MANY MORE BIRTHDAY FOR $HILPA...

Few days back, we went to MGM Casino. This Casino is considered to be biggest one in DMV (DC+Maryland+Virginia) area. While entering Casino, they had made a ramp for Guest who visit Casino for the 1st time & on this red carpet, me & Shilpa got an opportunity to walk the ramp.

While walking on a ramp I felt like all other guest's eyes glued on us and they continuously starring on us. While walking behind Shilpa, holding the pinky finger of my bride, I felt like I leads the first four vows, which is followed by the remaining three rounds concluded by the my lovely bride. On every steps i am walking on ramp, I felt like we both are performing "SAPTAPADI", the families & the guest remain seated around the RAMP, showering us with flowers and rice; signifying their blessings upon us. No doubt, me & Shilpa had rock the stage & put the stage on fire...

While walking a ramp, i mesmerising all 7 pheras as uttered by Harishbhaimaharaj during my marriage, 

FIRST PHERA – PRAYER FOR FOOD AND NOURISHMENTS.....“With God as our guide, let us take the first step to live with honour and respect. Let us walk together so we get food”

SECOND PHERA – STRENGTH.....“Let us be happy and enjoy life. Let us walk together so we grow together in strength,”

THIRD PHERA – PROSPERITY.....“Let us share joys and pains together. Let us walk together so we get wealth.” 

FOURTH PHERA – MY LOVELY FAMILY.....“Let us not forget parents and elders. Let us walk together so we get happiness by sharing our joys and sorrows,”

FIFTH PHERA – PROGENY.....“Let us observe all acts of charity. Let us walk together so we have family”

SIXTH PHERA – HEALTH.....“Let us live a long and peaceful life. Let us walk together so we have joy”

SEVENTH PHERA.....“Let us be friends with love and sacrifice. Let us walk together so we have friendship” 

I let Shilpa go ahead so that she can put a stage on fire. I prefer posture as free style dancer & I prefer, let each other enjoy this freedom....be whatever circumstances, I tried to be a true exhibitor of love, passion & compassionate which did reminds me of "7th phera of SAPTAPADI" as the content as described by Purohitji as below,

"They share the stage as to make a vow together. They shall share love, share the same food, share strengths, share the same tastes. We shall be of one mind, we shall observe the vows together. 

I shall be the Samaveda, you the Rigveda, 

I shall be the Upper World, you the Earth; 

I shall be the Sukhilam, you the Holder - together we shall live and beget children, and other riches; come thou, O sweet-worded girl!"

I wish to celebrate more and more years of togetherness so that i can celebrate more birthdays....

I wish you A Happy Birthday from the bottom my heart...... 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN

In USA, people give too much importance to Halloween festival where most Native American decorate their home in Halloween theme. Halloween means holy evening or All Saints Day.

In the eighth century, All Saints Day was celebrated to honour saints. The eve of All Saints Day was called All Hallows Eve which then came to be known as Halloween.

The custom of trick-or-treating, in which children dress up in costume and solicit treats from neighbors, became popular in the United States in the early 20th century as Irish and Scottish communities revived the Old World custom of “guising,” in which a person would dress in costume and tell a joke, recite a poem, or perform some other trick in exchange for a piece of fruit or other treat. By trick-or-treating for candy had become one of Halloween’s most popular activities. Today, Halloween is one of the biggest holidays for candy sales in the United States….

હેપ્પી બર્થડે મારા પ્રિય પપ્પા.

 હેપ્પી બર્થડે મારા પ્રિય પપ્પા.

આ પપ્પા એટલે ?​

પપ્પા એટલે ખાલી એક નામ ?

પપ્પા એટલે ખાલી એક દેખાવ જ ?

પપ્પા એટલે ખાલી એક પદ ?

પપ્પા એટલે ખાલી બાયોડેટામાં નામની પાછળ લાગતુ અસ્તિત્વ ?

ના ….

પપ્પા એટલે પરમેશ્વરના પુરાણો કરતા પણ વધુ પ્રેકટિકલ પ્રેરણાદાઇ પુસ્તક...

આપણી સૌથી મોટી તકલીફ એ છે કે આપણા માંથી ઘણા પુરાણો વાંચવાની

અને સમજવાની વાતો કરે છે પણ ઘરમાં બેઠેલા પપ્પાને નથી વાંચી શકતા...

