Warrier's Collage March 27, 2022

Welcome To Warrier's COLLAGE On Sunday, March 27, 2022 1) African Wild Life Film https://youtu.be/XecXIfL8ZQ8 2) A Flower House in Wayanad https://youtu.be/F2lDryrR1QU (Link Courtesy : T J Kurup Thiruvananthapuram) 3) Sharada Thampi on stage https://youtu.be/-x1Kn2Yxyww (Sharada is daughter of my friend Dr P K Thampi Thiruvananthapuram) Good Morning Happy Birthday to all readers having Birthday during the week ending Saturday April 2, 2022. Best Wishes. Four days Collage holiday has made today's edition obese. Delete/skip what's repeat and proceed! My book "Restoring Trust in Governance"* is scheduled to be released in Thiruvananthapuram on April 2, 2022. The book was published in 2020, but formal release got delayed for reasons beyond my control. Nice Day M G Warrier *https://www.amazon.in/dp/1636335896/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_53ATWZ38NG7R85YCJWHZ A 1) T N C Rangarajan Shared a link : https://www.computerworld.com/article/2975137/26-time-saving-tips-for-the-chrome-android-browser.html 2) Media Response Budget priorities March 25, 2022 Budget priorities* This refers to the report "PLI Schemes must be studied more closely" (The Hindu Business Line, March 25). The point Dr Raghuram Rajan is making has multiple implications. It stands to reason to argue that we are far behind in literacy level and progress in literacy level will help economic growth. There are live examples like Kerala around. Developed countries do not hide their disinterest in the industrial growth of countries like India. By taking their brief and advising to divert budgetary resources meant for industrial/infrastructure development to education or healthcare, Rajan is showing himself in poor light. A person of his background and experience inside the country should have shared possible avenues to find resources to fund infrastructure projects without affecting basic priorities like education and healthcare. M G Warrier Thiruvananthapuram *Published : https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article65259494.ece B V Babusenan's Column : A birdwatcher My mind takes me twenty years back to the thrilling moments when my first book saw the light of day. I shared my joy with R C Menon, a close friend of my Bangalore days, by sending him a complimentary copy knowing very well that he would not read it. He was a good conversationalist, an excellent table-tennis player, a connoisseur of wines and a rare person who was ever willing to help anyone. But reading books was alien corn for him. During our pretty long association, I could not even once see him in the company of books. Yet, I sent a copy of my book-that too a bulky one- to him as I was confident that he would be immensely pleased with an old friend's achievement. I was surprised to get a lengthy response. He got my book and was pleased with the cover picture of Bertrand Russell drawn by a relation of mine who was a reputed artist. Beyond that, he assured me that I should not harbour any hope that he would read the book, knowing him well. He wrote : "Mr.Senan, I still remember your having told me once that, after retirement, you would write a book on Russell. I feel exceedingly happy that you fulfilled your wish. The proof lies on my lap. I have no doubt that it will bring you many accolades. After retirement," he continued, "Nirmala and I(sic. he married a Kannadiga lady and they were issueless) shifted to her ancestral house in Muddenahalli, a small town near Bengaluru, famous as the birthplace of the great Visvesvarayya. It is a sprawling old house situated at the middle of a vast compound full of fruit-bearing and other trees. Just in front of the veranda where we spend much of our wakeful time where she read books and I sit brooding after glancing through the day's newspapers, amidst the tall mango and jackfruit trees, there stands a boxwood tree, the favourite haunt of all sorts of South Indian birds-the blue-tailed bee-eaters, blue-capped rock thrushes, brown-busted fly catchers, black-crested bulbuls, pale-footed bush warblers and so on. How a person who never looked at nature for joy, could roll out names of birds like this, you may wonder. Thereby hangs a tale. On my 60th birthday, something like a miracle happened. My dear wife, on that day, gave me a fine binoculars suggesting that I put it to good use watching the many birds visiting our trees. On that very day I got a parcel from my niece in Delhi. It was a book by name 'Fall of a Sparrow' written by Dr. Salim Ali, the great ornithologist. It was his autobiography and my niece said in her letter that, as I live in the company of birds, this book may inspire me to become one like Salim Ali. I tried to laugh it away but Nirmala said : "It is not that trifle as you think. This coincidence has some significance. I read this book before we left Bengaluru. Salim Ali