrance around our house as our family !!!!!!

The binding within our family also will continue as the value of root given by our Father & Mother is still alive in our memory.

காலைத் தென்றல்

Today newspaper came a little early and I had some liesure time to go through it. Normally I sit in sofa below the tube light in the hall and go through the paper listening either CD or TV. as there was some time, I went to balcony in the back side and sit on the floor to read news paper.

It was a wonderful experience to sit on the floor with paper in one hand and coffee in other, reading it in the sun light, with slight cool breeze (Delhi is setting for winter in early hours !) across, listening to the low decibel song or speech of pigeons and parrots, smelling the fragrance of Thulsi and other flowers.

Living and spending time along the nature is always enjoyable. We are missing a lot with modern facilities.

Am I leading correct Life?

How can one be sure that he is doing correct thing and leading a correct life? I gave a little thought on this.

Something correct to me may be wrong from the eyes of others. Then what is the measure and how to come to a conclusion to decide on my action?

Even if everyone says to look things by keeping your leg in other’s shoe, it is a difficult one and I am sure no one will do it. But instead of going into other’s shoe, one can think if the same action is done by our loved small kids how will I feel?

* If I am helping my friend and what will I feel if my son/daughter helps their friend in the same way?
* If I am a smoker & what will be my reaction if my son/daughter smokes?
* If I am hiding something & what will my reaction if my spouse hide something to me?
* If I love my family & how I will feel my family members also love each other?

In every case if answer is Yes or positive, I am doing correctly and if answer is NO or negative, it means I am doing something wrong.

One has to ask himself on every action especially all new actions about this to ensure correct living.

Second and important symptom for doing wrong thing is getting angry for nothing. You know you are doing something wrong and to hide it or to overcome it, naturally people will start getting angry with others.

There is human capability to analyse and correct himself/herself. Everything is possible in this world to correct if we understand the impact.

Forming a good family and culture is difficult and we have to ensure to uphold it till our end and it is our duty to on-pass and develops good culture with our children.

I am always right attitude never give happiness but submission & openness to others will certainly give happiness.

த‌வ‌று என்ப‌து ம‌ற‌ந்து செய்வ‌து
த‌ப்பு என்ப‌து தெரிந்து செய்வ‌து

த‌வ‌று செய்தால் திருந்த‌லாம், த‌ப்பு செய்தால் வ‌ருந்த‌ வேண்டிவ‌ரும்.

If one accumulates to do more and more wrong thing, the life will become

மான‌ம் அழிந்து, ம‌தி கெட்டு
போன‌ திசை எல்லோர்க்கும் க‌ள்வ‌னாய்
ஏழ் பிற‌ப்பும் தீய‌னாய்
ந‌ல்லார்க்கும் பொல்ல‌னாய்

வாழ்வாய்

Will Power ?

On Saturday (18th Sep 2010), myself and Sridhar went to Alwar in my car. I was driving the car at about 70 KMPH and suddenly a butterfly came on the way and was hit by the car’s windscreen. The impact was so high that about more than 50% blood from the butterfly came out and splashed over the glass. The butterfly fell over the wiper and was held-up in between. For all sure we thought the butterfly is dead. We continue to drive another 5 minutes and when I stopped the car in signal, we could see the butterfly trying to move out of wiper and within next few seconds, it came out and started flying freely. I could not believe how it is possible to fly even after loosing that much blood from it. May be it will have some problem and may take time to recover fully, but the will-power it got is amazing. Similarly I had seen unique power with other living creatures except human. If a dog is hit by a speeding vehicle, it manages to move quickly. Even some of the insects, if they loose any part of its body, still able to live and move around quickly. How these living creatures have this power and how we, human, can develop this within us?

I am clueless presently.

Responsibility

I saw a news in Hindustan Times that in Delhi, a child aged 12 hang himself with the help of the Duppatta of his sister and mother for hanging himself from the fan.

Reason : He wants to gain height but not got significant growth. The child used to see TV and attracted by the advt on Complan. The advt shows that the child taking this drink will grow faster than others. This poor child asked his mother to get the drink from local market and he was taking it daily for the past one month. Regularly every day he used to stand near the wall and mark his height. He also used to tie his hand with duppatta and hand himself from the fan so that he thought he will gain height faster. All these activities were known to the family but the poor mother did not tell and made the kid to understand it can not happen all of sudden in real life. On Friday evening the boy came from school as usual and started measuring his height and after seeing that he did not gain any height, he hanged himself.

