It was a different weekend. I need to regroup and assign priorities to all pending tasks. I spent some time with friends, watching Senthil-Goundamani comedy clips, computer games, music. The Saturday morning started in a different tone. I got a strange dream. In one of the dreams, I was flying to Dubai from Mumbai. It was an enjoyable dream. The reason for this dream could be the fact that I had a talk with my relatives in Oman over the phone, the previous day afternoon. This is okay, but the next dream was depressive.
I was dressed up in military uniform and I had a shoulder mounted Stinger missile. I was standing near Adyar Bus Stand. I shot down a passenger plane mistaking it for a fighter plane. I was later arrested and suspended. What's the reason for this dream? Is it because that I played Soldier of Fortune the day earlier? I was also near APS Plaza interacting with old friends. Could that be a possible reason?
Then after sometime, I went to my dear 44 year old Venkat's home. My friend Dilip also accompanied me. The discussions were focussed on India, Railways, Heritage, Culture, customised T-shirts and mug. The world is changing fast, signs of India are vanishing. That's what I felt while talking to him. We left his home only at 8PM after talking with him for 3 hours. I went to Giri Traders and examined some items related to Vishnu. I also purchased a gift item for my good friend who was getting married. I also bought some exciting divine stickers to have them stuck in my house.
The next day morning, I got up late. I was sticking all the divine slogans and photos at "strategic" points(military language) in my house. People might find it amusing. In one of the blogs, I write about USSR and soon talk of India and then talk of Hinduism and later about Christianity. Promoting socialism, I also find time to live as an orthodox brahmin. I was slightly modern in the past, but I don't want to be modern anymore. I would rather stick to my destiny. I am happy with my country's culture. I have just realised the value of it a few years ago.
I am content with what I have got, I would live my rest of life in this country. I have seen only 5 states in my country and only a few important places. I am content with that. I could predict onething. The future is not going to be easy. Tougher moments are yet to come! But I believe with divine intervention, I would get through it. And there would be a bunch of people who would consider me as an outcast if I don't get promotions soon. There would be some people who would look down at me if I hadn't visited any foreign country. And the funny part is that, there would be some funny depressive moments. I am sure any girl who has got any intention of marrying me would be afraid. They would give it a second thought. I am sure their parents would look for a boy having an income of 10lac per annum, having at least one imported car or even more than that. I also knew that if I am going to marry, I might also end up in divorce. I am not afraid of anything, but I want only one partner in my life. On the whole, I am amused at my own Brahmin culture.
Being the creator of Vedas, sastras my ancestors led the way leading a life with an example, sadly, the present day world culture has influenced my own people so much that they have failed to realize what's right and what's wrong. Too much of importance is given to materialistic values which is not permanent. I am very amused seeing and observing the present day world.
Generally, I move actively with everyone. I have got good contacts and I want to be good. But people just fail to use it properly. That's one of the primary reason why I withdraw from even close friends sometimes. Sudden change of fortunes, too much of money would haunt anyone and make them feel superior to me. There were lots of thoughts runing in my mind, so without any hesitation I have put them all. Amidst all such things in life, every day my Lord Vishnu smiles at me from the photo, Mother Teresa smiles at me with warmth with her rosary beads and during the night the stars and the crescent-shaped moon greets me. It's destiny why we are all here and we are here for a purpose. I accept what my Lord has given to me.
Thinking of playing Soldier of Fortune again later today evening. And perhaps, if I could get time, I should try some Pizza's in the evening.
-Krishna Kumar.S
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Visiting Chittoor-Kanipakkam
27th December, 2008.
I decided to visit Kanipakkam Sidhi Vinayakar temple. The reason I stated to everyone was peculiar. I wanted to be in another state for a few hours. It was for a change. Kanipakkam is near Chittoor which is in Andhra Pradesh. My plan was to board Brindavan Express at Central and get down at Katpadi. Then board a passenger to Chitttoor from Katpadi. Return would be by bus from Chittoor to CMBT directly. From there I can board a bus bound towards Madhya Kailas.
I started early from my house with my dog Damien coming till Kasturibai Nagar Railway station. I boarded an MRTS train to Park. I reached Park by 0630hrs. Central was too crowded than I expected. I wondered whether I would get a seat in the general unreserved coaches. I went to the platform and the rake wasn’t there. WAP-4’s were bringing in trains from neighbouring states. Soon my rake was shunted to the platform. The crowd boarded the coaches on the run. Generally, I don’t do acrobatics like the so-called “College students”. But sometimes I do become a Professional Porikki-if necessary. As the rake was shunted, I got into one of the coaches on the run. I was lucky to get a window seat but the seat was towards the guard and not towards locomotive. I wasn’t that disappointed. I was happy with what I have got.
Brindavan had a delayed departure and it started only at 0730hrs instead of 0715hrs. Till Villivakkam, the train was slow. The stretch between Vyasarpadi, Perambur, Carriage Works, Loco works were done at 50kph. Korattur, Ambattur, Annanur, Avadi were crossed at good speed. For some unknown reason, the train slowed near Hindu College. Sevvapet Road was crossed at 80kph+. Surprisingly, my train had a halt at Tiruvallur. I was shocked when the announcement came over the loudspeakers stating that Brindavan has stopped. I never knew that Brindavan was so under-rated and it stops even at Tiruvallur. But talking as a true Indian, I knew that it was nothing wrong in Superfasts/Expresses stopping at Tiruvallur. Considering the huge amount of sub-urban traffic and population of the state a few prestigious trains can stop at Tiruvallur.
