GenNext Comes of Age

GenNext Comes of Age

Recall the vibrant song that an innocent village girl sang with gay abandon in the film Roja: 

Dil hai Chhotaa saa, Chhoti si Aashaa; Masti Bhare Mana ki Bholi si Aashaa (in Hindi); and

Chinna Chinna Aasai, Siragadium Aasai; Muthu Muthu Aasai, Mudinthuvaitha Aasai (in the original Tamil version)

A few years ago at Srishti Day a school or college-going girl rendered this song (one stanza in Tamil and the next in Hindi) with incredible felicity and attracted great applause. Doesn't ring a bell? It was Preethi, the daughter of the Bhashyams. 

Well, that very young girl is now a lady and mother of a one-year old charming girl, Aadhya. Time flies.  She and Sri Ganesh celebrated Aadhya's birthday today, no doubt, fully supported by Jayanti and the quiet Bhashyam,  It was held in a hall at the Iskcon temple. Early this morning when I was in the lift for my morning walk, the Bhashyams brimming with joy boarded at the fourth floor with bags all over that they could hardly carry. I offered help, but they declined. As it turned out, these were stacks of saree-dhoti combinations to be gifted to the core relatives, and very thoughtfully selected and probably bought from Singapore, return-gifts for the rest. 

The ceremony was well attended mostly by relatives and a few Srishti-ites. We are not sure if it was mandatory to have the catering by the Iskcon temple authorities themselves Truth be told, it was very good. The only snag was that very few could do justice to all the items on the plantain leaf. Also, these were served with ladle, not tablespoon. 

Preethi and Sri Ganesh have been based in Singapore for a while. I met her and the baby in the Srishti compound the other day, thankfully along with Mr Bhashyam. So I could connect. Otherwise, honestly I might have looked as blank as I did when she hailed, "Hello Uncle, how are you?"  at Kartik's (B-306) wedding in Chennai. Preethi, an engineering graduate backed by post-graduation in business admin, works from home in Singapore. 

Shyamala Lakshmipathi (B-806) was to join us to the ceremony. But she opted for a better company and accompanied her Sambandhi (Dr Sunder's mother). For return we had the pleasure of having Shri Raghavan and Chitra (of B Block), but are not sure if it was a pleasure to them too because, as usual, I disregarded the repeated backseat shouts of Aunty to take a U turn at the next exit from Iskcon, and instead sped ahead with supreme confidence. It dawned on me I was in the opposite direction after a few kilometers, then condescended to her suggestion and took a U turn. Raghavanji gave me an exterior "All in the Game" smile, but I bet he must have sworn to himself, "Never again with this guy". 

V.V. Sundaram

B-703

Pink Panther Vs Mighty Tiger

Pink Panther Vs Mighty Tiger

Trust me, I am not essaying an episode from Animal Planet. These are the names that ladies of A and B blocks have assigned to their respective cricket teams. A friendly match was played this evening at the basketball court. Where else? The seriousness of practice sessions of both sides at different intervals lasting up to 11 in the evening, and the match this evening per se belied the term “friendly’. It was no less than an Indo-Pak match.

The general opinion, ahead of the play, was that A block team, Pink Panther, was strong.  Sujata led the team. They had in them some who had probably played with their siblings in childhood - or had some such exposure. Ideally they should have named theirs Roaring Lions, raring to go, to perform and to win. And that is exactly what they did.

The B Block team, Mighty Tiger, a shade less, tried to make it up with more vigorous practice sessions and strategies. The Mastermind? Of course, Jaya Sanjay who was simply matchless in her own way. Thus, in essence it was a battle of strength versus strategy.

The match was played with 10 overs each. Jaya, captain of Mighty Tiger, won the toss and chose to field. They made a good beginning by taking a few wickets before the Pink Panthers stabilized themselves and made 42 runs in the allotted overs. Udaya remained the top scorer with 11 runs.

Luck did not favour the Mighty Tiger (Or, am I denying credit to Pink Panther?). Rashmi whom they sent out to open and on whom they were betting their last pie, hit the ball over the net and got out. A few others down the line followed suit in similar or other fashions. The team got out in 9.1 overs managing 25 runs, and conceded victory to Pink Panther – or, Pink Panther won.

The highlights:

(1) Geeta, of Pink Panther bowling just two overs, took four consecutive wickets (more than a hat-trick), conceding no runs whatsoever. A commendable performance.

(2) Poonam Bajaj, of Mighty Tiger, was the top scorer with unbeaten 11 runs which included the only sixer of the match.

(3) Jaya, the captain of Mighty Tiger, took 5 wickets - the highest number in the match.

Jagadish Shenoy, our President, acted as the umpire. He also formulated in advance rules suiting the basketball court where the match was played. For example if the ‘batswoman’ hits above the net she is out. If she hits the net in front without the ball touching the ground, it is a six; otherwise it is a four. There were a host of other stipulations. We got a grip of them minutes before the match ended. Sanjay and Rajesh Jain acted as leg umpires for one session each. Two young boys maintained the scorecard.

I personally guessed the gathering would consist of just the players, their 22 spouses and their children. Far from it. There were many others - to the extent that the moment one got up from the chair, there was someone else to grab it.

The weather chose to be pleasant, and it was a rewarding evening. The only setback we suffered was that in their undying enthusiasm not to let any catch go unavailed, Udaya and Neo of Pink Panther attempted for one together and bumped into each other’s heads. Udaya sustained a cut that needed six stitches. Neo escaped with swelling on her forehead.  We wish them speedy recovery.

V.V. Sundaram

B-703

14 Dec 2014

Welcome Back Gautams

Welcome Back Gautams

It is nice to see again the smiling faces of Gautam, Malar and Sidarth (B-101), or Sid for short.  They are here on a holiday from California. In 2008 they moved to the US on reassignment, initially with a promise to return in two years. Three such two-years have passed, and there is no trace of their return. So we should reckon they are there to stay. Our best wishes wherever they are.  Srishti's loss is Cupertino's gain. 

