The Power of One: Bryce Courtenay

Super. A lovely, gift from Sharyn, one of her favourate books. Waiting to see a picture of 'Grandpa Chook' in her garden, honouring Peekay!!!


If 'The secret' contains instructions - theory, this is with example - practical; a motivating story to remember and learn from:

In each of us there is a flame that must never be allowed to go out. That as long as it burns within us, we cannot be destroyed.

One ting is certain in life, just when things are going well, soon after they are certain to go wrong. It's just the way things are meant to be.

Small can beat big, all it takes is brains and skill and heart and plan.First with your head, then with your heart,, without it even plans are useless!First the facts, then the trust.

The power of one is the courage to remain separate, to think through to the truth and not to be beguiled by convention or the plausible arguments of those who expect to maintain power, whatever the cost. The power to believe in yourself, often well beyond any latent ability previously demonstrated.

Pride is holding your head up when everyone around you has theirs bowed. Courage is what makes you do it.

Life is all beginnings and end. Nothing stays the same. Parting, losing the thing we love the most, that's the whole business of life, that's what it's mostly about.

'No matter what has happened bad, today I'm finished from being sad! Absoloodle!' (Say Today was a good day)

Nothing is unexplained. Nature is a chain reaction. One thing follows the other, everythin is dependent on something else. The smallest is as important as the largest. Dont be afraid of originality, Always listen to yourself, it is better to be wrong than simply to follow convention. If you are wrong, no matter, you have learned something and you will grow stronger. If you are right you have taken another step towards a fulfilling life. You cant always go by expert opinion. Always you should go to the source, to the beginning. The more you know, the more you can control your destiny. Always do the exercise, if you do the exercise, you have the foundation. In this world are very few things made from logic alone. It is illogical for a man to be too logical. Some things we must just let stand. The mystery is more important than any possible explanations. The searcher after truth must search with humanity. The truth can only add to the sum of what you know, while a harmless mystery left unexplored often adds to the meaning of life. Always ask questions, maybe the answers come slow, but always they are coming if you wait with your head and your eyes. No point in leaving things to chance.

Anticipate problems likely to occur in any situation and review the answers to them long before disaster strikes. Survival is a matter of actively making the system work for you rather than attempting merely to survive it. It is not what a man does, it's what a man is that counts! Love independence, take control of life.

Surprise your opponent in the first few seconds and so unsettle him. Anticipate the problems likely to occur in any situation and review the answers to them long before disaster strucks. Have emergency plans. Routine which, when practised a thousand times, becomes an automatic reaction to a crisis.

Knowledge, learning makes you a man, I am nothing without learning.

Nanny, Grandpa Chook, Hoppie Groenewald to Gideon, Rasputin and the Judge; all of them give us a lot, indeed a lot, you want to know more...

Yes, leaving with the legends, taking the best of them, Peekay, had become a companion to Doc, enchantment to Mrs. Boxall, champion to the people, fulfilment to Captain Smit, a foil to Hymie, a product to Singe 'n Burn, an idealised school boy, winner and great guy to Peers, and a role model to me!

And what is your say on this?

Full story from Wikepedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_One_(novel)

Achan API

API presents Venugopalan K,
with this certificate as a token of appreciation
for rendering 20 years of good, loyal and faithful
serivce to the company.

We look forward for many more years of such close association. (15.4.88)

And then he was with the company for another five years till it was locked out in 1993.
The year, when my sister was to start her 10th and me my 12th.

Where could we go, whom could we trust, what could we do...
With the support of our well wishers, friends and relatives, and by the grace of God,
we could spend another one year there to complete our important thresholds of education,
and then move to Kerala..

Well he was also looking forward for many more years of close association,
But destiny had something else instored for us.

And now when here, he has been in the present organisation for past 13+ years,
while I have moved 5+ organisations...He calls me Naranath Prandhan,
he adds to the chorus of people saying I will reach no where.
I know, it is because he wants to see me reach somewhere...

