GEETA NAGAR SLUMWORLD




Spoke to the teachers about the importance of teaching the Children that we are children of One God no matter which religion we belong to, as all the Prophets, Incarnations, give the message of love, peace and brotherhood! Teachers have the biggest responsibility of inculcating these values. Gifted the my 'Dadi Nani ki Kahaani' in Hindi



Children in the Balvadi of Geeta Nagar


With Sagaya Mary. She lives in the slum, is a teacher and looks after the Balwadi. Children, teachers, residents were neat and clean but...The slum definitely needs bathrooms...They are happy with steps that leads them to rocks near the Ocean, which acts as a natural flush...I came back home full of sadness for them, gratitude for what God has granted us...



Kavita Kapoor, Ms Maya Shahani, Mr Shridhar Naik look after the welfare of Geeta Nagar slum. I went for the flag hoisting ceremony.
INDEPENDENCE DAY'S EVE



Gave a talk on the Power of the Feminine on Independence Day! We say Vandey Mataram, right? Poonam giving me a gift on the occassion.





Aarti Hundalani Myself and Nimu Daryanani. aarti, won the best prize. She also gave a short speech: Main aapki bahu hoon,Hume vote do, Manmohanji acchey aadmi hain, Singh is King!





Anita Kewalramani and Myself. Note us members being dressed in the colours of our National Flag



The Group 21 celebrated Independence Day. In the photograph, the 3 Gracious hostesses Poonam Mulchandani, Rani Daswani, Shramila Dadlani with Rooprani Samtani


Today is Independence Day! Today went to the Geeta Nagar slum to hoist the flag...Gave my Dadi Nani ki Kahaani in Hindi to the teachers...Shall put up photos later...but in the meantime read what my friend Rani's 13 year old grandaughter has to say, this Independance Day...It echoes my feelings...God bless this future leader of India!

Questions I ask myself...

As Independence day approaches, the atmosphere is full of patriotism however I always wonder why this ambience is not there through out the year – Why is it that only when Independence day is round the corner that we throw a glance at our national flag, we smile with a thousand emotions whizzing in our heads?

Why is it only in this month that we actually realize how much our country has suffered?
Why is it that when we hear A.R. Rehman's Vande Mataram that a lump forms in our throat and a chill runs down our spine?
Why is it only when we see patriotic movies that we acknowledge the fact India is such a great democracy?
Why does the media have to be a constant reminder that India is a free country?
Can't we remind ourselves?
Are we ashamed of our country otherwise?
Or do we conveniently forget that we belong to such a great nation?

Why is that only on days like Independence day or Republic day that we are reminded of our freedom fighters?
Why do we underestimate our nation so much?
Why do we literally worship the white?
India has given the world phenomenally great people like Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Sunita Williams, Kalpana Chawla, you and me...then why are we hiding from the world?

On Independence day we praise ourselves for being Indians, but are we really worth it?
By seeing the amount of self respect we have for us and our country, I don't think we deserve that pat on our backs. Look at the image attached..Is that how proud we are of our tri-colour?


Some of the richest people in the world are Indians, then why do we claim India as a poor and unimportant country?
Why is that only on the 15th of August that we wear the tricolored bangles and plant a miniature flag behind the windscreen of our cars?

I would call you a liar if you would tell me that you actually draw yourself up to attention and take the national anthem seriously every time you hear it.
I would also think you are spinning yarns if you tell me that you sit and respect, appreciate and remember what the learned man draped in Khadi has done for us, for at least ten minutes every 2nd of October....After all, who cares? It's just another holiday...

I, being a typical Indian too, do not practise what I write but I want to someday...
"I AM PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN"- I fear that these words will fade away in a few days....

Ishitaa Bhatia, 13
J.B. Petit High School for Girls.

