Don't Forget you are a Shining Star

It's a rainy day. I got a call from my friend and she asked whether there is a bus strike or anything today. I was not aware of that and was under impression that, may be BEST bus employees were also started supporting Anna and thus they went to called off a strike for a day. I was wrong it's their union strike related to pay.

But if that's the case, it would come in news with highlights as "BEST" is the major transportation and second life line of Mumbaikars. As suburban railways is the first life line of Mumbai, I suggested my friend to go by rail.

I go to office by bus mostly. Though my place is not so far from office, I used to take a bus for the same.I packed up early to leave for office as it could affect me too. My friend was saying that, buses are not stopped completely but the frequency is quite low. She has been waiting for a bus from an hour.

It's started raining and turned into heavy rain when I reached to bus stop. I thought to wait for a bus till 10 mins and then thought to have an auto. Autos are working but I am not getting it as it's coming filled from next stop.

Then sudden, a girl came in a car and asked me and another lady (standing on bus stand with me) for a lift. I was surprised and hesitate to sit at first place then I realized that I would be late to office so accepted her lift. She is going to railway station only. I accepted her lift and went with her. She asked for another lady too for lift but the lady was not going to station so I was the only one with her.

In general talk, I asked about bus strike and some other general stuff. It took hardly 5 to 10 mins from bus stand. I came to know that, she was going to pick up her dad to station.

I could not believe that Mumbai has all varieties of people.I found bad people and such good people who are ready to help other people in such situation.But such incidents make me believe in humanity and I can say humanity is still alive.I could not thank her publicly but wanted to share this incident with friends. I think people(human) has to believe in other human(people).

Dedicated to all women
on occasion of 100th International Women's Day (8th March 2011)

પૃથ્વી પર ઈશ્વરને નિમંત્રણ આપે, નારી તું નારાયણી
તારા થકી તો ઈશ્વર ઘરમાં આવે, નારી તું નારાયણી

અજવાળાં સૂરજ અઢળક છો રેલાવે પણ ઘરમાં હો અંધારૂ
તારા વિના તો સૂરજ પણ ના ફાવે, નારી તું નારાયણી

તારા આ સરજેલા દેવળમાં વસવાની કોની ઈચ્છા ના હો ?
તારે ખોળે તો જીવન કીર્તન પામે નારી તું નારાયણી

નારીના હૈયે ઊછળતાં ઉમંગો જોઈને દરિયો બોલે ,
આખે આખો દરિયો તું તો છલકાવે, નારી તું નારાયણી

મારા મનની પાગલ ઝંઝાઓને કોણ આવી ને સમજાવે?
એ શમશે તું જો આવે આ દરવાજે, નારી તું નારાયણી

- અમિત ત્રિવેદી

Professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see & asked the students

"How much do you think this glass weighs?"

'50gms!' ..... '100gms!' .....'125gms' ...the students answered.

"I really don't know unless I weigh it," said the professor, "but, my question is:

What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?"

'Nothing' ..the students said.

'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked.

'Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the student

"You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?"

"Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis & have to go to hospital for sure!"

.. ventured another student & all the students laughed

"Very good.
But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?"

asked the professor.

'No'. Was the answer.

"Then what caused the arm ache & the muscle stress?"

The students were puzzled.

"What should I do now to come out of pain?" asked professor again.

"Put the glass down!" said one of the students

"Exactly!" said the professor.

Life's problems are something like this.

Hold it for a few minutes in your head & they seem OK.

Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache.

Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything..

It's important to think of the challenges or problems in your life,

But EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to 'PUT THEM DOWN' at the end of every day before You go to sleep...

That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh &strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!

So, when you leave office today,
Remember to ' PUT THE GLASS DOWN ! '

As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Software Engineer and joined a company based in USA the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA it was as if a dream had come true.

Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.

My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat. I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald's and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.

Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent home oneweek going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate.

In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to USA.

My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing.
After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their grand-children.

Every year I decide to go to India But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn't get any holidays and thus couldn’t go to India. The next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rights the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children.

After couple more years passed away, much to my children's dislike and my wife's joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA.

My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India. My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.

Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in USA I decided that had enough and wound-up every thing and returned to India I had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.

Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.

Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this? My father, even after staying in India had a house to his name and I too have the same nothing more.

** I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM. **

Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing.
This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well at least they remember me.

Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them.

** But the question still remains 'was all this worth it? 'I am still searching for an answer................!!!!*

Reference: I read it on some other blog but can't stop myself to share here.

જિંદગી તો જીવાય છે જેમ-તેમ, પણ ખરી જિંદગી શું છે? કોને ખબર?