We learn that Arindam Bhattacharjee and family (B-201) too have recently relocated to California. Yes, I was intrigued of late by the absence of his high-end Audi from our car park. It was a star attraction. We learn the Arindams stay in the same area as Siva Paturi and Prashanti - about 20 miles from Gautam's. Watch out, a mini Srishti is fast growing in California. Right now we have Krishnamoorthy/Hema in Saratoga, Aunty and me in Santa Clara (whenever we are in US, that is) Gautam and family, the Paturis, and now the Arindams, all within a radius of 20-25 miles. The mini Srishti meet that is almost regular in Gautam's place with Krish, Hema, Aunty and me in attendance until now, should hope to add two more families. Personally I don't remember having had interactions with Arindam, but I do recall having a nodding acquaintance with Sagarika - more with her infectious smile.  

Speak about the Gautams and no mention of Sidarth will be a dinner without a dessert. Already a six footer at 18. I expect Sid to grow a few inches taller in the next couple of years. You name any Srishti resident, and chances are he can tell his block and apartment number. Yes, when Gautam has difficulty in relating some of the residents in the Yahoogroups  when they omit  apartment number in their communication, Sid comes to his rescue.  Yesterday at the dinner at our place he recited Skanda Shashti Kavacham (slokas of Kartikeya that shield one from any evil) for full fifteen minutes, without fumbling at any place. Did he learn it the hard way? No, Gautam used to play the CD during the drive, and he picked up. Nice to see Sid back brimming with self-confidence. Considering some of the challenges that were in-born, (which, last night,  we felt somehow had now become non-existent), Sid now attends a vocational training school and commutes the distance in public transport, all by himself.  Bravo Gautam and Malar. Malar, we know you sacrificed a lucrative job with your engineering background, just to be with Sid in his trying times. Glad he is way past it.

Personally for me, I always benefit from Gautam's visit. Last time he helped me to design a blog of my own, and also to organize certain other things in my computer. Yesterday he fixed my desktop that had of late begun to disobey my commands. Now i can delete with ease all my old junk - to make way for new. Second, last week with all fanfare I bought a smartphone with no clue whatsoever on how to use the various apps. Yesterday he gave me a brief on some, and weeded out others that he felt either I did not need or were beyond my capacity - aap ka matlab ka nahin, to use a polite Hindi expression. Thank you Gautam for being realistic. I bet, when you relocate to Bangalore on retirement, your hands will happily be full with troubleshooting assignments in Srishti. 

V.V. Sundaram

B-703 

12 Dec 2014

VKR Seniors' Tour, Day 4 (Tuesday, 3 Dec 2014)

VKR Seniors' Tour - Day 4 and final (Tuesday, 2 Dec 2014)

We particularly made sure that we left hotel room at the earliest. It was our final day, and we were behind schedule. We rushed and despite the Sabarimala crowd had a fleeting darshan at Chenganur Devi temple that we missed by a whisker the previous night.  Back in hotel to check out, we were told by another guest that the Pandalam palace and the 'Thiru Abharanam" display were open. 

So we reversed the mini bus and left for the Pandalam palace. According to legend, about eight hundred years ago the then reigning king and queen were a childless couple. Vishnu and Shiva were under pressure from their devotees to end the atrocities of Mahishi. She was particularly angry at the trick Gods played in getting rid of her brother Mahishasura whom Durga killed. Like her  brother, she too had obtained a peculiar boon from Brahma which made her death difficult if not impossible. So Vishnu as a male and Shiva as a female (Mohini) arranged for the birth to Dharma Sastha (Harihara putra) and let the Pandalam maharaja find the baby in a forest. Sastha, or Ayyappa, grew up into a strong lad mastering all arts required to become a military commander. Thus one sees all the war equipments of those days on display - the sword, spear, protective shield, and what have you, all made of gold - and well guarded. We also made a small tour of the palace where Ayyappa grew up. The current senior palace lady, in her eighties overflowing with the royal grace and face, greeted all visitors. We talked to her for a while. 

From there we headed for Mannarsala, a Naga temple. Here the childless couple come and place one particular cooking utensil (uruli) on its back - topsy turvy. Later when a child is born, they come back and reverse it, and do a gratitude puja. A living example is Vasantha's son Prasad who was born after Vasantha performed this ritual. (For the younger generation, Vasantha is my Chittappa's elder daughter, settled in Calicut - Kozikkode)

Now it was getting noon and the temples would close. So we hurried to the next spot, Ambalapuza, the abode of Krishna. The temple is famous for two things. One, here they play flute, the favorite instrument of Krishna, instead of the customary Nadaswaram. My co-brother in law, Kamala's husband Hari had the privilege of playing flute whenever the regular guy was out of town or went on leave. Two, its prasadam, the Ambalapuza pal payasam. We reached in time for darshan, but alas would have to wait for an hour for the puja to conclude before they distributed prasadam. So we denied ourselves this privilege.

We had two more in the list to complete - the temples in Alapuza and Chertala. For both we would have to wait till the evening. That would mean we would be back in Coimbatore way past midnight. And Rasa/Manni had to take the next early morning flight. So we decided to skip these two and head for Coimbatore bringing our four-day long tour to a successful completion. 

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.   

Snippets (in a lighter vein, please)

Part of our foolproof arrangement was that everyone will change seats at each break so that all will have the pleasure of - or,  will be subjected to -  front, back, window, middle or aisle seats. But it so happened that at the first break when it was announced, no one opted for any change. 

Rasa had deliberately kept the last row of seats vacant just in case anyone wanted to lie down for a while. No one availed of that. So  Raja occupied this space for the most part stretching his leg and dozing undisturbed except to extend his hand involuntarily to accept eateries distributed now and again. 

I distinctly remember everyone having said something or the other, but I don't particularly recall Rati Manni uttering anything all through the journey. Or, did she?

Rasa, Shanta and I were seated in close proximity to one another. So we could regale ourselves with some of Ramanathapuram and Vadakkanthara childhood incidents, and Leela joined in wherever she was party to it.

No one ever got lost in the group except that Raja was the last to board a little later invariably - he never fails to survey the place, surroundings and more importantly the shops before surfacing casually.