The scenery was excellent as usual like other train journeys. No words to say. How about buying a plot over here and living with ploughs for good? It seems no one is content with their life. Nature, greenery, rice fields, canals, bridges impressed me. I often travel in trains. There are two reasons. The simple reason is that I like it. Another reason is that I want to see my country.
Chittoor Vinayakar Temple.
Egattur, Senjipanambakkam, Kadambattur, Mosur, Puliyamangalam! As my train approached Arokkonam, I could see WAP-1’s and WAG-5’s standing inside Arokkonam Trip shed. My train had a 2-minute halt at Arokkonam. My train overtook 101 AJJ-SBC Bangalore Passenger at Mukundrarayapuram. I got down at Katpadi at 0940hrs. That’s bad for a superfast train which is going to run only for 350km approx.
I went to the VLR stall. It was closed. So I had no options than visiting the Non-Veg VLR. I bought chapattis and kurma. The price was Rs.20. I opened the parcel to find 4 numbers. I felt it was pretty good. Kurma was nice too! I went to the last platform and waited for my train. Katpadi-Arokkonam passenger left with a WAG-7. I was surprised to see a goods dedicated locomotive hauling a passenger rake. That’s India! Anything would happen anytime. We adjust within ourselves. Even if there are lots of crowds we would adjust and share our seats. We sit on each other’s head and travel for hours in the Unreserved Compartments but the spirit of unity is there. After all, we all look the same. Same color, same appearance, different culture with same style etc. Now what did I say different culture with same style? Am I contradicting? Nope. Different states, different dance, different language but almost the same script. Most of all it’s our land. Amazing isn’t it? What’s not there in our country? We have everything. It’s our land and we own it. There are no one called orphans and there should be no such thing in India. Each soul which takes birth here is the property of the Government and our Government is also like our parents. Each drop of water, piece of land in this land belongs to us and we own it combined.
If I had traveled in Brindavan for another 100km, I would have been in another state with different culture. But I was to travel north for another 4km. I was to enter into Andhra Pradesh. Awesome! I have been touring without any visas/passports. You must be thinking that I am kidding but I am not. I know very well that within a country no one needs to have any documents. But I view each state in my country as a separate entity forming a Union. I was amazed at the freedom I have got in my nation. I was happy and admired the unity. Even if Bill Gates wants to visit India, he needs to have a passport. It's because he is not an Indian. But just by taking birth in this country I have earned the right to enjoy its culture without any irritating formal procedures.
I could see a lot of Sabarimalai devotees waiting for the train to arrive. It was the Vellore Cantonnment-Tirupati passenger. It was a DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit). The crowd was enormous, but I was lucky to get the door. I stood near the door for the 31km run from Katpadi to Chittoor. It was a single line electrified route. Wonder why they were wasting diesels by running a diesel hauled train in an electrified stretch?
My train started and it took the line towards Renigunta. The first station was Bomma Samudram. I believe that I entered into (South Central Railway) SCR zone from this station. Correct me if I am wrong. The next station was Ramapuram. The person behind me was getting down here and since I am standing at the door, he wasn’t able to get down. He said something in Telegu which I couldn’t understand. The person nearby translated to me that the person was actually asking whether I was getting down or not? I was astonished. A fellow Indian was talking to me and I couldn’t understand. I looked at myself and felt ashamed. I haven’t achieved anything in life nor could I think that I have achieved something in life. There are many things which I don’t know about my own country.
I took this photo with my mobile. I wish it could have been better. I liked this photo though.
The next station was Peyanapalli. Blue shelters, standard yellow station sign boards, signals, loop lines, cows, trees were there and they greeted me as my train entered into the station. Then suddenly my driver went into an aggressive mood and started accelerating madly after crossing the points. I could make out that my train was doing at least 80kph. The next station was Siddampalli. Chittoor came at 31km sharp. I got down from my train. I saw the rake of Venkatadri Express parked alone. No locos were attached. I came out and inquired how to reach Kanipakkam in Tamil. Surprisingly, the reply came in fluent Tamil. I boarded the bus to the temple. If I am right the bus took the route towards Aragonda/Erali and took the right from a junction. I was in a private bus. Hence it had a lot of stoppings. It stopped even infront of houses and many people got down comfortably before their houses. The bus crossed a few villages. I was amazed at the scenery. Typical rural life. My bus reached the temple at 1200hrs.
My train stops at a wayside station. Excellent atmosphere. Typical rural atmosphere.
The queue was long. All around me people were talking in Telugu. I didn’t know what to do, but I managed to advance ahead speaking English. I bought a Rs.50 ticket to avoid the long queues. Rs.100 would have been more prestigious, but I didn’t want to see my God that way. I stood in the queue with fellow comrades but belonging to a different state. A Bengali family was also visiting the temple and was interacting with me. They were a family of 6 people with grandparents, a husband, wife and a small boy and a teenage girl. For some unknown reason, that girl didn’t even look at me comfortably and preferred to look away. The crowd was becoming more and more noisy. They were getting impatient due to the delay. The reason was some big shot was about to visit the temple. I stood at the back of her in the queue with her parents infront of her. It seems that she didn’t like standing with me. But little did she realize that I was at the back of her just to prevent men falling on her. It’s an unfair life isn’t it? People often misunderstand us.
I had a nice darshan of the deity. It is believed that the sacred idol grows every year. The kavach-shield donated for the idol in 1957, is now too short. I bid goodbye to the family. The family also greeted us in typical Indian fashion of saying, “Namaskar”. Surprisingly, even the girl greeted me. My eyes did the talking,” Why are you afraid of me? I am also a fellow Indian like you, but from a different state. We are all a part of the same Republic”.
