Interesting information.

The great tribes of Berbers in classical antiquity (when they were often known as ancient Libyans were said to be three (roughly from west to east) : the Mauri, the Numidians near Carthage and the Gaetulians. The Mauri inhabited the far west (ancient Mauretinia, now Morocco and central Algeria.

       *     *     *

Many people have ideas on how others should change;

few people have ideas on how they should change.

- Leo Tolstoy

 

Tailpiece. 

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready within the time frame.

Lunch at the Kumar Cafe, the food was nice but what a crowd?

A quiet evening, thereafter.

 

 

 

The rules.

Here are the 7 rules of life.

1. Let it go

    Never ruin a good day by thinking about a bad yesterday.

2. Ignore them

    What other people think of you is none of your business.

3. Give it time

    Time heals everything.

4. Don't compare

    The only person you should try to beat is the person you were yesterday.

5. Stay calm

    It's okay not to have everything figured out. now that in time, you'll get there.

6. It's on you

    Only you are in charge of your happiness.

7. Smile

    You don't own all the problems in the world.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a quarter past 5, washed up and recited my prayers. Went to the Foundation by 10.

Offered condolences to Baburaj on the passing away of his mother.

The 'sarga saayaahnam' featuring Pannian Ravindran's talk was lapped up by the crowd. 

At Thiruvananthapuram.

Got up at 4, thanks to Lekha's cellphone alarm, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 5. But got into an untenable situation in that my suitcase couldn't be closed till I removed my pair of leather shoes. Got into Sukesh's auto rickshaw at a half past 5. Luckily there wasn't any queue to buy tickets and the cute young thing at the counter was more than helpful.

Sat in the train and recited my prayers. At Thrissur, got the details of my train but since the train had come early by half an hour and finally left half an hour later. Wonder why the local railway station authorities deliberately delayed it?

Had the breakfast packed by Lekha, soon after embarking on the train.

Befriended Meera Nair, aged 3, and she was quite friendly. She studies in KG II of the Christ Nagar school.

Reached the Foundation by 3, had lunch sent by Lekha.

A quiet evening thereafter! Had made the introduction for the guest speaker. 

How Vladimir Putin had the last laugh!

The story behind what happened in Russia a couple of days ago under the pretext of a coup!

Wagner moved the troops into Belarus within striking distance of Kiev!

Earlier, Putin had put tactical nuclear missiles into Belarus which scared the US and the NATO.

By using Prighozin to enact a coup, Putin was able to get the moles out of their boroughs who could be plotting a rebellion.

The act was played in real life just enough to give the impression to the entire world that Russia was crumbling and Putin was outsmarted and outranked.

Before the rolling stones could gather into a true rebellion, the fire was doused just in time. Now Putin's potential threat stood exposed.

Immediately, without putting the special operation in Ukraine in jeopardy, the necessary reshuffling and reorganisation of the Army was carried out.

And the foolish West waited with bated breath to watch Russia collapse.

Courtesy. What'sApp

My take

Ever wondered why most Chess Grand Masters are Russians?

Tailpiece.

Got up at 4, thanks to Lekha's cellphone alarm, the chores and was ready by 7. Vincent was our sa'arthi and we went via the bank. It was a wet day, there were very many traffic snarls and we were, consequently, delayed by 50'. It was good that I'd reported my revised ETA!

Satish Bhat was happy to see my present medical condition and therefore, tweaked the dosage of one of my medicines. Padmanabha Shenoy was equally happy to see Lekha's present readings and has reduced the dosage of Folitrax. Our medical reviews have gone well!

We started from Kochi by 4 PM and reached The Quarterdeck by a quarter to 8.

 

What's your game, Barrack Obama?

The former US President, in an interview to the western media, has expressed apprehensions about the Muslims, the world over and has prophesied that India is likely to break apart, in the future.

Firstly, as an Indian citizen who loves his country, I take umbrage to the interview that you seem to have given recently talking negatively about my country. How dare you do such a sacrilege without caring about the sense, sensibility and sensitivity of every patriotic Indian?

Let me show the mirror on your activities while you were the President of the US. You had bombed Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and the list just increases - mind you, I've just named only a few of the Muslim nations and their population that you'd bombed. Where were your concerns for the Muslims then, Mr Obama?

The whole world knows that you are one of the predominant back-seat drivers of the Biden Administration! You've finished the mandate that your people had given you while being their President quite a long while back and you've no right to utter nonsense - you gotta be responsible and maintain the dignity of a former President.

We've been hearing about a cabal at work - its shenanigans emanating from the innards of the US - striving hard to bring about a regime change during our general elections in 2024 with the active support of the wretched fifth columnists of our country. I've nothing to say about them because they'd sell their mothers - I mean go to any length - to achieve their dubious ends. It's galley packet news, here, that billions of dollars are being spent on achieving your devious aim!  

What's making you do this? Are the Americans scared about India's tremendous growth in all spheres under the nine years of Modi rule? 

