Warrier's COLLAGE June 10, 2021

Welcome to Warrier's COLLAGE Thursday JUNE 10, 2021 1) Effel Tower https://youtu.be/heX8id1juKk 2) June 8 World Oceans Day https://www.dnaindia.com/viral/report-world-ocean-day-2021-theme-significance-and-lesser-known-facts-about-oceans-2894114 (Link Courtesy : Vishnu Kelkar Mumbai) Good Morning Nice Day M G Warrier M Access earlier editions of COLLAGE @ www.warriersblog.com A 1) V Babusenan Thiruvananthapuram Madam Vathsala Jayaraman is right in saying that many of us may not have heard about the 'Adbhutha Ramayanam'. It is a nice experience to read its encapsulated form as narrated by Madam and I thank her for it. As for the two stories which appeared in the Collage, one is purely on the rational and mundane level and the other on the beyond rational and the spiritual level. Let us hope that both these stories will act on us, the Collage readers, like allopathic and homeo medicines doing their work on different planes. Meanwhile, let us not forget that there exists a segment of people who will not brook another Ramayana. One cannot forget the bitter experience* of the Delhi University as regards Ramanujan's essay. *A 2011 Times of India Report : https://m.timesofindia.com/city/delhi/ramanujan-essay-dropped-to-save-pm-another-headache/articleshow/10965372.cms (Ramanujan's essay was removed to avoid controversy. Collage has no problem with any version of Mythological stories shared with good intentions. According to one estimate there are 300 versions of Ramayana. To know about 4 versions which are also not very popular, open this link : https://penguin.co.in/4-versions-of-the-epic-ramayana-you-didnt-know/-🙏-Warrier) 2) S Nallasivan Hyderabad M K Ramamurthy, 91st Birthday It is time for seeking the blessings of Shri Ramamurthy celebrating his 91st Birthday. We have a history of somebody taking oath as the Prime Miniter of the Country at 91. It is not unusual too to have RBites reaching 100 and more. You will be pleasantly surprised to know that we have many more friends who are just a couple of years shy of reaching 90 years. It is a pleasure Shri Ramamurthy Sir interacts with us almost on a daily basis. 3) Muthulakshmi Subramanian Interesting anecdotes, some with new information. Thanks 4) M G Warrier Mumbai News you can use Mentoring young aspiring writers https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-modi-announces-mentoring-yuva-scheme-for-young-writers-7349887/ 5) Uzhuthra Warrier Navi Mumbai "A photographic memory is a boon for any occasion. In my career I missed promotions merely for want of that despite my strenuous efforts and adequate iformation gathered by sheer hard work. When I had to make a presentation I just could not recall them." (Though now for us it's only of academic interest, sharing your thoughts here as we have someone specialised in "Brain Functions"🙏-Warrier) B Book Review : Ruskin Bond A Gathering of Friends : Chronicling life in the slow lane https://www.thebookreviewindia.org/chronicling-life-in-the-slow-lane/ In the Preface to his book, "A Gathering of Friends", Ruskin Bond mentions his critics, the ones who have sometimes felt that his stories are less stories, more character sketches, for want of a plot. In his inimitable style, with gentle humour, he points out, that life doesn’t come with a plot. One can imagine him, glint in his eyes from the witticism, continuing tell the everyday tales of life, from the observable and plausible, to the fantastical. Bond has been an intrepid chronicler of life in the slow lane. At the ripe old age of 81, he has selected some of his favourite works in a slim volume. For readers familiar with Bond’s writing, it will indeed seem like a gathering of old friends, chatting away in a cosy house in the Himalayan hills in soft light, looking out at the evening chill with a warming drink in hand. The young boy Rusty breaks free of parental disapproval to find freedom and exhilaration after a rambunctious morning spent playing Holi with local friends. Anil strikes an unlikely friendship with an English lady in the last days of her life, becoming a suitable heir to her book on flowers. A railway employee cares far more for the life of a leopard that minds its own business, often finding refuge in a train tunnel, than for the technological marvel that the heaving, serpentine train is. A young girl is saved from a flood by a dark skinned boy who plays the most divine sounds on the flute. A cherry tree is nurtured, with great trials and tribulations, from a seed that was carefully stashed away by a young boy and his grandfather. And of course, gutsy, determined Biniya, whose blue umbrella makes her the toast of town, often inviting avarice and envy. C Secularism: A Story Too Beautiful for Any Preface (Major General SPS Narang (Retd)) Last November, I was driving from Dehradun to Chandigarh — a fascinating four-hour journey, with the added attraction of visiting Paonta Sahib Gurdwara. I had to break on the way to give myself and my car some rest. And what better than entering the