સપનાં તો જોયાં છે ઘણાં ઊંચા, સાકાર શી રીતે થશે? કોને ખબર?

નેતાઓ તો ઘણા આવ્યા દેશમાં, કર્તવ્યનિષ્ઠ કેટલાં રહ્યાં? કોને ખબર?

ભજની, કથા તો બહુ સાંભળી લોકે, જીવનમાં ઊતારી કોણે? કોને ખબર?

આજે છે જે જીવનની બધી સુખ-શાંતિ, કાલે પણ રહેશે સાથે? કોને ખબર?

આથી કહે છે ‘કવિ’ એટલું જ કે, જીવો અને જીવવા દો બીજાને,કાલે રહેશે હસ્તી આપણી? કોને ખબર?

ઢળતી ઉંમરનું આ ગીત ખુબજ વાસ્તવિક છે .
છેલ્લે તો બેજ જણા રહી જાય છે ( પતિ અને પત્ની.)
આમ પણ ભારતીય સમાજ એક પત્નીત્વમાં માને છે .
ઘડપણના વનરાવન ને રૂડું બનાવવું હોય તો આ સમાજની પરંપરા નીભાવ્યેજ છૂટકો.

‘મારા રીપોર્ટસ્ તદ્દન નોર્મલ છે, આઈ એમ ઓલરાઈટ’,
એમ કહીને, એકબીજાને છેતરવા, છેલ્લે તો આપણે બે જ હોઈશું.
(quite very touchy lines...hats off to the poet )

છેલ્લે તો આપણે બે જ હોઈશું…
ભલે ઝગડીએ, ક્રોધ કરીએ, એકબીજા પર તુટી પડીએ,
એકબીજા પર દાદાગીરી કરવા, છેલ્લે તો આપણે બે જ હોઈશું.
જે કહેવું હોય એ કહી લે, જે કરવું હોય એ કરી લે,
એકબીજાનાં ચોકઠાં(ડેન્ચર–ચશ્માં) શોધવા છેલ્લે તો આપણે બે જ હોઈશું.
હું રીસાઈશ તો તું મનાવજે, તું રીસાઈશ તો હું મનાવીશ,
એકબીજાને લાડ લડાવવા, છેલ્લે તો આપણે બે જ હોઈશું.
આંખો જયારે ઝાંખી થશે, યાદશક્તી પણ પાંખી થશે,
ત્યારે, એકબીજાને એકબીજામાં શોધવા, છેલ્લે તો આપણે બે જ હોઈશું.
ઘુંટણ જ્યારે દુઃખશે, કેડ પણ વળવાનું મુકશે,
ત્યારે એકબીજાના પગના નખ કાપવા, છેલ્લે તો આપણે બે જ હોઈશું.
‘મારા રીપોર્ટસ્ તદ્દન નોર્મલ છે, આઈ એમ ઓલરાઈટ’,
એમ કહીને, એકબીજાને છેતરવા, છેલ્લે તો આપણે બે જ હોઈશું.
સાથ જ્યારે છુટી જશે, વીદાયની ઘડી આવી જશે,
ત્યારે, એકબીજાને માફ કરવા, છેલ્લે તો આપણે બે જ હોઈશું.

CIGARETTE:

A pinch of tobacco
rolled in paper
with fire at one end
and a fool at the other!

MARRIAGE:

It's an agreement
wherein
a man loses his bachelor degree
and a woman gains her master

LECTURE:

An art of transmitting Information
from the notes of the lecturer
to the notes of students
without passing through the minds
of either

CONFERENCE:

The confusion of one man
multiplied by the
number present

COMPROMISE:

The art of dividing
a cake in such a way that
everybody believes
he got the biggest piece

TEARS:

The hydraulic force by which
masculine will power is
defeated by feminine water-power!

ECSTASY:

A feeling when you feel
you are going to feel
a feeling
you have never felt before

CLASSIC:

A book
which people praise,
but never read

SMILE:

A curve
that can set
a lot of things straight!

OFFICE:

A place
where you can relax
after your strenuous
home life

YAWN:

The only time
when some married men
ever get to open
their mouth

EXPERIENCE:

The name
men give
to their
Mistakes

DIPLOMAT:

A person
who tells you
to go to hell
in such a way
that you actually look forward
to the trip

OPTIMIST:

A person
who while falling
from EIFFEL TOWER
says in midway
"SEE I AM NOT INJURED YET!"

MISER:

A person
who lives poor
so that
he can die RICH!

FATHER:

A banker
provided by
nature

BOSS:

Someone
who is early
when you are late
and late
when you are early

POLITICIAN:

One who
shakes your hand
before elections
and your Confidence
Later

DOCTOR:

A person
who kills
your ills
by pills,
and kills you
by his bills!