If affirmative, you are fighting a losing battle. The average Indian of today understands and is capable of reacting against your wrongdoings.

And so, take your paws off India, Mr Obama. That's your safest bet in the long run!

Courtesy. Arnab Goswami on Republic.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready for the path lab team to draw blood for my FBS and PPBS, at a half past 7.

Lekha had gone across to the ration stand to collect our monthly dues and then, to the town to get a few pending jobs done and to buy our fruit basket.

Washed down our Chevy with Lekha's help, in the evening. 

 

How the Japs do it?

In Japan, there is no Teacher's Day.

One day, I asked my Japanese colleague, teacher Yamamota, "How do you celebrate Teacher's Day in Japan?

Surprised by my question, he replied, "We don't have Teacher's Day". When I heard his reply, I was not sure whether I should believe him or not. A thought passed through my mind, "Why a country, which is so advanced in economy, sciences and technology, so disrespectful towards teachers and their work?"

Once, after work, Yamamota invited me to his house. We took the metro since it was far away. It was the evening peak hour and the coaches in the metro were overcrowded. I managed to find a space to stand, holding the overhead rail tightly. Suddenly, the elderly man who was seated beside me offered me his seat.

Not understanding this respectful behaviour of an elderly man, I declined, but he was persistent and I was forced to sit. Once we were out of the Metro, I inquired Yamamota to explain what exactly the whitebeard did. Yamamota smiled and pointed at the tag of Teacher I was wearing and said, "This old man has seen the tag of a teacher on you and as a sign of respect towards your status, offered you his seat.

Since I was visiting Yamamota for the first time, I felt uncomfortable going there with empty hands so I decided to buy a gift. I shared my thoughts with Yamamota, he supported the idea and said that little further, there was a shop for teachers, where one can purchase goods at reduced prices. Once again, I couldn't hold my emotions :-

"Privileges are offered only to teachers?" I asked. Confirming my words, Yamamota said, "In Japan, teaching is  the most respected profession and the teacher is the most respected person. The Japanese entrepreneurs are very happy when teachers come to their shops, they consider it an honour".

During my stay in Japan, I've observed multiple times the utmost respect of the Japanese towards teachers. They have special seats allocated for them, in the metro, there are special shops for them, the teachers there don't line up in the queue for tickets for whatever type of transport. 

That's why the Japanese teachers don't need a special day when every day in their life is a celebration.

My take

Acharya Devo Bhava!

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores. Sajish, came by a half past 7, gave me a haircut and massage.

Meanwhile washing machinex was carried out; Subin cleaned up the overhead filter.

Nikhila and gang dropped by 1600 hrs and it was yakkitiyak after that. Earlier I was on an hour's zoom meet with Colonels Hura and Rajeev. Tamura, Chanji's director, was the chief guest. 

  

PM Modi's US visit.

All these got done in the last 24 hrs during PM Modi's US visit.

* A US Consulate in Bangalore

* In-country H1B visa renewal

* Applied Materials $400 million engineering centre in Bangalore

* Micron chip unit worth $ 825 million

* HAL-GE aerospace pact to produce GE-F414 jet engines in India

* Joining Artemis Accords to return man to moon

* 31 MQ-9B top class drones for the armed forces

* IBC's $800 million Devanahalli battery plant

And of course, his address at the joint session of the US Congress on India's vibrant democracy. 

My take

Thanks PM Modi for your hard work and the efforts that you've made to put India on top of the world!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 4, thanks to Lekha's cellphone alarm, the chores and were ready by a half past 6. The caretaker helped us to load Crazy with the luggage. Set off by a quarter to 7 to the Nagaraja Temple at Randalummoodu and reversed to pick up Rema and Padmakumar from Pidavoor.

Breakfast at the Padma Cafe at Adoor. Dropped Rema and Padmakumar at Thrippunithura around 12. Traffic snarls and heavy traffic were felt at Edappalli, Aluva and past the turn to the airport. Had our lunch at an eating place at a hotel, past the well, close by. Got up at 2

Opened up The Quarterdeck  and did our unpacking. The usual chores thereafter.

A sad end.

All five on Titan sub dead after 'catastrophic implosion'

The five people aboard a missing submersible that was lost during a voyage to the Titanic are dead after the vessel suffered 'catastrophic implosion' according to the US oast Guard and the company that owns the vessel. The US Coast Guard has confirmed that parts of the Titan were found approximately 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic wreck.

The debris discovered was consistent with a 'catastrophic implosion'.

"These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans", the OceanGate Expedition said in a statement.

An unmanned deep-sea robot deployed from a Canadian ship discovered a "debris field" near where the century-old wreck is located, 21/2 miles below the surface, the US Coast Guard had said.

The five people, who lost their lives, are :-

* British billionaire and explorer, Hamish Harding (58)

* Pakistan-born business magnate, Shahzada Dawood (48)

* His son, Suleman (19) - both father and son are British citizens.