Mani managed to capture his quota of daily nap wherever he was, be it in installments thanks to jerks and sudden brakes that brought him back to life for a while.

Sundaram made his usual kind of noise, as though he was running the show -  the look busy, do nothing kind.

And, finally vote of thanks:

- to Rasa for selecting an unexplored route (for most of us, and tried and tested for him) with an array of temples that we might otherwise have missed in life; for his meticulous planning of miles/temples to be covered in a day; places of halt, etc. If you ask, then how come you missed two temples, the answer is: we covered two unscheduled temples - Srivilliputhur and Sankaranarayanan earlier. And Pandalam palace was on our 50:50 list.

- to Mani/Shanta for letting the Global Village, their home in Coimbatore, be the focal point for all the hullabaloo, and the accompanying hospitality;

- to Raja/Leela for taking care of all train and cab bookings (absence of tower and range notwithstanding), making enquiries, and doing errands;

- and to Lalitha and me (no one said that, so I am claiming it myself), for keeping accounts of the entire trip and emerging with a cash-in- hand shortfall of only Rs 7/- in the final tally - loss of less than one rupee per head, that is.

- and finally to Prem Nazir, the driver, for his safe and steady driving all through, except on the return journey when he was in an undue hurry. Yes, we heard him answer a phone call from home. Probably he reassured his wife and children that he would join them for dinner.

VKR Seniors' Day - Day 3 (Monday, 1 Dec 2014)

VKR Seniors' Tour - Day 3 (Monday, 1 Dec 2014)

Monday morning at 7 everyone was ready, in the real sense. Leela and Raja left a little earlier for Kutralam where there was facility to perform Raja's mother's Shradham. 

It was announced that breakfast would be ready at 7. So in the true Brahmin tradition (for meals) we were there on the dot only to find the chef on a slow motion with his toothbrush. We searched a few more places. Apparently, the day breaks in that town only at 8. So we came back to our own hotel, waited for a while as we found them getting Idli ready. Raja and Leela joined us just in time with a welcome packet of hot Dal Vada and plain Vada. Apparently in Kutralam the row of houses on either side sold fresh snacks and filter coffee with spirited competition. 

After breakfast we drove to Achan kovil - Ayyappa temple. Now we were in Kerala. The temple is on a hill, so we had to do some circuitous uphill driving. Most of us braced it.  Leela's enthusiasm switched to a low key. We had a very good darshan - say exclusive. Since the temple is surrounded by dense forests and Western Ghats, we learn snakebite is a common occurrence. They bring victims to the temple, the pujari offers them water sanctified from puja, and  they are healed. I didn't ask them what if the snakebite happens at night.

Then we drove to Aryan Kavu where the presiding deity is Ayyappa. I learn this is "one among the five most important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala. Ayyappa is depicted here as a teenager (young boy). Ayyappa is known as Tiru Aryan and therefore the place got the name Aryankavu". Kavu is temple, as you all know.

From there we hurried to Kulathupuza where the deity is Bala Sastha, or Ayyappa as a child. We had lunch at a make-do restaurant that had sprung up specially for the Ayyappa  Mandalam season (mid-Nov to mid-Jan). The guy says he bought the space for this period at auction for 2.20 lakhs. Initially we were skeptical, but the food was good except for the boiled rice they serve in Kerala as a rule. 

The wait for an hour for the temple to reopen in the evening, relaxing in the surroundings of dense forests and hills, and an engaging Sthala Purana elaboration by the less busy owner of the hotel helped Leela overcome her nausea and enjoy the cool and fresh breeze. He said that herds of elephants were a regular feature. They come to the Kulathu puza (Kulathu river) in the precincts of the temple. Snakes. wild buffalos, bear, and occasionally leopards also show up. Offering rice to the fish in the river is a must. Ayyappa as a child stopped near this river, to play with fish, on his way to fetch the 'medicinal' tiger-milk for his foster mother, the queen. She feigned acute stomach ache and, in connivance, the attending royal physician prescribed tiger milk as a cure. All this in a bid to send Ayyappa to the forest never to come back, and ensure the crown to her own child that she had begotten then. 

It was 5.30 in the evening and we drove to our next destination, the Parthasarathy temple in Aranmula. It was here that we had to slow down more than usual to make sure we were on right track.  It is a beautifully structured temple built around 30 steps above the ground. From this place we hurried to the Devi temple in Chenganur just in case we were lucky to have darshan. We missed it by a few minutes. But that didn't matter, for we were to stay there for the night. So there was always the morning darshan. We had to forgo dinner from the hotel of our choice apprehensive of one-hour wait, so settled down for the next available, and booked ourselves in a hotel for the night.  The highlight of that was Santosh, the room boy from Orissa, who was so helpful. 

(Day 4 and final, to be continued) 

VKR Seniors' Tour - Day 2 (30 Nov 2014)

VKR Seniors’ Tour – Day 2 (Sunday, 30 Nov 2014)

“Let’s all be ready by 7.30 tomorrow morning,” team leader Rasa said, as we retired to bed the previous night. “Or, try to be…” he amended, realizing that some functions are system-generated and not within one’s hands.

Strangely next morning everyone was ready half an hour earlier. So we decided to have breakfast before checking out. The breakfast fare included steaming Idli, Dosa, Pongal, freshly ground coconut chutney, and hot sambar. Unfortunately Vada was not ready yet. Must be murmurig: are you all gluttons or seniors with less digestive capacity? Rest assured we ate moderately, choosing differently, and not each one a plate of everything.

Luckily for a lone worried member the breakfast promptly stimulated his system. Thus all of us were able to leave Palani with a relieved body and a relaxed mind to Tenkasi - a very long stretch. So Rasa suggested we make a detour and cover Srivilliputhur.

Srivilliputhur is probably the lone pilgrim centre where two huge, architectural splendour, old temples are situated within fifty metres from one another. One is that of Perumal, Vishnu, and the other that of Devi Andal. The front gopuram of the Perumal temple is magnificent, and it is the iconic emblem of Tamil Nadu Government.