Just finished reading a delightful poignant book called Forever Lily by Beth Nonte Russel a real story of 'an unexpected Mother's journey to Adoption in China'
Loved the quotes:
The human will, that force unseen,
The offspring of a deathless Soul,
Can hew the way to any goal,
Though walls of granite intervene.Pg 147

Be not impatient in delay,
But wait as one who understands, When Spirit rises and commands,
The gods are ready to obey.Pg 148

For when fear and desire die,
only the unspeakable reality of love remains.
Pg 194

Villa View from Dining Room at Aguada Anchorage



Competition: Me or the Villa...Which is more beautiful? sms ONE or TWO to my mobile...
Clue: The older one wins! Antique Value!
Gorgeous Gracious Friend Maya Shahani replies:
Hi Shakun,

Loved your blog. To reply to your question of who is more beautiful, you or the villa, I would say the villa is more beautiful from the outside, but you are more beautiful within. Physical structures die, but a beautiful soul lives on forever in people's minds and heart. You surely are leaving behind a very good legacy for your children, grandchildren and all the children of the world...





Was invited by Times Foundation to a 2 day, most enjoyable/bonding trip to Goa.
This picture was taken at the Baga Beach. Had forgotten that this day was the day and time of the Solar Eclipse. Dr Pratima Rajan mentioned to me that she had an umbrella and raincoat which we could share...but clever girls that we are, we left them (umbrella and raincoat) in the car! Pratima and myself sat on the beach, with a chant of Hare Ram Hare Krishna making music with the waves...when suddenly we felt Grace falling in the form of rain! We were drenched...and it was a perfect way to spend an Eclipse. Oh and I believe that you are supposed to do some 'daan' Well, I bought some trinkets and did not bargain!



Times Foundation team bonding over food!





Not only food for thought, but food for physical sustenance...Mr Ram Maheshwary and part of the TF team



Bonding with Dr Pratima Rajan at the Cruise...Unforgettable!



Times Foundation Group discussing the good work they do...and how they can enhance it. One way: What is your passion plus? and Times Foundation will support it...Kamal Damania' passion plus is 'Gender sensitivity' The other interesting 'passion plus' included HIV awareness, People empowerment rather than Women Empowerment, Environment,To work with hardened Criminals,Make things happen, animals, farmers...
We believe that once you work on what you are passionate about...you cease to 'work'...



The Trip to Goa included a little work...so a meeting of Times Foundation in session...Ms Naghma Firdaus conducted the meeting efficiently




The view of the beautiful villa (Aguada Anchorage)where Times Foundation so graciously hosted us

ON August 6th there was a small note in Times Nation (Times of India) with the headline: Soon, (Indianised version) Bible with verses from Vedas.
It explains: "The Biblical text remains the same but verses from Vedas and Upanishads have been used to interpret Christian teachings"...it is a approved by the Catholic Bishops' Council of India, the book will be published by the Mumbai based Christian publishing house...for instance to illustrate Mary Magdalene's sentiments for the resurrected Jesus, the book invokes Mirabai's immortal couplets in praise of Krishna...It does not mean that the church accepts all teachings of Indian tradition as those of the church, they are merely adapting them to Christian teachings wherever they feel there are points of harmony...
I personally think that it is such a wonderful move at 'Peace and Understanding'...I do not agree with Hindu groups who believe that it may be an attempt to spread Christianity...

More Info in case you would like to look it up on the Internet:
On Saturday Aug 9th 2008 Times City, Times of India
'Conservatives protest desi version of Bible'

I have got so much material that I have compiled on Interfaith Dialogue.
Do click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Articles/interfaith_dialogue.htm

Meet R.Sridhar.
Journalist, editor, singer, photographer, cartoonist, therapist, lecturer, palmist...Editor of Mumbai Mirror online and Downtown Plus, both belonging to Times of India Group.

I have had the good fortune of meeting Sridhar a number of times...but this time I attended his workshop on Personal Energy Management at Shantivan and enjoyed it immensely.

Do visit his blog:
http://yourenergy.blogspot.com





The enthralled audience

GOOD PEOPLE (.COM)


At the MRA (Moral Rearmament, now known as Initiatives of Change) meeting we met these 2 enterprising young gentlemen, Puneet and Indrashil from Himaachal Pradesh, who are doing their best to spread peace by way of their music and power point presentations.

Also met Ms Madhabi Puri Buch (Executive Director ICICI Bank)a charming lady who despite having reached heights is finding time to bring about change.
She has conceived 'Toofles' a word derived from 'Tofa' A gift.

Sharmila Paranjpe is giving her valuable time to pursue, to provide values at the student level. Values based on the Wisdom of Scriptures.