આ પપ્પા નામે પ્રોફાઇલને ક્રેડિટ સાથે

બહુ લેવાદેવા નહી.. મા ને ઇશ્વર માની લેનાર સમાજ પપ્પાને પપ્પા જ સમજે..

કારણકે આ પપ્પાએ કોઇ દિવસ પોતાની જાતને ઇશ્વરની કેટેગરી માટે નોમીનેટ

કર્યો જ નથી.

​"ખબરદાર જો આમ કર્યુ છે તો...​

​આવવા દે તારા પપ્પાને..​

​બધ્ધું જ કહી દઇશ" આવા વાક્યો​

​દરેક મા એ કયારેક ને કયારેક​ ​પોતાના બાળકને નાનપણમાં કહ્યાં જ હશે....​

​અને ન છૂટકે પણ પેલો ઓફિસમાં ફેમીલી માંટે કમાતો બાપ બાળકનો અજાણ્યો દુશ્મન બની જાય છે. અને અજાણતા જ સંતાનો સાથેનું આ છેટું ઘણું લાંબુ ચાલે છે.​

​ઘણા કિસ્સાઓમાં તો પપ્પાની ખરી કિંમત સમજાય છે ત્યા સુધીમાં પપ્પા ખીલ્લી પર ટાંગેલ ફોટો બની ગયો હોય છે.​

બાકી પપ્પા તો એવા પરમેશ્વર છે જેને પામવા વ્રત, ઉપવાસ કે અઘરા શ્લોકના ગાન કરવા નથી પડતા... આપણી તકલીફમાં આપણા ખભાને ટેકો દેવા એ

પપ્પા નામના પરમ મિત્રને ઓળખવાની કળા મોટા ભાગે યુવાનીમાં કેળવાતી જ નથી બાકી એ વાત ખરી કે આ ઉંમરમાં પપ્પા ભણાવા કરતા ગણાવે છે વધુ.

કોઇ પપ્પા પાર્ટ ટાઇમ નોકરી કરતો હશે પણ પિતૃત્વતો ફુલ ટાઇમ જ કરતો હશે.. કારણકે ઓફિસમાં ​ઓવર ટાઇમ કરતો પપ્પા આખરે તો દિકરા કે દિકરીને સઘળી સવલતો આપવા જ સજ્જ થતો હોય છે....​

​આપણી યુવાનીમાં કરેલી ભૂલોથી ટાયર્ડ થઇ જતો પપ્પા ચીડાઇ ને પિતૃત્વથી રીટાયર્ડ નથી થઇ જતો.. એને પળે પળ આપણને કશું એટલા માટે શીખવાડવું છે કારણકે જીવનમાં જયાં જયાં એણે પીછે હટ ભરી છે ત્યાં ત્યાં આપણે ન ભરી દઇએ.....​

આ પપ્પા એટલે ૯ વાગે ટીવી બંધ કરીને જબરજસ્તી ભણવા બેસવાનો ઓર્ડર નહી પણ ભણતરની કિંમત સમજાવતુ એક સુવાક્ય..

​આ પપ્પા એટલે રાત્રે જયાં સુધી ઘરે ન આવીયે ત્યાં સુધી સતત ચાલતો હિંચકાનો કિચુડ કિચુડ અવાજ ....​

આ પપ્પા એટલે મમ્મી કરતાં પણ વધુ વ્હાલની ઉપર પહેરેલૂં કડકાઇનું મ્હોરુ..

​આ પપ્પા એટલે એકવાર ખાઇ લીધા પછી મમ્મીથી સંતાડીને બીજી વાર અપાતી ચોકલેટ...​

આ પપ્પા એટલે એવી પર્સનાલીટી જે ફેશન ન કરતી હોવા છતાં ય આપણા સ્ટાઇલ આઇકોન બની જાય....

આ પપ્પા એટલે આપણને કદિ યે પડી

ન જવા દેતો સાઇકલની સીટની પાછળથી પકડેલો મજબુત હાથ...

​આખરે પપ્પા ઍટલે પપ્પા…બસ આમ જુવો તો કશું જ નહી અને આમ જુવો તો બધ્ધું જ...​

એ પપ્પા નામના પુસ્તકમાં એવુ સરસ મઝાનું પાનુ જોડાશે જે જીવનભર વાંચવું ગમશે..

તમારા જન્મદિવસ પર, હું તમને સ્વસ્થ, સમૃદ્ધ, સારા જીવનની ઇચ્છા કરું છું.

