Jesus Delivers!!!! Sasi Eat Gruel !!!

On 28th SEP 2014, (The day after JJ Verdict)I went to Church near home lit candle for God in Jesus form making Judge Michael Cunha giving landmark judgement! People shouldn't forget now,Jaya is a proved convict taken away by death!!! I am glad Justice system works like Oasis!! Few rare success!!! Would it solve TN Issues?? I doubt!!

Meet Michael Cunha what a man!! Stood his ground and delivered a landmark Judgement!! May his tribe grow!! Shame that 1% Judges are like him! I am glad SC heaped praise on him today!! Well done judge!!!

Lalitha's cell phone has not stopped ringing since 1040am when my father in law called her to convey the news of Sasi being ripped!! heheh! I have never seen Lalitha been so excited! Manargudi Gang worse than Sicilian Mafia so anger natural!!

Headspin, TMSIDK, Music long way!

Today judgement in Supreme court on disproportionate asset case the scenarios that may come out are head spinning! only 1/7 is a game over! This too after 21 years of lingering!! Shows how much judicial system is loaded against for good or bad as well as how by paying money you can buy judgement be even at High court! Churchill was right! Indians cant self Govern!! 

Just because wrapper is attached to Choclate no one eats the paper!! Same is Sasi with JJ!!! Apt sent by my classmate! 

From this week I look forward to hearing episodes of "Tell Me Something, I Dont know"!! Great show on participants and panel letting know things we dont know! very Intriguing 45 minutes to spend!! 

While I dont track much of Music happening post my college days of mid 1980s,it was interesting to read that this year Grammy awards for new artist has gone to a guy (Chance the Rapper)  who is releasing his songs through Media Stream without any formal arrangements without selling a single physical copy. He earning thro sponsors and product launch/tour! Music has come a long long way!!! Where it would go further???!! Further on music, it was sad news of Al Jarreau passing away!  Take Five 40 years back was a master class!! still rings!! Also this week is Retirement of Aretha Franklin the Heart of exciting music! 

Have a good day, Take it easy, take care!

Karthik

14/2/17 0840am! 

Scalia, Saami, History of India, VICE!!!

My memory flashed that today 13th Feb is first death anniversary of Antonin Scalia!! I was right! (We folks from Pre Google /Calendar era and has to work on memory to survive) Event with 13 you usually remember!! One year on, the stalemate in #SCOTUS continues! Justice Scalia known for following the law to the spirit and see what is past to indicate the future!! Also his interaction with Justice Ginsburg is a classic example of how people with extremely opposite views can get along for a common cause and keep their relationship intact with mutual admiration and respect! Lesson to be learned! 

Here is a Tamil post from my classmate Thirumalai Rajan on Dr Subramania Sami. Like he mentioned, I too support Stupid III Class politicians only on issue based aspect. (only 3 people I blindly support are all dead last 35 years)  So in the TN situation Dr SS talking favorably of Sashikala in totally unacceptable and best he stays away from issue! While I read and don't believe that money changed in crores for him to speak favourably and to exert influence, as there are plenty of fake news (Reminds me more of Almighty -Irving Wallace) it goes to show some times PVNR way is best way!!

I am also aware that TN politics is like other states in India is a stench and best is to leave it to god to sort as the country is beyond god's help!

Yesterday, I had gone through 14 episodes of VICE! Season 2 and 3 done dusted! Astonishing research in to various world events in depth! Take a bow Shane Smith!! (Thankfully You can play now You tube videos also 2X speed to speed up things as well as text available to read thro fast!) 

This podcast on Historical India gives a very good overview! Great listen for weekend long walk! The gentleman has devoted great time and effort (He has full time job and other personal commitments) I have gone through 4/10 podcasts and gave lot of new insights in to what our history as well as Mythological views!!! A good listen!! 

Have a great day! Take it easy take care! Stay safe, God Bless.