A young child lost his life just by his innocent knowledge and his family did not took care and educate him about the false advertisements. Who is responsible for this? The Product manufacturer OR the advertiser OR the family members OR the Technology development that forced the child to take and believe the world he sees is always correct?

We should not take any little chance with young children and should be very careful in all aspect. Most interaction may help in arresting such mis happening.

Vinayaga Chathurthi - 2010

We celebrated Pillaiyar Chathurthi this year Y’day (11^th Sep 2010), Raji started making arrangements for the poojai, We could purchase a clay pillaiyar from market on Friday itself. Even though it was not a big size pillaiyar, its OK to have a clay pillaiyar in Delhi. On Friday evening itself Raji collected some flowers and Leaves from the garden and fruits from market.

There was heavy rain on Saturday morning but self and Sujani went around again in the rain and collected different flowers and remaining leaves.

As “Kudai” was not available in the market, we prepared it in 15 minutes using stick, old CD, Colour Papers. The training I had during my stay in Cuddalore helped and hope Sujani can make such Kudais in the coming years.

We made preparations for poojai so as to start it after Raghu Kalam. All available Pillaiyars in our house were taken and kept near the poojai’s place. Raji started cooking and she was also ready by that time.

We also made “Arugam pul Malai, Erukkam poo malai, Malligai Poo Malai, Panju Vastram etc. and kept ready.

Started poojai by 1115 hours and it was completed by 1215 hours in a fitting manner.

Raji prepared Coconut Kuzhukattai, Ulundhu Kozhukattai, Idli, Sundal, Vadai, Payasam etc.

Function went off well happily with a small itch of Sruthi’s absence.

Everyone is blessed by Lord Vinayaka.

Holiday in Uthrakand

We wanted to go somewhere when Sruthi is here on vacation and narrowed the destination to Mussoorie, the Queen of hills. Initially I wished to take my / Srikanth’s car by engaging a driver but could not get a good driver for 4 day trip. At last by 2000 hrs on Friday, I engaged a Tavera for the trip. Self, Raji, Sruthi and Sujani are confirmed and later Sandhya also joined with us.

Asked driver to come to our house for pick-up at 0530 hrs and we were ready by 0600 Hrs. But the driver reached home by 0615 and by 0620 we started our trip. It was good weather at that time.

Before entering UP, we have to pay road Tax for commercial vehicle Rs. 260/- per day and we paid the same.

We reached Muradnagar by 0745 hours. It is famous for “Shikanji” and Jain Shikanji is very famous shop for this. Being morning hour, we could not take it.

After Modi Nagar, there was lot of NH expansion going on and we could travel slowly. We should avoid entering Meerut and have to take the by-pass to go beyond.

By 0830 we reached Nathu’s restaurant in Meerut by-pass. We took Dosas, Dhahi Papdi, and Kulcha Channa. Good and well maintained restaurant.

Google map suggested us to take route towards Sharanpur after Muzafar Nagar but driver suggested to travel on Haridwar / Roorkee route which is NH road and can have comfortable journey. Once you reach Roorkee, you have to take left towards Dehradun and proceed.

We reached Dehradun by 1330 hours and had our lunch in a dhaba on way to Mussoorie. The road towards Mussoorie was good, wide and one can easily drive this stretch. After enjoying the valley site and good nice weather, we reached Mussoorie by 1530 hours.

Being holiday period and that too it was a Saturday, all hotels were full and our driver took us to a hotel he knew (about 1.5 KM away from Mall Road) and used to visit. It was a good Hotel and we got 2 rooms on top floor, good Mountain View from room and also had a big open terrace. Both rooms were interconnected, with 24 hour hot water supply. In Mussoorie you won’t find fan or AC in any room as you can enjoy the natural weather itself.