Olympic Torch For Crematorium

 

Today morning on 3am, i wokeup due to some unusual dream. When I woke up, I was literally sweating all over my body. In my dream, I was sweating due to lava type fire over my head. I could see that This scorching heat was coming from the torch I was holding in my hand. I could see that I was walking ahead of all people while other 100 and 1000’s of people were following me. I could see my relatives were all dressed like some faded whites clothes & others people’s were in some sporting attire. I was walking & holding the torch for which I feel like I am heading to begin the starting of an torch relay with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. 

THE OLYMPIC TORCH

At first glance, holding torch of Olympic i felt like Prometheus's gift of the flame to humanity was said to be given to humankind its nudge toward civilization & for the modern Olympic Games, which represents consideration of that myth, an ode to the growth of civilization, and the ancient tradition of the Game’s beginnings ....But all of sudden the flame of sadness continues to burn in the cauldron in my heart and all glittering turned into faded environment of someone’s funeral.

THE OLYMPIC SONG & MUSIC

While further walking, I could see a race track colored with white line of control for each opponent to walk. On one side of race track, all people were cheering for the crowd walking on it.

I was witnessing the ceremonies typically started with the raising of the host country's flag and a performance of its national anthem. The host nation then presents artistic displays of music, singing, dance, and theater representative of its culture, history, and the Olympic game motto. 

All of sudden all songs & music turned into dirge- a somber song turned into lament expressing mourning for someone who died and the race track turned into cremation meeting of my Damubaa. A well-decorated photograph of her is carried by my Papa in the center of race-track. Floral arrangements were made to pay regards to the lost one. The Pandit/Priest announces the death of the lost one and everyone started paying respect to my Papa & other family members.

THE OLYMPIC RING

On one side of race-track, I could see symbol of Olympic, The Olympic Rings which are used to represent the 5 continents of the world that contain countries to show that they are united together...  the 5 continents with countries are represented on the Olympic Rings turned into face of my family member - headed by Papa in Center Ring, Dhanesh on left top Ring, Darshana on right top ring, Alka on left bottom Ring & myself on right bottom Ring of Olympic symbol.

THE LAST RITE

One of the sportsman was announcing the history & idea for the Olympic flame that was derived from ancient Greece, where a sacred fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics on the altar of the sanctuary of Hestia. Sacred fires were present at many ancient Greek sanctuaries, including those at Olympia. The modern Olympic flame is ignited at the site where the temple of Hera used to stand turned into funeral of my mother, Damu....and lead cremator i.e. me & Dhanesh were leading the cremation ceremony with carrying burned dhup, fragrance sticks in small pot. I could see I circumambulated the dry wood pyre on her, says a eulogy or recites a hymn by priest, I places sesame seeds or rice in her mouth, sprinkles the body and the pyre with ghee, then draws three lines signifying Yama (deity of the dead), Kala (time, deity of cremation) and the dead. 

Prior to lighting the pyre, an earthen pot which was filled with water, and i circled her with it, before lobbing the pot over my shoulder so it breaks near the head side on the floor. Once the pyre is ablaze, both lead mourners… me & Dhanesh and all closest relatives started circumambulate the burning pyre for one or more time. 

For Brahmin, birth & death are closely associated as a part human life cycle of “coming and going” as seen in transient stage towards liberation complete unity with God for the peace of the soul. There is a belief that the soul of the departed is still conscious of any emotions on people’s behalf. These rituals assist the spirit of the deceased to obtain a new body for reincarnation in this Prayer halls being divine and purity help in this process. And hence the cold collected ashes from the cremation is later consecrated to Nashik by me & Dhanesh.

I could see panaromic view of my mother’s funeral as all instances has been associated with consolidation of my memory, which suggests that dreaming may serve an important cognitive function of strengthening memory and informational recall that I had in the past….

Rest In Peace my mother….happy for your liberation from Birth, Death, Old Age & Diseases…

HELMET - Take care of HEAD

After graduating in business Commerce\economics & getting International certification in I.T., I got a decent job in a I.T. company. I had no pressure from my family to get married as they are all aware of my affair with Shilpa.

Unaware of my love-dovie, during caste functions, most of my relatives pull me over to show me girls so that they can convince me for marrying their daughter\relatives and happens to meet this girl under such arranged marriage system for my cousin's & I also started liking this girl. Unfortunately it was my first such experience of seeing a girl & getting rejected - outright on my face. Later, out of curiosity, I asked my relative as to why she rejected me? My relative gave me a reason that she is expecting to marry a rich man.

