Connecting the old gold and the new workmanship.

Connecting the old gold and the new workmanship.

Now that Mr NarendraModi is  put strongly on the saddles of power he can start his grand designs for the speedy and inclusive development of the whole subcontinent.He himself is bestowed with an immense treasure of imaginations where we can / and should /contribute our small suggestions .From my side I have 2 humble suggestions.

For the fast improvement in the area  of cultivable land and to increase the number of crops per year,there is urgent need for irrigation facilities.This can be done by making small checkdams in small rivers and promoting lift irrigation/well irrigation.As a long term strategy the major rivers canbe linked together ( a pet idea of the late VKRV Rao ).This will double the agri.production in a few years.

The govt should  start a  scheme  Balaram Anna Yojana ,( after the early puranic farmer,Balaram of Madhura.)aimed at cultivation of all cultivable vacant lands in the public or private ownership.This can be done by giving expert  farming advices to the owners or allowing farmers/cooperatives to lease out land with some governmental  assistance.By this we will become self sufficient in food items and can even export a sizable quantity of some agricultural produces.

In every state there should be 2 broad highways with availability of  around 150 metres of free space where no construction of buildings should be permitted. This will ease the widening of such roads in future years without the necessity for demolition of structures. One highway in the E-W direction and the other in the N-S direction. People from any part of a state can move to the other end within a few hours.In many developed nations there are no buildings near the highways.

                       MAARUTI SETHU YOJANA( For people  centered  projects )

Another badly required factor is the involvement of the masses in the developmental process .By achieving this we can bring about a sustainable change in the attitude of the people.They should feel that their role in the nation building does not stop at the moment  they click the choice button on the EVMs.But for achieving  this we want much more transparency in the planning,decision making and implementation of the projects.Much of these local works should be entrusted to the local bodies with a commitment to involve the public nominees also.There has to be mandatory social auditing for such projects.By constituting a voluntary body under the name ‘MAARUTI SETHU YOJANA ‘,the voluntary involvement of all the citizens can be assured in such small/regular work in a locality.( The name  reminds us of the collective efforts of the monkeys under the leadership of Hanuman  to help Lord Sriram in the making of the Sethu bridge to Lanka ) The govt only needs to take the initiative in promoting /popularizing / such a scheme.This has 2 advantages!) It helps to make available the human labour worth several thousand crores.All  parts of the nation can  mobilize the service of the locals in devoting  a few hours weekly/monthly for voluntary work in the neighbourhood.Secondly it gives a sense of involvement to the participating individuals/voluntary organizations.Many voluntary agencies can be persuaded to participate in such projects.Gradually this coming together of people for the common good of the society will  result in the fading out of the  communal/gender/regional/ imbalances and  communication gap.When members of all communities work together for the common good  it will remove the slight misgivings in their minds about others.True secularism will prevail in India.

The ordeals in Social service

                                               The ordeals in Social service

When you address  any person in English you call him by the term ‘You’.But Malayalam gives you many graded terms like, Nie,Edo,taan, ninghal,anghu,taangal etc.

A few years back while I was active in community service I had the services of an old person in the community.One day he handled a particular job in an irresponsible manner  that led to much criticisms.As I was responsible for the day today activities I told him softly to be more cautious in future.” Anghu kurekoodi sraddhayode kaaryangal cheyyanam.Angekku ithu saaddhyamallengil parayanam .Njangalkku vere maargam nokkanam”.

Some of his relatives decided to use this as a weapon against me.They compelled him for days together to present this incident in an exaggerated manner.Though the old man was reluctant to speak a lie he was pressurized by the gang to obey them.At the next meeting of the community they raised the allegation that I had ill treated a nonagenarian soul .I asked him in what way I had done so.He kept silent for some time while the gang forced him to stand up and say the “TRUTH “ without fearing me.Finally he gave the text of my request to him.”Edo thanikku ee  pani pattillengil than irangi podo.Thanikku pakaram njangal  vere aaline vacholaam.”( something which I can /will /

never use towards any body )

I never had any doubt as to what should be the next step.I declined to accept the requests of the people to continue in the post.

