Something I discovered about goverment postal services.
I have become pound wise :). These days I surely check for alternates before I jump into anything expensive. Recently I had to send a courier to Mauritius as always I was checking for lazy options to get it done... after calling up half the courier people in R.A.Puram I made a trip to the R.A.Puram Post office. You know the speed post to Mauritius costed me about Rs.460/- (12 gms) as agaist Rs.1600/- quoted by private couriers.
My colleague and I discussed why private is so expensive when compared to government. And we concluded private has a lot of facility like tracking document delivery, picking up from the venue and a lot of advertisement on why they are the best. But when I came back and checked the net, I was surprise there is an option in http://www.indiapost.gov.in/ which will help you track status of Speed Post. But the excitement din't last long becasue after entering my tracking code it showed a message saying no information on this tracking code available. But there was a phone number which was available to call up and ask the delivery status 044-22313282 (for international) and 040-23463922 (within India - phone number for other metros are also available). Which I called and was told my document had reached the destination.
Private companies promote even little things to market them. I think what government lacks is, one has search far and wide to find facilities. It would really help if information such as this are posted on the counter or printed along with the counter foil offered when we use their services.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Bombay dreams
My cousin is getting married and will be relocating to mumbai soon. Tejas, my son was told about this. He never knew mumbai before this actually we said bombay. Mumabi is still bomaby for most of us in chennai I guess or atleast our entire clan refers to it as bombay. A week back when we had gone on a holiday to Coorg we took Tejas on a toy train ride... I asked him sounding like a co-passenger 'Hello sir, where are you going?' 'Bombay'. In the railway station 'I was pointing at a trian and said 'teju where is this train going?' 'Bombay'. 'Which place you want to go for next holiday?' 'Bombay'. Bombay is the next dream destination for tejas. The best part is this... I was driving back home from shopping with tejas and the traffic was bad.. 'I told him, baby the traffic is very bad today?' and he tells me 'Amma, lets go to bombay it is better there.' I learnt even small things sprinkle a world of imagination imagination in kids. Right?
Addition: There was one more last night. "I will go in rocket from earth, amma" "Where will you go Tejas?" "Bombay" ahh looks like there will be more conversation updates to this blog post until tejas goes to Bombay :)
My cousin is getting married and will be relocating to mumbai soon. Tejas, my son was told about this. He never knew mumbai before this actually we said bombay. Mumabi is still bomaby for most of us in chennai I guess or atleast our entire clan refers to it as bombay. A week back when we had gone on a holiday to Coorg we took Tejas on a toy train ride... I asked him sounding like a co-passenger 'Hello sir, where are you going?' 'Bombay'. In the railway station 'I was pointing at a trian and said 'teju where is this train going?' 'Bombay'. 'Which place you want to go for next holiday?' 'Bombay'. Bombay is the next dream destination for tejas. The best part is this... I was driving back home from shopping with tejas and the traffic was bad.. 'I told him, baby the traffic is very bad today?' and he tells me 'Amma, lets go to bombay it is better there.' I learnt even small things sprinkle a world of imagination imagination in kids. Right?
Addition: There was one more last night. "I will go in rocket from earth, amma" "Where will you go Tejas?" "Bombay" ahh looks like there will be more conversation updates to this blog post until tejas goes to Bombay :)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The lesson that I learnt
A long pending blog story. On March 25th, 2010, I was a part of a community initiative organized by Navayugam (co-founded by my husband). It all started when the core founder of the trust and a good friend of mine, JK asked me if we can organize a competition in the Government school, near our house. Getting permission from the principal was quite easy since I knew her quite well. The plan was to organize drawing competition for class 6 and 7 and Tamil essay writing competition for class 8 and 9th. The topics were drawing 'How to avoid accidents' and essay 'Future India'. There was a very good response from the children and the event went on very well. The kids were damn excited about getting free materials I guess most kids participated because of that :). To see such good response was a feel good factor. After about an hour the competition got over and the prizes were distributed. The evening was totally memorable for me. Felt like I have done something worthwhile by co-ordinting the event. I decided to co-ordinate more such events.
In the essay writing category the first prize went to Deepalaskhmi of 8th standard. She lives near our house - their house is among 10 houses in one compund with just 1 room per house and a common bath room and toilet shared by all the tenants. She is a topper in her class. I was happy she won the first prize. While I was walking back home after the chit chat with the volunteers, principal, I walked past Deepa's house and I was shocked, she was casually catching up with her regular household work... washing vessels sitting amidst a huge heap of vessels in the front of their house. Well, maybe it is routine for her, just half an hour back she was the heroine of the day winning prizes (Cup, books, bags, water bag, etc). I felt a deep pain looking at her, if my son teju had even participated in some competition I would have felt so proud, if he had won a competition it would be even bigger calling people to share my happiness, followed by treats and buying gifts for him etc... But at deepa's household I'm sure her parents would have been happy but there ends the matter.
