What a Month - Of Deaths!

 When Death come , we wonder why - and slowly get into the routine. But how do we cope up when there is one after the other?

Last year during Covid - It seems all the other diseases had taken a back stage, but these year, seems there is a competition.

5 Deaths and 2 in ICU - personally; and innumerable all around. 

Mindfulness: To do's and Not during Covid in Particular...

During these unprecedented times, while we are doing our best to keep going amidst all the disruptions, uncertainty, fear, and change, it is of utmost importance that we take care  of ourselves and our mental wellbeing. Few small steps can take us a long way. Use the ones that may work the best for you. Thanks to Silver Oak for these useful tips. 

 ➢ Limit your exposure to media- It is important to stay informed about what is happening around. But  there is a lot of misinformation going around as well that only feeds into fear. It is important to be discerning about what you read and how much you read. These could include news clippings, social  posts as well as refraining yourself from those WhatsApp groups flooded with news.

➢ Focus on control- Write down your thoughts on what are the things you can change and what are the things you cannot. For e.g.- you cannot confront everyone who does not wear a mask while stepping out, but rather you can ensure that you are wearing a mask and at a safe distance. 

➢ Distance yourself do not isolate- While you may not be able to visit your close ones physically, ensure that you reach out and check in regularly on your friends and family. Stay connected with people on the virtual space.

➢ Cultivate predictability and routine- Predictability and routine are fundamental parts of what makes us feel safe and sound. Try and stick to your structure and routine as much as possible. Get up at the same time, go to bed at the same time and replace specific activities that you cannot do with those you can.

➢ Sleep Well- Identify a target time to go to sleep every night and structure a routine around the same. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every day. Switch off from your phone and laptop, 20 minutes before you sleep. 

➢ Cultivate positive habits and hobbies- Spend your time in doing things that you enjoy and like doing. It could be preparing a special meal, cleaning up your space, a quick doodle or anything that brings a smile to your face and lifts your mood.

➢ Connect with Nature- While stepping out may not be the best option now, try to spend some time in the open. It could be your balcony or your terrace and even if that gets difficult you could just spend some time nature gazing through your window. Add greens to your surroundings. Good for your eyes, good for your mood!

➢ Be kind to yourself- With such stressors around, it is important that we develop a compassionate approach towards ourselves for doing the best that we can do in the present circumstances. Complement or treat yourself for small things that you accomplish and be forgiving to yourself for the mistakes that you make.

➢ Have a balanced diet and stay hydrated- Dump the fancy and go back to your roots. Try to fill in your  plate with the right portion of nutrients. Do not miss on the greens and remember to stay hydrated.  These are the key to mental and physical performance.

➢ Stay active and include exercise to your daily routine- You need hit the gym, just walking in your terrace or some quick stretches in between work is all you need. If that gets difficult as well, begin to walk while you talk. Call a friend and walk while you talk. 

➢ Relaxation Techniques- Practice few breathing exercises and use the mindfulness app to practice mindfulness. It will help you calm during these stressful times

40th of 2021

Getting the Best out of college - V Pattabhi Ram & Seetha Srikanth

Might think why now - for the next research project.  This was the book which I first read in 2006, when at Prime Academy. And only saving grace during this troublesome, peculiar month was working with Pattabhi Ram sir. For his project, thought why not start with his book dedicated ...to the Leaders of Tomorrow's India. 39th of 2021.

This books talks to you about positive attitude, thinking big, massaging your memory, scientific study skills, good classroom habits, managing time, living in a hostel, honing up study skills, building a brand, etc. 

Broadly divided into three parts; Part I - Born to Win - Introduces us to the movers and shakers of the brave New India. How lucky we are to be at this juncture, and that we are born to Win.

Part 2 Is a road map, for the future - starting with the magic of dreams, how memory is the backyard, how we can get best out of a classroom, enhance our study skills, break free twice over, have all the extra time in the word, to walk the extra mile.

Part 3 deals with going places. How we can add value to Brand you, play the mind game, climb the ladder and make this our world. 

A good book for those who plan for their future.

Neelima Dutt....

 ' നീലിമ ദത്ത '

കഥ : K.V. മണികണ്ഠൻ.

സംഗീതമേ ജീവിതം...

https://www.mathrubhumi.com/books/podcast/kv-manikandan-story-podcast-1.5590434?fbclid=IwAR0YopSdbyCZd52fL8iqJDhVMmyfsNBveOxD6Bi7N2Opvpqx0L7Z_-CuGDc

നീലിമ പൂർണേന്ദു ദത്ത.

മേഘം പാതിമറച്ച വിളറിയ ചന്ദ്രനെ നോക്കി വിളിച്ചു. ഹലോ മി. പൂർണേന്ദു, എന്നെ പറ്റിച്ച് ഒറ്റയ്ക്കാക്കി കടന്ന് കളഞ്ഞിട്ട് ഇന്നേക്ക് എത്രാം ദിവസം എന്ന് അറിയോ? 323. ബൈ ദ ബൈ. ഞാൻ ഈ നിൽക്കുന്ന മദ്രാസീടെ കൂടെ ലോറീൽ ഒന്ന് കറങ്ങാൻ പോട്ടെ?

പൂർണേന്ദു ദ്വിജേന്ദ്ര ദത്താ എന്ന

തന്റെ പിതാവിൽ നിന്ന് അനുവാദം തേടിയവൾ. നീലിമക്ക് രണ്ട് വയസ്സുള്ളപ്പോഴേ അമ്മ പോയി.

ഇനി അവശേഷിക്കുന്ന ബന്ധുക്കൾ തന്റെ കൃഷി പണിക്കാർ മാത്രം.

മേഘം മാറി, ചന്ദ്രൻ തെളിഞ്ഞു.

ബാബ അവളോട് പറയുംപോലെ തോന്നി. "പോകിൻ മക്കളെ, പോയി തെരുവുകൾ കാണിൻ. അവിടയാ ശരിക്കും ജീവിതം ഉള്ളത് ".

പിന്നെ രണ്ട് വർഷം. പാട്ടുകളാൽ നിർമ്മിച്ചൊരു ലോറിക്കുൾവശം. ചലിക്കുന്ന ജീവിതം. വഴിയോര പാചകവും ഡാബകളും. ആകാശം കണ്ടുറങ്ങി പുഴ കാണുന്നിടത്ത്‌ കുളി. തെരുവിൽ ജീവിക്കുന്ന ഇന്ത്യയെ തൊട്ടറിഞ്ഞ്, കണ്ണീർ പൊഴിച്ച് ആ ജിപ്സി ജീവിതം.

തുടർന്ന് മൂന്ന് വർഷ ദാമ്പത്യം.

ഒരിഞ്ച് കൂടി മുന്നോട്ട് ചക്രം വളയാതുരുണ്ടാൽ അഗാധമായ കൊക്കയിൽ ഒടുങ്ങുന്ന വളവുകൾ. അവിടന്ന് സ്റ്റീയറിങ്ങ് മൊത്തം കറക്കി വളച്ച് ക്യാബിനെ ഭൂമി തൊടുവിക്കുന്ന ലോറി ജീവിത ലഹരിയിൽ അവളും ഡ്രൈവറാകുന്ന യാത്രകൾ.

കൽക്കത്താ പ്രസിഡൻസി കോളേജിലേ റിസേർച് സ്കോളർ. രണ്ട് സമീന്ദാരികൾ കൈവശംവച്ചിരുന്ന തന്തയുടെ ഏക സന്താനം. നീലിമ പൂർണേന്ദു ദത്ത. ഒരു ബാവുൾ സന്ധ്യയിൽ ഡാൻസർ.

