northern lights

northern lights
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Friday 31 October 2014

Bringing out a book, my first effort!



  After my retirement I had  nothing to do. I just learnt how to use the computer. I started tinkering with the computer. One day my son told me,'Mom why don't you write about your experiences in a book?"  His words appealed to me and I started writing in right earnest. 
                                                             Those were the days! I was completely  absorbed in writing.
Nothing else caught my imagination. There was only one aim,one target and one ambition ! To write, write and write. Old leaves from my past started opening up!  One by one old incidents, old  happenings and old  experiences started flashing in my mind. Once I took a decision , nothing could retract me to change my mind. Little by little things started moving forward. There was no day, no night and no diversion. The path was clear and was welcoming me at each step. A  beginning was made. The end was sure to  happen. Now there was no morning, evening or night. Sometimes I would get up  at midnight and got engrossed in writing. I had never learnt typing, but now I was typing on the key board  with my fore finger. By typing continuously my finger  started paining. It was swollen.  Every one started dissuading me not to write. But nothing could stop me. I  started writing with the tip  of a ball pen. Lo! I succeeded!  It became a habit. Now I  can write  only with the tip of a  ball pen.
                                              The book  was completed in three months. The question of editing arose. My grand children  offered to edit ! Seeing their enthusiasm, I agreed. Along with them my youngest brother took up the task ! The next issue was  to get a foreword written. My husband said that it would be a great idea to request our grand children  to write  the foreword.
The children were more than happy to take up this responsibility. Another thing which is unique in this book is that in the index, chapters are named, but there is no page numbering. Tha aim is that the reader must read the whole book instead of selecting the page number from the index.
                                                  Selecting a name for my book  was the next problem. Every one,who knew that I was writing offered a title . Some one suggested' My Memoirs', some said,
'My Reminiscences'.Several titles were considered but rejected. A title suggested by my husband  was an instant hit. " Reverse Gear".  The title was immediately approved with an applause. Printing was not  a big issue. A friend of my husband  offered to print the book. 
I got many drawings for the cover page. The most  symbolic cover drawing, enhancing the  significance of the title,was chosen. 
The title of my book

                                                             

The book was printed.Being inexperienced there  are some printing errors,  which,  are  natural  in the case of a maiden book of a writer
  We held a small function at India Habitat Center, Lodi Road. Secretary (Edu), Delhi Govt released the book.  Some photographs of the function are  given below.



The Chief Guest, lighting  a lamp

Reverse Gear released.


A section of an audience

Address by the chief Guest
                                              
My ex colleagues                                     
I did not keep the book a priced publication, so it was distributed among  some close friends and family members. These days I am writing a sequel to Reverse Gear. I hope to complete  it within two months.






N

Thursday 30 October 2014

Haiku, "One of a Kind"

                                                                 

yellow rose                                                           


                                          A yellow rose
                               a rare sight, looks so bright
                                      one of a  kind
                             


                                                                                                                 



                                                                                                     

Cloudy Night Sky With Moon And...
                  A full moon
      So  cool, attractive and bright
                  One only  one.

                                                                 
Carpe Diem Ghost Writer #31, "One of a Kind"

pic courtesy google
   .











                                                                                                                   

Carpe Diem #11, "A Swallow"

swallow bird : Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, lying against white background Stock Photoswallow bird : Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, lying against white background Stock Photoswallow bird : Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, lying against white background Stock Photo

                                                            Little  John's  pastry
                                                       snatched the  flying swallow
                                                              left him  crying.



                                                            Flying wild swallow
                                                    Hordes of crawling ants crushed
                                                             in one swift attack.






 Written for  Carpe Diem "Little Creatures" #11, "A Swallow" by Issa
  pics google














A Departed Soul

                                                             
                                                           Mom's  no  more
                                                 vacant room, her body  scent 
                                                            keeps  her alive.




                                                             Be not distressed,
                                                        the loved ones  are around
                                                                To bless you.


Written  for Carpe Diem #593, "A Departed Soul" (July 2014) reprise
      

Tuesday 28 October 2014

Nights of summer

                                                                     
                                                                  Summer nights
                                                      he enters home,mom surprised
                                                             rain or perspiration!!!



                                                                  The stars the moon
                                                            woven carpet in the sky,
                                                                sparkling merrily.



                                                                  On a dark  night
                                                            summer heat unbearable
                                                                 swimming pool full.


                                                                 on  summer heat
                                                            nature,calm, foliage silent
                                                                mankind restless.


Written  for Carpe Diem # 592  Nights of Summer



                                                                

Monday 27 October 2014

Helpful

                                                         School for blind
                                                 Great service to blind children
                                                          help them settle.