I came out of the temple and I saw a person dressed up in paint. He had aluminium painting all over the body and was in the make-up of Mahatma Gandhi. I went to a nearby hotel. Generally, I take Chapattis, Parottas, but that day for a change I ordered meals. For some unknown reason, I was impressed with Andhra culture. Of late, the Andhra connection has brought some changes in me. Maybe it’s because that I like my country or maybe it’s because that I like N.T.Rama Rao very much. Koottu, kaai-kari, sadham, rasam, kuzhambu, pickles, chapatti, kurma, daal. Excellent. It made my mouth water. I enjoyed the meals. But I was surprised to find the bill amount to be Rs.50 as it was A/C full meals.
A person with aluminium paint all over.
I boarded a bus soon and got down near Chittoor Railway station. From there I walked to the new bus stand. It took at least 20 minutes. The time was around 1345hrs. I thought of taking a direct bus to CMBT but the next one was only at 1530hrs. I saw a Chengalpet bus and also a Sholingur bus. This was the crucial point. I made a mistake. I should have gone to the nearest railway station or maybe to Arokkonam or Tiruttani. But I decided to return by bus directly to my home. This was a great mistake and it hit me hard. Continue reading and you would find it why.
I boarded the Sholingur bus at around 1435hrs. The bus went through scenic places full of greenery. I bought a ticket to Sholingur. Exactly at 15:01hrs my bus crossed the Andhra Pradesh-Tamilnadu border. There was a marking in the tree and the sign board said, “Tamilnadu welcomes you”, the board on the other side said, “Thanks for visiting Andhra Pradesh”. Amazing! You just travel 500km and you are in a new land, with different culture, life style, new language. But we all look alike. Then why should we fight? Why India-Pakistan conflict? Maybe we are brother countries and we always fight as we love each other so much? Generally, it happens in any brother-brother relationship isn’t it?
The bus was doing well and at Sholingur the conductor suggested that I should go to Tiruttani and board another bus. I took another ticket and went to Tiruttani. Here came the problem. My bus took its own time to start. They started at around 1645hrs. The journey went on and on. The bus driver seems to be not interested in going to the third gear. The passengers were also frustrated and a few even got down. I should have taken the clue when my bus stopped at Tiruttani Railway station. I could have returned in my favorite “trains”. But since I was lazy I didn’t switch so I stayed in the bus. Here and there I slept. My worst shock was that I reached Tiruvallur only at 1830hrs. It took two hours for me to reach Tiruvallur which could have been done by train in 25 minutes approx. I crossed Manavalan Nagar at around 1900hrs, Poonamallee at 1945hrs and then Nerkundram at 2015hrs. I had enough. I got down at CMBT at 2025hrs and switched bus. It was a Kalpakkam bus. I got down at 2055hrs and reached my house at 2100hrs. My dog Damien was eating biscuits.
-Krishna Kumar. S
I decided to visit Kanipakkam Sidhi Vinayakar temple. The reason I stated to everyone was peculiar. I wanted to be in another state for a few hours. It was for a change. Kanipakkam is near Chittoor which is in Andhra Pradesh. My plan was to board Brindavan Express at Central and get down at Katpadi. Then board a passenger to Chitttoor from Katpadi. Return would be by bus from Chittoor to CMBT directly. From there I can board a bus bound towards Madhya Kailas.
I started early from my house with my dog Damien coming till Kasturibai Nagar Railway station. I boarded an MRTS train to Park. I reached Park by 0630hrs. Central was too crowded than I expected. I wondered whether I would get a seat in the general unreserved coaches. I went to the platform and the rake wasn’t there. WAP-4’s were bringing in trains from neighbouring states. Soon my rake was shunted to the platform. The crowd boarded the coaches on the run. Generally, I don’t do acrobatics like the so-called “College students”. But sometimes I do become a Professional Porikki-if necessary. As the rake was shunted, I got into one of the coaches on the run. I was lucky to get a window seat but the seat was towards the guard and not towards locomotive. I wasn’t that disappointed. I was happy with what I have got.
Brindavan had a delayed departure and it started only at 0730hrs instead of 0715hrs. Till Villivakkam, the train was slow. The stretch between Vyasarpadi, Perambur, Carriage Works, Loco works were done at 50kph. Korattur, Ambattur, Annanur, Avadi were crossed at good speed. For some unknown reason, the train slowed near Hindu College. Sevvapet Road was crossed at 80kph+. Surprisingly, my train had a halt at Tiruvallur. I was shocked when the announcement came over the loudspeakers stating that Brindavan has stopped. I never knew that Brindavan was so under-rated and it stops even at Tiruvallur. But talking as a true Indian, I knew that it was nothing wrong in Superfasts/Expresses stopping at Tiruvallur. Considering the huge amount of sub-urban traffic and population of the state a few prestigious trains can stop at Tiruvallur.
The scenery was excellent as usual like other train journeys. No words to say. How about buying a plot over here and living with ploughs for good? It seems no one is content with their life. Nature, greenery, rice fields, canals, bridges impressed me. I often travel in trains. There are two reasons. The simple reason is that I like it. Another reason is that I want to see my country.
Chittoor Vinayakar Temple.
Egattur, Senjipanambakkam, Kadambattur, Mosur, Puliyamangalam! As my train approached Arokkonam, I could see WAP-1’s and WAG-5’s standing inside Arokkonam Trip shed. My train had a 2-minute halt at Arokkonam. My train overtook 101 AJJ-SBC Bangalore Passenger at Mukundrarayapuram. I got down at Katpadi at 0940hrs. That’s bad for a superfast train which is going to run only for 350km approx.
