Eternal Bliss

The simmering white snow,
The blossom of the tree,
The patter of the rain,
The colours of the fall,
Nature you are so stunning.

The chirping of the birds,
The ringing of the bells,
Musical fountains,
Simple or waffle songs,
Sound you are so soothing.

The morning sunrise,
The evening sunset,
Trip with friends,
Family gathering,
Time we wish you could wait for us.

Pigeons on the temple roof,
The tides of the blue sea,
Rows of lighten lamp,
Lovely flowers, temple offerings,
Gives us Serenity,

Creases of Grandparents,
Hug from parents & Siblings,
Shoulder of relatives & friends,
Cute little baby, Your sweetheart near,
Nothing like smile from people.

Wonderful movie, Yummy food,
Sincere girls, Honest men,
Splendid bikes, Spectacular cars,
Nest to live, surrounding spic and span,
What more would we want?

Writings to your taste,
Record-breaking Sports and Games,
Perfect Pictures and paintings,
A good comment from those around,
Winning stories boost our morale.

Touching clouds from an airplane,
Rowing in a house boat in backwaters,
Going on a long ride, or a safari,
Amidst scenic exotic locations,
Travelling is so enriching.

Unexpected credit in bank,
Gift with heartfelt gratitude,
An exceptional award, promotion,
Dreams becoming true,
Would make our day.

All this and more,
Let there be now and forever,
For you and me,
And for the whole mankind.
To have a lovely life.


Dedicated to you my GW friend….

Water

' We know the worth of water when the well runs dry ' - Benjamin Franklin.

Had sleepless nights, because of call from my roommates, as our neighbour had left their tap open, and water was overflowing at night. I was in my hometown, and my roommates didnot have our neighours phone # and was confused what to do.

We have to look at the sky for our source and the soil below our feet for storage. Connecting the sky and the soil is the rainwater harvesting system. We remain often oblivious to the enormous forces of nature, that determine so many things in our lives. Our lives are very much dependent on the Monsoon, which in turn depends on the complex interconnected voyage of the winds....

In Rajastan, the biggest festival rated, as one of the most colourful in the world, is celebrated in Pushkar around the most sacred pool of water in full moon. It is belived that the pool was created by Brahma, the cosmic creator himself. The villagers and pilgrims do not come to say prayers to the Gods in the temples. They come to worship the water itself: the life sustaining element created by the harmonies of nature.

Waterlogged roads seem to have turned into a playground for the school children, at some places, while there is drought at the other.

Like the self-sufficiency in food while mass hunger continues in many parts, it is another great contradiction of India that there is too much water in some areas, while droughts prevail in others.

Distribution is the key word in both case.

Being water-wise is to do the little things and do them right. It is also to learn from a tradition of water use and also modern science and marry them in such a way that they bring positive benefits. Starting from the home is a good beginning, covering the city is ideal...We need to harvest water

Take from Bollywood movies...

Paa - Splendid



Big B infuses life into the movie being small B. If you had not heard that Amitabji is acting in the movie, you will never ever make out that the 13 yr old boy, Auro who impresses you onscreen is a 60+ old man. Divya Balan, acts like a dream and looks like a million bucks. Her views put forth as a doctor, to the married couple is thought provoking. Abhishek held his own even when pitted against mom & sons roles. Another touching talk, was among the kids, when the girl presents Auros picture in the hospital, which was something like, when someone hurts, it is not the one, who is hurt, that is more pained, but the one, who hurts, when they know about it.

The movie throws light, not only on a deficiency/illness, but also, on relationships, ambition and values.

- - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to Jay, and the talks on Maniratnam, could get from him CD’s of Dil Se and Guru. Don’t know why, for me, the underlying message in all his movies appear to be the same: There is so much of good in the worst of us..and so much of bad in the best of us…..Is it for you too?


Jiyo: Dil Se



For terrorists, terrorism is a revolution. Love is intoxicating. Manisha says things like, I love mother’s arms, pigeon on a temple, but out to destroy the world, because there are so many things to be corrected…

I liked: Kuch log reth pur likee naam khee tarah hota hey, hava ka eaak joka ussay uda dethi hey…

The sunrise in the near end scene was beautiful. I wonder, why Priti Zinta was shown a malayali in the movie? But she was mindblogging...


____________

Guru




Dream..Higher and higher…Villager turns into a visionary and a winner. Do not give up, even during the toughest time. If people are jealous of you, it means you are successful. The love, support, and the fight between Mitun/Madhavan and Abhishek..The fight for truth, and success..Many Management lessons, and the underlying message.

________________

Rang De Basanthi



Madhavans words reverberates our ears:

• Koyi bhi desh perfect nahi hotha, usee perfect banana padtha hain-Ye desh bedlega, hum bedlegee….
• Char khi safai main hath ganda ho jata hey
• Every body has something in them, need to find it..
• Son is first for the country and then for you..

A lovely way of presenting the present day reality of corruption, and the freedom struggle. What freedom? What Azadi have we gained? All real life story…A perfect blend of history and contemprory politics.

The will of a foreign lady, to make a documentary on Rajguru, Sukdev, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Sekhar Azad…

There are two type of people:
• Those who silently embrace death
• Those who shout and embrace death
• And then there is a third type

Bad happens to good people, plain can be replaced, but can life be?

The events, change the lives of young youth, who enacts the scenes from the documentary in real life..

Thus shouting:

• Let things be as it is or
• Take up the responsibility of changing it.

Very true, Aab bhi jiska khoon na kavla, whoo Khoon nahi pani hey, Jhoo desh khey kaam na aye, who bekhar javani hey…

Song from Shikshaa was echoing my ears, as I finished seeing this movie: ‘Nyia nahi anyay hai hey, Doshi Jiye, Nirdosh mare…

________

Also had glimpses of Taal and Mann, love the songs in Mann..Eak Se Bhadkar Eak....

You are a Diamond! Now Dazzle!!

Thanks to Anish, could get a copy of 'Discover The Diamond In You: By Arindam Chaudhuri' to Master the 9 powerful principles Inside. It will not take you more than an hour to complete reading this book..and the author says 59 minutes, the Bata way..

