Warrier's Collage April 16, 2021

Welcome to Warrier's Daily COLLAGE On Friday April 16, 2021 Good Morning Friends, There will be no regular issues of Collage for two or three days from tomorrow (April 17). Will try to share some responses and articles already shared by readèrs on these days also. Nice Day M G Warrier A 1) V T Panchapagesan Chennai Panchatantra stories* The Panchatantra by Vishnu Sharma written thousands of years ago, has much to offer by way of insight into human behavior though the Characters are entirely from the animal kingdom... It is in Five treatises , chapters interrelated animal table arranged within a frame story of animals, The Lion, The Tortoise , The Mangoose , owls, The Dove, Monkey, The Mouse, The Deer, The crow, The Bull, Crocodile The Brahman......... Not surprisingly the running theme of the Panchatantra is Knowledge Is the true organ of sight , not the eyes....and the practical guide to Niti, or the art of intelligent living... Vishnu Sharma chose the fable as the medium because he understood that Humans can accept their own foibles if they are presented in many ways.. Tales of greed, treachery, stupidity, deceit, adultery, and loyalty unravel like a Matroshka, a succession of Russian dolls-within-dolls.. The stories convey messages that are direct and simple.. Malicious gossip can destroy even great friendships..Never trust an enemy, reformed enemy is an oxymoron. Deceit is the only way to overcome an unscrupulous enemy. Caste, color, and religion are no barriers to forming lasting bonds, against tyrants, unity is strength. A fool and his gains are soon parted.. An intelligent man can overcome adversity by the use of his wit... The consequences of an ill-conceived hastily executed action could be DEATH.. The stories offer us the possibility of making our lives richer and more meaningful.. However it makes us aware of the fact that solutions lie within ourselves only.. The use of animals to present this wonderful message to us all is significant since animals are not sentimental.. It is worth going through as a guide when we are in melancholy mood V. T.Panchapagesan. *Access some: https://www.tell-a-tale.com/10-short-panchatantra-stories-must-read-4-6-year-old-kids/amp/ 2) V Babusenan Thiruvananthapuram Four decades and eight years ago, two souls met in the sylvan surroundings of Mananthavady and resolved to live together. They, in all respects, led a meaningful life and their crowning glory is the Collage. The golden jubilee of their wedded life is at hand's reach. I wish them many more years of fruitful togetherness! Bharat Ratna Govind Ballabh Pant was Home Minister in Nehru's cabinet. He was an imposing personality, but his hands used to tremble. While giving an interview to a foreign correspondent, Pantji saw that the former was watching his trembling hands quizzically. He said with a smile: "Only my hands shake, not my decisions." I remembered this anecdote while reading about Lal Bahadur Sastri in the Collage. In Indian politics after Independence,we haven't seen one leader so small in stature but very tall in integrity and outlook.He had the disadvantage of succeeding a colossus as Prime Minister but how nobly he conducted himself! He set an example in the matter of moral responsibility of a minister by tendering his resignation as railway minister when the Ariyalur train tragedy happened in1956. By doing so, he showed the right way to a few and caused embarrassment to many ambitious politicians. There have been several major train accidents in independent India, but none so horrendous as the one that took place in Ariyalur in the proximity of the Trichy town in Tamil Nadu. It was a rainy November night in 1956 . The Maruthaiyar was in spate and the Madras-Tuticorin Express fell into the river as the bridge collapsed. 142 people died, 110 were injured and many more were buried in the debris and/or washed away. Among the dead was one newly married typist of the Madras office of the RBI. It was a quirk of fate. The previous day, about closing time, he received a telegram saying that his wife suddenly died. The telegram was sent by the young man's father-in-law. His grief was uncontrollable as he had, only a few days ago, arranged accommodation in the city for both of them to start a new life. His friends arranged some cash and sent the sobbing fellow to his wife's place by the first available train. He did not reach there; neither did he know that it was his mother-in-law that died and not his wife! (Thank you Sir 🙏-Warrier) 3) V N Kelkar During our childhood days it was a daily routine to recite tables and chant shlokas, Ramraksha* and Maruti stotras in the evening. It is believed that recitation of Ram Raksha empowers a person to fight with all kinds of super natural and worldly troubles in life. It is significant to chant Ramraksha in the first nine