Karthik

13/2/17 0900Hrs. 

Abe, Bangalore& #MONSANTO, Work and study!

Hodgenville, Kentucky, 2012 June. 

12th FEB is birth anniversary of one of a greatest human being ABRAHAM Lincoln. Today is his 108th birth anniversary, a significiant number in Hindu way of life as all good rituals are asked to be done 108 times. I was glad I was able to visit his birthplace at Hogdenville, KY, while carrying out a Safety audit for a facility 100Km away in Louisville and see the hut he was born in!! hahhah!

Hut Lincoln Born 

My idea to keep beard flashed when I studied Lincoln history in my school text (We had separate book called Non Detailed in which History, Culture were taught but no exams in such) in which the Girl Sarah (sic later named Grace)  asks Lincoln to grow beard so that he can be successful and things would turn

...... hahah!! Another matter Laltiha too liked my beard and graciously said keep it when we met first time 1990( Man proposes, Wife disposes)!!!! 

Cargill Seeds which became Monsanto and I was recruited to turn seeds business initially! Great colleagues!! I was given cubicle in this office before integration 2 years down the line !!! 

Jolanta Paull, My Boss for 7 years!! Her Parting Gift on Lunch outing with Lalitha !!! I am still in touch with her 10+ years down the line with  monthly calls etc!! 

12th Feb also marks our beginning of 18th year in Bangalore having moved from BASF Mangalore after 3 year stint. I joined Monsanto and career was never the same!! Great team, Outstanding Leadership of Ladies and Gentlemen, global colleagues always accessible with phenomenal subject matter expertise to turn to as well as Billion GB of data repository to seek and find information besides great friends. What distinguished Monsanto, then, above all, was perform or Perish culture which keeps you on tenterhooks to sharpen the saw all the time!! The 7 years at Monsanto drove me to excel and most rewarding. Also on personal side, female colleagues there exposed me that I am a dumb husband who never gave away gifts to Wife !!First of many gifts started for Lalitha 9 years after marriage !! hehehehehhehe!!!! 

Bangalore a great place then!! ahhah! It would take 25 minutes to cover 15 Km in the morning traffic!! Son commuted daily from Indhranagar Diamond Dt to NPS Rajaji Nagar. Now he cant even dream to cover half the distance in that time!!

When I landed in Bangalore first time 1996 from Ankleshwar, population was 27 Lacs (2.7Million) today touching 10Million+!! Massive growth without planning has lead to mess! I wonder what next 10 years would bring?? Would I go back to 1996, Bangalore of waiting for city bus every 20 min as only way to commute 15 Kms to City Railway station from Yelahanka New Town where we stayed ??? I won't mind!!! 

Interesting to hear Meg Whitman talk saying that if one thing she would do different is to do business degree after a couple of years work and besides she would have done an Engineering degree!! So true! When I did my MBA in 30s or my safety diploma after 5 years of work experience in 1989 it gave a different insight to connect what you study with practicalities!! Also there is less pressure to perform( I recollect finishing my safety exams 15 minutes early and rushing to catch train to home 120 Kms away; still I finished II in my batch!!! hahahahhah) or My MBA in HR in 2002 done with absolute disdain!!! I am glad Son has taken to work in corporate for a couple of years and then pursue masters in Engineering/business degree down the line!! good for him!!!

Take it easy, take care, stay safe, God bless
Karthik.
12/2/17 0900Hrs. 

Accident Proneness!!! Seat Belts!! It's all Happening!! DJT!!!

As a Safety Professional, I dont belive in people being Accident Prone, despite evidence being contrary many times that same people injure or expose themselves to an unsafe environment and pay a price!! But when it happens at home you wonder!! Son has sprained his knee cap badly yesterday, while playing football at company Event(!!!!!!) and now his knee is strapped for 3 weeks!!!! 

