“Ideas are beginning of all fortunes”, said Napoleon Hill. Ideas are born when an individual is full of and blessed with positivity and receptivity.
J.K. Rowling conceived the idea of Harry Potter while becoming delayed on a train travelling from Manchester to London King’s Cross in 1990. Idea flashed in her mind, and she, then and there started giving words to her thoughts. Her flight of imagination pushed her in action and she kept writing incessantly. She continued to develop this idea and over the next five years she penned down the seven books of this series. Her first book (Harry Potter And the Philosopher’s Stone) was published in 1997 and became a best seller worldwide.
Chief Minister of a state in north India had his flagship program ” Chief Minister Cycle scheme for Girls,2010, Bihar”, which brought great qualitative change in the lives of school going girls by wielding them with sense of security and self dependence. The program was a big success and brought laurels to the then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The idea of this program, he mentions, got at a Patna district administration function, where he had to distribute cycles to the children of deprived classes. He explains how he had seen the delightful beaming face of the child, while receiving the key. This hit him deeply and idea of this program started taking roots in his soul and mind.
Yes, idea is the nuclei around which edifice of plan of action develops. Once when asked by an interviewer, if she had been lucky?, J.K. Rowling replied, “ideas coming across my mind was perhaps a matter of luck.”
So, where lie the ideas?
Ideas form or synthesize in humans, when the zeal and determination to address an issue flares up. Humour, courage, enterprise, objectivity, honesty, prodigious industry, and skills ( physical or intellectual) are key attributes of humans. These attributes are present in varying proportion in each individual. And the matrix of these attributes decides the kind and type of idea generating inside a person.
If we remain awakened and receptive to our surrounding and, happenings in day to day life, and if we remain alive to our needs and available opportunities, there must come a point of intersection where an idea of possible success may germinate in you.
Yes, adversities may rain ideas!
Adversity introduces a man to himself. It may not make a man rich but ofcourse, it makes him wise by suggesting ideas that suit him. Adversities bring forth such ideas that drives an individual to do things that create history.
Dashrath Manjhi (of Mountain Man fame), of Gaya district in Bihar (India), slit a hill in to two, and created a passage (110 meter long,9.1 meter wide and 7.7meter deep!) in between, manually, only with the help of hammer and chisel. The idea happened to him when he lost his wife due to not getting timely treatment because the nearest town with a doctor was 55 km away. By carving out path through the hill, he had made his village accessible to the town by reducing the distance to 15km. The impossible was done!
Numerous such examples abound history when discrimination, exploitation, handicaps triggered ideas, which when acted upon passionately, yielded results.
Ideas are not slave to anyone!
Also, ideas are not private property or slave to any one. Same idea may occur to other person’s mind as well. So if you don’t act on them, some other person may translate that on the ground. It has been said truly, “Good ideas are common – what is uncommon are people who will work hard enough to bring them about.”
Why today I feel inclined to write about ‘a sip of tea’ is something that is yet unknown to me. But I certainly feel that writing about it, in itself, would be a journey for this quest.
A Sip of Lemon Tea.
Refreshing Lemon Tea.
Many a times, when it feels monotonous with prolonged work schedule or while going through a deep contemplation over a topic, or even while leisurely walking through my roof top garden, the urge to take a sip of lemon tea sets in me. Though I take milk tea when sitting together with family members, specially with mother; but when alone, I prefer lemon tea.
I still remember the days of year’2004 in Delhi, when one evening I heard the announcement of a radio jockey on a FM radio channel; who was saying, “Hello Delhi, I have just had this refreshing cup of Lemon tea, and that the evening sky is all set to pour, here is this number for you to make your evening even more moist and romantic. Enjoy”. And plays a rain song.
Thus it is quite common to see persons finding satisfaction and calm in having tea. Lemon tea for me is not just a beverage. To me it is microcosm of something enormous. This feel in me for lemon tea, emanates from my subconscious, which is very much permeable to the beauty and blessings of nature.
Presence of lemon juice in lemon tea reminds me of lemon in aggregate. Its refreshingly tangy smell is so captivating. Also it enhances the flavour and adds aroma to many dishes and drinks. Transparent orange coloured lemon tea when served in white porcelain cups or in transparent sparkling glass tumblers; looks so heavenly and super enticing!
Tea Farms And Their History.
Tea gardens of Darjeeling.
The dried tea leaves which is the main base of any tea come from tea shrubs, now grown on tea farms. Farming of tree at mass level dates back to colonial era. It was outcome of convergence of nature, human labour, technology and capital.
In the early 1820s, the British East India Company began large scale production of tea in Assam(India),of a tree variety traditionally brewed by the Singpho tribe. In 1837 the first English tea garden was established at Chabua in Upper Assam. Darjeeling tea is another famous variety of tea.
Mountain slopes of warm humid tropical climate have luxurious growth of tea shrubs. Vast stretches of well pruned tea gardens, with small processing unit in a corner, beautiful sinuous roads in between, and group of women dexterously picking tea leaves…it is a completely different world! Leaves from this surreal world, would certainly have the magic that you feel in every sip from your tea cup.
Tea is brewed by pouring boiling water over the dried tea leaves and letting them soaked for couple of minutes. The tea is then strained, sweetened if desired, and served. Many brands produce herbal tea bags for such infusion.
Tea Ceremonies in Japan.
Medicinal benefits apart, ancient societies of Japan have found meditational values in tea making. They observe a ceremony called “Chanoyu” meaning “way of tea”.
Though it is a more sophisticated ritual, the important thing is that when the tea is served, you allow time to still, putting daily worries, criticisms and complaints out of your mind. And the participants should appreciate that the time they will spend drinking tea, is extraordinary and will never happen again.
Tea Culture In India and South Asia.
Tea stalls in India.
