Shivji is called 'Bhola' (innocent, kind hearted, easily pleased) because it is believed that He is easily pleased and grants boons instantly (hence he is called Ashutosh). Krishna, in comparison is a difficult God to please. You see Krishna is not interested in rituals. He wants total surrender and Love. So it depends upon what you consider easy or difficult.

For more click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/shivratri.htm

Blessings of Hindi Dadi Nani ki Kahaani




The English Edition of Dadi Nani ki Kahaani was released by Sri L.K.Advani a few years ago.
Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/kids_kahaani/kahaani_intro.htm







Alongside my Didi Janki Indu G.Vee(Husband's sister) who I requested, to bless the Hindi Translation of Dadi Nani ki Kahaani when we celebrated Akshaya Tritiya!

Do scroll down this blog to learn more about my Hindi translated book!

Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/kids_kahaani/DNkk_Hindiscript.pdf

...and here one more good person: Shashi Mahajan.
I met her husband on the internet. He appreciated my Dadi Nani ki Kahaani and remarked that it should be available in Hindi.
I asked: Would you like to do it? and he replied that his wife would...and you know what? obviously Hari's Icchhaa was also there so the Hindi version of Dadi Nani ki Kahaani saw the light of day.
Click:

http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/kids_kahaani/DNkk_Hindiscript.pdf

AN NGO WITH A DIFFERENCE Here is a photo in which Shashi is sitting guard of 2 sets of gifts. ( Atempts were made to steal some items).

Eight marriages, 8 baraats, 8 brides, 350 plus guests, 8 vedies, 8 pandits, a fairy tale scenario opened up at 10.00 a.m. on 13th April,2008 ( Baisakhi Day) at the Sanatan Dharm Mandir, Janakpuri, New Delhi.
Third in the series of Saral Vivah Mahayagyas, it was organized by the B Block Branch of Bharat Vikas Parishad - an NGO - with a difference. Last year it was 5 and the previous year it was 4 such marriages organized.

Identifying the needy would - be couples is an onorous task which is achieved with the help of social workers who actually work at ground level in the slum areas.

Bharat Vikas Parishad is a socio-cultural organization that has pledged to uphold and promote the spiritual and moral values enshrined in our rich heritage. With its first branch established in Delhi in 1963, it presently has a membership of over 30 lakhs all over India and overseas. B Block Janakpuri is one of the most active Branches and had the distinction of winning several awards for its excellent work.

A set of gifts given to each bride included all necessities for setting up a new home.

Let's have an epidemic of goodness

You may wonder why I write good things about my colleages/friends/relatives...because it makes people feel good to be appreciated when they truly deserve it! Because it may inspire people to perform good deeds...The Lord knows that the newspapers are full of heinous acts...so many murders, senseless most of them! Killings in a fit of rage? I read the heart breaking story of the parents of Neeraj Grover who want to see 'their son's killer once in the eye' 14 year old Aarushi's murder, an honour killing???
Oh God! Do join with me and send up a prayer for the ones gone and others left behind...and yes appreciate the good in people you know...good deeds and bad ones are infectious...Let's start an epidemic of goodness...

Some time back trustees of Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity (WMPP)met a dainty dynamic lady (Ms Supriya Sule) who believes in making a difference through quality education. She likes to look into 'taking care' of the progress of children with special needs like dyslexia, autism...and also the running of self-help groups with a difference.

From left: Ms Maya Shahani, Myself, Ms Supriya Sule (daughter of Mr Sharad Pawar) Ms Sunita Godbole, Ms Prema Iyer.
Though all the ladies in the group photograph are worthy of praise for the great work they do, this particular blog is to congratulate Ms Sunita Godbole, our young trustee of WMPP who can accomplish difficult tasks most of the time...because she perseveres and believes in herself.

TRUTH
There are three dimensions ordinarily available to approach truth.
The first dimension creates the scientist…the scientist works with analysis, reason, observation…
The second dimension, …the poet functions through the heart…the Sufis Bauls-they all have an aesthetic approach…hence they have so many beautiful mosques, churches, cathedrals, temples…
(M L Varadpande also states that Indian tradition considers all art to be of divine origin. Art is spiritual in nature and is a blissful way of reaching and staying with God)
The third approach is that of grandeur. The old testament prophets – Moses Abraham Islam’s prophet Mohammed; Krishna and Ram – their approach is through the dimension of grandeur…the awe that one feels looking at the vastness of the universe. The Upanishads, Vedas, they all approach the world of truth through grandeur. They are full of wonder. It is unbelievably there, such grandeur that you simply bow down before it—nothing else is possible…the rarity of a Buddha consists of this—that his approach is a synthesis of all the three and beyond the three.
No belief is required to travel with Buddha…first he convinces your mind…by and by you start feeling that he has a message which is beyond mind…Because of this rational approach he never brings any concept which cannot be proved…Because he has never talked about God, many think that he is an atheist—he is not.
He has not talked about God because there is no way to talk about God.

Buddha
Excerpted from Dhammapada
Osho

Three thoughts I woke up with this morning..it was resounding in me as I woke up.

Chaah gayee, Chintaa mitee, manwa beparvaah, jisey kachhu na chaahiyey wahi Shehen Shah!

Which means:
Desires have gone...Worries dissapeared...He who needs nothing is the real monarch!



Ab man nirmal bhayo jaisey Ganga Neer

Peechhey peechhey Hari phirey

kahat Kabeer Kabeer

kabeer says: My mind has purified like the water of the Ganges...and now the Lord follows me, chanting: Kabeer Kabeer...



and then I received the following:
(An excerpt of an email:

The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

Difficult Questions. Smart Answers


Not really funny, but Me laughing all the same!