* French oceanographer and Titanic expert, Paul-Henri Nargeolet (77)

* American founder and CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush (61). He was piloting the submersible.

Om Shanti! Sadgati.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Reached the Government Thalavoor UPS on the dot.

It was a question-and-answer session that I'd initiated for the students and the teachers and there were many questions from the little ones. The students then put up a variety entertainment program based on Vaayana and Vaayana Dinam which was very nice. Had the students' lunch too.

A quiet evening as Lekha had initiated the packing to make an early morning start to Guruvayur tomorrow.   

A simple fact.

"Both the optimist and the pessimist contribute to society

While the former invents the aeroplane

The latter invents the parachute".

Tailpiece.

Got up at a 20' to 6. opened up the house; while switching on the music, realised that the charge of one month had expired. The chores and was ready on time. 

John ichaayan chauffeured me to the Government Upper Primary School, Erathuvadakku. It was a nice interaction with the children bombarding me with questions. What surprised me was that the ceremonial shawl was draped around my shoulders by my niece, Yamuna who's a teacher in the school!

A quiet evening.

Corruption without let up!

Happened to see a news video that showed substandard meat being brought in by train from Tamilnadu on a daily basis. The old meat is a health hazard for sure. What are the authorities doing?

Just saw some real distasteful scenes where huge quantities of unhygienic meat/fish, is offloaded by trains at various railway stations of Kerala, on a daily basis. There must be another sizeable amount coming by road in containers.

What are the health authorities doing? Shutting their eyes or looking away from wrong happenings, deliberately? How much money are they making? Don't they have a conscience to prick them and aren't they aware of the fact that these things can affect the health of their own families? 

The Health Department has always had a bad reputation because of frequent disclosures of a negative nature, about it, from time to time. The fact that retributions have not been swift or the fact that the defaulters have been let off lightly encourages the wrongdoers to commit their wrongs again and again.

My take

I suggest the following :-

       * errant staff of the health department must be dealt with swiftly

       * punishments must be swift and exemplary.

       * frequent surprise inspections of eateries and meat/fish outlets

       * withdraw licenses of vendors who sell unhygienic stuff

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 5, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 9. Carried my personal effects along with me.

Was at the Foundation for most of the day. Went to sculptor, Siddhan's workplace to see Muthachhan's bust being readied for installation at Puthuvayil House before 18 Jul.

Yoga capsule by the 92-year-old Dr Valsala Devi at Muthachhan's statue from 1700 - 1800 hrs. 

Left, in between, and boarded a bus bound for Guruvayur. Came to know that it would be going via Punalur and therefore, got down at Chadayamangalam. Got another bus and reached Kottarakkara. Coming by an auto rikshaw, saw a family of 4 - father, mother, a son around 10 yrs and an infant of about 2 - lying on the road. The rear tyre had burst throwing off the passengers. Took them to the hospital and they're admitted for observation - the infant had a red blotch on its left temple. God, help them please!

The Middle Finger.

The history of the Middle Finger. Well here's something that I never knew before.

Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the renowned English longbow and therefore, they would be incapable of fighting in the future. This famous English longbow was made of the native English Yew tree and the act of drawing the longbow was known as 'plucking the yew' (Or 'pluck yew').

Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and they began mocking by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French saying, ''See, we can still pluck yew! Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to a labiodentalfricative 'F' and thus the words often used in conjunction with the one-finger-salute! It is also because of the pheasant feathers on the arrows used with the longbow that the symbolic gesture is known as 'giving the bird'.

My take

So, that's history!  

Tailpiece.

Got up at a quarter past 2, washed up and recited my prayers. Turned off to sleep soon after and was up at 6. The chores and was ready by a quarter to 9.

Off to the Foundation and finished up my work on the laptop. Lunch was at the Rest House and then bought a medicine for Maman and got his phone done up. Chambu, Mahesh and Bijumon had come along with us and we did some funny acts. 

The 'kaviyarangu', in the evening, went off fine. 

Friends of mine.

Why do I have a variety of friends who are all so different in character? How is it possible that I can get along with them all?

I think that each one helps to brig out a different part of me.

With one of them I am polite.

With another I joke.

With another I can be a bit naughty.

I can sit down and talk about serious matters with one, be on the same wavelength

With another I laugh a lot.

I listen to one friend's problems.

Then I listen to another one's advice for me.

My friends are the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

When completed, they form a treasure box.

A treasure of friends! They are my friends who understand me better than I understand myself.

They're friends who support me through good days and bad.

Real age doctors tell us friends are good for our health.

Dr Oz calls them Vitamin F (for friends) and counts the benefits of friends as essential to our well being.

Research shows that people in strong social circles have less risk of depression and terminal strokes.

The warmth of friendship stops stress and  and even in your most intense moments, it decreases the chance of cardia arrest or stroke by 50%.

I know I am part of their lives because their names appear on my mobile screen every day and I feel blessed that they care as much for me as I care for them

Tailpiece.

Got up around a quarter past 2, washed up and recited my prayers. Turned off to sleep immediately after.

