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