                                                  Man's helpful nature
                                         brings him accolades, a plenty
                                                   be not arrogant!!




Written for Carpe Diem   # 591  Helpful
                                                               
                                                          

Sunday 26 October 2014

A common housewife

The job of a housewife is very tough. From morning to night there is always some thing to be done. If not physically, then mentally. All the twenty four hours, you are engrossed. If she is a working woman ,oh my,my my even twenty four hours are not sufficient to complete all the tasks  meticulously .About that we will discuss some other time. Today I will dwell on the travails and tribulations of "domestic working woman". there is neither any casual leave nor any service rules. She is a twenty four hour  emloyee' .
                                   Just have a peek into her working hours. She has to get up, when hubby is in the thick of some interesting dream, which  she will perforce be obliged to  listen and comment 'too', otherwise she will be blamed of not paying any attention to what dear hubby is talking.'Chalo chodho' why should  we bother what heroic deed the great man is narrating to the poor wife, who has to perforce listen to him and laugh( at least pretend to).Her thoughts are some where else. the children have to be woken up, their breakfast has to be prepared and packed in the tiffin box. They have to be given milk, which has to be boiled.If she interrupts, then she will have to hear another big lecture.
                        Thank god,the dreaming session is over. Hurriedly she does everything required for the children to leave for school. Till then , the lord and the master of the house is restlessly shrieking for the shaving kit, hot water and the news paper. Now, till he completes his shave and bath , she prepares his breakfast and packs his lunch box.While she is at her job, Husband dear is facing so many tough situations, which cannot be solved without her. Some day the shirt button is broken, another day his socks are missing, yet another day his purse and icard  are untraceable. She has to run from the kitchen to their room.  Finally he leaves. She hardly gets time to sit, when the maid arrives.
                                 While the maid is washing the vessels, she  has to collect the clothes from the bed room and the toilet and put them in the washing machine.She makes the beds and arranges the things. The children's room looks nothing less than a battle field. Every thing is topsy turvy.
                                   Suddenly she realises that she has not had any thing since morning. She tells the maid to prepare a cup of tea for her. By the time her bath for the day is over, its time for the children to come back from school.Again the chaos, removing school dress, throwing it in all the corners of the room, not coming to the dining table and shouting at their mother that same old boring vegetables are  made. In the afternoon, she wants to rest but children  have a different agenda. She has to help in their homework, solve their  mutual bickerings and what not.
                                  In the evening children run out to play  without keeping their books on the proper place. Hurriedly she makes some tea, and is off to her 'office'. Now starts the real dilemma! What to make.!! The biggest issue is what to cook!!! Actual cooking is not as much a problem as taking a decision, what to cook. On the dining table she is the one who is bombarded  from all sides. There is only one item for which everyone has unanimous  liking, that is Panir (cottage cheese)On no other dish there is unanimity. Every one has a different voice. Sometimes, she thinks that she should prepare and leave every thing on the table and go off to bed. No, she has to face this drama every single day at dinner time.
                                             What is your experience as a house wife> How do you resolve the issue of 'what to cook'?



Written  for Write Tribe Pro bloggers  Day 86
 Linked to Write Tribe Bloggers no1https://www.facebook.com/groups/1480944588853585/












From his room he 

Carpe Diem #589 Zentsu- ji



                                                      Zentsu-ji Temple (Carpe Diem)
                                                   
                                                        The pilgrim's delight
                                                    Once in a life time his visit
                                                         gets god's blessings.







Written for Carpe Diem # 589 Zentsu-ji











Written for Carpe Diem  # 589                                 

Saturday 25 October 2014

Kite


                                                          kite : CHA-AM - MARCH 10: Colorful kites in the 12th Thailand International Kite Festival on March 9, 2012 in Naresuan Camp, Cha-am, Thailand

                                                               Kites in the sky
                                                       young and old, love to fly
                                                               high up in the sky.

                                                        

                                                        
                                                       
                                                          A frightening kite
                                                fearful eyes, looking for food
                                                        surprises its prey.
                                                          



Written for Carpe Diem #  590 Kite







Sparkling Stars

Christmas Background Royalty Free Stock Images - 3551689                                                                                                                                    


                              Sparkling stars
                 show the way to  success to Jack
                         made him a star.

                                                     


                          Sparkling stars
                     with the cool bright moon
                          heavenly sky.





Sparkling Stars, written for Carpr Diem








                                                  

Friday 24 October 2014

Diwali came and went.