Got up at 5, the chores and was ready by a half past 7.

The 28th Reading Day/Reading month celebrations kick started in a grand manner though the hief minister.

A quiet evening.  

  

 

A lesson worth remembering.

A son took his old father to a restaurant for an evening dinner.

Father being very old and weak, while eating dropped food on his shirt and trousers.

Other diners watched him in disgust while his son was calm.

After he finished eating, his son, who was not at all embarrassed, quietly took him to the washroom,

Wiped the food particles, removed the stains, combed his hair and fitted his spectacles firmly.

When they came out, the entire restaurant was watching them in dead silence, 

not able to grasp how someone could embarrass themselves publicly like that.

The son settled the bill and started walking out with his father.

At that time, an old man amongst the diners called out to the son and asked him,

"Don't you think you have left something behind?"

The son replied, "No sir, I haven't".

The old man retorted,

"Yes, you have! You left a lesson for every son and hope for every father".

The restaurant went silent.

My take

The son rocks! The father has groomed his son well.

Tailpiece.

Got up around a quarter past 2, washed up and recited my prayers except for the Vishnu sahsranamasthothram, which I recited later.

It was a full working day at the Foundation. 

Had lunch at the Travancore Hotel, opposite the west Secretariat. Pannian ji was with us.    

Tongue in cheek (2).

......contd (2).

"At least you and your comrades Nota Bena and Post Script are made of two words, unlike that useless Addendum", consoled Alter Ego, looking over his shoulder at his shadow.

"Quid Pro Quo is made of three words!" pointed out arpe Diem, groaning, "I should have seized the moment when the poet Horace wrote me into his Odes!"

"Actually, we should have backed you !" shouted twins De Facto and De Jure.

"Hear! Hear!" roared Vox Populi.

Et Cetera was comforted but he knew he could never become the favourite, he'd always be an afterthought.

"Well, fair is foul and foul is fair", explained Vice Versa, an opportunist who flip-flopped often.

"Indeed, I'm sorry about our fate. If you all want I am happy to take the blame", offered the always-apologetic Mea Culpa.

"Let's just stay rooted to the ground. Our day will come!" advised Terra Firma.

"No, let's keep on rolling and rolling and ...." pressed Ad Infinitum.

"The bird walked to the boy store", said Non Sequitur.

Alma Mater, who was nourishing her children Alumnus and Alumna, watched the agitated Latinisms with Sotto Voce, who was usually quiet and spoke only occasionally in a low voice.

"Too bad everyone thinks the President has flipped for Quid Pro Quo", she whispered. "No one believes me but I've seen him canoodling with that sexy wench in Flagrante Delicto".

Suddenly they heard someone chuckling in the shadows. It was Non Compos Mentis, giggling with the knowledge that she, not in Flagrante Delicto, was the President's first love. Its most critical condition that this piece is shared widely, says Sine qua non.

Concluded......

My take

Real tongue-in-cheek!

Tailpiece.

Got up at my usual trifle before 6, the chores, opened up the house, put on the music.

Took leave of Lekha, went in Kunjumon's auto rickshaw with Letha who was going back to Kottaathala and got dropped at the rtc bus stand. Got a Fast Passenger and reached Thiruvananthapuram and the Foundation.

Trips to the venue of the Vaayana Dinam and to Poojappura.

A late evening! 

Tongue in cheek! (1)

Latinate meet.

From Quid Pro Quo to In Flagrante Delicto to Non Compos Mentis

One evening, all Latin expressions gathered at the Taverna to discuss Quid Pro Quo's phenomenal risein popularity thanks to impeachment hearings in the United States.

A wave of resentment ran through Ad Hoc, Pro Bono, Vice Versa, Et Cetera etc, who considered themselves frontrunners in Latinism sweepstakes before Quid Pro Quo had sprinted ahead in recent weeks.

"Well, let's get real", said Bona Fide, who was always truthful. "Quid Pro Quo is being promoted by no less a person than the US President, even though Pro Bono is available for free".

Hearing this, Pro Bono, who was selfless and always unquestioningly volunteering herself, asked Prima Facie if this was indeed the case.

"On the face of it, yes", confirmed Prima Facie. "Although the President likes Ad Hoc, Quid Pro Quo. is his current favourite".

"What about me? I am always bringing up the rear.....though I am used so often", complained Et Cetera.

.......to be concluded.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 4, thanks to Lekha's cellphone alarm. Kittu, with brooding eyes, had the food offered to him but gave us those sad looks as we cast off at a quarter to 7.

Breakfast at Anandha Bhavan at Chalakudi. Reached the Trust Diagnostics and they went through the repeat scan of Lekha's dentures. From there I'd dropped Lekha and her sister at Floria's.beauty parlour.

Parked the Chevy in front of Aryaa's. They'd returned by a half past 1. Had lunch and resumed our journey. Reached Raj Nivas by a half past 6 but not before Lekha had picked up grocery from the More outlet!

Settled down quickly. 