abode of the Guru. Besides the soothing kirtan, it is the langar that one savours, seated on the floor among a multitude of people from all walks of life. Some partake of all meals as they have no means to satiate their hunger. Breaking bread with them gives an indescribable spiritual high, and to experience this, one doesn’t have to belong to any one religion. I, too, enjoyed the langar and came out to get on with my journey. I stopped to buy some knick-knacks from a kiosk outside the gurdwara. Just then, I spotted a family of Gujjars (Muslims nomads who rear cattle in semi mountains and sell milk), in an intent discussion in front of a tea vendor. The family comprised an elderly couple, two middle-aged couples and four children. Three women were partially veiled. They seemed poor as the eldest gentleman (probably the father) counted coins and some crumpled notes. Undoubtedly, the issue was how much they could afford to buy. They asked for three cups of tea and four samosas (popular Indian snack) . Gathering courage, I asked him, “Kya aap sab khana khayenge?” (would you all like to have food!!) They looked at one another with a mix of surprise, apprehension and a hurt self-respect. There was silence. Sometimes, silence can be loud. The innocent eyes of the kids were filled with hope. “Hum kha ke aaaye hain,” (we have eaten already) he responded. There was an instant retort, “Kahan khayaa hai subeh se kuch bhi, Abba?” (we have not eaten anything since morning, Papa!!). Hearing that, a dull ache in my chest caught me by surprise. The stern look in the eyes of the three men and the pleading moist eyes of the women said it all. I insisted that they come with me. They agreed, reluctantly. We entered the gurdwara (Sikh Temple of God). A good feeling descended over me as I deposited their shoes at the jora ghar (Shoe deposite room in all Gurdwaras). The elders were awed by the architectural marvel. However, there was fear in their eyes, which was understandable. They were entering a non-Islamic place of worship for the first time. But the children couldn’t care less, their innocent faces single-mindedly focused on food. Some onlookers flashed strange looks from the corner of their eyes. But then I followed the children, adopting their easy attitude as they excitedly chose head wraps of different colours. (everyone is supposed to cover their heads inside a Gurdwara). Except for the eldest member, all accompanied me inside, and emulating me, bowed their heads and touched their forehead to the floor. Many others must have noticed, as I did, that these children went through this ritual with utmost reverence. They took Parshad (offering) from the Bhaiji (The Priest) ) who asked them if they needed more. The children gladly nodded. We entered the Langar Hall and I took the kids along to collect thaalis (plates). They did it with joy, like only kids would. Seated opposite us was a newly-married couple. The bride, with red bangles accentuating her charm, asked the children to sit beside her, and two of them sat between them. The way she was looking after them, I could tell she would make a loving mother. Langar was served, and though I had already eaten, I ate a little to make my guests comfortable. One had to see to believe how they relished it. The initial apprehension had vanished and they ate to their fill. I have no words to describe the joy I experienced. We had nearly finished when an elderly Sikh and a youth with flowing beard (perhaps the head granthi and sewadar-helper) sought me out. I was overcome by fear, and more than me, my guests were scared. I walked up to them with folded hands. He enquired, “Inhaan nu tusi le ke aaye ho? (Have you brought them in?).” I nodded. The next question had me baffled, “Tusi har din path karde ho? (Do you say prayers every day?).” I almost blurted “yes”, but it would have been a lie. So, with utmost humility I said “no”. Expecting an admonishment, he surprised me, “Tuhaanu tha koi lorh hi nahin. Aj tuhaanu sab kuch mil gaya hai ji (You don’t need to. Today you have got everything).” I was flabbergasted. Was it advice or sarcasm? He added, “Inha nu Babbe de ghar lya ke te langar shaka ke tusi sab kuch paa laya. Tuhaada dhanwad. Assi dhan ho gaye (By bringing them to the Guru’s abode for langar, you’ve got everything from God. Thank you. We are blessed).” Then, with folded hands, he walked up to the elderly couple and requested them, “Aap jad bhi idhar aao to langar kha ke jaaiye. Yeh to uparwale da diya hai ji (Whenever you happen to pass through here, please come and have food. It is God’s gift).” I escorted my guests out of the Langar Hall. Just as we were about to pick our footwear, one of the children said, “Humme aur halwa do naa.” (Get us some more sweet offering). We five went in to get more parshad. Finally, as they were about to depart, the elderly lady whispered to her husband. I enquired, “Koi baat, Miyaji?” (is there any problem, Mian Ji!! Almost pleadingly, he said, “Yeh keh rahin ki, kya aap ke sar par haath rakh sakti hain? (She is