days of the month Chaitra from Pratipada to Ramnavami. It is recommended (for believers) to recite this many times every day meditating on Lord Rama. It is believed to help overcome all sorts of problems faced by individuals. *Link for lyrics: https://vignanam.org/english/rama-raksha-stotram.html B Spirituality/Faith Spiritual Awakening https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/decoding-spirituality/how-spiritual-awakening-makes-a-person-into-a-better-human-27213/ Posted online comments: "surprised to find no comments on this article. is it that, there\'s nothing further to add, because everything about self-knowledge has been said? unlikely. a nice presentation on pursuit of self-realization. more than that, about living in the present. everyone is not going to go through all the \'ashramas\' of life and attain \"moksha\". but all of us are trying to have less of worries, stress and unhappiness and more peace, mental and physical health and happiness. towards that goal, this article gives some tips to change your gear and try to negotiate the ascent peacefully and carefully concentrating on the road immediately before you or more aptly on the \"present\" how all of you kept silent after reading this article for 6 long months? congratulations to the author." C Current Affairs Vaccine Drive Imported Sputnik V to be available this quarter: Dr. Reddy’s: https://thg.page.link/wd1EDLNy794siCLU9 Excerpts: Based on the human adenovirus vector platform, Sputnik V is a two dose intra-muscular vaccine to be taken three weeks apart. Dr. Reddy’s, which undertook the clinical trials in the country, is also responsible for harmonisation of quality produced in India. It will provide stewardship to manufacturing sites where the production will commence soon. It will also be responsible for the regulatory, safety and pharmaco-vigilance aspects of the vaccine in India. D Astrology/Astronomy and Jupiter/Guru: Vathsala Jayaraman Chennai What is Jupiter or Guru? Scientifically the planet Jupiter( Guru or Viyazhan in Tamil) has a lot of superlatives, largest, fastest, first, ... While it is unknown who discovered Jupiter, and while there were many other astronomers who observed the planet closely, it was Galileo who meticulously documented all his observations. The fifth planet from the Sun, Jupiter is huge, really huge. If we combine all the other planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - this mass will be less than half the matter of Jupiter. It has a radius of 69,911 km. (Earth is 6,371 km) Eleven Earths side by side will span Jupiter’s diameter If the Jupiter was a hollow ball about 1,300 Earths would fit in.A long time, roughly 4.5 billion years ago, just after our Sun formed, the remaining debris gathered into planets. Jupiter ended up gathering most of the swirling gas and dust. Yes, one year on Jupiter is equal to 12 years on Earth. That’s how long it takes for Jupiter to orbit the Sun. Jupiter does not have seasons as we do have on earth because it is rotating just a bit-a mere 3 degrees. We have heard of 'GuruPalan'( Good influence of Jupiter) and marriages are likely to materialise when Jupiter is in a favourable zodiac. Even in astrology they say that Jupiter takes 12 years to pass through all zodiacs, one year in each Zodiac or Rasi.But Zodiacs have no connection with the elliptical path of the planets. Scientifically these zodiacs are stated to be many thousands of light years away compared to all the planets which are comparatively nearer.. I used to wonder how the planets which are moving around the sun in an elliptical path swerve away and occupy each zodiac for a year.( Each planet has its own period of stay in a zodiac.What will happen to their movement around the Sun ? Is it a simultaneous rotation/ How is it technically possible? Astrologers on their part say that astrology is a science. But we are unable to correlate the two movements ( astronomy and astrology) even while analysing it with common sense. I am not talking about predictions or faith in astrology.It is entirely a different aspect concerning human psychology in essence. we just want to know that the movements assigned to planets as per astrology can be proved scientifically. I happened to read a book comparing astronomy and astrology in Tamil by one Shri Subramanya Sarma.Unfortunately the book was damaged in Chennai floods. I am giving in brief the explanation given by the author. Whenever we look at clouds sometimes we see images. We think there is a dog or a face or a tree or elephant. Our brain likes to conjure patterns. When our ancestors looked up at the millions of stars in the night sky they began connecting some stars with imaginary lines to create a picture or figure. These group of stars that formed the pictures are called constellations. The pictures are all imaginary. Constellations were