GATHERING OF SIBLINGS

On Christmas day boarded a train from Bangalore for a journey to Nagpur - the venue of the first annual 'seven siblings' gathering of Runu's four brothers and two sisters meeting at their last born brother's residence. The sibling connection commenced from Bangalore when three of the seven boarded the Mysore Jaipur Superfast on a twenty two hours journey!!
The arrangements made by the host and his family was excellent in every respect and it was an unique six nights of fun and frolic including ushering in 2009 with lots of music, dance, food and drinks.
The joy of being part of this gathering along with off springs of the siblings who could be present gave a sense of belonging and opportunity of bonding to one and all across generations and ages.
The next gathering will be at Pondicherry where the first born brother will be host.
Returned to Bangalore on 2nd January refreshed by the flavour of love and unity displayed by the siblings which rubbed off on those who were present to experience it.
God Bless the Roy clan for being such wonderful human beings and spreading their good genes down the line!!

EMPTY NEST

Yesterday (06/12/08) our son Gogo (a.k.a. Arjun) along with Dinah, our daughter by son's marriage, shifted to their recently acquired appartment about 2 kms away from our house which has been their home shared with us.
Gogo has been resident in this house for over 10 years joined by Dinah for 2 years since their marriage in December 2006. Obviously the house feels like an Empty Nest now.
Their departure has created mixed emotions for us as parents, which is difficult to define, since giving them exclusive personal space to build their life as a couple away from us had to be traded off against the selfish need to hang on to our off springs.
In the long run the decision to set up another unit by moving into their self acquired dwelling house is good for their self confidence and independence as responsible youngsters.
God has been kind by exposing us to great moments together under one roof. We wish that He continues to shower His Love on our good children and make them the happiest couple together. God Bless.

ANNOUNCEMENT

POLI-wood (the famous BRAND name of Politicians) announced their next Potboiler for Worry-wood viewers being shot at Sorry-wood.
*Producer : FIDAYEEN
*Director : RGV
*Cast (first all villians production) :
1) Vilasrao (Reel name Desh(ka)mukh)
2) R R Patil (Reel name Ghatna)
3) Shivraj (Reel name Laundry Man)
4) Naqvi (Reel name Lipstick)
5) Achutanandan (Reel name Doggy)
6) Bachcha Gowda (Reel name Sniffer)
7) Raj (Reel name Bihari)
8) Bal (Reel name Cartoon)
9) Other Rogues (a.k.a. Politicians)
*Guest Appearance : Modi (Reel name Crore)
*Story : UPA
*Script : NDA
*Dialogues : NCP
*Songs : Brinda & Left (with nothing)
*Music Director : Soniaji
*Fight Director : Uma & Mamata
*Arranger : Rahul baba
*Spotboy : Ritiesh
*Publicity : Advani
*Financed by : The Corruption Corporation of India (Incorporated by Bureaucrats & Police under the joint Chairpersonship of Underworld & Political Party Chiefs)
*NAME OF BLOCKBUSTER : Untitled. Soon to be determined by Reality Show conducted for helpless citizens by (S)onia(M)anmohan(S)ingh contest sponsored by crooks and sycophants!!

