மார்கழித் திங்கள்

ஒவ்வொரு வருடமும்,  மார்கழி வருவதற்கு சில நாட்கள்  முன்னாடியே எனக்கு உள்ளூர ஒரு ஜுரம் வரும் - அது தான் எதிர்பார்ப்பு .  பல வருஷமா இந்த மாதத்தை பார்த்துப் பார்த்து, பழகி விட்டது.

ஸ்கூல் படிக்கும் போதே விடிகாலை நான்கு மணி  சுமாருக்கு எழுந்திருக்கு முன்னமேயே , பல சப்தங்கள் கேட்கும்.  பக்கத்து கோவிலில் இருந்து திருப்பாவை , தெருவில் செல்லும் பஜனை- தூக்கம் வராது. கொஞ்ச நாள் கழித்து இவை இல்லேன்னா தூக்கம் வரலை.

அம்மா உந்துதலில் , ஒரு நாள் நானும் போய் ஒரு பாட்டு பாடினேன் - இன்னும் மறக்கவில்லை அந்தப் பாட்டை- "அம்பா உன்னை நம்பினேன் ..." 

கிழக்கு மாட வீதி வீட்டை விட்டு போன பின்பும் ஒவ்வொரு வருடமும் பஜனைக்கு  வருவேன். அபீஸ் போக ஆரம்பித்த உடன், சனி, ஞாயிறு தவறாமல்  பஜனைக்கு வருவேன். பல முறை வயசான அம்மாவை காரில் கூட்டிண்டு வந்தப்போ, வாயார வாழ்த்தினாள் - இப்பொழுதுதான் அர்த்தம் புரிகிறது. 

இந்த வருஷம் ஆபீஸ் அவசரம்  இல்லாமல் , நிம்மதியாக பல பாட்டுக்கள் கேட்டேன்.  என்ன ஒரு கமிட்மென்ட் இந்த பஜனை கோழ்டிகளுக்கு   - பாபநாசம் சிவன், அண்ணாஜி ராவ் ... கொட்டும் மழையிலும் நாலு மாட வீதியிலும் அருமையாகப் பாடினார்கள்.

வைகுண்ட ஏகாதேசி அன்று "பார்த்தசாரதி திருவல்லிக்கேணியில் ..." - கேட்க குடுத்து வைக்கணும். இந்த கோழ்டிக்கு குடை பிடித்த சந்தோசம் , அந்த மார்கழிக் குளிரிலும் இனித்தது. 

சில பாடல்கள் ஞாபகத்துக்கு வந்தது " என்ன தவம் செய்தனை" , " எந்தரோ மகானு ..".

இப்பத்தான் புரிகிறது , ஏன் பலர் அமெரிக்காவிலேர்ந்து   மார்கழியில்  சென்னைக்கு  ஓடி வரான்னு- காண்டீன்  மட்டும் இல்லை , அவாள்ளாம் வேறே எதோ ருசியையும் ரசிக்கறாள்

What is the use ?

People often wonder about the relevance of many activities which are seemingly not noticed or taken cognizance by others. For instance, the often dilapidated foot over bridge across railway lines near stations. I have noticed that very few use these and prefer to cross the railway track but still the authorities are religiously putting up these at every station. What is the use?

One often wonders about the necessity of emergency procedures demos in flights when no one seems to be listening to the same. What is the use?

None of us take a second look at the parking fee receipt with lots of exclusions/exemptions. What is the use?

When executing documents for obtaining lockers or loans from Banks, the customer signs many documents and am yet to hear of anyone who has read these! What is the use?

On a closer analysis, we will find that none of these is useless and every activity is substantiated by some requirements of law. For instance, the government is expected to provide sufficient facility for the public to cross railway lines and after providing the same, if a person is hit by a passing train, then the government is absolved of its liability to compensate for the loss of life.

Similarly, the flight announcements- The airline is not only supposed to have taken enough precautions for emergency during flight but also educate the using public on the same. Thus it will not only create facilities but also appear to have taken steps to educate the passengers.