In India, and also in neighbouring countries, tea is served as welcome drink along with snacks. A combination of additives are added in tea to make it special in a desired way. Such combination of additives may be like – with lemon, with milk, with milk and cardamom, with milk and ginger, with clove, and the list may go on.
A good deal of aesthetics is involved in deciding the silhouette and colour of the teacups and teapots. However in many teashops in India, it is served in crude unglazed baked clay teacups locally called “kulhads”. When tea is served in these “kulhads”, aroma of earth also gets infused in it giving it a distinct flavour. This tea is very much popular in India.
When the tea seller gracefully pours the tea into clay teacups from a height, the creamy froth gets accumulated at the top. And this gives a head start and sets the mood upbeat to relish your tea.
Rediscover Yourself With Sip of Tea.
“Ichigo Ichie” by H. Garcia and E. Miralles
While reading this book named “Ichigo Ichie” by H. Garcia and E. Miralles, my eyes are tucked on a line which says, “It is a great idea to have regular tea with yourself.”
Of course, while taking sip of tea, it feels like having an opportunity to have a date with ourselves, keeping the distractions of worries, criticisms, complaints, competitions out of the mind, and there is only you, your time and your cup of tea!
And this meditative session with sips of tea may throw open the basketful of tiny pleasures, you have never noticed.
This very common saying, like you, I have also come across many times.
Friends and people around you act like mirrors for you. In their eyes you can see what kind of image you are flashing for yourself. What do they think of you.
Friends relative and people around me during my early adulthood had impression about me that I am less open, less talkative, reticent person. As the years rolled by, that impression about me changed for positive due to my conscious effort. But the question worth rethink, remains. “Are we result of what do we think?” You may not believe but the answer is yes, most of the times.
So if you are less gregarious or reticent, then that may be the result of your following thought processes which have turned unknowingly in to your nature and behavior –
You might be underestimating yourself.
You might be suffering from inferiority complex.
Intense feeling of inadequacy and insecurity.
Respect yourself.
To make your social life better, it is important to appreciate yourself and attach importance to yourself. Repose trust in the fact that you have many such valuable things which you can share with this world. It is you only who has to understand what you are. And you don’t need to prove it before some other person.
Learn To Appreciate Yourself.
Every morning when you wake up in the bed, think about those things and incidents which bring peace and pleasure to you. Then set the schedule for the day’s work you have to take. Right from morning walk, Yoga schedule, morning prayer to taking care of sticking to meal hours, remembering important phone calls to make, and like.
Feel the pleasure and satisfaction of accomplishing your work and meeting the deadlines. Do pat your back yourself in appreciation of any hard work done by you, and celebrate it irrespective of size of scale. Physically a celebration may look big or small, but its effect on your mental world is same. Even a grand size party may not stretch your smile beyond the two ears!
Just feel the satisfaction you have created for yourself by paying the children’s school fees on time, by payment of energy bills on time, by payment of premiums of various insurance policies on time, and allocating finance for some major building repair work to be taken in future. Just feel how organised you have become in your life. And all this has been made possible by you only! Just Chill ! You are marvelous!
Be With People Who Think Positive.
Surround yourself with people of positive attitude. These people will never let you feel low even when in times of bad results. Some people are very enthusiastic and their confidence is just contagious. Look for such people and strive to connect with these people.
Cultivate Good Communication Skill.
It is through the use of proper words, said with right tone, and that too well timed, that you can find place in listener’s heart soul and mind. This practice will help lift your confidence and improve your image in society. Reading good motivational books and biographies of renowned persons helps in a big way.
Increase Your Level Of Socialisation.
You should start interacting with people with full warmth. Taking part in social activities brings such opportunities in plenty. Do your best in owning and shouldering the social responsibilities. This will help you create more hands and contacts for you.
Increased social activities will help you feel more strong, more vocal, more resourceful and you will feel brimming with confidence.
Agree?
Then dream for good, and good things will pour in!
The Diwali or Deepawali, literally means row of (earthen) lamps. It is hallmark festival of Hindu culture in India. It signifies victory of light over darkness, good over evil.
This darkness has many levels : philosophical, spiritual, personal, social, national, global. Messages of Diwali, since eternity, have been proved successful in protecting and rescuing mankind from unfathomable darkness of life and society of all times.
Diwali Rangoli.
Calender for Diwali 2023.
Diwali is a mega festival of Indian subcontinent, which goes for five days. Each day has special religious importance. Let us see what are important dates this year in 2023.
10th October: Dhanteras
11th October: Narak Chaturdashi
12th October: Diwali
14October: Govardhan Puja
15th October: Bhaiduj
The festival begins with Dhanteras. It is believed that buying jewellery on on this day is auspicious. On this day we also celebrate Jayanti ( birthday) of Dhanwantari, the God of Ayurveda.
On Narak chaturdashi day, families light 14 earthen lamps to ward off the evil.
On third day, which is Amawasya day of krishna paksh of Kartik month, Diwali is celebrated. Goddess Laxmi ( Hindu Goddess of prosperity ), is worshipped on this day. On this day 21 earthen lamps are lit.
On 4th day of this festive season Govardhan puja is observed to honour the Lord Krishna, who in mythical tales, had saved people of Vrindavan from torrential rains by lifting Govardhan hill on His finger.
The celebration draws to completion with observing Bhaiduj festival which is related to brothers and sisters.
The Diwali Day.
The chief event which attracts much attention is Laxmi puja( worship of Goddess Laxmi). Laxmi is Goddess of prosperity, and consort of Lord Vishnu (The protector and sustainer God). Thus people look towards Goddess Laxmi for her blessings to get rid of misery of their lives and to fulfil their desire to live a prosperous life. May Diwali 2023 bring a lot of fortunes and opportunities for economic progress of the world.
Goddess Laxmi and her 8 benevolent forms (Ashta Laxmi )
Laxmi And Ganesh.
