Some Quotes on Hinduism.

1. Michael Nostradamus (1503 - 1566)

"Hinduism will become the ruling religion of Europe. The famous metropolis of Europe is the Hindu capital".

2. Jonathan Keith (1749 - 1832)

"If not today, one day we will have to accept Hinduism because that is the true religion".

3. Leo Tolstoy (1828 - 1910)

"Hinduism and Hindus will one day rule this  world because it is a mixture of knowledge and wisdom".

4. Houston Smith (1921 - 2013)

"Hindutva is not more trusting than we have in ourselves. If we can turn our thoughts and hearts towards Hindutva, it will benefit us". 

5. Costa Loban (1841 - 1931)

"Hindus only talk about peace and reconciliation. I invite Christians to praise, change and believe in it".

6. Herbert Wells (1846 - 1946)

"How many generations are going to face atrocities and murders until Hinduism is well understood?

But the world will one day be inspired by Hindutva. Only on that day will the world become a place for humans to settle and live".

7. George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

"One day this world will accept Hinduism. Refusing to accept the true name of Hinduism will only make one accept its principles. Western nations will surely one day convert to Hinduism. The religion of the learned is equal to that of Hinduism".

8. Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

"He (?) does what the Jews cannot do. He did it with knowledge and energy. But only Hinduism has the power to lead to peace".

9. Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)

"I read about Hinduism. I feel that this is the religion of mankind all over the world. Hinduism spread throughout Europe. Many scholars studying Hinduism will appear in Europe. One day the situation will develop where only Hindus will lead the world".

My take.

Hinduism doesn't need any of the 'certificates' mentioned above as it's been time tested. If they've felt it so, then Hinduism taking centre stage is just a matter of time.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 10.

Gireesh's rep, Sarin, had fetched up and got the TVs going with their defects removed.

'Happy Hours' with the AM, our neighbour.

Worth pondering over......

Every time a person of Indian origin becomes a Global CEO or PM of an country we either embark on self loathing or feel as though we now control the American corporate and the person will focus on Indian interests!

Fact is from Pepsi to Google to Microsoft to Twitter CEOs first KRA (Key Result Area) is their respective corporate interest and the ugly truth, they are of Indian origin only.....NOT INDIAN.

None has Indian citizenship. They surrendered it long back.

So grow up and feel proud of folks in India in India or who carries Indian Passport.

Indians love to take pride in CEOs of Indian Origin based in other countries.

But the same tribe is most hated by folks in India?

Ambani, Adani, Tata, Birla.......

They stayed in India and created Indian products, companies for Indian people, created huge shareholder wealth for the common man, revolutionized the digital space, renewable energy sector, O&G, food supply chain, clothing, telecommunication so cheap so that headless chickens can abuse them free of cost, defence backbone, shipping, etc, etc.

The fact is that we, Indians are just a bunch of emotional fools. Nothing else.

Ambani-Adani have generated more wealth and jobs for the nation than :-

* 20 Nadellas

* 200 Pichais and 

*1,000 Parags

multiplied by 10 times yet Ambani-Adani only get hate in India from......

We are a nation that worries about Brain Drain and Abuse the Wealth Creators in the nation......

It's not US and China anymore,

India is becoming the world's fastest-growing start up ecosystem with over 70 Unicorn (A start up company with valuation of more than 1 billion dollars) Startups, 40 in 2021!.....but people have problem with Adani becoming the richest person in India!

* Tata Group has 7,50,000 employees.

* L&T employs 3,38,000 people.

* Infosys has 2,60,000 employees.

* Mahindra has 2,60,000 employees.

* Reliance Industries has 2,36,000 people.

* Wipro has 2,10,000 employees.

* HCL has 1,67,000 employees.

* HDFC Bank has 1,20,000 employees.

* ICICI Bank has 97,000 employees.

* TVS group has 60,000 employees.

Just these 10 corporates together employ nearly 25 lakh Indians and give them very respectable salaries. These 25 lakh corporate jobs is more than half of the total Central Government  jobs (48.34 lakhs) It is also 5 times the total government jobs in a big state like Karnataka!

The government provides jobs to one crore plus people (1%) and private and organized sector provide 6-8% and the rest 92% are employed in unorganized sector.

Respect the Private sector. Adore millionaires and billionaires. Cheer for job creators. They are creating livelihood for millions of Indians!

Do not listen to the failed socialist politicians who ruined the economic potential of 3 generations in India. If you want a bright future generations, India needs 1,000s of new corporations which create 1,000s of high paying jobs!

Proud to be Indian, In and Out.

- What'sApp

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready for Sajish, who had come by to give me a morning haircut by a half past 7. Was ready by a quarter past 10.

Went out about my work.

The maid was in the house, today, by 12.

A quiet evening!