never wanted, even in his dreams, to become an ornithologist. There occurred an incident that changed his life." She narrated that incident to me. It was like this : Salim Ali was about nine or ten when, with an airgun, he shot a sparrow. As he was a 'Godfearing little Muslim',in his own words, he took it to his uncle to ensure that it was permitted meat. The bird had an yellow patch on its throat which house sparrows do not generally have. Unable to clear his doubt, the uncle sent him with the dead bird to the Secretary of the Bombay Natural History Society for identification. It turned out to be an Yellow-throated Sparrow. The Society and its benevolent Secretary impressed the boy so much that, from that very moment, he started taking interest in birds and birdwatching. The rest is history. I have now with me his 'Book of Indian Birds'*, beautifully illustrated. Dear Mr Senan, My life has changed. Sitting on my arm-chair at the veranda, I brood no more. I am in constant company with my winged arboreal visitors. I enjoy their pranks. Nirmala helps me with her camera and takes down faithfully every comment of mine about my avian friends. Ornithologist means much more than a mere birdwatcher. I feel quite satisfied to belong to the latter category. The thrush, the treepie, the koel, the bulbul, the warbler, the robin and the myna feed me with such music as fills my mind with an ecstacy that that I cherish beyond anything in the sunset phase of my life." *Book of Indian Birds : https://www.amazon.in/dp/0195637313/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_ZR9VW7NXEW5ZZQC61S48 Excerpts : Review "Essential for anyone travelling to India or any student of birds of that country and region."--Bird Watcher's Digest "Birders, ornithologists, wildlife photographers, and ecotourists visiting India or the Indian Subcontinent will need this essential field reference. Most highly recommended."--Wildlife Activist "Undoubtedly the best field guide for India and adjacent areas. The descriptions and illustrations are mostly good to excellent...Strongly recommended to larger public libraries and to universities where there is an active interest in ornithology."--Choice "Essential for anyone travelling to India or any student of birds of that country and region."--Bird Watcher's Digest "Birders, ornithologists, wildlife photographers, and ecotourists visiting India or the Indian Subcontinent will need this essential field reference. Most highly recommended."-- Also remembered the regular "Induchoodan"* articles on Birds of Kerala published for years in Mathrubhumi Weekly. 🙏-Warrier *K K Neelakantan (1923 - 14 June 1992) better known by his pen name Induchoodan, was a leading Indian ornithologist. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of the environmental movement in Kerala for popularizing bird study through his books written in Malayalam C Current Affairs : 1) Reserve Bank Innovation Hub https://m.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_SpeechesView.aspx?Id=1202 Inauguration of the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) (Inaugural Address delivered by Shri Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India at the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub - March 24, 2022, Bengaluru) Vishnu Kelkar adds, quoting Economic Times : The RBI has set up an innovation hub in Bangaluru to promote technology in the financial services sector and build an ecosystem to develop prototypes, patents and proof of concepts. "The RBIH is an investment for the future," Governor Shaktikanta Das said in his inaugural speech on Thursday. "The hub is expected to build an ecosystem to develop prototypes, patents and proofs of concept and promote cross thinking spanning regulatory domains and national boundaries," Das said. "This initiative puts RBI in an exclusive group of select global central banks that are enterprising enough to change the mode of engagement while dealing with innovation," said Das. (News from ET bureau) VNKelkar 2) Life Positive : Suma Verghese https://youtu.be/YmpMMrxv7Iw 3) Earth Hour 2022 : https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/information/story/earth-hour-day-2022-date-theme-measures-and-history-1929646-2022-03-26 EARTH HOUR DAY 2022: DATE Every year, on the last Saturday in March, Earth Hour is observed. The date for Earth Hour in 2022 is Saturday, March 26, 2022. At 8:30 p.m. local time, Earth Hour will begin and end at 9:30 p.m. local time. EARTH HOUR DAY 2022: THEME Earth Hour 2022 will be planned to achieve a specific goal. The topic for Earth Hour 2022 will be "Shape Our Future." This is a pivotal year for everyone and our world. It is up to us to #ShapeOurFuture by raising awareness about the serious issues impacting our world today. 