A lesson for all of us.

A mouse, looking through a hole in the wall, sees the farmer and his wife open a package. He was terrified to see that it was a mousetrap. He ran to the patio to warn everyone.

"There is a mousetrap at home!"

The chicken that was cackling and digging says, "Excuse me, Mr Mouse, I understand that it is a big problem for you but it does not hurt me at all".

So, the rodent went to the lamb and he says the same thing, "Excuse me Mr Mouse but I don't think I can do more than ask for you in my prayers".

The mouse went to the cow and she said, "But am I in danger? I think not!" said the cow. 

The mouse returned to the house, worried and dejected to face the farmer's mousetrap.

That night a great noise was heard like that of the mousetrap catching its victim, the woman ran to see what she had caught. In the dark she did not see that the mousetrap caught the tail of a poisonous snake.

The speedy snake bit the woman, the farmer immediately took her to the hospital, she came back with a high fever.

The farmer to comfort her prepared a nutritious soup, grabbed the knife and went to the main ingredient: the chicken; since the woman did not get better, friends and neighbours went to visit them, the farmer killed the lamb to feed them. The woman did not get better and died.

And in the end, the husband sold the cow to the slaughter house to cover the funeral expenses.

Moral of the story

The next time someone tells you about their problem and you think that it doesn't affect you because it's not yours and you don't pay attention to it, think twice, "He who doesn't live to serve, doesn't serve to live".

The world is not going badly because of the wickedness of the bad but because of the apathy of the good. So, when someone needs you for their problems, give them your hand or give them a word of encouragement.

May you never lack empathy! Remember it very well, EMPATHY.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

Topped up our Chevy with fuel and checked the tyre pressure.

Shut down The Quarterdeck in stages.   

A spot of humour!

A Jewish cook went to the Vatican and insisted on seeing the Pope.

After a long wait, the Pope granted him an audience and asked the cook what he could do for him.

The Jew said that he was a cook, before him his father was a cook, his grandfather was a cook, his great grandfather was a cook and that he comes from a family of cooks that goes back to over 2,000 years.....

The Pope congratulated him and asked him again, what could he do for him?

The Jew said, "the bill for the last supper has still not been paid".

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready before 10.

A quiet day. Selvam comes and presses a whole lot of clothes. Today, there was a lot of sun and hence the washed clothes have been dried and stowed away.

Lekha and her sister went to Guruvayur temple for their tryst with the Lord. They returned after 6.

A story on reincarnation, from the Golan Heights.

3-year-old identifies past life murderer, finds body.

In a shockingly surreal incident, a three-year-old boy has not only revealed the details of his murder in his past life but has also recognised his killer. The boy, who belongs to the Druze ethnic group in the Golan Heights region near the Syrian and Israeli border, has a long, red birthmark on his head and claims that he was murdered with an axe.

According to Druze beliefs, birthmarks are related to to past-life deaths and when the boy was old enough to talk, he told his family that he had been killed with an axe blow to his head. 

It is customary for Druze elders to take a child at the age of 3 to the home of his previous life if he remembers it. The boy already knew the village he was from and upon reaching the village, he also remembered his past life name.

Village locals told the elders that the man who the boy was claiming to be a re-incarnation of, had gone missing before four years.

The boy also remembers the full name of his killer, who upon confrontation, turned white and refused to admit to the murder. 

The three-year-old then claimed that he could take the elders to where the very spot where the body was buried.

On reaching the spot, they not only discovered the skeleton but also the wound to the head, which is strikingly similar to the boy's birthmark. They also found the axe that had killed the boy in his previous life.

My take

Life's most enduring secret. What happens to the soul of the deceased, at death?

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

Washing machinex of a set of clothes, used in the recent trip, was done and followed up with air dry spin.

To the market to buy Ramacham and our fruit basket.

The maid's day!    

From Raj Nivas to The Quarterdeck.

Got up at 4, thanks to Lekha's cellphone alarm. We went through our chores and eventually took of by a half past 6. Lekha's sister, Letha, is accompanying us.

Breakfast was at the Kalpakavadi Inn, where the new manager, Anbu Prabhu, had come up to have a long chat. It was the 'girl-from-Ambalapuzha' who'd served us a lovely breakfast of appams and egg curry.

Reached Mallan's clinic by 10 but had to wait out as the toothy was at a surgery.

Thankfully, after an x-ray, it was confirmed that it was a small fix up job that was required. The doc had also recommended a CT scan at the lab situated at the eastern side of the Medical Trust Hospital. After finishing that, we had lunch at the Aryaa's at Panampilly Nagar. We befriended Krishna and met Suzy after what seemed to be a long time.

Resumed our return trip. Had tea and snack at the Saravana Bhavan around a quarter to 5.

Reached The Quarterdeck by a trifle past 7. 

Opened up the house and went through our chores. A late night!

Tailpiece.

A journey that wasn't affected by the rain. 

A few interesting questions.