I understand that most of the girls want to marry rich guys and It is very unfortunate how men are reduced to price tags. Put the details aside, what that girl was trying to do is an exchange of her “beauty” with “money”: Person A provides beauty, and Person B pays for it, fair and square.

However, there’s a deadly problem here, Girls beauty will fade some day, but money will not be gone unless for any good reason. The fact is, my income might increase from year to year, but she can’t be prettier year after year.

Hence from the viewpoint of economics, I am an appreciation asset, whereas she was a depreciation asset. It’s not just normal depreciation, but exponential depreciation. If that is her only asset, her value would be much worse 15-20 years later.

By the terms we use in Stock Market- every trading has a position so marrying with her is also a “trading position” So if the trade value dropped, we will sell it and it is not a good idea to keep it for long term – same goes with the marriage that she wanted and expected. It might be cruel to say this, but in order to make a wiser decision, any assets with great depreciation value will be eithr sold or “leased”.

I....ofcourse moved on in life and got married to a girl....love of my life.

15 years later i.e.years in 2014, on one the signal in Kandivali, I saw the same beautiful lady at a traffic signal with her husband seating on rear seat of their Honda Activa. While on green signal, she was trying to kickstart their scooter because seems like the battery start was not working. I looked out of my newly bought Sedan car and I briefly looked at her. Though she recognized me but still i didnt called her and without any hint of recognition, I moved from her eyes away, far from her... because I prefer to stay safe from such spices of human.

At that moment, after driving a two wheeler for over 25 years, first time in my life I realized the value of a helmet as she was trying to hide her face in it....

So always wear a helmet in your own safety !!!

PICHKARIII

There is no doubt that USA is an expensive country & the civic services are of the best standards.

So this was an incident while we had been just moved to USA in 2019. I had been to Taco Bell for munching its inventive, often whimsical, Mexican-inspired items. While placing an order I happened to see an Maharashtrian look-alike Indian man sitting on other side of table. This man was looking typical Marathi as he had wore Mahi Gold Plated Peshwai Bhik Bali 

Apart from his wife and two children, this man & was also accompanied by his old age father of 70’ age. It look like they were on their holiday in USA as they were sitting with tons of luggage bags.

I could hear a noise of son annoyed & firing his father- left & right. I overheard their discussion & which made me laugh out spontaneously ...

They were traveling on 66 highway, one of the express ways from Washington to other state. This Indian Family were in their car and coincidentally was followed by a Local Police driving at a safe distance. Suddenly this police  saw head of an old man coming out of their window and was vomiting blood. A lady cop took a quick action and inform 911 (The three-digit telephone number "9-1-1" has been designated as the "Universal Emergency Number," for citizens throughout the United States to request emergency assistance. It is intended as a nationwide telephone number and gives the public fast and easy access to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for help.)

In no time, there appeared an Air Ambulance Helicopter provider utilizes an advanced fleet of jets that are configured as hospital intensive care units as to provide the best care possible. In the meanwhile, the lady police forced their car to park on curbside. 

Looking at Police car & Air Ambulance, these Indian family got scared & could not utter a single word to them. The well trained staff quickly shifted this old man on the stretcher. Oxygen supply started in helicopter itself. Experienced Doctor who also flew in Helicopter started examining him And Sometime later, the old man was declared safe and fit to travel again. 

Kudos to Quick Help and Well Done the Police for their quick action.

But for these services, our Bhau had to cough up USD$ 3000. 

With these unplanned heavy financial charges, this man was in shock and he blasted on his Old Aged Father : "Tichi Ayalaa, kay tumhi pann....Khiḍakīcyā bāhēra guṭakhā khāṇyācī ani pichkari marnya chi kay garaj hoti? “

EVERYDAY IS MOTHERS DAY FOR ME....2021

 My conversion with my maa, THEN & NOW

THEN...

Maa: Beta, I fought with death when I was giving birth to you. I had spent sleepless nights when you were sick and crying. I remembered that I never ate without feeding you first. I bore so many pains to bring you to the stage that you are in today so tell me how will you repay me, Chetu?

ME: Maa, I promise you that When I grow up, I will find a good job and earn lots of money for you so you can enjoy all happiness of this world.