As Prosperity is seen in many forms, so Goddess Laxmi too has following 8 different forms to bestow specific wealth on her devotees.
Aadya Laxmi: Symbolic of her primordial existence.
Dhana Laxmi: Related to monetary prosperity.
Dhanya Laxmi: Related to food grains prosperity.
Gaj Laxmi: Related to animal wealth (elephants) and royalty.
Santaan Laxmi: Related to blessings of progeny.
Dhairya Laxmi: Related to wielding the characteristics of bravery and courage.
Vijaya Laxmi: Related to blessings of victory.
Vidya Laxmi: Related to blessings of knowledge and wisdom.
On Diwali day, Goddess Laxmi is believed to visit her devotees along with Sri Ganesha ( The remover of obstacles to the fulfilment of desires), Her spouse Lord Vishnu, Her clan ( Kali, Parvati, Saraswati ), followed by planets and constellations.
Of Her four hands, one displays Abhay Mudra ( Fingers held upward with palm facing outward), which is gesture of fearlessness. Another hand is in Varda Mudra ( fingers pointed downwards and palm facing outward ) which is a gesture of offering boons. Lotus in another hand symbolises enlightenment and righteousness. Flag in another hand suggests surrender to the divine.
In order to strengthen the prosperity, the devotee needs to get the blessings of Lord Ganesh ( God of wisdom and remover of obstacles) and Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge). The meaning implicit here is that without support of knowledge and wisdom, prosperity can not be well founded and long lasting.
Money earned from corrupt and unethical practice has been termed Alaxmi ( i.e. Non Laxmi) in Sanatan Hindu culture. And this Alaxmi brings devastation to its owners.
We hope Diwali 2023, will bring a lot of blessings from Goddess Laxmi to Her devotees. We also expect from the devotees of Diwali 2023 to internalise the eternal meanings and messages of Diwali.
Celebrations (Diwali 2023).
People celebrate Diwali with grandeur and enthusiasm. People plan in much advance for the budget and scale of their celebration, which essentially includes cleaning and painting of house. Along with cleaning, decluttering of waste and garbage heaped over the year is also essential part. Letting the garbage lying in any corner of house amounts to hamper the positive energy of the place.
On Dhanteras day markets flourish and perform robust as there is bumper sales due to huge purchasing of cloths, jewellery, utensils, vehicles, sweets, dry fruits and gifts. People with great love buy earthen lamps and traditional gift items. Family members wear traditional attires on Diwali day. Ladies of houses make lovely Rangolis and decorate the doors with traditional art. Children bubble with joy and have a lot of fun and learn and participate in many domestic tasks. People greet each other, exchange gifts and sweets and burst crackers. Atmosphere becomes fully charged with passion and enthusiasm. Life after Diwali, needs resetting our food habits back to normal in a healthy way.
Diwali not only illuminates houses but hearts as well.
Diwali 2023: Messages and Lessons.
Legacy of darkness of social inequalities, economic disparity and incidence of poverty among vulnerable groups prevails as ever. Darkness of year 2023 is even more horrible due to many regional conflicts, aggression and war around the globe. Russia Ukraine war and Attack on Israel by Hamas are great concern to humanity. Wealth created by terror and cruelty can not be stable. War is never a solution. Territorial integrity must be respected. May enlightenment prevail to the world as a whole..
The whole world may be a better place to live when we believe in love and inclusiveness. There should be radiance of Diwali in our head and hearts. Also, we should not close our eyes to bad intentions intriguing against our nations.
This Diwali, while collecting waste plastic used over the year at home, I got hurt to realise how this waste plastic has turned our sacred rivers in to “Highways of Plastic Flows.” It also dawned upon me that by reducing our needs we can reduce our share of “Carbon Foot Print.”
We must internalise the lesson of social cohesion imparted by this great festival. We must promote the products made by local artisans. By doing so we can support a business, and a family. This is a great unifying festival which reminds us that it is the row of lamps (Deepawali) that is worth celebrating , and not leaving any Diya (earthen lamp) in isolation.
Om Maha Lakshmyaye Namah. Happy Diwali All Of You.
Is this the time to become eco conscious in our day to day life? I remember the time when I was preparing for competitive examinations during the late 90s. Talks about adoption of Kyoto Protocol in 1997, were a sensation in academia and geo politics. Fatal long term impacts of climatic change were being widely covered in media. But the question of becoming eco conscious in day to day life immediately, hadn’t become a subject of common parlance that time.
Time races. It is now year 2023. I am also now fathering a son who studies in class ten. And eco consciousness as an issue, is very much in, in our lives now.
The cautions, apprehensions and the threats related to the vulnerability of climate, have walked out of the documents, and now stand real and formidable.
Story of Buying A Pen, With Eco Conscious Bargain.
With mobile phone tucked between my neck and shoulder, I was desperately looking for a pen from shelf to shelf, study tables, drawers, and every other place in my home, because someone on the other side of phone, was waiting to dictate me something.
It was a coincidence that my own pen had run out of its ink a day before, and of course my son was in his school with his pen. Very obviously, there had to be some spare pen in the house but this also was not in place.
I was surprised to see that with passage of time scores of exhausted pens had gathered in our house. And it felt so irritating.
And this had happened because of the exhaustion of the refills. The whole undegradable plastic body of pen goes useless, if its refill gets empty. This is simply because buying a refill for a ball pen, has almost the same cost as buying a new ball pen!
This objectionable model of business has earned a ridiculous nomenclature – “Use And Throw.” But no one bothers about where to throw?
Are this Earth and its atmosphere meant for absorbing our ever mounting undegradable garbage?
In the evening, again, I and my son went to market to buy new ball pens.
My son had kept few of the old spent ball pens with him in the anticipation of finding suitable refills for them. But to our utter dismay, the shopkeeper expressed inability to cater to our demand and we again had to buy the new ones.