I went to the VLR stall. It was closed. So I had no options than visiting the Non-Veg VLR. I bought chapattis and kurma. The price was Rs.20. I opened the parcel to find 4 numbers. I felt it was pretty good. Kurma was nice too! I went to the last platform and waited for my train. Katpadi-Arokkonam passenger left with a WAG-7. I was surprised to see a goods dedicated locomotive hauling a passenger rake. That’s India! Anything would happen anytime. We adjust within ourselves. Even if there are lots of crowds we would adjust and share our seats. We sit on each other’s head and travel for hours in the Unreserved Compartments but the spirit of unity is there. After all, we all look the same. Same color, same appearance, different culture with same style etc. Now what did I say different culture with same style? Am I contradicting? Nope. Different states, different dance, different language but almost the same script. Most of all it’s our land. Amazing isn’t it? What’s not there in our country? We have everything. It’s our land and we own it. There are no one called orphans and there should be no such thing in India. Each soul which takes birth here is the property of the Government and our Government is also like our parents. Each drop of water, piece of land in this land belongs to us and we own it combined.
If I had traveled in Brindavan for another 100km, I would have been in another state with different culture. But I was to travel north for another 4km. I was to enter into Andhra Pradesh. Awesome! I have been touring without any visas/passports. You must be thinking that I am kidding but I am not. I know very well that within a country no one needs to have any documents. But I view each state in my country as a separate entity forming a Union. I was amazed at the freedom I have got in my nation. I was happy and admired the unity. Even if Bill Gates wants to visit India, he needs to have a passport. It's because he is not an Indian. But just by taking birth in this country I have earned the right to enjoy its culture without any irritating formal procedures.
I could see a lot of Sabarimalai devotees waiting for the train to arrive. It was the Vellore Cantonnment-Tirupati passenger. It was a DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit). The crowd was enormous, but I was lucky to get the door. I stood near the door for the 31km run from Katpadi to Chittoor. It was a single line electrified route. Wonder why they were wasting diesels by running a diesel hauled train in an electrified stretch?
My train started and it took the line towards Renigunta. The first station was Bomma Samudram. I believe that I entered into (South Central Railway) SCR zone from this station. Correct me if I am wrong. The next station was Ramapuram. The person behind me was getting down here and since I am standing at the door, he wasn’t able to get down. He said something in Telegu which I couldn’t understand. The person nearby translated to me that the person was actually asking whether I was getting down or not? I was astonished. A fellow Indian was talking to me and I couldn’t understand. I looked at myself and felt ashamed. I haven’t achieved anything in life nor could I think that I have achieved something in life. There are many things which I don’t know about my own country.
I took this photo with my mobile. I wish it could have been better. I liked this photo though.
The next station was Peyanapalli. Blue shelters, standard yellow station sign boards, signals, loop lines, cows, trees were there and they greeted me as my train entered into the station. Then suddenly my driver went into an aggressive mood and started accelerating madly after crossing the points. I could make out that my train was doing at least 80kph. The next station was Siddampalli. Chittoor came at 31km sharp. I got down from my train. I saw the rake of Venkatadri Express parked alone. No locos were attached. I came out and inquired how to reach Kanipakkam in Tamil. Surprisingly, the reply came in fluent Tamil. I boarded the bus to the temple. If I am right the bus took the route towards Aragonda/Erali and took the right from a junction. I was in a private bus. Hence it had a lot of stoppings. It stopped even infront of houses and many people got down comfortably before their houses. The bus crossed a few villages. I was amazed at the scenery. Typical rural life. My bus reached the temple at 1200hrs.
My train stops at a wayside station. Excellent atmosphere. Typical rural atmosphere.
The queue was long. All around me people were talking in Telugu. I didn’t know what to do, but I managed to advance ahead speaking English. I bought a Rs.50 ticket to avoid the long queues. Rs.100 would have been more prestigious, but I didn’t want to see my God that way. I stood in the queue with fellow comrades but belonging to a different state. A Bengali family was also visiting the temple and was interacting with me. They were a family of 6 people with grandparents, a husband, wife and a small boy and a teenage girl. For some unknown reason, that girl didn’t even look at me comfortably and preferred to look away. The crowd was becoming more and more noisy. They were getting impatient due to the delay. The reason was some big shot was about to visit the temple. I stood at the back of her in the queue with her parents infront of her. It seems that she didn’t like standing with me. But little did she realize that I was at the back of her just to prevent men falling on her. It’s an unfair life isn’t it? People often misunderstand us.
I had a nice darshan of the deity. It is believed that the sacred idol grows every year. The kavach-shield donated for the idol in 1957, is now too short. I bid goodbye to the family. The family also greeted us in typical Indian fashion of saying, “Namaskar”. Surprisingly, even the girl greeted me. My eyes did the talking,” Why are you afraid of me? I am also a fellow Indian like you, but from a different state. We are all a part of the same Republic”.
I came out of the temple and I saw a person dressed up in paint. He had aluminium painting all over the body and was in the make-up of Mahatma Gandhi. I went to a nearby hotel. Generally, I take Chapattis, Parottas, but that day for a change I ordered meals. For some unknown reason, I was impressed with Andhra culture. Of late, the Andhra connection has brought some changes in me. Maybe it’s because that I like my country or maybe it’s because that I like N.T.Rama Rao very much. Koottu, kaai-kari, sadham, rasam, kuzhambu, pickles, chapatti, kurma, daal. Excellent. It made my mouth water. I enjoyed the meals. But I was surprised to find the bill amount to be Rs.50 as it was A/C full meals.
A person with aluminium paint all over.