saying, can she keep her hand on your head)!! I bowed as she blessed me with tears in her eyes. A wave of emotions swept over me. Is it my imagination, or for real, that I often feel the beautiful hand of a Muslim lady, wrapped in purity and love, on my head? This is the reason, we are secular.. Major General SPS Narang (Retd) (*A Forward received from S Thyagarajan Chennai) D Readers Contribution Thumb Rules* Personal Finance Rules - A Thread Rule of 72 (Double Your Money) Rule of 114 (Triple) Rule of 144 (Quadruple) Rule of 70 (Inflation) 4% Withdrawal Rule 100 - Minus Age Rule 10, 5, 3 Rule 50-30-20 Rule 3X Emergency Rule 40℅ EMI Rule Life Insurance Rule Rule of 72 No. of yrs required to double your money at a given rate, U just divide 72 by interest rate Eg, if you want to know how long it will take to double your money at 8% interest, divide 72 by 8 and get 9 yrs At 6% rate, it will take 12 yrs At 9% rate, it will take 8 yrs Rule of 114 No. of years required to triple your money at a given rate, U just divide 114 by interest rate. For example, if you want to know how long it will take to triple your money at 12% interest, divide 114 by 12 and get 9.5 years At 6% interest rate, it will take 19yrs Rule of 144 No. of years required to quadruple your money at a given rate, U just divide 144 by interest rate. For eg, if you want to know how long it will take to quadruple your money at 12% interest, divide 144 by 12 and get 12 yrs. At 6% interest rate, it will take 24yrs T.me/mwglobal Rule of 70 Divide 70 by current inflation rate to know how fast the value of your investment will get reduced to half its present value. Inflation rate of 7% will reduce the value of your money to half in 10 years. 4% Rule for Financial Freedom Corpus Reqd- 25*Annual Expenses Eg- annual expense is 500,000 then corpus required to retire is 1.25 cr. Put 50% into fixed income & 50% into equity. Withdraw 4% every yr, i.e.5 lac. This rule works for 96% of time in 30 yr period 100 minus your age rule This rule is used for asset allocation. Subtract your age from 100 to find out, how much of your portfolio should be allocated to equities Age 30 Equity : 70% Debt : 30% Age 60 Equity : 40% Debt : 60% 10-5-3 Rule One should have reasonable returns expectations 10℅ Rate of return - Equity / Mutual Funds 5℅ - Debts ( Fixed Deposits or Other Debt instruments) 3℅ - Savings Account 50-30-20 Rule - Allocation Divide your income into 50℅ - Needs - Groceries, rent, emi 30℅ - Wants - Entertainment, vacations, etc 20℅ - Savings - Equity, MFs, Debt, FD, etc Atleast try to save 20℅ of your income. You can definitely save more 3X Emergency Rule Always put atleast 3 times your monthly income in Emergency funds for emergencies such as Loss of employment, medical emergency, etc. 3 X Monthly Income You can have around 6 X Monthly Income to be on a safer side 40℅ EMI Rule Never go beyond 40℅ of your income into EMIs. Say you earn, 50,000 per month. So you should not have EMIs more than 20,000 . This Rule is generally used by Finance companies to provide loans. You can use it to manage your finances. T.me/mwglobal Life Insurance Rule Always have Sum Assured as 20 times of your Annual Income 20 X Annual Income Say you earn 5 Lacs annually, u shud atleast have 1 crore insurance by following this Rule *Received from Kiran Warrier Navi Mumbai. Now you have some idea about the ingredients. Now cook to your taste and capacity 🙏-Warrier Bonus Link : https://www.dnaindia.com/personal-finance/photo-gallery-these-post-office-schemes-will-double-your-money-in-no-time-check-details-2889009 E Pigeons Menace : Vathsala Jayaraman Chennai When we see one or two pigeons we may enjoy seeing them, spray a few grains and be happy seeing them eat those grains one by one.But if they come in groups or in hundreds we dont know how to manage. Even bird lovers who give rice and chapathi daily on specific hrs become gloomy on seeing the menace. Some people have the windowsills as broas as 1.5 feet wide.Owners purchase more than 15 pots with beautiful flowers such as rose, orchid, hibiscus, jasmine, petunia etc. and have a beautiful garden adjacent to the bed room. But sooner the beautiful garden turns into a hell by a desperate couple of pigeons. This lovey-dovey couple want to build their nest in the windowsill. As it happens in humans, there has been a tough competition for finding a safe "ashiana"( Birds' nest) among pigeons. The said pair thought that the windowsill was the right place for them. Whenever they came to the windowsill, they let the owners know by constant cooing, even though it is 5 AM in the morning. In other words, they are not intruders, whatever they do, they sought permission for that. But they don't care for our approval. As the windowsill was occupied by pots, the birds choose one after another pot to build their nest. In the process they have no qualms in sitting on plants which had lovely flowers. Their sitting on the pot have a disastrous effect on the plants. The plants die. Even if you place a thorny plant,they don't bother.The