Four qualities that makes Diamond sought after:

CARAT:
• Passion,
• Positive Energy.
CUT:
• Performance,
• Perseverance.
COLOUR:
• Personality,
• People skill
CLARITY:
• Perspective,
• Principles,
• Patriotism.

A] The Forward by SRK:

Life is not just a checklist of acquisitions, achievements and fulfillments. Your qualifications and CV does not matter. Life is difficult and complicated and beyond anyone’s control. The humility to know that and the ability to respect your failure will help you survive life’s unknown qualities and quantities…Courage is doing what you are afraid to do….

B] The 9P Success Trilliant: MG: “Almost anything you do will seem insignificant. But its very important that you do it. You must be the change you wish to see in this world!”

C] 9 P’s:

Question: How many CARATS is the diamond within you?
1. PASSION:

There is nothing more powerful than a human soul on fire!

Bill Bowerman: One person Interested in Running
Facets: Educator, trainer, all time great track & field legendary coach, ultra-innovator, inventor, brand builder, successful businessman, author & change agent. (Co-founder of Nike)

2. POSITIVE ENERGY:

Success occurs twice in life, once in your mind and once in reality!

Rabindranath Tagore: “ Jobi tor dak shume keo na aashe, tobe ekla chalo re”..(If nobody responds to your call, then walk it alone)

Bruce Lee: Had written a letter to himself: “By 1980, I will be the best known Oriental movie star in US……& in return give best acting…..& I will live in peace & harmony….Dt. 9th Jan. 1970; but he died in 1973. Now the letter is in Planet Hollywood, New York.

Question: How well CUT is the Diamond within you?

Sustained Sincerity: The two most important words that make an achiever!

3. PERFORMANCE:

Failure is not when you don’t reach your goals. It is when you don’t have any goal to reach!

‘Continuing the same behaviour and expecting a different result’ is Insanity. Be the change agent! Act now! Dreaming & Believing is fine – it’s the one who outperforms others, who win.

In the book ‘Outliers’: Malcolm Gladwell: Its nothing else but the number of hours of practice that differentiate world class performers from the not so good ones…Start early…

4. PERSEVERANCE:

The result of the journey is not the reward. The journey is the reward! The only people who never fail are those who never try.
Life can quite be a roller-coaster. It can prove to be a hard task master and make you put up with the worst.
J. Paul Getty- ‘A man may fail many times, but he isn’t a failure until he begins to blame somebody else’.
Be prepared to fail, but have the perseverance to try again & again. Success will not be far behind.

Question: What is the COLOUR of the Diamond within you?

If you want to multiply your success score, focus on the colour of human diamond.

5. PERSONALITY:
Add a magnetic personality to your hardwork and perseverance and you can reach much further than you can with hardwork alone. Personality hones in you the synergy effect…Its not just great talent but a feeling of Camaraderie & Commitment within a team that leads to its success.
Groom yourself+Great Communicator+Law of Personality Building(LOP)
LOP= Looks+Action+Words
Looks is not good or bad, but how you present yourself.
Action is how you walk, sit etc.

6. PEOPLE:
“If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together” You need to have the ability & the knack of building a great team. It’s easy to get good players but getting them to play together is the hard part.

Jack Welch: ‘Great People, not great strategies, are what made it all work’.

Question: What is the CLARITY of the Diamond within you?

7. PERSPECTIVE:
If you know where you are traveling to & what you want in life, everything else becomes clear, & your journey reaps the maximum reward. Don’t choose paths that give you short term result, but is harmful in the long run..A clear perspective gives you the insight and the guts to believe in your dreams and carry on.
It is power, courage, motivation, direction…

8. PRINCIPLES:
Let there never be any doubt about what you stand for. Try and chanse what you believe in. Subash Chandra Bose/Che Guevana: Never saw success but they were not failures. Success is the courage to take the journey, you believe in.

That is the true meaning of success for a principled man…Contrast TATA, CTS: Satyam, Enron: The latter are behind the bars. (Cognizant was founded in 1994 as an IT development and maintenance services arm of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation. The company was spunoff as an independent organization two years later. I believe both Satyam and Cognizant got spunoff as independent organisation from D&B.)
In the long run it pays to be ethical..

Gita: ‘Karm Kiye ja, phal ki chinta mat kar….’

Book worth reading: The journey is the reward: By Steve Job.

9. PATRIOTISM:
Inglorious is that success, which comes without patriotism.. If you want to find the dazzling & clear diamond within you, never forget to love your country and the people of the world on the whole, especially the underprivileged and the exploited.

In trying times, Never stop trying!

After all, the Word ‘diamond’ originates from the Greek word ‘adamas’, meaning Unconquerable!

You are a Diamond!

Now Dazzle!!

‘Diamonds are forever’

Had a thrilling journey with the 'superclass' into the worlds of fame, fortune, and celebrity..I reiterate that Winners doesn’t stand alone, Love Paulo Coelho....Paulo Coelho in his book 'The winner Stands Alone' says:

“A diamond, or brilliant to give it its other name, is, as everyone knows, just a piece of coal that has been worked on by heat and time. Since it contains no organic matter, it is impossible to know how long it takes for its structure to change, although geologists estimate something between 300 million and a billion years. Diamonds generally form ninety miles below the Earth’s crust and gradually rise to the surface, where they can be mined.

Diamond is the hardest and most resistant of natural materials, and it takes a diamond to cut another diamond. The particles produced by this process are used in machines made for polishing and cutting. The real importance of diamonds lies in their use as jewels.

~A diamond is the supreme manifestation of human vanity.

A few decades ago, in a world that that seemed about to return to more practical things and greater social equality, diamonds began to disappear from the market. Then the largest mining company in the world, with its headquarters in South Africa, decided to commission one of the best advertising agencies in the world. Superclass met with superclass, research was carried out and the result was a three-word phrase:

‘Diamonds are forever’

Problem solved. Jewellers took up the slogan, and the industry began to flourish again.
If diamonds are forever, what better way to express one’s love which, in theory at least, should also be eternal? What better way of distinguishing the superclass from the other billins of inhabitants who make up the bottom half of the pyramid? The demand for the stones increased and prices started to rise. In a matter of a few years, that same South African company, which had, up until then, set the rules for the international market, found itself surrounded by corpses.”

“As far as the woman was concerned, the diamond had magically appeared in some high-class shop, having – as the shop assistants always said – first been cut by Dutch or Belgian jewelers. It would be classified according to cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. The price could wary from a few hundred euros to something most mere mortals would consider truly outrageous.”

A book with around 375 pages, and see what is it that I have noticed: This is not even two pages....I thought this could be the best Introduction to my next post..so here it goes...

Heera hai Sadhakeleay!

Ah! What a wonderful engagement ring: The combination of Diamond & Platinum!

Let the love too be forever…and ever and ever…..

Widow or Divorcee?

Sympathy and Restless came, to the IT capital of India, to work in a BPO, and there was much more in their life than the Chetan Bhagat stories, of One Night @ the Call Center, The 3 Mistakes of My Life and 2 States: The Story of My Marriage, all put together. All within a span of 4 years.

Having been colleagues and friends, when Ms. Sympathy from a typical Brahmin family of one state, was about to get engaged, Mr. Restless a Christian, from another state, took her to his home, for them to live happily ever after…

But what followed was the will of God ~

They got married against their parents' wishes, and when they started living, they realise that there is a mismatch in their dreams and passion.

They failed to get the respect and success of which they had dreams. With failure came all its negativities: hatred, beatings, quarrels, what more to say, finally they decided to part ways. Having no kids, added fuel to fire. Though now it appears to be a blessing in disguise.

Mr. Restless came across another Ms. Right for him, and had filed the divorce paper which was to take place in August. But he hanged himself to death on 14th July 2010.

That is the speed of life, we are living in today…Divorce comes before marriage, and death comes before divorce…Shocking but true.

Don’t know if I was numb or suscepted when she asked me ‘Am I a widow or a divorcee?’



Death is the life's way of saying: You’re fired!
Suicide is our way of saying: I Quit!

Health is the first of life…….

We can share others sorrow, but can we share the pain that they suffer because of ill health? Why do good people suffer?

It is adversity that takes you to God….We do not choose to be born, live, suffer, or die…Though there may be some who boost to do so….

Mind has a great effect on body.. Desire what you can. Achieving good health includes not only physical culture, but perhaps even more important, mental culture.

There is a science called psycho immunology. The findings are the early fruits of a combination of psychology and immunology. It discovers the mechanism that links a person’s emotional life with the ups and downs of the immune system, the body’s line of defense against bacteria, virus and cancer….

The more we learn about mind and body as a unity the more difficult it becomes to consider them separately. What’s in your mind is often quite literally or anatomically, what is in your body. Anything that offers hope has the potential to health…

Illness worsened coincident with the diagnosis. When the newly diagnosed patients are together with persons who have come through similar illness…The specific evidence that recovery is possible acts like a tonic and actually enhances the prospects for effective medical treatment…

The desire to get better is very important and is needed in order to build up real faith. How you feel can make a great difference in how you live….

Exercises are fine, take medications when prescribed. But always add the mental well being principle. Always think healthy…Desire only what you can, God may not be able to give you all that you want, and when you ask for more, it would be difficult for him…

As I type these, I am reminded of my Grandfather, who lived a very healthy life until he was 77, of whom there were written appreciations, of being an active person, and having diagnosed stomach cancer immediately died, within 1.5 months, in 2002, who was denied medicines, as it would only create further disorder, and of some one dear to heart, who earnestly wanted to be a mother, but the modern sciences not only could help her, but took a toll on her life, at a very tender age…The chemical reactions…. Then there are those who suffer from mental disorders periodically, and the educated, who take on to drug, and is determined to deteriorate themselves…

Mental illness is something intolerable too…Don’t know why and how people loose the mental balance, and its so sad..Leave alone the big illness, even a common cold is so annoying.

Health is one of the ingredients that make you Happy! We need you! You be Healthy! You Be Happy!!

ABC : S

ABC Wednesday is hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt and the ABC team of Denise, Roger, Troy, Jay, Barb, Gattina and Sylvia! (Got this idea from her blog for Y & Z) Super!

Yes, it's the S Day! Are You ready to find lots of Ss for the day?

Got your dictionary out? You ready to play with the letters?

Sun, Sunrise and Sunset...
Spread Sweet Smiles,
See Sea Sensation around,
Sea Sheels, and Spooky Spiders
Sing Sweet Songs,
Strength, Sacrifice, Simplicity,
Soliloquy as Shakespearean soliloquies,
Silence & Solitude, helps
Swallow, shallow selfishness,
Sense, Sensitivity, Sensibility
Spring or Storm, Seasons effect us
Share, State and spirit as sisters.
Soothing Symphony, School say stretch, So many Synonymous…
Sympathy good from Strangers and Superiors? Sanity matters.
Sad, Sorrow or stressed dont Sin.
Serenity, Stability, surrender
Silent does not mean submission. It's Listen rearranged
Speech is silver, silence is gold.
Spiritual life is Soothing
Scared of sucide.
Stumble never; remember the Secrets ever,
Self Sabbotage: We are our worst enemy
Self change: Do it now
Shift in paradigma is important...
Slim and short Structure..
Soft skills are to be developed
Spirit-Team: Nothing like that...
Solitude time is a must,for sustinence
Sustained Sincerity, is said to bring success?
Share is best way to show you care..
Self assement from time to time help you grow..
See S is not only for success..
Santhi, Santhi, Santhi...

Space/Station: Saturn, Switzerland,
Say: She sells, sea shells, on the sea shore?

S people: Subdraamma my first shine, Sreedhara Menon, Sukumaran, Santhosh, Sujit, Suresh, Sreerag, Shylash, Sreeram, Siva, Selvam, Saroja, Susan, Shiny, Shalini, Sarath, Sita, Santhi, Sandhya, Saraha, Sheri, Sindu, Sarada, Sija, Srinivas, Sanjeev, Shloka, Sreeram...Stanley..

Shammu why the Silence, Say something, Sorry...Sincerely owing reasons and responsibilities to you...

