Shravan Graduation -MS.

It looks yesterday, (March 2019, 2200 hrs) when Shravan told us, "Hello, I Got admission for MS in Computer Science at Columbia University, New York"!! We were more than thrilled, He had almost given up applying that year, (He selected only top 5 universities in 2017, 18) I ecouraged him to spread his net a bit wide. His contention was that, Columbia fee is very expensive, as was New York to live. Besides he has  settled very well and began to excel in his career at TEXAS Instruments here at Bangalore!! 

Email announcing Admission March 2019. 

Yesterday, (29th April, Thursday) Shravan completed and received his"Masters of Science" (MS) degree in Computer Science. It was a proud moment for us! When the admissions were completed, Shravan informed us that it will be a great occasion to be in New York for the graduation ceremony ! It would have been the first overseas trip for Lalitha.!! As things shaped up, it was very different turn of events come March 2020 and things got worse! 

We are very proud of Shrvan to achieve this Masters Degree, in such a tiring /hard circumstance, COVID, George Floyd riots (Especially he lived near Bronx)!! No wonder, within 4 hours of finishing his final exams on 19th December 2020, He took the United Flight to New Delhi. He was not ready to spend a minute more than necessary in New York in such a situation! 

Message from Lalitha on Graduation Portal. 

Roll Call

Diploma Parchment. 

Shravan has since moved to Silicon Valley, and now is settling down there!! We wish him all the very best. He has become second person, in our family in 50 years to receive Master Degree / Ph.D outside India. (My Uncle did in Mathematics, 1966 in Canada).  

We must, also thank HDFC Credila for working out a favorable education loan,which reduced some burden on us parents. 

(Interesting, 1963, Dad stood as guarantor for Uncle's loan- when even rich relatives shunned away. Uncle,in gratitude, sponsored his brother, Dad, to do his Masters in 1968 ( I was 5 then) at Benares. Dad then went to complete his Ph.D, 1990, when Lalitha entered our life.)

Karthik

30th April 2021. 

No Slot for below 45 age for Vaccination!!!!

 COVIN Portal open for registration at 4pm for vaccination for all in India above 18...

No Hopsital is giving slot!! All are only accepting those above 45!!!  I tried many pincode in Bangalore as well as other cities!! 

This is JOKE!!! 

Mother's 1st Month Ritual update

From Today, for next 3 days we shall be performing Mother's 28th day ritual as well 1st Month completion ritual here at Bangalore. We shall also be performing the 45th day, 6th month rituals as a special event besides every month ritual (Falls on 5th day following FULL MOON of every Tamil Month)! 

Due to COVID Crisis and mayhem of cases in Bangalore, we felt that best way forward is to do remote management with Vaadhyaar reciting the mantras over phone, and I repeat!! Yes, we should have served LUNCH to 2 Brahmins; we decided that we shall perform the same either during second or third month rituals, when situation improves.!! Indeed few of our regular priests are also not doing well (NOT COVID) to attend.! I thought that this best practical way to meet our obligations! 

I very much wanted to perform today's rituals at Karaikudi, but due to the COVID situation, we couldnt make it there! As a Compromise, today, I requested our Vaadhiyaar, Kannan (His grandfather started interaction with us as priest in 1972, Kannan has taken over after his passing away)! to perform a Punyajaanam (Sacred water sprinkling ritual to purify "Gayathri Niwas" post mother's departure, similar to which we did on here on the 11th day!). This was completed today, local people were of help to open and clean up the house making it ready! 

Lalitha cooked a 6 course meal as lunch, (as per today's protocol with special ingradients) and served to mother's portrait, and first portion to the bird- Crow! It came to eat within minutes of serving!! 

Karthik.

28th April 2021. 

Vaccination Update

 I am now in to 60 hrs in to 2nd dose of Vaccination. Unlike 1st dose, this one so far is pretty uneventful. I had shoulder pain and stiffness in the first jab. None whatsoever as side effects as of now...!!! 

I have received vaccination certificate from the Govt. They also asked for feeback on the performance / experience/ support from vaccination center experience in few questions with rating.! Good move! I was overall happy with both visits. 

With the vaccination opening up for all, I am sure the rush for getting vaccinated would be mad! I hope the other family members could manage to get their shots without any logistics challenge. I am hearing of people /relatives getting delayed in their vaccination (1st shot/ 2nd shot) in other cities! 

Certificate. 

Karthik. 

2nd Round Vaccination done today!