I have heard 2 new stories that give me a smart answer to those, who ask me difficult Questions...

I have been conducting spiritual classes.discourses for over 30 years.

My students are asked by family/friends what they learned on that particular day, or the day before, and my students don't remember the points in detail...and that makes them the laughing stock of those who scoff at people 'wasting their time'.

I would answer:

Do you remember what you ate last year/month/day for breakfast/lunch/dinner..? I suppose not. but yet it nurtured your body. Similarly you may not remember what you heard last month/week/year...but it nurtures your soul...

The statement that many people make is that they will go for spiritual discourses when they are old.
A man fell ill and was supposed to take the medicine after breakfast/lunch/dinner...the nurse said she would give all the doses at night in one shot! Do you think that cured him?

Budh Jayanti




Alongside my husband Narain and myself
On the 19th 0f May we celebrate the birth day of Lord Buddha...It also happens to be my husband's Birthday...so do put your hands together for him...
Click to know about Lord Gautama Buddha:

http://www.dalsabzi.com/Message/buddha.htm

http://www.dalsabzi.com/Books/kids_kahaani/great_gurus/buddha.htm

Alongside My mother and myself.
Do click on the link:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/articles/a_mother.htm







Today, the 11 of May is Mother's Day...
so happy Mother's Day...On the 16th of April 2008 I attended the Shiamak Davar Spectacular: I believe.
As you see he is surrounded by beauties...but who did he pay homage to? His mother: Puran Nanabhoy Davar...and for her he sang: Because you loved me...
One seat in the audience is always reserved for Mama Davar...'and it is to her that Shiamak lovingly and unfailingly goes when the cue comes for him to sing the song'
So you macho boys and go-get girls, who never show your feelings, it is time to think of the one who rocks the cradle and rules the world!

Click:

http://www.dalsabzi.com/articles/a_mother.htm

Alongside: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and myself (in a blue saree...)

I like what Sadhguru has to say about Love:
Love essentially means somebody else has become more important than yourself…The moment you say: “I love you” you can no more do what you want in your life.
…Yet love is pleasant, sweet, it drags you in…If you do not annihilate yourself, you will never know love. Some part of you must die. If you don’t let this happen, there is no love, only calculation…however if you get very unreasonable, the other person will slowly back off…But devotion, bhakti is unreasonable love. It is one sided madness. That is the beauty of loving God because you don’t have to have a relationship—you can just love. And if you have a relationship. It’s all on your terms…
When people don’t love they are rigid…when they love, they are willing to surrender their likes, dislikes…you could call it annihilation, liberation, destruction, nirvana…the above is a fantastic spiritual process…
…The idea of looking up and loving Krishna, loving Jesus, having something up there or loving a guru is because you need not have any fear of entanglement from the other side. That is the beauty of devotion. Without some sense of love in you, without some sense of self-annihilation you cannot meditate. If you pull down the whole of what you call as : “myself” you will become absolutely still and transcendent.

Akshaye Tritiya falls on the 7th of May

It occurs on the third day of the bright half of Vaisaakh.
Hindus, Buddhists, Jains celebrate this day.
'AKSHAYE' means 'that which does not diminish
Every minute of the three and a half days is considered sacred.
It is believed that Satya Yuga and Treta Yuga started on this day.
New beginnings like weddings, business ventures, new deals, new audit books, business trips are considered to bring luck. Ved Vyaasa dictated and Lord Ganesha started to write the Mahabharata.
Read more.
Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/akshaya_tritiya_or_akshatrij_or_.htm

PEACE CIRCLE


Alongside View from my room in 'Asia Plateau' where I stayed...Please note the tableland of Panchgani in the background







Alongside Me, on the tableland of Panchgani







Alongside in the picture:
Peno from Nagaland, Priya from Jamshedpur. Jean Brown from Australia, Dawa from Tibet, Sarla from Pune, Zhanna from Russia,Dieky from Tibet, Dolna from Tibet, Youn Jeang from South Korea


I had a wonderful 2 nights stay, and attended a full day Conference
at Panchgani...This beautiful hill station is about a 5 hr drive from Bombay.
I stayed at Asia Plateau a huge place specially
reserved for Seminars...This conference was hosted
by the Peace Circle, Initative of Change originally
known as MRA (Moral Re-armament)

The main facilitator is Jean Brown a lady from U.K married
to an Australian gentleman.

Jean was fascinated by our (Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity) 'Gems of Faiths' talks and was particularly intrigued with the fact that different Faiths people spoke from the same platform...
I Have been invited for a Conference
which will be held in Australia in 2009...Let us hope that we can provide some balm to our riot torn planet.

I learned a lot from the Peace Circle and had a great time. It was also a
wondeful experience as there were present for the conference, Tibetans, South
Koreans, Russian, Tibet, Indians, from Nagaland...and their striving for peace
was very emotional!
I also learned about what Peace really is and what
makes peace and breaks peace...
Some qualities of Peace Makers: Strong, Resilient, Forgiving, Loving, honest, faith, clarity of thought, empathetic, optimistic, sense of humour...

What are Peace Destroyers: Greed, selfishness, jealousy, lack of communication, prejudices, Non-forgiveness, hatred,dishonesty, revenge, bullying, disrespect, irresponsibility, hypocrisy, fears, anger, corruption, poverty, injustice, communal discord, war,history...

