Ooty: The Queen of Nilgiris

Udhagmandalam; commonly known as Ooty, in the Nilgiris; or the queen of Nilgiris as they call her is undoubtedly blessed with natural beauty just like many many other places in the rest of India.

Few of our colleagues, friends, and family friends had the opportunity to visit this place on the 20th of January. Thanks to Jay, who organised this. We had been to his home at Coimbatore, having reached there by train. Then we reached Cynthia's cousins house in Oaty town. We had a yummy breakfast, with tasty idly, sambar, chutney and samosa.

On the first day, we had been to a little away from Ooty the 6th mile; stagnant green water lake, with horse ride, 9th mile shooting point, Pykara; waterfalls and the lake here is clean and beautiful people enjoyed the boatride here. After luch at 2.45 we went to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve; but did not find even a single tiger here. On the way we did find some elephants and deers though. Monica was tired. We reached Cynthias cousins house, and others (Jay, his mom, Pravin & famil; Rohit & family) went to their hotel.

Next day morning, we kept gazing at the Noha's arch which was how Cynthia's grandfather's room was. Then with Danish we went via railwaystation to:

Kandal cross shrine.
Oaty lake
Rose garden.
Doddabetta from one side we could see oaty, and from the other Coimbatore.
The tea factory &
The Botanical garden, (But could not see in full)

Kosakai Pasapugal Danish was Vijay; and our great guide.


We did miss:
Kothagiri,
Swiss park,
Love dale,
Konoor,
Kathrin water falls,
Kodanad estate.

Besides some of the breathtaking views, we did also miss the lovely toy train that goes from Ooty to Conoor.

What did impress was the ban on plastic bags which was strictly followed by all shopkeepers, even the vegetable vendors. I was totally disappointed with all who were littering about shamelessly oblivious to the fact that that the very reason that has brought them this lovely place would be destroyed by their carelessness. I felt quite ashamed at the plight of the Queen of Nilgiris. I wish our people understood that the cleanliness about ‘phoren’ that they so admire would no longer be a dream for India if……

Hoysala....

Once upon a time,
There was a dynasty,
Hoysala its name,
Empire the best of time,
The art they knew,
With heart they did,
Their craft a mystery,
12th century a history.

21st Century a reality,
Where returns the dynasty,
With modern architecture,
Mushrooming all through,
With a grand Hoysala Bash,
Trying to capture hearts,
Giving a memorable evening,
Amidst busy schedule.

Grand welcome, lamps lit,
Addresses and Ranjini's Anchoring,
Music by Benny Dayal & Sayanora,
Pappu can't dance sala,
Winning the lucky draw,
All was fun; and more,
But missed the dear ones,
Waiting for the Cozy apartment.

It goes on......

Whether in Profession or Personal life, retention of relationship is possible, only when there is mutual respect, and acceptance of responsibility.


The best internal Check/internal control, is reconciliation, which would help identify the variances; but they need to be fixed; else everything will go for a toss.

Adjust....when someone wants to be with you & Compromise.....when you want to be with someone

Pride & Jealousy are the relationship killers.

From one to many; and from many to one; has been, is and will be the law of life...

It is immaterial if you are a part of it or not. Why boost?

Life can it be described in just three word's? It goes on.....

Millennium series...

The Millennium series is a series of bestselling novels originally written in Swedish by the late Stieg Larsson (1954-2004).

There are three books in the series:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Män som hatar kvinnor, literally Men Who Hate Women) (2005)
The Girl Who Played with Fire (Flickan som lekte med elden, literally The Girl Who Played with the Fire) (2006)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest (Luftslottet som sprängdes, literally The Cloud Castle that was Blown Up) (2007)

The books lodge in the hearts and minds of readers, and it is difficult to put them down.

-----

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; revolves around The Industrialist-Henrik Vanger, The Journalist-Mikael Blomkvist and the enigmatic, delinquent and dangerous security specialist-The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo-Lisbeth Salander.

There is a flower delivered to Henrik Vanger every year, and he is sad, as his brothers daughter (he himself did not have any) Harriet was missing since 1966. A family tree explaining the relationships of five generations of the Vanger family is given in the beginning.

Mikael Blomkvist, publisher of Millennium magazine, loses a libel case involving allegations he published about billionaire financier Hans-Erik Wennerström. Lisbeth Salander is a surveillance agent contracted to investigate Blomkvist. Salander delivers a comprehensive report on Blomkvist to a lawyer, Dirch Frode , on behalf of his only client, 82-year-old Henrik Vanger. Vanger hires Blomkvist to investigate the disappearance of his great-niece, Harriet, who vanished on Children's Day in 1966. Vanger believes that Harriet was murdered by a family member.