The story of Andal and Perumal is very similar to the devotion and love of Meera to Krishna. Andal was the daughter of the priest of Vishnu temple. She knitted the flower mala for the temple. On her way to the temple, she had the habit of trying it out on her neck first and viewing it in the still water of the temple-well. It seems one day her father saw this, and rejected her garlands thereafter. Equally promptly the presiding deity rejected all garlands the temple authorities tried to put on, letting all of them fall on the ground. Then they realized that the deity would accept only the garland prepared and tried by the devoted Andal. Even now the well is intact. Each pillar in the temple is an architectural marvel carved in one piece of stone. Kudos artisans, the real unsung heros.

Lalitha’s sister Saraswathy’s sambandhi, Hari Narayanan, and his wife live in Srivilliputhur. Earlier, when in Bangalore he had insisted that in case we made it to Srivilliputhur I ring him up on arrival so that someone would take us around the temples. He deputed one to the Perumal temple, and accompanied us himself to the Andal temple. But for his presence it would have taken us much longer to have darshan. After that he said he took us to yet another place. Alas, it was to his home, for lunch at such short notice and to eight full-grown (or, overgrown?) adults. He gifted us laminated photos of the married Andal and Perumal, As though these were not enough, he arranged for four packets of temple prasadam - tasty Pal gova (milk cake), giving us equally a taste of what hospitality is all about.

Next it was Sankaranarayanan temple where half the idol is that of Shiva and the other half Narayana. In the same premises we had darshan of Gomati Amman. I wish I knew the Sthala Puranam. The highlight however is its antiquity and magnificence.

It was time for a bite. Each family opened its collection - from Coimbatore, Mumbai and Bangalore – and distributed. Rasa made sure that Prem Nazir, the driver, got his share.

Fortified, we left for the last leg of the day, to Tenkasi, via Kutralam waterfalls – the only picnic spot in the tour. By then it was twilight. Lalitha and I still decided to stand beneath the gushing waterfall. Both chose a place where the fall was less ferocious. Leela/Raja said they had visited the place earlier, though did not specify if they came in direct contact with the waterfall. Rasa/Manni and Mani preferred to watch the fun – whether it was a joy or ordeal for those venturing. Shanta was in two minds. By the time she decided to take the plunge, it was dark. So she said, “either tomorrow or next time.”

Soon after this we hurried to Tenkasi, or Kashi of South when translated. No one could complain that he did not have a good view of the deity. It was huge, and the temple yet another marvel.

Time to call it a day. We had dinner of a sort followed by ice cream for some and hot milk for others. The hotel was very good, so was the tariff.

(Day 3 – to be continued)

VKR Seniors' Tour, Day 1 (29 Nov - 2 Dec 2014)

VKR Seniors Tour Report - 29 Nov-02 December 2014

Day 1 (29 Nov 2014)

The trigger. A chance presence of Rasa/Manni, Mani/Shanta and Raja/Leela in Coimbatore for different marriages prompted Rasa to summon me and Lalitha from Bangalore for a family reunion (of the seniors), and a pilgrimage. Too bad Gauri Manni couldn’t join despite our best persuasion and incentives – a seat of her choice, full three seats to keep her legs stretched, etc.

The visits. Palani: As soon as Lalitha and I alighted from the train in Coimbatore at 1 pm, the rest of them were waiting for us in the Tempo Traveller hired for the trip. Shanta had prepared hot sambar-rice and cool curd-rice for the two of us. As we busied ourselves with the food, Prem Nazir, the driver negotiated successfully through the busy streets of the city to get to the highway to Palani.

On the way, as is his wont, Rasa had whispered into the ears of Prem Nazir to stop the vehicle the moment he sights the now famous Kumbakonam Degree Filter Coffee outlet. And he did it promptly. We had steaming coffee, with the overhanging cloud and drizzle adding a fresh impetus to each sip.

“There it is - the Palani hills,” we heard a shout from behind, in the eureka style, as soon as she spotted it - ahead of the others. Was it Shanta?

We checked into a previously reserved hotel, freshened up and headed for darshan. Half the group had opted to foot the hills and the others enjoy a cable ride. But it was the day of the golden chariot procession. So we were advised to hurry up in cable car and finish darshan before the chariot crowd disintegrates us.

The hotel had a ‘man for all seasons’ who could cut across all rules and regulations, or policies and procedures to get you in the shortest time as close to the lotus feet of Lord Muruga as just outside the sanctum sanctorum where we were seated comfortably to watch the proceedings for full seven to eight minutes before we were bundled out, to accommodate the next batch. Of course, all this for a price.

We were all set to call it a day. The rooms were just okay. My fan operated on an either or basis, i.e., full blast or standstill. When I approached the Receptionist to change the room, he said with a nonchalant shrug, “Sorry, it is like that in all the rooms in that row; you have to adjust, Sir.” I felt relieved. After all, others no better.

That marked Day 1. Of course I won’t elaborate on the Sthala Puranam. Suffice it to say that Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya were told that whoever managed to go around the world first could stake claim to the delicious mango that Narada had brought. Kartikeya set out on his vehicle, peacock. Lord Ganesha circumambulated of his parents, Shiva and Parvati - that they constituted the world, and got away with the mango. This angered Kartikeya; he left his parents’ abode and settled down in Palani in protest.

Day 2 to be continued

Thus Goes on Life

Thus Goes on Life

“Good to see you back to normal after a fractured leg,” I said to Shobha Sunder yesterday. “Thanks uncle. Long time no mail from you in Yahoogroups?” she quipped. I could have brushed it off as a return gesture just to keep the conversation going till the lift touched ground. But that would be unkind to her. She is one of the few who is not particularly averse to my rambling in this space. So, here I attempt.

The untiring Managing Committee had arranged for an inter-active session for Srishti-ites with Kone, the lift people. It was well attended: 50% from Kone, 45% Srishti children and 5% adults. And, with the Gym room fitted with wall-to-wall mirror the audience looked just double.