4) Overheard* Why all big countries suddenly are trying to connect with India? I do not know, what is cooking on International front, but first time I have seen that host of top influential countries trying to connect with India either through call of visits of top officials. Just see the sequence of events in the last 21 days and all these events are sudden. not declared earlier. 1. Since 24th Feb 2022, Russian President, Vladimir Putin has spoken to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi at least 4 times. 2. 2. Ukranian President talking with Narendra Modi atleast 2 times and appealing for help. He in fact invoked Mahabharat and Gandhi while asking for help. 3. India is the only country, who is able to evacuate all its citizens (at least 14,000 dd from war torn Ukraine without humanitarian corridors established between Russia and Ukraine. In fact, if reports are to be believed then India also successfully evacuated citizens of other countries. 4. Russia offered massive 25-30% discount on oil to India and also for the first time, borne expenses towards shipment and insurance of oil consignment. 5. US President Joe Biden, tries to bulldoze India by indicating that India importing Russian Oil when US has imposed sanctions is not good for India and within 2 days back tracks on the threat by saying, we understand India's economic compulsions and not against Indian import of Russian oil which is due to economic consideration. 6. MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) hitting back hard at US on their uncalled advice of not to import Russian Oil & US keeping quiet and not saying a word. 7. 7. Brahmos missile hits Pakistan without warhead and India declares it was some malfunction. Pakistan first tries to make noise about the incidence, but after US declares that such malfunction can be possibility, entire world ignores incident. (Frankly, I do not believe that it was a malfunction, because Pakistan first tries to make noise about the incidence, but after US declares that such malfunction can be possibility, entire world ignores incident. (Frankly, I do not believe that it was a malfunction, because when any missile is fired, it gets tracked closely. In this case, Indian radar operator not tracking and informing a malfunction is a mystery despite the missile remaining 14 minutes in air and flight path showing a steep 90 deg turn). Also, Chinese radars on Pakistan soil were also not able to detect.) 8. Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida suddenly visits India on a short 2 day trip along with big delegates. He and his team lands in Delhi at 400 pm and by 700 pm commits and signs deals worth US$ 42 Bn. 9. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Yi and team plans to visit India next week and has sought a meeting with External Affairs Minister, S. Jayshankar and NSA, Ajit Dowal. 10. And now latest, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will be on 4 day visit to India from April 2nd onwards. (This was announced just a few hours back). One common thing in all these visits is all visits are unscheduled visits and decided just a week before visits. (Normally such high level visits get planned at least a few months in advance). So what has happened suddenly? Has India become so important to all countries including biggies like US, Russia and China or does the world want India to either play an active role in stopping the war or be on their side and agree with their perspective? Ramadurai D Story Time with Vathsala Jayaraman Ramayana : Myth Or History? This story of Rama, a historical biography, as narrated by Narada, which Valmiki uses as a prologue to his epic. Creativity distinguishes Valmiki’s poetic epic from Narada’s factual report. Rama is not a God, either to Narada or to Valmiki. But Valmiki is a poet. He goes on to elaborate the story in poetry, partially deifying Rama and creating the Ramayana. Around 1,000 BCE, no writer had the means to travel around the country, listing local plants and animals, inventing a story and fitting it into local folklore, least of all building a temple to commemorate Rama’s visit. Rama, Lakshmana and Sita first went to Sringaverapura (in Uttar Pradesh) where they met Guha the Nishada. The Nishadas were hunters and fishermen. Thereafter, the three wandered through Dandakaranya in central India, described as a land of rakshasas, obviously tribes inimical to the encroachment of their land. Munda tribes are still found in these forests. Several places maintain memories of Valmiki’s description of Rama’s visit. The trio reached Nasik on the River Godavari, where Rama and Sita used to bathe at Ramkund, Lakshmana at Lakshmankund, and several caves in the area are associated with their forest life. Kishkinda is a major Ramayana site, where every rock and river is associated with the epic. Parts of the bridge—the Nala sethu, as named by Rama— are still visible : NASA’s satellite has photographed an underwater bridge in the Palk