History cannot be unlived but if faced with courage it need not be lived again...
Angelou

Peace is when every person's need is being met...

Peace lives where compassion reigns...

WOMEN ACHIEVERS






Alongside: The names are from left to right -
Ms Sugandha Indulkar, Editor, Newspaper in Education,
Ms Naghma Firdaus, Senior Manager, Branch Heads Office

Ms Ambika Sharma - collected the award on behalf of Ms Saloni Doshi, Product & Brand Manager, Response Online

Ms Meenal Bhagel, Executive Editor, Mumbai Mirror.

Ms Bachi Karkaria – Consulting Editor, Times Of India

On Women's Day, March the 8th 2008, Times Foundation and Women's Movement for Peace an Prosperity celebrated the achievements of Times of India Group Women...Last year various leaders of NGOs were felicitated by Times...this year the leaders of those NGOs felicitated Women in Times because...

Women smile when they want to scream. They sing when
they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are
nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe
there is a better solution.
They go without new shoes so their children can have them.
They cry when their children
excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes.
They'll drive,fly,walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin!
Women do more than just give birth.
They bring joy and hope. They give compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have a lot to say and a lot to give.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL WOMEN MONTH!
IT'S GOOD TO BE THE WOMAN
We got off the Titanic first.
We can scare male bosses with mysterious gynecological
disorder excuses.
Taxis stop for us.
We don't look like a frog in a blender when dancing.
We can make comments about how silly men
are in their presence, because they aren't listening anyway...

A FRIEND ACROSS THE BORDER






Alongside Amir (Bhai) Soomro Myself (Shakun) and my husband Narain Kimatrai

Mr Amir Soomro is the grandson of Shaheed Allah Bux Soomro the two time Prime Minister of Sindh who sacrificed his life for his nation…Amir is the son of Mr Abdul Samad…,
Amir Bhai’s ‘great wish was to peep into the other side of the border to find his own people to know their condition…

Hindu Sindhis fled Sindh in Pakistan, leaving their homes, belongings…during Partition in 1947…


It was heart warming to know that we are missed by people like Amirbhai…my contact with Amir was through the Internet and he made me his sister and I accepted him as a ‘brother’

Read what Amirbhai has to say in his own words:


“It was my childhood when I saw my beautiful city was gradually turning into ruins and people use to remember their actual owners (Hindu Sindhis) who left those homes as if they for gone for some time to somewhere, but they never came back.

On every step the tale of their generosity and God fearing acts was scattered.

The original citizens always remembered them and the city mourned but nothing happened.
In my immature mind, I felt that pain of my own people who left us and crossed the boarders of a stranger country leaving behind the ashes of their forefathers and golden memories of good times.
Though they were nothing to me in terms of relations but a huge space was empty for them in my heart.
Inspired by my father Abdul Samad , the youngest and dearest son of Shaheed Allah Bux Soomro the two time Prime Minister of Sindh who sacrificed his life for his nation, it was my great wish to peep into the other side of the border to find my own people to know their condition.

One day I met Hargun Rajani on internet, he was Shikarpur born Sindhi and thus got a break through, and slowly I got new friends like Lata Jagtiani, Dwarkadas Madnani, Kishore Lalwani, Shyam Shroff and Shakun Narain. In December 2004 a delegation lead by Suresh Keswani reached Karachi. My cousin Mohammad Mian Soomro who was chairman senate was the chief guest , so I was also there. I asked the members of the delegation "Is there any Shikarpuri in your delegation"?
A smart old man stepped ahead and said "yes I am , my name is Nand Javeri". On that day my heart said that the time had come for my dream to fulfill.

To meet and spend some moments with my Sindhi people who have given us a never healing wound, on 12th March, I reached the Bombay airport where Mr. Javeri despite his declining health warmly received me and took me to his home.

I met all above mentioned friends. Each one was a diamond and a pearl.
They all gave me lot of affection and respect.
I was very happy to see my own people living a prosperous life.
Spent time with them, have had meals with them and exchanged views and gifts.
I also meet old people like Nursing Golani, Luxman Bhambhani and Gulab Gidvani and got very valuable knowledge from them .
Spending some moments with the family of Hemu Kalani and Mahesh Chander and meeting with Ghansham Vaswani were unforgettable moments of my life

Now I am back to my homeland. My childhood fairytale finally has become true.
Now my goal would be to save our coming generation from that thought which divided us and compelled us to break up thousands of years old relations.
Thank you Nand, Lata and Manek, Dwaru, Hargun, Shyam, Shakun and Nari, Ghansham and Kishore. May God shower his blessings on you.

I love you all.

Amir Soomro
Karachi

…and then I got the following note from Maya Shahani…Heart warming!

Dear Shakun,
Thought I would share these Emails with you. It is Dada Jashan Vaswani's 90th Birth Centenary year and it is heartening to know that the Mission has started a people to people connection with Pakistan through an "Open Heart" route. Shakun, you could put this up on your blog site if you haven't already :-)

Love,

Maya
A note of gratitude:

Dear Sir,
We put appreciation for providing us full cooperation and coordination in conducting Heart Surgeries of poor and needy children of Pakistan in India and hope that this gesture will be remained intact in future also.
Furthermore, we may like to inform you that two children Mehtab and Mahnoor have been reached in Karachi, Pakistan and they also been arrived at their own destination safely. Today they asked me on telephone for extension of best wishes to DADA, yourself and other members who cared them in India. They are happy with their children and praying for all.
Thanks and Regards to all from SGA.
SHAUKAT ALI MEMON
Manager Projects SGA

We Hindu Sindhis have prospered…due to hard work, perseverance, faith in the Lord and above all our ability to become ‘One’ with those who received us with open arms!
Now it is time to get back our language, culture…We do not have our land but then the World opened out to us!