Narendra Modi ,India’s hope for the coming years

                                                           

Narendra Modi had a very humble origin in a village in Gujarat.Even in his early years he had helped his family by running a railway teashop business.But along with this he had continued his studies and graduated in political science from Ahmedabad.He had the habit of wandering in the Himalayas and during one such journeys he visited the SRK Ashram ,Belur ( Kolkatta ).The visit to Belur was a turning point in his life.He got very much inspired by the man-making teachings  of SwamiVivekananda.He started reading all books on and by the great sage.Themix of life’s hardships,social experiences and spiritual knowledge became the pillar stones of Mr Narendra Modi’s way of life.

Mr.NM served the people a lot during the Gujarat floods in 1967 and realized the cruelest   experiences by his people.He felt the need  of standing for a righteous cause with utmost discipline.He joined the RSS and served as a pracharak for long.This gave him the exposure to the genuine problems of the masses.When Sri Jaiprakash Narayan started the Nav Nirman anticorruption movement in 1974,Mr NM got actively involved in that.Mr Modi joined the BJP in 1987 and was soon the  General Secretary of the Gujarat unit.During this time he conducted to long journeys,from Somnadh to Ayoddhya and from Kanyakumari to Srinagar ( J & K )

In 1995 he became the National Secretary of the BJP.This postion helped him to strengthen the party units in several important states.In 1998 he was appointed the National  GS of the BJP.

Following the tragic earthquake in Kutch in 2001,he was asked by the party leaders to take charge as the CMof Gujarat.He took charge on October 7^th 2001 under  most trying circumstances.

The rest of his career goes like a suspense thriller.MrNarendra Modi had no prior experience in administration or contacting even an IAS officer.He had not even contested in any elections.He had never been to the State chief Minister’s office before.Such a person was put to lead a jumbo cabinet of 40 ministers.Not many in Indian politics would have had a similar fate.But as he was a beginner he could learn things without any bias or a need to unlearn the past.

As he was slowly coming to terms with the  quake relief work of 2001 ,came the Godhra  riots of 2002 which devastated the already crippledGujarat.This unexpected mishap brought out the best EVENT MANAGER in him.His motto was’ Don’t  dream  to become great on your own,but  dream to do something great for your people.’Good governance became the basic  principle  of his govt.He formulated many schemes for the inclusive development of the various sectors in the  state.Mr Modi advocated the philosophy of PANCHAMRUT for economic and social development.The 5 Shaktis ( power )w ere 1) Gyan Shakti ( education ),2) Jal Shakti ( water ),3)Urja Shakti ( energy ),4)Raksha Shakti ( Security ) and 5 )JanShakti ( people )laid the foundation for good governance in Gujarat in the later period.Hardly surprising that he led his party to thumbing victories in the 2002,2007 and 2012 elections.

Now Mr Narendra Modi continues to serve this whole nationwith a dream of leading India to greater heights in the years to come .21^st century is Asia’s century and it is India’s turn to emerge as  the WORLD LEADER.For this the govt should have only one bhakti i.e.Bharat Bhakti and it’s strength should be Jan Shakti .As Swami Vivekananda said “Arise,awake and stop not until the goal is reached “

JAI INDIA

TAMIL FESTIVALS IN KERALA

                                                      Tamil festivals

Upanayanam,Mangalyam,Pumsavana seemantham,

Pongal( Makaram ),Sivarathri( Kumbham ), Thaali noyambu( Meenam ),SriRama navami Meenam ), Vishu( Medam ),Avani Avittom(chingam ),Vinayaka Chathurthy( Chingam ),Janmashtami( Chingam ), ThiruOnam( Chingam ),  Navarathri( Kanni ),  Deepavali, ( Thulam )Thrikkarthika( Vrischigam ), Thiruvathira ( Dhanu ), Amavasya Tharpanam( all new moon days )etc are some of the customs followed by Tamil Brahmins in Kerala.

Some of these are celebrated within the family and some as collective celebrations.Pongal, ThaliNoyambu, Vishu,Deepavali,Thrukkarthika,etc are celebrated in the house itself,while others are celebrated at some common place/hall.