We tried our best of bargain, and ended up with buying those ball pens which claimed to write a longer length. At least this will reduce the numbers of discarded undegradable plastic pen bodies.
Though my son has liking of pens that have fancy look and attractive colours , he made a compromise in greater interest of our environment, and made choice for those mentioned above.
Thus being eco conscious by sacrificing our fondness for environment degrading products and pursuits; and promoting ecofriendly lifestyle has become urgent for survival of this planet and mankind.
What Does It mean To Become Eco Conscious?
Becoming eco conscious or ecologically conscious involve the following:
Consciousness For Taking Notice About The Way of Manufacturing.
We must consider whether some ecologically unsound processes or practices are involved at any stage of manufacturing a product, which we are going to support and buy. We should stay away from any such product with proven bad impacts on ecology.
However if such a product is indispensable then, we should make least use of it, as far possible.
Note that, high energy consuming, or, high water consuming products, badly impact our environment.
Support Local Produce.
Local produces reach you with least or no shipment costs. This means least or no fossil fuel has been used in their transportation to the consumers and have less carbon footprint.
Preferring local fruits over the transported ones is one such example. Apart from their high freshness and nourishment index, they are ecofriendly as well. They don’t involve harmful preservatives, insecticides, and in many cases, use of undegradable packaging materials.
Think Twice Before Throwing Any Waste Material, Directly In To The Environment.
Before discarding or throwing any waste material in the environment, think carefully about its biodegradability.
Biodegradable waste can easily get absorbed in the environment and become part of natural cycle. But unbiodegradable wastes are not.
Hence non biodegradable materials shouldn’t be disposed off directly on open earth surface, rivers, streams, ponds, beaches, sewage, forests, or in your neighborhood. It chokes the liveliness of our planet.
Packaging materials, plastic bags and containers, if not brought in to reuse by recycling, and thrown carelessly in to the environment; they block our ecosystem like bad cholesterol blocks our arteries.
Make it a aim, to segregate your garbage and then follow the proper norms of their disposal.
We can organise seminars, speech competition for children to make them a eco conscious citizen.
Consider The Act of Polluting As Sin.
We need to grow sensible and eco conscious towards nature. We will have to visualize our nature as a person, who like a mother, nurtures us. And that this is a sheer sin on our part, to her, if we abuse her by injecting pollutants in to her body.
We will have to take notice how in our daily life we are poisoning the nature:
We use plastic tooth brushes, plastic bottles, plastic containers, which when worn, are often thrown in the environment.
Continuously changing trends in fashion often captivates our mind. Powerful advertisements seduce us in to becoming a consumerist society, which exploits resources at a much faster rate. As a result, a typical fashion conscious person may gather 10 to 12 pair of shoes, belts and spectacles along with huge number of cloths and variety of perfumes. Most of these articles have polluting effect on nature and environment. People buy them, use them and dispose them at sheer disadvantage to the environment.
Ignorant and ill informed farmers also contribute to the environment degradation by irrational use of chemical fertilisers and excessive irrigation.
If we become emotionally committed towards well being of nature and environment; we may develop ethical attitude towards disposal of manufactured goods.
Make An Assessment of Your Contribution In Damaging The Environment.
This we can do if we resolve to become a eco conscious person.
We can easily assess our own contribution in degrading the environment by taking stock of the garbage that our kitchen, our wardrobe, our bathrooms, our study and our garage produce.
Also we should analyse how much unnecessary articles we have shopped only to satisfy our urge to show off in our social circle.
Steps To Become Eco Conscious.
Efforts however small; if adopted by every member of society, may bring enormous change and can alter the already grave situation of environment crisis.
Steps that can help in generating the attitude of eco consciousness in us, may include:
Learning the art of simple living.
Eco Conscious shopping.
Use of cash, instead of card, may arrest the desire of extravagant spending.
Being Vocal For Local, i.e. buying local produce.
Assuring judicious consumption of resources.
Adopting the culture of second hand buying and reconditioning(furniture, books).
Promote composting of waste food.
Promoting the use of jute or cotton carry bags.
Promoting the use of traditional home made cosmetics, which are far better in performance as well as in nourishing properties.
Growing vegetables on our own.
Use of clean and green energy.
Practice of Yoga and meditation, which makes us prudent and genuine.
Autumn season in India is synonymous with “Hemant Ritu.” The presence of Autumn season in India remains for almost two months- September and October. It is a period of transition from rainy season to the winter.
In this season hot and humid weather of rainy season starts disappearing (Retreat of Monsoon), temperature slides down, and trees and forests change their look in a way – special to this part of world.
It is greatly exhilarating to write about the Autumn season in India and how it descended around me this year – in my garden, in the countryside and in my heart.
Those First, Night Blooming Jasmine Flowers of Autumn.
Cleanliness has its own aura.
Just a few days back in early September I had hired a labourer to clean my garden and give it a facelift. The garden had turned shabby due to haphazard growth of weeds and opportunist shrubs during the last spell of rains.
This monsoon we had a deficit rainfall but still there was no deficit of unwanted growths in our garden. It took whole of the day to make it clean but still pruning of rose shrubs remained incomplete. This I will have to do myself in the coming weekend.
unpruned rose shrubs.
Anyway the garden is now clean and weedless. Next morning I couldn’t resist to have a walk inside it to enjoy its trimmed look and charm, to feel the earth, air and the freshness of this micro ecological unit!
The weed free garden looked so inviting from a distance. I had just only opened the small gate of its fence to enter it, that I spotted new guests in the garden. My goodness! White tiny beautiful Harsingar flowers(Night Blooming Jasmines)!
Then suddenly my eyes caught view of morning sun beam piercing through the foliage above and kissing the garden bed at slant angles.