I boarded a bus soon and got down near Chittoor Railway station. From there I walked to the new bus stand. It took at least 20 minutes. The time was around 1345hrs. I thought of taking a direct bus to CMBT but the next one was only at 1530hrs. I saw a Chengalpet bus and also a Sholingur bus. This was the crucial point. I made a mistake. I should have gone to the nearest railway station or maybe to Arokkonam or Tiruttani. But I decided to return by bus directly to my home. This was a great mistake and it hit me hard. Continue reading and you would find it why.
I boarded the Sholingur bus at around 1435hrs. The bus went through scenic places full of greenery. I bought a ticket to Sholingur. Exactly at 15:01hrs my bus crossed the Andhra Pradesh-Tamilnadu border. There was a marking in the tree and the sign board said, “Tamilnadu welcomes you”, the board on the other side said, “Thanks for visiting Andhra Pradesh”. Amazing! You just travel 500km and you are in a new land, with different culture, life style, new language. But we all look alike. Then why should we fight? Why India-Pakistan conflict? Maybe we are brother countries and we always fight as we love each other so much? Generally, it happens in any brother-brother relationship isn’t it?
The bus was doing well and at Sholingur the conductor suggested that I should go to Tiruttani and board another bus. I took another ticket and went to Tiruttani. Here came the problem. My bus took its own time to start. They started at around 1645hrs. The journey went on and on. The bus driver seems to be not interested in going to the third gear. The passengers were also frustrated and a few even got down. I should have taken the clue when my bus stopped at Tiruttani Railway station. I could have returned in my favorite “trains”. But since I was lazy I didn’t switch so I stayed in the bus. Here and there I slept. My worst shock was that I reached Tiruvallur only at 1830hrs. It took two hours for me to reach Tiruvallur which could have been done by train in 25 minutes approx. I crossed Manavalan Nagar at around 1900hrs, Poonamallee at 1945hrs and then Nerkundram at 2015hrs. I had enough. I got down at CMBT at 2025hrs and switched bus. It was a Kalpakkam bus. I got down at 2055hrs and reached my house at 2100hrs. My dog Damien was eating biscuits.
-Krishna Kumar. S
Sunday, January 11, 2009
India's greatest citizen-Mother Teresa
The Indian National Flag
Our land is definitely blessed by God. We are a Union of 28 different states and 7 Union territories each having its own language, culture, life style. Our land is gifted with a rich heritage, culture and moral values. I take immense pleasure in writing about Mother Teresa.
Mother Teresa was an Albanian Catholic Nun who devoted her life for the service of the poor. She was born on August 27, 1910 in Albania. Her real name was Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. She was the founder of Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. She was honored by the Republic of India in 1980 which she got the Bharat Ratna title. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. At the time of her death, her Charity Home was operating 610 missions in 123 different countries. According to a biography by Joan Graff Clucas, in her early years Agnes was fascinated by stories of the lives of missionaries and their service, and by age 12 was convinced that she should commit herself to a religious life. She left home at age 18 to join the Sisters of Loreto as a missionary. She never again saw her mother or sister. We should be proud that lived a person in our country who lived her entire life for the betterment of our lives and died for the purity of cross.
She took her first religious vows as a nun on May 24, 1931. At that time she chose the name Teresa after Therese de Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries. She took her solemn vows on May 14, 1937, while serving as a teacher at the Loreto convent school in Eastern Calcutta. Although Teresa enjoyed teaching at the school, she was increasingly disturbed by the poverty surrounding her in Calcutta. She began her missionary work with the poor in 1948, replacing her traditional Loreto habit with a simple white cotton sari decorated with a blue border, adopted Indian citizenship, and ventured out into the slums. Teresa wrote in her diary that her first year was fraught with difficulties. She had no income and had to resort to begging for food and supplies.
National Emblem of India
Mother Teresa wrote in her diary:-
"Our Lord wants me to be a free nun covered with the poverty of the cross. Today I learned a good lesson. The poverty of the poor must be so hard for them. While looking for a home I walked and walked till my arms and legs ached. I thought how much they must ache in body and soul, looking for a home, food and health. Then the comfort of Loreto [her former order] came to tempt me. 'You have only to say the word and all that will be yours again,' the Tempter kept on saying ... Of free choice, my God, and out of love for you, I desire to remain and does whatever be your Holy will in my regard. I did not let a single tear come."
Teresa received Vatican permission on October 7, 1950 to start the diocesan congregation that would become the Missionaries of Charity. In her own words she wrote that she cares for all, "the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone". It began as a small order with 13 members in Calcutta. Today it has more than 4,000 nuns running orphanages, charity centers worldwide and cares for refugees, the blind, disabled, aged, alcoholics, the poor, the homeless and victims of floods, epidemics and famine. As the Missionaries of Charity took in increasing numbers of lost children, Mother Teresa felt the need to create a home for them. In 1955 she opened the Nirmala Shishu Bhavan, the Children's Home of the Immaculate Heart, and a haven for orphans and homeless youth.
In 1982, at the height of the Siege of Beirut, Mother Teresa rescued 37 children trapped in a front line hospital by brokering a temporary cease-fire between the Israeli army and Palestinian guerrillas. Accompanied by Red Cross workers, she traveled through the war zone to the devastated hospital to evacuate the young patients. As the USSR during its last days had a lot of openness, she expanded her efforts to Communist countries that had previously rejected the Missionaries of Charity, embarking on dozens of projects. She was undeterred by criticism about her firm stand against abortion and divorce stating, "No matter who says what, you should accept it with a smile and do your own work".
Pope John Paul II greets Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa suffered a heart attack in Rome in 1983, while visiting Pope John Paul II. After a second attack in 1989, she received an artificial pacemaker. In 1991, after a battle with pneumonia while in Mexico, she suffered further heart problems. She offered to resign her position as head of the Missionaries of Charity. But the nuns of the order, in a secret ballot, voted for her to stay. Mother Teresa agreed to continue her work as head of the order.
