Warrier's Collage May 4, 2022

Welcome To Warrier's COLLAGE On WEDNESDAY May 4, 2022 Lovely Indigo https://youtu.be/bf7WT6TLy8s (Why Indigo is on the Rainbow?) Good Morning There'll be no regular issue of Collage tomorrow(May 5, 2022) Nice Day M G Warrier Thought* for the Day : "Akbar asked Birbal to look for five biggest idiots in his state and produce them in his court within a month. After a month's extensive search operations, Birbal brought to the court only two people! "But I asked for five", Akbar angrily asked. "Give me a chance to present them one by one", Birbal pleaded and went on to present his idiots : "Maharaj, this man, while travelling in a bullock cart, was keeping his luggage on his head so as not to hurt the bullocks. He is the first idiot. (In corporate parlance , the ones who take all load on themselves and not delegate). Pointing to the second man Birbal continued, "And this man here is the second idiot. Some grass grew on the roof of his thatched house and he was trying to force his cow climb up a ladder to graze on them." ( In corporate parlance, these are those who set unrealistic targets and force others to achieve it without realising their capabilities and competency). Birbal continued, "Maharaj, there were a lot of important jobs for me to do in the state, but I ignored them and wasted a precious month in searching for idiots. According to me I am the third idiot." ( Idiots who rush obediently for wrong job assignments without any qualms). Birbal paused here for a moment. "Who are the fourth and fifth idiots?", Akbar thundered. "Beg your pardon, Maharaj", Birbal continued, "You are the King and are responsible for the wellbeing of the entire state and its people. You need wise persons to help you oversee the state affairs. Instead of looking for wise people you engaged me to look for idiots. According to me you are the fourth idiot. ( Bad leaders who make poor strategies and want idiots to follow blindly). And, Maharaj, the person who is glued to this Whatsapp, keeping aside all his high priority assignments, oblivious of pressing needs of his family, just to learn who is the fifth idiot, is the fifth idiot himself. What do you say, Maharaj?" Birbal concluded. Akbar said, "Post it immediately. Tomorrow is holiday for Collage!" *Shared by Dr T V Gopalakrishnan A Messages/Responses 1) More about Santosh Trophy https://m.economictimes.com/definition/santosh-trophy/amp 2) V R Chittanandam Very good message from Shri P.Yoossef on this day of Eidul Fithr. My sincere thanks to him. Chittanandam 3) K Ramasubramanian Absolutely correct madam. A sincere prayer never goes unanswered. Make the heart clean, think clearly, act properly, pray sincerely with complete faith . God will answer to what you deserve to get. 4) Dr T V Gopalakrishnan https://econo-reflexions.blogspot.com/2022/05/equality-and-inequality-in-wealth.html?m=1 5) Media Response May 3, 2022 Transparent succession plans This refers to the report "Berkshire shareholders look beyond Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger"(The Hindu Business Line, May 3). As the two have respectively crossed 90 and 97, no one need worry about succession plans for them. When the inevitable happens, the company will announce their successors. Speculation earlier has no sense when it's about the ultra rich. But are we serious about having succession plans in place? Be it in government, or corporates or in families, we avoid the thought of handing over and taking over, unless there is a legal requirement. Life will be much easier, if we think a step further and have a transparent succession plan to meet any eventuality. M G Warrier Mumbai B R Jayakumar's response Madam Vathsala's story of the Father and the Son (Yahweh and Jesus) playing golf with Moses speaks about God allowing the nature to interfere in our life to help us overcome difficult moments. Those who trust in God will see Him coming directly to rescue in moments of distress. I have given below a common story* which shows how God helps us in person. Greetings to our Muslim brethren who are celebrating a very religious Day. R Jayakumar *"Footprints In The Sand" By : Ilyn One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it: "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The LORD replied: "My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." Author : Carolyn Joyce Carty C Book Review : White Oleander By Janet Fitch http://www.readingonarainyday.com/2010/03/review-white-oleander-by-janet-fitch.html?m=1 Excerpts : On the flap Astrid Magnussen, the