From & To Sathish #6 - Page 38

"Part of the problem with the word 'disabilities' is that it immediately suggests an inability to see or hear or walk or do other things that many of us take for granted. But what of people who can't feel? Or talk about their feelings? Or manage their feelings in constructive ways? What of people who aren't able to form close and strong relationships? And people who cannot find fulfillment in their lives, or those who have lost hope, who live in disappointment and bitterness and find in life no joy, no love? These, it seems to me, are the real disabilities." Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember

https://www.quotepoetry.com/2023/02/everyone-comes-into-your-life-for.html

https://www.rediff.com/cricket/special/events-that-changed-indian-cricket-forever/20231207.htm

Good morning. Power has been restored in my area. So, I will be returning home after three days in my sisters place. God only knows what the ground level situation is back home. I know one person who is going to be very happy to see me return and he will be there with his entire community to receive me with open wings and stings. Not dogs, cats or all the crows and pigeons that I feed but it, Mr. Mosquito. Yes. Rains, floods, stagnant waters and I am sure that they will be rubbing their wings in glee and in anticipation of a bloodfest or should I say blood feast. Ok. I have tried and tested it and can tell you that Coconut oil keeps them pests at bay. Try it.

https://youtu.be/_4YWY9lkT90?si=uOLCytzCdMpNyTGx

From PB Rangachari Gu60 EE

The Spirit Of Chennai BY Biju Vergheese

==================

While the entire nation is debating on the "Non-sense" called "Intolerance", there is humanity at its best in Chennai. I can tell this for sure because, I stay in Qatar and my family (wife and 2 kids aged 11 and 7) are in Chennai. With all the floods and problems, I am getting the message from them, "We are safe".

In the wake of calamity, Chennai is "One". It has only one religion, "Humanity"; It has only one enemy, "Water"; there is only one aim "Help". And they did it in style. When they were offering help, they didn't ask whether you are "Hindu" or a "Christian" Or a "Muslim". They didn't ask whether you are "Rich" or "Poor". They didn't ask whether you are a "Tamlian", "Malayalee", "Telugu", "Kannadiga" or "North Indian". Only one question they asked; "Do you need any help?"

The rich people; my neighbors who never interacted with anybody in the neighborhood in last 4 years; opened the gates of their huge house. The man stood outside and welcomed people to his house. "We will eat whatever we have. We will share whatever we have. You can stay here until the water recedes"; that all he had said.. He accommodated around 35 people in his house. He is a Hindu Brahmin. He provided mat for the Muslims to do Namaz. He allowed Christians to pray in his Pooja room.

There were volunteers outside helping people to reach safe places. They used anything and everything as tool; until the army people reached. Once the experts came, they gave the leadership to the more experienced and helped them to help others. My wife told me that, there were group of people going through the streets with neck deep water and asking "Sir / Madam, do you need any help?" in front of every house. They provided whatever help they can and they distributed food and essentials. There were groups providing cellphone batteries for 5 minutes to anybody who want to talk.

I have seen people fight for food when there is a calamity. Even the most modern countries, when there is a calamity, people fight for food. They think only about themselves at that time. But, when the food was distributed in Chennai, it was calm. People stood in queues and they have given food for the people who are not able to stand in queues (elderly, mothers and kids). They brought boats. They made temporary rafts and just went on helping people.

On top of all these things, this is what my kids are seeing. This is what they are learning. How to help each other at the time of need. It goes straight into their brain. The images gets implanted there. And then, when there is another calamity, they know what to do.. How to survive.. How to get help and how to help others... This is what I want my kids to learn.. Humanity, without boundaries....

There is no wonder that, Chennai is one of the oldest cities in the world. It has survived everything thrown at it.. It will definitely remain so for ever. They are united. They can beat anything.. They can survive anything...

I am a proud Chennaite... I will never forget this in my life! A city which gave me and my family safety in the hour of need.. Thank you Chennai!.. Thank you Indian Army ! Thanks you India!!!

https://youtu.be/jWGDGDTSvtg?si=ySMpGSBflTSkFLz0

Avan, Aval Adhu 521

Bolenath or Boleji, as addressed by everyone, stood looking at Madhu and Ravi and knew that the little doll that now reigned as a powerful queen had finally found her King. Protibha, the timidest of the house staff but also the most inquisitive and outspoken one turned to Chanda, her senior by a few years and enquired, ' Didi, how long have you been married?'

Chanda stumped by this sudden question, thought for a few seconds and replied, ' More than 30 years ' and her curiosity pickled by this vague question, said, ' Little one, your questions always have a reason and purpose. Good, bad or even ugly, there will be something there behind it. So, what is it now?'