'ഖുജെ ദേഖോ... ആമാർ പൂർണ്ണിമ. ' ഡാൻസർ ചൂണ്ടിയ ആ പൂർണ്ണ ചന്ദ്രനെ തന്റെ കണ്ണിൽ ആവാഹിച്ചു നിന്നവൾ. അവൾക്ക് മുമ്പിൽ, 'ചൗദ് വീൻ കാ ചാന്ദ് ഹോ യാഫ്താബ് ഹോ ' ഗാനത്തിൽ കരങ്ങൾ വീശി മലയാളി നാടോടി ലോറിക്കാരൻ ശങ്കരൻ കുട്ടി. ആ കരചലനത്തിൽ പൂർണ്ണചന്ദ്രനെ വീണ്ടും കണ്ടവൾ. പിന്നെ സർവ്വം സംഗീതമയമായി ആ ജീവിതങ്ങൾ ഒന്ന് ചേർന്ന് പൊഴിയിച്ച ഗാനങ്ങൾ...

സ്മൃതി നാശമായി ആ സംഗീതജീവിതം കെടുത്തി, കാലമെന്തൊരു നീതി കേടാണ് കാട്ടിയത്. SD ബർമ്മന്റെ ട്യൂൺ. ഗീതാദത്ത് വിഷാദം.

'വക്ത് നെ കിയാ ക്യാ ഹസീൻ സിതം.....

സ്മൃതി നാശത്തിൽ ശങ്കരൻകുട്ടിക്ക് മുന്നിൽ അവളില്ല, സംഗീതമില്ല, കൽക്കത്തയില്ല

ലോറിപ്പണിയില്ല, പിന്നെ തുടങ്ങിയ കൃഷിയും. ജീവനുണ്ടെന്നതിന് തെളിവ് ബാല്യത്തിൽ ഉപേക്ഷിച്ചു പോയ വീടും തൊടിയും ആ പരിസര ഓർമ്മയും. അമ്മമരിച്ച. ഇഷ്ടമല്ലാത്ത അച്ഛൻ. ഇളയമ്മ. അവരുടെ മക്കൾ. ദുരനുഭവങ്ങൾ മാത്രം നിറഞ്ഞ ജന്മസ്ഥലം. മറക്കാൻ ആഗ്രഹിച്ച് ഉപേക്ഷിച്ചുപോയടം മാത്രം ഓർമ്മയിൽ അവശേഷിപ്പിച്ച് മറ്റല്ലാം മാഴ്ച്ചു കളഞ്ഞ വിധി വൈപരീത്യം.

നിറയെ നാളികേരം കയറ്റി അയാളെയും കൂട്ടി ജീവിതലഹരി നുരഞ്ഞു പൊന്തുന്ന ഡാർജിലിങ് ടൈഗർ ഹിൽസിലേക്ക് അവൾ ഓടിച്ച ലോറി. അവളുടെ അവസാനശ്രമം. ഇല്ല അയാൾ ജീവച്ഛവം തന്നെ. ചായ വാങ്ങാൻ ഒരു വളവിൽ വണ്ടി നിർത്തിയവൾ.

ചായയുമായി വന്ന അവളുടെ മുന്നിലേക്ക് ആദ്യ ഹെയർ പിൻ വളഞ്ഞ് ലോറി. ഇല്ല അടുത്ത വളവിൽ തിരിയാതെ നാളികേരങ്ങൾ അന്തരീക്ഷത്തിൽ അമിട്ട് പോൽ ചിതറി ശങ്കരൻ കുട്ടിയുടെ ഓർമ്മ മാഞ്ഞുപോയ പോലെ വാഹനം താഴേക്ക് താഴേക്ക്...

ശങ്കരൻ കുട്ടിയുടെ ജന്മസ്ഥലം വാങ്ങി സംഗീതം മഴ പൊയ്യുന്ന ഫാം ഹൗസാക്കി നീലി ദീദിയായി നീലിമ ദത്ത. മഴ പൊയ്‌ത ആ ആദ്യ ദിനം തന്നെ പടിഞ്ഞാറ്റെ തെങ്ങിന്റെ മണ്ടക്ക് ഇടിമിന്നലായി ഉള്ള് വേവിച്ച്‌ ശങ്കരൻ കുട്ടി. പിന്നയത് നിറയെ കുലച്ച് ഫ്രൂട്ട് ഫുൾ !

മണ്ണിന് മഴയായി ദിവസവും ചുറ്റിലും ഘടിപ്പിച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന സ്പ്രിംഗ്ലറുകൾ മഴയത്തും വെള്ളം ചീറ്റി തെറിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. അവിടെ ഒര് റെക്കോർഡ് അന്വേഷിച്ചു വരുന്ന മറ്റൊരു സംഗീത സപര്യൻ. അവരുടെ സംഗീത ചങ്ങാത്തം.

നിത്യ സന്ദർശനം. ആരും അറിയാത്ത ഒര് രഹസ്യം ഉള്ളിലിട്ട് ജീവിക്കുന്ന ശാപ ജന്മത്തെകുറിച്ച് അയാളോട് ഒരുദിവസം ദീദി. സംഗീതം തോരാതെ പൊയ്യുന്ന ഇശലുകൾക്കൊപ്പം അയാളുടെ മുന്നിലൂടെയാണ് ദീദിയുടെ കഥ വിവർണ്ണമാകുന്നത്.

ഒടുവിൽ ആ രഹസ്യ സൂക്ഷിപ്പ് ശാപത്തിന് തന്റെ അമ്പത്തിയെട്ടാം ജന്മദിനത്തിൽ ശങ്കരൻകുട്ടിയുടെ മുപ്പതാം ഓർമ്മ ദിനത്തിൽ സ്വയം അറുതി കുറിച്ച് ദീദി. രഹസ്യം വെളിവാക്കുന്ന കത്ത് വക്കീൽ മുഖാന്തരം തന്റെ സംഗീത സുഹൃത്തിനെ വിൽപത്രത്തോടൊപ്പം അറിയിക്കുന്നു. ഭസ്‌മം, കഴിയുമെങ്കിൽ ശങ്കരൻ കുട്ടി മാഞ്ഞു പോയ ഡാർജിലിങ്ങിലെ ടൈഗർ ഹിൽസിലെ മൂന്നാമത്തെ HPB 17 വളവിൽനിന്ന് താഴെ അഗാധതയിലേക്ക് തൂവുക.

അഞ്ചുമണിയോടെ ചാരമായി മാറിയ ദീദി. മോട്ടോർ പ്രവർത്തിപ്പിച്ച് മണ്ണ് നനച്ച് ദീദിക്ക് പാട്ട് വച്ചയാൾ.

'വക്ത് നെ കിയാ ക്യാ ഹസീൻ സിതം.....

കാലമെന്തൊരു നീതി കേടാണ് കാട്ടിയത്.

ശങ്കരൻകുട്ടിയെ സ്മൃതി നാശത്തിലേക്ക്. ജീവച്ഛവമായ അയാൾക്ക്, അയാളുടെ ലോകം ഒരുക്കേണ്ട ബാധ്യത, രാജീവ് ഗാന്ധിയെ കൊല്ലാൻ 'തനു ' എന്ന സ്ത്രീക്ക് തന്റെ ജീവൻ നൽകി ചട്ടുകമാകേണ്ടി വന്നത് പോലെ അടുത്ത ദിവസം നീലിമ ദത്തയുടെ ദുര്യോഗം !

അയാളുടെ ഓർമ്മകളിൽ അവശേഷിച്ച ആ മണ്ണ്. അയാളുടെ കുഞ്ഞു പാദങ്ങൾ തൊട്ടുരുമ്മിയ ഭൂമി. ആ രഹസ്യവും പേറി ഓരോ അണുവിലും അയാളെ കണ്ടവൾ അയാളുടെ സംഗീതത്തിലൂടെ ജീവിക്കുന്നു. ഇന്ന് തനുവിന്റെ അതേ വിധി അത് പോൽ സ്വയം ഏറ്റുവാങ്ങിയവൾ !

അപ്പൊ ആ പാട്ടിന്റെ രണ്ടാം വരിയും.

തും രഹേ ന തും

ഹം രഹേ ന ഹം

നീ ഇനി നീയല്ല;

ഞാൻ ഞാനുമല്ല.