Shiny, may you shine, this is for you, will miss you..we shared dreams.And so much of S's that I could shares these.

Football is the winner..

When the World Cup started on South African soil the say was:
Semi Final Line for FIFI 2010:
a. Spain vs Argentina
b. Germany vs Brazil

"Brazil vs Argentina in finals and the yellows will kiss the cup"

Uruguayan and Gana were nevertheless bad… Netherlands and Spain were two sides to really watch out for. Italy played well so did England and others… And look what’s happened. The Dutch knocked Brazil out and Spain did the same to Germany. It’s got all the makings of the best game of the World Cup.

Roja, Oranje provided numbers aplenty. Oranje or La Roja…glad that we had new commers this time….For me it was always…Veel Geluk Oranje…..and still my heart goes to them…Again the same after 1974 and 1978.

Golden Boot award went to Thomas Muller of Germany

Golden Ball award went to Deigo Forlan The inspirational Uruguayan No10

Forlan thus becomes the fourth South American to claim the prize, following in the footsteps of Argentina’s Diego Maradona (1986) and Brazilian duo Romario (1994) and Ronaldo (1998).

One side finished South Africa 2010 without suffering defeat – and it was not the world champions, who lost their opening group match 1-0 to Switzerland. It was actually New Zealand, who enjoys this improbable honour thanks to draws with Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay.

No teams had previously won the FIFA World Cup after losing their opening group match. Spain did it by defeating the Netherlands, and the Oranje lost only in the finals.

“With everything the two teams offer in terms of technical ability, they definitely deserve to be there. That’s the conclusion you reach when you look at their recent history too. With two teams like these, football will be the winner.”- Romario on the Netherlands-Spain Final

Spain was technically the better team to watch. They play the ball around more, and their style has been drummed into them by the coaches that came along after the [Johan] Cruyff generation. It’s funny to think that a Dutchman introduced this possession-based style to Spanish football. As for the Netherlands, they’ve got some skilful players too, but they all help each other out and are extremely disciplined in tactical terms. And finally Spain Kissed the cup...and they deserved it too...


It was Shaolin soccer from orange..........This small ball makes the world united despite of all races, now look out for it in 2014 in Brazil…

So lovely put by Arun: ‘More than 26billion from 70 countries!! For one month the entire world came together to celebrate unity in diversity in the name of sport..Ha, the whole human family.

Thanks to the warriors, FIFA,SA football asso'n,waka waka,media..,Vuvuzelas,.......ofcourse Paul, Aliyush..and many more.. to bring back the spirit and the gr8 sleepless nights!!!

Congrats!!!! Deserving Winners!! Football!! Cheerers!! Shouvonik Bhattacharjee (SB)!! Well SB was the winner of our office FIFA b....

All teams are great..it's just sad that we can share dreams but not victory...

Kakkanad: Smart City?

From the nature’s beauty to concrete jungles, as had happened in New Delhi, Navi Mumbai here is the new down town of kochi….in and around Kakkanad…. You can see Future Shocks becoming true here...

What you will find here is the famous temple, of Vamanan, and the throne of King Mavali at Thrikakkara...This was the popular name of Kakkanad, till sometimes before..as it belonged to Thrikkakara grama panchayat. For amusement you have the finest park, Veegaland, where nature, art and technology merge by Kochuouseph Chittalppilly, Kerala's Deerubhai..

http://arunoday.blogspot.com/2010/04/top-of-hill-full-of-thrill.html




CEPZ


Kakkanad has the Civil Station of Kochi, the first feather in its cap.. NPOL, CEPZ, Kinfra park which paved way to Infopark, and under the leadership of Mr. Girish Babu, negotiations for the Smart city a Dubai Internet City (DIC) based project began, which made Kakkanda a place frequently heard in news. Negotiations with Dubai-based Tecom for developing SmartCity IT park is still on...or off?

http://smartcitykochi.blogspot.com/

Smart city project Chairman, S. Sarma told that the Government was still keen on implementing the Smart city project in Kochi. Minister added that the government has no interest on those who are bent upon violation of the Smart city agreement and it will consider alternative partnership only as the last resort.

His statement, made in the state Assembly, came close on the heels of Tecom officials' announcement during Smart City board meeting at Kochi that the company would not shy away from a legal battle if the government went to court for arbitration.

However, he added that there was no question of yielding to the Dubai company's demands such as "free-hold" right for part of the land since they were outside the original agreement.

Now Kakkanad is not just confined to Thrikakara panchayat, it has become a metaphor, for places around it right from Padamugal, to Pukattupady, Pallikara, and around.
Rajagiri-Chittyathkara
Echamuku-Patturukal
Surabhi Nagar-Collectrate


Mavalipuram-Library/Busstop


Thrikakara-Temple
NGO Quarters-NPOL
Padamugal - HiFi
HMT Colony - Future
Thevakal - and Vidyodaya..
And many more...



Near to the Trans Asian building you have the scenic Chitrapuzha palam, and you can have a lovely view, if you go through the Rajagiri College...Well this Chitrapuzha is different from the one in Thripunthara-Hillpalace or the one in Munnar...

Which do you think is the ideal place to stay around Kakkanad?

Over the years, the infrastructure here has become very strong, especially after the airport, and the seaport airport road enhancing the accessibility..

Have been comming to this place, since childhood...the days, I remember...but never knew, it was the choosen destination for me, had been here working with different organisations for the past 11 years, and am keeping my fingures crossed, not knowing for how long...Can the Octoput tell me that?

Nestle: Whats your favourite?

Hey, its that time of the year again, when I had been collecting good amount of my favorite milky bar, at the time of appraisal from my earlier office colleagues….

MILKY BAR

Smooth and creamy, MILKYBARS have been enjoyed for over 70 years. Handed out by the blonde, bespectacled Milkybar Kid since 1961, the brand is trusted by Mums and adored by white chocolate lovers everywhere. Including me….

Before this, it was, and now again it is:

QUALITY STREET

Everyone has their favourite QUALITY STREET. Whether it's the hazelnut-in-caramel or the orange cream, the brand that made the green triangle famous is now exported to 50 countries worldwide and remains one of the most popular boxed chocolates.