All climatological indicators were echoing, ” Here comes the Autumn….Here comes the Autumn.” I welcomed these flowers and the new season by taking their pictures in my mobile phone camera and with an heart that was brimming with joy and excitement.
First Night Blooming Jasmine Flowers of Autumn.
I came running inside my house to announce it to the family members that first Harsingar flowers (Night Blooming Jasmines) have blossomed in our garden!
Night Blooming Jasmine with Its Lovely Orange Stalk.
Everyone was in the awe of noticing the season’s first arrival of these cute white Jasmines which looked so beautiful with their orange hued stalk. The sweet fragrance of these nascent flowers was diffusing into the characteristic morning chill of the Autumn.
Autumn has elements of all Seasons.
A famous Japanese proverb says, “A woman’s feelings and the autumn weather are as fickle as each other.”
Yes, to some extent I also feel likewise about autumn the way it expresses itself in my vicinity or, in my geographical region. Sometimes it is really hot during parts of the day, but mornings and nights have a kind of chill which gives wintry feel and thrill.
This is the season when retreat of monsoon is underway. Scattered big white clouds against deep blue sky, look as if giant sized white ships were navigating a deep blue ocean.
Autumn Season In India.
And when the sun rays get trapped in these clouds, they cast an aura of diffused light under which all the trees and greenery around us just look pristine and heavenly. The variation in shades of daylight is just amazing and can leave anyone spellbound.
Chill of mid-autumn is very instrumental in stimulating many biological functions in seeds, plants and trees. Continuously receding temperature and chill of the night, assign distinct smell and flavour to the fruits and vegetables.
When autumn advances further with time, petals of roses grow in size and thickness, and feel more velvety when you touch them.
A Morning of The Autumn In The Outskirts.
Our township is situated in the flood plains of river Kosi which emanates from near the Mount Everest in Himalayas.
One morning, in this autumn, we planned to have a trip to the outskirts, which we often do, to spend our time solitarily in the lap of nature. But our plan for this trip extended a bit further towards the river embankment of river Kosi.
Himalayan rivers, often during autumn return back to their original bed limits and vacate the flood plains to be reclaimed again by the farmers. Farmers have robust food crops and vegetables on them.
Swampy tracts of these regions are dotted with numerous shallow waterbodies in which flourishes the magnificent aquatic life.
The most prized thing here, in this autumn morning, was the spectacular view of colony of blooming Lotuses with their long stalks and beautiful petals. The pristine beauty of lotus instantly captivated me. Its aura of purity and grace was spreading all over.
Lotus flowers have their last blooming in Autumn.
For them(the Lotuses), this is the last blooming of the year. Because with the onset of winter, they will die, and their seeds will lie dormant in the mud below, to wake up again to life in the April, next year!
The famous Hindu festival Durga Puja takes place in autumn. Night Blooming Jasmines and Lotuses both are favourite and dear to the Goddess. Both these flowers are offered to Goddess Durga with great reverence. And both these flowers have special connection with Autumn – the eternal connection of arrival and of departure!… And also the connection with Goddess Durga!
Is there anything between the lines, for you there, reading this post ?
Autumn Season Signifies the Eternity of Transition!
I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Autumn season, which created in me a deeper sense to understand the beautiful emotions that a phase of transition (like Autumn) can create.
Transition of seasons, transition of daylight, transition of food, flavour and aroma, transition of dress and fashion, transition of colours, transition of age and understanding – all these makes a person thrilled about the next and forthcoming; and at the same time, makes him or her nostalgic about the previous and passing.
It happens to many of us that knowingly or unknowingly, we begin to under prioritize ourselves. We start giving preference to the needs of others , and begin to put our own needs at second place. And when we consistently do this over time, we suffer and so do they, who need us.
So in broader context, it is necessary to remind ourselves that this existence of’ ‘myself’, also needs to be pampered, valued and cared.
A person may become valuable to others, if only, he takes care of himself in entirety. Taking care in entirety, means being assertive about one’s likes and dislikes, one’s health and fitness, one’s career, one’s hobby, one’s passion etc.
Being too much conscious about what others think of you , will gradually reduce you in a second version of real, original you. And this is totally undesirable situation.
Be Yourself And Respect Your Traits.
Every person is a unique combination of its personal traits.
Someone is physically more capable and likes to enjoy field job. Some other is a bookworm and likes to spend hours in reading books. Some other has leadership qualities and is interested in social work.
Any person may become successful in his profession, only when demands of his profession are in tune with his inherent traits.
And again for that matter, as a parent, you should be watchful to observe whether you have handed out your child a recipe for which he is not the right cook? Parents shouldn’t pressurise their children to exactly replicate some other person. This will crush their individuality. Rather parents should recognise the inherent talent in their children, and suggest them how their inherent talent can be best employed in choosing their career.
Be yourself means Assert Your Individuality.
How can you expect a ring to remain stable like a cube? Nor can you expect a cube to roll like a ring. Both have special and beautiful geometry. And non can replace another in terms of features and utility.
That means, you can shine brightest when you work as “true you.” R.W.Emerson has rightly said, “to be yourself in world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
Learn The Art of Saying ‘No’.
‘Always at your care’ type life produces a sulked, suppressed and shrunk personality. Just learn the art of saying ‘No’ in life and take care for your personal dreams and hopes. Adopt ‘positive selfishness’ to have time and moments exclusive to you.
To Err Is Human.
Putting all your energy in not letting any mistake happen – is not feasible. By doing so you disconnect yourself from the adventures of new ways and routes.
Learn from your mistake and move ahead. Never feel upset in case of some material loss. Just keep your head high, keep your chin up and keep smiling.
You are a human being. Never try to act ‘Mr. Right’ all the time. This will dangerously desiccate the sap of your internal inspirations. Remember, our development is essentially attached with acceptance of our assets as well as our drawbacks.