Thalinoyambu is strictly a family function which is performed by the married ladies whose husband is alive for continued  long life with their partners and also by unmarried  girls for good marriage alliance . Recently  this function was conducted during the late night hours in a local hall to give publicity /image boost/ for the community.The news with a photo was published in several newspapers too !I felt it to be a most unhealthy practice to give coverage in media for such family functions. At this rate  we may witness several private functions being held on a  public stage  to entertain the public.

The very same sponsors of this Grand Festival have a defunct school started in the name of a noble person of the community.While most of the other schools established along with it or even later have progressed very much,they found it wise to close down the school and   concentrate on holding  feasts, festivals,felicitations, protest march etc.The school compound would have helped them to do wonderful service to the local public and boost the image of our community.The right thinking elder members can advise them on this.

A VISIT TO KUMBAKONAM AND THANJAVUR

                        Our Thanjavur,Kumbakonam visit Jan 24-28,2014

 We two Left Aluva by the EKM-Karaikal Exp  on 24^th Jan.at 2230 hrs,and reached Thanjavur by 0930 hrs on 25^th.Left our luggages in the Railway cloak room and after breakfast  bought 2 tickets for Kumbakonam.Visited the Bruhadeeswaran temple,Thanjavur during the short break.Returned to the RS by 1145 .Reached Kumbakonam by 1250 by the shatabdi Exp( Coimbatore to Mayiladuthurai.) Hired an auto( Rs60) and   reached the Sankara Residency , where we had arranged for our stay.(Rs 1250 for a AC suit) Occupied the room by 1320 hrs.Got the lunch and took rest till 1500hrs.

                            The hotel people had arranged for our local tour also .We got a very experienced driver Sri.Govindan,who had vast experience in the local tour programmes and also knew very well about the importance of the various destinations.

                                                   Day 1 -  25^th Jan  ( Saturday )( from 1500 hrs to 2000 hrs )

   1) Thinkaloor ( Shiva temple with Chandran )

2) Thiruvayar,the Samadhi of Thiagaraja Swamigal.Every year during the middle of January,Thiagaraja

    Aradhana takes place here.

   3)Swami malai.One of the temples in the Arupadai Veedu of Lord Subramonia.

  4)Thiruvalam chuzhi,(Valampuri )Ganesa temple.White Ganesa.

 5 ) Patteeswaram  temple ( Durgai and Shivan )

 6) Alamgudi ( Guru;Jupiter ).Shiva and Neelambika .

 7 )Njanapuri,Anjaneya peetom (36 feet height )

 8)Padai katty MariAmman,Valangainan

9 ) Uppilyappan koil,( Perumal koil )

10 )ThiruNageswaram ( Rahu ) Siva,Devi.----------Dinner at Hotel Balaji.2030 hrs.

                                                   Day 2-26^th January ,Sunday (0615hrs to 2200 hrs )

1 )Surianar Koil ( Sun ),

2 ) Kanjanur    ( Sukran,Venus )

3)Thiruvizhai Mazhalai(Shiva )temple

4)Abhishta VaradarajaPerumal Koil,Vishnupuram.-----------Breakfast at Mayiladuthurai

5 ) KeezhePerumballam( Kethu )Shiva,Devi temple

 6) Thiruvenkadu ( Budhan )Devi,Shiva temples.

 7)  Vaitheeswaram,( Sevvai,Mars ),Sri Vaidyanatha Swami( Shiva ).----Lunch at Mayiladuthurai.

 8)  Anjaneya Idol( 60 feet height )

9)Vittal ,Perumal temple,Govindapuram( Lord Krishna )

10 )Mahalingeswar temple,Thiruvidaimarutur,( Siva,Devi )

11) Darasuram  temple.Airavateswar ( Shiva ).

12)AdiKumbeswar temple ( Motta gopuram )( Shiva,Devi )

13)Sreerama temple.( Sreerama pattabhishekam )

14 )Sarangapani temple( Vishnu temple

      Dinner from town hotel 2030 hrs.

                                     Day 3,27^th Jan 2014 ,(Monday )0615 hrs to 2000 hrs.

1)Thirumaichur temple ( Shiva,Lalithambika )

 2 )ThiruSkandan Swami,Kandankudi( with Valli & Devayani )

  3),Ganesa temple.Nalankulam ,Thirunellar

 4 )Sani temple,Thirunellar.( Darpaneswaran,( Siva), Devi & Sani.)Heavy crowds of 2-3 lakhs on Fridays,Saturdays and Sundays.)