Visit www.qualitystreet.co.uk

What’s your favourite?
• Toffee Deluxe
• Milk Choc Block
• Toffee finger
• Orange crème
• Orange Chocolate Crunch
• The gree Triangle
• The purple one
• Vanilla fudge
• Coconut éclair
• Toffee Penny
• Caramel swirl
• Strawberry Delight


ROWNTREE'S

Ever popular with the kids, ROWTREES's chewy, fruity, sugar-based confectioneries are available in 4 delicious guises - Fruit Pastilles, Fruit Gums, Jelly Tots and Tooty Frooties. What's more, they all contain fruit juice and no artificial colours, making them that little bit more satisfying.

KITKAT

This red and white wrapper can mean only one thing... have a break, have a KITKAT! The nation's favorite crispy chocolate wafer is available in a variety of finger sizes and widths - and with 418 KITKAT fingers consumed every second worldwide, it's easy to see why KITKAT is the UK's best-selling confectionery brand.

SMARTIES

Initially named ‘Chocolate Beans,' SMARTIES have held a place in people's hearts and pockets since 1937, with different colours and novelty flavours making guest appearances over the years. SMARTIES now contain no artificial colours - just another reason to get your hands on one of those much-celebrated (and now-hexagonal) tubes...

POLO

POLO was launched in 1948 and "The Mint with the Hole" rapidly became an iconic brand. Sixty years on POLO® is still Britain's number one mint brand with approximately 20 million mints produced every day and more than 150 POLOs® eaten every second! With four different variations - Original, Spearmint, Sugar Free and Fruits - POLO has something for everyone.

AERO

There can be few who haven't felt the bubbles melt. With its unique bubbly texture, AERO has appeared in many different variants with AERO Bubbles proving to be a recent overnight success as a result of their melty more-ishness!

AFTER EIGHT

Responsible for creating the ‘after dinner mint,' these indulgent wafer thin mints in dark chocolate are renowned for their exquisite taste and premium quality.

HEAVEN

For a taste of pure heaven, there's nothing quite like the new range of indulgent Swiss chocolates. These little pieces of heaven are brought to you in flavours ranging from rich dark truffle to creamy milk chocolate truffle, made of only the finest ingredients for true delectation.

If you'd like to learn more about the History of Chocolate and the History of Rowntree (since 1745!), or you are curious about How Chocolate is Made, there's lots more information at www.nestle.co.uk

Any one who dont like chocolates??

Happy Professionals Day....

Like only Holidays, and don’t believe in having a day for Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Children, Doctors etc…But now it is the day, I would like to put forth a note of Thanks to all of them, who have made a difference….

To all the doctors, especially to those who have not acquired the God Complex..To my FCA....

To begin with is my principle P, who gave me the first opportunity, and took me to this world, when my mom and mama were wondering where to go and whom to contact…and till date, I have not seen a practicing CA, so straightforward, honest, and independent. He is my mentor…And with him was G..The joy of being a CA was first witnessed there in V..and then the S’s ,A , R, L and J http://arunoday.blogspot.com/search?q=For+my+friend+I+rejoice

Dont know where some have diappeared, but am happy some are still in touch...either directly or indirectly,



It is his card I carry with me, which keeps me aggravated.

And during those days, I used to study with B, It is a matter of great pride to see her as the CFO of one of the leading NBFC in Kerala, and how she motivated M and many others to qualify, and how education have changed the lives of the people and their families. We used to have a hearty laugh whenever we come across Victor, thinking of Victor Hugo and the candle story...This was some 13 years before..She celebrates here birthday too on this Professionals day, July 1st...I wonder why havent 'The Secret-LOA & POU worked for me then?' M started own firm and is now going places..R with ambition, and then if I were your brother…and the dreams and advices…..

Was Inspired by SBB team a sweet lady S who later qualified and we had a lovely meeting at Nungambakam, where she wrote a lovely advice for me, and the young, S energetic, lively and spreading laughter, whom I happen to work with again after a span of 8 years, now he was a qualified professional, both CA and CS...There were a whole lot of ambitious young team there..

The group of CA's motivating and molding the lives of millions,of whom a lot was written even before:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._N._Manoharan
http://arunoday.blogspot.com/search?q=Pattabhi+Ram

SP & GS..and so many whom I have not seen or met....

And my GMCS http://arunoday.blogspot.com/2007/07/our-gmcs-programmeenlightenment-from.html

And then there were R & V , and all the colleagues form RVA to A,B whose words lingers 'Never give up',B,S all unique and great in their own ways...

And again I came across S, and there is also multitalented R, who resembles all the hard core professionals from Chennai, and my delicate crystal PC for J

Now I am amidst so many of them in my loving Team India, from all parts, with all three professional qualifications, 3R’s Result matters not your efforts, R how I wonder what is BAR?,P to refresh my Marathi, truly enchanting B, S and my first and fair weathering K…and so many more adding to the list….

Each of them has made a mark on me, and as I wish them a very Happy Professionals day, I also Thank them, for being there….There are chances I miss mentioning some...but nevertheless..all are precious...These are the PP, who were for a reason, season or lifetime...

My prayers, blessings and heart go to all those, struggling, still dreaming, to see themselves too in this club…. including myself…~

Raavan

Much awaited Ravaan is here.....

http://www.raavan-thefilm.com/

Mani Ratnams obsession with nature and darkness, especially, Aathirapilly water falls and jungle surrounding south India is apparent in the movie. Major portion of the film is besides, inner and nearby locations of waters, and in Monsoon.. The backdrops of locations maybe different, but the continuity have been strictly followed as audiences may not feel the difference anywhere (From Athirapilli to Hogaenakkal, to Ooty). Might be symbolising Ashokavanam...

Scenic locations, loved the nature untouched. Splendid technical work and shots.

Wild Beera (Abhi in Hindi and Vikram in Tamil) kidnaps gorgeous Ragini (Ash) only to find the justice in his own way.

Beauteous and virtuous modern-day Sita who's kidnapped by a Maoist 'Raavan' and taken through 14-day experience echoing Lord Rama's 14-year exile.