By 1700 hours we left for Mall road and here cars were not allowed to enter. Non tourist cars will be allowed in mall road till 1000 hours and after 2000 hours by payment of Rs. 100/-. Driver dropped us near Mall Road and we started walking around the road. There was heavy rush on the road and everyone was busy in purchasing something from the street vendor. On the other side of the road, Ropeway is available to go to Gun Hill Top. Purchased ticket (Rs. 55 per head) at about 1815 hours and it was informed that our turn will come around 1915 hrs as only 2 trolleys are there to carry passengers. We walked around for some time and went to top of Gun Hill at about 1930 Hrs. The journey through ropeway is only for about 2 minutes. Nothing special at the top and only some shops were available. There are view points available there from where you can see the valley and enjoy. Took some photos and started coming back. It was very cold and everyone started shivering in the cold. We got only one Shawl with us and Raji, Sujani and Sandhya used the same to protect them. It took almost 30 min to get our chance to come back. If anyone wants to enjoy the Ropeway travel, they can use it otherwise nothing interesting on the top.

On way back we saw Sagar Ratna, famous hotel group and entered for dinner. Not good and badly driven by the name.
Called back the driver to come to Mall Road to pick us back and thus ended the day 1

Day 2 (6th June 2010)

After morning routine and breakfast in the hotel, started for Kempty Falls which is about 15 KMs from the town. You have to go further and the road will take you down the hill. You will be droped on main road and have to walk down to reach the falls. There were well laid road available with both side full of shops. The way is some what difficult to go down and walk back even for young person like me !! Here also one ropeway is available and they are charging Rs. 80 per person. There was not much rush for this and within 5 to 10 min using this ropeway we were near Kempty falls. There was lot of change in Kempty as it becomes totally commercial place today. Water falling at low intensity and there was only a small pond of water. More than the visitors, shop keepers and promoters to sell bath dress were more. We did not take bath here. You will get dress to take bath, towels for rent (Rs. 25 per piece) and room for changing dress (Rs 10 per person). It is advisable to go to kempty falls early in the morning itself as after 1100 hours rush is too much. After watching and enjoying the location, we left after about 2 hours.

During my last visit, we enjoyed a lot to visit the Municipal garden. Again Commercial cars were stopped about a KM from this garden and anyhow other cars are allowed. Many cycle rickshaws are available to reach the garden but charging Rs. 100/- . As the way towards the garden is excellent and along the valley, we preferred to walk. With the same hope, we reached the garden and to my surprise it is also totally changed and almost all places are taken over by small hotels and snack bars. You won’t even find a comfortable space to sit and enjoy. Apart from this, a small garden with much variety of flowers is available and you can take photos. People are renting Gadwal and Kashmir dress for Rs. 30/- and you can wear it and can take photos. Sruthi, Sujani and Sandhya did the same. We left the garden by 1700 hours and again reached Mall Road by 1730 Hours.

We had the plan to see “Camel Back”, another point in Mussoorie. There is a long (about 4.5 KM) valley view road and we have to walk along the same. As we all were tired, we thought of going by rickshaw (Rs. 80 per head !!!). On the way we saw this Camel Back. This is pieces of rocks on top of a hill that looks like camel back if we see it from a distance. Below this point, two three persons are keeping telescope to see this and also some other points. Initially he asked me to give Rs. 500/- and at last settled for Rs. 50/- to show 5 points through telescope. The rickshaw wala dropped us on the other end of Mall road and we walked back to the other end to catch our car. Reached hotel by 2030 hrs. Had dinner and slept

Day 3 (7th June 2010)

We planned to start by 0800 hrs to go to Tehri Dam and Dhanaulti. At about 0700 hrs our driver called over phone and informed that he is having pain due to kidney stone and got himself hospitalized. I searched for another local Taxi for this trip and we started by 1000 hrs. Tehri is about 70 KM from Mussoorie. All along the way, road was nice and had wonderful natural views. Tehri dam was built in between two mountains by blocking flow of water and at the back end made huge space for storing water in between mountains. Because of this dam, learnt about 200 villages submerged in water and we could see some of the broken houses at some places inside water. Today due to lack of rain, water level came down by more than 40 to 50 feet. We were of the opinion that any one can go around visiting the dam like we are going for Metur Dam or other dams in Tamilnadu and no one told us anything about this dam. On reaching the dam site, we were not allowed to go inside near the dam stating that permission from ED is required and you have to apply in advance and someone working in the project has to give guarantee for you. We left out with no option but to see the dam from distance only. The construction of Hydro Power unit is still under installation and may be the reason why all general public is not allowed. After spending some half an hour, we returned back.