‘Har pat mein baag lagaayen vaaraa Sindhi…
ain khaak khey Son banaayen vaaraa Sindhi…

Which means:
A Sindhi is one who converts every land into a garden…
And dust into gold…

God bless us and everyone else…because ultimately we are ‘ONE’


Read my article:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/articles/A_trip_Sindh.htm

Alongside, my daughter Madhavi and Grace!


For me, snow is always synonimous with Grace!
Many years ago, I was going through a tough time in my life and there were certain decisions to be made...simultaneously I was in Canada in December and wanted to see snow fall! I had played with snow several times but never seen snow flakes fall!
It did not snow in Canada...it did not snow in New York...it did not snow in Switzerland...but...as I walked to wards my aeroplane in Geneva wheich was enroute to Bombay...it snowed!
To me it was the Lord, telling me..." I may be late according to you...but I am always on time!
I surrendered my then-current problem to the Lord and needless to say...it all turned out more than right...it turned out perfect...

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on Sunday, 20th of April 2008
Sri Hanuman believed and stated in the 'Ram-Charit-Maanas' (penned by Goswami Tulsidas):

Kahe Hanuman vipattee Prabhu soyee
Jab kabhee Sumiran bhajan na hoyee

Hanuman believes and states that,
it is a misfortune when one forgets to remember the Lord, and take His Name.

So my dear friends whatever trials and tribulations we are going through are nothing. According to Hanuman we have a misfortune, only if you and I forget to think of the Lord and/or sing His praise.
Let us remember to do the Hanuman Chalisa preferably 11 times, if not, at least once on Hanuman's day. It is believed that Sri Ram is forever indebted to Hanuman because of the latter's service. And since Hanuman wanted nothing in return, Sri Ram would have to grant the wishes of Hanuman, if he intercedes for us, His devotees.

Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Mantras/shri_hanuman_chalisa.htm

http://www.dalsabzi.com/Books/Symbolisms_Ramayana/chapter_eight_pg1.htm

http://www.dalsabzi.com/Books/kids_kahaani/Ramayana/hanuman.htm

Alongside myself with teacher and students of 'Society for the Education of the Crippled' which educates physically challenged children from a low economic background









Alongside: From left, Manju beaming happily because of all the good karma that she has acculated during this lifetime...Pushpa and Hargobind Daswani and members of the printing department who look very happy with Manju and for Manju...





Allow me to introduce you to my cousin sister Manju Uttamchandani.
I have loved her since she was a baby, watched her grow into a beautiful sensitive woman…I have read and believed…that Life per se may have no meaning…we create the meaning by searching what song we were meant to have sung…what dance we were meant to have danced…It need not be a firework life for everyone…being a mother and housewife is probably the life that some were meant to have lived…
The criterion is that you have to know in your heart of hearts that yes! I surpassed the challenges…and today I shine in my own light!

Am sharing a note Manju wrote to me (with her permission of course)



…I was happy to take you around SEC school, and show you the work we do here. Society for the Education of the Crippled educates physically challenged children from a low economic background. I am Project Co-ordinator here.

Life has reached a full circle. I had polio when I was young. This opened a different avenue of experiences to me. Learning to deal with this challenge and the growth that came with this has influenced who I am today. I don’t know if this is my purpose in life, but I do know that all the experiences and skills that I have picked up in my life have led me to this moment. And so for this moment I am where I am supposed to be, and am fulfilled.

Besides the school work I do, we are a group of a few physically challenged individuals that are in the process of forming a group that would look at various issues facing the physically challenged. We meet once a month and it is a great forum of sharing.

I am also a Past President of Rotary Club of Bombay Pier, and have won many awards here.

There is also a fun side- where I do enjoy meeting people, swimming, reading, going to the gym, dancing etc. My family and friends have been my support and inspiration.

God has been kind – if this is where He wanted me to be, He has so gently and kindly brought me here. I am grateful. Life has been good.

Love you always…

...and I got the following note grom Angelie with a request to pass the information:
Dear Shakun Didi,


Hello Everyone,

Young Sindhis from Asia, North & South America, Australia, and Europe, will all meet at 1 location!

Be a part of the biggest gathering of young Sindhis worldwide.

http://www.youngsindhiadults.org/retreat.htm

P.S. This is OPEN TO ALL regardless of background...

Navratras begin on Sunday, the 6th of April.There is so much to know about the 9days festival.
Do click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/navratra.htm

On the 7th of April, Sindhis celebrate their New Year.
Do read about Jhulelal, click:

http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/jhulelal.htm

"If you ask me to describe my career in a nutshell, this is how I will do it. The longer I work as a journalist and multi-media person, the more I am convinced that I was born for this unique, rewarding profession!"
- Vimla Patil

The media-world in India recognize Vimla as one of the country’s senior and respected journalists and media persons.
Vimla initiated the Miss India contest in the mid-sixties for the journal and brought it to its present international stature.

Breaking rules is Vimla's passion! After finishing her long stint with Femina,(She was the editor of the famous magazine who according to me played a major role in 'awakening women to their potential) Vimla built a brand new career for herself as a freelance multi-media person writing features, books and scripts; creating events, sound and light shows; holding workshops and training seminars; and many more activities in her busy portfolio...

And I, Shakun, am proud to state that she is my friend and mentor in activities that are close to my heart.