 1. The country has no river.

     Vatican City

 2. The country has no capital.

     Nauru

 3. The country has no snake.

     New Zealand

 4. The country has no railway.

     Afghanistan

 5. The country has no jail.

     Netherlands

 6. The country has no PM.

     Singapore

 7. The country has no temple.

     Saudi Arabia

  8. The country has no night.

      Norway

   9. The country has no police.

       Palau

 10. The country has no armed forces.

       Iceland

 11 . The country has no mosquitoes.

        Iceland

 12 . The country has no rectangular flag.

        Nepal

  13 . The country has no national anthem.

         Cyprus

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 1, washed up, recited my prayers and turned off to sleep yet again. Saw off Aniyan at 5.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by 9. Left home after 10, waited at Maman's dentist and then off to Indira kunjamma's house. Broke the ice when she told me that yesterday evening, she'd done it while asking for flowers to offer at Muthachhan's statue.

At Kepco for lunch. Suchitha, the ever smiling waitress, was the hit.

Got the FP for Kottarakkara at a quarter past 2 and reached home by a quarter past 4. Lekha and Letha had fetched up earlier.

The winding up of Raj Nivas in the evening.

    

The Cavalcade of Books.

Yet again, it was time for us to inform the people of Kerala of the impending Reading Day/Reading Month of 2023. The cavalcade of books was enacted all over again today.

All of us from the PN Panicker Foundation were at the Poojappura traffic circle by a quarter past 3. The body of the procession slowly began to form up. On the lead were the twin horses of the Kerala Police mounted by two smart, young policemen. Our Science Exploratory was the second. Following them were the all-male team of the Panchari Melam and behind them were the all-male team of the Singari Melam.

Just behind them were Smitha and her friends holding the banner to familiarise the passing public as to what we were up to. I was impressed by the three women who had held the banner throughout the walk and never once did they want to change places. We were immediately behind them and the Bookmark minibus, in turn, behind us.

Maman did the most sensible thing to take a lift in the car after walking the first 500 mts.

The total distance of 4.0 kms was traversed through within 11/2 hours - from 1620 to 1815 hrs!

Incidentally Chandrasekharan was the name of the caparisoned elephant who carried the Indian Constitution on his back.

I reckon we didn't disrupt the heavy traffic that was underway during the evening peak hours and thereby, gave the least problem to the traffic policemen on duty.

All in all, a nice and enjoyable day with PN Panicker becoming the talk of the town, yet again.

Tailpiece.

Got up around 3, washed up and recited my prayers. Was ready by 9 and we proceeded to the Foundation. It was work in preparation for the evening's program.

Spoke to Dr Ramraj, the surgical specialist of Cosmopolitan Hospital, who has encouraging things to tell about Mini's progress.

Lunch at the Rest House canteen with Aniyan and Chambu. 

India's decade.

Indians can take pride, less the few sceptics/doubting Thomases! Last week India released its official growth numbers for the fourth quarter of 2022-'23. It was a surprise on the upside.

As a result, growth in the last fiscal rear was 7.2%, compared to 7% estimated earlier.

Coincidentally, in the same week, two global investment banks, Morgan Stanley and Amundi, published independent reports saying that the last decade, coinciding with the tenure of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was the most transformative ever for the Indian economy. According to them, this has set the stage  for India realising the growth potential - that everyone has long believed in.

In its report titled "How India Has Transformed in Less than a Decade", Morgan Stanley said, "This India is different from what it was in 2013. In a short span of 10 years, India has gained positions in the world order with significant positive consequences for the macro and market outlook".

Similarly, Amundi Institute, the European asset manager, in its report titled, "Building Bridges to India's Future Investment opportunities", argued : "India's macro fundamentals are well positioned for a multi-year improvement in economic output and earnings". 

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and we were ready well in time.

Wound up Raj Nivas systematically.

Set off at a half past 3, in Kunjumon's auto rickshaw. Lekha dropped me at the rtc bus stand and proceeded to Letha's house for the next two days.

Reached Thiruvananthapuram by a quarter past 6 and reached the Foundation soon after. Maman was thrilled to see me. Met the core group of our team.

 

NDA Regatta.

The NDA Regatta showed its class. 90 teams had participated in the grand event that ended today.

In other words.....

The Italian word regatta means "contention for mastery", which is a sporting event consisting of a series of boat or yacht races, is derived from the Latin word regattare meaning 'to compete'.

The 7th NDA Inland Enterprise Class Regatta began in the sky-blue waters of the picturesque Khadakwasla Lake as part of the year-long sequence of events to commemorate the National Defence Academy's 75th Anniversary.

The regatta, which was inaugurated at a ceremony on 05 Jun ended today. Over 90 teams comprising more than 180 skilled sailors from various countries had participated in it. Chief Guest and Chief Instructor of NDA flagged off the event at the opening ceremony.

This highly anticipated and thrilling boat race among sailing enthusiasts witnessed a keen competition to beat each other.