This is his 3rd major injury (Fracture, fall from bike are previous incidents) in 9 years where the consequence was very high but recoverable! (me none not one so far in 54 years was I less exposed???? !!)  hahahahah! I didn't help him soothe his pain by comparing his injury proneness to unpredictability of Trump Presidency!

I was puzzled when car driver at Cochin said to me that there is no need for me to buckle my seat belt !! This too was at front seat! Goes to show how people take vehicle safety very lightly and are ignorant of High risk that high speed driving pose!!! I choose MERU Cabs for all my trip for very purpose that their vehicles seat belt working conidition is 100% in my 8 years ride to and fro for Bangalore Airport. Having seen 2 vehicle fatalities at work and worked a global level program to reduce road fatalities due to driving over last 20 years, I find intriguing that nothing has changed in people attitude!! I was reminded to post also when Lalitha sent this video over whatsapp a couple of days back!

Today is 80th Birthday of all time great Bill Lawry!!

Greig, Taylor, Richie, Ian Chappal, Bill Lawry what a team !!! pleasure!!! 

What a complete Cricketer cum TV commentator! Pleasure to hear him "It's all Happening" Lawry was the last captain to win a series in India 1969, until Gilchrist did in 2003!!! not again so far!! Happy Birthday to a great Victorian!!! 

3 weeks in to Presidency, a statue for Donald Trump? Coming up in Italy!! Cant believe??? heheh!! 

I also believe that if it doesn't get printed in WSJ or Economist, means it doesn't matter or not worth knowing!! So When Economist mentions TN political mess, means it is a serious happening to take note!!!!!!!! 

I leave with funny news that tourism ads in Lithuania shows places that are not in the country and fake !! I think our Indian crooks would be no different!!! ehehhehe!
Take it easy, take care, stay safe, God bless!

Karthik.
11/2/17 0850am! 

PSM, Responsible Father!!! Foregin!!! 3-0 !!!

I am Back from Business travel from Cochin this afternoon. I had been there facilitating 2 day session on "Process Safety Management"! A concept in safety that came in to operation post Bhopal gas tragedy. This is a regulatory framework in USA/Europe since 1992. 25 yrs on, still no sign of this standard becoming Mandatory in India, where Bhopal is situated,as no one cares, neither Industrial agencies nor Legislators. Thus, very few companies here go towards implementing this on a voluntary basis.......

It was so much satisfying to hear from my cab driver in my visit ensuring that all his 3 Children are qualified Engineers and well settled in life. His 2 daughters passed IT/software and Civil Engineering. Son is in to Mechanical Engineering or so!! Kids for their part got merit scholarship to reduce fee burden to parents!! I wish that the Government makes Education free for Girl Children entering Engineering say at least for top 1000 rank holders or so!! 

I was surprised to hear from him, that "FOREIGN" concept is back in Engineering academic. It existed during my college days! If you fail in the same paper on 3rd attempt, you would be sent home for one year (Foreign!!! hahahah) and come back after 12 months and take the exam!so one year study lost!Makes you put effort to pass the subject within 3 attempts!! Good aspect to make Engineering education more serious!! With 1000s of colleges, I guess 10s of  1000s of students would go foreign!!! 

So Hillary breaks her silence after ages; what a tweet!!! But I like the way Trump trying to break Status Quo!! Win or lose, You cant blame the man for trying to shake a few things!If only our Stupid மூதேவி MODI tried even 10% of this guts and go hammer and tongs to sweep the system!! !!!! 

See you, Take it easy take care, stay safe!!
Karthik
10.2.17 1515 Hrs.

Baggage Tag, Superbowl!!

This is short post as I am at Airport on way for Business Travel.

Baggage tag is back!! hahahahh! I am told it didnt work after weeks of trial!! hahahah! I tell you!! Cunning like Chinese, Crooked like Indians! looks like folks tried circumvent!! hehehe !! Security staff says no risk!!