I heard from other friends and also from internet that the place “Champa” is good place for resting with nature views and a calm village. To the contrary, it was a big town with all sort of shops and hotels. Champa is about 25 KMs from Tehri towards Mussorrie. Seeing this, we didn’t stop in Champa and travelled further about 25 KMs and reached Dhanaulti.

When we cross Champa, climate got changed and started raining. We thought it was a passing cloud but rain did not stop. We reached Dhanaulti by 1330 hours and decided to take lunch so that rain also can stop by that time. Dhanaulti is a big village but had good hotel (Hotel Drive Inn). Meals were cheap (Rs. 500 for 5 of us) and of good quality but when I asked him about room rent, it was a shock to me (Rs. 4000/- per room per day is min.). People are coming and staying in this place just to relax themselves and to keep themselves away from crowed city. A well maintained town and there were 2 Eco friendly parks available for going around. After lunch, we moved towards one of the park and again waited in car for rain to stop. After sometime it was drizzling and we moved out. Ticket to enter the park is Rs. 10 and we went inside. Really a good place to spend and you can enjoy the stay. But because of heavy rain, we could not sit any where and moved to the top of the hill (about say 200 feet) with the help of well laid way/steps. During this time again rain started with cold wind and everyone started shivering. Anyhow we enjoyed the location and within 30 min. we started our further journey and reached Mussorrie by 1800 hours. Had hot tea and warmed our self from the outside cold temperature. Sruthi, Sujani and Sandhya started to take many photos of themselves. After dinner, in the hotel, went for early sleep by 2100 hrs.

Day 4 (8th June 2010)

Our driver got discharged himself in the morning and we were ready to move back by 0900 hours. Our plan was to reach Delhi via Hardwar. We don’t find much difficulty in coming down the hill, and reached Hardwar via Dehradun by 1230 hours. Google weather was stating that it is raining in Hardwar but it was a hot day there. Last time I went to Hardwar in 2006 and there is again a lot of change in the city (Really India is shining). A huge parking lot was made just near river and one can easily park and go for bath. Every one of us enjoyed a good bath. Water was so chill initially when we put out leg and after 5 min bath, we don’t have mind to come out of the river. That is the beauty of Ganga. All our body pain due to travel was gone once we took bath in Ganga. Almost one and half hour we were in Ganga and visiting Ganga ma temple, had lunch and left Hardwar at about 1530 hours. Reached Delhi at about 2030 hours.

Chitra prepared dinner for us and after good meals we concluded the happy journey. In the entire journey about 75% is on hill and no need for any air-condition in car. But we booked an A/c car and it helped not to feel the heat (which was too high) in the 25% journey and kept us fresh to enjoy the trip. This comfort costs us only Rs. 500/- and I think one should consider this while planning a holiday trip.

Mysore Trip - 2008

Just found this old mail and want to save it for future. So this posting

Self, Raji, Sruthi, Sujani and Sandhya went on 13 days tour to South and returned on 31st March 2008.
Highlights of the trip :
** Enjoyed Rajadhani train journey from Delhi to Bangalore (Via Secundrabad -- Met Rama in the station)
** Savithri Athai joined us at Bangalore Station for Mysore.
** Hired Tata Sumo for further journey and started directly from station
** Seen Nimishambal Temple, Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Srirangapatnam
** Visited Ranganathittu -- Bird sanctuary near Mysore -- wonderful place and could see many birds during boat ride.
** Visit of Mysore palace, Zoo, Chamundi Hill, Nandi Hill, KRS
** Visited Nanjangudu Temple and shown Car festival, "Ther Vadam" etc
** Reached Wyanad -- shown Coffee plant / Tea plant / Jack fruit / banana/ paddy etc and other common plants that children not seen / not known -- Thumbai, touch-me-not etc etc.
** Had nice time around Wyanad
** On return, at Mathur had "Mathur special Vadai". Good one. Anyone know how to prepare this ?
** On return, Savithri athai came with us upto Bangalore and went to Hosur whereas we other reached Chennai
** Went to Mahabalipuram and visited relatives houses (Sorry KVS athimber -- could not make a visit due to lack of time)
** Spend some time at Beach and children enjoyed building " Manal Gopuram"
** Had rain almost in all places but could manage to see places.
** Ofcourse spend little time for shopping also at T Nagar.