Straits connecting Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar. The Mahabharata says it was protected out of respect for Rama, while several Chola and other rulers mention it. Several scientific bodies, including the National Remote Sensing Agency, have suggested that it was man-made. It lasted as a footbridge between India and Sri Lanka till 1480 CE when a major storm washed away parts of the bridge (according to CD Maclean, Manual of Madras Presidency, 1902). The bear and the monkey people were totemic tribes—after all, The Ramayana belongs to a period when most of India was jungle with tribal forest dwellers. “Sri Lankan folklore and religious scholars have identified more than 30 places on the island which are associated with the Ramayana. Why doubt connections when literature, archaeology and local tradition meet? Why doubt the connection between Nala-setu and Rama, when nobody else in Indian history or tradition has claimed its construction? So how did Indian history become myth? Early officers of the East India Company (EIC), such as Warren Hastings, were deeply influenced by Indian culture. While Hastings captured India for the Company, he was also captured by what he learned of Hinduism, and the change was described as the ‘Brahminisation of the Englishmen’ by the Board of Directors of the EIC. Between 1806 and 1808, the Company organised a debate among the officers returning from India on the high morality of the Hindus. Thirty papers of over 100 pages each were submitted. Shocked, they decided to control the situation by demeaning Indian history, culture, knowledge and spiritual influence. So, in 1813, JS Mill and Charles Grant were appointed to write the History of British India, where almost all Sanskrit literature was described as mythical. This book formed the syllabus for English administrators who had to pass through East India College (later, Haileybury and Imperial Service College) before leaving England. It also became a part of the educational syllabi of Indian schools and colleges, teaching Indians to despise their history as mythology. Further, the Reverend James Ussher, Archbishop of Ireland, had fixed October 23rd, 4004 BCE as the date of the creation of the earth. So anything that claimed to be earlier had to be a figment of imagination. Tamil Sangam literature (200 BCE-200 CE)—Aganaanuru, Puranaanuru and Silappadikaaram—refer to Rama frequently, comparing various situations to Rama’s life. Various inscriptions by Tamil rulers, such as those of the Cholas, refer to Rama and the Nala setu with pride. Al-Beruni, who visited India in the 11th century, also says that Rama built the dyke (setu) to Lanka. Only a mortal could have done that. Did Rama exist? Yes, I am quite sure he did. Rama’s life was a fact. His divinity is a matter of faith. Rama’s memory lives on because of his extraordinary life and persona, and his reign, which was obviously a period of great peace and prosperity, making ‘Rama Rajya’ a reference point. People only remember the very good or the very bad. And they only deify the best. Vathsala Jayaraman E Spirituality/Faith 1) V T Panchapagesan : Sunday Collage SUNDAY COLLAGE Science and our Living are The Two eyes behind the game of Life… Science is the intellectual and practical activity. It encompasses Study of the structure and behavior of the physical World through observation and experiment.. The Purpose of Living is not to make a living but to make a life worthy of living.. Service through physical body, Sincerity in action through mental and senses control through Buddhi or intellect understanding Self within… All combined make Living the purpose for which we are born… Intelligent people know that winning the game of life is much more than a question of luck or chance.. But while many have the Will to succeed, few have the requisite Strategy …Specifically the mindset that can serve as an ideal incubator for all the tips and techniques available in the market…. More we can learn from Swami Swaroopananda, present head, Chinmaya Mission.. People who are practical do not simply sit around and keep wondering about the uncertain future. Rather, they acknowledge what they have, their dreams and available resources, their conditions and circumstances. The material gain was in fact incidental to the fulfillment of spiritual duty.. Thus we can apply our mind that the science of life management actually addresses all aspects of our life. The immense wealth of knowledge embodied in the scriptures is made known by our personal achievement and in service of the world reflecting the brilliance of The Infinite that lies at the heart of us all. V T Panchapagesan 2) Dr Charan Singh https://twitter.com/CharanSingh60/status/1506726257136140290?s=20&t=_rBxS6bZLiE_V0TfQqJX7A Unity in Diversity - 200 जीह त पर सकयथ जीह गुर अमरु भणिजै नैण त पर सकयथ नयणि गुरु अमरु पिखिजै स्रवण त पर सकयथ स्रवणि गुरु अमरु सुणिजै Tongue is useful if it praises Guru Eyes are useful if focussed on Guru Ears are useful if listening to Guru Bard Jalaap, 1394, SGGS https://twitter.com/CharanSingh60/status/1507088162795188224?s=20&t=jQg7wKIbcQFyYA1wfBRlwg Unity in Diversity - 201 हमरो करता रामु सनेही काहे रे नर गरबु करत हहु बिनसि जाइ झूठी देही All-pervasive Almighty Creator is our beloved/protector Oh human being, why take pride, this false (transitory) body will perish Namdev, Dhanasri, 692, SGGS https://twitter.com/CharanSingh60/status/1507446375822532608?s=20&t=M0UmGQWzE_Awdp9uXhSw1g Unity in Diversity - 202 मीन भ्रिंग पतंग कुंचर एक दोख बिनास पंच दोख असाध जा महि ता की केतक आस Deer, fish, bumblebee, moth, elephant get destroyed just because of one vice each Any hope for human, who has 5 vices? Ravidas, Rag Assa, 486, SGGS F Leisure 1) Soorya Film Festival 2022-23 111 DAY LONG SOORYA FESTIVAL 2022 STARTS ON 21 ST SEPTEMBER 2022 111 DAY LONG SOORYA FESTIVAL 2023 STARTS ON 21 ST SEPTEMBER 2023 2 YEAR MEMBERSHIP, VALID FOR BOTH THE FESTIVALS, AVAILABLE NOW. PLEASE CONTACT MINI, ACCOUNTS OFFICER +91 95676 60829 MEMBERSHIP FEE, AS CHEAP AS RS.500 PER PERSON PER YEAR X 2 YEARS = RS.1000 X 2 PERSONS = RS.2000 ( WE ISSUE ONLY COUPLE MEMBERSHIPS) REGISTRATION FEE RS.1000, (ONE TIME PAYMENT) EXTRA VALIDITY OF THE PRESENT MEMBERSHIP , EXTENDED UP TO 31ST DECEMBER 2023.. 2) Humour* I asked my new girlfriend what sort of books she's interested in. She said - Cheque books duly signed. The easiest way to make your old car run better, is to check the prices of new cars. Q: What's the difference between a good lawyer and a great lawyer? A: A good lawyer knows the law. B: A great lawyer knows the judge. Definition of Nurse : A beautiful woman who holds your hand for one full minute and then expects your pulse to be normal. Boss:- We are very keen on cleanliness. Did you wipe your feet on the mat as you came in? New employee: Yes, sir. Boss: We are also keen on truthfulness. There is no mat. Q: Why dogs don't marry? A: Because they are already leading a dog's life! Q: What's the similarity between mother & wife? A: One woman brings you into the world crying *&* the other ensures you continue to do so throughout your life. What's the difference between a good secretary and a personal secretary? One says "Good morning, boss". The other says "It's morning, boss." Keep smiling always.... And hope It's time to be 3) Don't Wait* Don’t wait for someone to complete you nor be a part of you. Don’t wait until someone comes in to fill your missing pieces. Don’t wait for your talents to be recognized by someone. Don’t wait till your beauty is admired by someone. Don’t wait for the appreciation or the applauses from someone. Don’t wait for someone to wipe off your tears. Don’t wait for someone to pave you the way. Don’t plan your dreams to be fulfilled by someone, do not wait…. …the someone is you-YOURSELF! Vathsala Jayaraman 4) SMILE* Doctor: "I have some bad news and some worse news." Patient: "Well, might as well give me the bad news first." Doctor: "The lab called with your test results. They said you have 24 hours to live." Patient: "24 Hours! That's horrible! What could be worse?" "I've been trying to reach you since yesterday." *Received from A P Ramadurai Cheñnai 2) Nutty language this English*... Many a times it drives you mad/ kills you harmlessly!! Read further at your risk... Points to Ponder : 1 When you say "a, e, i, o, u" your mouth gets smaller with each vowel you say ! 2 You don't really wash your hands; ... they wash each other while you stand there and watch... 3 Things are not on fire,...fire is on things ! 4 When you say 'Forward' or 'Backward',... your lips move in those directions!(yes,...just like that !!) 5 The word 'Australia' has three A's,... all of which look the same, but are... pronounced differently ! (surprised ??) 6 If You rip a hole in a net, there are actually fewer holes in it than before ! 7 The sentence "All the faith he had had had had no effect on the outcome of his life."... is actually correct !! (getting too much??)_ 8 Sometimes you have to sing the whole alphabet in your head ... just to find the next letter !! 9“Dammit I'm Mad" backwards is still "Dammit I'm Mad". (and that's the condition you have almost reached !!) _ 10 Nothing is behind your Back. IT is always in front of your back !! (Now that's stretching it a little bit too far !!)_ 11 Most of the time the people who tell you to calm down are the same people that made you angry in the first place !! (Yeah... You got that RIGHT !!) 12 Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is not fun to say, but ironically, this is the medical term for the fear of long words !! (Nailed it ??... Right ??)