              For the last  so many days we were waiting for Diwali. So many preparations were going on . Every body was busy. Junk was removed from the house. Each corner of the house  gave a new look. Frantic preparations were going on. New dresses was bought for every one. Daily some friends or relatives came. We have a tradition that  on a Sunday preceding Diwali, all brothers and sisters assemble  in one house and exchange Diwali gifts. We have pot luck dinner.....One dish from every house. This way, there is lot of food, sweets, snacks and drinks. We have  many games, like Tambola,Dumb Shiraj and many more. Every body looks forward  to this family  get together.
                                      Children made Rangoli and decorated it with lights.Given below is a simple Rangoli made by her
                                         
 The lights in the balcony added to the ambience of the place. It looked colorful, yet  sober.A special Puja to worship Mata Lakshmi and Ganesha   was held. 
The Ganesha corner of  our house.
The festival came and has gone. The children have great fun. They play cards, have lots of chocolates,  cakes and goodies. They have already started waiting for next Diwali.





Written for Write Tribe Pro Bloggers Day 84.
pic from my mobile
















Thursday 23 October 2014

Carpe Diem Special # 113, "longing for someone"

waiting,wait,alone,apart,broken       

              Secretly  wait for you
      none  knows  my  pain and agony
            Ah,longing for you!!




\      Longing for someone
hidden in the folds of my heart
        When will you come!!



        So near to me
yet so far, come dear  fast
       longing for you.






Written for Carpe Diem Special # 113 "longing for someone".
Pic google












             

Budding young boys

About two weeks back I had written about my two granddaughters. Today I asked a few questions from my grandsons. Based on the answers that they gave in an informal te-tete between me and my grandsons, I am writing  about them.
(I may mention here that my daughter and son in law, both are doctors. The elder son, Tejas  has passed MBBS and is doing MD in Medicine. The younger son, Aditya is doing BA( HONS) in Economics.
My first question is for Tejas
I:” First of all you tell me whether I should address you as Tejas or Unni, because in family circles every body knows you as Unni, and it sounds very sweet.”
Unni:  I don’t mind being called  Unni.
I: How about  you Aditya?
Appan: You can call me Appan.
I:  Unni, if you look back, what do you remember about  your childhood.?
Unni:  I remember that Mom and Papa used to leave me with you. Nana used to take me and Rajita to the mountain park. We used to play there.
Appan: I remember our Dadi was with us. She loved me very much.
Both of them  studied in DPS .Both of them were very good students.
I:” Unni, you used to take part in quiz competitions. How you got interested in quiz?”
Unni:” I used to read lot of books. I was the President of the Quiz Society of the school”.
I: “Appan, I remember that you started playing guitar when you were in school?”
Appan:” I got interested in Guitar because I love music. I played guitar on the stage in some school and college functions”.
Appan with his guitar




Taken on 11th Feb.2014 on my daughter, Jyotsna and Dr. Suri's 25th wedding anniversay at India Habitat Centre,New Delhi.
Unni and Appan with parent,grand parents and cousin








I:” Unni , when and how you thought of becoming a Doctor?”
Unni: “You know, Nani, in our house, there was talk of medicines all the time. Even on the dining table medicines were discussed”.
Appan: “ I never liked to study  Biology. Becoming a Doctor was never  my option.”
After school, Unni was selected in the medical entrance exam. He joined AIIMS.
I: “Unni, you got 1st rank in the Delhi PMT . What were your feelings?”
Unni:” I was happy. It was my luck coupled with hard work, which resulted in 1st position”.
I:” Appan, which sports are you interested in?”
Appan: “ Nani, I love to play  foot ball.I used to play foot ball in school and now in college also I play  football”.
 Both brothers have completely different  tastes. Whereas Unni likes all non vegetarian food, Appan likes ice cream, cakes  and chocolates.They have travelled a lot with their parents, in India and abroad. I asked them which holiday did they enjoy the most.
Whereas Appan said that he liked the trip to Europe, China and Seol and Jaisalmer, with friends, Unni’s  favourite destinations were Europe, Korea and Goa, with his friends.
To a question that where do they visualise they would be after ten years. Unni replied that he feels that he would be still be reading medical books, as in this profession, new  changes are always  taking over. Appan’s reply was that he has  never thought of so much of  such a distant future.
My next question to them was,
“Being a Punjabi/Malyali boy how do you feel ?”
Unni replied,” Being a Punjabi as well as malyali boy, I feel like I have the best of both the worlds. The only regret is that I can't speak either language”.
Appan replied,” I love being a Malyali/ Punjabi boy, a unique combination.”
Unni loves to read Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Appan has no particular  choice. He can read any thing which appeals to him.
I:Yesterday was your Convocation.Prime Minister was the chief guest.You have crossed a major milestone.congrats.

Unni with his parents
Congrats Unni
Now, one last question,” What message will you like to give to your grand parents?”