After researches, Mikael and Lisbeth discovers the truth. He flies to Australia and discovers Harriet living under her cousin Anita's name. He returns her to Sweden to be reunited with Henrik. Harriet reveals that she killed her father Gottfried, who, along with her brother Martin, had been sexually abusing her. Fearing for her life when she saw Martin at the Children's Day parade, she fled the estate with Anita's help.

As per the earlier contract, Henrik now did not want the family biography to be printed or truth to be revealed; and he is of not much help with Wennerstrom.

Blomkvist publishes a new story on Wennerström in Millennium, which is a sensation. Wennerström is found dead, and his offshore bank account in the Cayman Islands is raided. The police suspect a young woman caught on CCTV. Blomkvist is convinced that she is Salander in disguise.

-----

Crime against women in Sweden, Mathematics, and Women in war; were the introduction to each sections in the same order, in the three books.

‘The girl who played with fire’, was an insight into the story of Lisbeth Salander, and was just allright, not as interesting as the other two. But ‘The Girl who kicked the Hornets’Nest’, brought back the fire.

Every country will have their own hidden, political polemic; but very few, will have Journalist/writer like Larson with the guts, desire and the ability to bring it out, in an interesting way. Linder, Berger, Sagpo..each interesting in their own way.

Very sad, that Salander and Blomkvist will have no further adventure from Stieg Larson. It is shocking to know about the death of the author Stieg Larsson himself, a great talent of the contemporary crime fiction. Are’nt there are very high probability, that he would have been killed, and Mikael Blomkvist character, do have his shades?

My roommates wanted to kill the author for driving me crazy with the book; but sorry that the author is no more, they are looking for the person who had lend me the book.

Life is like a cup of coffee....

~Live Simple
~Love Generous
~Care Deeply
~Speak Kindly

This was what the group of alumini professionals, who visited their old professor, at the camput realised.

When they were complaining of life and stress; the professor went to the kitchen and brought a large pot of coffee and an assortments of cups: Plastic, procelein, glass, plastic; some expensive, some excusitive; and asked his ex-students to help themselves with their coffee.

All the nice cups were taken up, leaving behind the cheap and unexpensive ones. When in fact, all they wanted was the coffee and not the cup. Cup dont add to the coffee, but all want the best for themselves. This is because we eye each others cup.

Jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are the tools to hold and contain life. Concentraing on the cup, one forgets to enjoy the conffee..when one needs to savour the coffee and not the cup.

The happiest people dont have the best of everything, they make the best of everythin.


May God of hope fill you with joy and peace.


A lovely card on this New year from my Rose; Thank you for this!

http://www.123greetings.com/events/new_year/inspirational/life_is_like_a_cup_of_coffee_fb.html?29112011213138&fb_ref=fb_sd_cd_1&fb_source=message

Love Story.....

He is Oliver Barrett IV, a rich jock from a stuffy WASP family on his way to a Harvard degree and a career in law.

She is Jenny Cavilleri, a wisecracking, working-class beauty studying music at Radcliffe.


Oliver Barrett IV and Jennifer Cavilleri share a chemistry they cannot deny - and a love they cannot ignore. Despite their opposite backgrounds, the young couple put their hearts on the line for each other. When they marry, Oliver's wealthy father threatens to disown him. Jenny tries to reconcile the Barrett men, but to no avail. Oliver and Jenny continue to build their life together. Relying only on each other, they believe love can fix anything. But fate has other plans. Soon, what began as a brutally honest friendship becomes the love story of their lives.

Opposite in nearly everyway, Oliver and Jenny immediately attract, sharing a love that defies everything...yet ends too soon.

Love means never having to say you're sorry.

There is also the love between parents and children.

So says Erich Segal in Love Story.

There is s sequel to it, Olivers story.

Time to Rejoice...

Hearty Congratulations Sir (Kochouseph Chittilappilly), You deserved it, without any competation, happy that you have got through! You are the Manorama News Maker of the Year!

Happy that you have started participating in the social media...Remember; you would not use mobile when others had started using it!

http://www.kochousephchittilappilly.com/

Having started the V Guard industries the year I was born, and having my first corporate experience, in your fantasy project the year it started in 2000; I have been a hardcore fan of Mr.Kochouseph Chittilappilly; The Industralist, Kidney Donor, Humanitarian, Indian Author, Euthanasia Advocate, Inspirational Thoughts Provider, Socially Conscious Business Model.

There are so many feathers in his cap, but dont know why, I am very delighted that he has been chosen as the Manorama Newsmaker of the Year! Another prayer answered! Indeed as described in my GMCS talk; he is Dirubhai of Kerala.

Waiting for so many truths about others nominees (Details of nominees in the post on 26th December 2011), to be brought to light; which I doubt, will happen; but should happen! Fingures crossed! What say?

