Kaleidoscopic Life :))

Free as a bird !! A free bird.Does this phrase make any sense at all? I think even birds do not enjoy their freedom. Urbanization/modernization is endangering common birds like the house sparrow, mynas,cuckoo/Asian Koel. Awoken by these chirpy voices,I have always enjoyed watching them.My house in Ambattur had many trees and no wonder there were these birds too.The cuckoo birds came to eat the seeds of curry leaves(karipatta).They were the harbingers of day. All trees,grassland and barren land are giving way to sky-scrapers and industries.These pitiable birds do not have a place to go.They are in the verge of extinction.They are caught between the electric cables and mobile towers.We have set restrictions for them.They are no longer free .We talk about Tiger conservation,which is beyond our scope. Think big and forget the small.These ubiquitous birds also form a part of the eco-system and food chain.Protect these birds by providing them some fresh water and food grains. We should incul...

Vacations, Now & Then.. Occasional Vacation or Is Vacation an Occasion ? or Is an Occasion a Vacation ??? ... Im confused. Now-a-days, do children really enjoy their vacation?Do they long for the 2 month break? The Mini-School time.They are ready 4 the whole range of new activities under the name of SUMMER CAMPS.Wake-up,eat and go for dance,music,painting,cricket coaching,story-telling, theater workshops,etc.Why are parents instrumental in enrolling their children to summer camps during the vacation? Aren't parents happy with the 10 month schooling? Way back to my annual holidays(April-May)- nothing to read/write or worry about.No exams/tests/assignments to think of.Do whatever I wanted to do (AVK- Avuthu Vitta Kazhudai).As both my parents were employed,I used to visit my granny's house until I was 8 or 10 yrs.All my cousins would gather and have fun.As we (my brother & I), grew up , I spent my holidays in Ambattur(that's were I lived till my marriage). A whole lot ...

Celebrations.... April 22nd is celebrated as World Earth Day.There are different types of days that are being observed.World Environment Day,World House Sparrow Day,World Water Day and so on.I think the ultimate motive behind dedicating one day in a year for each cause is the same.Save Earth,save water, save our environment,etc. Do we really need a day for each of these?How responsible are we towards our society and surroundings.All of us want our house to be neat & clean.But how many of us intend to keep our street clean.We don't even bother to throw the garbage in the dustbin provided. 50-60 years back were there so many celebrations.I doubt.People were much healthier,ate pure food, unpolluted air & water.They lead a luxurious life(Good health).Now, with so many advancements in science & technology we are only spared with new diseases, unclean environment ,no pure water to drink,virus in the air, so on & so forth. At least,these celebrations will create awareness ...

My Kids...Vakul & Vallabh Growing naughtier day-by-day,not a single hour passes without a cry,fall,or a fight between the two.When they were born,I thought they would be easier to manage as they grow up.But now its vice-versa.Things are growing more complex.More adamant,more mischievous,more troublesome,its only more & more .... All of their naughty activities are accompanied by lots of sweet things to enjoy & ponder over.Right now,they are in a stage where they can understand almost everything we say.They don't wanna stay inside the house.Wait 4 the door to open & run out.Climbing up & down the sofa is their favorite activity.They r crazy about switches.We ve tried to block most of them but in vain. I ve taught them to say 'SORRY'.How???Hold both ur ears with ur hands,sit down & stand up(YES,the typical Pillayar Thoopukaram).They are very well aware of their mistake & say sorry in a very cute way with all smiles.How can ever even think to punish...

Rainy Day in hot Summer How is to enjoy the rain from ur balcony sipping a hot cuppa Boost! Boost ????????????? Bcoz i don't drink coffee/tea.Its raining today releaving us from the scrotching heat.This year Banglaore is experiencing a record high tempertaure of 38/37 D cel.While some people are running helter-skelter ,others are happy to get drenched and so am I. But I stayed in my balcony just letting my handout to enjoy the few drops of rain to fall on my hands like a school girl. Just a few drops changes the whole climate.We switch over from cool/icy juices to hot coffee/tea.Within a moment or even before it begins to rain, birds & dogs go away in search of shelter.Of coz, many of us are aware that birds & some animals are better adapted to understand nature's subtle signals & vibrations and react fast. I wish I could have gone 4 a walk in rain.We are alwz worried more about the consequences and forget to enjoy the present moment.What If I fall sick if i get wet...

Sametime, last year we visited Hogenakkal with Chuchi & co.This year we planned to go to Dubare(or "Dubakoor" in Vinod's language) Elephant Camp with Marketics friends.The master mind behind this idea was Giri.There were not many people who opted to come and as usual a few last minute dropouts. The final count was 11 with 2.5 non-marketics people( Ranga-my better-half,Sushmita & Aakash - Ajay's beloved wife & baby) We were all set to leave at 5.00 am(IST) on Saturday.All of us gathered prompty at the new Mkts office.Guess what happpened ? There has to be a spoil-sport. Today, it was the turn of the bus driver. We had chosen to travel in a Swaraj Mazda with a push-back , video,etc .Finally, got a wonderful "dubakoor-dabba" vandi that too just late by 2 hrs and 30 min.After all the initial disappointment, we started at 7.30 am with gloomy and hunger-struck faces.Haryy & Aparna, were picked up on the way.Our next stop was Kamat on the Mysore Ro...

Back again to share my experience about my trip with Marketics friends. Wondering about the place ???? Located in the southernmost part of Karnataka is the Chamrajnagar district.This place lies in the leeward side of Nilgiris. So,why has this place gained importance ? What's special? Hmmm.. The Bheemeshwari river (?). As always all rivers have different names in different regions.The Kaveri flowing here takes the name of "Bheemeshwari" . A renowned place for fishing,the home for "Mahseer" , the largest tropical sporting fish known. It is also in the endangered list of species. Simple background for the trip is that the toiling & night working of the IBM team has won us an offsite :) The excited and enthusiastic junta of IBM team gathered at the office by 6.00 am(is'nt that gr8. We come late only on working days ;) ). A gang of 30 members boarded the bus, geared up with breakfast, refreshments, football, rackets..... Few people were picked up on the way ...