Hence, be yourself, appreciate yourself , respect yourself!
In the annals of human history, stories of unwavering spirit stand tall. Resurrection of Americans from catastrophic 9/11 attack on America in year 2001, is one such chronicle.
World Trade Centre, New York, before 9/11attack. Credit: istockphoto-155598273-612×612-1.jpg
This attack on USA by Al qayda terrorists, which killed 2,997 people, changed the world.
Of course it reduced the World Trade Centre, the symbol of financial might of America, into dust and debris, it couldn’t melt the steel resolve of people of America to emerge, rebuild and stand up again.
What Was 9/11 Attack On America?
On September 11, 2001, the two jetliners were hijacked by the terrorists and were made to slam in to the towers of World Trade Centre at New York.
Another aircraft was also hijacked by the terrorists and was crashed into the Pentagon, the official location of US defense establishment.
One more aircraft that was also hijacked with same ugly motive, but the passengers onboard averted it by trying to regain control of this airplane, which ultimately ended into plane crash in a field outside pennsylvania.
Actual War Goes Within.
Recovering from a setback is an inbuilt thing of nature. Man falls and stands up. sun gets eclipsed but shines again. Shadow of hopelessness and helplessness gives way to rays of motivation and strength.
Actual war goes within. If you feel defeated, you become defeated, and the vice versa.
One has to muster strength by collecting and spinning together the fibers of positivity and then weave them in to strong moral fabric. This was going on in America in the days that followed this incident.
Former presidents Ford, Carter, Bush, and Clinton joined president George W. Bush at the National Cathedral at Washington D.C. for the national day of prayer and remembrance on 14 September, 2001.
Later in the day President Bush rallied the rescue workers at ground zero. The workers, cheered and chanted in unison, responding to president’s impromptu speech delivered standing atop a crumpled fire truck.
Acknowledging the sounds of rescue workers doing their duty around, the president said, “I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear soon.”
First Symbolic Befitting Reply to This Cowardice Attack.
President of America encouraged Americans to go back to work, and to challenge the terrorism by resuming their lives.
The message went home when in next month New York city’s Yankee Stadium became full with 55,820 baseball fans enjoying the match. President Bush took to the mound and threw the first pitch. It was a reply. it was a subtle and precise strike on terror by the blast of courage, spirit and enthusiasm.
America was mustering the internal strength of mind and courage, assuring the departed souls that their fellow citizens are not timid and subdued. They will fight back and will punish for sure, those ” who did it and those who harbour it (terrorism).”
Citizens Supported And Motivated Each Other.
In bad times motivations, however small , do wonder.
Children of School designed cards to encourage their nation. One depicted Statue of Liberty taking hose pipe in hand with its other end dipped in sea. And it pours water on the smouldering World Trade Centre Building.
Badge of a port authority police officer who was martyred in this attack was discovered from debris. President Bush held this badge in his hand and said in joint session of congress, “It is a police shield of a man named George Howard, Who died at W.T.C. trying to save others. ….This is my reminder of lives that ended and a task that doesn’t end.”
Media also didn’t let American prestige down by denying to cover the visuals of devastation, their country was in to.
This is how a subtle pledge was taken by citizens of America to give a logical conclusion to an war that was declared on them.
Pulses of Literary World.
Many poetry of introspection and hopefulness came pouring out of literary world. Poet, journalist, activist Kevin Powell writes:
“From remains of this madness, I detect a heartbeat called life. From remains of this madness, I smell an aroma called love. From remains of this madness, I embrace a body called humanity. From remains of this madness, I construct a dream called hope.
…………………………………………………………..Then resurrect a world, Where a new born rose will jut through the broken concrete.”
Finally,
Political, military and technical resources apart, it is the spirit will and mandate of the people, that fuels the victory.
I, though very late, have come to realise, in its true sense, that visiting new places have definite impact on mind and body. And when the destination is a Sanskrit language university of a formerly princely state of British India; the thrill, the vibes and the lessons permeating through, are extraordinary. yes, I am talking about my visit to Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University, at Darbhanga in state of Bihar in India.
Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University , Entrance Gate.
An Unplanned Visit To Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga University Campus.
Actually the visit to Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga University Campus was not a planned one.
My mother was returning from Delhi, and her flight was scheduled to land at Darbhanga airport at 1.00 p.m. on 16th August,2023. And since we are not native of Darbhanga and live some 150km away eastward, I with my 15 year old son set out for Darbhanga in our SUV vehicle. We reached Darbhanga some one hour before, to receive my mother.
No sooner had I messaged on our family WhatsApp group about our arrival at Darbhanga, than rang my phone. It was my younger brother from Delhi, accompanying my mother. He informed me that flight was yet to takeoff from Delhi due to some technical snag developed in its air conditioning system. And, that, it had been sorted out lately, and the aircraft was ready to fly.
Oh God ! That meant we had to spend some two hours in Darbhanga and that too when the weather was oppressively hot and the Sun was scorching on this day of August month.
Then suddenly the idea sparked in mind to visit this Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga University Campus and spend our time in a productive way. My son who is about to finish his school years, this year, and had never seen any university before , became very much interested in visiting and seeing a university for the first time!
Entering The Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga University Campus: Entering A Different Era!
Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University Building.
My son’s excitement further added value to my plan, which proved an eye opener to me also. We entered the campus and a different world of past was unfolding before us with all its testimonies that were so vivid and beckoning.
We became breathlessly busy with our mobile phone cameras in capturing the scenic views lying all over.
But the handmade baked soft red bricks, magnificent pillars, staircases, gorgeous doors and windows of the university building, said in volumes about the antiquity and royalty of those times. Arrangement of beautiful gardens, open spaces and big lakes appeared to be complementing this marvelous architectural landscape. And all these were suggesting to take a dip in their glorious past, in their history, that was the Estate of Darbhanga, popularly known as Raj Darbhanga, the royal, the incredible!