Aptly, Kone’s power-point presentation too targeted children. Before getting into the “Dos and Don’ts” of lift and how many people in the world use lift every day, they posed some warm-up questions: “Guess how many people in the world ride a scooter daily? How many travel in bus in a day, etc. The correct or near correct answers got gifts ranging from ball pens, chocolate bars, candies. One child who guessed the figure at 2 million to a question walked away with the prize. That was the nearest to the answer - 8 million.  This emboldened many children to join the fray, and soon it became a free for all, not to mention that some mothers too got so involved that they goaded their toddlers to announce the figures they tutored. In all, it looked this year Srishti celebrated Children’s Day as well, though on a different date.

The MC led a delegation of Srishti-ites to meet the Corporator and had him agree to shift the garbage centre from the back-gate. For a couple of days thereafter ladies in scores, and a few of us seniors, did day-patrolling near the back gate to see that passersby didn’t dump again and speed-past in two-wheelers. Yes, it was a success. Now the venue has been shifted. It is now in the entrance road to Srishti – or, back to its original place. Thank you Corporator for giving us a choice - the devil or the deep sea.

But, there is a silver lining. In sharp contrast, see the inside of Srishti. These days you find the very complexion of the compound changed - an array of beautiful flower plants decorating the path, the rocky region undergoing a metamorphosis, and the flora and fauna of the entire compound getting a facelift. Kudos Sudha and Sridevi – and the MC for giving them financial and moral support.

Srishti is also gearing up for Sports Day, slated for 21 December. A lot of activities have been planned, if the corridor news is anything to go by. While that is still a month away, a cricket match is round the corner. 32 Srishti-ites, divided into four teams of 8, will play this Sunday at the basketball court. The ground being small and also to disallow aggressive batsmen from venturing sixers, it will be an under-arm bowling event. So, be at the venue and support the team of your choice. No refreshments.

Last but not the least, the intrusion of a snake (cobra if you insist) generated a lot of letters back and forth. The last was from Srikant (B-508) suggesting that we call Arnab Goswami. An imaginary panel discussion is well within the realm of possibility. But that would be making much ado about nothing, given my style. I would therefore think someone else should come forward so that it is substantive.

V.V. Sundaram. B-703
24 Nov 2014

FESTIVE SRISHTI

FESTIVE SRISHTI These days it is Navaratri, and ladies’ days out. These nine days belong to them - out and out: visit each other’s house for haldi-kum kum, chant Lalitha Sahasranamam, Devi Mahatmyam, do a little bhajan, sing a song or two of the classical variety, and exchange prasad I am not sure if the Bollywood dance session in the Yoga room or the matching decibel music is preparatory to a grand Dusshera finale, on the cultural front. But I do know that a dandiya performance is slated for Saturday, 4 October at the basketball ground. Not to lag behind in support-service to ladies’ brisk to and fro movements, Srishti’s MC commissioned the B Block new lift last Saturday. Now all the lifts are operational – till I was penning this piece, that is. Yes, it reduces their waiting time, A formal puja was performed to inaugurate the lift. The honorary ‘priest’ (a friendly retired Government official from an adjoining complex) recited the prescribed sankalp mantras for dhanam, daanyam, ayur. arogyam, etc., as one resident added from behind: Sarve Srishti kutumbeshu ekata bhava sidhyartham.... It was now time for a formal ribbon cutting. The hunt began for the right candidate. I proposed my friend from A Block, the senior most present. It boomeranged. He insisted it should be someone from B Block, and me by age. I invited my young friend, Mr Bhashyam, a member of the MC, to join me – not that the moustach-trimming pair of scissors handed to me needed the strength of two hands to oblige. Meanwhile the priest took stock of those present and went busied himself cutting the elakki bananas into three for distribution. “All is well that ends well,” I said to myself as I boarded the lift for the inaugural flight – marginally more commodious and a little faster. Music was still to be installed. So I couldn’t hum with the usual gusto (more when alone) and pat my back that mine was a shade better than that of the original singer. Later in the day when I used the new lift to go down, the doors opened with a frictional sound challenging an RD Burman background score . “The doors are well oiled my dear, but it takes a while for them to get into the groove. Have patience old man,“ I reminded myself. V.V. Sundaram B-703 06 Oct 2014

Sorry, V R Too Busy

SORRY, V R TOO BUSY That is what echoes around Srishti. Yesterday morning Srishti-ites had a gala Independence Day celebration - way ahead of the earlier ones . At this rate you could expect a lot more in the years to come, I bet. The "Mishri uncle", "Kalkandu uncle", or the"Tic Tac" uncle, as he is variously popular with kids, Mr Janaradhanan (B-407) unfurled the national flag. Mrs Shymala Lakshmipathi (B-806), guest speaker, recounted India's independence struggle, and appealed to the younger generation to take the country to greater heights. The kids, not to be outdone, presented a programme featuring the various communities that the country is made up of, paying obeisance to Bharat Mata. The ladies, individually and in groups, inspired the audience with patriotic songs, with a welcome debut by Chitra, daughter of Mr and Mrs Srinivasan (A-305) - a solo of the evergreen song "…Woh Bharat Desh Hai Mera…' (To keep records straight, hers was a 'debut' for Srishti; otherwise she has several CDs to her credit on Hindustani music and bhajans.) Mrs Krishna Bhattacharya, of A-603, whom Srishti-ites have now begun to count on whenever she is around, gave a pep talk to the youth a la Vivekananda: "Awake, Arise, and Stop Not till the goal is reached." (How are you Mrs KB? We saw you gasping for breath during the speech. Please do take care.) Coinciding with Independence Day celebrations, the Managing Committee had arranged a puja to formally inaugurate the A Block new lift, just readied. Residents had a test ride up and down before everyone clapped in unison: "Smooth, noiseless, fast,…' The solitary exception from a quarter was: "No mirrors?". The Kone representative clarified that mirrors would interfere with electronic functioning and hence licensing authorities don't sanction their installation - or some such thing. I wish I were more attentive. My mind was preoccupied with the Samosa and burfee carton about to be opened outside and my hurry to get there on time. We learn, this time the contract was given to a local guy, and it would seem he has ensured a berth for himself for future Srishti events. When congratulated on their excellent job on lift, the two MC representatives present accepted it with a rider: "We wish the person to whom the real credit goes, Sunil Talreja, were here. His is off to Kenya on duty travel." Then, well done Sunil. A day before, on the 14th August to be precise, Srishti witnessed a motorcade (8 to 12 cars) leaving the premises in the morning. Yes, it was heading for a high-end hotel in Yelahanka. My ex-next door neighbors Srinivas Rao and Amulu were solemnising their daughter Srikavya's wedding. We still cannot forget the scene when, with a half-ton school bag on her back and an unfinished sandwich still in one hand and wishing her parents bye bye with the other, she would rush to the lift. And now here she was, a charming bride on stage awaiting the knot to be tied by Krishna Teja, a very handsome bridegroom. No wonder we heard someone whisper, "For selecting the best bridegroom, take help from Amulu and Srinivas." We wish the newly marrieds many many years of happy wedded life. That was also an occasion to renew contact with Jayasree (Amulu's sister) now in a villa in Devanahalli. "So, does Ramakrishna still go for his morning walk?" "Yes, he does, but the problem is he never returns. He likes the openness, and fresh air over there so much." Speaking of moves, Srinivas/Amulu, our neighbor on left (704) had moved to NOIDA sometime ago. Now, on right, (702), Siva/Prashanti will leave Srishti at the end of the month. Anyway, I leave for Kerala next week, and I will need to spend some time with astrologer Panikkar to check if these moves are because or in spite of us as neighbors. Back in Srishti, yesterday evening witnessed no less activity. The Bajajs (B-202) had organized a bhajan in their house. They have a community group which conducts bhajans in every member's house by turn. With a mike that was working, a dholak to bring vibrancy to the atmosphere, and spirited singers in action with gay abandon, it was an evening well spent. To cap it all, what was laid out on the table as prasad, turned out to be a buffet dinner. (I bet, Bajaj's apartment was originally Shriram Property's model house.) I told you, we are busy in Srishti. V.V. Sundaram B-703 16 Aug. 2014