വക്ത് നെ കിയാ ക്യാ ഹസീൻ സിതം.....

തും രഹേ ന തും

ഹം രഹേ ന ഹം

ഡാർജിലിങ് കുന്നുകളുടെ ഗർഭപാത്രത്തിൽ മുപ്പത്തോളം കൊല്ലത്തെ വളർച്ചയുള്ള തെങ്ങുകൾക്കിടയിൽ ഈ ഗാനം ഇന്നും ഒഴുകിപരക്കുന്നുണ്ടാവും...

എൺപതുകൾ വരെ നീളുന്ന ഹിന്ദി സിനിമാ ഗാനങ്ങൾ മഴയായി പൊയ്‌തിറങ്ങുന്ന ആഖ്യാനം. കരുത്തുറ്റ സ്ത്രീ കഥാപാത്രം. കൽക്കത്ത ലൊക്കേഷൻ. പച്ചയായ ലോറി ജീവിതം. നറേറ്റരുടെ റോളിൽ വേറിട്ട 'ഗേ' വ്യക്തിത്വ പൊളിറ്റിക്സ്. കൃഷി മഹിമയുടെ മണ്ണിന്റെ ജൈവ താളം. വേറിട്ട് നിൽക്കാനുള്ള കഥാകാരന്റെ ശ്രമം. ആ അനുഭവങ്ങൾ വായനക്കാർ ആസ്വദിക്കട്ടെ. സംഭവിച്ച ഉലച്ചിലുകൾ, പഴുതുകൾ, ആവർത്തനങ്ങൾ ചൂണ്ടി നിരൂപകരും അവരുടെ ധർമ്മം നിർവ്വഹിക്കുന്നത് വരും ദിനങ്ങളിൽ ഈ ഇടത്ത്‌ പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കാം.

സ്മൃതി നാശം. തിരിച്ചു വരവ് മിറക്കൾ ആകുംമ്പോൾ അവശേഷിക്കുന്ന ആ വീട് ഓർമ്മയിലേക്ക് Why Not?

എന്ത് കൊണ്ട് ശ്രമിച്ചില്ല എന്ന ചോദ്യവും ബാക്കി ആകുന്നു.

The old hindi songs, dabba food, travel around, the gypsy life, the moon and the life lessons that teach us how blessed we are, an Unique story. 

BJP learns a tough truth — the virus doesn’t vote

We have finally become a superpower. Every country in the world is afraid of India today. On 23rd April, World Book Day, was reminded of the story/play Emperor's New Cloths' - The little boy screams, the emperor has no cloths. Though Modi, did not like it being displayed in open, and Kejriwal apologized, it did have an effect. Quick actions from Modi, at the cost of lot of figure pointing's of Kejriwal. 

Till February this year, Narendra Modi and the BJP were congratulating themselves on having avoided the tsunami of Covid. Now India is a hare in headlights. So says, Shekhar Gupta, from The Print. 

https://theprint.in/national-interest/as-modi-govt-faces-up-to-covid-disaster-bjp-learns-a-tough-truth-the-virus-doesnt-vote/644949/

The virus is washing through our bodies, killing thousands, crushing our modest health system, causing crippling shortages of doctors, nurses, medicines, even oxygen. 

Growing alongside the crisis will be a call for unity, and clamour like, “this isn’t the time for a blame-game”. In this big, great national crisis, we should all shut up, and put our shoulder to the wheel. But in a democracy, politics doesn’t stop, nor does political analysis and questioning.

We know most of the things a strongman leader in a democracy, from Donald Trump to Jair Bolsonaro, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Benjamin Netanyahu to Narendra Modi, invariably does. They all speak to the base, and as long as the base is happy, they keep winning. Or win often enough.

There are also things a strongman leader never does. He never, for example, admits failure, a setback, anything that looks like a defeat, however small, or that he has erred. You must never seem to blink.

The base adores him precisely because it thinks he is infallible. It doesn’t expect him to say, ‘sorry friends, I got this one wrong’. That would be admitting that you are another human being, not a divine figure or an avatar. That’s why everything you begin, must end in a victory and be hailed as a ‘master-stroke’.

Earlier this week, the prime minister made some uncharacteristic changes in direction. Not once, but at least thrice. His short televised address to the nation was sombre, and devoid of the characteristic claims, promises and exhortations.

Second, that the buzz made by a short letter from Dr Manmohan Singh had rattled the government was evident not in the health minister’s combatively worded reply. That would be normal. But in the fact that the very next day, the government more or less announced everything Singh was suggesting on vaccinations. That is not the response of a strongman government.

And third, PM Modi cancelled the last leg of his campaign in West Bengal. That he waited till the last day means he was still hoping to be able to do it, but realised he was behind the curve on the pandemic.

Modi’s followers would be hoping this setback is momentary. That headlines would change in about a week when West Bengal results come. If the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) merely crosses the figure of 100, it will be called a big win. After all, it started with 3. And if it wins a majority, it will be all the adjectives we listed above. But, whatever the BJP’s election performance, it will be overshadowed by the Covid situation.

There are many things the best of scientists still do not know about this virus. But some we know. The virus doesn’t vote. Nor does it care about who wins or loses. It can’t be polarised. It spreads sickness, misery and death, irrespective of politics or faith. It feeds on political hubris. It made the people of the United States, Brazil, and until recently the United Kingdom, pay the price for the overconfidence of their leaders. Now it’s threatening to do just that in India. The three instances of change we listed show that Narendra Modi has realised this as well.

Since words like hubris and schadenfreude are tossed around casually these days, it is necessary for us to marshal some evidence. The prime minister’s address to the World Economic Forum, Davos, in January this year. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1693019

There is as clear a declaration and celebration of victory against the virus as you could imagine. When the pandemic began, the world was so concerned about India, that a tsunami of infections was going to hit us, Modi said. There were people predicting 700-800 million Indians getting infected and more than two million dying. But India didn’t let this happen and saved humanity from a big disaster, he said.

He talked about how India had built capacities in no time, the world’s biggest vaccination programme has been launched on the back of two ‘Made in India’ vaccines with many more to come, and how India is now out to save the world by exporting these.

Next exhibit, see here, the resolution passed by the BJP National Executive in February. It was a stirring declaration of victory against the virus. “It can be said with pride,” it read, that “India not only defeated Covid under the able, sensible, committed and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, but also infused in all its citizens the confidence to build an Atma Nirbhar Bharat”. The resolution was so effusive, it’s a surprise it stopped short of asking that a victory arch be built. We quote again: “The party unequivocally hails its leadership for introducing India to the world as a proud and victorious nation in the fight against Covid.”

It said “the world has applauded” India’s achievement, and then also praises the “appeal for activities like clapping and clanging of thalis, lighting of diyas, showering of flowers over hospitals”. India, it said, stands tall, especially with its “vaccine victory” and moving in the “direction of complete triumph over Covid”.

Now you might say one, Davos, was just a speech to a forum where every leader grandstands and the other a party resolution, so what would you expect? Somebody might even pull out some AICC resolution more effusive than this, maybe under “Indira is India” by D.K. Barooah. That might’ve been a great debating point on a prime time news show. But the virus doesn’t read, hear, or care. It only waits in ambush for you to turn complacent.

It was around late-mid February that infections began to creep up. The first rise was in Kerala, Punjab and Maharashtra, three opposition-run states. Maharashtra, in particular, given the Hindutva Divided Family blood feud with the Shiv Sena. Curses and abuses were thrown at the state government, central teams were sent and when Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said he wanted more vaccinations, he was scoffed at. Meanwhile, we also heard about a ‘Harvard study’ that apparently hailed the performance of the Yogi Adityanath government against Covid in Uttar Pradesh.

But why would a virus that doesn’t recognise national borders confine itself to some states? As it grew elsewhere, the BJP had a problem. Having just celebrated a grand victory against the virus, how could it now backtrack?