What an imbalance life offers to some children. Almost all the kids who study in that government school come from similar background or even lesser. There is this boy who comes with just one button in his shirt and totally torn shorts, most girls wear totally faded uniforms, no slippers in most cases, safety pins for shirts. But I should say with some conversations I have had with them they are ambititious.
I wish and hope to do more for them. And the lesson that I learnt is to be even more tonned down with Tejas.
A long pending blog story. On March 25th, 2010, I was a part of a community initiative organized by Navayugam (co-founded by my husband). It all started when the core founder of the trust and a good friend of mine, JK asked me if we can organize a competition in the Government school, near our house. Getting permission from the principal was quite easy since I knew her quite well. The plan was to organize drawing competition for class 6 and 7 and Tamil essay writing competition for class 8 and 9th. The topics were drawing 'How to avoid accidents' and essay 'Future India'. There was a very good response from the children and the event went on very well. The kids were damn excited about getting free materials I guess most kids participated because of that :). To see such good response was a feel good factor. After about an hour the competition got over and the prizes were distributed. The evening was totally memorable for me. Felt like I have done something worthwhile by co-ordinting the event. I decided to co-ordinate more such events.
In the essay writing category the first prize went to Deepalaskhmi of 8th standard. She lives near our house - their house is among 10 houses in one compund with just 1 room per house and a common bath room and toilet shared by all the tenants. She is a topper in her class. I was happy she won the first prize. While I was walking back home after the chit chat with the volunteers, principal, I walked past Deepa's house and I was shocked, she was casually catching up with her regular household work... washing vessels sitting amidst a huge heap of vessels in the front of their house. Well, maybe it is routine for her, just half an hour back she was the heroine of the day winning prizes (Cup, books, bags, water bag, etc). I felt a deep pain looking at her, if my son teju had even participated in some competition I would have felt so proud, if he had won a competition it would be even bigger calling people to share my happiness, followed by treats and buying gifts for him etc... But at deepa's household I'm sure her parents would have been happy but there ends the matter.
What an imbalance life offers to some children. Almost all the kids who study in that government school come from similar background or even lesser. There is this boy who comes with just one button in his shirt and totally torn shorts, most girls wear totally faded uniforms, no slippers in most cases, safety pins for shirts. But I should say with some conversations I have had with them they are ambititious.
I wish and hope to do more for them. And the lesson that I learnt is to be even more tonned down with Tejas.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
FREE Cataract Surgery
Wanted to share this piece of information for a longtime now. The Sai Baba mission is sponsoring cataract surgery for poor people. Our cook told me this information. She had taken her sister for check up and got the surgery done in Agarwal for zero cost.
The sai baba prayer hall in thirumangalam conducts weekly health check-ups on all sundays. If you know someone who is not affluent and has cataract please ask them to visit the the premises on sunday (ask them to reach the place earlier it is a bit crowded otherwise). The doctors will check the condition of cataract and would send them to hospitals like Agarwal, Sankranethrala with date and time for the surgery fixed. On the specified date if the patient goes to the hospital they can have their surgery free of cost.
Here's the route map for the sai baba prayer hall
Wanted to share this piece of information for a longtime now. The Sai Baba mission is sponsoring cataract surgery for poor people. Our cook told me this information. She had taken her sister for check up and got the surgery done in Agarwal for zero cost.
The sai baba prayer hall in thirumangalam conducts weekly health check-ups on all sundays. If you know someone who is not affluent and has cataract please ask them to visit the the premises on sunday (ask them to reach the place earlier it is a bit crowded otherwise). The doctors will check the condition of cataract and would send them to hospitals like Agarwal, Sankranethrala with date and time for the surgery fixed. On the specified date if the patient goes to the hospital they can have their surgery free of cost.
Here's the route map for the sai baba prayer hall
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
How some bitter things change over time
Bitter gourd. I used to wonder how someone actually thought this is an edible thing and started to consume it. When some people tell me they like bitter gourd I found that funny. 'Like bitter gourd??? what is there in it to like it?" I used to hate it truly. But off late I have this mouth watering liking for bitter gourd. This morning I was cooking bitter gourd and I couldn't resist it. In the pretense of checking for salt I kept eating it. And that triggered my thoughts on how and when I started to like this so much.
It all started with danesh (my husband) he is one of the bigest bitter gourd lovers I know. Though occassionally I have cooked BG (Bitter gourd is BG from now on) for him I won't even taste it. What is there to taste, by cooking it will become a better bitter but still bitter (sounds like the tongue twister eh?). When tejas was about 2 years he started eating BG and that surprised me. Only that minute I realised maybe there is something nice about the BG. Ventured into cooking BG with lot of oil, onions, tomato, all types of masalas to over rule the bitter taste and kind of liked it... and as days went by I reduced the masala bit, then tomatoes and then onions. Today I made this receipe which is just the BG and nothing else. And I'm loving it :). Now even I am a proud BG lover.
