Tribute to a Legend

Death knocked on the door of a saintly human being when least expected, and whisked him away to a place full of light and peace leaving humanity and institutions an orphan. A father figure to the rich as well as the poor, lending a helping hand to those who approached, His sole motto simple living and high thinking. The true jewel of India her Anmol Ratan.

Feel of Music

Music soothes the savage heart is a well known saying. Music has no barriers. Music lovers love music whether the lyrics are understood by them or not. A film without music may endear to people because of its strong storyline, but a movie with melodious music whether it is a hit or a flop, the viewers will certainly remember the songs with its enchanting music. A housewife can do her monotonous work with renewed energy with music on. Tiny tots love the nursery rhymes on audio or video combined with melodious music. People love going to classical music concerts especially in Chennai during the Margazhi masam when all auditoriams are fully booked for such concerts. Technology has made life musical, whether it is a mobile or a computer. There was an incident where a cow used to give more milk by listening to a particular song. Music has not only won over human beings but also animals. It is difficult to come across people who do not like music. Listening to devotional music soothes one's mind and soul A musician who became immortal with her devotion and contribution to Indian music is late Srimati MS Subhalakshmi reflecting the divinity of her soul.. Who can forget the nightingale Lata Mangeshkar? Olden days songs are still enjoyed and variations made by the young generation. Music in all languages can be enjoyed even if language is not known. The platform Indian Idol is a boost to the highly talented singers, even small children. Really feel sad for the talented street singers who in spite of their talent is not able to achieve recognition. My ardent desire is for them not to remain unsung heros. If a child is talented in singing, parents are to encourage and develop the child's talent. There are lucky singers as well as unlucky ones who have reached dizzy heights through sheer will power and perseverance. Indeed said -Music is manna from heaven.

Tirpathi Miracle

Another adventure. It was more than three years that I had pledged to donate my hair to Lord Balaji. My niece said there were senior citizen package where darshan is within 45 mins. Chanced to see a Balaji Tour package provided by Seabird Tourist. Called them and was informed that I was to book a month in advance.I was supposed to book on June 15 for July 15 trip. Requested on Whatsapp to remind me on June 15 since I may forget to contact. On June 14 I contacted the travels and wa shocked and surprised to get message that there was a seat for June 15. It was a miracle and I immediately made my booking. The boarding was at 10.30 pm. at Gandinagar quite far away from my place. Booked a cab at 7 feeling anxious about Bangalore traffic. The driver a very helpful man and told me the address was not proper and will take me to the address I said. Dropped me at the venue and left. It took only 1 and half hr to reach. Went to the office and showed my ticket. The receptionist looked at it and said my boarding was from a different branch. Luckily I was early. A staff arranged an auto for me with instructions. Got down at the venue. Showed by booking and was told bus is an hr late. I got the bus number. Walked into the waiting room welcmed by the sweet fragrance of insence. On a TV placed inside , there were images of Lord Balaji and his consort Goddess Padmavati being showed. It was a divine feeling. As it was time for dinner, placed my bag and went out in search of a hotel. Fortunately found one at a short diatance. Walked in and ordered a plate of vada. Was told no sambar, only chutney. I said OK. Took the token and gave at counter. Was surprised to see sambar served and thanked the staff at the counter. After washing down with a hot cup of coffee, I went back to the office. It was sometime later than the passangers started puring in and soon the whole room was houseful.There were also youngsters as well as sr citizens. Soon a family consisting of a young husband, his wife and baby with another person entered. Never knew the husband, wife and the other person were in fact angels sent to protect me. Lord Balaji's grace. Thet were also travelling by the same bus as it was the same bus number. Saw buses coming and going.Went to ask about my bus and was told will be coming soon.After a long wait at 12am the bus came. I sat on my alloted seat. The young husband came and asked if there was anyone sitting beside me. I said I was travelling alone.What he said warmed my heart. He said Don't worry I am your son and till you u reach Tirupathi and back to Bangalore, you are under my care. His wife too looked at me and smiled. I came to know he too was donating his hair as well as his 9 month year old baby's. I was very happy to know I was having company. It was a good hotel we were taken to. I had my own room to freshen up in one hour to have darshan. The bus though having started late was early. We had arrived at 5am. Aftr a suptuous complimentary breakfast, and leaving my bag in the luggage room, we went to board bus. Soon the people donating hair were seperated and made to travel by another vehicle. I stuck to my new friends. After donating hair and a warm head bath we got into the bus and had to have a securuty check. I could not see the family so went alone. The wife saw me and asked me where I had gone as they were all seraching for me.. After visiting Varaha temple which was jam packed, we walked to lord Balaji Shrine. The guide had given us instructions and a slip with number and venue to meet if anyone got lost. The young husband gave instructions to the other person (I came to know was his BIL) that he has to be with me and not let me go alone. Hewas my bodygaurd staying with me, even in the crowd, he used to keep an eye on me. Though it was quite a difficult darshan, i was blessed to have the darshan amidst the teeming crowd. When walking on the premises to the temple, the scorching path literaaly brought blisters under my feet. I was feeling heplpless jumping in pain holding on to mt angel's hand. The 50 rupees bottle of water bought for drinking I used to pour on my feet to cool it. It was getting late. Luckily Sr citizens were given laddus soon. When we came to the venue the wife looked panicky asking us why we were so late. The husband came and said he had already gone to the place 10 times in search of us. The reason was we had taken the wrong line and darshan was late. We were supposed to have a complimentary lunch. As no one had lunch . the driver said dinner was packed and kept on seats. We were all tired. As I got into my saet the young husband came inviting me to the back seat where they were having dinner. He said it will be easy to serve. So I went and sat with the. It was like family with the wife serving dinner and coaxing me to eat. I was supposed to get down at the boarding venue when Madhavan, the husband's name told me the last stop was IPTL. nevr heard of the name and was getting panicky as it would be late night. Madhavan was getting down at Indira Ngar. Seeing my woebegone face he went to the conducter to enquire. I saw him taliking to a passangar. He came to me and said the passanger with his wife too is going to electronic city and I can join them. It was God sent. But they too were getting down at Indira Nagar. Soon all of us got down at Indira Nagar. I had called up my son asking him to inform the security as it was an odd hr. Madhavan courteously invited us to his house as it was so late. But the other passanger refused politely. Soon an ola auto came. I told thhem to find out if the driver can drop me after dropping them,The driver was willing and said 400 extra.I said no problem. What shocked me was when the auto crossed electronic city and went all the way to my address and dropped me at my gate. I asked the couple they should not have bothered when the wife said it it late so a little help on their part. I thanked them and paid the driver. Was happy to see the gate open and the securuty all awake and waiting. It is because of such positive minded people that the world survives. Madavan was indeed Madhavan to me. All Lord Balaji's blessings.

