I WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Today is once again the first day of the New Year.

 A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR !

TODAY IT IS BLUE MOON

We say: ONCE IN A BLUE MOON.

Today it is!

On first of December, it was full moon; today again it is full moon!

If a second full moon comes in the same month, it is called the blue moon, because it is rare.

When the new year rings in here, a partial eclipse of the moon will be in progress.

THIRUVATHIRA – IT IS LADIES’ NIGHT IN KERALAM

 SAHIVA-PARVATHY, ANOTHER LOVE STORY

 Sathy was reborn as the daughter of Himalaya. (In Samskrutham, parvathy means daughter of parvatham, parvatham is mountain).  She started tapasya at the tender age of three, for her reunion with Shiva.

 As Shiva was in a very sad and aggressive mood, ever since his beloved Sathy’s self immolation (see my blog), he never came out of the trance and was totally unaware of the young girl’s wish. When he understood it, Parvathy, now sixteen years, with coiled hair and emaciated body, eating fruits to keep her alive, was still in her tapasya. So he came to her, disguised as a Brahman, and enquired about her wish, for which she was doing such hard meditation and prayers.

 He tried to dissuade her, but ultimately yielded to her desire to marry him. According to one story, this day, day of their meeting, is celebrated every night, as Ladies’ night, today in the Malayalam month of Dhanu. All night, in the bright moon light, they play about in the ponds, swimming and throwing water on each other, or enjoying the improvised swing, hung from the branches of trees.

 Each one chews 101 betel leaves, one after another, smeared with lime and mixed with areca nut pieces, after chewing which their lips become red. This betel chewing is common among ladies in olden days, after dinner.

 They do fasting, taking only tender coconut water and plantain. Needless to say, men are totally prohibited in this night activities.

 This is observed only in God’s own country, Keralam.

SEX IS JOY

I wonder why Christian God forbade Eve from eating the fruit.

Hindu Gods like to enjoy sex. Lord Indra has many dancing girls in Paradise. Still, he come down to earth to have sex with Ahalya, assuming the form of her husband!

The old temples are full of sculptures and frescoes of half naked or totally nude female figures with full breasts, in a seductive post. Khajuraho temples are famous examples.

 All healthy people need it and it helps in mental well being also.

Single people tend to become morose and unfriendly.

In the West they like legs; here we love breasts!

DEVI CULT

Hindus are either Shaivites or Vaishnavites. Of course, now we worship all, including Budha and Guru Nanak.

 It would appear that Devi worship was prevalent throughout India, from a much earlier period, involving aniamal and baby sacrifice, which made Budha preach Ahimsa or nonviolence as a creed. The famous Kali temple of Calcutta is witness to the blood of millions of animals like goats. People used to offer their first baby as sacrifice, to propitiate  the deity.

 At the Kali temple at Kodungallore, thousands of cocks were being sacrificed by wringing their neck, on Ashwaty nakshatram in the month of Kumbh (Feb.15 to March 14) This practice is now stopped.

 In Tamilnadu, Mariamma is the Devi. Every village has a Mariamman covil (temple).

Those who believe in Devi cult, believe that she is the source of all Shakty or Power. All other Gods are her creation.

 Scientifically too, mother can give birth, even without man, as in cloning. I think India is the only country to have Goddess as the supreme power.

TWINS ARE NOT EXACT REPLICA

Recent research involving a number of identical twins has shown that, after decades, they become very dissimilar.

According to text book, a sperm with X or Y chromosomes and the ovum with X chromosomes, combine to form a single cell, the oozote. This divides to form two identical cells, which some how get detached from each other, resulting in two identical twins. If the initial cell division results in a single entity without becoming separate, only one baby will be formed after a series of divisions.

The researchers found that in several cases, one of the identical twins developed cancer, while the other one was perfectly normal.

Even otherwise, there are minor differences which the mother can easily find out, even as they are babies. Their character is also dissimilar.

This means that when a cell divides, the resultant cells are not exact replica of one another. What is the explanation?

As I have pointed out in my blog on cytoplasm, at one stage, when the chromosomes become invisible, before the dividing membrane is formed, it is the cytoplasm that takes control of the operations. This mechanism must be fully understood.

In the normall course, all the cells formed initially are identical (is it really so?). Afterwards, a division of these cells appears: one third bcoming bones, one third developing as muscles and the remaining cells forming the nervous system. Who decides which cells develop into which group?

I hope some attempt is being made to solve this riddle.

TEMPLES AROUND TRICHUR

 There are several temples in and around the town.

 Vatakunnathan Shiva temple, in the centre of the town dominates the whole landscape, with a gentle sope towards all directions. Inside its massive walls, you feel as if in a different world. There is Sankaranarayana idol (unique, as Shaiva and Vaishnava cult co- exist in Keralam), in addition to Shivalingam.

 To the east, is Paramekavu Devi temple and at the north, is Krishna temple. These two temples compete with one another, to make the Pooram festival a grand success, made much of by the Tourism Department.

Some 14 kms. along the Triprayar (Ram temple) road, is the grand Peruvanam temple (see my blog), with the Thiruvullakav Sastha temple, Subrahmanya temple at Thayamkulangara, Bhagavathy temple at Cherpu, Oorakath Ammathiruvady (the only temple of Mahalakshmy in this area), all within walking distance. While in Keralam, I used to cover all these in my morning walk.

 Autorickshaws are available for short distances, if you do not have a car.