Moral: Bitter things in life may stay bitter for ever but I guess we should develop a taste for it. Be it Bitter gourd, people, work etc. :)
Here's the receipe I cooked this morning.
In a pan pour some ghee, saute cumin seeds and curry leaves. Add the bitter gourd to it (either as thin slices or cut to smaller pieces) after it is kind of cooked, add some salt and water and close it. Keep eating it... oops tasting it until it is fully cooked.
Now let me know if you have hated something before and started liking it now.
Bitter gourd. I used to wonder how someone actually thought this is an edible thing and started to consume it. When some people tell me they like bitter gourd I found that funny. 'Like bitter gourd??? what is there in it to like it?" I used to hate it truly. But off late I have this mouth watering liking for bitter gourd. This morning I was cooking bitter gourd and I couldn't resist it. In the pretense of checking for salt I kept eating it. And that triggered my thoughts on how and when I started to like this so much.
It all started with danesh (my husband) he is one of the bigest bitter gourd lovers I know. Though occassionally I have cooked BG (Bitter gourd is BG from now on) for him I won't even taste it. What is there to taste, by cooking it will become a better bitter but still bitter (sounds like the tongue twister eh?). When tejas was about 2 years he started eating BG and that surprised me. Only that minute I realised maybe there is something nice about the BG. Ventured into cooking BG with lot of oil, onions, tomato, all types of masalas to over rule the bitter taste and kind of liked it... and as days went by I reduced the masala bit, then tomatoes and then onions. Today I made this receipe which is just the BG and nothing else. And I'm loving it :). Now even I am a proud BG lover.
Moral: Bitter things in life may stay bitter for ever but I guess we should develop a taste for it. Be it Bitter gourd, people, work etc. :)
Here's the receipe I cooked this morning.
In a pan pour some ghee, saute cumin seeds and curry leaves. Add the bitter gourd to it (either as thin slices or cut to smaller pieces) after it is kind of cooked, add some salt and water and close it. Keep eating it... oops tasting it until it is fully cooked.
Now let me know if you have hated something before and started liking it now.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Flash Back 2009
This post is an inspiration from 2 of my friends post suresh and krishna
Here are the things that are worth remembering that happened in 2009:
1. A new addition in the family. My sister Malar delivered a baby girl - Anjali pronounced as Anjelee like Angelina Jolie in the US :)
2. Tejas my sweet heart got into Omega the only school I shortlisted for him. I'm very happy about the school.
3. After a long time I found a best friend in Gayathri. My ex-colleague and friend.
4. Got over my mindset with Yoga and meditation. I never had great opinion about these two practices because of other reasons.
5. Broke my left arm and was off from work for about a month. This unexpected thing brought in a lot of change in my mindset, attitute and ego. I made me realize that I have the potential to be a better person :)
6. My younger sister and her husband had come down from UK and we had a ball of time.
7. Late night drives with my cousins (something that I was longing to do for quite sometime now)
8. Amma and Appa have gone to the US, every Indians dream destination :). And they are very excited about it.
9. Started going to guitar class but have put a pause to it because of my broken arm. Will resume soon.
10. Started to give importance to my health. If i know something is health I will eat it however it tastes :)
This year I have a new year resolution too: I read somewhere about reducing your carbon footprint. I think I going to work on reducing my carbon foot print.
This post is an inspiration from 2 of my friends post suresh and krishna
Here are the things that are worth remembering that happened in 2009:
1. A new addition in the family. My sister Malar delivered a baby girl - Anjali pronounced as Anjelee like Angelina Jolie in the US :)
2. Tejas my sweet heart got into Omega the only school I shortlisted for him. I'm very happy about the school.
3. After a long time I found a best friend in Gayathri. My ex-colleague and friend.
4. Got over my mindset with Yoga and meditation. I never had great opinion about these two practices because of other reasons.
5. Broke my left arm and was off from work for about a month. This unexpected thing brought in a lot of change in my mindset, attitute and ego. I made me realize that I have the potential to be a better person :)