He keep telling me rolling stone gathers no moss...but am I rolling?

Natundeeamma dingi dingi....

FATHERS
F: Faithful
A: Always There
T: Trustworthy
H: Honoring
E: Ever-loving
R: Righteous
S: Supportive



Thank you father for being there always for me, and indeed the best gift any father can give to their children is to love their mother.

Ramayana: Cricket

The current Cricket World cup situation between INDIA vs SL as this.

INDIA(Ram) married World cup (Sita) in 1983 and in 1996 Sri Lanka (Raavan) took away Sita (Cup).
Now after 14 years of vanvaaas they meet again and you know the result J :D


The epic Ramayana is coming back….don’t dare to miss it.

INDIA …… BLEED BLUE ....They lifted the cup again, There were tears in many a eyes...but then were they fixes?

Memorable Gettogether: Short & Sweet

Finally she set her foot on Indian soil,on a lovely and bright saturday, fascinated to see a magnificiant elephant on the highway, on the 26th of March 2011; when we wanted to be in the airport. But we had to wait till the 27th., to have the first glimpse of her when we were going to Athirappilly.Ah! it was a dream come true! Was it real or just a dream? Did patiences really pay? Well, yes says the photographs, for I belive that the technology is yet to develop, such that we can capture pictures of our dreams.

The view from the Rainforest Hotel was lovely, we went both to the starting point till the falls below, and returned in the scrotching sun; which was indeed too hot, it turned her red, but she was the first to return and I was the last to make the uphill climb. The explantion was thought provoking, just get it done, and then you dont have to worry about it, it is over. After lunch, we went to Vazhachal, and there it started drizzling, and then rain. Wow! Both sun & rain on the same day. Father was happy that she visited our house, while returning. She was surprised to see the crowd in the oberon mall, at 8pm. She wanted to buy a ray ban glass, but settled for fasttrack. Well it is the fast track one which I liked. See I am not a brand freak.

Next day, when she came to office, she had brought for us, Milk chocolate delights; mini eggs; from a magical Carury world. It was yummy milk chocolate inside and crisp sugar shells outside; and then we had meetings for days, and lots of work.

Well then it was the cricket time, cricket cricket everywhere, biddings, guessings, practicals and theory. The India, Pakistan match reminded of the old fights, where kings from two different countries would come to watch it, and here was the primeministers of both the countries sitting and watching at Mohali. Our meetings and presentations had the crickinfo ie minimised, to keep us updated. But we could be home to watch the climax, and listen to Sachin say something like: Focus, give your best not worring about the result and the rest will follow.

She said lovely cards to both her mothers, it being Mothers day, on the comming sunday, and birthday cards to Gareth and Claire. Yes it was Claire's birthday, the next day; and she emailed me saying all great people were born in March!

It was great to have her here, with me to share my birthday (I had already celebrated by malayalam birthday/Piranal which I share with my grandmother), when she presented me with a beautiful Kashmiri shawl! Wishing me may Joy & Love be yours Always! Her presence was my best present!

We could begin yet another close with her, in her presence.

As we were getting ready to watch the war(match) between 'Ram Sena'(India) and 'Ravan Sena'(Sri lanka) in the land of 'Siv Sena'(Mumbai), Fss team won the practicals in the morning. She and me, went to Kodanad, and were lucky enough to find 5 elephants of differnt age group, both male and female; having their morning shower, in a river, surrounded by beautiful scenery.We had to return soon, as there was this appointment for this special body massage at Anjaneaya Ayurveda Vaidyasala; but that I believe was something not very positive about the trip, as the massage did not turn out to be as expected living some marks; the ones on hands were clearly visible and heartning. We then did some window shopping at kalyan silks and she helped me but some things for my nephew. We went around Fort Kochi and Marine Drive. As the 2011 calender is a replica of 1983; so where the Cricket results! India won the world cup again, bringing tears of joy, in the eyes of the millions. Sachin could finally kiss the cup; and so also many others!