The image of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan plunging from the heights into a waterfall and getting trapped in a dry tree remains the one visual that surpasses all other recent celluloid mise en scene suggesting a link between nature and vulnerability.



Ragini a classical dancer and Dev Pratap Sharma IPS officer (Vikram in Hindi and Pritvi Raj in Tamil), are married, and they move together to the deep-rooted region of Lal Maati, a rural town in North India. This place has no regards for the police and court law, but in the hands of Beera. His ways are very untamed.


On a mission to put an end to Beera’s realms, Dev tears the things down. (Normal filmi story, of sister being raped by the police) Broken down in spirits as his happiness is completely lost, it’s turn for Beera to retaliate. How he does it, and Dev's reaction to it, is the Climax…




The climax fight (not the real climax)that takes place between Abhishek and Vikram in Raavan and Vikram and Prithviraj in Raavanan, on a wooden bridge captured from different angles, is also exquisite...

No fun and comedy except for Govinda jumping like a monkey, and bringing in shades of Hanuman. Subject line is related to Ramayan, and script is okay.

"Raavan" is a feast for the senses. Not much more needs to be said about Mani's images. They flow out of Santosh Sivan and Manikandan's cameras with the urgency of a symphony written on the night before apocalypse.



The message as is one of my favourate quotes:

‘There is so much of good in the worst of us, and so much of bad in the best of us…”

Is there a Ram inside Raavan?
And a Raavan inside each of us?

But too intense a movie, to watch again immediately, unlike those who watch consequtive shows of the same.... Loved to have most of the team members together for it....

The Secret…

http://thesecret.tv/

Fragments of the Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries…..

The power of Love and gratitude can part seas,
It can move mountains, and it can create miracles,
The power of love and gratitude will dissolve all negativity in our lives.

Rhonda Byrne

Looking for the CD/DVD

The Secret
by Rhonda Byrne
2006, Atria Books
available at MPH Bookstore

Introduced to me by David Nair, With full of praise by Barkha...

BVRYS eProfessionalz Corporate Solutions Private Limited

A journey of thousand miles begin with a single step….



This was an email from Vijay on 8th February 2010, and just three months down the line, they are planning to open offices in Thrissur and Bangalore:


Dear Sirs,


“We know not where our dreams will take us, but we can probably see quite clearly where we will go without them.”


Looking back, I have been fortunate enough with the opportunity to serve you over the past some period and am looking forward to serve you better and carry forward the relationship in future too. As part of the continuous efforts to diversify the range of services, improve the infrastructure and to cater to secretarial, legal, administrative and other related consultancy services to our clients, myself, along with a team of experienced professionals have transformed into "BVRYS eProfessionalz Corporate Solutions Private Limited." [wherein myself, Mr. Balasubramanian N., Mr. Ramachandran T. M., Mr. Yogindunath S. and Mr. Syamkumar R. as Directors]


Pursuant to the above change we have shifted our office to " Swasthika, Room No.A3, Building No.44/1595, First Floor, Devaki Castle, Opposite NUALS, Kaloor, Cochin - 682017".


The Company will be providing wide range of corporate advisory and consulting services. We ensure you that we will cater to your needs promptly and wisely and request you to kindly consider our services and contact us. It will be our pleasure if you drop in at our new office sometime.


“BVR & Associates” our new firm of Practising Company Secretaries, [where myself, Mr. Balasubramanian and Mr. Ramachandran T M, as partners], is also functioning in the same premises.


At BVRYS, it will be our pleasure to serve you.

Expecting your prayers, supports and blessings as always,


Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,


For BVRYS eProfessionalz Corporate Solutions Private limited Practising Company Secretaries


Sd/-

S. Vijay

Director Partner


Ph : 0484 – 4046695, 4046696, 4063938

Cell : 94475 76134

E Mail: vijay@bvrys.com

cochin@bvrys.com

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

Bhopal Gas Tragedy, something that I had been hearing from the days I remember….We all know that justice delayed is justice denied…..

Nearing midnight on Sunday, December 2 1984, a cloud of deadly gas erupted from a storage tank in the Carbide plant. It spread some 27 tonnes of poison -- think of it, 27 tonnes wafting through the air -- over a sleeping city.





And now after 25 long years, there is huge debate and consternation at the end result of those convicted for this chemical disaster.

Union Carbide Corporation and Dow Chemicals, which took over UCC in 2001, did not take responsibility for the leak. UCC, however, abided by a 1989 Supreme Court ruling asking it to pay compensation of $470 million after a long legal battle in the US and India.
UCC and its Indian subsidiary paid $465 million, which was deposited with the Reserve Bank of India.
The courts asked the victims for documentary proof that they had indeed been exposed to the methyl isocynate gas. The victims were given about $2,000. Those who escaped with injuries were given $500. Interim relief was paid every month for six years to some people.
The courts have given a punishment to those involved in the Union Carbide management a jail term of 2 years. The public and most concerned voices show discontent. 15, 000 dead and hundreds suffering the after effects of the leak, and now 2 years in jail for the management of the Company!!? ?

A poem by Annie Zaidi, Which I read now at
HTTP://GUNJAAISH.BLOGSPOT.COM/

Annie Zaidi:
Poison breath, poison blood
Poison milk, poison mud
Poison pump, poison tap
Poison in your mama’s lap
Eyes of milk, limbs askew
Dow child mine, is that you?

Baby-making, weird art
Many arrive with half their parts
You don’t know the nuts and bolts
Little girls bleed, women don’t
There’s mercury and chromium too
Dow child mine, is that you?

Applications, admin blues
So many don’ts for one big do
Petition-petition boring game
How to run if you are lame
Dharna-dharna, starve and sue
Dow child mine, is that you?

Leader comes, toxin pet
Says I’m fine, not dead yet
He fought toxin long ago
Now he’s paid for, top to toe
Back bent whole, toothless too
Dow child mine, is that you?

Thoughts, forwards, and oddments

My cousin Gayathri, had recently put in FB, whY wE nEeD A loVer wheN v H@VE sO mAny @RounD 2 LoVE uS??????????
a wisE m@n sAid.........................................
AiR iS eVerYwhEre But V stIlL nEed @ f@n 2 fEeL iT.................................:)

But then, there is nothing like fresh air, fans get spoiled....