As a means to spread the message (Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity)of 'Dadi Nani ki Kahaani' which aims at acquainting children with the fact that all religions spread the message of love and brotherhood, I decided to go to, where else? Dadi Nani Udyaan, the garden where Dadis and Nanis meet to give them a free copy of the book...
To read the book, in Hindi or/and English click 'Books' on
www.dalsabzi.com

OR

Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/kids_kahaani/kahaani_intro.htm

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

"A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more."
- Sent by Jasmine Fitzwilliam

Savi and mself have been friends since childhood.
We do not have too much in common and we do not meet that often as we do not live in the same city.
Lately she had a major car accident. She had to have her face restructured. It has changed so much that the authorites find it difficult to identify her from her photograph.
What touched my heart was that when she visited a temple in te South of India and they asked her to name a good friend. She named me???

At the moment I am reading a great book called 'Snow Flower and the Secret Fan' by Lisa See.

It is a beautiful heart breaking story on friendship. It is set in 19th Century China, in a remote Hunan County. A girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven is paired with a 'laotong' or 'old same' in an emotional match that will last a lifetime...

ok I am back in Aamchi Mumbai!
The flight was uneventful but long!
The way I deal with it is take one flight at a time...Had to change planes 3 times!
Watched interesting films:
Walk the line, The Virgin queen, Anne Frank...all true stories!
So living the life of great people, makes time fly...
Sitting next to me on a flight was an interesting Scottish lady, 68 years old.
She lost her husband to cancer and thought to herself: Either I sink or float and fly!
And that is what she did! Fly! literally and metaphorically!
She has one daughter in Nashville, another in Singapore!
She meets them every three months for no longer than 2 weeks!
She says, she loves them dearly but leaves before they start getting into each other's space!
She has the means...so she travels..alone and at her own terms...Like me, she does not like taking tours because they treat you like sheep: Get up, sit down...move...
People tell her, like they tell me that she is brave...I think it is not really a question of bravery.
It is a question of having the enthusiasm to explore the world of the Creator...It is empowering...Think about what can be more empowering than to connect with the Utmost Artist through His Creation...It gives one a High...
So the plane flies high, Time Flies...Like in life one connects with fellow passengers (but here, without getting attached or entertain rancour)

...and before you know it, it is time to land...well no, I have not been completely honest...knees and joints feel cramped, and one does need a few day's rest to recuperate, but at my age and stage who will complain? definitely, not me!
In fact I am at the moment pampering myself by staying in bed and enjoying it!

Julie Redstone states: 'An awakened heart cannot respond indifferently to life because it sees the outstretched hand of the Creator at every turn and in every particle of experience'

Time to go home!
It has been a wonderful holiday which I have enjoyed with Madhavi and her lovely family...boys have grown and they have kept me happily entertained!
I shall miss them...It is at times like this that one is happy that one has had more than one kid!
A long flight awaits me...
Take care and God bless!

Most people think that to be spiritual one has to be serious and life denying!
Why?
I love the lyrics of the song from the movie 'Chitralekha'
...Sansaar se bhaagey phirtey ho
Bhagwan ko tum kya paayoge?
Is lok ko bhi apna na sakey
us lok mein bhi pachhtaogey!...

Time to return to Aamchi Mumbai!
Have had a great time!
Must be grateful for holidays...
They are always refreshing!
So see you soon

The View from the room at Destin Florida



Floating on an Emerald Sea



Mohan, Aditya, Kiran: They claimed it was an uplifting experience!



Madhavi...Looking beautiful and content!



Enjoying Destin!
Weather has been lovely!
There are 2 restaurants with strange names:
Hog's Breath and Bad Ass...can u belv that?
Obviously people remember and talk about names like that...and they succeed...here I am telling you about it!

Aditya, my grandson, on the white sands of Destin Florida


Destin is home to some of the worlds most beautiful beaches. The crystal clear water and the sugar white sands have given the Emerald Coast area a reputation as one of America's premier vacation destinations.



Arrived in Destin, Florida after a scenic 8 hr drive from Nashville. The beach is lovely, a stone throw away from the apt (Sand Dunes) which is is v. comfy like the one in bangkok. ....yesterday watched the fireworks (4th of July) from the waterfront...v. beautiful and a great experience!
The sand is white...like snow.
Today planning on taking a dip in the so green Ocean!

