I recently bought a DVD for my kid. It was about Tenali Raman tales. When we put the DVD, my kid was sleeping and I and my wife ended up watching it ! The simple tales are engrossing even for us, and I thought I’d share one of them here.
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One day the king was discussing something with his Raj Guru.
The king lamented - “I am afraid I could not satisfy my mother’s last wish. She wanted to eat mangoes. But mangoes were not in season and I could not satisfy my mother’s last wish though I offered all the gold I had”
The rajguru thought he could take advantage of the situation
He told the king “Give away Golden Mangoes to some learned Brahmans like myself and your mother’s soul would rest in peace.”
The gullible king agreed.
The Rajguru summoned some of his friends and they all lined up to receive the golden mangoes.
The king not only gave them a golden mango each but also thanked them for coming !
Tenali Raman saw this and thought he had to teach a lesson to these cheats.
As they left, he approached them humbly and said - “Even my mother’s last wish was unsatisfied. Can you come to my home and help me ?”
The greedy pundits quickly agreed and went to Tenali Raman’s house expecting more gifts.
After some wait, they asked him what gift he was going to give them.
Tenali Raman said - “My mother’s last wish was to be branded with fire and it could not be satisfied. Pls line up and accept the fire branding”
The greedy pundits were shocked and quietly put back the golden mangoes and beat a hasty retreat !
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Posted in Anecdotes.
By sai narayan
– August 19, 2007
The City 2 Surf is a 14 km run (walk for some) from Sydney city (William Street) to the beaches of Bondi - Sydney’s best known beach. It has been an annual event for the last 37 years and there are a fair number of “regulars”. This year, the run was also an opportunity to raise funds for various charities.
I was a “first-timer” this year and was looking forward to the experience.
On reaching the starting point, it was amazing to see the vast numbers of people participating in the event. The numbers were around 64000 I believe. People had come in various colourful outfits. Organization of the event was meticulous, including arrangement of ambulance services, police patrol cars and volunteers available to provide water, directions etc. The atmosphere was party-like and I was surprised to see the number of parents pushing very young kids in prams ! I would be very apprehensive of bringing my kid into a crowd like this.
The walk was fantastic with wonderful views of various well known Sydney harbour fronts.
One of the motivating factors was the sight of an old man who was walking with a very strange and uneasy gait, but still going strong with a smile on his face. He was followed by an ambulance, and 2 patrol cars ! That sight really made me keep going right to the finish line. The other motivating factor was the encouraging words of people along the way.
Though I and my friend must have been among the last few people over the finish line, it was a major achievement for both of us. My friend has been suffering from knee and ligament problems for the past few years and this was a huge comeback for him.
The finish was a bit chaotic and lacked the discipline at the start however the sight of Bondi beach and the ocean is always energizing.
Hope to do this run next year as well - and maybe clock a better time than the 4 hours I clocked this year !
Posted in Personal.
By sai narayan
– August 12, 2007
“The Snowy Mountains (known for short as the Snowies) are the highest Australian mountain range and contain the Australian mainland’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, which reaches 2228 metres AHD. They are located in southern New South Wales and are part of the larger Australian Alps and the Great Dividing Range” - Wikipedia
I had the opportunity to visit the Snowies recently, with family and some friends.
People head to the Snowies during the winter months - June to Aug in Australia - to ski on the snowfields of Perisher Blue, Thredbo, Blue Cow and other resorts in the area.
We decided to head to Perisher Blue because it has tobogganing. A toboggan is a simple sled used on snow, to carry one or more people down a hill or other slope, for recreation. It has also a snow tube section for families who do not want to ski. The snow tubes are like large inflated tyres on which people can slide down the snow slopes. One has to pay for the snow tubes mainly because you get a ride to the top of the slope. The poor chaps - like us - carrying toboggans - have to trudge up the snow slopes to the top and then slide down.
The trip by road from Sydney took us around 6-7 hours. We booked an accomodation in Jindabyne - one of the small towns in and around the snow fields. The snow fields are just 30 minutes drive away from Jindabyne, making it very popular among tourists. Accomodation is expensive during the peak season and we were lucky to get a house with 3 bedrooms for around 750$ for 2 nights.
The world of snow is seen to be believed. The sensation of white all around makes it a unique experience. It is as if one has stepped into an alien planet.
We did not choose to ski as there is a bit of learning curve and we did not have the time nor the money to go for classes. The toboggan was our choice of entertainment for our snowy sojourn and it served us well. Once we reached the slopes, we dragged our toboggans to the top of the slopes and then literally “tobogganed” down the slopes. Our experience was enriched by the fact that snow was actually falling on that day in a fine dusty way. It looked like a light drizzle but was actually snow dust.
My fitness and stamina were put to a gruelling test as I had to drag my kid - all of 15 kg - up the slope on her toboggan for each exhilarating slide down the slopes. After 5-6 such treks in the snow, I was exhausted !
We then had some fun throwing snow at each other and having snow fights. My kid was happy seeing “SnowMan” as many people had actually made wonderful “SnowMen” almost 6 feet tall , all around the place !