In April 1996, Mother Teresa fell and broke her collar bone. In August she suffered from malaria and failure of the left heart ventricle. She had heart surgery, but it was clear that her health was declining. On March 13, 1997, she stepped down from the head of Missionaries of Charity and died on September 5, 1997. She was given a state funeral by the Indian Government.
Following Mother Teresa's death in 1997, the Holy See began the process of beatification, the second step towards possible canonization. This process requires the documentation of a miracle performed from the intercession of Mother Teresa. In 2002, the Vatican recognized as a miracle the healing of a tumor in the abdomen of an Indian woman, Monica Besra, following the application of a locket containing Mother Teresa's picture. Monica Besra said that a beam of light emanated from the picture, curing the cancerous tumor. Since then there is a title of "Blessed" given to Mother Teresa.
Ronald Reagan, the President of the United States honors Mother Teresa.
There are many true life incidents. One such was Jim's experience while meeting Mother Teresa in an airplane. Jim Castle was tired when he boarded his plane in Ohio. The 45-year-old management consultant had put on a week long series of business meetings and seminars and now he sank gratefully into his seat ready for the flight home to Kansas City, Missouri.
As more passengers entered, the place hummed with conversation, mixed with the sound of bags being stowed. Then, suddenly, people fell silent. Jim craned his head to see what was happening and his mouth dropped open.
Walking up the aisle were two nuns clad in simple white habits bordered in blue. He recognized the familiar face of one at once, the wrinkled skin and the eyes warmly intent. This was a face he has often seen in newscasts and on the cover of TIME Magazine.
The two nuns halted, and Jim realized that his seat companion was going to be Mother Teresa! As the last few passengers settled in, Mother Teresa and her companion pulled out rosaries. Each decade of the beads was a different color, Jim noticed.
The decades represented various areas of the world, Mother Teresa told him later, and added, “I pray for the poor and dying on each continent.”
The airplane taxied to the runway and the two women began to pray, their voices a low murmur. Though Jim considered himself not a very religious Catholic who went to church mostly out of habit, inexplicably he found himself joining in. By the time they murmured the final prayer, the plane had reached cruising altitude. Mother Teresa turned toward him. For the first time in his life, Jim understood what people meant when they spoke of a person possessing an “aura”.
As she gazed at him, a sense of peace filled him; he could no more see it than he could see the wind but he felt it, just as surely as he felt a warm summer breeze.
“Young man,” she inquired, “do you say the rosary often?”
“No, not really,” he admitted. She took his hand, while her eyes probed his. Then she smiled. “Well, you will now.” And she dropped her rosary into his palm.
An hour later Jim entered the Kansas City airport where he was met by his wife, Ruth. “What in the world?” Ruth asked when she noticed the rosary in his hand. They kissed and Jim described his encounter. Driving home, he said. “I feel as if I met a true sister of God.”
Nine months later Jim and Ruth visited Connie, a friend of theirs for several years.
Connie confessed that she’d been told she had ovarian cancer. “The doctor says it’s a tough case,” said Connie, “but I’m going to fight it. I won’t give up.” Jim clasped her hand. Then, after reaching into his pocket, he gently twined Mother Teresa’s rosary around her fingers. He told her the story and said, “Keep it with you Connie. It may help.”
Although Connie wasn’t Catholic, her hand closed willingly around the small plastic beads. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I hope I can return it.”
More than a year passed before Jim saw Connie again. This time her face was glowing, she hurried toward him and handed him the rosary. “I carried it with me all year,” she said. “I’ve had surgery and have been on chemotherapy, too. Last month, the doctors did second-look surgery, and the tumor’s gone. Completely!” Her eyes met Jim’s. “I knew it was time to give the rosary back.”
In the fall of 1987, Ruth’s sister, Liz, fell into a deep depression after her divorce. She asked Jim if she could borrow the rosary, and when he sent it, she hung it over her bedpost in a small velvet bag. “At night I held on to it, just physically held on. I was so lonely and afraid,” she says,”yet when I gripped that rosary, I felt as if I held a loving hand.”
Gradually, Liz pulled her life together, and she mailed the rosary back. “Someone else may need it,” she said.
Then one night in 1988, a stranger telephoned Ruth. She’d heard about the rosary from a neighbor and asked if she could borrow it to take to the hospital where her mother lay in a coma. The family hoped the rosary might help their mother die peacefully.
A few days later, the woman returned the beads. “The nurses told me a coma patient can still hear,” she said, “so I explained to my mother that I had Mother Teresa’s rosary and that when I gave it to her she could let go; it would be all rosary in her hand.
Right away, we saw her face relax. The lines smoothed out until she looked so peaceful, so young.” The woman’s voice caught. “A few minutes later she was gone.”
Fervently, she gripped Ruth’s hands. “Thank you.”
Statue of Mother Teresa in Mexico.
Is there special power in those humble beads? Or is the power of the human spirit simply renewed in each person who borrows the rosary? Jim only knows that requests continue to come, often unexpectedly. He always responds though, whenever he lends the rosary, “When you’re through needing it, send it back. Someone else may need it.”
Jim’s own life has changed, too, since his unexpected meeting on the airplane. When he realized Mother Teresa carries everything she owns in a small bag, he made an effort to simplify his own life. “I try to remember what really counts - not money or titles or possessions, but the way we love others,” he says.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY, MAY MOTHER MARY ASK HER SON JESUS TO SHOWER YOU WITH GRACES.
MAY GOD BLESS OUR REPUBLIC OF INDIA.