Shiksha, Kiran, Simran, Aditya in Panera Nashville







Aditya and Nani Shakun at Pancake Pantry...had yummy pancakes and crumbling Croissants!







Mother Daughter








Madavi Aditya Kiran






Madhavi Me Nandini, a student daughter









Golden Girls in Nandini Nashville Party. From Left, Bhagwani from Curacao, Shakun, Sheila and Ms Wadhwa

NASHVILLE JUNE/JULY 08




Nashville Balaji Temple. Me with a devotee!







At a dinner at Rumbha with Madhavi, Mohan, Nandini Arun, Deepa Kumar








With Madhavi, my daughter of course, can't you guess?












Proud nani with Kiran












Happy nani with Aditya

Inside Grotte La Merveilleuse, the stalactites and stalagmites which look like Shivalingams. (Theyare made oof calcium with the help of water drops that drip inside the mountain...






It is Fairyland! At Dinant (Belgium) See the River Meuse, Church, Citadelle!
Then see me, missing my dear ones...but happy at having had the opportunity to visit this beautiful place!

















INSIDE A CHURCH AT DINANT...as usual I bought a rosary for myself...I do have a neat collection from the various churches and cathedrals that I have visited!














Brussel Square ...Pls take my word when I tell you that it was stunning! The Square, not me :) and the picture does not do it much justice!














Myself at the entrance of La Grotte, La Marveilleuse (Dinant)
BRUSSELS



Arrived this morning (18th June 2008) around 7am ...flight was comfy, service was good and I managed to catch a little sleep...
Got into the hotel and was informed that there is a strike in the city, but if I took a train I wd be safe...So I did. Took a bus tour but they did not allow us to alight from the bus...later I walked around in the main city...The 'square' is absolutely stunning!(PLS LOOK UP THE INTERNET) I have seen pics of it but it just does not do any justice...i just sat there with my mouth open thanking the Lord for this opportunity...had pancakes with strawberries and chocolate sauce for lunch...later did a little shopping and my day cannot be complete unless I share it with those I care for...so here it is.
Tomorrow will flow...maybe I will stroll around some more or I may go to a town a few hrs away which I am told is beautiful.Shall tell you about it tomorrow.
Now will have a light dinner and zzzzz
Much love,

19th June 08
Today was a tremendously adventurous day. Changed trains 3 times to get to Dinant (End of day in Hindi :)
but it was worth every minute. Buses are horrible...they treat you like sheep...so I thought I wd be more daring...it is ok to be daring at well, won't tell you my age...but this note is meant to inspire us women...empower us women...Dinant was like Salzburg...Heavenly...went on a cable car, on a kind of fort La Citadelle, walked by the River Meuse...Saw 'La Grotte, La Marveilleuse' (These are caves with stalactites and stalgmites) It is like God's wonderland formed thousands of years ago, we go INTO a mountain...You know as I sat there I thought to myself...The energy here has to be tremendous as it is unspoilt by the outside world! It is like sitting in the womb of the earth.You can't imagine how much I have walked today...so I am as young as I feel, right?
I feel sixteen, going on sixty! How is that?
Thanks husband dear and dear kids for calling so many times...
I feel good!
Keep it up when I return home.
Luvs

20th June 2008
Hello from the States!
Nashville Tennesee

So beautiful and Peaceful!

...I hv been connecting with people in such a strange way...but then these are the ways of Krishna...

On the flight sitting next to me was a gentleman who works on Peace on a global level...told him about Peace as well as our Vrindavan project...has promised to stay in touch and to check out the websites...

About Peace: In Brussels on my way to Dinant, I met this gentle sophisticated lady who helped me with schedules of trains. In belgium french is spoken more than english...I dont know why...She must hv been in so much 'dukh' that she confided that she had lost her child...(the heart needs no language) there was no need to speak...I just held her hand!

What Karmic connections

Would you believe that just a stone throw away from Pridarshini Park, near Simla House, there is a Garden called ShantiVan where peacocks roam free.
Lord Krishna sports a peacock feather on his head...I shall tell you why, if you ask me...
In the meantime see Manju and her peaceful expression as a peacock passes close by...
We have oue Eager Be Group meetings once a month in Shanti Van...Ar'nt we lucky?