We got a good driver who driven the car nicely and was with full cooperation with us. Thanks Wajeed Ahmed !

Everyone of us enjoyed the trip a lot and full of happy with the unforgettable hospitality shown by everyone during our visit at Mysore / Wyanad / Chennai.

End of Great Binding

Last week, an end came to a great binding in our life. There is an end to about 90 year old relationship with a government department. Yes, I got final settlement of Manni’s pension amount from Department of Post. The relationship started way back in 1920s when our grand father GRS joined the department and it started feeding our family regularly and with that we all grow. Before my grand father got retirement, my father joined the same department and the department continued to keep us comfortable. Before Anna get retirement, I joined the same P&T department but ofcourse it was bifurcated into two separate departments (DoT & DoP) and I became part of DoT. After retirement, Anna used to get pension from DoP and we continue to enjoy the relationship of the department. After Anna’s demise, Manni started getting family pension and after Manni’s demise in last August, the relation came to a final halt as I was paid the final and full settlement of Manni’s final pension amount. I could not able to write my emotions and feeling when I got the cheque from the Post Master.

Thanks a lot to the Department for feeding and bringing us to a well position today by playing a vital role.

During the final settlement phase we faced some procedural difficulty in closing the claim. I think it will be helpful to others to take necessary precaution on small things which is mandatory to such claims.

The Family Pension order contained the name as “R. Mythili”. The pension amount was getting created to a Savings Bank account in Post Office and that account had the name as “R. Mythily”. There was a difference of one character in the name.

Manni gave my name as her nominee about two years back but we were not made it sure entered in the pass book. Later when I went for claim, I was informed that no nomination was available in their records and I have to go through the separate lengthy process of “No nomination case”

In the death certificate of Manni, name was mentioned as “Mythili Ramachandran” and they told all of them were different and claim can not be settled. To solve this, I got a certificate to establish and stating that “R. Mythili / R Mythily / Mythili Ramachandran” are single person only and expired on 2nd Aug 2010.

Then they made physical verification and file went to CPMG’s office for sanction.

Next clarification came from them to give confirmation on death of husband as the final amount is to be paid from the SB account and always first claimant should be husband / wife. I find out Anna’s death certificate and gave it to them and next query came from them. In Anna’s death certificate, name was mentioned as “G. S. Ramachandran” and in Manni’s death certificate, husband’s name was mentioned as “Ramachandran” Again they told both these Ramachandran were different person.

I personally spoke to them and gave it in writing about Anna was receiving pension from post office only and subsequent to it, it was converted into family pension and that pension amount was only going to this SB account. Finally they agreed and paid the amount.

Even though it was a lengthy process, I understand the government’s function and these checks might be in place to protect the genuine claim. The officers involved in this process were cooperative and understand my difficulty and helped a lot to close it to their best and within their limits. Even they called me over phone to update and asked me to come to office for closure of certain thing quickly. The culture in DoP is much much better than any other departments even today.

During this process, I started looking for my accounts and investment & found in most of the cases there is no nomination available. The experience I got in Manni’s pension case made me to start correcting this. It is a must and high priority job to be completed.

அன்பிற்கும் உண்டோ அடைக்கும் தாழ் .....

In this fast world, many of us find no time to look back yesterday and appreciate the greatness that we noticed with others.

It is also alarming that in the society, people are giving more focus for negativity and not bother to highlight good points.

Even if we found good character or anything make us happy about others, we (It is only a general comment and not pointing anyone) are reserving ourself and not sharing the feeling most of the time openly and in some cases it may be behind them only.

I read that the sign of True Relationship is “Speaking without Ego”, “Loving without Intension”, “Caring without Expectation”, ” Praying without Selfishness”, made me to write something about my சித்த‌ப்பா, சித்தி, அத்தை and அத்திம்பேர் and to share with everyone openly. I want to build True Relationship.