Next day, was her lovely and memorable treat, at the house boat in Allapuzha; with typical kerala food. Then she invited us for the evening tea, at the Taj Malabar where she stayed. Even there there were two lovely big elephants. From there we could see Mattanchery, Fort Kochi, Marine Drive, marina. It was the whole team with family: AP family; my father; and our marketing solutions team in whole. It was mother's day in UK. She had her mother's and daughter in UK, and missed them.

Then began the long month end, with its ups and downs, whatever had to go wrong, went wrong, which was sad. But all days are not the same. The next day was again better, a good day! We felt blessed to be part of the call, where the results were discussed. It gave us an insight to what actually happened.

We had lovely Paw Baji, Fish Birayani and Kheer, made my Pravin's wife, Prachi. Chicken and Chapathi made my Cynthia. Team dinner at the Park.She even enjoyed the Pooram at the Kakkanad devi temple, where there was five elephants beautifully decorated like a bride. Shopping at kalyan silk, Bhima jewellery, and oberon malls. It was lovely to see her in the Salwar Kameez, Bindhi (Third eye) & Payal (Anklets). Then there was the semi finals and finals of the WL cricket team. Our FSS team won the semi finals, and she was there to watch both the matches and give the trophy to the winning team! (Our team was the runner up). After the finals, they had been to Cherai beach and had dinner today. But I had to be home, waiting anxiously to see my mother, sister and Neil! Next day she was going to Chennai, and had an adventure, when due to bad weather, the flight could not land in Kochi, and as it was running out of fuel, had to go for refilling to Banglore. We could even exchanged few books, in this short span of time.

She learned Anna & Kakka when she was here, and called my bag, Mary Poppins's!

She said, she wanted the team to remain the same, for atleast next one year! But the best of her advice as I take it is: There would be problems and failures, dont learn to just leave with it!

On her last day in office, she presented all of her team members with a lovely gift: Pen hand turned by a gentleman named Ian Darbyshire in East Yorkshire(ian@handturnedpens.co.uk)(www.handturnedpens.co.uk). The wood used to make the pen is Bog Oak, that are 1000 years old having been preserved in a local peat bog.

There was a piece for us to see.

Note said: I hope when you use them you remember our time together with fondness:

Santhi

Sharynx

She was.

Yes we would:


Guess what? As I had just finished typing this, there was a courier from Amazon: Yet another surprise: (Including the courier charges!)

All of us had yet another gift from her:

1. Penguins stopped play: Eleven Village Cricketers Take on the world:For Pravin,

2. The Power of One: By Bryce Courtenay for me:
And this is her favourate book. She has a statue of garndpa chook in her garden to honour Peekay!!! Is that not lovely! would love to see a pic. of it. (Who knows, one day may be in person too!!)

3. Not Dark Yet: A very funny book about a very serious game: For Jay.

Things come to an end: Bad and good; and this too had come to an end; for the time. With prayers; to see again in an years time. A lot can and will happen between now and then; with regard to house, relations and other things. Fingures crossed!

Awesome Foursome - Echoes/Mixed Blessings/The wedding/Mirror Image - Danielle Steel and Chetan Bhagat's - Five Point Someone, Three Mistakes in my life, Two states and One night at the call centre

Yes the family of four, which we were together after long, but with more joy and additions beging grandparents and grandchildren. But this is on some things other than this:

Just four months of 2011; and here I am having read four books each of Danielle Steel and Chetan Bhagat; barring the other ones!

Danielle Steel:

Thanks to Barkha could read Echoes and Mixed Blessings.

Thanks to Sharyn could read The wedding and Mirror Image.