Fans circulate air, and is used for the purpose of cooling or refreshing oneself.


A hand-held fan is any broad, flat surface waved back-and-forth But generally, purpose-made hand-held fans are shaped like a sector of a circle and made of a thin material (such as paper or feathers) mounted to slats which revolve around a pivot so that it can be closed when not in use.


It was a terrible week, when the celing fan went out of order, and there was neither AC nor Air coller, earlier because of the heat, and then all of a sudden on fine day, angry roar of the nature, and me busy in office, worried, if I had forgotten to close the windows! Everything in my room would have been drenched...but Thankfully, it was closed, when I reached home...
Ceiling fans, appeared in the 1860s and 1870s, in the United States. The ceiling fan has been going around far too many times than normal. And at greater speeds than normal.

Like any other English word, ‘Fan’ to had various refrences in technology, entertainment, computing, geology, biology and place names…

And on love, there could be endless to write, are fans, lovers?

Just yesterday I read here: http://www.suchitra.com/2010/06/love-vs-like/
Like” is easy to explain-its the sum total of the characteristics a person posesses that one reacts positively and instinctively to- its a feel good factor. A reaction we have in our physical being…our 5 senses
But love… what is love then? Is it just a chemical combustible reaction we will never ever understand? Uninformed blindness?
I’m not talking only about amorous love here. But something much wider and all encompassing. Do we really love our parents/spouse/ brother sister blah blah? Would we actually love them if they were not blood or societal impositions forced us to beleive that we love them regardless of how they make us feel or how they really are as people?



And I liked this, http://poornima-mydreamworld.blogspot.com/2010/06/why-do-we-shout.html

Oh my Gaaaddd, where am I going…Better I stop….

But I feel sad, when people dont mind their loved ones around, but is busy always on their mobile...talking to someone....Is it .....????


The HAPPIEST people do not necessarily have the BEST THINGS in life. They simple APPRECIATE the things they have.

The Crown Prince Syndrome

Apprisals are the time to anticipate what you will be hearing from the person who matters the most and how to counter his/ her arguements...I wonder when it is yours, it should not be one sided...And after that, either there is a shower or a drizzle, whether it be mid term or annual. Irrespective of there being an increase in the weight of the cover...

At places, you find the Crown Prince Syndrome:

This is when an individual is identified as a future key contributor who needs to commit to a strategic personal development plan while the organization’s leaders need to avoid an implied contract or veiled commitment to promote.


The other day, we were discussing about the Mgt. techniques:

Karps asked Aneesh what he felt best, as Aneesh said that he is looking at all, so that he can implement the best 5 years down the line.

You be firm, you be fair...Seshan, Indira Gandhi, Kalam,

Success should not go to you heart, failure to your heart...learn..

Smart...work...But I dont know what it is...I have always worked with my heart...

Leaf's departure was because of winds pursuiant or because the tree didnot ask it to stay?

Free Hugs and Maa…

The modern Mother's Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in May or in March/April, as a day to honour mothers and motherhood. In the UK and Ireland, it follows the old traditions of Mothering Sunday, celebrated in March/April. In US, Second Sunday of May ….So also in many other countires…

My mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is.
Through the years I would take a guess at what I thought was the correct Answer. When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said, 'My ears, Mommy.'

Then I told her, 'Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes.'

Then one year, my grandfather died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. Even my father cried. I remember that especially because it was only the second time I saw him cry.

My Mom looked at me when it was our turn to say our final good-bye to my Grandfather. She asked me, 'Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?' I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game between her and me.

She looked down at me as only a mother can. I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, 'My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder.'

I asked, 'Is it because it holds up my head?'

She replied, 'No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it.'

Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish one. It is made for others and not for yourself. It is sympathetic to the pain of others.

People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will NEVER forget how you made them feel.


I remember having read this discussion between a mother and son.

A mother's joy begins when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone. And our life begins thus!!!

Why just one day, every day is hers...

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there ... and to everyone who's ever stepped in to do what moms do best - love, care and hug!

A mothers hug, help you forget half your sorrow….

No wonder, why Mata Amritanandamayi, has gained so much of popularity. She is famous for her hugs… when people, fell weeping into her lap, she used to hug them. Then the next person too wanted it… And so the habit picked up."
“Love creates smiling faces and compassionate hearts, and is expressed in sweet and pleasing words.” - Amma

Amma's hug is the greatest humanitarian work. I too believe that her embrace gives the inspiration and happiness to many ...



"Jadoo Ki Jhappi" ("magical hug") — a method of comfort taught to Munna by his mother ...was one of the striking features shown in the movie Munna Bhai MBBS a 2003 Bollywood comedy directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.




The Free Hugs campaign in its present form was started by Juan Mann on June 30, 2004, when he began giving out hugs in the Pitt St Mall in central Sydney. In the months prior to this, Mann had been feeling depressed and lonely as a result of numerous personal difficulties. However, a random hug from a stranger made an enormous difference...

It was so cool to see Ash and Payal hug each other on FB when they were down...

So cool right...Thanks for that....A hug indeed makes a difference...

US and India

How truly impossible it is to fully grasp something until you've experienced it first-hand. When you look at US and India, there are two diametrically opposed camps of both the places in both the countries.

As the two countries integrate economically and politically, there is a lot more bi-lateral exchange of talent and knowledge that sounds the death knell of the "brain-drain" of skilled Indian workers to America.

There has been a sea change in the life style of the people too.

It was not so much before, when British left our country, than it is now.

Families:

Speaking of the Indian family, where there was once only strength and solidarity, I now see scores of unhappy homes, where public faces are proud and happy but private lives can be torture. Live alone Joint families, people are not interested in meeting even once in a year. It fills by heart with sorrow unspeakable.

Who said there are no family bonds in US? There are still some families who are very closely bonded. But since there are people from all over the world coming and settling there, leaving their families back home, you find single families too..

Wedding:

Indian weddings are presumed to be as the world’s most joyous, as epic celebrations to be remembered. But there are family politics, back-biting and bruised egos that come part and parcel with such grand occasions.