With shortage of vaccines and cases crossing 330,000 a day, (13,000 in Bangalore which > Entire Tamil Nadu) I was Skeptical that my appointment for 2nd & final round vaccination would be done as worked out today! 

I was in early, at 945am, so could get a shot. I got the COVID Sheild one. I am told, stocks go out by 12noon and then it is all chaos and disorder...

No surprise at that with all press coverage at the mess that is happening!!!! As I was completing the waiting process, the rush began and I was wondering what is Social distance and all, it is impossible in a sense...

My first round was without any symptoms, reactions. I hope this too goes smooth for the  next 48 hours. Lalitha had major reaction/ side effects with headache, high fever,( With mother's rituals, amidst) still swelling of vaccination spot pain even after 15 days. 

With Shravan doing his vaccniation at USA, It is now left for Radha to get done her's in coming days so that all are covered. 

Regards
Karthik

Mother's 13th day Ritual (Celebrating her life)

We are done with mother's 12 day rituals (Gayathri and Veni could make it, Anand Couldn't). She is now at a better place with her ancestors. I can say with certainty, she must be happy out there, for the rituals that were conducted were of Hindu Traditional aspects going in to details, which she very much loves. I am extremely thankful the team of vedic scholars to have guided us over the past 12 days for every aspect right from Cremation to until now! I was extremely touched, when an Octanegarian vedic scholar, came home, to recite "கர்ண மந்திரம்" for mother, immediately up on her soul leaving the body!

I was able to adjust myself to her needs/ requirements/ trantrums etc, with me showing no adverse reactions at any stage especially over the past 3 years when her health started going downhill !! (I can't say that for Dad, for we almost differed on anything and everything!)!!! More so, Lalitha did her immense best over the past 7 years for both Father and Mother, ever since the Fracture of Father's hip/ leg in Oct 2013, and subsequent 10s of hospitalisation / ICU, for both of them!

Today is the auspicious, 13th day occasion to rejoice her life! I have requested folks to execute a ceremony, at Gayathri Niwas, Karaikudi, today, where she spent good 50 years. We shall be releasing 2 portraits which will now be displayed at our home and shall be used in all our family occasions to grace and bless us on such occasions.

Finally, I am indeed touched by calls, messages, text etc that have been pouring in. Many have got in touch, after good 20 years or so, or some I am hearing them the first time!! Goes to show how much she touched so many people in their lives, !!! I would try to respond in days to come!

Karthik

Lalitha got her vaccination!

 Lalitha got her 1st round of vaccination done today. Second round in about 35-45 days from now.

She was to get herself vaccinated yesterday, but the hospital when called to confirm appointment, replied that "Vaccines are Stock out and may take a couple of days"! (Columbia Asia Hospital) We chose another venue by chosing different pin code.

Amazing to see India has done about 75 Million Vaccinations. That is almost entire population of UK + Australia....!!! 

Karthik.

Mother Rituals Update.

                                                சிவலோகபிராப்தி  அறிவிப்பு 

நிகழும் சார்வரி ஆண்டு ,பங்குனி 19, (ஏப்ரல் 1, 2021) காலை 2 மணிக்கு , எமது தாயார், திருமதி விஜயா பாலசுப்பிரமணியம், ( காரைக்குடி, w/o லேட் திரு Dr. TM பாலசுப்ரமணியம் (CECRI)) அவர்கள், பெங்களூரு இல்லத்தில், சிவலோக பிராப்தி அடைந்தார்.

 

பத்தாம் நாள் காரியம் மற்றும் கிரேக்கியம் காரியம், 10 ஏப்ரல் 2021 முதல் 13 ஏப்ரல் 2021, வரை, பெங்களூரு, கீழ்கண்ட முகவரியில் நடை பெரும்.

Renaissance Park 3

Malleswaram (W) 

Next to Brigade School,

Bangalore 560055

Karaikudy@hotmail.com 

இப்படிக்கு

லலிதா & கார்த்திக் (Lalitha & Karthik)

உமா & ஆனந்த்.      (Uma and Anand)

காயத்ரி,& திரிவேணி (Gayathri & Thiruveni)

*******************************************************************************

We announce the passing away of our mother Mrs. Vijaya Balasubramaniyam on 1st April 2021, 2am, at her son's residence at Malleswaram, Bangalore. The 10-13th day rituals shall be conducted at the above address. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I have now commenced, the rituals for the mother's departed soul. The ceremonies shall last 12 days. 13th day is cleansing up, and new era starts. 