Maa:Your Papa is already doing this and I do not expect this from you too. Also by the time you start earning, I will be old and will not be in need of any worldly luxuries.

so I thought for a while & reply her 

ME: “okay then I will find a pious girl and marry her so she can cook for you and will also take care of you.”

Maa: That is not her duty my Chetu and neither should you marry for that reason. It is not compulsory on her to do any service to me, neither do I expect this from her. Your marriage should be for you only, a companion and a comfort for you as you go through this journey of life.

I didn’t know what to answer her so told her 

ME: “Tell me Maa, how can I repay you then?”

Maa: (With tears in her eyes) Spend quality time with me or call me often when you away from me. As a mother, I only require this much from you while i am alive. 

but when I die, give me your shoulder and burn me with all respect.

Whenever you perform prayers, supplicate for me. 

Give out in charity for me. 

Remember all your good deed will benefit me in hereafter so be good and kind always. 

Fulfill the rights of all those around you. The sleepless nights and pains I took to bring you up, was not a favour to you, my Chetu but was it for my creator. God blessed me with you as a beautiful gift and as a means for me to attain His pleasure. 

Your every good deed becomes my repayment.

So Will you do it my Chetu...?

ME: (Cannot speak and had tears in my eyes)

NOW: 

I lost my Mom 34 year back but all her memories are very well alive in me. After Maa's death, My Papa is playing dual role of father-mother for me. 

While in India, I used to make sure to call Papa every alternate days. I used to make sure to meet him every Sunday to hug him, tight. 

After I moved to USA, I used to call him everyday- just to say HI & How are you....that makes him sooooo happy....

As said by my siblings, everyday evening between 8pm to 9pm, he is awaiting for my call & I make sure to call him toooo...

Because everyday is mothers day for me...

Daylight Saving- The Change Of Weather & Time

                                        

This is what I experience in USA that Daylight Saving Time is the practice of setting the clocks forward one hour from standard time during the summer months, and back again in the falls, in order to make better use of natural daylight.

Say from Daylight saving time 2020 in United States began at 2:00 AM on November'2019 (exactly when we migrated to USA) till April'2020. The Clocks are set forward 1 hour for DST in the spring. The sculpture is of "Six Public Clocks" in USA & many other countries too.

“Spring forward, fall back” is one of the little sayings used to remember which way to set your watch. You set your clock forward one hour in the spring when DST starts lose 1 hour), and back one hour when DST ends in the fall regain 1 hour). Though its funny but from past many years, same raga has been followed here in USA. Even many of my friends who stayed in different states of USA, had different timing in their watch.

Fyi, both the picture comparison captured on same time but on different months i.e. November'2019 & May'2020...

    

ROAD TO ELYSIUM...

I didn't realize, like a speed of light, how this 6 months passed by. In a nick of time, a days slip into weeks, weeks turn into months and soon months will transform into years. Calendars are changing by leaps & bounce...

Away from all, far from Indian soil & after loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, my friends, now I have started loving myself.

In certain things, age has mellowed me down, in others I have become more aggressive. Sometimes I find myself acting very wise and sometimes I just go crazy. Certain issues will have me speaking vociferously whereas at others I just shrug and remain silent in this unknown & new environment.

Within this 6 month, I have realized that I am no more “Atlas" and the world does never rest on my shoulders.

Way back in India, I used pay autowalla and walk away without waiting for a change. The extra money might bring a smile on his face. After all he is toiling much harder for a living than me. Here everything's online so I can't raise my hands to stop cab or shuttle. No human touch at all.

Many times, my papa talk to me same childhood instances repeatedly, so now I have stopped telling him that he had already narrated that same story many times. After all, his repeatative story makes him walk down to his memory lane and relive the past.

At work place, I have learn not to correct americans, even when I know they are wrong because i feel that the onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection so I prefer keep mum. I give compliments freely and generously to everyone. After all its a mood enhancer not only for the recipient but also for me.

Here, I have learnt not to bother about my creased shirt or mismatched shirt & tie because my pleasant personality & smiling face speaks louder than my appearance. I also don't bother if my beard has grown & whites hair depicted my old age. I don't bother of fine lines are showing on my forehead Because beauty of my soul outshines the beauty of my face in my 40's..

In this different land, I have learnt that its better to drop the ego than to break a relationship because one's ego will keep aloof whereas with relationships, I will never be alone so i am connected with everyone.

This life taught me & have learnt to live each day as if it were the last day. After all, one day.....it might be the last day, no one knows the future.

Now every moment, I am doing what makes me happy because I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to me.