Srishti Day 2014

Srishti Day 2014 Let me - before someone else does - recap last evening’s Srishti Day celebrations. The event per se took place yesterday but the Yoga Room, the Gym, the sit-out, and some apartments, never witnessed more buzz than in the past month with Srishti-ites ranging from toddlers to a septuagenarian agog with rehearsals. The programme, slated to start at 5 pm, took off on the dot an hour later. Soon the area was jam-packed with parents and siblings wielding cameras, videos, Ipods. The tent contractor had erected a sturdy stage that was just one meter short of a football ground length, and was exceedingly well decorated. “The best so far,” said one. If only the mike had been a little cooperative, it would have been a sone pe suhaga (icing on the cake – Google). But it chose to disown us at regular intervals. “We too should settle the contractor’s bill in instalments,” quipped a tit for tat observer. Surekha rendered the invocation song – a soothing number from Anup Jalota’s Bhajan collections. The still-a-learner Sujata gave an able keyboard support. A series of entertaining programmes followed. The toddlers dance, ever a feast for the eyes, was well received despite the youngest in the centre standing unmoved gazing what in the world her other friends in the stage were doing. The dance of the five-to-eight year group girls in glittering costume was nothing short of a professional performance. So were the dances of others in varying age groups, not to omit the ones by the office-going menfolk, another by the ladies and, not the least, by seniors. Was it dance all the way? No, not at all. There were children and adolescents who could run their nimble fingers through the keyboards and violin strings to reproduce some of the popular English and Hindi numbers. There was a skit by the ladies on ‘10 years in Srishti’, another by the young ones on the judicious use of the depleting water supply, talks by veterans (the earliest settlers in Srishti), question-answer sessions with the audience in between programmes… Had a panel of judges been asked to pick the best programme, perhaps that would have been the toughest job. When I named to a discerning observer two events for a possible top slot, he quipped, “Well, I would short-list three, and unfortunately you couldn’t view the third yourself.” Inwardly I felt happy the programme where I featured had not misfired, but pretended to refute him. Last but not the least, the food was good. Post-dinner, one could see a contended face among those who had a paisa vasool agenda. V.V. Sundaram B-703 03 Aug 2014

Time-pass Roundup

Kudos to Rajee, Sreedhar et al, for completing 10 years in Srishti. I wish I were in this elite club. But alas it will take me a couple of years by ownership, and a little more by physical presence. By then they will be on the threshold of another milestone.  Anyway, it is time they did a SWOT analysis on their decade-long stay - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Given the floor, with my in-and-out record in Srishti, I would venture the extended family spirit as our Strength, or USP. The Weakness?  I can’t guess, but may be the lacklustre response to Association’s calls on a few aesthetic measures. As for Opportunities, perhaps sky is the limit. Threats? The building being surrounded by garbage on the North, South and West might stay atop. While all three sides serve liberally as urinal as well, the South has an edge - of being used for open defecation.

On a lighter note, it is back to school now. Once again vibrant ambience makes up for the monotonous morning walk. Children hurry to the bus stop as mothers catch up carrying heavy-duty backpacks, and fathers rush to hand them lunchbox or homework-notebook left behind. One extra-cautious father accompanies his son to the gate with car-key ready in his pocket, should he miss the bus. If you find the lift gets stuck at one floor at this time, it is not a display of the lift’s resentment for delaying its retirement plans. Some thoughtful parent has held it up for his offspring to enjoy his last breakfast bite before rushing out of home.

Speaking of lifts, yes, these are being replaced. A Block, with its sheer alphabetic superiority, gets its turn first on everything. Work on dismantling one of its lifts began two days back without much fanfare. B Block believes in ‘count your blessings’. It basks on being able to wait and watch.

By design or otherwise, two of my senior friends in A and B blocks head for UK and US this month to spend quality time with sons and grandchildren. No names please, just a clue. Both are Asthana Vidwans (accredited artists) of Srishti in their own musical instruments. While we will miss them, they will have the last laugh, that they liberate themselves from the lift-replacement ordeal. A pair of new lifts to choose from, hopefully with new tunes, will usher them into their Home Sweet Home on return.