Nobody, not even Narendra Modi, could have stopped the second wave, especially with new variants emerging faster than conspiracy theories do on social media these days. But if we weren’t caught in such celebrations, we might have seen it coming and prepared better. Every indicator was there.

That complacency shows in our pedestrian vaccine programme that carried on serendipitously, taking weekend breaks, holidays on Shivratri, Good Friday, Holi and more. Full scale Kumbh Mela was allowed, advanced by a year for astrological reasons. The prime minister addressed a rally in West Bengal last Saturday so big that he said he hadn’t seen one such before. That was also the day Manmohan Singh’s letter arrived.

The course correction has been on since then. But tens of thousands, if not more, Indians would die and many of these lives could have been saved if we had vaccinated at a better pace, placed orders in time, not run short of oxygen, and critical drugs. Maybe then we would have prevented this global embarrassment of the crush at our crematoria and graveyards. Or India wouldn’t be airlifting oxygen generators from Germany, looking to import vaccines and indeed suspending its own exports against committed orders. While talking of atmanirbharta.

You can’t claim vindication in the mass death and misery of your compatriots. But these questions must not be brushed under the carpet of warm ashes piling up at our crematoria. This almighty second wave has just begun, the virus has a head-start. Our government looks like a hare frozen in the headlights. Unless Modi has it in him to do a Boris Johnson in second innings: Vaccinate at supersonic pace to crush the pandemic. We’d prefer a chance to applaud that to any malevolent sense of schadenfreude (When you enjoy someone else's misery).

Pride goes before a fall? This wretched virus ruining lives, not letting loved ones be around, may this get over soon. Virus attached when people were complacent and diverted. It's sad when someone you know becomes someone you knew. 

Covid - 19 now into 21 : First Aid and Tips

Do whatever we can to avoid getting infected & if infected, minimize adverse consequences to ourselves & others, Stay away from uninfected contacts.

For all:

Remember The 3 Ws – Wear a mask, Watch your distance, Wash your hands. Wear masks (whenever you are not at home and not alone), physical distancing to the extent possible, and washing hands frequently.

Masks work, and are probably the most important precaution given our current understanding that aerosols are the predominant mechanism of spread. The best is a well-fitting N95 mask, which is now widely available & not too expensive – you could re-use them too.

Physically distance, “the more the better”. 6 feet preferable, but a minimum of 3 feet. Better still, avoid crowds as much as you can. Meet others only if absolutely necessary – most meetings can be done virtually. Good to have outdoor air, and avoid AC and large gathering. 

Wash your hands and use steam inhalers. 

Get your vaccine as early as you can. It gives you 70-80% chance of avoiding getting infected and 95% chance of serious illness. That’s as good as it can get.

Make preparations even before you get infected. Buy a thermometer and a pulse oximeter to keep at home.  These are two important instruments you need in case you get infected in addition to the steam inhaler which you should definitely have.

When to test for Covid

Covid Test can be done at the nearest PHC, private clinic or by calling a diagnostic lab for home visit. 

If you exhibit Covid symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, congestion, headaches, body aches, sudden loss of smell and taste, gastric disorders etc.

If you are a primary contact of a Covid-positive person. 

In addition to a Covid Test, consult a doctor (tele-consult if possible) for a clinical diagnosis. 

Note: A contact is a person who is likely to acquire infection from a positive case:

Anyone exposed to a symptomatic Covid case, 2 days before to 14 days after the onset of symptoms.

If exposed to an asymptomatic case, 2 days before to 14 days after the test date.

Once a person tests positive, the rest of the members in the household and those they were in close contact with, are considered Primary Contacts and have to maintain quarantine. If a primary / high-risk contact is asymptomatic, they have to be tested twice — once immediately (Day 0) and after a week (Day 7) after high-risk exposure to a Covid Positive case. If test results are negative, this person must be in a self-reporting period for another 7 days. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fCIkF6tlKUU&feature=youtu.be

If Tested Positive:

First, don’t panic on getting a #COVID_19 positive report – 98% get through without major issues. Isolate yourself from others. You can do this at home if possible.

Chart your temperature using the thermometer, & your oxygen saturation with the pulse oximeter. Check both 2-3 times/day, the latter before & after a brisk 6-min walk. Make sure you drink enough fluids and keep yourself hydrated. Stay positive – you’ll get through this.

If your baseline saturation falls under 94% or if your fall in saturation before and after the 6-minute walk is 4% or more. Contact a hospital, and start proning yourself (lie chest down, back up)

If your oxygen saturation is fine & you have no symptoms other than fever, all you need is Paracetamol

Home care situation

Asymptomatic, without any clinical symptoms and if the chest scan is normal.

Low to moderate Symptoms – mild fever, fatigue, dry cough tiredness, aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes.

If symptoms are not present or are mild, the patient can remain in home isolation under a physician’s care. The patient has to be in a room with an attached bathroom with the door closed, for a period of 10 days.

Hospitalisation

Severe Symptoms – Shortness of breath, loss of appetite, confusion, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, high temperature.

Hospitalisation is required for severe symptoms — frequent fever, cough, Chest CT scan showing lesions. Keep checking Blood oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) with a pulse oximeter – SpO2 level below 90% needs urgent treatment.

There is no evidence to suggest that anything helps – including Favipiravir/ Ivermectin. Don’t waste your time desperately trying to procure them. What definitely works is proning and oxygen (when saturation is low), and steroids (Dexamethasone) for moderate to severe disease. Some are allergic or will have side effects with Dexamethasone, check with doctor, if you have terrible headache, unable to sleep etc. 

Please allow your physician to decide when Remdesivir/ Tocilizumab & ConvalescentPlasma is required – there are very limited situations when they are beneficial & please don’t pressurize them to prescribe it – much of the shortage today is because of unnecessary prescriptions.

If you have severe breathing problem, you would be given oxygen, and based on severity moved to ICU. When in ICU if the condition deteriorate, you are moved to Ventilator and put on IV or NIV

Pronal or Ventilator breathing, help increase the oxygen level in couple of minutes. Its done by lying down on your abdoman, keeping a pillow below your chin, and with head slightly head high, and another pillow under your leg if needed. This is the most important first aid.

Ensure you have sufficient Vitamin C and Zinc. You can get it from Egg, Milk, and Gooseberry. Those who are diabetic/sugar, are low in zinc and so it's dangerous. Drink plenty of hot water and hot milk.  

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4340890089275684&id=100000642070416&sfnsn=wiwspwa

Just saw Doctor’s round table on India Today Channel having 4 highly reputed Doctors panel. It was very informative & I would like to pen down few important points made by these qualified Doctors :

1) Plasma therapy is not at all recommended in the 2nd wave by WHO or any other Organisations around the World. It is waste of time & money.

2) If needed, CT scan of lungs to be done between 5th to 7th day, otherwise report may be misguiding.

3) No need of any Medication in the 1st week of infection, except Paracetamol (if fever persists) along with Multivitamins & Zinc. In case of Fever Paracetamol should not be taken SOS but regularly in 6 hourly interval.

4) If symptoms continue, Condition worsens in 2nd week between 7th & 10th day, so pl. keep close monitoring on Oxygen level, Coughing frequency, Pulse & Temperature.

5) If Condition worsens in 2nd week, without wasting time start treatment with Steroids in consultation with Doctor. Steroid treatment is the most effective way of treating Lungs infection.

6) Oxygen concentrator of 5L is not suitable, as they probably cannot bring back Oxygen saturation above 94 continuously. 

7) Proning is now officially approved method for improving Oxygen level.

8) Positive persons after becoming negative are safe from infection for next 90-180 days.

9) Positive persons should take their 1st or 2nd Jab after 90 days of becoming negative, as they have sufficient antibody for next 90 days at least.

10) Condition of young people in the age group of 30-45 yrs. worsens suddenly as they have strong capacity to hold back till a point and thereafter collapses suddenly. Close monitoring is essential and each passing day is crucial.