6. My younger sister and her husband had come down from UK and we had a ball of time.
7. Late night drives with my cousins (something that I was longing to do for quite sometime now)
8. Amma and Appa have gone to the US, every Indians dream destination :). And they are very excited about it.
9. Started going to guitar class but have put a pause to it because of my broken arm. Will resume soon.
10. Started to give importance to my health. If i know something is health I will eat it however it tastes :)
This year I have a new year resolution too: I read somewhere about reducing your carbon footprint. I think I going to work on reducing my carbon foot print.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
New words tejas picks up
Teju takes you by surprise now and then. Whenever he hears a word he stores it and uses it in comepletely different situation. Yesterday when I went home teju was not around he had gone to my neighbour kid's birthday party. When he came home I gave him a good hug and kisses. tejas with a causal look tells me "Amma I'm a ordinary man, yenaku yenn kiss kudukareenga (why are you kissing me)" I was surprise... Ordinary man!!!. I din't know where he picked that up from. but I told him "Kanna you are an ordinary man but with extraordinary character" and I left it there. In th night I usually tell some stories to teju he wanted me to tell the story of the kamal movie we saw recenlty... I asked him what film "that movie ma where kamal says I'm an ordinary man" (Unnai pol oruvan - dialogue). Then I knew the root for this word :)
Teju takes you by surprise now and then. Whenever he hears a word he stores it and uses it in comepletely different situation. Yesterday when I went home teju was not around he had gone to my neighbour kid's birthday party. When he came home I gave him a good hug and kisses. tejas with a causal look tells me "Amma I'm a ordinary man, yenaku yenn kiss kudukareenga (why are you kissing me)" I was surprise... Ordinary man!!!. I din't know where he picked that up from. but I told him "Kanna you are an ordinary man but with extraordinary character" and I left it there. In th night I usually tell some stories to teju he wanted me to tell the story of the kamal movie we saw recenlty... I asked him what film "that movie ma where kamal says I'm an ordinary man" (Unnai pol oruvan - dialogue). Then I knew the root for this word :)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tejas loves nature
My kutty Tejas is such a nature lover. He blends himself with nature whenever we go on short trips. Couple of weeks back we had gone to Erode. Our destination was Vallaeswara temple by the river cauvery. What a scenic place. Tejas and I headed to take bath in the river and we spotted a lot of snails on the way. Tejas happily kept counting the snails... after a full 2-3hours bath, reluctantly tejas and I headed towards the temple. This time the snails were missing. Teju asked me "Amma where are the snails" I said..."it is afternoon na they would have gone home for a nap" he gave me a jocular look and said "Ammmma, what are you saying, snails carry their home in the back ma" I was awestruck by his instant reply.... I guess he is showing signs of intelligence which I don't think I ever had as a 3 year old child.... well even as an adult I guess :)
My kutty Tejas is such a nature lover. He blends himself with nature whenever we go on short trips. Couple of weeks back we had gone to Erode. Our destination was Vallaeswara temple by the river cauvery. What a scenic place. Tejas and I headed to take bath in the river and we spotted a lot of snails on the way. Tejas happily kept counting the snails... after a full 2-3hours bath, reluctantly tejas and I headed towards the temple. This time the snails were missing. Teju asked me "Amma where are the snails" I said..."it is afternoon na they would have gone home for a nap" he gave me a jocular look and said "Ammmma, what are you saying, snails carry their home in the back ma" I was awestruck by his instant reply.... I guess he is showing signs of intelligence which I don't think I ever had as a 3 year old child.... well even as an adult I guess :)
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Random thoughts that occured to me when I visited a home for children in Avinashi, Coimbatore, India. SEED. (Society for Education Empowerement and Development)
I wanted to take some time and blog about my visit to this home in Avinashi called SEED, run by a very humble person called Kalarani. She was known to my husband through some contact and I have in past collected some donations and clothes for the inmates of the children's home Samathanam.
I was wanting to visit this place for sometime now but was never in any of my top priotity activity to say it simple I was just lazy to plan my trip. This weeked I decided to hitch with my husband on his trust work to Erode and he suggested it would be easy for me to visit home from there, that sounded like a good idea and I went along. I had taken some of my son's old clothes. Saturday night, me and my son did a night over at SEED while my husband drove with friends to tirupur.
Sunday morning... I have been to orphanages or homes run for children before but I have never experienced anything like what I saw in SEED. The children looked bright in nice clothes I had to pull out slightly torn dresses from the old clothes I had brought for them. I felt a bit bad about myself. I din't even take the effort to stick some of the open threads before giving it. I made it a point to stick old clothes before giving it to someone else. Instead of asking them to stich it and use.
It is a home for girl children and the age range is between 1 year and 16 years.... the girls were all busy bathing, helping each other in washing... the slightly older ones were ordering the younger girls. In fact one older girl must be 10 -12 years old gave a wack to a 3 year old I was a little irritated why is she hitting this little one... but after 10 mins the little one had oil applied in her hair neatly partitioned, with 2 pony tails and clips and bands to match. And I realized slightly older girls took responsibility of the younger ones. And they were very genuine in expressing their love for each other.
The home had a well scheduled day activity, I saw a chart on the board which had a food eating schedule. Sunday: Mummy Day, Monday: helping day, Tuesday: sharing day and so on... I was curious and I enquired one of the girls while we had out morning breakfast (breakfast was very good too) she told me that in the night we will follow this schedule... mummy day is when amma feeds us all (the girls call Kala the person who runs this home amma), helping day is when 2 children sit opposite to feed each other. likewise there is group day, silent day, moon light dinner day. I spoke with kala about this and she told me how each children look forward for the mummy day. And invariably they cook more on mummy day. it takes about 4 hours for childern to complete dinner on mummy day.