One thing I never understood in America! Superbowl!! Sat thro one in TV at Salt Lake City few years back with my Friend Bob at  a bar!! Never got the game!! So Trump got one right!! His 8 point prediction close than 6 the final outcome! I think NEW ENGLAND Patriots lost when I watched!! (2008 I think)

Take care, stay safe

Karthik

7/2/17, 0735am!!!

48,000$, 308, 5, 0, 50 !!!!

It is no surprise that people have taken to streets for 6th night running in subzero temperature on the streets of Bucharest and other Romanian cities! This is more astonishing, that very people who elected the government just weeks back have poured out in Millions to demand roll back of 48,000$ corruption law which indicates that any bribe below that amount is not a jailable offence!! Government says it is to decongest prisons!! Having been to Romania, my personal interpretation was the country is as similar to our's with intellect people, passion and corruption no less!! (Indeed most Eastern Europe amongst equal with us in many aspects) Now people want this government to go as extreme dissatisfaction!! hahah! One way India is different, Indians thick skinned folks tolerate everything bastards Politician throw at us for over 70 years be it Congoon or Assholes BJP!!! We get the government we deserves!!! 

I am listening to great BBC Podcast #INCARNATION of 50 Indians that reshaped India over centuries!! Many names in that list like Malik Ambar (The Ethiopian Slave, Birsa Munda) the name heard for the first time. Some of the narratives too far different than what we assumed or told!! A must listen! I have gone thro 31 as of this morning..... BBC dishes out awesome stuff!!!

Intriguing to hear BBC Panorama that 1999 there was 0 yes 0 reported Type II diabetics in UK! Today the number is 4 Million cases with amputations as common as London Double Decker Bus on streets!! Many so amongst South Asian communities!! It was sad to see John Jameson the famous cricketer of Warwickshire/ENG 1971 in that list, undergoing Kidney ailment due to same!! Jameson  Run out (Bowler touching ball that gone to hit wkts at non striker end)  turned tide for India to win Oval test first time 1971!!

Willpower is often a topic that brings lot of debate! 5 aspects to work the same is well explained in this lecture by Kelly McGonigal and this animation !! Worth a listen! I agree feeling bad or guilt makes you do the same aspects more!! (smoking, craving sin etc etc)!!!! 1)Energy, 2)Sleep, 3)Good Nutritious Food, 4)Pre Frontal Cortex management and 5) Let Go attitude,are an essential aspects to sustain Willpower!! I agree!!

Astonishing, this week, back in 1975, Lance Gibbs Broke Fred Truman Record of 308 Wickets!! I recollect hearing on Radio 6th Test Melbourne!! Today at 800 wickets that record longgg longg way off!! But Cricket was class apart then!! Gibbs, Truman would be talked about 100 years down the lane than the successors!!! Incidentally it was to Lance Gibbs that a then a 21 yr man called Brian Lara said, one day I would break Gary Sobers Record of 365!! Boy Didn't he do TWICE??!!! hahahahh!!!

Take it easy,take care,stay Healthy GOD BLESS!!

Karthik

6.2.17 0830am! 

100 days, Elections!! Catholics& Jews!!!!

Lalitha is back from her 3 days travel, morning 5am! Thanks to Technology I could track when she would arrive when my sleep broke at 430 am!But in a larger sense shows uncertainty over events. I recollect days of post card/ telegram about arrival people and person would be there to receive you on dot!! It was good to hear she had great time on her father's 80th Birthday celebrations! She also visited Srirangam temple!!! (hahahha I even listen to her experience there shows how much I have mellowed over years hehehehhe) Interesting her most of her time went on visiting temples, shows richness of devotional spread around Trichy, Madurai (100Km radius) 

I was very intrigued by the elections in India spread over 35 days in 5 states, Oh Man, gimme a break!! I recollect 70s,80s  National elections done in 5-10 days and results declared in 24 hrs!.Even the tense national election,(Post Emergency) 1977 I remember Mrs Gandhi losing day after election was held!! Personally,I want BJP decimated and dont care who wins!! Let's see!!! 

