Kochu Govind Uncle & Lakshmi Aunty .... Living for ever in our hearts & at Temple view

Where do I start and how do I ? Uncle and Aunty over the years have become an integral part of our family and life that is hard to believe that they are not around. Oh no, they are very much around. Right here at Temple view in the house, in the garden and will be around forever.

Lady first....About Aunty... What A gem of a person she was.. Calm and quiet homemaker. Totally involved be it taking care of the teenagers at home, to the attention seeking husband and mastering all the servants, she kept the home running when she was on her toes or on wheel chairs. Most days, my first "Good Morning Hari" used to come from Aunty reading the newspaper and enjoying the view of the garden from her cozy corner room. She was a solid support. Uncle used to fondly recall the great times they both had together in London, Muscat and all over the world. Both of them are such a loving & caring couple they are a rolemodel for all of us to follow. Most of days when I am in chennai will start by walking into their breakfast table, meeting Uncle & Aunty getting the infectious / cheerful smile before going to office or out. After frequent visits to hospital and having a peaceful time on wheel chair, she made a quiet exit from this world same time last year leaving a huge vacuum for uncle and temple view. I still can,t forget that morning when Anju came running at 5 am and Amrith and we tried to save her but she was gone from this world.

About Uncle... That cheer and smile on his face is enough to lit you up on any day more so on a dull day. If that is not enough, his generous words with palmistry. It started as a casual habit 25 years ago for me getting my hand read by Uncle.His readings were accurate. It is a debate about the belief in these things, I believed in him,his words and direction. He will pull you up with a booster dose of confidence when your chips are down and warn you of the rough roads of life if you are too high. So much so that a few friends of mine who are established in the corporate world have their visits to Temple view for uncles words of their future. He taught me how to appreciate the softer things of life. Standing with him at the garden, I learnt how to appreciate flowers, plants and trees. Suja had so much of love for plants and flowers, they both enjoyed doing up the little space in our garden to make it colorful. Uncle may be gone, his plants, trees are there forever giving us his light,fragrance and colors. He had interest in art,creativity et all. Every wall, corner and piece of item converts into a piece of art with his touch and you can see it all at his beautiful home here at Templeview.

His appreciation for talent and children is remarkable. He spots the talent and appreciates it with generous words. Uncle is a connoiseur of food some of which are indulgences; one of his favorite is a Hot Bajji from a shop closeby. The special items from our house finds it way to his dining table. He knows to appreciate for even the small things
Of life. His ear for Music the Mohammed Raphi songs that played most mornings at 6 am. One day, Anu, me and uncle were talking about an year ago and I teased uncle why don't you blog on the Internet... There you go... Within a week with his able grand daughter's help, he was writing and posting on the Internet... Oh boy,,, that was passion & sharing. You compliment him for his writing, he is in cloud 9. He is an amazing networker. Lots and lots of people be it friends, relatives or neighbors would stop by to get his wishes and if you missed it, he will call you over the phone to wish.

Uncle taught us a lot of things with simple actions. Thanks uncle and Aunty for being here at Temple with me, Suja and my kids. We gained a lot. Lot of affection, love.... I can keep on and on..
We all wondered how uncle will take to it and live w/o his first lady and he did. We knew he felt the vacuum inside, he bounced back in no time only to discover that you have gone and joined your beloved wife out there in heaven.

Children and grand parents are treasures.. Care for them... Hold their hands, give them a hug, Make their day or rather make your day better .

Another blood donation day

Last Sunday, I got a call from the Anjaneya temple checking if I am ready for my next blood donation. I went yesterday to Kilpauk Medical College Blood bank ( a Govt . hospital in central chennai) . From the morning, i had 2 to 3 calls from the patient ( Radha)'s husband. I had to reassure him that i will be ontime before 1 pm when the blood bank closes. Radha is from Nellore in Andhra and had to undergo a major surgery in her right hand. Her husband who works a cook there had to leave his job and come to chennai to get his wife treated at the Govt. hospital here as he could not afford the expenses at Nellore hospital.