Students from nearby college had come to do some activity along with the children. The children were asked to speak, sing, or do anything related to Independence day. I was super impressed by the speeches given by the children what oratory skills, what confidence, what indepth idealogies about independence... None of them stopped by talking about just freedom struggle, they quoted current situation, G8 summit, problems that needs to be addressed. One of the kid who one the first prize asked other inmates to promise we will be a bunch of children who will make a difference to this society. I did have tears in my eyes when she finished her speech.
Among the girls there is just one boy. A brother and sister who were rescued from roadside. The girl was the oldest about 4 years and the boy was about 8months old. Their mother was a menatlly challeged living on the roadside almost clueless of whats happening to her. A doctor had taken time to have a conversation with this girl and had informed seed about it. This boy anand is about 4 years old now. He wants Kala amma to feed him. While the kids were ready to have their afternoon meal I was serving them along with kala and other teacher and helpers. This boy refused to eat and was waiting for amma to feed him. I asked him anand can I feed you... he din't say anything so I went to wash my hands but when I came back he was looking upset... i sat next to him and he refused to look up... he wanted his amma only to feed him. Some where in my mind I had this thought he will accept even if I feed him maybe because he is in a home... but his friction to me made me think of my son... he would'nt let anyone feed him when I am around... so is anand possessive about his relationship with amma.
In a post lunch conversation I asked one of the kids to 'break the ice' the usual question "who is your favorite hero?" and the answer was "nobody" we don't like watching movies that are unrealistic. We do watch movies but only if amma says it is a good movie for children to watch otherwise we stick to playing and other cultural activites like dance, singing etc. Just then I remembered some of the nice songs they sang about India and Independence.
The image about kala grew multifolds higher than what I had. Infact I told her I doubt if I can bring up my only son to the standard of life she is offering to the kids at samathanam children's home.
What more she actually works to meet her personal expense. Previously she was making phenoyl and seeling it to houses nearby which was time consuming but she wanted to do it and not live out of donations made for SEED. Once a person from chennai silks had come over to the home and they offered to help her with her personal expense.... well it was not a donation but one of their units buy phenoly from her. Now she makes the phenoly and sells it to them and that saves her time to be more focused on SEED related activities. It was worth every minute. I attended their prayer time, play time, etc etc. The day felt too short. I will post some of the pictures by this week... I really miss the little rajamani... I have a son who is as old as her but she kept calling me akka :)
I wanted to take some time and blog about my visit to this home in Avinashi called SEED, run by a very humble person called Kalarani. She was known to my husband through some contact and I have in past collected some donations and clothes for the inmates of the children's home Samathanam.
I was wanting to visit this place for sometime now but was never in any of my top priotity activity to say it simple I was just lazy to plan my trip. This weeked I decided to hitch with my husband on his trust work to Erode and he suggested it would be easy for me to visit home from there, that sounded like a good idea and I went along. I had taken some of my son's old clothes. Saturday night, me and my son did a night over at SEED while my husband drove with friends to tirupur.
Sunday morning... I have been to orphanages or homes run for children before but I have never experienced anything like what I saw in SEED. The children looked bright in nice clothes I had to pull out slightly torn dresses from the old clothes I had brought for them. I felt a bit bad about myself. I din't even take the effort to stick some of the open threads before giving it. I made it a point to stick old clothes before giving it to someone else. Instead of asking them to stich it and use.
It is a home for girl children and the age range is between 1 year and 16 years.... the girls were all busy bathing, helping each other in washing... the slightly older ones were ordering the younger girls. In fact one older girl must be 10 -12 years old gave a wack to a 3 year old I was a little irritated why is she hitting this little one... but after 10 mins the little one had oil applied in her hair neatly partitioned, with 2 pony tails and clips and bands to match. And I realized slightly older girls took responsibility of the younger ones. And they were very genuine in expressing their love for each other.
The home had a well scheduled day activity, I saw a chart on the board which had a food eating schedule. Sunday: Mummy Day, Monday: helping day, Tuesday: sharing day and so on... I was curious and I enquired one of the girls while we had out morning breakfast (breakfast was very good too) she told me that in the night we will follow this schedule... mummy day is when amma feeds us all (the girls call Kala the person who runs this home amma), helping day is when 2 children sit opposite to feed each other. likewise there is group day, silent day, moon light dinner day. I spoke with kala about this and she told me how each children look forward for the mummy day. And invariably they cook more on mummy day. it takes about 4 hours for childern to complete dinner on mummy day.
Students from nearby college had come to do some activity along with the children. The children were asked to speak, sing, or do anything related to Independence day. I was super impressed by the speeches given by the children what oratory skills, what confidence, what indepth idealogies about independence... None of them stopped by talking about just freedom struggle, they quoted current situation, G8 summit, problems that needs to be addressed. One of the kid who one the first prize asked other inmates to promise we will be a bunch of children who will make a difference to this society. I did have tears in my eyes when she finished her speech.