very useful for our ancient travellers and before calendars were created farmers did not know when to sow and when to harvest. They depended entirely on the constellations. Constellations also were good reference points for astronomers. A number of mythological stories and personal experiences also were centered on these constellations. As more stars were being discovered and more constellations were being introduced, in 1922 the International Astronomical Union (IAU) decided to create an official set. Most of the original constellations (Ptolemy and other earlier European astronomers) were retained and some new ones were introduced. From earth's perspective,stars in a constellation appear to be close to each other because we lose the sense of depth and it appears to be two dimensional. Of the 88 constellations, thirteen constellations move along the ecliptic path of the Earth. Actually that moves and it appears that the sun and stars are moving. Of these thirteen, astrologers use twelve (omitting Ophiuchus) to make predictions. In ancient times Astronomy and Astrology were sister sciences, developing side by side, at one point Astrology was more important. Astrology ceases to be a science in modern times as it has been proved that the future predictions and personality analysis based on star/planetary position have no scientific validation. The planets always keep to their elliptical path. They do not swerve away from their orbits.There is no question of Guru or Shani moving from one Rasi to the other. The term “occupying” a zodiac/constellation is really a misnomer (if that is the right word). It is actually an illusion that Jupiter is occupying a zodiac. Jupiter is relatively closer to us than the stars. As Jupiter orbits the sun, we, from Earth, see the different constellations along with it though they are in the background. The two-dimension effect makes it appear as if Jupiter occupies that particular constellation (zodiac in astrology). Period of stay is determined by the fact that Jupiter’s “path” or orbit is far away from the Sun and it takes 12 years to complete one orbit. Therefore it appears to us as if Jupiter stays in one constellation, which is one year. Similarly Saturn, which is farther away from the Sun, takes 29 years to orbit around the sun, taking about 2.4 years to move from one constellation zone to the next. The mathematical calculations in astrology, whether it is science or not, are simply captivating ,especially the calculation of timings ,sub division, sub-sub division etc.The prediction part, which is of significance to common man is a slip-shod one.We have definitely come to a conclusion that the prediction part is not essentially based on science but on what is known as 'Anumaana Sastra',the theory of Probability. I am eagerly expecting some text book from authors who affirm that astrology is 100% Science and that the mistakes lie with astrologers with limited knowledge and not on astrology itself.As on date it is an unrealisable imagination. Even great astrologers of the past were talking about movement of the planets around various zodiacs.It may be due to the assumption of a geocentric and later heliocentric universe. Early civilizations thought that the Earth was the center of the entire Universe, up until the 16th century. Later Copernicus formulated the model that it was the sun that was the center of the Universe. (Though this theory was proposed in the 3rd Century by Aristarchus). It was in 1923 that Edwin Hubble proved that there were multiple galaxies. That changed the way we looked at the skies. Now they say there is not just Universe but "multiverses" or parallel universes. The documentation of the timings and celestial occurrences would be correct because nature never failed to deliver. That's why the facts always remain the same. The precision in which nature behaves (be it on Earth or out in space) is mind numbing and is a source of constant awe and marvel! Astrologers have interpreted these facts differently to justify their beliefs. Predictions and analyses on any individual or his/her life based on planetary positions have not been proven scientifically. Our Earth is so tiny in the grand scheme of things and you and I are insignificant. No star or planet is going to focus on a single person and change his/her destiny. Better be relaxed, whichever zodiac Guru is stated to occupy. It can never change the destiny. Think of good things and accept whatever happens as good. Many thanks to the author Shri Subramanya Sarma. Vathsala Jayaraman E Natural Calamities We come across many places frequented with floods, earthquake or violent storms. everything there is at the peak of tension. Nature is at the peak of fury. Everything is in disarray. We, the Government and the people cannot but feel guilty of our own actions being mostly responsible tragedy