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.