The parking lot or the Bank lockers are in a way meant for the space to be leased and the authorities are not bound by the articles placed there. Be it the loss of your bike at the parking lot or the contents of your locker- the authority is not responsible, under normal circumstances.

Well, the presence of such specific documents or attempts to inform/educate the customers about the provisions strengthens the intention of the authorities as the customers or the using public cannot claim ignorance of these, though ignorance is no excuse!

Christmas '04

While I am rejoicing at my friends enjoying the Christmas celebrations, my memories force me back to Christmas of 2004. I hosted a dinner to my family at Hotel Mathura and we returned late in the night. After lots of gossip we retired late and so woke up late the next day, which was unusual. Two things rocked the day. We heard that there were strong tremors felt in T Nagar and by impulse, I rang up my office at HT1 to be assured by security that all is well.

Before I could relax, my mom who was going to the temple for Arudra Dharshan rang up from the entrance of my apartments and informed that there was panic on the streets. People running helter skelter saying that the sea water has entered Chennai and that it is rushing towards our apartments. I was trying to contain my laughter- sea water entering!! But, when i came down, the scene was scary. I could see people residing in the nearby slum taking shelter in our apartment basement; I saw an elderly person, who was in the midst of his pooja, being dragged by his son to safety; One slum dweller remarked " Do you think you are safe in that concrete building- Everything will be wiped out by the great wave!". I was now bewildered but when I ventured to go to the seashore which was less than a kilometer from my place, I was prevented.

 Slowly when the picture started emerging, it was scary. In a single stroke, one huge wave has entered a house and instantly killed many inmates sleeping there. There were scenes of many bodies in track suites- of joggers along the coastline. There was one huge car being tossed by the waves, which was receding! When I heard that there was more than knee deep water near Gandhi Statue, I shuddered. The road was nearly half kilometer from the coast and if there was knee deep water there, how high and forceful should have been the great wave! I used to go for morning walks on the pavement, after parking my bike near Gandhi statue! My brother, just returned after completing his walk. I heaved a sigh of relief but it was painful to realize the loss of so many lives not only in Chennai, but in other parts of India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. My Co-brother escaped the fury due to a puncture in his car, as he was heading for Velankanni , one of the worst hit places and the tyre puncture delayed his reaching Velankanni. So, next time when there is an impediment, rather than cursing thank your stars. It could be for your welfare. But who wants another Tsunami!

Ten beautifully worded Commandments

1. Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs towards the right path!
2. Do you know why a car's windshield is so large and the rearview mirror is so small?
   Because our PAST is not as important as your FUTURE. Look Ahead and Move on
3. Relationship is like a book. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write
4. All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.
5. Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a diamond, you always need a base of gold!
6. Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, God smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!
7. When God solves your problems, you have faith in His abilities; when God doesn't solve your problems He has faith in your abilities.
8. A blind person asked Swami Vivekanand: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?"- He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"
9. When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.
10. Worrying does not take away tomorrows' troubles, it takes away today's Peace.

Separation!

We come across many occasions in life, where separation is encountered. Human mind tends to get emotionally attached to anything - be it a pet, your office desk, favourite pen, mobile phone, bike, the sparrow you see daily morning....

Knowing pretty well that these are things that are not going to last forever, one still develops a bond with them. Observe people preparing for a night journey on trains- somehow try and get the best of the berths, hang the handbag in the first available hook, tilt the fan for a direct cool air ! Next morning on reaching the destination, the whole compartment is empty and if you have had time to observe, you would have wondered the need for such elaborate personalization of the previous night. Still we do all these, as we would like to have the best, always.

As the song goes "உறவு என்றொரு சொல் இருந்தால் பிரிவு என்றொரு ...." , separation is inevitable. Only thing is - certain times these are with our choice and some are not.

Though Official separations are invariably pre planned , still it leaves a huge impact on the individuals. After all, we spend the greater part of our day here and these pangs appear justifiable. I have heard many retired persons suffering in adapting to this situation and hence it is very essential one prepares for the same.