And I am loving the new in me.....in this new land of opportunity !!!

TRY, WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH

A young girl and her father were walking along a forest path. 

At some point, they came across a large tree branch on the ground in front of them which was stopping their way further to move on. 

The girl asked her father, “If we can try, do you think we can move that branch?” 

Her father replied, “I am sure 1st if you try alone, you need to use all your strength.” 

The girl tried her best to lift or push the branch, but she was not strong enough and she couldn't move it. 

She said, with disappointment, “You were wrong, dad. I can't move it.” 

“Try again with all your strength,” replied her father. 

Again, the girl tried hard to push the branch. She struggled but it did not move. 

“Dad, I cannot do it,” said the girl.

Finally her father said, “Young lady, I advised you to use 'all your strength'. You didn’t ask for my help.

Moral of this picture...

Our real strength lies not in independence, but in interdependence.

No individual person has all the strengths, all the resources and all the stamina required for the complete blossoming of their vision.

To ask for help and support when we need it is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of wisdom.

Top Of The World...

FROM MY OLD ARCHIVES OF PARIS VISIT...

An unforgettable moment awaits for us in Paris’s most iconic site. We have discover a superb view of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower along with a pleasant dinner. 

A tour guide escort us to the first security check of the Eiffel Tower. 

Feels like top of the world when one reach to the 276 meter of height, one of the 3rd floor of Eiffel Tower & with only antennae above me, Paris lies below my feet. The  noise of the boulevards cant reach me but the cold wind catches me & heart begins to race with it. 

At 276 meters high, we were contemplate the scene in front of us and overlook the main sites of the capital: 1.Montmartre, 2.les Invalides, 3.the Montparnasse tower, 4.l’Arc de Triomphe, etc.

We had priority access to the floor. Arriving at the top of the Eiffel Tower, we were enjoying the exceptional 360° panorama ( from Level-III) that overlooks all of Paris. We had experience astonishing sensations at 276 meters high, while observing this unique view of the landmarks and iconic monuments of Paris: the Louvre museum, the Orsay museum, the Hôtel des Invalides and its gilded dome, the Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre, the Montparnasse Tower which is considered as the highest in Paris, the Champs Elysées, the Arche de la Défense, the Parisian bridges etc. 

It was an Charismatic experience to being on top of the world...

Finally, Age Matters !!!

This picture was taken during our reunion of school friends after 27 years.

There were lot of plans made & failed too. Likewise assembling all working people under roof is not easy task,

But now since we all have crossed 40's and wherever we old friends, discussed where we should meet for lunch for our reunion.

Finally boys will agreed that V would meet at the Ocean View restaurant, because the waitresses were very pretty there.

Ten years later, at the age of 50, we friends once again will discuss where we should meet for lunch. Finally we will agreed that we would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food was good and the wine selection was excellent.

Ten years later, at age 60, we friends again discussed where we should meet for lunch. Finally we will agreed that we would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because we can dine in peace, quiet and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean.

Ten years later, at age 70, we friends discussed where we should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that we would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the restaurant has wheelchair accessible and had an elevator for it.

Ten years later, at age 80, we friends discussed where we should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that we would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before !!!

*Memory loss !!!*

Lets Age with grace & ENJOY OUR LIFE NOW..

Ray's of HOPE...

Thrilled to see this pix.
A smile creates on his face, creates unlimited ray of Hope's in my heart.
Do I have problem? I see him n' it vanishes like an dust melt in Cyclone.
The  color of rainbows play within him, lookalike  as the bright future rolling & waiting tinemachine to vanishes.
He is drafting his own balancesheet wherein his ideas are his *Assets*
He is trying everything  but hopefully he is not cultivating any bad habit as *liabilities*
Seeing him happy-going child that glimpses happiness as our  *Profit.*
I never wants to see u in sorrow or else that would  my  *Loss.*
He has earned his *Goodwill* as Everyone wants him nearby & he has soulmates from school  & college.
A beautiful  character is His *Capital.* & his heart is his *Fixed Assets*
His  knowledge is his great  *Investment* which he should encash on the right time.
I m counting on him as GREAT HOPE as my age is now  *Depreciation.*
Because I know my God is OUR  *AUDITOR*
Have a great profitable life, my son.......