Depiction of architectural Details of Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University Building. Depiction of architectural Details of Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University Building.Beautiful marvel carvings, truly world class!
Darbhanga Kings, And Their Love For Education, Architecture, Culture And Philanthropy.
A toiling research from various sources about brief history of Darbhanga Raj, reveals that it was founded by Mahamahopadhyay Mahesh Thakur, who received the Darbhanga Raj from Akbar in early 16th century.
During British time it encompassed 6,200 sq. km. area incorporating 4,495 villages within 18 circles of Bihar and Bengal. It was the biggest zamindari in India. With its 7,500 employees, it was the best managed estate in India till the end of colonial era.
Darbhanga earned the name of cultural capital. The Maharajas(kings) of Darbhanga were great patron of education art, culture and architecture. They expended extravagantly in development of education and infrastructure.
They contributed heavily by donating palatial buildings (Often named Darbhanga House) and also in cash, to the universities like Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim University, Patna University, and Calcutta University. Sketches of design of Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University ( Originally Lakshmi Vilas Palace) were published in the illustrated newspapers of London during late1930s. The famous Nargona Palace (known for its grandeur and earthquake resistant design) has been donated to Mithila University.
My eyes went dilated with surprise when I came to know that all major cities of colonial India like New Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Shimla, Darjeeling, Patna and Ranchi had royal properties (Darbhanga Houses, Darbhanga Mansions, Navlakha palaces) of this Estate.
The kings of Darbhanga donated land to the Tirhut Rail Company to start Railways in the Estate. They gifted three air planes to air force during second world war. Besides the estate had its own private aircrafts.
They also built two museums at Darbhanga. European Library of Mithila University, and Official Library of Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University are said to be the rich source for study of Epic, Philosophy, Vyakaran, Dharma Shastras and Metaphysics.
Those Great Kings of Darbhanga!
I sometime get baffled, when I think why now with all technical advancement and funding and with all democratic attributes of modern state, our system is not as efficient as it used to be earlier. Quality and performance of public works in many parts of India often gets compromised due to rampant corruption at lower level and incompetent leadership at the top. Raj Darbhanga and works of its kings may show you the path.
These kings were great visionary and worked ruthlessly for betterment of their subjects and estate within the constraints of colonial setup. They had will power so they became successful in their endeavor.
Many titles like Maharajadhiraj, Sir, Bahadur, Knight Commander of Indian Imperialism, Knight Grand Commander of Indian Imperialism were showered upon them by the British establishment.
Raja Lakshmeshwar Singh: Tenure 1860-1898.
Maharaja Lakshmishwar Singh, Estate of Darbhanga. Tenure: 1860-1898.
He is recognised as one of the greatest noble and philanthropist of his time. He had devoted himself to the public works. He adopted progressive and liberal approach of statesmanship. He was one of the founding members of Indian National Congress.
As a tribute to him, his statue was installed at Dalhousie Square in Calcutta in 1904. The statue had been sculpted by the eminent British sculptor E.O. Ford.
Maharajadhiraj Sir Rameshwar Singh Bahadur: Tenure 1898-1929.
He was a great scholar. Like his predecessor, he was also educated by English tutor. He had been appointed to the Indian civil service in1878.
He was also the president of All India Landholder’s Association, president of Bharat Dharm Mahamandal, Trustee of Victoria Memorial, Calcutta, president of Hindu University Society, and member of Indian Police Commission in 1902-03. He was awarded Kaiser-i-Hind medal in 1900.
Sir Kameshwar Singh: Tenure1929-1947.
Maharajadhiraj Sir Kameshwar Singh, Darbhanga Estate, Tenure: 1929-1947.
Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University is in his name.
His period of tenure was a transition era in the Indian subcontinent when colonial rule was going to give way to the nationalist government. A lot of constitutional reforms were being introduced and tried to explore the shape and future of an independent India.
Maharaja Sir Kameshwar Singh was president of British India Association which was the first political body of the nation of India.
At the young age of 23, he was invited to attend the Round table Conferences in London which discussed constitutional future of British India.
He remained member of Council of State(1933-46), member of Constituent Assembly(1947-50). After independence he remained member of Rajya Sabha during 1952-58 and later in 1960 till his death in 1962.
Returning Back From Campus of Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University With a lot of Lessons.
No doubt, Darbhanga Kings were great visionary, having vast experience of their time, and were the men of great virtue. Present day leadership should imbibe the leadership and administrative qualities of these great kings of Darbhanga, and should emulate the passion and devotion of these kings for the betterment of their subjects.
Now it was time to return back and move to airport. But even at that moment some concrete plaque posts attracted our attention with the time tested sentences from sanskrit literature engraved on them.
One such plaque read, “Kim Kim Na Sadhyati Kalplatev Vidya.” It means, “What can’t knowledge achieve like a wish-giving tree.”
plaque bearing Sanskrit verses in Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University Campus.
Actually this is only a part of the full stanza of Sanskrit verse. It would not be out of context to know the full meaning of this hymn about Vidya( Learning). It goes like this:
“It delights and removes depression like a wife; It brings wealth and spreads fame in all directions; What can’t knowledge achieve, like a wish-giving tree.”
Another plaque read, ” Satyam Param Dhimahi.” It says, “I meditate on Him (The Supreme Lord) for He is the absolute truth.”
plaque bearing Sanskrit verses in Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University Campus.
There were so many Plaque posts emitting the truth of life and wishes of welfare and talks of wisdom. Another plaques wishes the Language of Sanskrit to emerge victorious ( “Sanskritam Vijayate.”).
plaque bearing Sanskrit verses in Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University Campus.
This another was also amazing. It read, ” Shraddhawan Labhate Gyanam.” This can be translated as, “One Who Is Devoted Attains Knowledge.”
plaque bearing Sanskrit verses in Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University Campus.