teenage narrator of Janet Fitch's engrossing first novel, White Oleander, has a mother who is as sharp as a new knife. An uncompromising poet, Ingrid despises weakness and self-pity, telling her daughter that they are descendants of Vikings, savages who fought fiercely to survive. And when one of Ingrid's boyfriends abandons her, she illustrates her point, killing the man with the poison of oleander flowers. This leads to a life sentence in prison, leaving Astrid to teach herself the art of survival in a string of Los Angeles foster homes. As Astrid bumps from trailer park to tract house to Hollywood bungalow, White Oleander uncoils her existential anxieties. "Who was I, really?" she asks. "I was the sole occupant of my mother's totalitarian state, my own personal history rewritten to fit the story she was telling that day. There were so many missing pieces." Fitch adroitly leads Astrid down a path of sorting out her past and identity. In the process, this girl develops a wire-tight inner strength, gains her mother's white-blonde beauty, and achieves some measure of control over their relationship. Even from prison, Ingrid tries to mold her daughter. Foiling her, Astrid learns about tenderness from one foster mother and how to stand up for herself from another. Bonus : The River is Indigo https://dublinliteraryaward.ie/books/the-river-is-indigo/ About the author Suleiman Manan is a Malaysian and a successful entrepreneur. This work of fiction is inspired by his passion for books and the myriad of novels he has read over the years. The River is Indigo is the fulfilment of a long cherished dream and a personal challenge to himself to write his own novel. At the time of publication of this book he is 78* years old. (*That'll be my age in 2022 🙏-Warrier) D Life 1) Living a happy life Article by Khushwant Singh shared by Kurian Raju, Thiruvananthapuram 😊 How To Live & Die I've often thought about what it is that makes people happy—what one has to do in order to achieve happiness. 1 First and foremost is good health. If you do not enjoy good health, you can never be happy. Any ailment, however trivial, will deduct something from your happiness. 2 Second, a healthy bank balance. It need not run into crores, but it should be enough to provide for comforts, and there should be something to spare for recreation—eating out, going to the movies, travel and holidays in the hills or by the sea. Shortage of money can be demoralising. Living on credit or borrowing is demeaning and lowers one in one's own eyes. 3 Third, your own home. Rented places can never give you the comfort or security of a home that is yours for keeps. If it has garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees and flowers, see them grow and blossom, and cultivate a sense of kinship with them. 4 Fourth, an understanding companion, be it your spouse or a best friend. If you have too many misunderstandings, it robs you of your peace of mind. It is better to accept the differences than to be quarrelling all the time. 5 Fifth, stop envying those who have done better than you in life—risen higher, made more money, or earned more fame. Envy can be corroding; avoid comparing yourself with others. 6 Sixth, do not allow people to descend on you for gossip. By the time you get rid of them, you will feel exhausted and poisoned by their gossip-mongering. 7 Seventh, cultivate a hobby or two that will fulfill you—gardening, reading, writing, painting, playing or listening to music. Going to clubs or parties to get free drinks, or to meet celebrities, is a criminal waste of time. It's important to concentrate on something that keeps you occupied meaningfully. 8 Eighth, every morning and evening devote 20 minutes to meditation or introspection. In the mornings, 10 minutes should be spent in keeping the mind absolutely still, and for listing the things you have to do that day. In the evenings, five minutes should be set aside to keep the mind still and to go over the tasks you had intended to do. 9 Ninth, don't lose your temper. Try not to be short-tempered, or vengeful. Even when a friend has been rude, just move on. 10 Above all, when the time comes to go, one should go like a person without any regret or grievance against anyone. https://kitaab.org/2014/03/21/how-to-live-die-khushwant-singhs-10-rules/ 2) Healthcare Tips* How many people say they don't want to drink anything before going to bed because they have to get up during the night? Something else I didn't know... Why do people have to urinate so much at night? Response from a heart doctor (Cardiologist): "When you stand upright generally there is swelling in the legs, because gravity keeps water in the lowest part of your body. Now if you lie down and your lower body (trunk, legs, etc.) is in level with your kidneys, the kidneys remove the water because it's much easier. That fits the last statement! I knew we need a minimum quantity of water to flush the toxins out of your body, but this was news for me! Then what's the right time to drink water? Knowing it well enough, is very important. Words from a heart specialist....! Drinking water at certain times, maximizes its effects on the body : 1. Two (2) glasses of water after waking up - helps activate the internal organs 2. One (1) glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion 3. One (1) glass of water before bathing - helps to lower blood pressure (who knew that ???) 4. One (1) glass of water before bed - can prevent stroke or heart attack (good to know!) 5. In addition, water at bedtime also helps prevent leg cramps at night. 6. The leg muscles look for moisture when they contract and wake you up with a Charlie Horse (calf cramp). *Received from Balabhaskaran via Group mail🙏-Warrier 3) On aging* : Maya Angelou https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-aging-2/ When you see me sitting quietly, Like a sack left on the shelf, Don't think I need your chattering. I'm listening to myself. Hold! Stop! Don't pity me! Hold! Stop your sympathy! Understanding if you got it, Otherwise I'll do without it! When my bones are stiff and aching, And my feet won't climb the stair, I will only ask one favor: Don't bring me no rocking chair. When you see me walking, stumbling, Don't study and get it wrong. ‘Cause tired don't mean lazy And every goodbye ain't gone. I'm the same person I was back then, A little less hair, a little less chin, A lot less lungs and much less wind. But ain't I lucky I can still breathe in *Shared in Group mail by K N Rajan Kochi E Universal Healthcare https://www.moneylife.in/article/universal-healthcare-when-will-the-government-act/30971.html Excerpts : As the benefit of health insurance and the option to avail of medical facilities in the private sector is presently the privilege of a miniscule percentage of the population, who either work in the organised sector or are in the above poverty line category, such an effort is necessary to increase the outreach of healthcare. Here, coordinating various commercial ventures in health services and government efforts from a social responsibility angle would be necessary. Perhaps, an initiative in this direction could be taken by local chapters of the Indian Medical Association and respective state government health departments. The UK NHS model could be a distant goal. This article was published in 2013. Some of the suggestions in some form have been implemented in India since then. Long way to go. F Leisure https://jokojokes.com/indigo-jokes.html Bonus* A Businessman went to see a politician to get his work done. He said "Sir, we want to present you a brand new car as a quid pro quo for the approval for our work"... Minister : No .... No ... No.... I don't want to get it free. I want to give some money for this car ..... Businessman after high persuasion agreed and said : "Okay sir ! Please give one rupee." The minister did not have change and gave two rupee coin. Businessman jokingly said : "Sorry sir, I have no change of one rupee to return ... " Minister : "No problem..... You give me another car for my wife ...." *Received from S Venugopal via Group mail G Quotes on Indigo 1) Indigo in poetry : http://www.davethepoetonline.com/alphabet-poems/poems-a-z-indigo 2) Indigo Quotes https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/indigo.html Like : It was her first book, an indigo cover with a silver moonflower, an art nouveau flower, I traced my finger along the silver line like smoke, whiplash curves. ... I touched the pages her hands touched, I pressed them to my lips, the soft thick old paper, yellow now, fragile as skin. I stuck my nose between the bindings and smelled all the readings she had given, the smell of unfiltered cigarettes and the espresso machine, beaches and incense and whispered words in the night. I could hear her voice rising from the pages. The cover curled outward like sails. Janet Fitch Janet Fitch is an American author. She wrote the novel White Oleander, which became a film in 2002. She is a graduate of Reed College. Fitch was born in Los Angeles, a third-generation native, and grew up in a family of voracious readers.