The regatta serves as a testament to NDA's commitment to promote sportsmanship, teamwork and leadership qualities among the cadets and the competing teams.

In a special moment of recognition, the NDA felicitated Commander Abhilash Tomy (Retired), a recipient of Kirti Chakra. Commander Tomy is a distinguished yachtsman who achieved the remarkable feat of securing the second position in the prestigious Golden Globe race 2023. He interacted with the participants.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 4, the chores and kicked off at a half past 7 to the Kottarakkara Maha Ganapati kshetram. After having a 'darshan', we returned to Raj Nivas and then, had picked up Rema from Pidavoor.

Had the darshan at the Mannaarassaala Nagaraja kshetram by about a half past 10, and then, proceeded to Pidavoor where Rema had given us lunch. 

A quiet evening.

 

Humour in uniform.

"Well", snarled the drill sergeant to the miserable recruit doing push-ups in the rain, "I suppose after you're discharged you'll just be waiting for me to die so you can spit on my grave". "Not me", replied the recruit. "Once I get out of the Marines, I'm never standing in line again". Pete E Murphy

       *      *      *

During basic training one lesson stood out from all the others : keep your mouth shut unless given permission to talk. But I didn't realise how well our instructors had hammered this point home until one evening when we sat down to eat. My table mate started her evening prayer with, "God, request permission to pray". Gail Hayes

        *      *      *

Short and baby-faced, my buddy Wiggins had trouble being taken seriously in the Army. A moustache, he assumed, would fix that. He was wrong. "Wiggins!" bellowed our drill instructor after spotting the growth during inspection.

"What's so special about your nose that it's got to be underlined?" K Trott

          *      *      *

Basic training has a way of making a soldier feel that he or she is being worked like a dog. Now I have proof. While on KP duty at fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, I was hauling containers of vegetables. On the side of one box was this : "FOR ANIMAL OR MILITARY USE ONLY". Lori Montgomery

           *      *      *

During basic training, my platoon was given a choice of going either to the gym or the PX. By a show of hands, we opted for the PX. "Uh-uh" said our sergeant. "You're all going to the gym". "But, Sarge", whined our recruited, "we took a vote". "Boys, let me explain", he said, :We're here to defend democracy, not practice it". Warren Pansire

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready leisurely. It was a rainy day.

The caretaker and two workers cut the massive tree on the southern side of Raj Nivas. This action was taken to prevent reptiles from entering our attic from the enclosed market next door.  

Our Chevy was brought back by Monish amid rain. She returns after 13 days!  

Caring for the environment.

The Environment Day Oath

Plastic is precious. Stop littering around. Conserve Plastic under Waste2Wealth Terms.

      *      *      *

Encourage start-ups

* Promoting show cased products and services

* Promoting any particular technology

* Promoting any value added developments

* Promoting any particular collection system like umbrella rod ( kodakkambi hook)

* Promoting the start-up and for looking or searching for a catalyst to convert into fuel technology

* Promoting granuling or shredding or segregation

* Promoting start-up discovered technology or services in the designated areas or elsewhere

* Promoting outcome products and services marketing

* Promoting concept selling

         *       *       *

World Green Roof Day is celebrated on 06 Jun every year to appreciate the beautiful green roofs that contribute to a better environment and raise awareness about their importance to climate change. 

Did you know the first record green roofing was the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, planted in Iraq in 500 BC? Also known as living roofs, they consist of vegetation that partially or completely covers a waterproofing system. Green roofing lowers the cost of cooling and reduces stormwater runoff. 

World Green Roof Day is an initiative by Chris Bridgman and Dusty Gedge, experts in sustainable green roofs. 

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready leisurely.

Lekha had gone to the More outlet, around 11, in Kunjumon's auto rickshaw and returned an hour later.

Rain in the evening. 

On the occasion of World Environment Day

Today is World Environment Day.

The eight ways to celebrate World Environment Day everyday:-

     * Start a community garden

     * Host a community clean-up

     * Employ the 3 Rs (Even on unconventional items)

     * Focus on energy

     * Conservation

     * Organise a spring-cleaning event

     * Donate to an environmental nonprofit organisation

     * Get rid of your used clothes (sustainably)

     * Take care of your things

Reduce, reuse and recycle.

Reducing, reusing and recycling plastic is key in countering the devastation wreaked by climate change.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle past 6, the chores and got ready at a leisurely pace.

Mini had undergone all tests prior to her forthcoming surgery.

A lingering doubt.

The train accident at Balasore, Orissa.

The Bahanaga bazar station where the accident happened has two mainline tracks for trains to pass through (called Up Main and Down Main) and two side tracks called 'loops' used for stopping trains temporarily.

A train is accepted into loop by moving a switch which moves a piece of track. Some time before the accident, a freight train was accepted into the loop. One the train is in, the switch is moved back to point to mainline from a route relay panel. Signals along the tracks are interlinked to panel to guide the loco pilot whether to slow down or continue. In this case, the switch did not move back correctly, thus was still pointing towards loop but relayed to panel that it is set back to mainline.