* Good points to be taken care by everyone * 

Forward as received

Saina

Even though too many biopics are being made in Bollywood these days, this one turns out to be an engaging and moving watch. The film, written and directed by Amole Gupte and produced by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series, was released in theatres but watched it yesterday on Amazon Prime, not intended, but Rajesh was watching, and never realized, I too watched in full. 

Saina is a biopic about ace badminton player Saina Nehwal, starring Parineeti Chopra. She seems to have done a lot of homework before getting into the character of Saina. From learning the badminton skills to knowing about the human that the champion is, it would have been a lot to grasp and implement  she has done it all with aplomb. Naishaa Kaur Bhatoye as Little Saina too is amazing. 

The film follows Saina, soon after winning a match, when fans ask her how it began, she says from 'coke', not that we get everywhere now a days, but from mothers womb. From her childhood in Haryana to her move to Hyderabad, where she meets the coaches who changes her life from Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy to Ranjan Academy and then over to Bangalore. The film is about her triumphs as well as her setbacks. It depicts a sports personality's inspiring journey through personal and professional life.

If Dabang was about a father's dream to fulfil the dream he could not, this was about the mother. She says, competition will teach you everything, only if you have the sky, can the birds fly. Her coach tells her, what's important is not what you do, to win a match, but what you leave behind. 

One who never gave up - Tigress of India, is still very young, but the journey so far is immensely inspiring, and may there be soon Part 2 as well to a successful future. 

Bhagavad Geeta : Om Tat Sat

    

 Bhagavad Geeta is a practical guide. It teaches the art of living this life in harmony with the spiritual one. It teaches the art of self-discipline and self-perfection. Man is a synthesis of Matter and Spirit and nobody can afford to ignore the one in order to perfect the other. We have to blend them in proper proportions, assigning their due importance to both. Geeta is really a treasure-house of the most precious pearls of wisdom. It offers a solution to all our personal problems, though they vary in nature from individual to individual. There lies the simple beauty of the Bhagavad Geeta. 

    Lord's Song Divine is in the form of a dialogue, between two characters, Arjuna and Krishna - Nara and Narayana - wherein Nara symbolises man and Narayana represents the Refuge of man, God. The God directs and guides the dejected, depressed, helpless and erring man along the right path. This struggle in man between himself and the Lord of his Heart and ultimately the Lord coming to his rescue when he surrenders to Him are quite common in our everyday life. But generally we fail to notice the play of God in our day-to-day activities. 

    Geeta is a poem in eighteen chapters, containing 701 stanzas. The philosophy preached in these lyrical stanzas constitutes the Bharat culture, the time-honoured culture of our forefathers, the very glory of our nation. The Kurukshetra war was fought for 18 days. 18 divisions of soldiers (Askhauhinis) took part in it, 11 on the side of the Kouravas and 7 on that of the Pandavas. One Askhauhini contains soldiers in chariot, on horseback, on elephants and on foot and the number in each is a mutiple of 18. Besides this, Mahabharata itself contains 18 books (Parvas). The Puranas also are 18 in number. Thus the number eighteen seems to be a favorite number of our ancients. 

    The marvelous advices in the Bhagavad Geeta, which gives in a nut shell, the essence of the vast and deep learning enshrined in the scriptures was obviously given by Krishna to Arjuna in a battle-field. But it is not in any sense narrow in its scope. It is a universal guide, meant for the entire humanity, in all climes, for all times, irrespective of age, sex, caste and creed. It was applicable in the age of the Puranas, i.e. Dwapara Yuga in Bharata Varsha in the case of Arjuna at the Kurukshetra war. It is equally applicable in the Kali Yuga, in any place on the globe, now and for ever, to evry individual young or old, man or woman. 

    We are a dual personality of good and bad. We must conquer the evil and cultivate the good in us. Starve the demon and feed the God. How? For instance, if you are angry and want to smash the nose and break the chin of your friend, you may raise your hand....but...paus...a....moment...and remember what Geeta says....make a rapid review of the Geeta and then proceed. You shall find it easier and wiser to smash his entire being more effectively and with less effort and procure him as a slave till death, by shaking hand with him. patience, forgiveness, friendship that is what Geeta teaches us. So don't do anything rashly and in haste. Then you may come to suffer and regret. Always see first whether Geeta offers any solution. Follow Geeta-instructions.

    The duty of Arjuna, a Kshatriya prince is to conquer his enemies. The duty of students is to study, acquire pure faultless learning. The duty of a cobbler is to mend shoes well and of a butcher to supply meat to the needy. Well, Geeta teaches us to discharge our duties, to put our whole heart into them, regardless of the outcome. Evidently then there would be no such word as "failure" in our life.

    The 18 chapters in the Geeta are:

1. The Dejection of Arjuna
2. Samkhya Yoga (Philosophy of Wisdom)
3. Karma Yoga (The Path of Action)
4. Gnyana Karma Sanyasa Yoga (The Path of Inspired, Self-less Action)
5. Karma Sanyasa Yoga (The path of 'Renunciation' of 'Action')
6. Dhyana Yoga (The Yoga of Meditation)
7. Gnyana Vignyana Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge and Wisdom)
8. Akshara Para Brahma Yoga (The March to the Imperishable Brahman)
9. Raja Vidya Yoga (The Path of Kingly knowledge)
10. Vibhooti Yoga (Glory of the supreme Lord)
11. Viswaroopa Sandarsana Yoga (The vision of the Cosmic Form)
12. Bhakti Yoga (The Path of Devotion)
13. Kshetra Kshtrajna Vibhaga Yoga (The Field and the Knower of the Field)
14. Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
15. The Supreme Self
16. The Three Guna - Types
17. Divine and Undivine Types
18. The Path of Renunciation

We shall now try to understand what Lord Krishan declared about us in each chapter. 