claiming innocent lives. When it comes to natural phenomena, society seems to have this rule: Thank God for beautiful sunsets; blame Mother Nature for deadly tornadoes. There are photographs of stunningly awesome cloud formations with reminders for all of us to recognize His majesty and give glory to God. But twist those clouds into an ugly deluge that destroys towns and slaughters innocent people, the focus changes from the majesty of God to the wrath of Mother Nature. As soon as Mother Nature finishes her tyrannical destruction, we go back to thanking God for the survivors,praying to God for the victims' souls and asking for God's help in making everything whole again. Many reject the idea that natural disasters are divine punishment, a test of faith or some other sign from God.Nearly sixty percent of people feel that God can use natural disasters to send messages . Some others believe God punishes nations for the sins of some citizens. Though many are of opinion that God is the centre of every activity on earth, the idea of God employing Mother Nature to dispense judgment or God punishing entire nations for the sins of a few has less support. Such interpretations often offend victims. Even believers who assert that God is in control of everything that happens in the world, resist drawing a straight line from those beliefs to God's direct role or judgment in natural disasters. Some say that natural disasters are God's way of testing our faith . Some people have started telling that God is all-knowing but not powerful enough to intervene in the karma. Nature is destructive because of original sin or collective karma; victims are sinners; suffering helps test our faith and purify us. There is a distinction between an earthquake as part of God's plan and God causing that earthquake. A mother says,"There are a lot of things that I wouldn't cause to happen to my children to teach them certain lessons, but I might allow them to happen, so they might learn the lesson,". Perhaps God is placed in the situation of a well intended mother. We have to be prophets of God to know why He is silent witness to so many calamities. We have to conclude that there is no hand of God in natural calamities But definitely there is the beneficial hand of God in the hearts of relatives and friends of victims and by standers too.,who have to lend wholehearted support to the victims. The only way to reduce the impact of such calamities in future is to leave Nature to herself, not intervene whether due to love of nature, lust or devotion. If we don't cross the Lakshman Rekha, we will be entitled to get delighted with Nature within bounds. Vathsala Jayaraman F Leisure 1) Predictions that came true https://bestlifeonline.com/historical-predictions/ 2) Pun Time* IT'S SO MUCH "PUN" ! What did the sea say to the sand? Nothing, it simply waved! Why was the toilet paper rolling down the mountain? To get to the bottom! Who said grapes are soft? They never cry when you step on them, they just let out a bit of wine! “Why is there music coming out of your printer?” “That is the paper jamming again!” I wonder how letters ever get to the recipient. The envelopes, after all, are stationery. What lies on the ocean bed, twitching uncontrollably? A nervous wreck! Two wi-fi antennas got married last saturday. The reception was fantastic! Have you heard about this dude who had to have his left leg and left arm amputated after a car crash? - He's all right now! A bacon sandwich walks into a bar and orders a whiskey. “Sorry,” growls the bartender, “we don’t serve food here.” So what if I don't know what apocalypse means!? It's not the end of the world! There was a sign on the lawn at a drug re-hab center that said 'keep off the grass'! A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grand-mother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said 'No change yet'! When the cannibal showed up late to the luncheon, they gave him the cold shoulder! I don't think I need a spine. It's holding me back! My tailor is happy to make a pair of pants for me, or at least sew it seams. People are choosing cremation over traditional burial. It shows that they are thinking out of the box! The one who invented the door knocker got a no-bell prize! The other day I held the door open for a clown. I thought it was a nice jester! I wasn't originally going to get a brain transplant, but then I changed my mind! I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down! The first time I used an elevator it was really uplifting, then it let me down ! My friend's bakery burned down last night. Now his business is toast ! *Forward received from R Jayakumar Mumbai G Quotes about funny predictions https://www.pinterest.com/pin/423831014911633106/ Like: "Never make predictions, especially about the future" 😂

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