The Great Train Adventure

My Trissur adventure. Great adventure again, my belief in God strengthened. Went to my friend Remani's house on way to station to board the Bangalore express. After having a lovely lunch and tea later, she called auto to drop me at the station. She assured me that she and the driver will help with the luggage if no porter around. luckily a porter was soon located. so Remani left. the porter told me to take the stairs as he will be crossing over to platform from the track. I came down and saw my luggage neatly piled on the luggage cart but no porter around. An elderly gentleman seeing me uneasy said not to worry and that he will come on time. I got up and began pacing up and down. Soon a lady came and sat beside me. We got chatting. Luggage too was more. My 3 months stay in Guruvayoor clothes plus things purchased and given by my relative. She lessened my tension saying her brothers in law will help if porter did not come. Luckily she too was travelling by the same AC coach. The train arrival was announced.I saw the train chugging into the station. My heart was beating fast. Then I saw the porter rushing, picked up my luggage and neatly placed them under the seat. He left. The TT came checked my ticket and announced that I was sitting in the wrong coach as my coach was B4 and I was in B3. I Was at a loss when the lady I met at the station told me to go to my coach and she will take care of my luggage. A couple, a witty Muslim husband with his charming Hndu wife assured me that my luggage will be safe. He would have helped to carry my luggage but his backache was bad. I asked if my luggage will be a problem. He told me no problem and if any precious. items inside. I told him lot of clothes that he can take. All were laughing. There was a charming young girl who said she too will be getting down at the last stn I was getting down. Truly, felt wonderful. The lady whom I befriended asked the girl to take my no. to contact. Along with a heavy bag kept on the berth I left for my coach. Realised I had forgotten my water bottle, so went to collect. As I came back an elderly man was looking for me. When he saw me he pointed to a mobile lying on the seat. I was shocked when I saw that it was mine. Now the problem was the direction. I had lost track of where B3 was. So kept asking all Tom, Dick and Harry where B3 was. Then asked a chai wala who brough this ware at 5 .30 am. Bought a cup and sat wondering if I should call Sheen , the girl whose no. was with me. The train was supposed to reach at 6.40 am. I thought I should not trouble Sheen so early. Did not want to carry my bag not knowing which direction to go. But when lights were on for passangers to get down at 5.30 am, I walked both direction looking under berths for my luggage. In my anxiety I thought my luggage was not anywhere. But a good morning walk I had. When it was 6.15, I called Sheen and she assured me that luggage was safe. I tried my luck and went to the direction shown and was very happy to see Sheen waiting to use the restroom. She had not seen me. Now sure about direction. I picked up my bag and proceeded to B3. Sheen saw me and smiled saying she will come soon. When I approached the berth I found my luggage all taken out from under the berth and placed in a way that it was easy for me to carry. Sheen and the husband and wife had gone out of their way to see that I did not have any problem. Their station came and as they were getting down. I thanked them and blessed them from the bottom of my heart. Sheen told me she will place my luggage near the door. I told her not to worry and leave. I was hoping against hope to get a porter. When stn came Sheet placed my box on the platform and was going to take the other box when a hand appeared and placed my luggage down. I looked at Sheen in surprise. She too looked surprised. I found my voice and asked him if he was a porter. He nodded his head. Sheen left. The porter placed two suitcases on his head and some bagss on this shoulder and began walking fast. I found it difficult to catch up with him. He climed up the stairs also in speed. I could locate him as the boxes could be seen. Soon we reached down. To my glee a cab driver asked me if I needed a cab. The cab driver and porter placed my luggage in the dicky. It was sheer pleasure to be safe in the car and to cool my heels. Soon we reached home. The driver drove into the driveway, parked the cab near the lift. He put down my luggage. Then proceeded to carry them and place near lift. I told him to leave but he waited for lift, placed my luggage inside and left. It is because of such positive minded people that the world survives.