While I was personally satisified with another blood donation, the cleanliness at the hosiptal was not to the expected level & even inside the blood bank. I had watched a program on NDTV HINDU over the weekend at the plight of the Govt. Hospitals in chennai and here I was personally experiencing some of it.

Considering the cleanliness, I felt more comfortable donating at the Vijaya Hospital and ESI ( another Govt hospital closer home).

Some questions ( unanswered though )

Can't Govt. hospitals be made more clean / hygenic ?
Blood collection should happen in a far more cleaner / healthy environment

Kalaivani at Giri Trading Stores,Chennai..A Real and Fascinating Story

THANKS TO MY FRIEND SUNDAR FROM LIC FOR SENDING THIS. An interesting article / story of a NRI visiting a book store in chennai and the turn of events .........

After a simple Temple Darshan we entered "Giri Trading" and started searching for this Book on Thatva Bodha..

We found many people buying various Books and CDs and from their smart walks and accumulation of CDs from Bhajans to Bombay Jaishree,sent a nice feeling in us,that,we have come to the right place indeed...
I was looking for this Book while my wife started collecting Bharathiar's songs and Ms's Music..I searched everywhere for this Book..
There was this Girl Kalaivani,standing next to the Cashier,sincerely watching all our movements..a Black Girl,should be from a nearby Village,might be 17 or 18,should not have crossed 8th Std., might be out of poverty she is here..all my Journalist's brain unnecessarily calculated about this gullible girl...and though she was repeatedly watching me,I ignored her and started searching for "Thathva Bodha" I saw many books from"Sandhya Vandanam" to Swami Vivekananda's Chicago Speech" but having spent a good 40 minutes...I looked at her...she also looked at me curiously...
I asked her,knowing fully well that such a girl cannot have any idea of anything, leave alone Thathva Bodha.
"Sir, may I help you?"(in Tamil)
"Yes, I am looking for Thatva Bodha?"
"Sanskrit Text or English /Sanskrit?"
God... she knows...
"Sanskrit & English"
"Do you like to have the publication from Chinmaya Mission or Indu Publications or by Ramakrishna Mutt?"
"I dont know,.I just want to only Learn you see, I don't really know indeed"
"Do you read Tamil, Sir?"
"Yes, I am a Tamilian "
(thinking to myself how most of my lifetime I like to act in most otherplaces that I am not)

"Then Sir, you can take this"... she ran to the shelf where I had searched for 30 minutes, removed the books in the front side and came out with a book in Tamil.
"This one in Tamil by N. Sivaraman by Indu Publications in fact is simple and wonderful. You have the Sanskrit text too inside..."
My God! Why did I underestimate such a Genius... Just because of my arrogance that I am an NRI..

Or Just because I presumed such a Black, gullible girl,
who wd have come for this Job out of absolute poverty, wdn't have any idea of "Thatva Bodha"

I decided to change my attitude and realised that I am absolutely an 'idiot' at this moment in front of this wonderful girl and submitted myself in all humilty...
"Madam, I really don't have any idea of even who wrote Thatva Bodha till yesterday...I just attended a lecture on this subject and was fascinated by the lecture and hence..."
"Did you attend Goda Venkateswara Sastri's lecture in Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan?"
"Oh God...How did you know?"
"He regularly takes classes on such subjects.. In fact he is one of the best, Sir, in the city on such subjects."
"You are interested in such subjects?"
"Yes Sir, I read a lot about Swami VIvekananda and Ramakrishna and Thathva Bodha incidentally is my favourite Subject"
"You mean to say you have read Thatva Bodha.?"
"I have read this one by Sivaraman and once you read it you won't feel like keeping that book on the table at all.."
"Why what is so great about this Book?"
"Sir, you must be joking that you don't know about Thatva Bodha.."
"Really I accept my ignorance..."
My wife was watching from the corner,admiring all her CD collections..
"Sir, according to me if you read this, it gives the entire Vedanthic Saramsam and one would become a bit more humble in life, leaving Ahamkaram once for all..."
"Is it a fact that reading this simple book one would get so humble..
"Of course one should be involved totally into the text..
Needs lot of conviction and devotion..."