After few hours of such fun, my kid was so tired she fell asleep sitting on the toboggan……That pretty much told us it was time to go home.
Posted in Travel.
By sai narayan
– August 2, 2007
I was introduced to Yoga at during my stay in Hyderabad, where I found a convenient Yoga class near my house. I was lucky enough to have a fairly good teacher and I do practise Yoga occasionally.
I have to say that I am not a regular or advanced practitioner of Yoga. I am one of those who make some sincere attempts, but still find it reasonably difficult touching the toes without bending one’s knees.
Without boring readers with details of asanas, I would like to mention a video I saw recently, on YouTube of some practitioners of the Ashtanga Yoga. I was zapped by the fluidity and grace of the movements ! Take a look at this URL if you have the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu9Sq1RvuoA
Posted in Hobbies.
By sai narayan
– July 24, 2007
I was shocked to see the Indian Muslim doctors named as being involved in the terrorist conspiracy in Britain.
One doctor has been arrested in Australia as well.
At least 4 more doctors are being questioned in Australia, though they might be innocent.
I just fail to understand how firstly, doctors, who have taken an oath to cure disease and help other humans overcome ailments, can actually conceive and execute such a heinous plot to kill other human beings.
From all appearances, these doctors seemed to be young, educated, fairly well to do.
What made them get involved in something like this ??
I don’t have the answers and one would really have to interrogate these people and dissect their lives to understand where the hatred comes from.
This is probably the first time we are seeing Indian nationals being named in the terror networks. Its going to smear the entire community overseas with the paint of suspicion. One of the doctors questioned has since been declared innocent, but he has gone into hiding because of unwanted media attention.
Just like the Sikhs were targeted after the attack on Mrs. Gandhi - even though the terrorists represented a very small minority bad apples of the Sikh community - I think incidents like these involving educated Indian muslims, is going to tarnish the whole community of Indian Muslims as well as Indian non Muslims living and earning an honest living overseas. Would you now befriend a Muslim, because it is something nightmarish to see a well educated doctor being part of something like this.
Having said that, I do have at least a couple of Muslim friends, and I know how wrong that sentiment is - these people are just the same like us and trying their best to live a decent life.
The whole incident has really left me distressed and wondering what is going on in this world. Where are we heading towards when as a British cleric reported the message he got that “…those who cure you will kill you ….” ??
Posted in Politics.
By sai narayan
– July 7, 2007
I read this very interesting book “Holding On” by Jo Gambi recently.
The book is all about Jo and her husband, Rob (who has had cancer twice) and how they leave their jobs and in an attempt to complete the “Seven Summits” mountaineering campaign, and also spend much of their living moments together doing what they loved. The “Seven Summits” campaign is about climbing the 7 tallest mountains in the world.
What is amazing is the fact that Rob has had cancer twice and despite being on and off from chemotherapy, and the many associated health problems, is courageous enough to climb Everest - among other very tough mountain peaks, one of them in the icy climes of Antarctica !! At one point, he had to get a helicopter to pick him up from some remote place so that he could get emergency hospital attention in Nepal…
I was really inspired by this book and it was an awesome read for me..
The part in which they climb to the peak of Mt. Everest was especially thrilling and very well narrated.
Posted in Books.
By sai narayan
– July 3, 2007
What is it about shopping ???
For my wife (and probably for a lot of women, I daresay), the ”S” word brings out smiles, eyes light up and she becomes all excited.
For me, the same word conjures up images of incessant, mind numbing loitering around aisles and escalators amid throngs of people similarly wandering around. And let’s just put one more ingredient into the equation - a 3 yr old with the boundless energy and disposition to get into trouble, which God gives to people when one is that age ! The time spent in this disenchanting exercise seems like such a waste of our wonderful god gifted lives !
The very glimpse of the word “Sale” or “Discount” brings a gleam to the woman’s eyes, and they pounce on that shop much like a predator in search of prey. The thought of getting something which used to be $100 for say $20 is nothing short of bliss for the inveterate shopper.
At the same time, the 3 yr old runs helter skelter around the mall, especially keen on trying out the escalators ! Whereever she can, she would also try to break a few bottles, pull out a few flowers from the nursery garden shop, eat a few scented candles from the Aromatherapy shop. And yes, she will cry till you get her her favourite doughnut. Of course, eating cleanly is not a 3 yr old’s forte, and one should expect that the doughnut would leave a mess around her mouth.
Having said all that, I do admit that shopping is a necessary evil, and one needs to buy what one wants or needs. But the approach is typically so different, that it offers a study in contrast.
Whereas I have a clear picture of what I want to buy, move in much like a soldier on a mission, and execute the job. On the other hand, my better half, has to check at least 10 different options and spend an hour or so before making a decision ! Besides, there is sometimes no necessity to buy at all ! Window shopping in itself is a great entertainment for her, much like say a game of tennis or watching a movie might be for me !