owner's anger goes beyond bounds.Quotes of Vivekananda falls in deaf ears.Female Pigeons are winged rats. You can put bird netting over the pots. Just hang in plastic covers darker the better. The pigeons get scared when they see the plastic moving and they never dare to come near the pots. Many win the battle with pigeons. Though the covers look a little odd if someone from opposite buildings view at it. But we should not care as we can now see that the plants are growing beautifully and giving many flowers without any hindrances. In olden days pigeons were doing messenger work. The written message tied to to their foot and they travel huge distances to deliver the message.We have read in novels that precious jewellery was hidden inside the pigeon nests. It is amazing to watch how pigeons live. Some tips to handle pigeon menace 1 Clean out nesting materials as soon as you find them. Sometimes the birds realize this might not be a good place to nest and move on. Sometimes. 2 Stick toothpicks or plastic forks in the soil—this makes it hard for a bird to find a place to situate a nest 3 Saturate a few cotton balls with peppermint oil and place itend to avoid really strong scents. 4 Usee a fake predator. You can find statues of owls, for example. We have some here, as a matter of fact, with heads that move. When using a fake snake or owl move it a little every couple of days so birds don’t get “used” to it. 5 Hang streamers, wind chimes, wind socks or similar items alongside the basket. Their movement will discourage nesting. 6 At planting, lay light wire mesh over the basket or container, so birds can't get in to build nests. Add a shiny pinwheel to the center of the hanging baskets, it reflect the sunlight and they seem to stay away from the baskets. One of my friends in US has stated :There is a solution that can be used without hurting the bird. Have you tried Stop Bird Pro, a device that emits modulated high frequencies. It acts on the nervous system of the birds to repel them from reaching out to the territory which you would like defend. I understand it works to the range of 500 sq.ft. and I am sure it would work well to prevent the birds reaching out to your windowsill. After reading all these things do you feel that certain things in life are good to watch from a distance only? That includes PIGEONS! F a) “Collateralised Debt Obligation”* explained by an Irishman. Paddy bought a donkey from a farmer for £100. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. In the morning he drove up and said, 'Sorry son, but I have some bad news. The donkey's died.' Paddy replied, 'Well just give me my money back then.' The farmer said, 'Can't do that. I've already spent it.' Paddy said, 'OK then, just bring me the dead donkey.' The farmer asked, 'What are you going to do with him?' Paddy said, 'I'm going to raffle him off.' The farmer said, 'You can't raffle a dead donkey!' Paddy said, 'Sure I can. Watch me. I just won't tell anybody he's dead.' A month later, the farmer met up with Paddy and asked, 'What happened with that dead donkey?' Paddy said, 'I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at £2 each and made a profit of £898' The farmer said, 'Didn't anyone complain?' Paddy said, 'Just the guy who won. So I gave him his £2 back.' Paddy now works for Morgan Stanley. *Forward received from S Thyagarajan Chennai b) THE MENU AT A PANIPURI SHOP* 1) Pani Puri-- Rs.10 2) Special Pani Puri - Rs.12 3) Very Special Pani Puri - Rs. 15. 4) Extra Special Pani Puri - Rs. 18. 5) Double Extra Special Pani Puri - Rs. 20 6) Sunday Special Pani Puri - Rs. 25 (Sunday only) To check each and every Pani Puri for its different taste, I started eating everyday a different one. But soon I discovered that each and every one had the same taste. Finally one day I asked him the reason for the same taste, and different prices ? Pani Puriwala said: Pani Puri cost. . . . Rs 10 Special Pani Puri means spoons are washed. Very Special Pani Puri means spoons and plates both are washed. Extra Special Pani Puri means washing hands before putting the Pani Puri in washed plates & serving with washed spoons. Double Extra Special Pani Puri means clean drinking water is provided separately. Then I asked What is Sunday Special ? Pani Puri wala said : "Only on Sundays , I take bath... !!" ********************************** SOORYA SOORYA SOORYA DAILY BULLETIN 9 th June 2021 കളിയും കാര്യവും ______________________________ *Forward received from Sudha Warrier Mumbai G Sanskrit Quotes https://resanskrit.com/sanskrit-shlok-popular-quotes-meaning-hindi-english/ Like : https://resanskrit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/25.04.2021_web-1024x1024.jpg पिपीलिकार्जितं धान्यं मक्षिकासञ्चितं मधु । लुब्धेन सञ्चितं द्रव्यं समूलं हि विनश्यति ॥ Transliteration: pipīlikārjitaṃ dhānyaṃ makṣikāsañcitaṃ madhu। lubdhena sañcitaṃ dravyaṃ samūlaṃ hi vinaśyati॥ English Translation: Grain collected by ants, honey collected by bees, and wealth accumulated by a greedy person, will all be destroyed along with its source.​