Protibha tried telling Chanda through her eyes that Boleji was right there and that she would explain her question later when they were alone but their Majordomo, their chief of staff turned and looked at her with kind eyes and in an even kinder voice told her that she could speak freely.

' Protibha, beti, if the reason for your hesitation is due to my bachelor status and if you feel that topics such as marriage and love are something that I am not knowledgeable about then you are wrong.'

He looked at them and declared, ' I too have loved. Twice. But lost both times. Once to a better-looking man and the second time to a much more wealthier man than me. But, not a day goes by when I don't thank God for saving me from those two women and at the same time there are times when I do miss them.

So, speak and do it freely. Like Chanda pointed out, your questions always have a point and a purpose. Ask it and speak your mind without any inhibitions. To do so runs in our Bengali blood and genes. The sacred breath of Tagore still lingers in all our lungs and souls. So speak child and ask your questions.'

Protibha looked longingly at Ravi and Madhu seated under the Crimson flowering Gulmohar tree and said, ' I have been married for about four years now. Love marriage ' and looking at Chanda the much older housemaid, ' Didi has been married for more than 3o years.'

Chanda's eyes began to shimmer in simmering anger and Protibha hurriedly said, ' I don't know about didi but I have never felt that with my husband ' and pointing to Ravi and Madhu, ' Them, what they are feeling. They look like they are on fire and I can sense their love and the power of what they feel for each other standing here, nearly twenty feet away. Why is that, didi, Boleji?'

Chanda smiled and looked at Boleji, ' Yes, chacha, you better take this question because I have no answer. Honestly, my marriage was an arranged one and I was just 16 and he was 19 or something. He did not know what was what then and does not know what is what, even now. So..'

Boleji looked at both of them for a few moments and then returned his gaze to the garden where the two heads seemed to have merged into one and sang a few lines from one of the most famous poems in the world written by Tagore titled Uending love,

Tomarei jeno bhalobashiyachi

shata rupe shata bar

janame janame, juge juge anibar

Chirokaldhore mugdho hridoy

gathiyache Geetohar

kata rup dhore porecho golay

Niyecho shey upohar

janame janame, juge juge anibar

I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times…

In life after life, in age after age, forever.

My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,

That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,

In life after life, in age after age, forever.

Boleji stopped and looked at them, ' There are various kinds of love in various stages. A kind of love that is constantly evolving according to the needs of the person or people who feel it and want it. Then, there is that kind of love that stops evolving for it has nowhere else to go or grow. That state is reached when one soul stops thinking about itself and thinks and is consumed by the love it feels for the other. It is the ultimate and supreme sacrifice. For one soul gives away all its needs, wants, dreams and thoughts and merges it with the other and it is somewhat similar to what happens when we die and we merge with the supreme power.'

He smiled at them and said, ' That is a rare kind of love and my heart tells me that it is not reached through just one life but several lives. Both souls have been searching for the other and keep doing that over several births and are complete when they have finally found each other. Our princess, our beloved Queen has found her King and he has found her.'

Clapping his hands, ' Come, let's get to work and prepare a feast for our King and queen ' and with that walked towards the kitchen.

Protibha and Chanda looked at each other and the younger one smiled and said, ' Didi, so, there is a chance that we will meet and enjoy this kind of love in some birth. Maybe the next or the one after that.'

Chanda nodded, ' I guess so. I don't mind having that kind of love even though God stipulates that it will be only for a small duration.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3fVOXjFoMs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96jBpO-cRn8

We, humans, are stereotyped into many types. Only in general for none have dug deeper into these so-called types and characteristics that define or at best describe each one of us.

I, me and my moods and my thought processes are typically schizo and anniyan in nature.

Then, when it comes to music, well, you better throw the notes about me out of the window.

I have no clue but every day my soul wakes up begging for music but something different.

So, today, I give you a beautiful composition, creation " Adagio in G Minor by Albinoni.

Lend your ears to this piece and even though it might sound and make you feel sad, wait, for it will also raise your spirits.

Wrap your headphones and wrap yourself in this creation or just let it play loudly as you work around the house and with less volume as you work in the kitchen.

Remember, peace more than happiness comes from inside you and even happiness, real happiness can be had, and felt in solitude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u99f9RAvwu4

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/persistent-cough-not-covid_l_656f1f74e4b0f3e5f44aca8f?utm_medium=email&utm_source=pocket_hits&utm_campaign=POCKET_HITS-EN-DAILY-RECS-2023_12_10&sponsored=0&position=3&category=fascinating_stories&scheduled_corpus_item_id=becb02eb-e330-497a-a01d-2ecdf77f0e75&url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/persistent-cough-not-covid_l_656f1f74e4b0f3e5f44aca8f