Nandhini Ashok Shree Paavitra Arts Academy


Nandhini Ashok is the Founder and Trustee of Shree Paavitra Arts Academy and a performer and teacher of Bharatanatyam classical dance form....She is a good human being and she is particular close to my heart because she is a Krishna devotee and shares the passion of serving and making this world a better place.

She invited members of Times Foundation and Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity (WMPP) to the International dance Day celebrated on 29th April since 1982 at Nehru Centre Worli.

We enjoyed a fascinating performance by:
Odissi Donna Ganguly and her troupe from Kolkatta
Kuchupudi Jayapriya Vikraman from Chennai
Bharat Natyam Nandhini Ashok and teachers of Shree Paavitra Arts Academy (Mumbai)

On the 30th of May Nandhini invited us to the Arangetram of her student Kritika Seth
at Iskcon auditorium Juhu.
Kritika was delightful in every way!
Good luck and may the Indian Arts continue to thrive and inspire.

MAYA DASWANI AND MYSELF



Meet my friend Maya Daswani...definitely an achiever...She was always enthusiastic...her enthusiasm 'rang laaya' and she is doing what she is a natural in...She grooms people in 'table manners' 'dress' 'confidence' demeanour, body language and the list goes on...because she goes on and on exploring her potential and as she does...she takes other women along...Great going Maya..!
Today she is much sought after by well known national and international organizations.

ROLE OF RELIGION IN WORLD PEACE HARMONY


On the 2nd of April 2008, a group from Times Foundation attended a conference on World Peace Harmony.
We were invited by Mr Somaiya at Faizullabhoy building.
I particularly enjoyed hearing Mr Jeffrey Armstrong's spirited speech on 'Appreciating and Understanding the Wisdom of the Vedas correctly'

I do believe:
The Upanishads claim that the Atman (God within us) cannot be reached through much learning or much use of the intellect. Jesus Christ proclaims: "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." The Katha Upanishad proclaims "The path is narrow as the edge of a razor." Jesus said : "Narrow Is the way which leads unto life." Hindus believe that we are a small part (atman ) of the whole (Paramatma). In other words we are the same children of God and enjoy the same inherent qualities. Christians also believe that man is made in the likeness of God, and the Kingdom of God is within each one of us. Jesus Christ claimed; "I and my Father are one".

We Hindus believe In a Trinity: Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), Mahesh (Destroyer).
Christians believe in Father, Son and Holy Spirit
The occultists believe in Light, Love and Power
and
Humanity at large believes in Mind, Body and Soul.

INTERACTION WITH TIMES FOUNDATION HAS BEEN A PICNIC (TO LONAVLA)






It has been wonderful interacting with these beautiful girls...who have so helped with their mind, body and soul to bring about a change!

For Pic TOI girls group : (from left – Ms Kamal Damania , Ms Naghma Firdaus in the front row. Second Row – (from left) Ms Claudia Patrick; Ms Aditi Khire; Ms Suvarna Arvind; Ms Jyoti Nagda and Ms Seema Ansari






LIFE IS A JOURNEY...EN ROUTE TO LONAVLA
(From left – Mr. Kapil Kapoor, Ms Claudia Patrick, Mr. Hemant Mohite, Mr. Ram Maheshwary and Ms Naghma Firdaus






LIFE IS ALSO A SONG AND DANCE...EXHAUSTING BUT EXHILARATING!






I have often wondered why we yearn to travel, to explore, to learn...I have heard before that 'God is in our genes' and so I suppose is the quest for Him... We all yearn to explore our many facets, and we all aspire to know more and seeking is a natural state of being- whether about the outside world or self!
Adventure tourism gains much of its excitement by allowing its participants to step outside of their comfort zone. It may be any tourist activity which may include: a physical activity, a cultural exchange or interaction, and engagement with nature.

It has been all the above and more in my learning/Interaction with Times Foundation during the last 8 years
We may have had our share of 'mountain climbing' but all in all it has been a 'picnic' where

During travel one should "expect the unexpected"...Be ready for some excitement!

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