Wish you all Happy Diwali

Although you may not realize it, simple table salt has a great number of uses other than simply seasoning your food. The following list will give you sixty uses of salt, many of which you probably didn't realize:

1. Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.
2. Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.
3. Soak fish in salt water before descaling; the scales will come off easier.
4. Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
5. Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.
6. Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
7. Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
8. A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
9. Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.
10. Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't stick.
11. Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them; they will last longer.
12. Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.
13. Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet bowl.
14. Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to break it open easily.
15. Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.
16. Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour
17. Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life.
18. Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.
19. Clean your iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface.
20. Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.
21. Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.
22. To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.
23. Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.
24. Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.
25. Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher.
26. Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
27. Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.
28. A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.
29. Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for awhile.
30. A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea. ?
31. Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.
32. Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.
33. Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.
34. Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.
35. Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
36. Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.
37. Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.
38. Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
39. Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.
40. Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash.
41. Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.
42. Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth.
43. Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.
44. Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains..
45. Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.
46. Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.
47. Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more quickly.
48. Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odor.
49. A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.
50. Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out matched.
51. Salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.
52. Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later.
53. Remove offensive odors from stove with salt and cinnamon.
54. A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.
55. To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four parts alcohol.
56. Salt and lemon juice ? removes mildew.
57. Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want grass growing.
58. Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a better look.
59. Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of salt water.
60. If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled

An ingenious example of speech and politics occurred recently in the United Nations Assembly that made the world community smile.

A representative from India began: 'Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about a Rishi called Kashyap of Kashmir, after whom Kashmir is named.
When Rishi Kashyap struck a rock and it brought forth water, he thought,'What a good opportunity to have a bath.'

He took off his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water.

When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished. A Pakistani had stolen them.

The Pakistani representative jumped up furiously and in support of Pakistan , he shouted, 'What are you talking about? The Pakistanis weren't there then.'

The Indian representative smiled and said, 'And now that we have made
that clear, I will begin my speech

Wish you a Happy Diwali & Prosperous New Year

1. The story began when I was a child;
I was born as a son of a poor family.
Even for eating, we often got lack of food.
Whenever the time for eating, mother often gave me her portion of rice.
While she was removing her rice into my bowl,
she would say "Eat this rice, son. I'm not hungry".
That was Mother's First Lie

2. When I was getting to grow up,
the persevering mother gave her spare time for fishing in a river near our house,
she hoped that from the fishes she got,
she could gave me a little bit nutritious food for my growth.
After fishing, she would cook the fishes to be a fresh fish soup,
which raised my appetite. While I was eating the soup,
mother would sit beside me and eat the rest meat of fish,
which was still on the bone of the fish I ate.
My heart was touched when I saw it.
I then used my chopstick and gave the other fish to her.
But she immediately refused it and said "Eat this fish, son.
I don't really like fish."
That was Mother's Second Lie.

3. Then, when I was in Junior High School,
to fund my study,
mother went to an economic enterprise to bring some used-matches boxes that would be stuck in.
It gave her some money for covering our needs.
As the winter came,
I woke up from my sleep and looked at my mother who was still awoke,
supported by a little candlelight and within her perseverance she continued
the work of sticking some used-matches box.
I said, "Mother, go to sleep, it's late,
tomorrow morning you still have to go for work.
" Mother smiled and said "Go to sleep,
dear. I'm not tired."
That was Mother's Third Lie.

4. At the time of final term,
mother asked for a leave from her work in order to accompany me.
While the daytime was coming and the heat of the sun was starting to shine,
the strong and persevering mother
waited for me under the heat of the sun's shine for several hours.
As the bell rang, which indicated that the final exam had finished,
mother immediately welcomed me and poured me a glass of tea
that she had prepared before in a cold bottle.
The very thick tea was not as thick as my mother's love,
which was much thicker. Seeing my mother covering with perspiration,
I at once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too.
Mother said "Drink, son. I'm not thirsty!".
That was Mother's Fourth Lie.

5. After the death of my father because of illness,
my poor mother had to play her role as a single parent.
By held on her former job, she had to fund our needs alone.
Our family's life was more complicated. No days without sufferance.
Seeing our family's condition that was getting worse,
there was a nice uncle who lived near my house came to help us,
either in a big problem and a small problem.
Our other neighbors who lived next to us saw that our family's life was so unfortunate,
they often advised my mother to marry again. But mother,
who was stubborn, didn't care to their advice,
she said "I don't need love."
That was Mother's Fifth Lie.