Service before self, a soldier's call of duty.

He had fever but insisted on taking part in the cross-country competition. Being captain of his team, he didn't want to be away from his mates with whom he had toiled so hard for this day. Heconcealed his ailment; German measles as we learnt later and commenced the run albeit at a slow pace, walking intermittently.

After three quarters of the route, high body temperature, exhaustion and dehydration took their toll and he finally collapsed, slipping into coma never to wake up again. My course mate's funeral at the National Defence Academy the next day was the first funeral I had ever attended.

It was pouring outside as we sat next to a heat convector on that cold, wet evening. "I hope the weather clears up and we can fly tomorrow". He was bothered about the patrol stranded in the snow-clad mountains awaiting supplies. That next day was his first Diwali after marriage was of a lesser concern to him. The weather gods listened to him. The weather gods listened to him and he accomplished his mission. But fate wasn't that kind. On its return flight, his helicopter ran into cables, laid illegally across the valley unknown to him. A promising life was cut short, further darkening that night of amavas. It was the first fatal crash I witnessed in my flying career.

Ejection was the only recourse left when a snag developed in his jet. But there was a problem; he was over a densely and his flying horse could trample many on the ground if left to itself. By the time he took the decision to eject, it was a couple of seconds too late. Unconcerned about his own safety, he took a split second decision and steered clear of the inhabited  area. The crippled aircraft allowed him to earn a few Karmic points but demanded his life in return. Nothing remained of him when fire engulfed this responsible fighter pilot.

"Sir, evacuate him first, take me in the next sortie", he requested the pilots who had come to evacuate soldiers wounded in a gunfight with militants in a village nearby. Hit by a bullet in the thigh and bleeding profusely, he prevailed upon the captain to evacuate his radio operator before him. The helicopter returned within minutes but by then, loss of blood had made him unconscious. He was fortunate to reach the healing hands of army surgeons in time even though it took over a month for him to recover".

Mudgal's resolve to run, Gagandeep's rescue sortie, Chauhan's delay in ejection and Dagar's refusal for evacuation makes one wonder what drives such men to act the way they do. What motivates them to place their country and the men they command before their own ease, comfort and safety? Perhaps for this tribe, it is only Naam, Namak and Nishan that matter.

The nation can rest assured that their ilk will continue to perform its duties irrespective of whether their deeds are acknowledged, their perks and privileges are curtailed or their pensions slashed. It is not so easy to understand this clan.

- harrypal77@yahoo.co.in

Tailpiece.

Our day began at 4 as I lit the lamp in the puja room, recited my prayers, the chores but a sudden power interruption was a setback to our taking off at 6. We, finally, kicked off at 7, a halt at the Nagaraja temple at Randaloommoodu - Vamanan namboodiri was the pujari, topped up the Chevy at Kottarakkara, breakfast of idiyappams and kurma at the Adoor bypass, lunch at Kalamasserry and we reached Guruvayur by 4, in the evening. 

A quick visit to the bank, bought our fruit basket and grocery from the National Supermarket; sat with Jayan for a while as he'd undergone an angioplasty a few days back.

Reached The Quarterdeck by about a quarter to 5. Unpacking and opening of the house accomplished while Lekha gave food for Kittu and his family.

Hit the sack at our usual time of a half past 11.   

Should We Celebrate Rishi Sunak?

We celebrate only if he is fair to us and doesn't try to be more Brit than the white Brit.

Remember how some were all 'josh' about a certain Kamala Harris. Rishi Sunak is a good role model for every Indian citizen who has chosen to become a citizen of another country. And we are happy for him, we rejoice with him and are proud of him.

However.....each of us must think.....and not get carried away by emotion.

If Rishi Sunak can be fair in his dealings with us......without going all out to be more white than the whites in order to keep them on his side.....then we have no issues. We also must be mature enough to realise that though he is of Indian origin......he is a UK citizen and that his loyalty lies there.

So our support for him must always be selective......depending on how his decisions affect us as a nation and people......

For now.......all the best Rishi......you will need it!

- What'sApp

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, lit up the lamp in the puja room, switched on the music, opened up the house and went about the chores. Was ready well in time.

Went to the UPS, Thalavoor on an invite from Mr Somanatha Sarma, the Headmaster. He'd bought the books that I'd wanted to gift the children who'd answered my queries and asked me questions during my lecture on the last Vaayana Dinam, in Jun this year. It was a nice interaction and I was also shown the books @ Rs.5,000/- that I'd gifted the school during my last visit.

Started winding up things at Raj Nivas to kick off for Guruvayur, early morning, as is our habit. 

Adieu Viswanathan sir.

Yet another colossus from the teaching staff of Sainik School, Kazhakkoottam, KK Viswanathan sir who'd joined school during the late 1960s, passed into the mist of time, this morning. He was admitted in the SUT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram a fortnight back, due to Covid and post-Covid problems. 