My wife joined the conversation and she felt this girl is indeed a very, very talented intelligent girl. So she told me "Why don't you interview her for Washington Post...why at all you should think the likes of Paris Hilton?"
I also felt that I owe something to her, so I asked her whether she can spare sometime for an interview.
She politely refused, saying "My boss is to give me permission. Besides, many people like you are looking for guidance and hence I have to go."
"What is your name, anyway?"
"Kalaivani"
My wife's admiration for her devotion to duty and her total involvement in her work made her go directly to the Boss.."Sir, that girl Kalaivani..."
"Yes, very hard working Girl.."
"This is my husband Viswanath."
"Nice meeting you, Sir"
"He is a senior journalist in Washington Post"
Boss stood up..."Washington Post!"
"Yes Sir..I would like to interview this girl..I am highly impressed `with her ethics.."
Boss called her... Time was 5:45 pm.
"Kalaivani, they have come all the way from USA. They would like to spend sometime with you...can you?"
"Sir, there are so many customers waiting for some guidance. It is a rush time... can come again tomorrow?"
"OK, OK I can come again tomorrow.."
I again came the next day morning leaving all my appointments with the Times of India just to see this girl..It was no rush hour..
My wife and myself found out that Kalaivani is from a nearby village near Arcot..She has 5 sisters..She is the eldest one..Her father was a drunkard and he died a few years ago caring for none of them..Her mother used to work as a helper in Masonry and passed away two years back..leaving all the 6 on the streets.
This girl who had completed her 9th std., decided to search for a job and Giri Trading came forward to help her out. She brought all her 5 sisters with her and with her meagre salary she is taking care of them. All the 5 sisters are going to a nearby corporation school.

"Kalaivani..but when did you get this enthusiasm to learn about Thatva Bodha?"
"Sir after joining here, I decided that the best way to be of help to the customers is to know the subject first..I took small books on Swami VIvekananda and started reading..I found the subject so fascinating..I decided to read other books in Tamil like Bagavad Gita and Viveka Choodamani. That's how..."
"What is your salary?"
"Rs. 2,500, Sir"
"Are you able to manage all your expenses with the 5 sisters..?"
"Not at all, Sir, but the Boss helps me a lot..?"
"What is your aim in Life?"
"I want all my sisters to get education.
Then they would get employment easily. Is it not?"
"If I give monthly Rs 10,000 for meeting all your expenses..would that suffice..?"
"It is indeed too much, Sir, but that also I would accept only through' my Boss."

We took her to the Boss and told him that we would like to send Rs 10,000 every month so that all her sisters' education would be completed. Boss said,
"She deserves it, Sir. You can trust me. I will hand over the amount to her every month or alternately, you can open an account in her name and start transferring."

My friend John Paul, who is the Regional Manager of the Times of India had also come with me. He said, "You have done a good thing..."
My wife said, "I pray that Karpagambal helps Kalaivani to become an expert in Vedantha and start giving lectures in USA.
We can arrange for her lectures.."
We left wonderstruck... If we go into the interiors of Bihar and Bengal...how many more such jewels can be found..
I really became humbled.

Visit to Hotel Saravana Bhavan ; Technology in action ;

Sunday evenings are a time to go out with family and have a nice quiet dinner. This gives us opportunity to explore all the new restaurants in chennai. Last weekend, after the lighting lamps for Karthigai Deepam ( Festival of Lights in India), we stepped out and as usual not knowing where to go. ..... After debating about chinese, Pizza's and Tandoori, we decided on one of our favourite restaurant chain Hotel Saravan Bhavan and chose the Vadapalani outlet. The entire experience was very nice and pleasant....