So much lethargy, inefficiency crept in to system. Also bureaucrats passing the buck due to timidity, lack of confidence or authority to take decisions to go hammer and tongs!! 35 days election???  man,this is scandalous! Ass holes of bureaucrats, Govern us more like Yes Prime Minister!!! 

 Also, as indicated last year in my BBC Interview with Mathew Amroliwala, that how MODI would be undermined by these bureaucrats!! How Right, I was!!!! 

Amazing to hear US Media going all out to work views /swing on Trump presidency! While during election campaign they worked "UNITED States of Anxiety" (USA) Podcasts

to get Pro/anti views of Trump where indication for Trump winning was predicted in rural/rust belts!! They are now working a program through Phone in Monday -Tuesday, 8pm EST, in which 130 radio stations across USA hook up to a program "INDIVISIBLE" where people across spectrum phone in to express their views!! 

This program would work for First 100 days of Trump Presidency. So you can get to feel how things shape!! Classic example of people expressing views and you get an ear to the ground!!! It was a surprise to hear all current 8 #SCOTUS Judges now are Catholics and Jews!! If a guy wakes up from Grave of 1920s and gets an update, he would feel creepy, given the fact that first and only Catholic President was elected not far back!!!!  hahahahhah!!!! Things change and nothing is permanent except, Change! Embrace it!!! 

Hhahaha! On a personal side, Radhu/Shravan had their day!! They persuaded me to have ordered dinner!! Amazing, I recollect my good friend, Ashutosh's 85 year father saying, in our days, "we ate what was cooked inside the house and defecated outside! Now a days generation,eat  what is cooked outside and defaecate inside house,thus root cause of issues"!! I wonder is there some truth in it indirectly!! The craving for outside food just beats me!!! 

Take it easy, take care, stay safe, God bless

Karthik
5th Feb 2017 0830am! 

35 yrs on still missing Karen! memory lingers!!!

4th February 1983,Karen Carpenter passed away at very young age of 32. I still recollect the moment I heard the news during my college days at Madurai! Karen died due to a condition less known that time, now very very common in woman(!!) of eating disorder!!

Along with her brother,Richard, she dished out so many songs which still feel fresh. I am told she was a great drummer too!!!Growing up listening to Carpenters music (more so those days in 70s, 80s u had only radio stations to listen, may be an hour at most/day) the impact she left behind is phenomenal. I am sure her music would be around,come 2117 AD!!!. I still miss her soul touching music and I wonder how much great musical magic she would have delivered but for god's other plans!!! 

All her songs are treat for me! but still my best picks not in any order of her Baker's Half Dozen!!!!

1) Jambalaya ( If I got to pick only1,then this)
2) Calling occupants of interplanetary craft.
3) Please Mr Postman (I recollect my days 1990 waiting for that stimulating mail from Lalitha during courtship days, ahhahah) 
4) Top of the world (Class apart)
5) Good bye to love (Endnote is so awesome)
6) Only Yesterday 
7) I wont last a day without you!! (hahahhaha)


Thanks to my Classmate PK Sridhar who introduced her music to me 1978!!! 

Karthik
4th FEB 2017 1100 Hrs. 

Ready made Roti!! Sleep!!!Obama-Bin-Biden!!!

With Laltiha away and as a person who loves cooking( another matter she doesnt allow me to try out /help her hahahha) I tried some new dish last night. This website Vachef  I found awesome and simple way to work through. I worked the Sweet Potato curry and Tomato Dal Fry Rajastan Gujju style. Came out very well and children (25,22 if can be called kids) loved it! As Roti making is not my virtue, never attempted one! I am sure, I would be hopeless and as like American drivers who never ask for directions, I explored super market Hypercity near home and found KAWAN ROTI /Paratha awesome. The job of heating up the roti delegated to Son at 2000 Hrs who did a super job. Daughter did great help / favour eating them coming from work 2200 Hrs. (Cant blame her can I after a long long drawl day!!)