Accordingly, the signals on mainline turn green showing all clear.

The loco pilot of 12841 oromandel Express sees green signals on mainline so continues driving at its maximum permitted speed of 130 km/hr. However, since the switch is set towards loop, the train tries to enter loop at this high speed and in the process, derails. The locomotive and several coaches of Coromandel Express smash into the freight train while some coaches spill over to the adjacent Down Main track. This impact causes a lot of casualties. To make things worse, exactly at this time, Down Main line has its signals green for 12864 Bangalore (SMVT) Howrah Express to go in opposite direction, also at 130 km/hr.

Would having Kavach anti collision device prevented this? No! Kavach is meant to stop a train when it senses another train on same track. It cannot sense a switch set wrong nor can it stop a train from derailing. This was a freak accident.

How could the switch be set wrong and show green signal? Is there no failsafe? There are failsafes, we don't know why and how this happened. Route interlocked signaling works fine millions of times every day across India.

Why it failed this ONE time? We don't know yet.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready leisurely.

A quiet Sunday; heard the Rangoli.

A short trip.

A short trip to Thiruvananthapuram to attend the PN Panicker Foundation's state committee meeting.

The journey seemed to be jinxed right from the start. Stood in front of Raj Nivas to board one of the rtc buses. But the first guy who passed gave me the miss, wonder why? Then, I'd walked to the nearby bus stop, 'Shappu mukku' and boarded the ordinary bus to Kottarakkara and was in time for the 8 'o clock low floor bus to Tvpm as there was one every hour, the local in-charge very smilingly said.

Anyways, there was no trace of the bus even by 9 and then I'd hopped on to a superfast. I made the mistake of taking permission of the conductor to sit next to him who pointed to the seat behind his. The fellow traveler, who sat next to me was 'Brilliant' - on my enquiry about such a name, he told me that his dad's elder brother named his son, Bright and him, Brilliant!

Reached the Foundation by 11 and I was just in time for the state committee meeting of the PN Panicker Foundation. Everyone was briefed about the activities that will be carried out during this year's Reading Month from 19 Jun to 18 Jul. Finances have also been allotted.

The ceremonial lunch was sponsored by our district secretary, Nazir, from Pathanamthitta.

Spoke to the entire bunch of staff.

The 623rd episode of 'Aazhchakkoottam' started late at a half past 4 where Rahul Eshwar spoke on 'Politics and Religion'. Quite impressive and must say that he reads.

Left the Foundation by a half past 7, got a 'Swift' of the rtc and reached Raj Nivas by a half past 9. A bad accident on the road between a tanker lorry and a car; the latter looked badly mauled.

A quiet evening and hit the sack at our usual time.

Tailpiece.

The 'Vaayana Dinam/Maasam' vilambhara jatha will commence from Muthachchan's statue at Poojappura on 10 Jun at 1600 hrs.  

Major changes.

Five major changes have taken place in the country from yesterday.

1. Banks will return your money.

    The RBI said that banks will start the '100 Days 100 Pay' campaign, where they will return the

    top 100 unclaimed deposits of each bank in each district within 100 days.

2. Your favourite cars have become expensive.

    Honda has been added to the list of those who have increased the price of their cars due to the

    rising input cost. The popular models City and Amaze will be up by 1%.

3. Electric scooters have become expensive.

    This is because the discount given to the customers in the form of incentive has now been reduced

    from 40% to 15%.

4. Big change related to cough medicines.

    After raising questions on the cough medicines of Indian Pharma companies worldwide, the 

    government has asked the exporters of cough syrup to test their products in a government lab before 

    exporting them.

5.  New prices of LPG cooking gas cylinders.

     The big government companies of the country have released new prices of LPG cooking gas

     cylinders.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready in a leisurely manner.

Subi comes by 3 and we returned to Raj Nivas. Enroute, had dropped by at the mechanic to know that the Chevy will be back with us only by Tuesday.  

Sad!

Yet another iconic landmark for the NDA cadet has disappeared from a cadet's lexicon.

A note from The NDA Adjutant and I quote,

     "Endurance Hike to Singarh has been discontinued owing to the increased traffic enroute, posing 

      threat to the cadet's safety. For a suitable replacement with similar terrain and difficulty, a new 

      route from the NDA to Pt 988 and back was approved by the Commandant for the conduct of 

      Endurance hike. It will be termed "KARPA HIKE".

I remember my Sundays when I used to go on Singarh hikes, on punishment, due to 'disciplinary lapses'.

The day began early morning at 6, the FSMO (Field Service Marching Order) contents were checked and rechecked - God forbid if any of the contents was missing; one could get another hike or more as punishment - fell in at the PT fields from where the entire lot was flagged off, without much ado.

The entire duration took about six hours and one was back in one's Squadron lines after a final muster at the starting point, around 12.

Tailpiece.

Mini was taken to the KIMS hospital for another blood test but they had to return without meeting up with the doctor.

A quiet day.