I have an (un?)enviable distinction of having undergone this experience twice in my life -  one after 25 years in a Bank and the latest after 8 years. The earlier one in 2001 , though after 25 years , was not that acute as I had plans for alternate official activities and was eagerly awaiting the release to proceed . No doubt, this stint in the Bank gave me the ground for the subsequent leap.

But the latest  separation had a more telling and profound effect.

The decision to separate itself was planned over a long period and after careful analysis of the impact from all angles, the decision was finally made in the larger interest of the undersigned and the Organization! The notice period, serves as a good planning phase as one could systematically plan to smoothly effect the transition. But, come the last day, I felt pretty heavy on many matters- that I could no more wear the Id card, the tea break exchanges,  some interesting meetings and most importantly the people. I had acquired many friends, well wishers and counselees, as was evident from the many mails received in response to my farewell note. .. At the farewell meet, I could realize how many hearts I had touched and what sort of expectations I had carried , without even realizing the same. Such moments make the years of association worth its weight in gold.

Who Will Cry When You Die - Robin Sharma

Recently, I concluded reading Robin Sharma's book "Who Will Cry When You Die". As I had mentioned elsewhere, I was looking for a different book of Robin, when I happened to chance on this and the title attracted me more. Cursory glance at the Index proved me instantly that the topics are to my liking and I bought it. My guess was again proved right- the book contained small chapters, not exceeding a page, of interesting topics. The writing is so fluid that one could travel with the topic and the author's thoughts. The chapters were made up of good deep thoughts and the language was educative. Every chapter was studded with little nuggets of quotes and on completing reading the book, one not only had some deep inspiring thoughts but also with a handful of famous quotes, worthy of remembrance.  At the end of reading the book, my takeaway was a twenty page collection of Robin's thoughts which was a bundle of thoughts worth preserving. One can safely recommend this to students, professionals, businessman and anyone who wants to learn !  17-Oct-2010

Some Quotes and excerpts I enjoyed

While reading, I used to note down passages that impressed me and some of the writing and quotes are shared below:

1. Sandal tree, as if to prove how sweet to conquer hate by love, perfumes the axe that lays it low.
2. Half open doors are always half closed doors. But, fully opened doors are never fully closed.
3. The trouble with not having a goal is that you spend your life running up and down the field and  never score.
4. I complained because I had no shoes , until I saw one with no feet.
5. You are not matured, until you expect the unexpected.
6. Bad temper, real or contrived, serves as a No Trespassing sign.
7. If God be with you, who can be against you.
8. Beware of what you want, for you will get it - Emerson
9. So many Gods, so many creeds , so many paths that wind and wind while just the art of being kind is all that the sad world needs.
10. Success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.
11. Oh God, please save me from my friends. I will deal with my enemies myself.
12. Do the thing that you fear and the death of fear is certain - Emerson
13. Abuse that is not answered is like a food rejected by the guest which reverts to the host- Buddha
14. So little done, so much to do - Cecil Rhodes
15. Dream is not what you see in sleep. It is the things which does not let you sleep- Dr Kalam
16. Arrow goes forward only after pulling in backwards. Bullet goes forward only after pressing the trigger backward. Such that, every human being will be happy only after facing difficulties in their life path. So, don't be afraid to face your difficulties- they will push you forward
17. The absence of noise is not the presence of peace.
18. Character is what you are in the dark - Lord John Whorfin
19. Someone please give me back the days that have passed away.
20. It is better to deserve honours and not have them rather than to have them and not to deserve them.
21. When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go. Only one of two things will happen. Either He will catch you when you fall or He will teach you to fly.
22. First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you and then you Win - Gandhiji
23. If God answers your prayer, He is increasing your faith. If He delays , He is increasing your patience. If He does not answer, He knows you can handle it.
24. I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone- Bill Cosby
25. Boats are safer in harbour. But, that's not what they are built for.