V.V. Sundaram

B-703

06 June 2014

The US Citizenship Journey

The US Citizenship Journey

It was a September morning in 2007. Yet another day in our retired life in Bangalore (India) until we got a call from our younger son in California to joyfully announce that he was to become a father soon.

Earlier, thanks to USA's open-arms policy to admit foreign students and offer scholarship or assistantship where possible, both our sons were able to pursue Masters in the US in their chosen fields of engineering, and be gainfully employed with multinational companies. Since then the both have become US citizens.

Thanks again to the US Government's deep commitment to the 'family bond' concept, parents of US citizens could apply for green card without any restrictive annual visa quota. Backed by this, in the next few days of the call, we held frantic to and fro telephone conversations with both sons and their families. A clearer picture emerged: that we would seek permanent residence in the US. Everything has a price. Documentation for this included birth certificates, marriage certificate, police clearance, and pre-emptive affidavits from elders in the families, on the lines of the childhood poem: Solomon Grundy, Born on Monday, Christened on Tuesday, Married on Wednesday...

Six months later, armed with all possible documentation, if not a little more, we boarded a flight to San Francisco with all our earthly belongings, now rolled into two suitcases each, 50 pounds apiece. The flight took off from Bangalore two hours later. Consequently we missed the connecting flight from the hub, and were bundled into a long detour flight that skipped just Alaska to land in San Francisco eight hours later. That didn't bother us so much as the make-do lunch we were served - bananas, cookies and yoghurts for an Asian vegetarian meal. Understandably, they needed 48 or 72 hours notice to arrange for such special meals. However at the airport, on seeing a radiant daughter in law with all features of motherhood, we forgot all about the ordeal, and headed home.

We got the green card even without the customary interview - thanks probably to the thorough documentation - and in a much shorter time than it took in those days.

Time flies faster than you think. More so when you have two cities to alternate for your stay, and three spirited grandsons to give you company, initially - and to stay away from, later. Now it was time to apply for citizenship, or Naturalization. Here too, the more the care and truthfulness with which you fill the form, sure to be able to defend whatever you declare therein, the more it helps the interviewing officer to gauge your eligibility. Another great characteristic of the country is: it operates on TRUST. When you go through the mill successfully, he/she hands you a 'congratulations' letter on the spot that you have passed the interview and test, and asks you to wait for the Oath Ceremony letter. This is the most difficult period - so near yet so far. We received it, for 4 October 2013.  There were 72 citizens-to-be from, guess, 32 countries! If this is less, then what is more? Doesn't it speak volumes for the country as the world's best democracy or a land of opportunities, if not reflect a true miniature world?

Among those who spoke after being bestowed citizenship, some ladies literally broke down. They regained composure and felt happy their children could now hope for the best education, as for a good life. An elderly lady who could speak little or no English walked with difficulty up to the podium to speak. But she couldn't. Seeing her plight the Adjudication Officer who learnt she was from Iran,  suggested her: "Say 'Thank you' in Iranian [Persian]". She promptly said: thank you in Iranian. Everyone took the fiasco in an all in the family spirit, and gave the 79-year old lady, now a fellow American, a thunderous applause.

V.V. Sundaram

17 March 2014

A.N. Sivarama Iyer - Obituary

A.N. Sivarama Iyer - Obituary

Remember a frail gentleman of medium height, past his mid-eighties, enjoying an evening stroll in our Srishti compound a few years ago - donning a sparkling white dhoti, two-thirds sleeves loose shirt and a neatly-pressed towel resting on his shoulder?

That was Shri A.N. Sivarama Iyer, father of Mr Narayan of B-001. Having to divide his time among his four sons and a daughter (all in Bangalore), one had to content with his limited edition presence in Srishti.

He breathed his last on 5 March in Rajaji Nagar at the age of 92. Till the end he was alert and agile. As though he had a clear vision or premonition, he called members of the family by his side that morning and asked them to give him a sip of Gangajal one by one before bidding farewell to this world.

I can’t claim very close acquaintance with him, but during the stroll I did enjoy his company, hopefully as much as he did. He shared with me information that one would normally confide only with one’s own kith and kin. Who knows he considered me one. (Yes I do, because during his last one-day visit to Srishti a month ago, he had enquired with Narayan: “Is that ‘Vadakkanthara’ (name of my village) man here or in America?” Unfortunately I was not around.)

Leaving his home (Ayalur, a remote village in Kerala) early on in life for Mysore to eke out a living, he helped his mentor (elder sister’s husband) at the cash counter in his hotel. Years later, with the latter’s blessings he started one of his own, which ran till the adjacent bread-winner factory closed down, forcing him to take up a regular job.

By the time he called it a day, he had owned a sprawling house in Mysore yielding mangoes, jackfruit, (name any) and had provided good education to his children. With age getting the better of him, began his meticulous planning for departure, He set aside a sum specifically for his obsequies. To pay obeisance to his village deity, he sponsored the customary mass feeding (of around 800) done during the annual car festival. But alas, he was told his turn to host would come after five years. He requested the gentleman whose turn it was to host that year to swap with his, and had him agree. Now, that Samaritan has only reasons to feel happy that he had after all agreed, as otherwise this particular wish of Shri Sivarama Iyer would have remained unfulfilled.

As we bid farewell to the departed soul praying for it to rest in peace, Shri Sivarama Iyer leaves behind a legacy of what meticulous planning is all about.

V.V. Sundaram, B-703

16 March 2014

The Sundars Suffer a Second Bereavement

Hardly had I set foot on Wednesday for my morning walk when I saw an Eye Donation ambulance negotiating slowly its way into B block. I guessed two possibilities. Either it is here to enroll a new eye donor (a remote possibility at such an early morning), or to collect eyes of an already registered donor who has deceased since. Before I could verify, other morning walkers came up to me and said that Dr Sundar's father, Dr T. Sankaran, had passed away early morning. He was 85 years old, and the end came after a prolonged illness. An entomologist by profession, he retired as the Director of Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control, Bangalore. An insect is named after him, Thomsonisca Sankarani, for his interest in the natural control of insect pests and his contribution to the field of entomology. A distinguished and satisfying career, one would guess.