1. The Dejection of Arjuna - Arjuna feels sad at the prospect of fighting against his kith and kin. When you feel that an injustice has been done against you, and you know that tyrant and want to hit back, but you realise you have not the strength to avenge; the consequent feeling of helpless impotency under which you come to lose your balance is called dejection.  His recurring thoughts, Killing one's relatives cannot give one, in the end any happiness. It is to such a Partha that Lord Krishna advises the entire Geeta. 
2. Samkhya Yoga (Philosophy of Wisdom) - Krishna so far a silent listener, now spoke to Arjuna, to cheer him up and to revive his spirts, This chapter is said to contain all the essential teachings of the whole of Geeta - The Perishable body - The Imperishable soul - Cycle of life (Childhood, youth, old - Births, deaths and rebirths like changing cloths ) Importance of discharging one's duty - Selfless action - Man of perfect wisdom.  All marvel at the nature of spirt but none really understand it. The scope of Vedas is limited to the three temperaments (Gunas) : Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas, You must transcend these. Be ever-pure and free from the effects of the opposite, look at them with same attitude - joy and sorrow, health and disease, success and failure, honour and disgrace, praise and censure - the relative experiences.  You must also be free from the thought of acquisition and aggrandizement. This balanced state of mind, unaffected by opposites is called yoga.  With single minded determination do your duty, don't abstain or work with a motive to gain something. One must train one's mind not to covet the perishable earthly objects. As long as there is a clinging desire for earthly objects,  there can never come True Knowledge. When a man thinks of ojbjects, attachment for them arises, from attachment desire is born, from desire arise anger, from anger comes delusion, from delusion loss of memory, from loss of memory the destruction of discrimination, form destruction of discrimination he perishes. For the mind which follows in the wake of the wandering senses, carries away his discrimination, as the wind carries away a boat on the water. 
3. Karma Yoga (The Path of Action) - Dedicated action - meaning of scarifice (Yajna)  - the Vasanas that are gathered by us as we live our life here, and their tyranny upon us for years to come. The path of action and path of knowledge are complementary to each other. A real seeker of wisdom, conquers his organs of perception (Gyana Indriyas) by his mind but launches his organs-of-action (Karma Indriyas) in the selfless discharge of his duty. Never remain idle it breeds indiscipline. Action cannot be abandoned entirely, but he who relinquishes the fruit of action is called the Tyagi, relinquished. What we are bound to do, do well, for the good of all, in a spirit of cooperation. Do not become slave of your own senses, it will hurl you headlong into the hell of suffering. Every person has good and bad in us - dual personality. Ignorance breeds desire, which in their wake create anger. There is a vicious circle. Desire is at the root of all evils and is our greatest enemy. Checking and controling senses, will help control desire. Wise should act without attachment, wishing the welfare of the world. Better one's own duty, though devoid of merit than the duty of another well-discharged. Better is death in one's own duty, the duty of another is fraught with fear. You will get to know yourself, or the science of perfection. It teaches concentration and meditation. You become sanyasin, sins washed off, and free from any disturbance of opposites.
4. Gnyana Karma Sanyasa Yoga (The Path of Inspired, Self-less Action) - All path lead to the same destination. Based on peoples tendencies (Vasanas) and actions (karma), people are classifed into Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra. People should take up duties suited to their nature, to be performed by them to perfect themselves. Serenity, Self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness and also uprightness, knowledge, realization and belief in God, are the duties of the Brahmanas, born of their own nature; Prowess, splendour, firmness, desterity and also not fleeing from battle, generosity, lordliness - these are the duties of the Kshatriyas, born of their own nature, Agriculture, cattle-rearing and trade are the duties of the Vaisyas, born of their own nature; and service is the duty of sudras born of their own nature. Brahmanas, the meditative type are the best suited to study and to teach; Kshatriyas physically stong and very active, to fight and to rule; Vaisyas to carry on trade and Sudras to serve others. All over the world we can see these types always - the thinkers (Brahmanas), the leaders (Kshatrriyas), the employers or commercial men (Vaisyas) and the employee-class (Sudras). They are classifed according to thoughts and actions., differentiation of Guna and karma. The question of karma has three aspects : (1) Performance of right action(karma) (2) Abstention from all action (Akarma) and (3) Performance of forbidden action (Vikrama). - Vikarma is definitely destructive destroying peace and poise. The wise man is deaf and blind to the external world and o all its superficial attactions as they are temporary. So he seeks the abiding happiness in self-less service in the constant remembrance of God. Once a person is on the Path of Knowledge, he is literally at the very door of reality. Teachers cannot hand over knowledge, he can only point out the way to acquire it. Know that by obedience, by discussions and by service, the wise who have realised the Truth will instruct thee in knowledge. 
5. Karma Sanyasa Yoga (The path of 'Renunciation' of 'Action') - Both paths are the same - that of action and renunciation. Renunciation is not a mere giving up at the body-level. Real renunciation comes when one renounces at the mental level also, never harboring any desire for the thing renounced. This is born out of intellectual conviction based on discrimination. The pure infinite self, is not interested in the finite actions and in the resulting imperfect joys of the ego (Jiva). This is the relationship between the self (Atma) and the ego (Jiva). We are not the physical body, equipped with mind and intellect. The spirit of equality and oneness alone is the boat to cross the Samsara - The final experience of a Sanyasin and a Karma-Yogin are the same. There should be perfect, loving, harmonious cooperation among the three aspects of personality, the body, the mind and the intellect. Body is knit together with perception and action, we need to detach mind from desires, fear and anger, and direct the intellect to concentrate on the supreme Goal. 
6. Dhyana Yoga (The Yoga of Meditation)  - Acquisition of Supreme Knowledge - Absolute by the pursuit of the Path-of-Meditation - the art of mastery of the mind - Here we meet with all the technical know-how on how to unfold ourselves through meditation. We should not renounce our duties, secular and sacred, but have to grow out of it. Its escapism. Sanyasa means renunciation of  all 'ego' and this is achieved through Tyaga - relinquishing the rewards of action. To them word itself is worship - the service done is itself their reward and joy. A sanyasi is also a yogi, both of them are free from wishful thinking and useless fancying. Without renunciation of the 'ego' (Sanyasa) to a certain extent, relinquishment of the anxieties to enjoy the fruits of action (Yoga) is not possible. The renunciation of the fruit (Tyaga) also requires renunciation of the ego . We can bring about our own downfall, by refusing to cast off our weaknesses, by refusing to improve ourselves by steady cutivatin of the potential goodness in us. We must make an honest attempt to conquer the evil instincts by the good one. He alone gains the power of meditation, who can direct all his energies intelligently to reach the noble Ideal set before him. The mind is difficult to be control and is restless; but by practice, O son of Kunti, and by dispassion it is restrained. (6-35)
7. Gnyana Vignyana Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge and Wisdom) -Knowledge and Wisdom - meaning the Intellectual understanding and Intimate Experience. The knowledge acquired through theoretical studies, and the knowledge acquired through personal experiences, the former is raw knowledge, and the later is true knowledge. Among thousands of people, you may find just one, who seeks Spiritual Knowledge. Among thousands of such seekers, there may be just one who see. There are two aspects, Lower Nature (Apara Prakriti) and higher nature ( Para Prakriti). Lover Nature appears in 8 forms viz.Earth (Prithvi); Water (aap); Fire (Tejas); Air (Vayu); Space (Akasa or Kham); Mind (Manas); Intellect (Buddi) and Egoism (Ahamkara). The higher and pure natur eis, concisely speaking, the fundamental factor, the foundation, the substratum, the very life-breath, the very essence of everything - the Atman, the self. Lower can be called matter (Prakriti) and the higher as spirit (purusha). This Universe has sprung from these two Natures only. In all beings, we find in varying proportins, the three Gunas - Pure- attitude (Sattva), Active-attitude (Rajas) and Inert-attitude (Tamas). These together constitute Ignorance (Avidya). So due to the three gunas, the whole world is deluded and ignorant. Due to this delusion or total Ignorance (Maya) men fail to recognise the Eternal, Imperishable Spirit as distinct from the gross base Matter. Sincere seeker can see. He is one who do not become discouraged or desperate.  What you think, so you become. 
8. Akshara Para Brahma Yoga (The March to the Imperishable Brahman) - The man of Wisdom (Jnani) is able to distinguish between the Higher and lower Natures of the Lord, and to identify himself with the higher. He also moves at will in the fields of his lower manifestations. He never makes any wrong contact with the outside word and never invites sufferings. He is quite at home and contented wherever he is and in whatever situation he find himself in. His wisdom can fully comprehend that  from the Highest and the Most Dynamic Lord to the lowest inert stone all are the expressions of the Divine Light - the pure consciousness - in every one of us. The final release from the agonies of worldly existence, necessary for the purification and sublimation of his intellect, so that he can fix it on the Lord within, can be effected only by the withdrawal of all the sense-organs from the objects of the outside world. Karma is the creative strength behind every active intellect, fulfilling itself in Creation. Supreme Pursha, called the Highest Self, is distinct, the indestructible Lord, who pervading the thre worlds (walking, dream and deep-sleep) sustains them. Uttering the one-syllabled OM- (the symbol of Brahman) - and remembering Me, he who departs, leaving the body, attains the supreme Goal. 