Must visit - Global Vipassana Pagoda

originally posted on fb on January 2, 2014

Far view of "Global Vipassana Pagoda" 
Maharashtra Tourism also declared it as "Seven Wonders Of Maharashtra"

At Entrance of Pagoda. "Myanmar Vipassana Gate"

The Myanmar Gate is a massive entrance arch to the Global Vipassana Pagoda complex, from the under-construction MMRDA road.

Seven tiers will rise from the roof of the arch to the top.
Two side entrances will act as associate entrances as well.
It is done in intricate Burmese designs.

At Entrance of Pagoda.

Zooming to entrance "Myanmar Vipassana Gate"

 

Bell of Dhamma Tower

The Bell tower is an open structure designed in the traditional Burmese architecture holding a massive bell.
The bell, donated by the people of Myanmar, was cast there and imported to India.
It is roughly 14 MT in weight and 8' high.
The RCC pillars holding up the rod and the bell have been decorated with four 'deva' like sculptures surrounding the bell, each about 14' high.
The complete tower has been made up in intricate designs reflecting Burmese culture.

Dhyeya is marching to The Center Of The Global Vipassana Pagoda which contains the world's largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars. 

The Global Vipassana Pagoda complex will consist of the following structures:
Pagoda dome containing relics of Buddha (complete)
Vipassana Meditation Centre Dhamma Pattana (complete)
Art Gallery depicting life of the Buddha (Complete)
Two smaller pagodas on the North and South side (complete on the North side. The building of the South Pagoda, adjoining the Dhamma Pattana Centre, is complete, but the outer dome is under construction.)
Library and study rooms (under planning)
Circumambulation path around the dome (complete with landscaping and tiling still to be done.)
Administration building (complete)
Underground parkade.

Beautification of the Global Vipassana Pagoda.

Much work remains in putting up ornamental designs on the Pagoda, decorating the canopy, canopy pillars, and the verses (dohas) on the Pagoda walls. The Parikrama path will be laid with marble (to ease walking barefoot even on hot days).

This place is surrounded by Garden of Jal Dev, Jal Devta followed Ashok Chkra Stumbh. 

Golden Carving at Anapana Meditation Center in 15 minutes – near the
Buddha’s relics at Global Vipassana Pagoda's North Pagoda (Opposite Visitor's Gallery)

Behind Buddha’s relics at Global Vipassana Pagoda's North Pagoda where Shilpa & Dhyeya had done their 15 minutes fast-track Meditation.

Buddha Statue

The Buddha statue is carved from a single rock of marble, and weighs nearly 80 MT, is 21.5' high.
The Buddha is carved in a seated, meditative posture.
The statue is painted over the white marble, giving the statue a more life-like view.
The seat upon which the Buddha is seated is 3' high, and contiguous with the rest of the statue.
Four scenes from the Buddha's life are also shown, as mini-dioramas carved into the front part of the seat. These four are, from left to right: Birth of the Buddha, Enlightenment of the Buddha, Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in motion, Passing away of the Buddha
Exquisite designs have been made with intricate artwork in making the throne of the Buddha behind the actual statue.
An RCC umbrella has been hung over the statue. Bells similar to the ones hanging on the umbrella over the Main Pagoda have been attached here as well.

BUNDLE OF JOY... ☺

10th exams are on the head, to ease him out, we were playing Rummy. I made him lost in all games & keep giving him challenges to be better player next time. He also don't give up & play with yelling at me loudly as if acceptance of my challenges.
I mesmerized there were days when My home used to be filled with laughter, arguments, fights, jokes and loads of mischief.

Books used to be strewn all over the show. Pens and books all over, and clothes messing the rooms, thrown on the beds.

We used to shout at him to tidy up his mess.

In the morning:
He will wake up and say :
Mama I can't find a certain book.
And the other will say : I can't find my perfume,
And one will say : Mama where's my homework.
And another : Mama I forgot to complete my homework.

Everyone used to ask about their lost possessions. And I will say, but take care of your stuff, be responsible, you have to grow up now.

And someday, I will stand at the doorway of the room. The beds would be empty. All the cupboards will have only a few pieces of clothes in them. And what remains is the smell of perfume that lingers in the air.

Everyone had a special smell. So I take in the smell of their perfume for maybe it will fill the empty ache in my heart.

Someday, all I will have would be the memory of his laughs and his mischief and his warm hugs.

After few years, my house would be clean, organized and everything would bd in its place, and it it would calm and peaceful. But that would like a desert with no life in it. So do not become angry with your kids about the mess.