Car parking was easy and comfortable and we waited for our turn to be seated. We browsed through the Menu card and were ready to order... The waiter was there with a Smartphone taking the order, printing the order from his printer tugged into his trouser belt; reconfirming the order by placing a copy on the table and left. ..... Guess what, the order is wirelessly transmitted to the kitchen and to the billing section and the server gets his copy to ensure that he serves the ordered food. I was delighted to see this and that too in a South Indian Restaurant. Food was served faster and was very good. Was just thinking how technology / automation are helping the customer, supply chain, business ... Some of us have seen this in Restaurants , Rent A Car booths, Airline counters ... Saravana Bhavan is not just about quality and consistency ; this time around on technology ; Interesting experience.

We had a great dinner and was stepping out as my daughter read out their ice cream joint which had some unique flavours ; Kaju Kathali ice cream; sweet pongal ice cream and Gulab Jamun ice cream ; sampled some of these and they indeed had the flavour / taste of the same....Creativity in action....

Dinner at Kailash Parbhath

Went to one of my favourite restaurants in the city for dinner with my brother and family. We had prepared for a long wait given it is a Sunday evening ; we got our seats in less than 15 minutes. Started with chats. The usual Bhel puri, Pani Poori, Dahi Papdi chat and then the Bombay Chat was mouthwatering taste. We added a Sweet Lassi the lassi was not all that good ;; a little sour ;;;; Place was noisy and crowded and hence we could not have a leisurely conversation; but then the food is worth the other troubles; Main course started with their signature Bhatura Platter and then some breads and dishes. Every dish is so tasty that you want to eat more. We ended with some mouthwatering Milk Sweets. We also had the Sizzling Brownie with Ice Cream but then that was so so... nothing like the Sizzling brownie in Cream Center.... A Very satisified dinner

Blood Donation today

I am a voluntary blood donor donating blood atleast twice a year near my home in Vijaya Hospital. Besides, registering with the blood banks in the city of chennai, I had given my name in a Anjaneya temple in Ashok Nagar sometime back. Got a call from the temple authorities last night at 9 p.m saying that a pregnant lady is URGENT need of my blood group blood and i confirmed to them to be available at the Govt. ESI hospital in K.K.Nagar this morning at 9.

It was a pleasant memorable experience donating for the first time at this place. Firstly a clean and healthy ambience and a very friendly service from the people at the blood bank. Understandably, the recipient's relative was eagerly waiting and thanked me. The whole process was very professional and was done with in <>

Patient's husband ( all of 30 years old) is from a village near chennai and has completed his MS in Computer Science from the local college and is working in a BPO in chennai for the last 5 years for a salary of <>

I offerred to register my name at the Hospital Blood bank too and the point made by the Nurse got me thinking and that was " Sir... we get the regular donors like you coming and donating and we have a method to reach you ... but then sometimes we ask the patient's relatives to go and get new donors because through that the thought of donating blood can reach more people and thereby benefit more ... " She in her own little way is helping increase the donor community ( onetime or regular) ..... Thank you for your selfless service.

I was a happy contended man walking out of the ESI hospital.....

Emirates flight Chennai to Sanfransico

I took the Emirates flight from Chennai to San Fransico via Dubai. Was an extremely pleasant experience. Most important one being the time to reach SFO was the shortest. I left Chennai at 3 am and was in SFO by 1 am same day total elapsed time of 22 hours. Flight was most convenient , lots of legroom ( lucky to have got Exit Row seat in both the flights) , short wait at Dubai airport, awesome food and great entertainment.

Dubai airport had Wifi access that I could quickly enable my Android phone to check mails, chat with my son on FB and all set.

When you are coming on short business trips and want to make the most of the time ( rather than wait at airports), this one was worth everything you paid for.

Flying is made easy thanks to flights like this and amenities