The rise of huge departmental stores and big shopping malls is nothing short of a bane in my view. The small little Kirana shop when I used to live in Hyderabad never afforded much pleasure in shopping to the good woman, and oftentimes, we would just phone in and order the goods. A small boy would cycle in from the shop and would bring us all our requirements. Such heavenly times ! But now, I feel lost meandering around in the alleyways of the huge shopping malls, pushing a trolley and waiting around for my better half to make her never-ending purchases. Before we even realise it, we have spent half a day just in the process of getting to the mall, finding a parking spot and then finding what we need (and what we dont need) in the endless aisles of the mall.
Hmm…Anyway, what can’t be changed, has to be endured !!!! One does fight and bargain and negotiate but all is futile and the big “S” word has the last laugh always.
Posted in Personal.
By sai narayan
– June 30, 2007
This is to provide some comic relief…….. You just can’t stop
laughing for every single sentence in the letter below. Take a bit of a
break to read it ! ;)
In the days when you couldn’t count on a public toilet facility, an
English woman was planning a trip to India. She was registered to stay
in a small guest house owned by the local schoolmaster. She was
concerned as to whether the guest house contained a WC. In England, as
you know, a bathroom is commonly called a WC which stands for
“Water Closet”. She wrote to the schoolmaster inquiring of the facilities about
the WC.
The school master, not fluent in English, asked the local priest if he
knew the meaning of WC. Together they pondered possible meanings of the
letters and concluded that the lady wanted to know if there was a
“ Wayside Chapel ” (Place where Celebrations are done especially like a
beautiful garden) near the house . . . a bathroom never entered their
minds.
So the schoolmaster wrote the following reply:
Dear Madam,
I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is located 9 miles
from the house. It is located in the middle of a grove of pine trees,
surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of holding 229 people and is
open on Sundays and Thursdays. As there are many people expected in the
summer months, I suggest you arrive early. There is, however, plenty of
standing room. This is an unfortunate situation especially if you are in
the habit of going regularly. It may be of some interest to you that my
daughter was married in the WC as it was there that she met her husband.
It was a wonderful event. There were 10 people in every seat. It was
wonderful to see the ex-pressions on their faces. We can take photos in
different angle.
My wife, sadly, has been ill and unable to go recently. It has been
almost a year since she went last, which pains her greatly.
You will be pleased to know that many people bring their lunch and make
a day of it. Others prefer to wait till the last minute and arrive just
in time. I would recommend Your Ladyship plan to go on a Thursday as
there is an organ accompaniment. The acoustics are excellent and even
the most delicate sounds can be heard everywhere.
The newest addition is a bell which rings every time a person enters. We
are holding a bazaar to provide plush seats for all since many feel it
is long needed. I look forward to escorting you there myself and seating
you in a place where you can be seen by all.
With deepest regards,
The Schoolmaster
Posted in jokes.
By sai narayan
– June 20, 2007
This is a continuation of my previous post about my friend’s experiences with….GHOSTS!
The second incident he related happened in high tech Singapore - a modern city where he used to work. We were actually colleagues at the time, though I worked at a different office. He used to work at a remote site, surrounded by thick vegetation - literally the middle of nowhere. I remember going there for a few days and we had to order food from the city, because there was nothing in the vicinity !
Anyway, coming back to his story…He had been warned not to work late hours at that office. But somehow one day he stayed back and was the last person in the office. Once his work was done, he had to switch off the lights and walk down a dark corridor to the lift. As he was walking down the dark corridor, he saw a female figure at a dark corner of the room near the lift. She was standing in a wierd posture facing the wall but looking at him out of the corner of her eye. As he walked by, he called out “Hello” to her. But there was no answer and the lady continued to stand absolutely still in the wierd posture ! At this, my friend, got extremely nervous, because this was unnatural. He just raced to the lift and pressed the button. The lift took an eternity to come down and he dashed out with his heart racing at a breakneck speed. The next day he mentioned the incident to his colleagues, but none of them had been there in the office at that time.
So, who was the mysterious lady in the dark corner ? Was she a Chinese spirit haunting the office ? Or as someone cynically commented - maybe she was just as scared of my friend as he was of her !!!
Posted in Anecdotes.
By sai narayan
– June 19, 2007
Recently, I went to a birthday party at a friends house. We somehow started talking about horror movies and someone mentioned the movie called “Bhoot” and how scary it was.
One of my friends had been quiet till then. I was just thinking how come he is so quiet today, when he remarked that he wanted to share 2 real life experiences he had of ghosts!!
The first one he related was in his home town in Karnataka. He was a young boy at the time and was sleeping in bed one night when…he suddenly became aware of footsteps in his room. He was in the twilight zone of half sleep and half wakefulness. Imagining that it was his father, he called out “Bapu Bapu, Is it you ?”. There was no answer. He called out a second time, and there was again no reply. And then, he sensed someone sitting down on his bed. Before he could look, the whole bed started shaking as in the movie “Exorcist”. He started screaming in terror, and yet the bed kept shaking. After what seemed an eternity, his father and others came running. By then the shaking had stopped !
Posted in Anecdotes.
By sai narayan
– June 19, 2007