 5 )Nagur mosque,Beach.( Ptsunami affected area.)

6) Kayarakona Swami  temple,Nagapattanam (Sivan & Neelayathakshi )

7)Anjaneya temple,Nagapattanam

8 ) soundara rajaPerumal koil,Nagapattanam.

9)Nellukkadai Sri MariAmman koil,Nagapattanam.

10) Akkarapettai.The worst ptsunami affected area,A bridge was washed off and a new bridge had to be constructed.Many boats were flown over to the coast.

11)Korakka Siddhan’s Jeeva Samadhi Peetom,Vadakku Poikai nalloor.

12) Velankanni church and Beach.A very neatly maintained place.

13) Salt lakes near Velankanni on way to Thiruvalur.

14)Keezhveloor temple ,Sikkal(  Shiva ,Devi and Muruka )Subramonia is believed to have received the Vel from his mother  at this temple for killing Tharakasura .The temple owns much paddy grown land )

15 ) Sikkal Perumal temple.This also has large land holdings.

16)Arch gate near Thiruvalur with the images of the king in his chariot with a cow on the other side depicting the impartial way in which he took decisions.( a cow rang the bell at the palace gate to complain about the killing of it’s calf by an unidentified person.The king promised to give proper punishment to the guilty.On enquiry it turned out to be the prince himself who brutally killed the calf during his outings.The king himself killed his son using his chariot while his son was sleeping in the palace yard.)

17 ) Thiagaraja Moorthy temple,Thiruvalur ( Birth place of Thiagaraja Swamigal )

18)Nachiar koil,Kalgaruda .

19 )Saneeswaran temple with the entire family of Sanidevan ( 2 wives and 2 children )

20 )Azhakaputhur temple(Siva and Devi ,Sankha Chakra dhari Murukan),Kumbakonam.

                  Dinner at 2030hrs and back to the lodge.

                                   Day 4, 28^th Jan 2014 Tuesday -0630 hrs -1730 hrs

1)      Mahamaham tank,Kumbakonam.The tank is normally full of water.It has 22 wells in it .During the KumbhaMela,the water in the tank is pumped out and there is water in the wells only.People use this water for purifying their body,and then worship in the  temple.

2)      Nageswara temple.( siva,Brahma and Saraswathi ).

3)      Vegetable market near the Arasalar river.

4)      Darasuram fort maidan.

5)      Nalloor Kalyana sundara Temple( the colour of the Shiva linga here is believed to be changing 6 times a day.There is a Kaali temple and also a tank here.

6)      Palaivananathar.A place where paddy is grown extensively using farming/harvesting machines.There are huge sylos  also for storing the paddy.

7)      Papanasam temple.There are 108 Sivalingams here (106 in a hall,1 in the temple and 1 ,known as Hanumat linga outside the main temple).

       The road from Papanasam  to Saha mangaliam has very little curves.  

     8 )Mullaivananathar temple( The Siva linga is believed to have been got from a mullai (jasmine )forest.( Siva  and Kalpaka rakshambika ).There is a big pond too.

         9 )Mariaman Koil,Thanjavur,The Diety here is believed to be the sister of Samayapuram diety.          The diety has rich sarees and ornaments all made of gold.

 10 )Aakaya lingam temple ( siva and Durga )The Siva linga is very tall and is near the railway track to  Trichy. Durga and Naga are also here.           

            11) Thanjavur palace,art gallery,Saraswati mahal library,museum,Viewing tower,Sivaganga garden    

12 ) Brihadeeswae temple,Tanjavur.Very huge Sivalingam and Nandi.Both are carved out of single stones.The towers are not painted and retain their natural stone colour.There are hundreds  of Sivalingas  around the inner temple.

Those who want a comfortable stay and darsan of the temples here can contact ,

SRI SANKARA RESIDENCY,54 –A,Banadurai North Street,Kumbakonam.612 001

( has both AC suites /guest house /accommodation)

Phone numbers - LL  0435 2423243( Kumbakonam )

                                               Mob;- 94437 24271

Sri Govindan ( Cab )         09629201935