Among the girls there is just one boy. A brother and sister who were rescued from roadside. The girl was the oldest about 4 years and the boy was about 8months old. Their mother was a menatlly challeged living on the roadside almost clueless of whats happening to her. A doctor had taken time to have a conversation with this girl and had informed seed about it. This boy anand is about 4 years old now. He wants Kala amma to feed him. While the kids were ready to have their afternoon meal I was serving them along with kala and other teacher and helpers. This boy refused to eat and was waiting for amma to feed him. I asked him anand can I feed you... he din't say anything so I went to wash my hands but when I came back he was looking upset... i sat next to him and he refused to look up... he wanted his amma only to feed him. Some where in my mind I had this thought he will accept even if I feed him maybe because he is in a home... but his friction to me made me think of my son... he would'nt let anyone feed him when I am around... so is anand possessive about his relationship with amma.
In a post lunch conversation I asked one of the kids to 'break the ice' the usual question "who is your favorite hero?" and the answer was "nobody" we don't like watching movies that are unrealistic. We do watch movies but only if amma says it is a good movie for children to watch otherwise we stick to playing and other cultural activites like dance, singing etc. Just then I remembered some of the nice songs they sang about India and Independence.
The image about kala grew multifolds higher than what I had. Infact I told her I doubt if I can bring up my only son to the standard of life she is offering to the kids at samathanam children's home.
What more she actually works to meet her personal expense. Previously she was making phenoyl and seeling it to houses nearby which was time consuming but she wanted to do it and not live out of donations made for SEED. Once a person from chennai silks had come over to the home and they offered to help her with her personal expense.... well it was not a donation but one of their units buy phenoly from her. Now she makes the phenoly and sells it to them and that saves her time to be more focused on SEED related activities. It was worth every minute. I attended their prayer time, play time, etc etc. The day felt too short. I will post some of the pictures by this week... I really miss the little rajamani... I have a son who is as old as her but she kept calling me akka :)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tejas experience
This morning he was got me on my nerve while he was getting ready to school. So i told him. "Thatz it tejas you are not uttering a word until you get ready". Immediately he got upset and with a puppy face told me "amma can I atleast say a bye to you when i get inside the van". He is a charmer truly. I melted immediately.
This morning he was got me on my nerve while he was getting ready to school. So i told him. "Thatz it tejas you are not uttering a word until you get ready". Immediately he got upset and with a puppy face told me "amma can I atleast say a bye to you when i get inside the van". He is a charmer truly. I melted immediately.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Some funny experience with my son 3 year young son Tejas
From now on I have decided to post them as they happen so that I can read back and relish.
Last week I was about to leave office, and I was wearing an old watch which he hasn't seen until then. Tejas asked me "Are you going to office" I said yes. Then he said "you are wearing a watch?" I said yes. He said "Amma you should not wear watch and go to office" I said "Really who said so?" instantly without think he told me "Valluvar" I was laughing out loud.
From now on I have decided to post them as they happen so that I can read back and relish.
Last week I was about to leave office, and I was wearing an old watch which he hasn't seen until then. Tejas asked me "Are you going to office" I said yes. Then he said "you are wearing a watch?" I said yes. He said "Amma you should not wear watch and go to office" I said "Really who said so?" instantly without think he told me "Valluvar" I was laughing out loud.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Official website for Kalaivanar N S Krishnan and T A Mathuram.
www.kalaivanar.com this site takes you through the life and works of Kalaivanar N S Krishnan and T A Mathuram. As a team N S Krishnan and T A Mathuram stand unrivalled in tamil comedy field.
This site is based on the research materials collected and publised as a book by Mrs. Anbukodi Nallathambi (Retd. principal Quaid-e-millet college for woman, chennai) on the life of Kalaivanar N S Krishnan and T A Mathuram.
The site has some of the rare photographs which includes their family and childern, contemporaries, pictures from their trip to Russia, interesting events from their life, Filmography, biography etc.
I'm sure you will enjoy www.kalaivanar.com. Do post your comments on the site.
www.kalaivanar.com this site takes you through the life and works of Kalaivanar N S Krishnan and T A Mathuram. As a team N S Krishnan and T A Mathuram stand unrivalled in tamil comedy field.
This site is based on the research materials collected and publised as a book by Mrs. Anbukodi Nallathambi (Retd. principal Quaid-e-millet college for woman, chennai) on the life of Kalaivanar N S Krishnan and T A Mathuram.
The site has some of the rare photographs which includes their family and childern, contemporaries, pictures from their trip to Russia, interesting events from their life, Filmography, biography etc.
I'm sure you will enjoy www.kalaivanar.com. Do post your comments on the site.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Play school in ramavaram (closer to Mugaliwakkam also)
After a long search finaly I found a good play school for my son tejas. It is The blue bells, ramapuram. They have branches in 3 other places also. A friend of mine suggested I should take a look at this place. I did and I was super impressed. Though it is a bit far from mugalliwakkam, it is definitely worth the time and travel. A very nice thoughtful play school. I can see that they have a in depth knowledge in handling toddlers. Right from things like dress code 'no zipper shorts for boys', 'tissue papers instead of towels simply because kids will want to own another kids towel if it has Dora cartoon :)'. They have a very nice process to get the kid used to the school. Diwali celebration, children's day. Nice play school for enthusiastic moms like me :).