I do believe in the statement:
Life in itself has no meaning...Life is an opportunity to create a meaning...It is a poem to be composed, it is a song to be sung, It is a dance to be danced...
Osho

Vimla shared the following very interesting observations which I am sharing with you:

Emperor Ashoka and Emperor Akbar

The strange conincidences do not end with both these royal personalities being the greatest rulers in the history of the world and their names beginning with A. Here are some other facts which should amuse us.
1. Ashoka is called the 'tallest' emperor in world history by top Western historians. Akbar's is one of the four grand monarchies of the world.
2. the Bollywood film Ashoka was produced by Shah Rukh khan, a Muslim and he acted the main role of Ashoka, a Hindu and then a Buddhist. SRK is a Muslim married to a Hindu wife Gauri who has stuck to her religion
3. Akbar was played by Hrithik Roshan, a Hindu who has a Muslim wife who retains her religion.
4. SRK spoke chaste hindi for his role as Ashoka and Hrithik spoke chaste Urdu for his role as Akbar!
Does this sound strange or is it the real secular India?
Vimla Patil

Meet Ms Basanti Roy (divisional secretary Mumbai, Maharashtra , Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education).
When we started the Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity, we figured that a woman should lead the movement because she has more compassion and less of an ego. But then a woman is present in every family as a mother, sister, wife...so then why is there so much violence...we concluded that the reason may be because a woman does not have a voice...(Actually she has a voice, but mostly hysterical due to the fact that that voice is not fine-tuned) so we proceeded to try and fine tune that voice by various means...Through education, health, spirituality, a lesson in 'Gems of Faiths' which leads to Communal Harmony...
Anyway coming back to Ms Basanti Roy who is the Vice Chairperson of the Movement (Yours Truly is the Chairperson)
A Call was put to Ms Basanti Roy who directed 17 year old Omkar Pimple an HSC examinee to the closest station Dahisar (Shailendra Education Centre to take his exam. You see young Omkar suffered a panic attack as he was sure that he would not make it for his 11 am Sanskrit paper at an HSC Centre in Churchgate.
Once again a woman has time...NO! finds time to use her heart...
Love you, Basanti!
Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/women_movement/women_intro.htm

We have always been told that Life is our own Creation.

I Read an article by Jim Donovan and I thought that the following was rather interesting:
Let's supposing for a moment you're in a bad mood. You're feeling pretty negative. At that particular moment in time your personal vibration, the energy of your thoughts and words is in the lower frequencies. Let's call this particular mood "Frequency X" Now somewhere off in the distant Universe, there is another negative experience. Maybe it's a flat tyre whose frequency happens to be "X" as well. By virtue the law of attraction, you will begin attracting that or some other undesirable experience to you. There are no accidents. The Universe works on a specific set of principals that do not waiver. Like attracts like whether we believe it or not...

Alongside, close friends, and blood relatives...Shanti and Ramesh Ramchandani...We go a long way...had kids around the same time...were there for each other during ups and downs of life...was delighted to have them visit us and we look happy don't you think?



People who need people are the luckiest people in the world! I must say that I believe in people and specially in people who have found what they believe in and pursue their dream. Below Mr Dial Gidwani and his charming wife Lakshmi. They were visiting Bombay and we shared a meal.


Dial is the Founding President American Institute of Sindhulogy.
www.sindhulogy.org

While I am on the subject of Sindhis, I shall honour my web blog by mentioning names like Acharya Kirpalani, Mr Hiranand Karamchand and Ms Kamla Hiranand.

Alongside Swami Nirmal and myself. Swamiji patiently answered all my queries. He is now in his 80s and lives in Amritsar. He was visiting Bombay last week and I was so happy to go and visit him there!



Swami Nirmal Chetan was born in Amritsar. He was only one year old when his mother died.

His father married a second time and had more children.

The boy whenever lonely would turn to the soothing prayer hymns that would emanate from the Golden Temple.

At the age of 21 he met his Master Swami Nirmal from Punjab, who seemed to be the answer to all his longings and prayers. The Master refused to initiate him as he would not allow him to run away from his household duties.

Alone and dejected Swami Nirmal Chetan headed towards the Himalayas where he had a near - death experience. He experienced visions of an indescribable nature which filled his soul in such a manner that he experienced fear and loneliness no more.

On his return his Master had to admit that he was made for the spiritual path.

I met Swamiji at a time when the answer to my one question would give rise to a dozen more. Many other masters that I came across during that time would find my questions impertinent or maybe they thought that I was trying to test their knowledge.

As far as I can look into the recesses of my heart that was not true, I really wanted to know.

What endeared Swamiji to me, was his extreme patience and equilibrium of character.

Swamiji’s teachings are simple. He says that:

God has given us one room (heart). It is up to us whether we want to turn that room into a Hotel or Godown or a Temple. That is we could spend our lives being attached to different people in which case we would have turned our “room heart” into a hotel. We could fill our room heart” with material things (possessions) in which case we will have turned it into a Godown, or we could convert our heart into a Temple where we could place the Lord at its altar.

Do read more, Click:

http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/in_touch_with_masters/swami_nirmal_chetan.htm

Today is Women's Day.
I celebrated appropriately the "Eve" of Women's Day with a Lunch with longtime Girlfriends, Tea with an Introductory talk of Catharsis of the Soul and a Dinner with Aarogyaanjali where Dr Indu Shahani, Sheriff of Bombay was the Chief Guest.
Did you know that the present Women's Day Celebration is an apt reminder of when 15000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours better pay and voting rights in 1908?
According to a compilation by Ismat Tahseen, a few years later, the first Women's Day was launched in March 8, 1911 on Copenhagen, by Ciara Zetkin, leader of the Women's office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany.