Of late, the courts in India have approved the status of Live in relationships..I was glad to here of my friend being ‘Practically Married’ in US, which was a difficult status in India, but there were people like Hema Malini who Practised it decades before.

Also recently I happen to attend a wedding, which was a mixture of two culture, and so was the custom, the food, the venue and everything.

So people are coming out of the conventional images, and adapting changes.

Till a decade before marriages were considered to be a holy bond, and only death would separate the couples, either because of the fear of the society, or not wanting to go back and trouble the parents. But then here too, now there is a trend towards divorces before marriage. Is Female empowerment the reason?

Shopping:

I was surprised to here that the old Sindhi man (I cannot recollect his name right now) is still running the grocery shop, which was in front of our apartments in Kalyan. In India, Shopkeepers are proud of their craft and their products; they know their own stores inside and out. They are open from dawn until midnight, and some of them seem to sleep in the shop themselves.

Moreover, there is a cultivation of trust and a development of friendship between customer and shopkeeper.

I was saddened to hear of Varkeys proposed plans of closure. It was one of the best supermarkets of kerala. Now that there are big industrialists opening retail chains like the Reliance, More, the traditional firms find it difficult to compete.
Super markets, like Wal-mart's, marks and spencers, stop and shop, would be attractive and handy, but they also represents so much of what is wrong with western culture. Worker turnover is astounding; a steady stream of dejected workers hands over recycled badges to eager-faced freshers dying to make a good impression. Once they've worked long enough to be eligible for benefits and a wage increase, they're inexplicably released.

Cuisine:

Indian food is something , that people miss when in west, thought there are Indian Restaurants. Dosas. How have they not made the leap to mainstream West? There you have variety Cornflakes for breakfast. Then there is the Idlis (the dosa’s mal-adjusted cousin both delicious breakfast food that originated in South India but has spread across the sub-continent, breaking down barriers and defying all odds. You can have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then there are the rotis (Indian breads). Dosas and Rotis can be of so much variety.

Spicy food, the taste of India, may not be easily available or like by the west. And then there is the eating habit. Eating with hands/spoke and spoon.

Mysticism of the Mango is marvelous. They're very heat inducing though, and seasonal.

Drinks: If it is tea or coffee the primary ones, and not beer. Beer is not that very popular drink among common men (women) though it is the world's oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic beverage and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea.

Are broken houses due to alcohol consumption by men more common in the east than the west?

Seasons:

The strangest thing about the monsoon in India is its utter unpredictability. It’s absurd. Within minutes, the blue skies turn a sickly green-grey, and the heavens open. Then there could be a shower or a drizzle. Otherwise, its summer and extreme summer.

Unlike west, we don’t get to see the simmering white snow fall, flowers and fruits blooming in the spring, light shower during the monsoon, and ha the beautiful fall colors just before the snow again….so lovely a site….


Film Industry:

Hollywood/Bollywood/Kollywood/Mollywood:

Hero worship, Tamilians deseparately want to worship some film star or the other. It was MGR yesterday, Rajni today, tomorrow ??

Richard Gere had kissed Shilpa Shetty during a promotional event designed to increase AIDS awareness, which created a huge fuss, but why?

It is completely fine for a shirtless man to grind up against a scantily clad female, both sweat-streaked and panting breathlessly. There are outrageous billboards, highly erotic dances performed by nearly nude heroines and and provocative television advertisements.

Films like Slumdog Millionaire portrays an older outlook of India which may not be correct today. But now we have films like Kites making international presence.

Cities:

India: Capital is Delhi, Commercial capital is Mumbai, and you have Chennai and Calcutta, and many more following suite…
America: Capital is Washington, commercial capital is New York and you have Chicago and California, and many more following suite…
Kerala: Capital is Trivandrum, commercial capital is Kochi and you have Calicut and many more following suite….


Drive:

In the states everyone is patient and courteous. There’s not honking, roads are good and the enforcement of the law is serious. Each driver has his/her own response time and imaginary distance to be kept between the next car.
In India, the main problem is population and number of vehicles on the road which makes it a huge exercise in logistics to manage. The roads are bad, and people not educated in the ways of traffic to know that the more orderly they are, the better and faster the ride will be. The unwritten law of the road is “FILL IN THE GAPS”. However, that keeps the driver always on alert ready to stop or swerve at any point.

YOGA & Meditation

India’s ’spiritualism, religiosity and mysticism’, is impressing, but age-old, baseless superstition is one among her greatest obstacles. We have got so many saints and swamis in every nook and corner of this country.

No doubt the create great many assets for the country (Like AIMS), but they bring a bad name too, by way of people like Nityananda Swami.


Politics:


The Indian Republic, has revealed rips and tears along class, language, regional, and religious lines.

And as one terror attack after other pounds Indian cities, it brings out the gaping holes in her governance.

Growing up in the States, it’s easy to forget there’s a world outside American borders. Living in an ancient, distinct, complex country like India, with its billion sons and daughters, serves as ample reminder.

With the world’s most neurotic neighbors — and in the face of staggering poverty, an extraordinarily diverse citizenry and threats of Maoist violence —India manages the largest democratic exercise humanity has ever seen. India’s ruling United Progressive Alliance government held onto its power peacefully, legitimately and transparently. While military and religious despots rule in much of the developing world, India has a scholar and a gentleman in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Today in India it seems as if nothing is impossible. Every day, millions of young Indians bear overcrowded train rides and other infrastructure deficiencies, only to arrive at exceedingly competitive jobs and schools. Still, they will not be deterred. It’s a generation that has shed the colonial and regional hang-ups of those before them. They’re just Indian, and proud of it.

I am reminded of the song: Jahan pyar mein payal haath mein ghungroo, aur mathe par bindhya, It happens only in India...


Large scale industrial negligence? There is India.
Dumping hazardous waste? There is India.
Invasion on the border? There is India.
A bomb blast here and there? Of course there is India.


What a strange and beautiful thing. Life…..


Courtesy: http://blogs.rediff.com/aaii/
An american In India... Matthew Schneeeberger!