Providence

I was involved in a near fatal accident when in Secuderabad in 1992. Since Venu had left for office, and Pravin to school, I felt bored and decided to visit an aunt in whose we were staying as tenants. When company provided a flat for Venu, we shifted. I know aunty from my Kolkatta days. Hailed a auto. When I am in any vehicle , I am oblivious of everything. I am just in my own world. Suddenly I found my mouth hitting the iron rod and my knee also hitting the bottom rod with full force. The hit was enough to break all teeth and fracture the knee. Everyone at home considers me weird. Maybe I am not a normal human being,, the reason was proved when there was no fracture or broken teeth. As I sat dazed, the auto driver rushed to me enquiring if I was ok. Then I noticed the front portion of a van inside the driver's seat. Luckily the driver was not harmed and no damage to auto. . Still with the throbbing pain on my knee I decided to visit my aunt. I did not find any problem with my teeth. When we reached the road leading to aunty's house, I found a herd of buffaloes blocking the road. The driver expressed his inability to go forward. I got down. The pain on my knee was really bad, but still I manaded to reach aunty's house. I told her what happened. She immediately got Narayana thailam, an Ayurvedic oil and started massaging my knee. The massage was a great relief and I did not have any problem after that. I feel my guardian angel is with me. For the number. of falls I have experienced, a normal person will not be in one piece. Once counted my falls and found they were 18 in total. Twice had slipped inside bathroom and hit my spine on the raised platform of two bathrooms, once in Kolkatta and once in Bangalore. Twice I escaped as doc said I had fallen on my side so no damage to spine. Had missed a step when returning home from a neighbour's first floor flat in Kolkatta. Kolkatta used to have load shedding at 6pm everyday. I wanted to reach home before the load shedding. As i put my foot down on the first step leading down, the power went off. I missed my next step and fell rolling down the stairs to the landing. I balanced with my right hand so as not to hit my head. Luckily no fracture only a bad pain on left wrist that was there for a week. Still keep falling but always my guardian angel protects me. Hope she does not get bored and leaves me. My surivival with good health is in her hands.

The helpful auto driver

In January 2023, I was in guruvayoor. I had planned to visit a few relatives and stay with them for two days. I have a very friendly auto driver, rajesh, who is at my beck and call. Takes me to Shree Krishna temple whenever I call him. Had taken me to Kuttipuram , an hr away ride from Guruvayoor to catch the Kannur express. On the way there were stunning scenic views, Rajesh went on explaining the places. Truly some spots make one believe that Kerala is God's own country. One day told Rajesh, I wanted to go to Pollachi. I checked and found a bus leaving at 7 am. I called up rajesh at 6am asking whether he can drop me at the bus stop. What he said truly overwhelmed me. He said, Chechi I am at the bus stop looking for Pollachi buses. He asked me if I was ready. I told him yes. You come down Chechi fast. There is a bus leaving at 6am. Since bus stop was close by, Rajesh came within minutes and told me to get into auto fast as a bus was leaving. The time was 6am. He was speeding and I told him not to hurry as my trip was not urgent and I can go anyday. Rajesh said Chechi since you are dressed you should go today. He entered the bus stop. waylaid a bus that was leaving. He got down to enquire and ran towards me saying Checchi get in, this bus is leaving for Pollachi. He got me a comfortable seat, put my bag inside and after making sure I was comfortble, he left. Will be happy to avail of his services on this visit also. If ever he is not free, he sends his friend. Had dropped me at my friend's house in Trissur. From Trissur,I was to board my Bangalore mail after 3 days. From Guruvayoor to Trissur, there are stunning churches. Rajesh used to stop the auto and help me take some beautiful snaps.

The good deed

Last year while travelling from Chennai to Trissur, it was sleeping time in train. So snice I had a middle berth, I made ready to sleep. Had seen a father and daughter get into the coach. The daugher was in a burkha, found they were Malayalee Muslims.As I got ready to climp to my berh , the daugher looked perplexed. The father asked for my ticket and said my ticket was for the next coach. I told sorry and proceed to go to the adjoining coach. To my surprise, I saw the father carrying both my luggage. When I objected , he said no problem with a little help. I found the berth, thanked him whole heartedly. Then realized, I had left my charger hanging in the previous coach. Was getting ready to go when I saw the Muslim father, coming back with my charger. Truly a positive minded person. In the couch as I was ready to get up the middle berth, I found it difficult to heave myself up the laddre. I was having a blanket with me. A couple, who was by the side seat, the lady noticed and immediately helped me with the blanket and my climb. When she found I was finding it difficult, . she requested a young girl on the lower berth to exchange her seat with me. She willing agreed saying Sure aunty. So it was a comfortable journey as I felt the presence of my gurdian angel in the form of the father and the kind ladies.