Alonside, the multi faceted young intelligent charming Dr Indu Shahani, Sheriff of Bombay and Chief Guest at AarogyAnjali.
Within 2 months of her appointment she has kick-started various projects...The ones closest to my heart is how women in distress can email on: call1298@rediffmail.com and also sms 'HELP" to 573333

I cannot stop myself from adding that I have known Indu as a child and she was always an outstanding young girl who has blossomed not only into a beautiful woman but a great human being...One of the points that she put accross at Aarogyanjali was that women must pursue their passion...and become pro-active to lead a change...and she looked at me and stated like 'Mrs Kimatrai has' and I was touched, and I 'saw' that she is in touch with her roots...and I think that I am right in my perception that though she is soaring high, she has her feet firmly on the ground!

Atta girl, Keep going! We women are behind you!






Alongside Dr Indu Shahani, Sheriff of Bombay lighting a lamp at AarogyAnjali A Tribute to Women's Health an initiative of Times Foundation.
However busy you may be, cull out 30 mins for your very own self advised psychiatrist Anjali Chhabria...
Infertility Specialist Ms Anjali Malpani explained how women are always on a roller coaster ride because of hormonal ups and downs...it is time that a woman stops neglecting her health...
Nutritionist Ms Anjali Mukherjee explained how food is not only the foundation to health but also to beauty...





Alongside Ms Leena Prabhoo, one of the Founder Trustees of Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity urging the 'Life' Group to get rid of the emotional garbage that we have accumulated over the years!

Melinda, the leader of the Brahmakumari, Jakarta branch, was seeking some old photographs from Hyderabad Sindh. Alongside is one of the photographs I shared with her, clicked during the 40s.
See me as a child and my goodlooking wonderful parents!

I shall be updating 1940s photographs that I own from time to time...
Do save the link and keep visiting:

http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/shacune/HyderabadSindh40s/



Melinda and myself at my residence during her visit.




I met Melinda whose name now is Mala, a short for Vijayantimala, through the Internet...She is a Brahmakumari, and belongs to a Spiritual Organization, which has spread world wide but whose founder was a Sindhi gentleman who belonged to the Sindhi Bhaibund community that I belong to. The Brahmakumari organization was initially called Om Mandli.

My family and I, all hail from Hyderabad Sindh which now is in Pakistan.
But at that time it was Undivided India.
The Spiritual Founder of the Brahmakumaris,is now known as Brahma Baba but I have always, since I was a child heard him being addressed as Dada Lekhraj.
Melinda was drawn into my life through the Origin of Sindhi Surnames which is up on my website: www.dalsabzi.com

Some interesting points that we discovered:

Dada Lekhraj had worked in Calcutta before he returned to Hyderabad Sindh and started his jewellery business...

Sadguru Sadan, right opposite the Babulnath Temple in Bombay was originally called Gangaram Building.
My Masi used to live there so I would visit often as a young girl...I was surprised to learn that Dada Lekhraj, Brahma Baba had a vision on the 5th floor of the building...

I am going to let Mala tell you what she is seeking through the note that she wrote to me:


Dear Shakun,

Om shanti and greetings from Jakarta.
I just wanted to thank you for all the time and attention you gave when I was there in Bombay. The discussions that I had with you and your husband gave me a good background. Thank you also for introducing or rather reintroducing Kamla Assoomull to me. She is a great story-teller and I thoroughly enjoyed the meeting. The whole visit was a series of coincidences that were all linked together. Meeting the family of the former owners of Tarachand Parsram and Sons of Calcutta was completely unexpected as was meeting someone that I met 26 years ago in Bombay in connection with the same purpose!
Thanks of course to you for your persistance and interest.


In the context of seeking further information regarding the origins of Om Mandli for the purposes of producing a film I would like to hear from anyone who can tell me more information about the founder Dada Lekhraj Khubchand Kripalani and his jewelry business in Calcutta which was called Lakhiraj Shewakram and Sons, in Hogg Market, otherwise known as New Market. This business was in operation during the 1920s and 30s. The building where the store was still exists and I have seen photographs of the store. I am less interested in what happened in Hyderabad Sindh and Karachi as I am well aware of that, but am more interested in his business and his clients. Prior to opening his own business he worked for Tarachand Parsram and Sons also in Calcutta. I am also interested in making contact with anyone who has old photographs (pre-partition) of Hyderabad Sindh in particular the buildings, streets and public places, modes of transportation and style of dress. I can be contacted at vijayantimala@gmail.com

Would you direct any Sindhi who could help on to this link?
Thanks,
Shakun

Sonal Sheth was diagnosed with a heart murmur 2 years ago.

But she ran the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.
Even when her knees swelled up her spirit did not flag.

Sonal says:
Taking part in the Marathon was a challenge and I like to be challenged, I like to test and push my endurance levels. I do believe it is mind over matter.
When fatigue and pain overcome me and I feel I am just going to collapse, I can't take 1 more step, at that time something in me says dont give up, and I focus my attention on my breath(as I do when I meditate) and the continued focus on breath defocusses me from the body fatigue and I end up running fast.
So when I was doing my practice runs, I often felt that just like in life, there are problems but you have to rise above them, use them as an opportunity for growth, to push your levels of acceptance, forgiveness and coping skills higher, similarly marathon running makes you do that and once you have risen above the low moments, its just a harmonious, centered focus, with no thoughts, similar to what one experiences in meditatation.
...I feel there is'nt enough awareness about developmental problems in kids and how there are solutions and 'Ummeed' is trying to fill that gap...
...so many kids and families go through suffering, a life is wasted, not helped to reach full potential only because of lack of awareness, or lack of facilities.I find it fulfilling when such people are helped...