This is only a start and I might have missed many things. Don’t take it serious for any such omissions, if there.

Sundaresan சித்த‌ப்பா & Pattu சித்தி

I am having great regards to them and you can very well see it that we never called him by including his name. All the time, we call him with love and affection as “பெரிய‌ சித்த‌ப்பா”. As the name, is the சித்தி(ப‌ட்டு). You can expect good love and affection from her.

சித்த‌ப்பா used to tell us that we should never ask him or inform him that we want to come to his house for leave. He used to tell that it is our right to visit him at any time. What greatness. His house is that one I visited more number of times in my life. I visited almost all the houses he stayed in his life so far.

The க‌ண்டிப்பு க‌ல‌ந்த‌ அன்பு from them is unique.

I still remember the days that self and Rama visited their house in Singarapettai and the help he extended to Sridhar when he was in Coimbatore.

In those days when self and Sridhar visited his house in Tiruppattur, we were named as his secretary / James Bonds 007 & 003 !! The story of Alibhaba and 40 thieves told by him at 17 Babu Rao Street is unforgettable.

The unique and best quality I saw and wish to adopt from them is doing prayer together as a family. Till date he is doing it. I learnt many slogas from them only. Keeping the time schedule, doing things perfectly is the best thing I learnt from them

Raja சித்த‌ப்பா & Vijaya சித்தி

Raja சித்த‌ப்பா really means his name and he is a king. One can see the good quality of work he makes, great analytical and statistical skills, fantastic and incomparable writing skill and so-on many skills.

Both சித்த‌ப்பா and சித்தி are great readers and one has to get this habit from them.

They are the person who made me to read news papers fully. When I was in his house at Hyderabad, I remember, he used to play with us using news paper, to find out news which may be available in any page. While playing you are forced to read the news and slowly the habit developed. It was his house, only where, I stayed more than a month also.

Now-a-days you can see his blog posting covering all aspect of life.

One can learn the art of developing children from them by seeing the way how they brought up A,A,A

The help சித்த‌ப்பா and சித்தி extended during ம‌ன்னி’s death is unforgettable. Thanks a lot dear RC & VC

Sugavanam சித்த‌ப்பா & Girija சித்தி

Both of them are very soft spoken person. I am equating myself with சித்த‌ப்பா as I heard from பாட்டி that self and Sridhar are like Sugavanam & Jayaraman. So there is special love and affection to him from my side

I can not forget the help he extended to me directly when I was in Chennai in 1980 for Telephone Operator’s training and subsequent indirect help through Girija சித்தி’s sister Babu -- as he transferred to Kolkatta.

Their character of loving everyone instantly by showing happiness on face is absolutely incomparable. He is having the quality of making any crying child to smile within no time. சின்ன‌ பாப்பா எங்க‌ செல்ல‌ பாப்பா is a master song from him.

The day he spends with us by playing cards and made us happy is unforgettable.

They are the person you can take for granted that they will be with you for any of your requirement at any point of time. Before you ask, he will be there to help and guide you.

Girija சித்தி is one person with whom I spoke a lot, even on daily basis from Bombay, when they were in Delhi. A friendly சித்தி. ->> சித்தி, we are missing you a lot now

As Raja சித்த‌ப்பா did, the help extended by SC & GC at the time of அண்ணா’s death is also unforgettable.

Jayaraman சித்த‌ப்பா & Kalyani சித்தி

Being in Cuddalore, I spent more time with them. சித்த‌ப்பா may get angry at times but as the old say “ கோப‌ம் இருக்கும் இட‌த்தில்தான் குண‌ம் இருக்கும்” he is a golden person by heart.

I cannot forget the day he came to Cuddalore bus stand to take me home when I came from Sankarapuram alone (I was 8 years Old) to join school. He gave the confidence and admitted me in the school.

My (and Sridhar’s) dream to have a cycle for our own was found out by him and he only got a cycle for our own use. “உள்ள‌ம் அறிந்து தானாக‌ செய்த‌ செய‌ல்” is an unique example for his character.