Echoes:

For the Wittgenstein family, the summer of 1915 was a time of both prosperity and unease, as the guns of war sound in the distance. But for eldest daughter Beata, it was a time of awakening. By glimeering Lake Geneva, the quiet Jewish beauty met a young French officer and fell in love. Knowing that her parents would never accept her marriage to a Catholic, Beata followed her heart anyway. As the two built a new life together, Beata's past would stay with her, and when Europe faces war once again, Beata must watch in horror as Hitler's terror threatens her family-even her daughter Amadea, who has taken on the vows of a carmelite nun.

As family and friends are swept away without a trace, Amadea is forced into hiding. Thus begins a harrowing journey of survival, first in the Nazi death camps, and then as she escapes into the heart of the French Resistance and finds a renewed sense of purpose.She meets and extraordinary man, British secret agent Rupert Montgomery, who help her discover her place in an unbreakable chain between generations...and between her lost family and her future. (This took me to the sound of music.)

From the elegant rituals of Europe's prewar aristocracy to the brutal desperation of Germany's death camps, Danielle Steel draws us into a Vanished world, weaving an intricate tapestry of a mother's love, a daughter's courage...and the unwavering faith that sustained them- even in history's darkest hour.


The wedding:

Simon Steinberg and Blaire Scott are among the most respected couples in Hollywood. They have defied the Hollywood cliche and stayed together for decades. Their three children - the entertainment lawyer Allegra, teenage aspiring model Samantha, and medical student scott - are successful and happy. Allegra, as an attorney to the stars, has a career that consumes so much of her energy that she has little time for a private life - until a chance encounter with a New York writer turns her life upside down. Suddenly, she finds herself planning a wedding at her parents Bel Air home. After there earlier breakups, she finally meets her Mr. Perfect. Her wedding, is a bridge between the past and future, and an opportunity for reconciliation, forgiveness, and new hope - as weddings often are for us all.


And yes just like the names, there were similarites and continuity in the books as they were different!

Well, if 'The Wedding' is about The dreams and expectations of a cermony that unites us all...; 'Mixed Blessings' is about the desire, the difficulties, and the joy of having a child.

Mirror Image, is of identical Twin children, very similar in looks but different in dreams, which take one to the war in Europe - World war 1. Echoes, is again, in the back drops , which begin with world war 1 and ends in world war 2.


_________________

Chetan Bhagat:

All the books are a quick read, which even the beginners in reading can go through.

Five Point Someone
One Night @ The call center
Three mistakes in my life
Two states.

Five point someone:

I would say, the similarity between Five point someone(the book) and Three Idiots(Film from book) would be just 50% to 60%. The film is indeed an improvised version of the book.


Three mistakes in my life: Is about an youth named Govind, who dreamt of owning a business. To accommodate his friends Ish and Omi's passion, they open a cricket shop. However, nothing coes easy in a turbulent city. To realise their golas thtey will have to face it all - religion, politics, calamities, unacceptable love and above all their own mistakes. The book is based on real life incidents. With some insights like team work, passion and discipline, the need of them to be taught in school.

Two states: is about Krish and Ananya who are from two different states of India, deeply in love and want to get married. Of course, theri parents don't agree. To convert their love story into a love marriage, the couple have a tough battle in front of them. For it is easy to fight and rebel, but much harder to convince. Because in India, for marriges to succeed, it is not sufficient that boy and girl love each other, but their parents have to love them,and each others parents too!

Moreover the striking feature for me in this book, was about Krish's father, and the saint and psychatrists advice to 'forgive' and how the rest will follow.

I really wonder if Chetan Bhagat's father really did like that, and how is he and mother now?


One Night @ the call center; indeed had some thought provoking points

The most important call in the world is the inner call.
Follow your thoughts.
Four things needed for success: Intelligence, imagination, self-confidence, and Failure.

Be firm!

Life is uncertain, screwed up at times, but still fun.

Remember:
1. I can do whatever I really want.
2. God is always with me.
3. There is no such thing a loser after all.

______

Waiting to read more of them!