Unni’s reply,” : You were my earliest friends and mentors. Still I owe everything I learn to what you taught me when I was little. I wish I could spend more time with you and listen to all your stories. Love you nana and nani. :)”
Appan said,” : You are the best grandparents. I have learnt a lot from you. Love you always.”
Both of them are very humble, soft spoken,deeply religious and obedient and not like boys who are spoilt  brats.\



Written for Write Tribe Pro Bloggers  Day 83


































Wednesday 22 October 2014

Don't harm anyone.

There was a farmer. He was a very noble, god fearing and an honest  man. He had no children. He prayed sincerely for a child. His prayer was heard and God gave him a sweet little baby girl. The girl was the apple of the eyes of the farmer and his wife. As she grew up, she was an epitome of beauty, very knowledgeable and kind hearted. The farmer always thanked God for giving him this precious gift. The farmer worked hard , gave her very good education and even sent her to the city for higher education.
                        One night when the daughter was in deep sleep, the farmer noticed a big serpent  sitting under her bed. He was flabbergasted. He did not know how to drive away the serpent. He was afraid  that the serpent would bite his daughter. He became panic stricken and killed the snake.  He took a sigh of relief. But God ordained some thing else. The girl fell ill and died.  Out of shock the the farmer also met his end.
                                            When the farmer reached the other world, he went to God and asked  Him,why his daughter  died so young. Even God was surprised to see him. He sent His angel to  bring the farmer's register. God checked the register and found that the farmer had done all good deeds. His only fault  was that he had mercilessly  killed the snake.We must not be cruel to any one who has not  harmed us.


Written for Write Tribe Pro Bloggers Day82.

Garry Gay on "thinking out of the box or misdirection"


\credit;Indian Summer Quebec,Canada


      Where to go
bottom and  top look alike
      how to come!




Written for Carpe Diem # 30 Garry Gay on 'thinking out of the box or misdirection'

, River Stones


                                                       River pebbles
                                            caressed by flowing water
                                                    pale moon shines                Becca Givens



                                                  River stones all stunned
                                              shadow of moon in the water.

\Written  for Carpe Diem # 586 River Stones

Tuesday 21 October 2014

Valley Stream


Gurggling valley   stream
Brings joy to the heart of mother earth
Silenzio

Shrubs trees bend to touch her
Moves on leaving behind multitudes.



Written for Carpe Diem, 'Time Glass'   # 7 Valley Stream.
pic Maui Hawaii





Sacred Earth

                                                                 

                                                            Strong is Sacred  Earth
                                                     quietly she suffers  pain and affliction
                                                             No trace of sadness.


Written for Carpe Diem #  587  Sacred Earth

Dhan Teras

Today is Dhan Teras, a festival , which is celebrated two days before Diwali.  Dhan means wealth and Teras means thirteen. Dhan Teras festival falls on the thirteenth day of  the month of  Kartik,  Lakshmi - the Goddess of wealth - is worshipped to provide prosperity and well being  of the family. In the evening, the lamp is lit and Dhan-Lakshmi is welcomed into the house. Alpana or Rangoli designs are drawn on pathways including the goddess' footprints to mark the arrival of Lakshmi. Aartis or devotional hymns are sung in praise of  Goddess Lakshmi and sweets and fruits are offered to her. People flock to the jewelers and buy gold or silver jewelry or utensils to venerate the occasion of Dhan Teras. Many wear new clothes and wear jewelry as they light the first lamp of Diwali.
                                        An ancient legend ascribes the occasion to an interesting story about the 16 year old son of King Hima. His horoscope predicted his death by snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that particular day, his newly-wed wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid out all her ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a heap at the entrance of the sleeping chamber and lit lamps all over the place. Then she narrated stories and sang songs to keep her husband from falling asleep. The next day, when Yama, the god of Death, arrived at the prince’s doorstep in the guise of a Serpent, his eyes were dazzled and blinded by the brilliance of the lamps and the jewelry. Yama could not enter the Prince's chamber, so he climbed on top of the heap of gold coins and sat there the entire night listening to the stories and songs. In the morning, he silently went away. Thus, the young prince was saved from the clutches of death by the cleverness of his new bride, and the day came to be celebrated as Dhan Teras
                                                On this day people flock to the shops of jewelers and vessels. It is believed that at least  one  utensil has to be bought , which is laid on the feet of Mata Lakshmi.Shown here are the shops decorated to  attract people  to purchase  for Dhan Teras and Diwali.


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Rangoli is made in bright colors at the entrance of the house to welcome the Goddess,Some designs are given below to depict colorful Rangolis


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There is all round enthusiasm duing this festival, which  goes on upto Bhai Duj/


Written for Write Tribe  Pro Blogger day  81