THE DAY AFTER

Today - Sunday November 30, 2008 is the day after Mumbai managed to declare a closure on the mayhem which commenced on Wednesday November 26, 2008 that certainly changed India and may be the world for ever.
The extent and brutality of the sense less damage caused by a hand full of terrorists trained to hold the entire nation to ransom has a positive fall out as it has shaken the entire spectrum of Indian and foreign citizens from the poorest (railway station/hospitals) to the richest of the rich (suites in the Taj & Oberoi) with a clear message that 'No one is safe'. More importantly, it has validated the shallowness of our politicians and the dirty system that breeds them.
This reality check imposed on every individual by the bunch of fidayeens can be converted into the long needed booster dose to build a movement to cleanse our political and other systems for ushering in citizen dominated platforms with the support of the media which displayed tenacity and bravery during the 60 plus hours ordeal.
The Sardesais along with Pranabs/Barkhas/Arnabs/Deys/Guptas/Bachis/Swapans/Suraiyas etc. of the media world have a duty to persist with demanding accountability and creating forums to structure the change we all aspire. PLEASE HELP.
Fortunately, India as a country has enough human and other relevant resources to secure India and Indians and foreign guests by relying on leadership from competent individuals and groups in all walks of life. Let us build institutions which uphold qualities that the killed officers of the security forces so poignantly displayed with their valour, sense of duty and blood.
I appeal to the CEOs and all other right thinking stars in our country to devote time and thoughts to make the politicians irrelevant in our quest to protect India and the legacy of its greatness by devising platforms based on love and bipartisan actions. The power of the net can generate sufficient mass to initiate the turn around of the failed Indian dream.
A no nonsense attitude to the world and especially to errant neighbours is a need of the hour.

INDIAN ICON DAMAGED

The events unfolding in Mumbai since Wednesday evening that caused deaths and destruction including to and at the Taj Mahal Hotel which is an iconic symbol of the Indian nation, symbolises a string of failures from which INDIA AS A NATION must and should learn to reassert itself to establish a sense of national pride promptly.
The senseless but daring atttacks in Mumbai by a bunch of dedicated youths can be used as turning point to introspect on our own capabilities to put up a determined face to the world at large and the terrorists in particular to proclaim that INDIA cannot and will not be attacked in the future.
Consider some stark facts for a moment.
* Few (12 to 20) fidayeens holds a nation of Billion plus to ransom for over 60 hours!!
* The security and other agencies mostly cut a sorry figure for the entire world to watch (thanks to live media coverage) because a 100 politicians do not allow them the professional freedom and institutional space to perform for vote bank politics.
* A few parochial and religious leaders (say another 1000) exploit the poor and illiterate to resort to hooliganism and begotism to serve narrow vested interests.
* Crores of Rupees are spent to protect corrupt self centred politicians (and their extended families) while brave men and women of the security services are handicapped for a few thousands at the cost of their precious lives.
* Impunity and arrogance of the existing political system permits the minority to rule the majority with money and brawn power.
These and many more stark facts makes it obvious that we the people of India have to stand up and learn to say a loud and clear 'NO' to make a difference.
It is often said that we deserve the leaders we get. Let us change this paradigm to take action and ensure we get 'better' leaders.
Young and old have to rise and build forums and seek assistance of the media houses and corporate leaders to become proactive rather than remain reactive.
LET US RESOLVE TO REBUILD OUR BELOVED TAJ MAHAL HOTEL WHICH WE HAVE ALLOWED BY OUR COLLECTIVE FAILURE TO BE ABUSED.
I LOVE YOU INDIA & THREE CHEERS FOR MUMBAI.

AWARENESS

Been away for some time due to technical reasons.
However have been spending time with a set of six fantastic CDs by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer titled 'Your Journey To Enlightenment' which my dear sis sent from the U.S. I recommend it to one and all. It will surely open up your minds to our full potential and also assist to make the world a much better place.
Probabaly the reason why we are getting exposed to such insights into the true nature of human beings is to increase world awareness to conquer hate and replace it with love. Conflicts and self centred manipulative hate will be replaced by huge doses of love and care as the horizon of people who pour small doses of awareness connecting the human race to the one and only source of its being multiplies. Thank you Dr. Wayne Dyer.
God Bless. Love you all.

A NEW PRESIDENT

Obama's feat to be elected with a land slide victory as President of the United States of America is like watching history in the making for various reasons. Above all, it raises a ray of hope for humanity to usher in a sense of sanity in world affairs.
Let us pledge to support him with the power of positive thoughts for the daunting tasks ahead of him and pray for his success to make the world a better place during and after his term(s) in office.
Well done U.S.A. and God Bless Obama.