Every time they come to visit and they spend time with us, when they are ready to leave. They pull their bags and it is as if they tug our heart along with it.

They close the door behind them and then I stand still and think of the many times I shouted them to close the doors.
But here I am today, closing my own doors. Nobody opens it besides me. He has gone to a different city or a different country. All left to find their own path in life.

They have grown up and I wished that they could stay with me forever.

Oh! God..... Take care of them & all other children wherever they may be, for you are their guide and their protector ...and always keep them happy.

If your children are still in the stage that you need to talk and talk before they could get things done in the house, please, cherish and endure it with joy, don't nag, they will soon leave your home for you, remember they were not there at the beginning of your marriage. Now that they are around, make them happy.

Dedicated to ...My Happy Dhyeya....

EXIT..

                                                                       originally posted on fb on Feb 17 at 7:32pm

Today,  I took long turn & left my routine road..... Just to drop one of my old friend.... I did it purposefully because I m doing whatever my heart says.... Tomorrow I may exit from life..... Leaving all behind...

Whatever you have in your life *TODAY*, please​ be happy with that.

Michael Schumacher, one of the greatest drivers of Formula 1, is forgotten and fighting for his life after a ski accident in 2013 when he sustained severe head injuries! He weighs a mere 40lbs today and is fighting for his life daily.

To think... he won 91 GP and was 7 (seven) times world champion. The speed was in his soul but on a day of relaxation in a ski resort, fate intervened and his life changed forever!

To-date, his medical bill is around 14million Euros

wife had to sell his properties to pay the medical expenses.

His tragedy could be a lesson in life for all of us. There is nothing permanent in this *short sojourn on earth*. Why bicker about race and religion when we all end up as skulls and skeletons without a difference!

You need money to survive but you need not be consumed by it.

Do not be unkind to yourself by saying you will enjoy tomorrow as tomorrow may never come &  you will EXIT FROM LIFE...

Do not give excuses to have a good time with God , family and friends. For in the end, only they matter.

All we have today is *today's time*. Let's do good & learn to live a *contented life*!

Have no grudges with any body,

we just have today..BECAUSE Tomorrow we need to EXIT FROM LIFE...

Take a leap...

originally posted on fb on January 11 

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE. SEE POSITIVE WIBES OF YOUR’S. HAVE A DAY DREAM & PLAN, HOW TO ACHIEVE…….JUST GO FOR IT…

Do you ever sit and stargazed about how you’d like your life to be ?

Trips you’d like to take … 
Cars, homes, and vacation properties you’d like to own?
Do you ever dream of earning 3, 4, even TEN TIMES your present income in your job OR Profession?

And do you end up saying something like, “Well … maybe not THAT much. Maybe just a new Bucks, instead of that Honda City Car. And I’d be happy with just doubling my income … if I can……”

When you trammel your dreams this way, according to certain “demarcation line” you limit yourself…

and I want you to know that these SP-CALLED boundaries are entirely ARTIFICIAL !!! They’re not real. They’re merely the reflections of a set of beliefs you carry around with you – many of which wouldn’t EVEN BE there if someone else hadn’t put them there years ago.

But the truth is……..

What is within your reach is enough to stagger the mind!!!

I’m not referring to a ten or twenty percent improvement either in NEEDS OR WANTS. Because while that might be impressive enough for some people, it is not what Universe want for you. Instead, go for those dramatic “quantum leap” gains!!! Forget about “common sense” and S-T-R-E-T-C-H.

Now … because those limiting beliefs – those “dream fences” – are imaginary, that means that can be changed.

What are you waiting for?... Take a leap...

Special Attention

originally posted on fb on January 22 at 9:56am

Ohhh my boy..... I truly believe in this.. 
When you have a normal child and he has good grades, you are happy. When he gets what we teach him, we're happy. "normal" learning is a joy and of course it is your duty. But when we have a child with certain limits, each learning can be longer than for another child or be minimal or perhaps non-existent. 

I would like to ask you a favor related to an important topic: this is the week of special education, Autism, dyslexia, ADHD (Deficit-Deficit Disorder). For all the children who fight every day to succeed and those who are trying to help them. It would be good to teach our children to be nice and accept all the classmates. Children with special needs are not uncommon. They want what everyone wants: to be accepted!!! 

Can I make an application? Copy and paste this in honor of all children who are unique, and different. We'll see who has a strong heart.
Believe it or not, we need it. Every child is unique and different and that's what the beauty of the world does."