6. After I had finished my study and then got a job,
it was the time for my old mother to retire.
But she didn't want to; she was sincere to go to the marketplace every morning,
just to sell some vegetable for fulfilling her needs.
I, who worked in the other city, often sent her some money to help her in fulfilling her needs,
but she was stubborn for not accepting the money.
She even sent the money back to me.
She said "I have enough money."
That was Mother's Sixth Lie.

7. After graduated from Bachelor Degree,
I then continued my study to Master Degree.
I took the degree, which was funded by a company through a scholarship program,
from a famous University in America .
I finally worked in the company. Within a quite high salary,
I intended to take my mother to enjoy her life in America .
But my lovely mother didn't want to bother her son,
she said to me "I'm not used to."
That was Mother's Seventh Lie.

8. After entering her old age,
mother got a flank cancer and had to be hospitalized.
I, who lived in miles away and across the ocean,
directly went home to visit my dearest mother.
She lied down in weakness on her bed after having an operation.
Mother, who looked so old, was staring at me in deep yearn.
She tried to spread her smile on her face;
even it looked so stiff because of the disease she held out.
It was clear enough to see how the disease broke my mother's body,
thus she looked so weak and thin.
I stared at my mother within tears flowing on my face.
My heart was hurt, so hurt, seeing my mother on that condition.
But mother, with her strength, said "Don't cry, my dear.
I'm not in pain."
That was Mother's Eight Lie.

After saying her eighth lie, She closed her eyes forever!

April the 1st

The first of April, some do say, April The 1st
Is set apart for All Fools' Day.
But why the people call it so,
Nor I, nor they themselves do know.
But on this day are people sent
On purpose for pure merriment.
-- Poor Robin's Almanac (1790)

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
Shakespeare - As You Like It (Act V, Scene I)

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The Origins Of April Fool's Day - April 1

What is April Fools Day and how did it begin?
Well, that is a very good question. The origin of this holiday is rather uncertain.
However, the common belief holds that during the reformation of the calendar
the date for the New Year was moved from April 1st to January 1st.
During that time in history there was no television or radio so word spread slowly.
There were also those who chose to simply ignore the change and those who
merely forgot.
These people were considered "fools" and invitations to non-existent parties and
other practical jokes were played on them.
"All Fools' Day" is practiced in many parts of the world with practical jokes and
sending people on a fool's errand.
Others believe that the origin began with celebrations at the Spring Equinox.

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April Fools Days History

ANCIENT ROME
The custom of playing practical jokes on friends was part of the celebrations
in ancient Rome on March 25 (Hilaria)
The timing seems related to the vernal equinox and the coming of spring
a time when nature fools us with sudden changes between showers.
and sunshine.

ENGLAND
In England, tricks can be played only in the morning.
If a trick is played on you, you are a "noodle".
Widespread observance in England began in the 18th century.

SCOTLAND
In Scotland, April Fools Day is 48 hours long and you are called an
"April Gowk", which is another name for a cuckoo bird.
In Scotland, April Fools Day is 48 hours long.
The second day is called Taily Day and is dedicated to pranks
involving the buttocks.
Taily Day's gift to posterior posterity is the still-hilarious
"Kick Me" sign.

FRANCE
In France, the April Fool's is called "April Fish" (Poisson d'Avril).
The French fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends' backs
and when someone discovers this trick, they yell "Poisson d'Avril!"

SPAIN
Dia de los Santos Inocentes is held in Spain on December 28th.
This is The Feast of the Holy Innocents.
It is celebrated similarily to April Fool's Day, with practical jokes.

AMERICA
The English, Scotch and French introduced the custom to their
colonies in America.
One of our forefathers' favorite jokes was to send someone
on a "fool's errand."
For example, one might have been asked to go out and obtain a copy
of "The History of Adam's Grandfather," or bring back some
"sweet vinegar."

MEXICO
The "foolish" tradition is celebrated in Mexico, too, but on a different
day and for different reasons.
"El Dia de los Inocentes," which is December 28, was set aside as a day
for Christians to mourn Herod's slaughter of innocent children.
Over time, the tone of that "unluckiest of days" has evolved from
sadness to good-natured trickery.

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April Fools Day Pranks

Typical April Fools' pranks include putting salt in sugar bowls and sugar in salt
shakers, balancing a pan of water atop a partially opened door so that whoever
walks into the room next gets soaked, and putting toothpaste between the sides
of an Oreo cookie.

Get up in during the night on April Fool's day, set every clock in the house
ahead one hour.
Also the clock in the car, and wristwatch! (This takes some talent!)

The family will be up and ready for work an hour early, then with no
trouble with traffic or parking, they begin to wonder why others are
also late to work.
After other people arrive and say, no *I'm not late* they soon catch on!