Jai Ho seems to have become the new anthem and I am happy because I used the term to announce the birth of my grandson Jai when he was born 5 years ago!


I saw The curious life of Benjamin Button! Loved the movie...the make-up, story, photography definitely deserve the awards!

Aunty Gopi is 88 years going on 16!
Yes, you have to see her to believe her.
She was my mother's cousin sister and she affectionately and naughty that she still is, would ask my mother, what she did to get a daughter like me...ahem ahem collars up!
Anyway she baffles even her doctors...Her doc asked her what time she goes to bed and she answered...At night I speak to my grand children who live in America. Who sleeps?
Her hair is impeccably combed and I am sure she does not come anywhere until she has her hair done at the parlour and her hair buckles are exactly where she wants them!
But boy is she affectionate...She has the right words for the right people and she is full of blessings!
She is one woman to remember...never forget...not that she has not had her share of problems. Her daughters gave her a surprise birthday party and we sang...
"Bhaaron phool barsaao hamari Aunty Aayee hai"
and anyaan ta ait maan nandhree aahyan ( I am still too young...)
Oh yes praising her daughters I said, today we live at a time when we feel sorry for couples without daughters...Aana hamaare desh Laado!
Alongside Aarti Asha(Poonam) Aunty Gopi and myself

Shivratri on 23rd February

Maha Shivratri is the longest and darkest night of the month. It is the night on which Shivji and Parvati tied the knot and became 'One'. Hence it is symbolic of the meeting of the Soul with the Almighty.

Shivratri is also called Shiv Jayanti which means: The Birth night of God'

Darkness (Shivratri) or you may call it a 'Vast Emptiness' is all pervasive, present everywhere, like God.

Creation takes birth in this 'Vast Emptiness'

Darkness and Light is worshipped as creation and destruction.

Shivji is also called 'Rudra' which means 'The one who destroys evil and sorrow.

Shivji is called Pashupati: The Lord of all animals and Living Beings.

Parvati had to perform a lot of penance in order to wed Shivji.

Shivji is called Ardhnarishwara.
Read more,
Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/shivratri.htm

Though I live very close by, I did not realize that one could travel in time by visiting the Annie Besant Hall. It is near Opera House and off Hughes Rd.
God!nothing seems to have changed in the Theosophical Hall since probably 1930s...
I was invited to watch a presentation on Dimensions of Peace and Violence by Mr Homi Dhalla. Homi Dhalla is enthusiastic about promoting Peace and he has visited the UN as well as the Vatican a number of times. He has had the good fortune of having met the Pope!
I thought that the photographs and matter was well compiled...



Listening to the Singers induced peace!

Read about 'Gems of all Religions' Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/articles/interfaith_dialogue.htm

About 30 years ago I started a Singing group along with enthusiastic friends. We figured if we can get together to play cards, gossip, cook why not to sing?
We were about 8 of us. Aunty Gopi joined us 6 months later and trained us to sing while she accompanied us on the harmonium. She was more than a teacher. She was a friend to each and every one of us. All confided in her and she held everyones' secrets close to her heart and urged us to sing....
She passed on and some of our friends passed on...but we persevered...God sent us teachers and good singers along the way...Meenu Gidwani joined us and urged us to improve...though all of us were amateurs people continue to flock to our bhajan kirtan and claim that we are very good...I think we are not great singers but we sing from the heart and touch the listeners'
Today we have been joined by 3 beautiful enthusiastic singers. Sapna, Bhavna, Aarti...and God maybe want us to go on and on ...

I attended the premiere of Slum dog millionaire...Loved the starry energy of the event.
My first impression of the movie: Why does the majority of India have to live like this?
When I discussed it with my children, they felt that it is a movie of hope...and dreaming and love achieving the almost seemingly impossible...
All in all a must see movie and one that you will not forget...

Alongside, Mr Narayan Varma (Right to information) and Mr Julio Ribeiro at a 'Citizens take charge' meeting which I attended and have joined...

The crux of all the documentation is that CTC for now will be taking up three main tasks i.e.

- Police reforms and Accountability from Bureaucrats – J. F. Ribeiro
- Voter Registration for the forthcoming elections – Gerson D' Cunha
- Implementation of Disaster Management Plans – DM Sukhtakar

What we need is to set up atleast 20 Groups of 50 – 100 persons each in different areas of the city. The groups will ideally meet once a month to discuss and give feedback on the papers that will be circulated by the CTC core group on the above subjects. The objective is to get as many people as possible involved in the movement and who will, when required, mobilise to bring pressure on Government. Mr. Raja Bunch has agreed to form and head a group in Borivali IC Colony and Mr. Darshan Hemani in Mulund. Mr. Mahendra Parekha and Mr. Upendra Menon have also volunteered complete support.

Had an opportunity of listening to Brahmakumari Neha recently.
A few of the interesting points she pointed out:
Mind creates 20 to 25 thoughts per minute in a normal state.
During stress the thoughts produced, increase.
So energy reduces...
Believe:
I have positive energy that can control negative energy...
Keep reminding yourself:
I am a Peaceful soul
Visualize:
A shining star in the center of the forehead.

Remember:
Pain is a gift because it makes one stronger and more powerful
Pain makes one closer to oneself because one talks with God...

Alongside Swami Nirmal Chetan. I have known him for nearly 40 years! He was in Bombay (Mulund) for a few days, so ofcourse I went to visit him...He lives in Delhi and Amritsar. Swamiji has given me Spiritual guidance all along the way. He is the most egoless Swami I have known...
He is now 86 years old and in physical pain. He says that he has made the 'pain' his companion. So it does not make him unhappy.
My friend asked him, why God has kept us away from him?
He answered Bhagwan kehte hain: Maine door nahin rakha...(main ne(aapke main , ego ne) door rakha hai...meaning God is not far our ego keeps Him away from us!
Do read about him more!
Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/in_touch_with_masters/swami_nirmal_chetan.htm