As much as food is essential as is sleep! so much is being discussed these days! I recollect reading decade back HBR Article managing energy not time in which Sleep is critical to to energetic positive day. I also watched Ariana Huffington video on her book Sleeping Revolution. I don't disagree with her in her prediction that companies would soon have a Sleeping POD for people to nap/refresh just like today they have conference rooms. Sleep many people misjudge! (I too was once a proponent for Sleep when you die, not any more!!) 

I stumbled on once again on UBL tapes a documentary by BBC on my podcast!! It was intriguing to hear he preaching the Gandhian way of Boycott and social chaos as ways to work against Infedels as late as late 1980s! I am to assume the boots landing on Saudi Arabia by west made him take violence! It is also fascinating to hear Osama indicating Shia, Kurds, Communists, atheists posed far far danger to Sunni Islam than West or others! I have an sneeky suscipion/ feeling that Ayman-Al-Zawahri played a very very key part in guiding him to extreme views as the book explains!!

When you talk Osama on a serious note you have to take on a hearty laughter note term coined on election night 2008 November, Obama-Bin-Biden. What a combination they were! U may not like both as Republican, but together they formed one of the best example of team work complementing each other!! Joe Biden was to sell his house for son's cancer treatment, but Obama persuaded him not to do so! That is what is friendship and that's what friends are for as Diane Warwick sang 1980s!!!

See you, Have a great day. Cooking awaits and big arguement ongoing for going out for dinner with daughter, I never like hotel food, I am tiered 15 years outside eating practically every working day!!! 

Karthik.
4th FEB 2017.

31 years, 80 Years, 6 Years!!! TRUMP!!!!

This week marks completion of 31 years of my career. I started packing my bags for #ANKLESHWAR the day space shuttle Challenger exploded in air and setting back USA Space program by years!!(despite another setback thro #Columbia in 2003)While my career had no such hickups. It was great ride 1986-2012 with great people, great team, great organisations, before I felt enough is enough with corporate career, with me feeling I am going no where, in II half of 2012 in my last assignment that began April 2012!! While the next 5 years through my ESH consulting has been tough ride with safety, health still not a great value proposition in Indian entities, I plan to hang out as the saying goes"The Going gets tough, the tough gets going"!!!! 

Today (3rd Feb) is the beginning of 80th Year for Lalitha's father Mr K Sundarraman!! (hahahhahha!! My Father in(out) Law) I have immense respect for him. He took a courageous decision back in 1991,to give away his daughter to a person at #GUJARAT, the most dangerous place then on earth with violence,Hindu muslim riots a common occurrence as sunrise/sunset!! I am glad Lalitha and her elder sister Gauri made it to Trichy today for this simple event (81 planned in a grand manner). We are also planning my father's 80th year celebrations later in the year. Would keep details updated.

I am personally very happy with Aircell maxis verdict,while judgement is disappointing, I am glad it shows how poorly MODI government has prepared and worked in shobby way to prove criminal intent, the case is on for 6 years. Modi government worked on it for 3 years!!!  I keep saying, MODI is dumb egoistic person with "I, Me, Myself" egoistic attitude (Same as MGR) largely attributed to politicians from Gujarat! (remember Moraji Desai the stubborn guy,who is notorious for not listening to people with my way or the Highway)

Trump on other hand, going like bull in chinaware shop!! No one can blame him for not fulfilling his election promises!! Very clear action items, care a damm for what world would say,not a hint of respect for system that exist in place! very clear message to world!! "We have had enough, now we call shots"!!! If Modi had even 20% of this courage and did some of promises, I wont be cursing him with all such unprintable explicit in spite of voting for him in 2014! Not one promise done and going nowhere ! also Modi's team dumbest in Indian history with half ministers looking "PORUKKI" பிச்சைக்காரன் !!! 