Every sacrifice has a fruitful reward. Every failure has a second chance. We only have to be strong through God’s grace and persevere in life’s many tests!
May GOD bless you always.
Always your friend,
-Krishna Kumar.S
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Dedicated to my parents
My father celebrated his birthday on December 31st. It was a silent day though, but I didn't give him any gifts. I dedicate all of my 4 blogs and articles to him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
-Krishna Kumar.S
-Krishna Kumar.S
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Madurantakam[01/01/2009]
1st January 2009.
First day of the year! I wanted to visit Madurantakam. The plan has been on hold since Christmas. I didn’t want to delay this trip any more. I had problems waking up early in the morning. I had the plan of going on December 31st, 2008-that’s my father’s birthday. But I couldn’t get up early.
I got up at 0500hrs. I boarded a bus to Saidapet. As I was at the ticket counter at Saidapet, WDP-4#20038 cruised through Saidapet at 0615hrs. It was an awesome sight. I love watching trains in action since childhood. I have shared my life’s best moments with them. I have shared my miseries with them. What am I going to give in return?
I boarded Tambaram bound EMU and got down at Guindy as my passenger train would halt only here and not in Saidapet. AJJ WAP-4#22696 came cruising with 2632 Nellai Express at 0630hrs. I could make out that all trains in this section were running at least 30 minutes late. Quickly, WDM-2#16787 came with 6102 Boat Mail and zoomed past me at 0650hrs. My passenger came with WAM-4#21232 and was on time. I boarded it and very soon I was passing through the suburbs. I stood at the door to enjoy the speed. WDM-3D#11213 was seen hauling Kanyakumari Express at Pallavaram around 0705hrs. We reached Tambaram on time. It was cold and breezy. I stood in the bay for sometime avoiding the door as I felt it was cold. WDP-3A#15501 was seen hauling 2694 Pearl City Express at 0743hrs.
My train reached Chengalpet on time. The Kolavai Lake appeared scenic in the dull weather. Now came the fun. I was in a dilemma whether to have breakfast in train or at a hotel in Madurantakam. I believed that my train would start soon and eating in train would be uncomfortable. After Chengalpet, there aren’t double tracks. Since all trains were running late, expresses coming from south were given preference and my train being an ordinary passenger wasn’t given preference. The WDM-2’s, WAM-4’s WAP-4’s brought various Egmore bound trains. I could see signs of frustrations amongst the passengers. Few even left the coach with an idea of boarding a bus.
After waiting for more than 40 minutes at Chengalpet, my train was given clearance and my WAM-4 pulled my train out of CGL. WAP-4#22218 was waiting in loop with 2641 Kanyakumari-Nizammuddin Tirukkural Express at a station called Ottivakkam. There was a 20 year old Rajasthan girl who was distributing pamphlets to everyone. I knew that she was collecting money. She was calm and good looking. She was wearing bangles, bracelets and a Rajastani type traditional dress. Generally I don’t encourage such things, but this was a different day. I read the pamphlet. It stated that she has lost her parents and she was struggling to make money in her present job. She was collecting money for her younger sister’s marriage and brother’s education. Generally, I don’t open my purse at public places fearing that I might be overpowered and snatched away. But I thought today I should help her. I think she was married as in the pamphlet it was said that she was fetching money for her younger sister’s marriage. She must be married as it is the elder sister’s right. I gave only Rs.10. But I observed something which I didn’t like. There were two sex maniacs sitting in the corner of the coach. Since she couldn’t understand Tamil, she couldn’t understand the abusive remarks they passed on her body. I was angry at my Lord Vishnu. Why does He punish people hard? Poor people continue to suffer and get discriminated while rich people continue to suppress the under-priveleged. That’s the reason why I have a soft corner for atheist nations like the USSR, even though I am a brahmin. I could only wish that USSR was non-idealistic and it existed. Given the present day scenario with the so called first world countries dominating over small countries, a nation like USSR is very much needed.
My train was doing moderate speed after Chengalpet. The scenery was awesome. I was amazed at the beauty of my land. There is a sharp contrast between cities and villages. These places were so silent that I felt so happy that I almost burst into tears. Awesome and excellent scenario. I know I am privileged and lucky to be born in this country. I am a rich and wealthy person. You know why? My land stretches across thousands of kilometers. I belong to it and it belongs to me. The goods news is that I share it with you. It’s our land!
I got down at Madurantakam and I waited at the station for some time. I knew that 6127 Guruvayur Express would be coming soon and would cross this station. WAP-4#22746came with 6127 and crossed me at 80kph+. After watching the train, I walked through the town for around 10 minutes to reach the Town Center.
I went to Nirmala Bhavan. I had one parotta and one dosai. The kara chutney was excellent. I suggest that it is more hygienic than the present day stuffs of Burgers, Pizza’s. The total bill was Rs.32. Take my word, you will like it. I walked to the temple and I was surprised to see the crowd. It took half an hour for me to see the Lord. As I started my way back to bus stand, I saw the spire of a church nearby it looked majestic and no wonder the holy cross stands tall. I boarded a through bus to CMBT. The ticket cost Rs.22.50.
The G.S.T road was awesome. Small mountain ranges, bridges, rivers added more to the beauty. I reached CMBT at 1430hrs. Then I boarded a Kalpakkam bus and got down at Madhya Kailas. I reached home at 1500hrs. My dog Damien was sleeping beneath my bicyle.
-Krishna Kumar.S
***** END OF TRIP REPORT*****
Since I have already visited Madurantakam twice, I didn't describe the temple nor talk about Madurantakam in this report. Please visit the links below to see more pictures, photos taken during my earlier visits.