9. Raja Vidya Yoga (The Path of Kingly knowledge) - The release from worldly bondage can be obtained by considering one's work as an act of worship of the Lord, offered with the Right Knowledge that he is everywhere and everything and yet, he is, at the same time, distinct from it all always. The path of knowledge and the path of ignorance. To those who worship ever self - controlled, will have that is not already possesed (Yoga) and preserve what they already posses (Kshema)
10. Vibhooti Yoga (Glory of the supreme Lord) - The Indweller (Jivatman) of all beings is the Supreme Self (Paramatma). Whatever is glorious, auspicious or prominent in anything, that is a shadow, a sign of His splendor only. He is the supreme and the Essential Factor, common in all objects and beings, without which no specimen of any species can remain as they do. The Lord enlightens Arjuna on how best he can keep in touch with this Eternal Aspect of the Truth even when he is perceiving the pluralistic world. Spirit is the divine life spark, in all beings. The creator, the protector and the destroyer of all beings. The Essential principle, running through all objects without which principle, the object ceases to exist as that object. The changeless seed of all, without which neither the movable or the immovable can exist. Entire universe is supported by a part of self. 
11. Viswaroopa Sandarsana Yoga (The vision of the Cosmic Form) -The Universe of endless form is pervaded by Parmatman and yet - it is invisible to the ordinary eyes and incomprehensible to the ordinary intellect. This can be observed or inwardly experienced with the eyes of Faith and Knowledge. Arjuna blessed by Krishna with the 'Subtle Divine Eyes' (Divya Cakshus)   was shown the real form (Viswaroopa - The Destroyer) of Sree krishna Parmatman, serving as the very substratum for the entire universe. This included 12 Adityas, eleven Rudras, Two Asvini Devas, Seven maruts and many other divine forms of different shapes and colours, as also many other marvels. Do your duty, for I will do my part. You are a mere instrument. You can enjoy the fame and the unrivalled kingdom. Then he gets back to his mild human Vaishnava - Form.
12. Bhakti Yoga (The Path of Devotion)  - The Science of Devotion to the Lord - Devotion is the devotee's identification with the Lord-of-his-heart. To meditate upon the Unmanifest Formless God is very difficult, even though that is the Superior Path. But those who worship the manifest God with intense love by dedicating all their activities to Him get salvation comparatively easily. The first and the best, but the most difficult is to fix the mind on God firmly and keep it there (Dhayana), This may be almost impossible, because the mind wanders away from God. Then by sheer self-effort bring the mind again and again back to him (abhyasa). If constant attempts at repetition (abhyasa) in concentration also fail, dedicate all the daily activities unto Me. Dedicate the all-I-do mentality of your ego unto Me (Dhyanam), it this also seems impossible, as you cannot conquer your ego, which is necessary for such a total sense of dedication in all activities, alright, you continue your activities, but renounce the 'fruits' thereof unto Me - stop worrying over the 'fruits'  (Karma-Phala-Tyaga). Knowledge is surely better than Practice; but meditation is better than 'knowledge', Renunciation of the fruit-of-action is still better than 'meditation' because peace immediately follows such a 'renunciation' of your clinging expectations for reward. 
13. Kshetra Kshtrajna Vibhaga Yoga (The Field and the Knower of the Field) - The Prakriti and the Purusha, or the Body and the soul are two aspects of the Paramatman. Knowledge about these three (Prakriti, Purusha and Parmatman) and of their relationship to each other is the Highest Knowledge. Higher form of Para and lower form of Apara was explained in previous chapters. The former is otherwise known a Purusha or kshetrajna and the latter as Prakriti and the kshetra. Since I am Eternal and Beginning less, My Two Natures are also Eternal and Beginningless (relatively). Purusha remains Ever- changeless whereas all the modifications and experiences,  such as pain and pleasure, spring from My Prakriti only. It is Prakriti that produced the world-of-Matter consisting of the 24 effects, such as the five-elements the ten-sense-organs, the mind, the intellect and the ego-ism, the unmanifest and the five sense of objects. But the Purusha, (the Jivatma or the kshetrajna) residing in the body seems to exprerience pain and pleasure. Thus the destiny of the Purusha in the body seems to be decided by the condition of the Prakriti. This is the mystery the Ever-pure Purusha comes to play as the Jivatma in us and apparently undergoes various births and sufferings as determined by the past actions of the Prakriti-aspects in each one of us. The Jivatma, in an individuals body is a manifestation of the Paramatman. The former seems to be affected and conditioned by the good and evil actions performed by the body whereas the latter (paramatman)  stands unperturbed and untouched. Correctly speaking, the Jivatman also is not at all affected by the body's experience. He is just an onlooker, but dur to its identifications with Prakriti, it comes to experience the imperfections of the matter clothing around it. Karma, Jnana and Dhyana will help reach Paramatman. The Samsara, this world f animate and inanimate beings, is the offspring of the union between the Prakriti and the Purusha. Prakriti (body) is perishable. The Purusha residing in the body (Jivatman) appears to undergo changes, but the Paramatman is changeless and Deathless. 
14. Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga - The entire humanity can be broadly classified into three types: based on the preponderance in them of the qualities of Sattva (Perfect Purity), Rajas (Passion) or Tamas (Inertia) - The idea that the Prakriti seems to decide the destiny of the Purusha is made clearer. The behavior of a person is indicated by the proportion of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas in personality. When one learns that he is the self within, ever a spectator alone of the behaviors of the body, and not the body itself, and so does not throw his lot with that of the body, there is nothing more to learn. Prakriti is the Active Mother, and The supreme Purusha, is the unactive father. The entire Universe of animate and inanimate beings is born to the Divine Father and mother. Children generally inherits the qualities of parents. A sattvic man would love solitude and seek knowledge while a Rajasic one would love to act for material gains. A Tamasic person, however, would wait for happiness to reach him, without any effort on his part; ' minimum work and maximum gains' is his false and stupid philosophy. But a Gunateeta is above all these. Gunateeta is a Sthitaprajna who know changes are inevitable and are due to the working of the three Gunas and apply only to the Matter-vehicles. In his spiritual experience he has become the spirit in essence. Stopping all selfish activity, serving with Love in thought, word and deed transcends the limitations of Gunas. 
15. The Supreme Self - One who knows the Paramatma, the Purushottama is higher than the perishable and the imperishable purushas , is the wisest. This world is perishable, changing, false unreal and imperfect in every way. A mortal, being a mixture of imperfect Matter and perfect spirit has evil as well as good instincts. In the world you see two forms: The Kshara (the perishable, the matter), and 2. The Akshara (the imperishable; the spirit). The supreme is distinct from these two and is called Paramatma, who pervades and supports all the three worlds - the three fields-of experiences; the walking, dream and dreamless-sleep.  (This chapter is generally gung by Hindus before they take their food) 
16. The Three Guna - Types - This chapter gives a detailed description of two types of personalities: The sattvic, the Daivic, the godly, the heavenly; (2) The Rajasic, the Asuric, the devilish, earthly. It mentions the three great vices - (1) Desire (Kama), (2) Anger (Krodha) and (3) Greed (Lobha) - Which are to be conquered. It concludes with an advice to follow the rules laid down in the scriptures. Liberate self from the three gates to darkness, practice what is good. 
17. Divine and Undivine Types - One of the most exhaustive and powerful chapters of Geeta. Here we get an exhaustive explanation of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas as influencing men in the choice of their Goal-in-life, food, sacrifices and self-control. Jeevatma is said to gather impressions of action, in its progress from birth. A mortal cannot all of a sudden take up the study of the scriptures. It has to be developed slowly and gradually. Faith (Sraddha) is the fruit of the Vasanas thus developed through births. It can be of three kinds: Sattvic (heavenly), the Rajasa (earthly) and the Tamasa (hellish), 'A man is as his faith is: nay, man is but his faith. There are three types of ascetics practicing different types of Tapas. They are : physical (shareera), verbal (Vaangmaya) and Mental (Maanasa). When energy gathered from food is poured out in Yagna to reach the Faith, and thus with a personality disciplined with Tapas, we come to belss not only ourselves but also others around us. This is Dan (gift). OM is the name of the Lord in his Trancendental Form: TAT is lord in his universal form: SAT is Lord when he expresses his divinity thro man's noble intentions and heroic actions. OM TAT SAT means, Lord Almighty is the only reality. Sacrifice, charity and penance without a pure motive and faith are fruitless. They do not fetch any result. Have a firm faith in a noble ideal and thus act tirelessly to achieve it in a spirit of dedication and love. To one who works thus, success is sure. 
18. The Path of Renunciation - A revision of all the instructions given. Here the Lord presses out his entire discourse divine and serves us the Nectar of Wisdom. Sanyasa is the Renunciation of Ego and its desire-prompted Activities while Tyaga is the abandonment of all anxieties to enjoy the furits-of-action). A tyagi is one who performs his duties, without worrying over the fruits that might spring from it. He who is very active in the world but really inactive in spirit, is a man growing to reach Perfection. He becomes really fit to approach the God-state. The essence of teaching is: Fix your mind , have firm faith, dedicate all your action and make total surrender, you will reach. Study of Geeta is Gyana yagna - as the student offers his ignorance to be burnt up in the Fire of knowledge so kindled in him through sincere study f the Geeta these and practice of its techniques. 