Another plaque read, ” Vidvan Sarvatra Pujyate.” It means to say, ” The learned are worshipped everywhere.”
plaque bearing Sanskrit verses in Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University Campus.
Finally, after receiving mother from airport, we were on our return journey back to home with great appreciation in our hearts for Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University, Estate of Darbhanga and their magnificent kings!….. Salute!
I always find in nature a great companion, guide and advisor. What lessons this summer, I got from nature is something that might interest you as well.
Subtle Side of Nature.
The first crude feel of nature is its physical existence. And then comes the feel of myriads of lessons it spreads out. The sensitive and receptive minds amaze at it, praise it and experience the bliss associated with it.
To me, watching nature is like roaming in a world which is so subtle yet so sensible, so enormous yet so approachable, so complex yet so simple. For me it is like Godliness expressed, translated and explained.
Lessons of Summer in a Sunny Morning.
morning sun beam carpeting the floor
Early July, year 2023. Dry summer was slowly giving way to the onset of monsoons over South Asia. I rose late in the morning, this day, when morning sunbeam had carpeted the floor of the hall, in which, opens the door of my bedroom.
In otherwise moderate to cool summer night temperatures in the Terai regions of eastern North Indian plains; nights this summer had been oppressively hot.
Most of the families in general, in these regions are still not used to of using air conditioners. Thus a proper sleep is possible in later part of night. Even myself also is not too much in habit of using AC to parry the heat of the summer.
Anyway I was late to awake this morning and was somewhere filled with the guilt of not rising at the first chirp of birds.
These birds were racing and stirring the morning calm with their lovely playful bustle. From my residence at the first floor, I rushed to open the main entrance door at the ground, because it were only few minutes to go when our housemaid would come.
Soon a Bulbul(bird), flied past my head and lost in to the canopy of our only mango tree in the garden.
With sudden spurt of curiosity, I followed and tracked its course and finally spotted the bird with straw in its beak, busy in weaving its incomplete nest at some safe location in the branches.
I was completely bewildered at so many things which started darting in my mind at this sight. To me this tiny avian appeared no less than an aeronautics specialist. Their survey for a base tree branch to construct a nest, might have a lot of calculations and assessments related to aerodynamic stability and protection from their natural enemies. A lot of considerations regarding protection from intense sunrays, blow of local prevailing winds and rains would certainly have factored in their decision making.
Thought of their skillful work for architecture and design of nest, and identification and procurement of suitable raw material for it, pushed me to another level astonishment.
And along with this all, the lessons of this summer that percolated in me was to remain attentive to our priorities and work hard to achieve them.
Tiny Birds Were Like Bubbles of Lessons This Summer.
Tiny birds swinging on white cable in summer morning.
Tiny birds at large are very fascinating. They are like tiny bubbles full of amazements and many pleasing attributes. They look so cute and brim with energy. They are specially lovely to watch in morning time, when they are far too busy in their own world.
My balcony on first floor finds a nice aerial view of our neighbour’s campus below. The campus is not well maintained. Rather it wears a deserted look, due to owner’s negligence, who is a Nepali citizen but owns property in India as well for the reasons not known to me.
Anyway, above the green yard of my neighbour’s campus ran a contrasting white thick electric cable, which supplied electricity to the household from the electric pole.
On one fine morning I caught view of few seasonal newcomers. Big Kadamb tree, laden with its golden fruits, and growth of some other wild shrubs in the immediate surrounding might have attracted them for their temporary stay in my neighborhood.
Kadamb tree with golden fruits this summer.
Pale green in colour, with extended sharp beaks; these tiny birds created a great view, when they sat on the smooth white electric cable. The cable swung like a hammock every time they flied off or alighted on it. These distorted cuboidal shaped birds in their pale green robe and sturdy black beak in the panoramic morning environment, appeared feast to the eyes.
The more awesome was their flight. They took flight in vertical concave shape for their first half, and then with a blink of eye; a swift vertical concave return to the cable in their later half.
It took me some time to discover that they were targeting the insects that were flying above and around. Their takeoff and comeback had left the cable swinging in a rhythm and the birds sitting on them were like riding on a hammock.
This view of birds, set in me also, the waves of untold pleasure and exhilaration. Nature is full of myriads of tiny pleasure. we must have appropriate discerning senses to feel and enjoy them!
That Unfortunate Butterfly: A Bitter Experience This Summer.
Drive to outskirts.
But I would like to mention one such incident which I still detest. Our new SUV(vehicle) had some issue related to tyre air pressure. I and my 14 year old son, on a cloudy morning, took a drive towards garage and after getting the issue resolved, we thought to get the fuel tank filled as well.
As the weather was incredibly pleasant, we deliberately chose to visit the fuel station, which was located on the outskirts. Within few minutes we were on the outer road of the township.
The smooth black coal tar road was flanked on both sides by the lush green vegetation. The cool breeze and the seductive view of blue Himalayan mountains on our right were further adding to our joy. My son like me, is also nature connoisseur and is very much comfortable with intricacies of photography techniques available over mobile phones. So he was totally absorbed in taking pictures of changing frames of sceneries outside.
Then suddenly happened the unexpected. Birds catch insects is a common phenomena ,we observe. But what we saw now, jerked us. A big brown sturdy bird with long tail, came out of the blue in front of our racing vehicle, and swooped at a gorgeous emerald butterfly that was on its flight across the road, dancing in the air with its shapely royal wings. The hunter bird clenched it in its beak and vanished in to the canopy of trees.
With my foot on accelerator, and hands on the steering, I felt like left behind in time at this scene. I stared in my son’s face, who was also awestruck and was staring at me with shock and surprise written all across his innocent face. Time had fallen still for us, and the vehicle…kept racing towards its destination.