Sonal Sheth is a trustee of Women’s Movement for Peace and Prosperity.

I watched the movie Jodha Akbar and I loved it...I will tell you the reason. And you can laugh if you must.
I have always believed that I was a Moghul in one of my previous incarnations. Years back I would go to Delhi at least 2 or 3 times a year and I could not return to Bombay without stepping foot in the Red Fort. It would beckon me...and haunt me until I went...Delhi is full of old Monuments many of them in ruins...Once as I was driving past, I pointed to a ruin and said: "That is the Red Fort!" I don't really know my way around Delhi...Wonders! It was! The Red Fort I mean...But then I am a Hindu at heart so I had resigned myself to believe that I must have been one of the various maids...Maybe I was a Princess from neighbouring Rajput Kingdoms making an alliance! Who knows? But I loved the reproduction of the splendour of that bygone era in Jodha Akbar...I loved Jodhabai singing Man Mohana ...and the Sufis Khwaja O Khwaja and the way, Akbar stood and joined in the dance!...and nothing else matters...to me at least...So what if all is not authentic?
Rubi Maloni, head of the Department of History at Mumbai University states: ...Ashotosh has taken artistic freedom in telling a story about a king who faced criticism from his own community for his secular policies. We must admire him for this and watch the film."

...and it was Geeta Hundalani's 60th birthday...and it was fun to sing about the journey from Meena(her maiden name) to Geeta...She is an inspiration to many and conducts classes at ther home to inspire...
So it was Eena Meena Deeka, Dai dama Deeka...Rampamposh Rampamposh...
And I love to sing: Aane chaar anney bachey hain chaar aaney, ise waste na karna yaar...hope you got what this song is trying to say...for all of you who are still wet behind the ears...a Rupee had 16 annas, so now we golden girls have only 4 annas of our life left...We must not waste them right...Let us do good, but also have some fun now that most responsibilities are over! I believe it could be the best time of our lives!
Cheers to that!

On the 11th January 2008 I attended the Fifth Nani A. Palkhivala Memorial Lecture at the Tata Theatre NCPA.
The late Nani Palkhivala was a passionate democrat, patriot and above all a great human being.
Mr Shailesh Gandhi received the award for Civil Liberties.
Have you heard of the Right to Information Act?
I think that it is important that we are aware that such an Act exists...and that we exercise our Rights.
Knowledge is Power...and Right to Information is our Right to well...Information which is the Mother/Father of Knowledge!
Click:
http://righttoinformation.gov.in/

Chakde India was based on Mir Ranjan Negi's life



Mr and Mrs Mir Ranjan Negi of Chakde India fame with Mr Ram Maheshwary GM Times of India Bombay















The audience at Anjuman Islam listens enthralled to Sandra Furtado, the actor who played the role of Netra Reddy in Chakde India. Since I was sitting on the dais I was able to get this angle...



On the 12th January 2008 Times Foundation and Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity opened a Women Center at Anjuman Islam CST. I spoke on Women and Peace...the guest of honour was Mr Mir Ranjan Negi. Former India Goalkeeper and Coach of India Hockey Team.
Yes! Chakde India starring Shah Rukh Khan was based on Mr Ranjan Negi's life story. He came accross as a very gentle human being and I am happy and honoured to have met him :)

WOMEN LOVE POWER
We have a Group called the 21. We are 21 members...We meet once a month. Have a lecture/demonstration, have lunch or tea and enjoy happy moments bonding without being encumbered by too many rules meted out by presidents, commitee members...A new decision is put to the vote.
This january I gave my turn. I spoke on Body Language follwed by lunch.
Gestures, expressions should match verbal statements...Look at the gestures, what does it tell you...and after 30 years, commendable don't you think?

Gangotri: Where ganga descends






CELEBRATING INDIA’S BEAUTIFUL RIVERS!
By Vimla Patil
vimla@vimlapatil.com

DATE TIME VENUE:
ON 8TH FEBRUARY AT THE KALA GHODA FESTIVAL IN THE AMPHITHEATRE AT 8.20 PM


I attended the above programme and I wished that it had been a longer session…
I learned that and/or was reminded:
Ganga: is a shimmering white-and-gold River and represents Purity or Salvation (Mukti)
Jamuna: Like Krishna is blue and like like Him represents Romance and Shringar
Saraswati: is white and elegant like a swan and is the River of Knowledge
Did you know that the River of Knowledge (Saraswati has become extinct ‘gupt’ meaning gone underground…disappeared…and are you surprised? I am not!
It is Kaliyug, remember?
Narmada: is the River of detachment…Vairagya
With few, if any, tributaries, the Narmada is often referred to as the Virgin River associated with the quality of detachment and surrender (Vairagya).
Godavari: is the River of Devotion
She is the saffron river of devotion (Bhakti), sanctified by the presence of Ram, Sita and Lakshman, who spent much of their exile years from Ayodhya in the forests along the river.
The Sindhu: Since the Sindhu now flows through Pakistan, the Krishna has been added to the list of the sacred rivers of India.
Krishna: is the River of Valour and Shourya
It is green and represents courage and valour (Shourya).
Kaveri: is the silvery River of Wisdom and Gyan
Indrayani is the River of Social Change or Samaj Jagran…
It is wonderful to add a lesser known, but equally important river which has been witness to the earliest ‘untouchability removal’ movement of India – the Indrayani, on the banks of which the Sant Parampara of Maharashtra lived and created a unique body of spiritual literature. The Dynaneshwari is the crowning glory of this movement and the temple of Vithoba in Pandharpur is the centre of the Bhakti movement, which brought all castes and communities together in a great revival of the spirit of unity among human beings.