Trump on the other hand has picked one of the best cabinet to support him in US modern history the best since in JFK in my view!!! Rex Tillerson, Mad Dog Mattis, Rick Perry, Dr Carlson are some of the best available and certainly wont nod head to Trump unlike our மூதேவி ! exactly the way the team should be!!!

His pick for USA Supreme court nominee too just awesome! I don't think any one could have fitted better void left by Late Justice Antonin Scalia, than Justice,Neil Gorsuch,a conservative judge. Trump might get to pick 2 more judges!! Let's see!!!  Trump is on right track to do what he set to do! As I told my son, How world reacts, how America shapes up it is all up to people, U cant blame TRUMP come 2021!!!! ahahaha!!!! 

                                                                                 Take care, have a good day
Karthik
3/2/2017 0900hrs!!! 

Back to BLOGGING!!

After 5 years of Lull, I have decided to be back in BLOGGING!! I think this is the best forum to express my thoughts. I find Twitter Abusive with bunch of Idiots with GOOJA JAALRA as we call in TAMIL (Nodding heads) ! Facebook too, politically correct world!!!

Looking forward to interactions here and I would start my posts from today !! Stay Tuned!!! 

God Bless!!

Karthik
2/2/17 !!! 

PARAMACHARYA Photo Karaikudi......

PARAMACHARYA PHOTO(LEFT) Live size at our home KARAIKUDI. 

I was talking to my classmate at college, settled in NJ last evening and we were discussing about how parents are stuck to home town and don't want to move. I was sharing my experience of my Mother not wanting to move with us for the simple reason to light lamp on the sage of Kanchi photo, installed 30 years back. The beauty was that the painting was done for my uncle, who couldn't find a place to fit it in his rented apt. He passed it to his brother (My father) and it arrived at Karaikudi during Shankara Jayanthi time May 1982. Also the person who painted the picture is a non Hindu and who had never seen Paramacharya in person...... Also the frame shop at Karaikudi was owned and by another person from the same community and didn't take a  Rupee for this. The photo used to adorn all Paramacharya birthday celebrations venue till a permanent Shankar mutt was built at Karaikudi.

Shirdi visit.... High/ Lowlights

The family undertook the Shirdi trip last week. We missed the trip in 2010 as the train from Agra to Kopargaon was delayed by more than 24 hrs. In the scorching May Summer/ Holiday season we had no option but to return home from Delhi. So this visit was after 2 years and a lot has changed (For worse in my view!!).


Facts:-
1) Be prepared for 31/2 to 4 Hrs to stand in queue. I am told it takes as much as 6 Hrs on festive season. Ours took 3 1/2 hrs with a 45 min stoppage time for evening Aarti when nothing moved!!.... (4 to 730pm)
2) Keep edible items, snacks, biscuits, juice etc to survive this agonizing wait(Baba himself says god can't be thought in empty stomach). Nothing is available once you stand in line except for water bottles. I am told in the morning time for some duration some food items are available with a crowd of 75,000 this would vanish in a blink of an eye.
3) If you are with child /infant ( I am shocked that Parents even attempt this !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)please keep enough milk, baby food items to last 4 hrs, It was pathetic to see kids screaming in hunger, parents and relatives were in such a situation that they couldn't do much.
4) Once you decide to stand in queue, it is practically impossible to retreat should you change your mind,there are no contact person etc to rescue in an emergency situation etc. Pathetic. The queue length accommodating  25,000 people can be imagined (Single file).  At no time you can contact any organisation interface to help you.
5) Mobile etc are confiscated if you take it in. So please leave it at Hotel room or lockers. It was pathetic sight to see folks taking picture and getting rapped on the knuckles.
6) Women can carry small handbags.
7) Passes/ VIP darshan too have become meaningless, even those lines are in 100s. I remember in my 2009 visit, the Rixa driver chiding me for VIP attempt, his logic is," the more you stand in Queue the more you think of god". Sound logic. This trip we seriously didn't attempt any!?.
8) Dwarkamai also there is restricted access to the sanctum Sanctorum, with every trip, I find the chance to have physical access to places where Baba lived and breathed is restricted to devotees. Be prepared for 1 Hr queue at Dwarkamai. Last time the pleasure of touching Baba's samadhi was taken away. So every year the man- divine contact is restricted.!!!
9) Security guards can be arrogant, nonsensical, and lack common sense (Of course the last trait is expected of them, else they will be our boss!!!) I saw case where a 100% Blind man was  denied entry in to main temple. So much for empathy, what can you expect from a govt controlled setup?? SHAME??
10) On the food side, try eating OLD SHARE PUNJAB restaurant located in the lane (100feet) opposite GATE 2.  
11) Travel to PUNE Airport by Road, takes 5 hrs on a normal traffic condition, anything less is impossible.The Pune Shirdi traffic is a SHAME story for how not to plan Highway layout. Authorities there, should visit, TamilNadu to see how every small town is by passed on highway!!..