The days 1 to 9 rituals consists of doing prayers and detailed 30 minutes Sanskrit rituals (7am with taking bath at home  and performing place, total of 3 times) (mostly done using left hand, left side), and offering rice balls coated with Honey, Clarifiied butter, Curd, Seaseme seed, and Milk. The coconut water is kept too at the thatched roof place where the soul is considered to be resting for 11 days. Day 10 shall involve Women folks doing the rituals from their end (Daughter, Aunt, Daughter in law, Granddaughter!). Day 11 and 12 is when Soul departs earthly bonds as well as offering to all ancestoral souls. 

Day 13 is call to rejoice life of late soul, as well as feed to dear/ near and friends and start life back to normal. 

Vaadhiyar Seetharaman (Hennur) Who is leading all 13 days of rituals for departed soul. 

The 10*8 Room given to us at ritural place, Malleswaram, for the rituals for 11 days. Center pot and corner pot we do rituals daily with offering of rice ball and coconut to the corner one. Center one is to quench thist of soul! 

Overview of the room with 2 places to do rituals. 

Rice Balls coated with seasme, Honey, Curd, Milk, fed to soul, passed on to the water body. 

Sankey Tank Malleswaram, the waterbody. 

Overall, I feel that the quality of rituals, the knowledge, depth of interest, of vaadhiyars, in Bangalore is far superior than in B, C Grade cities. I wonder if this is due to competition that exist! 

Karthik

6th April 2021. 

Alagappa Chettiar.

Today, 5th April, marks the 64th Death Anniversary of Alagappa Chettiar. Tomorrow, 6th April shall be his 112th Birth Anniversary. Karaikudi development was mainly due to his contribution in the area of Education, Science and Technology, ever since Independence. 

I posted a blog about him during 2018. I repost the link here. 

I owe all my eduction success to the foundation that got laid in my school days at Alagappa Model high School, Karaikudi. I owe so much to the "CHETTIAR" community for all my 15+ years of eduction was done at institutions built by them.  I am glad to see that Institutions are doing great now after 50+ years of establishment. 

Karthik.

5th April 2021. 

Mother Passed Away!

 

My Mother, Vijaya Balasubramaniyam, 78, W/o. Late Dr TM Balasubramaniyam, Scientist, #CECRI, #Karaikudi, reached Paramacharya Feet, on 1st April, 2021, Thursday, 2am here at Malleswaram, Bangalore. The end was rather painless and sudden, after her 14 month struggle / ordeal of various health issues!!!

Cremation done same day, I didnt wait for any outstation relatives (Even Brother/ Sisters etc) due to COVID!!

Mother ritual update:-

1) I had been to Srirangapatinam for second day rituals on 2nd April, (130 Kms from Bangalore towards Mysore)for the immersion of the ash in river Cauvery,(ஸஞ்ஜயணம்). A fisherman helped me walk to to the middle of the river to immerse the remains in the midstream. (Good 100 feet in, chest heigh water). Cauvery river was gashing in full stream. I felt Mother's immersion was done better compared to father's immersion done at stagnant Cauvery at Trichy during Aug 2017.

2) We have decided to conduct all 13 days ceremony /rituals here at our home "AMRITKALA" Malleswaram as it would be convinient for outstation folks to land stratight in to Bangalore. (Karaikudi is 2 hours drive from Madurai or Trichy Airport). As to satisfy mother's never publicaly expressed desire to breathe her last at #Karaikudi and the cremations thereafter, Laltiha and I have decided to conduct the 27th, 45th day and 6th Month rituals, at Gayathri Niwas, Karaikudi (On 4th July, 2021, Gayathri Niwas would complete 50 years of existence)!!

3) I have commenced and completed the 1 to 4th day rituals. We have chosen the Vaidika Sabha near Sankey tank for sake of convinience to adher to protocols. Few of the rituals from 11th day shall be done at home also.

4) Calls are coming non stop from friends, relatives. I shall do my best call back all of them as I am busy with rituals/ organising.

Personally the grief/ emotion of her departure is yet to sink in for me...... I think it could be some days!( I could hold on for 3 days for Dad and then the sorrow dam broke!!)!!

I am thankful to hospital staff at Vikram Hospital Bangalore, CECRI, Karaikudi, medical staff and Cauvery Hospital Karaikudi, for their effort to do their best for her treatment over the past 3 years or so.

Karthik.