_ *, Shared by Dr Chitra Nashik (Impact on me : After reading this, I declared a four day long holiday for Collage. Still searching for the dictionaries and the 1959 copy of Wren & Martin all of which I'm going to shred and make bricks or plywood. If I get good pension arrears, I will buy as many copies of dictionaries and grammar books and destroy them too. That's the only symbolic protest I can articulate for the hurt feelings I get after Dr Chitra explained to me that there's nothing behind my back 🙏-Warrier) https://www.esamskriti.com/e/Spirituality/Brihadaranyaka-Upanishad/Brihadaranyaka-Upanishad-(12)~Yajnavalkya~Kanda~Chapter-Iii-4.aspx G Quotes on classical dance https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/classical-dance.html Like : Indian classical dance is sustained by a profound philosophy. Form seeks to merge with the formless, motions seek to become a part of the motionless, and the dancing individual seeks to become one with the eternal dance of the cosmos. Nita Ambani How Nita Ambani danced her way through an epic weight loss journey – and into Mukesh's heart To help her youngest son Anant Ambani lose weight ahead of his 21st birthday, Nita joined him on his lifestyle overhaul and shed over 40kg herself Nita danced at the weddings of daughter Isha to Anand Piramal, and of son Akash to Shloka Mehta, in front of Bollywood stars Priyanka Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan H Holy Fool : R Jayakumar It appears that a Holy Fool is a person who doesn't care for his own genuine benefits but sacrifices the same so that someone else/others get benefitted in a different way out his sacrifice. This I came to understand after going through Madam Vathsala's forward on April Fool and Warrier Sir's response* to Laugh a Little. In some way, Mr Warrier looks to me like a Holy Fool as he sacrifices his many medical claims because he needs to use the time meant for filling the claim forms for collecting materials to frame his Collage bulletin to satisfy the admirers and readers of the Warrier's Collage. Loss out of cancellation of Air tickets and online purchases are because we are made real April Fools by the Airlines and the Amazons. There are times when we realise that each one of us has acted as a Holy Fool at one point of time or other in our life, like when we offered our window seat or lower berth in a train to someone who pretended to be sick who later used it for eating and chatting together happily with his/her family through out the journey while sat and slept clumsily in an uncomfortable upper or middle berth.. In my case I am of the habit not to rush to join any queue to claim something on first come first served basis or to take a seat in the table where first round of food is being served in a function. The intention is to help others in a hurry to be satisfied first. But many times found the stock getting over before I could reach the counter. Being modest before others also is being a Holy Fool. When I was small I learnt from my first religious lessons that I should always be humble in life and ready to shoulder the sufferings of others and come forward to take responsibility for others mistakes. Once it so happened that my elder brother dropped on the floor some valuable crockery brought from Ceylon breaking it into pieces. Fearing that my mother would scold and beat him he vanished from the house. When my mother came in and angrily questioned who broke the costly item I remembered my religious instructions and didn't want to point out my missing brother but told that it was I who broke the crokery and quietly accepted the scolding and beating from my mother. My mother and my elder brother are no more but they never came to know how I behaved a Holy Fool on that day, before leaving this world. The fact of life is that we can at least become Holy Fools in life if not Saints. If you have similar experience of becoming a Holy Fool in life, within the family or outside, it is time to share with the group. Shri Warrier has already given the lead! Thank you Sir!! R Jayakumar *I think Jayakumar is referring to this : "Let me share some personal finance experiences with you. The context is the joke : "Today I donated my watch, phone and $500 to a poor guy. You don't know the happiness I felt as I saw him put his knife back in his pocket." shared by Jayakumar. During the last two years, I have lost substantial money in various ways, like : 1) Loss on account of cancellation of airtickets. 2) Substantial amount lost because I couldn't submit medical claims properly and on time. 3) Loss on account of purchases of essential things I made online. All these losses didn't affect me. This is how : Since the beginning of last decade, I am maintaining a small corpus for donations. I opened this account with a donation of Rs10,000 from my income. When I get a windfall gain, I credit to that fund. When I incur a loss on account of theft, pickpocket or one of the above reasons, I debit this account. This account is in credit balance now." M G Warrier