The Persimmon Tree

The Persimmon Tree is a symbol of life, a heartwood that will outlast everything man can make . . .

The persimmon Tree is a lovely story .There is love, laughter, tears and happiness. The book weave the truth and fiction together to create stories that recall Australian history in an interesting way.


One part of the story tells how a young man goes to sign to in the army and head quarter’s was in the city (Melbourne) and went on to find a boarding house in Fitzroy.

Even though termed fiction, there is a truth there which cannot be denied in the intertwining story of the Soloman Islands and New Guinea during the period from 1941-1943 and beyond.

It is 1942 in the Dutch East Indies, and Nick Duncan is a young Australian butterfly collector in search of a single exotic butterfly. With invading Japanese forces coming closer by the day, Nick falls in love with the beguiling Anna van Heerden.

Their time together is brief, as both are forced into separate, dangerous escapes. They plan to reunite and marry in Australia but it is several years before their paths cross again, scarred forever by the dark events of a long, cruel war.

In The Persimmon Tree, Bryce Courtenay gives us a story of love and friendship set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific during the Second World War.

http://www.brycecourtenay.com/book.asp?bid=37


As I finish persimmon tree l look forward to start on the next book FISHING FOR STARS. Also keep wondering as Nick keep planting the Persimmon tree, is Anna still alive?


Thanks Bryce Courtenay/Sharyn Coleman.

The Tipping Point

By Malcolm Gladwell; is all about what & how little things can make a big difference.

The Tipping Point is the biography of an idea, and the idea is very simple. It is that the best way to understand the emergence of fashion trends, the ebb and flow of crime waves or, for that matter, the transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth, or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas and products are messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do.

All epidemics have the following three characteristics:
1. Contagiousness
2. Little causes can have big effect.
3. Change happens not gradually but at one dramatic moment.

The paradox of epidemic is that in order to create one contagious movement, you often have to create many small movements first.

The three rules of the Tipping Point :

1. The law of the few.
2. The stickiness factor
3. The Power of Context

Offer a way of making sense of epidemics. They provide us with direction for how to go about reaching a Tipping Point.

The law of the few says that there are exceptional people out there who are capable of starting epidemics. All you have to do is find them. Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen. Law of Few looks at the kinds of people who are critical in spreading information.

The lesson of stickiness is the same. There is a simple way to package information that, under the right circumstances, can make it irresistible. (Like Virus) All you have to do is find it. It suggest that in order to be capable of sparking epidemics, ideas have to be memorable and move us to action.

The power of context: The Magic number 150. (Rule of 150: Dividing the team size when the number reaches 150): Epidemics are sensitive to the conditions and circumstances of the times and places in which they occur. The kind of contextual changes that are capable of tipping an epidemic are very different than we might ordinarily suspect.

To conclude; all that is needed is:
1. Focus: Use intelligently; if it does not work change the context of the message, change the messenger and change the message itself. Focus on the effort.
2. Test: The world- much as we want it to – does not accord with our intuition. This is the second lesson of the Tipping Point. Those who are successful at creating social epidemics do not just do what they think is right. They deliberately test their intuitions. To make sense of social epidemics, we much first understand that human communications has its own set of very unusual and counterintuitive rules.
3. Believe: What must underlie successful epidemics, in the end, is a dedrock belief that change is possible, that people can radically transform their behavior and beliefs in the face of the right kind of impetus. This, too, contradicts some of the most ingrained assumptions we hold about ourselves and each other. We like to think of ourselves as autonomous and inner-directed, that who we are and how we act is something permanently set by our genes and our temperament. We are actually powerfully influenced by our surroundings, our immediate context, and the personalities of those around us.

To look closely at complex behaviors like smoking or suicide or crime is to appreciate how suggestible we are in the face of what we see and hear, and how acutely sensitive we are to even the smallest details of everyday life. That’s why social change is so volatile and so often inexplicable, because it is the nature of all of us to be volatile and inexplicable.

But if there is difficulty and volatility in the world of the Tipping Point, there is a large measure of hopefulness as well. Merely by manipulating the size of group, we can dramatically improve its receptivity to new ideas. By tinkering with the presentation of information, we can significantly improve its stickiness. Simply by finding and reaching those few special people who hold so much social power, we can shape the course of social epidemics. In the end, Tipping Points are a reaffirmation of the potential for change and the power of intelligent action. Look at the world around you. It may seem like an immovable, implacable place. It is not. With the slightest push – in the right place – it can be tipped.

Thanks to Paul, the New Year began by reading this book. How far this would be implemented, one need to wait and watch. It is unknown to all except?

Happy 2012! Happiness Always!!