A much-loved master in school, he used to teach Hindi and Malayalam. He had a nice smile and very seldom was it replaced with a frown or scowl and he had a good handwriting - impressive with small, rounded letters (be it Hindi, English or Malayalam). I also remember him portraying a woman in a Malayalam play put up by our teaching staff sometimes in 1967 or '68.

I had the privilege of meeting up with him last, during the OBA day of 2015. I still remember his question that he asked me with that signature smile of his, "Why weren't you in my House?". I'd no answer to that and just grinned while he held my hand. (I was never in his House nor had he taught me any subject during my tenure at school!).

Adieu sir. You'd always been kind and full of love. My tears and prayers. May your near and dear ones have the strength to tide over these difficult times. And they don't make 'em teachers like you anymore!

     *       *       *

Diwali @ Raj Nivas After Quite A While

Lekha and I are at Raj Nivas, to celebrate Diwali after a long while......I think after Mom had passed into the mist of time. 

Njaarakkaattu Vijayan - who has had a kidney transplant - dropped by just to say hello. Damn sweet of him!

The day had begun as usual. Had got up at 6, lit up the lamp in the puja room, switched on the music and opened up the house. Lekha had organised the diyas for the evening and she'd made the 'payasam' for the evening.

The caretaker and his family arrived around a trifle past 6 - Syamala swept the courtyard - and the diyas were lit. The crackers and the sparklers were disposed off with Aniyan's 5 year-old son enjoying every bit of it. On completion, payasam was distributed.

A really nice evening, it was!

Tailpiece.

Wished Leela chittamma many happy returns.

Shall remember this Diwali for a long, long time.

I have been.

I have been to many places,

Where I never thought I'd go.

I have mixed with famous people,

Who I never thought I'd know.

I have learned amazing lessons,

From some men I thought the best,

And as proof I have some medals,

Proudly worn upon my chest.

I was trained to be a soldier,

And I'm proud I stood my ground.

If ever I was frightened,

I had brave comrades all around.

If I ever needed heroes,

They stood beside me, row on row,

And they gave me all the courage,

To go where heroes only go.

I am so proud I was a soldier,

And share respect with those I knew.

We looked after one another,

So we could pull our comrades through.

But now, though we are older,

We still share memories when we meet,

The argue like all brothers do,

With friends we're glad to greet.

- Clive Sanders

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, lit the lamp in the puja room, switched on the music and opened up the house.

An early morning call from my classmate, Savio @ Chicago. It set the trend for the day!

A quiet day but a bright and sunny one at that. 

Participated in the Military Literature Festival organised by the Lucknow Charter. It covered the wars of the 1960s. Interesting! Was sad to know about Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh being meek to General JN Chaudhary and how the IAF had lost out on being deployed during the Sino-Indian conflict of 1962. If it was deployed, the outcome of the war would have been different.

Aniyan bought the 'diyas' and crackers for celebrating Deepavali, tomorrow. 

Saw the movie, 12th Man, on television and it was good. 

Dhanteras.

It's the start of the 5 day 'festival of Diwali'.

Diwali is a five day festival and starts with Dhanteras. The five days of Diwali are :-

* Day One - Dhanteras (Day of fortune).

* Day Two - Naraka Chaturdasi (Day of knowledge).

* Day Three - Diwali (Day of light).

* Day Four - Annakut (The New Year).

* Day Five (Bhai Duj (Day of love between siblings).

The word Dhanteras is made of two words - 'Dhan' which means wealth and 'Teras' which means the 13th day. According to the Hindu calendar, Dhanteras falls on the 13th lunar day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Ashwin.

As we start the 5 day festival on an auspicious note, this is our wish for you this Diwali festive season :-

* Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes,

* Rainbows to follow the clouds,

* Laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag,

* Beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being,

* Faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt,

* Courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth,

* Compassion to feel the pain, empathy to share and care,

* Kindness to cause a smile, big heart to give generously

and Love to complete your life. 

The festival weekend is here, let's spread smiles all around. Become busy in seeing, encouraging and inspiring the best in others.

Giving good wishes to others acts like sunlight, filtering into the dark corners of their mind and lightening their burdens.

The more you develop the habit of noticing goodness, the more your own sense of wellbeing increases.

Do something today to brighten the life of another person.

In this festive time, smile and be the reason someone smiles! Do good, wish good for everyone and stay blessed forever.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a 5' to 6, lit the lamp, switched on the music and opened up the house. We were ready by a half past 9, Kunjumon comes by on the dot and were off to the Maha Ganapati kshetram. After a good darshan, we did marketing of sundries and returned home by 12.

Heavy rains in the afternoon bringing about a power interruption.

A quiet evening.