12) If you are in Pune on transit for say 3 /4 hrs with no business, try Hotel Ibis near airport to meet/ spend time to relax. Good place. Food decent budget pricing!.




So In short, as I keep telling my FOREIGN friends, we do well in India, IN SPITE of our Government. It was pathetic to see the same extended to even worship god. We go there in spite all hardship!!... YES, the IDIOTIC brain will still want to visit SHIRDI in next 6 months and we will be going despite all the hardships, arrogant attitude of administration!! Such is life of an Indian, the common sense will never PREVAIL. !!!  I have told my wife in future to focus more to visit our temple in family ancestral town where even 1000 people wont visit in a year and there is a beautiful village surrounding/ river Thamirabharani to enjoy watching in full flow.


Let's see!! Will keep you updated if the next visit is done!!.... 


PS: Despite all this wife and children longed for one more darshan at Main temple (Samadhi Mandir) and I refused to join them saying it is madness!! They went ahead without me at next day morning 830am. Imagine my shock!! (I was at Prayer hall reading SAI CHATCHARITHA) that they finished darshan in 35 Min flat!!!! Hmmm Strange again are god's ways!!......

32 Years.....

On 30/12/11,Friday,Lalitha and I,traveled to my home town Karaikudi.This was for the school reunion (I passed out +2 in 1980). It was an exciting time, 6 hrs just flew. 30 classmates turned up. The introduction was exciting, some uncomfortable questions on (Mis)Deeds. I did the "Eulogy" of Departed Classmates and Teachers. 

Memento given on the occasion.

SUMMARY from Hindu Newspaper on our meet:-

The first batch of students (1978-80) of Alagappa Model Higher Secondary School, Karaikudi, met at the Alagappa University in Karaikudi on Friday after a gap of 32 years.

As many as 30 students out of 53 studied during that period were present with their parents, teachers and wards. Most of the teachers, who took classes during 1978-80, had come from different parts of the country.

The old students, along with their family members, received the teachers and presented mementoes to them.

The students donated furniture worth Rs.1.40 lakh and laboratory equipment worth Rs. 30,000 to their alma mater.

They were handed over to Headmaster S. Jeyaprakashan by Vice Chancellor S. Sudalaimuthu, the chief guest of the function.

K. Manimekalai, Registrar; Muthu Palaniappan, president, Chamber of Commerce; S. Kannappan of Lions Club; Muthu Kumar, secretary of Rotary Heritage Club, William Durairaj, former Headmaster; S. Kathirvel, former teacher; Arunachalam, Assistant Headmaster; V. Sundararaman, Kumar Muthiah and Krishnakumar spoke.

School teachers (Sitting) and Us.