I actually did a puppet show for the kids on childern's day. 2 very good teachers, enough and more attenders to take care. A very passionate couple are running this place. They think, breathe, sleep every little aspect of the play school. I do teach whatever I can at home about colors, animals, birds, etc etc (one enthusiatic mother, you ever imagine) but i was so excited the day he drew a sun for me which the school had taught... it goes like this 'BIGGGGGGGG circle - small line... big line...small line... big line. and there is it. The most beautiful sun I have ever seen.
I strongly recommend The Blue Bells.
After a long search finaly I found a good play school for my son tejas. It is The blue bells, ramapuram. They have branches in 3 other places also. A friend of mine suggested I should take a look at this place. I did and I was super impressed. Though it is a bit far from mugalliwakkam, it is definitely worth the time and travel. A very nice thoughtful play school. I can see that they have a in depth knowledge in handling toddlers. Right from things like dress code 'no zipper shorts for boys', 'tissue papers instead of towels simply because kids will want to own another kids towel if it has Dora cartoon :)'. They have a very nice process to get the kid used to the school. Diwali celebration, children's day. Nice play school for enthusiastic moms like me :).
I actually did a puppet show for the kids on childern's day. 2 very good teachers, enough and more attenders to take care. A very passionate couple are running this place. They think, breathe, sleep every little aspect of the play school. I do teach whatever I can at home about colors, animals, birds, etc etc (one enthusiatic mother, you ever imagine) but i was so excited the day he drew a sun for me which the school had taught... it goes like this 'BIGGGGGGGG circle - small line... big line...small line... big line. and there is it. The most beautiful sun I have ever seen.
I strongly recommend The Blue Bells.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Had this funny experience this morning after a longtime. I ensured I spend some time to blog about it.
I'm on a look out for a play school for my son. We reside in mugaliwakkam, porur there aren't any good recognized playschools. There are some that operate out of small houses. So I decided to give it a shot and this morning i visisted one of the playschools (???) playhall may be. There was this instructor who stepped out to give me details. So i started my conversation with her.. I was sounding more like a concerned parent and she was very straightforward and business oriented. I asked her so do you have a play area... she said "playarea??? (more like for what) this is all we have" and showed a hall. I asked her if i can step in and take a look... she instantly said "step in??? for what. it is just a hall"... at this point i was not sure if i should continue to talk.. then decided to dig her more about the school... I asked her so what do the children do here... she told me in very seriuos note "I have a defined curriculum. I will complete all the syllabus thats is required to equiq them to get into LKG...", Curriculum??? syllabus??? she sounded like some IAS training center. And my last question was so how many kids do you teach... "45" at this point i was shocked, i peeped in a bit and noticed a hall full of toddlers sitting with their lunch bags typically like a crowd which you would see in these political meetings. I forgot to ask her what was the fees. probably will stop to check that 2morow :)
I told to myself NO. This is not the place for my son. and drove to work. I might stop to visit another one probably in the evening today.
I'm on a look out for a play school for my son. We reside in mugaliwakkam, porur there aren't any good recognized playschools. There are some that operate out of small houses. So I decided to give it a shot and this morning i visisted one of the playschools (???) playhall may be. There was this instructor who stepped out to give me details. So i started my conversation with her.. I was sounding more like a concerned parent and she was very straightforward and business oriented. I asked her so do you have a play area... she said "playarea??? (more like for what) this is all we have" and showed a hall. I asked her if i can step in and take a look... she instantly said "step in??? for what. it is just a hall"... at this point i was not sure if i should continue to talk.. then decided to dig her more about the school... I asked her so what do the children do here... she told me in very seriuos note "I have a defined curriculum. I will complete all the syllabus thats is required to equiq them to get into LKG...", Curriculum??? syllabus??? she sounded like some IAS training center. And my last question was so how many kids do you teach... "45" at this point i was shocked, i peeped in a bit and noticed a hall full of toddlers sitting with their lunch bags typically like a crowd which you would see in these political meetings. I forgot to ask her what was the fees. probably will stop to check that 2morow :)
I told to myself NO. This is not the place for my son. and drove to work. I might stop to visit another one probably in the evening today.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Periyar... The movie.
Well been thinking to update my blog right after the movie got over.... but took sometime to do it.
The movie started off portraying inital days of periyar and what made him take the rationalist path. Some people are not made they are born that way... I guess periyar is one such kind... as the movie progressed one could get a feel what kind of person periyar was... scene from movie: inspite of being a non-believer of rituals and all the supersition that existed in the society periyar successfully administrated the temple accounts... he says belief is different from management skills. This is responsibility and he does it with atmost sincerity.