Did you know that:
India is the only country, which assigns a sort of ‘divinity’ to rivers, which are immortalized in the scriptures and epics of India.
Stories and legends of river lore abound in our mythology, history and folk traditions of story telling, music and dance
Each one has a clear identity, appearance, value, style and spirit just like a beautiful woman…

Read Miracle of Kaveri
Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Song_of_life/miracle_of_kaveri.htm

Read about my trip to where Ganga descends, click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Articles/ganga.htm

My youngest daughter's Anuja (extreme left) and team at Showdiff conceptualized and succesfully executed the world wide unveiling ceremony of Tata Nano...Mr Ratan Tata's 1 lac car...
'The Tata Nano, the world's cheapest car, was unveiled with great fanfare in the Indian capital amid bright lights and blaring music'.

...and I celebrate my daughter's success and am mighty proud of her...She kept calling me to pray the the launch goes without a hitch and the good Lord heard me!
'Though the green activists predict trouble ahead for countries that already have inadequate infrastructures and soaring CO2 emissions'...


I am hoping that this car makes the 'small car' fashionable'...it will reduce so many unwarranted accidents...
Most people see a family of four on a scooter without a helmet...but Ratan Tata did something about it! Yes he has the means and the power, but he followed his dream and found his pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Click to watch an interview with Chairman of Rediffusion, Mr Arun Nanda and President of Rediffusion, Mr Mahesh Chauhan:
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/video/newsvideo.php?autono=325485

Dear Friends,
Many people keep asking me why they are not getting their heart’s desire, despite their prayers, recitation of mantras, rituals …
I have read (Swami Viditatmananda) that for the successful accomplishment of any undertaking, one needs to put in:

Endeavour,Even though God is omniscient, and knows what we desire, unlike other creatures God has blessed human beings with the gift of free will. This enables us to perform deliberate action (effort and prayer) and seek help from the Almighty.

The right Time
and
God’s Grace
Is required for the successful accomplishment of any undertaking.
Prayer is a means to win His Grace…a way of recognizing our vulnerability and examining ourselves…but even after one puts in all our heart into prayer, there is many a slip between the cup and the lip.
Sometimes God’s answer maybe:
No! It is not good for you, you need to learn your lesson that life is teaching you before you achieve your heart’s desire!
or God's answer may be
Later! I have something better in store for you when the right time comes!

On Saturday, the 6th of January attended 'A Musical journey of Saint Poets' at the Tata Theatre! What a treat. The singers were: Ajoy Chakraborty, Shekhar Sen, Sadhana Sargam, Kaushiki Desikan, and a dance, Deepak Mazumsar, Concept Chhaya Gangoly...
We heard of Hindu Saints and Sufis.We heard of Raskhan (He came from Iran as Sayyad Ibrahim and was a great Krishna Devotee Saint (1586-1631)
Aalam and Shaikh, husband and wife poets from 17th Century.
Raheem, one of Akbars's Navratnas who was also a Krishna bhakt and died in Vrindavan (1556-1626)
We heard of Meera,Tukaram, Tulsidas, so many

Last week saw some short movies based on the life of Jallaludin Rumi, the Mystic Sufi...Heard a story:
A Master told a disciple some profound truths and told him that he must keep it a secret. The disciple could not contain himself, so he went to a deserted place, full of reeds and shouted his secret...That secret was soaked up by the reeds. The reeds go through so much pain to turn into a flute...One has to become empty, then maybe Krishna places you next to His lips and plays His wonderful tunes...

November 2007 I attended 'The first International Peace Conference' at Somaiya Grounds, Mumbai. It was a sleek affair to correct misconceptions of Islam. A speaker stated that he feels safer in Bombay than he does in UK.
Another speaker said: 'We are extremists: extremely honest and extremely loving.
I think that it was a wonderful effort...I only wish they would still stop addressing people of another faith as 'unbelievers!'

All those I heard spoke about love and Oneness...Everything is probably an illusion...so say the mystics...and they all proclaim in One Voice: 'We are One'and 'Only Love is Real!

Read about the saints that sculpted my personality, click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/in_touch_with_masters/preface_index.htm

Dear Children,
You all have heard of Christmas. Have you heard of Epiphany?

Epiphany is called the 'Festival of Lights' and it falls on the 12th day after Christmas. When I was a child and lived in Spain, we used to get gifts on the day of 'Reyes'.

Reyes literally means 'Kings' and it is on that day (5th of January) that the Wise men from the East visited baby Jesus and gave him the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Frankincense and myrrh were powerful medicines...frankincense burns with a whilte fragrant smoke and believed to carry prayers to heaven, gold is symbolic of royalty, Myrrh was used to anoint a body before burial (maybe foretelling things to come)

It is believed that the Wise Kings, were led to baby Jesus by a bright star in the sky. I like to believe that it was the position of stars. The kings were probably learned astrologers, and the stars predicted the birth of a divine child.

Read more, click:

http://www.dalsabzi.com/Books/kids_kahaani/Festivals/christ_and_krishna.htm

With love,

Dadi Ma Nani Ma