 By noon, you can return to the town and see an excellent view from Velangan kunnu near Amala hospital.

The Kodungallur Kali temple is locally famous, as is the Triprayar Ram temple; but these are on different routes.

Temples of Ram at Triprayar, Bharat at Irinjalakuda, Lakshman at Mozhikunnu, and Shathrughna, all can be visited in one day. Tour operators are providing arrangements during the holy month of Karkidakam (July) second half.

SHORT STORY – FATE

We were walking along the road, talking about the law and order situation in the city, especially about the safety of elderly people.

I saw some one lying in the gutter. I wanted to see whether he is alive, but my friend held me back, saying it may be a case of murder even. Why attract the attention of the police?

I heard some sound, as if coming from the man. I came nearer and found that he was trying to show something. He looked like a perfect gentleman in white shirt and pants.

Yes, it was a packet in his pocket. I opened it. It looked like sugar.

My friend rushed towards us, took the packet and emptied it into the old man’s mouth. In a few seconds, he sat up. We helped him to walk and presently, he called a rickshaw and got into it, thanking us profusely.

We walked along side the rickshaw as we wanted to make sure that he reached home safely. My friend explained to me that it was a simple case of diabetes. Sometimes low sugar can even kill him. He was lucky we saw him. He was wearing a costly watch and had a gold chain.

His wife, so we assumed, came out to receive him, abusing the poor man: didn’t I tell you not to go alone? One day you will die.

The man invited us to come in, but we declined, saying we will come some other time.

A car stopped suddenly, as it passed by me, in the traffic chaos of the road. The old man put his head out through the window and asked me to get in. As I was about to get into the front seat, he said: sit by my side.

When I was seated, he continued: that day you two ran away. I could not even thank you properly. Tell me who are you? What are you doing?

I came to work, as we are very poor people. My friend brought me. I stay in my room. That day we were returning home.

What do you do?

I sell books and magazines.

Who are at home?

Mother and a sister. Two sisters are married.

Father?

He is no more.

We had reached his house which was very big.

His wife came out. A fat, pot bellied woman, with an evil look.

 We went in and I was offered a chair. Seeing my hesitation, he said: you saved my life. You are like God to me. Tell me, can you help me?

Oh! Yes. I am ready.

See, I am alone. I have to go here and there. In the evening, I go for a walk. You have to be with me; that is all.

OK.

I will give you six thousand every month.

I went to my friend and told him every thing.

With the advance salary he gave me, I went to our village home. My mother could not believe me.

I said: he wants my sister to assist in the kitchen.

After some reflection, she said: then you take her with you.

There was a festive mood at home. Mother made her favourite fish curry. Neighbours came to participate in the rejoicings.

Before I got this new work, I used to sell pornographic CDs and books to young men and women. I knew it was illegal, but I got good response and easy money. Many became very friendly with me. One girl with curly hair, was always hitting and kicking me, because I refused to do her bidding. She is very fair and I do like her.

She waylaid me by stopping her car just in front of me. She got out of the car and asked in an angry tone: where are you these days? Don’t you sell CDs?

Both of us entered the back seat and she did whatever she wanted. At last, when exhausted, she said: they have fixed my marriage. Till then, I want you here, every day.

Then she dropped me at my friend’s room.

My friend began asking questions about my sister’s stay in the old man’s house. Where does she sleep?

I told him she seems to be happy there. She will always bring something delicious to eat.

I showed him the revolver, with proper license, given to me by the old man. It was loaded and I practiced shooting at a stone in a lonely place. In a few days I learned to shoot, with accurate aim. I shot a crow from a distance of fifty metres.

One day, I was escorting the old man to the bank. After our work was over, we returned to our car and the driver started the engine. I did not notice anything unusual. When we reached a lonely place, two men suddenly came in front of the car, forcing the driver to stop the vehicle. Apprehending danger to my boss, I shot one and injured the other. The latter was brought to a hospital and the police informed.

I explained every detail, as I thought it my duty to serve the old man.

We went home.

That night, the police came and took me away. They treated me well, but told me to sign a document, saying, if I signed it, they would try to save my life; otherwise I would be hanged, as there was a perfect case against me. I signed it.

There were mosquitoes. The atmosphere was gloomy. Some how, I was not unduly disturbed. If they hang me, my boss will take care of my sister.

Next day, my boss came with a lawyer. They tried to get me bail, but their efforts failed.

In the evening, my friend, the curly haired blonde, came with another lawyer. She was very much upset and worried. They did not allow her to come very near to me.

 A few days passed. Then she, along with the lawyer, met the magistrate and showed him some documents and video, to prove that we were married, and attended the reception at her town, on that fateful night !

As prima facie, it was genuine, the magistrate ordered my release on bail.

WHERE IS THE LETTER BOX?

Just for a change, I wrote a letter in an “inland letter” form.

Where can I post this letter? Is there no “letter box” near by? I aked every one. They all replied: go to the post office.

It is surprising that, here at Indirapuram, where thousands of people live, there is no letter box, even in busy centres.

Can poor people afford to send letters by courier?

I GOT NEW SPECS

My old cpecs were dilapidated and the handles (what do you call those hocky stick shaped things that hold it?) bent ,because I bend it several times to make it tight, but I never wanted to change it.

During our journey to Anritsar, I lost it; it just disappeared mysteriously from our baggage.

So I am forced to have new one.

I still feel the old one was more comfortable.