Post interval the movie is at its best... one actually forgets the actors and gets a feel of watching periyar in real-time. kudos to the lead actor 'satyaraj' is has definitely done a great job.
I had my own mindset about periyar... but his thiniking is different and very genuine... i had 2 questions which had been in mind for a long time... why he said Indian Independence day is a black day in the history of India and why he actually got married to maniammai... The reason why he called Indian independence day as a black day is because "independence without social freedom is not really freedom" congress those days were only against British rule not against the social injustice that were prevailing and they were not interested in that at all... thatz the reason why periyar said independence without social freedom is not worth anything. made absolute sense to me. While I din't get strong reason why he did the later... Periyar was 60 when he got married to maniammai and he lived upto 90. the reason why maniammai joined periyar and helped him was to ensure he lived long enuf to serve the society which is a very valid cause and she lived upto it... it is because of her periyar managed to live a healthy until 90...
well a must see movie. What was more interesting is to watch the movie with people who enjoyed it more like how i did....
the only thing I felt would have added more value is that 'the incident should have been dated' was not able to relate to the year...
I wish someday My grandfather NSKrishana's life should also be picturized.
Well been thinking to update my blog right after the movie got over.... but took sometime to do it.
The movie started off portraying inital days of periyar and what made him take the rationalist path. Some people are not made they are born that way... I guess periyar is one such kind... as the movie progressed one could get a feel what kind of person periyar was... scene from movie: inspite of being a non-believer of rituals and all the supersition that existed in the society periyar successfully administrated the temple accounts... he says belief is different from management skills. This is responsibility and he does it with atmost sincerity.
Post interval the movie is at its best... one actually forgets the actors and gets a feel of watching periyar in real-time. kudos to the lead actor 'satyaraj' is has definitely done a great job.
I had my own mindset about periyar... but his thiniking is different and very genuine... i had 2 questions which had been in mind for a long time... why he said Indian Independence day is a black day in the history of India and why he actually got married to maniammai... The reason why he called Indian independence day as a black day is because "independence without social freedom is not really freedom" congress those days were only against British rule not against the social injustice that were prevailing and they were not interested in that at all... thatz the reason why periyar said independence without social freedom is not worth anything. made absolute sense to me. While I din't get strong reason why he did the later... Periyar was 60 when he got married to maniammai and he lived upto 90. the reason why maniammai joined periyar and helped him was to ensure he lived long enuf to serve the society which is a very valid cause and she lived upto it... it is because of her periyar managed to live a healthy until 90...
well a must see movie. What was more interesting is to watch the movie with people who enjoyed it more like how i did....
the only thing I felt would have added more value is that 'the incident should have been dated' was not able to relate to the year...
I wish someday My grandfather NSKrishana's life should also be picturized.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Life is beautiful...
with a very very heavy heart i start out to write this... It's because of the movie life is beautiful.
I started out to see the movie without knowing much about the story. I was thinking it would be one of the movies where miraculously people survive after bad times....
Half way thru' the movie i realised I'm definetly going to feel heavy. How stupid of me I thot hitler had is idedologies defined. And they did something that made sense from there point of view... I don't want to talk about what the jews did to the germans i'm sure it would have irked to form the nazi party... but then how valuable a life is a family is.... when my sister malar showed me the photographs of the hitler's concentration camp after her german trip i was shocked but i din't feel heavy.... after reading Anne Frank's diary I was wondering how it would have been for that girl but it would have definitely been like hell. A hell unimaginable.... A Hell, is that how you feel in a hell.... Hatsoff to the director and all the actors. having a son i some how related my self to the father in the movie.... But i think i would have lost hope for sure in life would have bought in the fear factor to my son also. Guido, this character has impressed me.
Between you and me blog I cud'nt control my self. I feel like crying out loud. Is it fate... if guido had hidden in with his son maybe he would have survived to see the sunshine.
with a very very heavy heart i start out to write this... It's because of the movie life is beautiful.
I started out to see the movie without knowing much about the story. I was thinking it would be one of the movies where miraculously people survive after bad times....
Half way thru' the movie i realised I'm definetly going to feel heavy. How stupid of me I thot hitler had is idedologies defined. And they did something that made sense from there point of view... I don't want to talk about what the jews did to the germans i'm sure it would have irked to form the nazi party... but then how valuable a life is a family is.... when my sister malar showed me the photographs of the hitler's concentration camp after her german trip i was shocked but i din't feel heavy.... after reading Anne Frank's diary I was wondering how it would have been for that girl but it would have definitely been like hell. A hell unimaginable.... A Hell, is that how you feel in a hell.... Hatsoff to the director and all the actors. having a son i some how related my self to the father in the movie.... But i think i would have lost hope for sure in life would have bought in the fear factor to my son also. Guido, this character has impressed me.
Between you and me blog I cud'nt control my self. I feel like crying out loud. Is it fate... if guido had hidden in with his son maybe he would have survived to see the sunshine.
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