Reading this again was my 38th of 2021

A one minute answer from Bhagavad Geeta to few relevant questions:

Some thought provoking write ups as received - not sure who wrote this:

1) Why am I here?

I am here because of my past actions (karma). My current actions decide my future karma.

2) Why do I suffer in life?

Suffering is cause by attachment to the external world because I mistakenly believe it is the source of my happiness.

3) How can I be happy?

By understanding my true nature and my relationship to God.

4) Who am I, really?

I am not my body or mind, I am the eternal Atma, without brith or death.

5) Who is God?

God is the intelligent and material cause of the universe.

6) Where can I find God?

God is everywhere, pervading the entire Universe.

7) How do I reach God?

I just need to realize that God is in me and everyone else. 

8) What should I do?

I should perform the right action with the right attitude, without being attached to the results.

Om Tat Sat!

 One liner Geeta

Chapter 1 - Wrong thinking is the only problem in life .

Chapter 2 - Right knowledge is the ultimate solution to all our problems .

Chapter 3 - Selflessness is the only way to progress and prosperity .

Chapter 4 - Every act can be an act of prayer .

Chapter 5 - Renounce the ego of individuality and rejoice the bliss of infinity .

Chapter 6 - Connect to the higher consciousness daily.

Chapter 7 - Live what you learn .

Chapter 8 - Never give up on yourself .

Chapter 9 - Value your blessings .

Chapter 10 - See divinity all around .

Chapter 11 - Have enough surrender to see the truth as it is.

Chapter 12 - Absorb your mind in the higher.

Chapter 13 - Detach from Maya and attach to divine .

Chapter 14 - Live a life- style that matches your vision.

Chapter 15 - Give priority to Divinity .

Chapter 16 - Being good is a reward in itself .

Chapter 17 - Choosing the right over the pleasant is a sign of power .

Chapter 18 - Let go, let us move to union with God .

( Introspect on each one of this principle)

                          

                  || ॐ तत्सत् ||

A Doctor....

 Copied.....very well written

An intern,with a bag of O negative blood,running eccentrically through the hospital corridor to make sure the blood reaches the OT on time.

A junior doctor hunching over a patient's chest with all his strength trying to get a pulse.

A surgeon who just identified the bleeder and ligated it.

An obsteric surgeon who delivered a baby stuck by its own head.

An anesthesiologist who got a bilateral air entry on a difficult intubation.

A psychiatrist who sees his suicidal patient having a routine life.

And many more such doctors.

Each one of them in their own way saves a life everyday.

Someone stays up whole night monitoring a patient's urine output.

A father misses his daughter's first birthday to stitch up a wound.

A son turns up last for the family dinner again after attending someone else's family's concern.

We lose a lot of things that can never be bought back by money.

And no one ever gives an appraisal.There is no best employee of the month.No badges.No stars.

No one tells a doctor ap ke sath selfie le lu?

I have seen some of  on a duty for 96 hours straight, be perfect with managing 300 patients and yet be mocked for that one patient's BP they forgot to mention.

And I have still seen them roam puppy eyed behind consultants wanting to hear one "good job" or have a pat on their back.

But no one pats your back.

No one tells you were a hero today.

"It's your job.Well you chose to be a doctor.No one asked you to.Stop complaining."

"Doctors charge so much and are so arrogant."

"Dude they are killer's, man."

There is a time you feel so demotivated that no one praises you for what you do.No one understands your effort.

Except for that one thing.

The cardiac monitor showing a pulse after a pulseless electrical activity.

The flat line in the ECG showing a p wave.

That is your appraisal.....

You see a perfect graft ( new ear drum ) taken up after 3 weeks of well done tympanoplasty surgery... 

When You get Rinnies test positive in a case of ossciculoplasty post surgery 3rd week..

Your patient of sinus problems gives u feedback of restoring good airflow and sense of well being....

Theses are your appraisal as an ENT Surgeon 😎😎

Your appraisal as a doctor is the life that you just saved .

And when you realise you have the power to do so, there is nothing more addictive, nothing more sickening, maddening than medical science.

You realise you lose your own life saving others, but every bit of it is worth the fight.

No one pats your back, you pat your own back.

You are your own hero.

You wear your own cape and crown.

You save your ownself and others.

And if this is something you hate and still love to do, congratulations on being a DOCTOR.

We practice the real love

THE LOVE OF LIFE. 

❤️

Women's Prize 2021 - Longlist to shortlist

It's interesting to see and know that the Women writers are on the rise, and there are special awards for them now, given how Jane Austin and many until then wrote disguised as men. 

From my bibliotherapist Eric Carl Anderson https://lonesomereader.com/

and his discussion with Anna James, it was quite interesting to realize,  we are all contradictions. Anna's shortlist and Eric's shortlist had three in common, and three uncommon. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agHEMaTPB_g Chapters: 

• 0:00​ Introduction
• 3:10​ The Vanishing Half 
• 10:00​ Small Pleasures
• 18:13​ Piranesi
• 23:30​ The Golden Rule 
• 27:05​ Exciting Times
• 33:09​ Burnt Sugar
• 40:08​ Because of You
• 43:18​ Unsettled Ground
• 49:09​ Transcendent Kingdom
• 54:26​ How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House
• 57:03​ Luster
• 1:02:24​ No One is Talking About This
• 1:09:47​ Consent
• 1:16:09​ Nothing But Blue Sky
• 1:23:12​ Detransition, Baby
• 1:28:36​ Summer
• 1:31:43​ Our Personal Shortlists
• 1:33:42​ Joint Shortlist Prediction

Reviews of the all the longlisted novels: 

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2020/...​ Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ Piranesi by Susanna Clarke https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ The Golden Rule by Amanda Craig https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2020/...​ Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2020/...​ Because of You by Dawn French https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ Luster by Raven Leilani https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ Consent by Annabel Lyon https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ Nothing But Blue Sky by Kathleen MacMahon https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters https://lonesomereader.com/blog/2021/...​ Summer by Ali Smith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB81E...

so the predictions in collaboration where:

• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
• Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
• Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
• Luster by Raven Leilani similar to Exciting Times. 
• Prediction is Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
• Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller 

Prediction is Piranesi by Susanna Clarke - so different from other books, Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller - where common choice, and  Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi was liked by Eric, but not Anna and No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood was liked by Anna but not Eric. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi was one both like. 

Shortlist is going to be announce on 28th at 6.30 pm, and winner will be announce on July 7th with six nationalities represented and six debuts this year.

World Heritage Day

17th April, the globally recognised day as and for World Heritage is all about increasing the awareness of the importance of the diversity of cultural heritage and preserving it for the generations to come. Ancient monuments and buildings are an asset to us all and a significant part of our diverse cultures. 

Our heritage sites need protecting to ensure that they continue to be an asset for years and years to come.

 In support of this World Heritage Day is a collective effort across communities around the World. Activities include conferences, education and visits to heritage sites and monuments. 

 For those who are unaware, a heritage site is basically a place that is of cultural significance. It preserves the legacy of intangible attributes and physical artifacts of a society or group that is inherited from previous generations. There are incredible heritage sites and monuments for everyone to discover.  

You can see several Heritage sites here but not from the usual angle your used to. Can you guess what they are and where they are?

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and now few from across the world, guess the landmark and the country.

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When we are restricted at home, and is unable to travel, lets visit world heritage virtually.