He never mined to spend money and wants to live a quality life. I think it is another unique quality of him

Kalyani சித்தி as we all know is a known for her simplicity and quietness.

I learnt from them how to have control in life when you have problems and how to be patience even if you get big problems and to smile.

சித்த‌ப்பா, சித்தி – Don’t worry for anything. We are not understanding why God play with us but it will not take time everything to reverse and to have a fantastic life with family together. கால‌ம் ஒரு நாள் மாறும் நம் க‌வ‌லைக‌ள் யாவும் தீரும்.

Padma அத்தை & KVS அத்திம்பேர்

They are the one who liked me a lot. Their love and affection only made it possible for me to be with them in Pune for more than a month when I was only 3+ years old. They treated me as well used to tell everyone that I am their first son. I cannot forget this.

Today many of the corporate talks about waste management but we can learn a lot from them how to lead a life without wasting things.

The specialty of அத்தை is preparation of ர‌ச‌ம். You have to visit their house only to take ஈய‌ சொம்பு ர‌ச‌ம்.

Saroja அத்தை & Ramamurthy அத்திம்பேர்

Best quality of them is “பாராட்டுத‌ல்” and having very good handwriting. As I was in Cuddalore, they used to write many letter to Cuddalore, they never forget to appreciate any good work done by anyone. They were the one told me that they are proud that I am their “Good ம‌ருமான்”.

It is a million dollar question for me how he is managing to buy so much of books, reading them and keeping them safely for years. A very good habit.

It was my dream and wish to go to their house, right from Bangalore, Kanpur, Allahabad, Kolkatta, Cochin, Chennai etc & to stay for some days but I don’t know why it does not materialized so far. I am sure my ஆசை to stay with them will fulfill soon.

You can visualize and has to learn the respect & affection one should have with their spouse by seeing the scene of அத்திம்பேர் sitting in dinning table and அத்தை giving coffee to him slowly. What a காட்சி ! Worth seeing and good mutual understandable person.

They are the person who made me to wait for their coming to Cuddalore every year. I don’t know the reason but it is true. There should be some other quality within them that I have to identify and to understand.

அத்திம்பேர் is the person I should respect as அண்ணா had great friendship with him and both of them move together whenever he came to Cuddalore.

Savithri அத்தை & Srinivasan அத்திம்பேர்

If I say simply அத்தை (without attaching any name), it will refer Savithri அத்தை only. If someone I have to admire and has to pay regards all the time in the world apart from my father and mother, it should be to Athai only. She did a lot to me in my life. It is not easy to bring-up anyone but she did it in my life. Right from giving meals timely, washing my cloths, keeping a watch on my studies and the list will be endless. Thanks அத்தை for your selfless attitude and care you took on my growth.

I slightly remember the quality of அத்திம்பேர். The day I went to Salem, he fed me like anything and when I was not even able to move out of hotel, he carried me out of the hotel and took me to house in a horse cart. Also I remember the Banian he gave to me – a big one and quality one – which I used for more than 3 years ! I think he is a man of quality and generosity.


Mangalam அத்தை & Gopi அத்திம்பேர்

அத்தை took special care for me as she was in Cuddalore and I was small boy. அத்தை ம‌டி மெத்தைய‌டி is a song but she proved it. May be because of less difference in age compare to others, she took me also along with her in all game. We cannot forget the days played with her – பாண்டி, புளிய‌ங்கொட்டை ஆட்ட‌ம், தாய‌க‌ட்டை, ப‌ல்லாங்குழி. She inspired me a lot to develop interest to go to College even when I was in school because she was the first one I saw going to college and describing about college life.

Gopi அத்திம்பேர் has never behaved with us as someone from outside. He played a lot with us right from the day he saw us and shared many valuable information. He is having good, quality knowledge towards Poojas and Viradhams. If anyone has any doubt; we can get assured correct clarification from him.

Note : Even though I am airing my view on my blog, I was little bit cautious to put disclaimer / generalization / condition apply because I feel everyone may not be in a position to accept / understand what I am meaning and want to communicate – may be due to any reasons presently. My wish and my work will be in the direction that I should build a relationship with others that such disclaimers should not be there in future.

Others can contribute to include on this page about our dear and nears & can be taken forward for next generation.