First visit to Madurantakam
http://exploringmotherindia.blogspot.com/2008/09/visiting-madurantakam.html
Second visit to Madurantakam
http://exploringmotherindia.blogspot.com/2008/09/first-pic-of-day-wdp-3a15533-hauling.html
First day of the year! I wanted to visit Madurantakam. The plan has been on hold since Christmas. I didn’t want to delay this trip any more. I had problems waking up early in the morning. I had the plan of going on December 31st, 2008-that’s my father’s birthday. But I couldn’t get up early.
I got up at 0500hrs. I boarded a bus to Saidapet. As I was at the ticket counter at Saidapet, WDP-4#20038 cruised through Saidapet at 0615hrs. It was an awesome sight. I love watching trains in action since childhood. I have shared my life’s best moments with them. I have shared my miseries with them. What am I going to give in return?
I boarded Tambaram bound EMU and got down at Guindy as my passenger train would halt only here and not in Saidapet. AJJ WAP-4#22696 came cruising with 2632 Nellai Express at 0630hrs. I could make out that all trains in this section were running at least 30 minutes late. Quickly, WDM-2#16787 came with 6102 Boat Mail and zoomed past me at 0650hrs. My passenger came with WAM-4#21232 and was on time. I boarded it and very soon I was passing through the suburbs. I stood at the door to enjoy the speed. WDM-3D#11213 was seen hauling Kanyakumari Express at Pallavaram around 0705hrs. We reached Tambaram on time. It was cold and breezy. I stood in the bay for sometime avoiding the door as I felt it was cold. WDP-3A#15501 was seen hauling 2694 Pearl City Express at 0743hrs.
My train reached Chengalpet on time. The Kolavai Lake appeared scenic in the dull weather. Now came the fun. I was in a dilemma whether to have breakfast in train or at a hotel in Madurantakam. I believed that my train would start soon and eating in train would be uncomfortable. After Chengalpet, there aren’t double tracks. Since all trains were running late, expresses coming from south were given preference and my train being an ordinary passenger wasn’t given preference. The WDM-2’s, WAM-4’s WAP-4’s brought various Egmore bound trains. I could see signs of frustrations amongst the passengers. Few even left the coach with an idea of boarding a bus.
After waiting for more than 40 minutes at Chengalpet, my train was given clearance and my WAM-4 pulled my train out of CGL. WAP-4#22218 was waiting in loop with 2641 Kanyakumari-Nizammuddin Tirukkural Express at a station called Ottivakkam. There was a 20 year old Rajasthan girl who was distributing pamphlets to everyone. I knew that she was collecting money. She was calm and good looking. She was wearing bangles, bracelets and a Rajastani type traditional dress. Generally I don’t encourage such things, but this was a different day. I read the pamphlet. It stated that she has lost her parents and she was struggling to make money in her present job. She was collecting money for her younger sister’s marriage and brother’s education. Generally, I don’t open my purse at public places fearing that I might be overpowered and snatched away. But I thought today I should help her. I think she was married as in the pamphlet it was said that she was fetching money for her younger sister’s marriage. She must be married as it is the elder sister’s right. I gave only Rs.10. But I observed something which I didn’t like. There were two sex maniacs sitting in the corner of the coach. Since she couldn’t understand Tamil, she couldn’t understand the abusive remarks they passed on her body. I was angry at my Lord Vishnu. Why does He punish people hard? Poor people continue to suffer and get discriminated while rich people continue to suppress the under-priveleged. That’s the reason why I have a soft corner for atheist nations like the USSR, even though I am a brahmin. I could only wish that USSR was non-idealistic and it existed. Given the present day scenario with the so called first world countries dominating over small countries, a nation like USSR is very much needed.
My train was doing moderate speed after Chengalpet. The scenery was awesome. I was amazed at the beauty of my land. There is a sharp contrast between cities and villages. These places were so silent that I felt so happy that I almost burst into tears. Awesome and excellent scenario. I know I am privileged and lucky to be born in this country. I am a rich and wealthy person. You know why? My land stretches across thousands of kilometers. I belong to it and it belongs to me. The goods news is that I share it with you. It’s our land!
I got down at Madurantakam and I waited at the station for some time. I knew that 6127 Guruvayur Express would be coming soon and would cross this station. WAP-4#22746came with 6127 and crossed me at 80kph+. After watching the train, I walked through the town for around 10 minutes to reach the Town Center.
I went to Nirmala Bhavan. I had one parotta and one dosai. The kara chutney was excellent. I suggest that it is more hygienic than the present day stuffs of Burgers, Pizza’s. The total bill was Rs.32. Take my word, you will like it. I walked to the temple and I was surprised to see the crowd. It took half an hour for me to see the Lord. As I started my way back to bus stand, I saw the spire of a church nearby it looked majestic and no wonder the holy cross stands tall. I boarded a through bus to CMBT. The ticket cost Rs.22.50.
The G.S.T road was awesome. Small mountain ranges, bridges, rivers added more to the beauty. I reached CMBT at 1430hrs. Then I boarded a Kalpakkam bus and got down at Madhya Kailas. I reached home at 1500hrs. My dog Damien was sleeping beneath my bicyle.
-Krishna Kumar.S
***** END OF TRIP REPORT*****
Since I have already visited Madurantakam twice, I didn't describe the temple nor talk about Madurantakam in this report. Please visit the links below to see more pictures, photos taken during my earlier visits.
First visit to Madurantakam
http://exploringmotherindia.blogspot.com/2008/09/visiting-madurantakam.html
Second visit to Madurantakam
http://exploringmotherindia.blogspot.com/2008/09/first-pic-of-day-wdp-3a15533-hauling.html
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