"He passed away exactly a year after I lost my own father," shared Shobha, in grief. Dr (Maj.Gen.) N. Lakshmipathi), Shobha's father, passed away on 6 January last year.

Shri and Smt Sankaran have two children - Dr Sundar, and Sujatha Balakrishnan. The type of breed that the parents have nurtured is evident from the fact that whenever there is an eye contact with a busy Dr Sundar in Columbia Asia, either with patients or his team, he unfailingly stops by to ask you, "Any help, uncle?"

"I saw the Eye Donation ambulance, and I felt it was a very nice gesture," I told Shobha after the preliminary enquiries when we went to offer condolences. "Yes it was to be, but unfortunately it couldn't take place. For some technical reasons the Centre simply could not remove the eyes. In fact my m-i-l had wanted that his whole body should be donated to M.S. Ramaiah Hospital to benefit the student community. Again, this too could not happen. Maybe, it was preordained that his body should be cremated in one piece," clarified Shobha now in better command of her emotions.

"Change with the changing spirit of time. That is the essence of life, Sundaram," I reminded myself as I admired the family's intention to go all the nine yards.

"Please do take coffee or milk, be it a sip. It is a custom," insisted Mrs Ganga Sankaran (Mami, to be informal). She seemed the most composed among those present. She is an ardent practitioner of Tirupukazh bhajan (hymns in praise of Lord Kartikeya), as many Srishti-ites would vouch. "My granddaughter was Mama's pet, and it was her good fortune that she is here from US along with my daughter and was able to attend to her Thatha's needs these last few days. See, it has so happened that they are booked to fly back exactly a day after the Shubha Sweekaram - the 13th day. That is not to suggest that grandsons are less dear to him. But a daughter and a granddaughter have their own place," Mami added in haste.

Personally, for me and my wife, just a day before our departure to US last January we attended their Kanakabhishekam celebrations. I distinctly remember having whispered into my wife's ears then, "Doesn't it look like we are attending a belated coronation of an old royal couple?"

The Sundars went yesterday morning to Srirangapatnam to immerse the ashes, and they propose to perform the Shuba Sweekaram, on Monday, 20 January, at the Shiva-Vishnu temple premises.

We pray for the departed soul to rest in peace.

V.V. Sundaram

12 January 201

New-Year Eve in Srishti (2013-14)

NEW-YEAR EVE IN SRISHTI

Yes, it is always a pleasure to be back home and join the mainstream. And we did it just in time for the Sports Day as well as the New Year eve celebrations. Before I continue, let me wish all my Srishti-ites and their families a very very happy and prosperous 2014. May the year address all their concerns - their children's 10th, 12th examinations, admission worries, career prospects of bread-winners, and health issues (if any). I know the list is a Hanuman tail.

It was nice to see several new energetic, exuberant and smiling faces, as we missed a few old friends. Srinivasanji was not around making his customary slow and calculated round with a plate in hand. Harihara Sarma, who I think still holds record for having served the maximum number of sub- committees in Srishti, is recuperating at his son's place. The never-get-old Bhashyams could not be present, excusably. On Christmas, their daughter gifted them with a charming granddaughter. My friend, whose identity I shall protect, shuttled between his apartment and the venue, just not to miss the climax of a Mohanlal film in TV.

Food stalls were aplenty - the chief attraction on such occasions. What with chats, pani puri (gol gappa as we call it in Delhi), sabudana kichdi, and a host of mouth-watering items, there were gajar-halwa, ice cream as dessert, Coke and other beverages to wash them down with, or hot coffee, tea, milk to keep us warm on an somewhat chilly, windy night.

"Old order changeth yielding place to new," wrote a poet in my XI class English text. Yes, only change is constant. We find a new team at the helm for Sports Day and the New Year Eve. Sunil, Sujatha, and their friends deserve full compliments for doing an excellent job. If only the public address system had been a little more cooperative, they would have walked away with a centum for the show. But let that not rob the pleasurable evening that we all had.

The events started off with an invocation by Surekha. The hullabaloo at the Food Court managed to drown the audibility, but not what she prayed for. The children's torch dance, with lights around switched off, seemed an innovation - some torches glittering more, some less, and some refusing to take off. But children are always a fun to watch. Then prizes were distributed for those who made the grade on the Sports Day - some in bits and others in bulk.

Housie' (Tambola?) followed next. With an aggressive marketing of retail and wholesale booking of tickets, the counter was closed in no time. The one and only Sanjay took charge and did it with professional competence. (I suspect if he did a part time job in any club in his college days. Anyway.) One couple (don't ask me who) bagged three prizes in the event, only to hear healthy catcalls from the audience, 'lottery'.

In the Antakshari programme, Sujatha and her daughter managed to keep the interest of the audience alive at 11 in the evening when people were just about to slip. By draw of lots the teams were divided into East, West, South and North. The formidable Sudha-Srikant duo and Bharti (the dark horse) on East, the unassuming but treasure-house Surekha in the West, the spontaneous Gita (Ashok) in the South, and the poor Aunty and a few others in North, took up positions. As it happens always, fortune favoured the other sides. They had to guess songs from Pakeeza and other popular films, whereas it fell upon North to guess an obscure Helicopter song by Dharmendra and Hema Malini. Apparently we couldn't; in fact no team could, and Sujatha had to reveal it. "Yeh bhi koi gana hai?" we heard someone from North muttering (not me). Anyway, it was a landslide victory for the East, followed by West. The South and North scored equally, thus North narrowly escaping a fourth position.

An ensemble of Bollywood songs dance-number by young mothers stole the evening, however. Starting with the song from Navrang, "Aadha hai Chandrama," they danced merrily to half a dozen tunes with aplomb. Considering that many are career women, others tending their children with very little time for rehearsal, the applause for them lasted a little longer. For me personally, I felt a bit nostalgic. as a young bachelor I saw V. Shantaram's 'Navrang', with music by C. Ramchandra, on the first day, late night show, at Odeon (in Delhi) on a wintry night, and had to hire a taxi to get back home.

A wonderful New Year eve it was, for those who missed it.

05 January 2014