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.