Being with Bhavana.....During her house warming at Mysore...

Bhavana...a girl whom i knew less when she was my student...at Indian Institute of Ayurveda in Bangalore...during my brief stay in the institution. If not anything i happened to meet one of the very promising batches with lovely kids...the final BAMS students...2009 passouts. They not only showed respect towards me...they also poured enormous love and affection. This girl belonged to that batch. I couldnt even know the names of all the students properly...before i left the college due to un avoidable circumstances. But i carried some sweet memories given by these kids...as i got everywhere i went.
Bhavana was known roughly to me as a calm and composed girl. Later i met her once when i returned to the college for some official matters to be settled. Later after a few months she happened to help me in a medical camp conducted by my current clinic...where i knew her more and from near as she was with me for the whole day. It was then i came to know that she is a talented girl with high potentials and daring dreams to achieve. She became almost a family member to me and one of the dearest daughters.
It happened once that she sent me a message..." If you were to give a name to me what would you call me?"...I analysing her qualities said....I would have called you Sowmya...which suits you much. She liked that so much that she reciprocated a msg...in her own words on 23rd april 2009 at 18:44 pm ..."From today onwards you call me sowmya sir pl..." I too was happy....unknowingly she had given me a previlage of naming a girl child. Another daughter in my life....God honours us in many ways and blesses us with lovely people...if we deserve.
Her activities and behaviour, the way she thinks and expresses, the likes and wishes she has... all indicate that there is a cute little child alive in her even at this age...and thats why she is so lovable. I pray that she keeps alive the child in her...because we dont find such people often who are very real by heart....this is one quality i learnt from her. She is somethin special and unique... i still think there is an unknown ocean to be explored about her and no one can do that...!
Everytime i speak to her...she has something to tell which is so touching to the heart that i start feelin....why i cant be like her? In one way she is a little teacher and philosopher to me. She is a wonderful child.
Griha pravesham at Mysore.... One of the happiest moments of her life...House warming on 8th of novomber 2009...at Vijaynagar area...Mysore. She wanted me to be a part of her happiness when they entered their new home...when she invited me...and how could i have missed out? I knew what it meant for her. I left to Mysore on saturday evening...in train...along with her juniors and my students...from final prof...Usha, Chetna and Ajay...good kids as well. I had a nice company of theirs through out...until my return. We reached Mysore at 9:30 pm and the Bhavana...dressed like a princess had come in car to recieve us. We went home...freshened up...had dinner.....and then went for a long walk....in a cool pleasant climate. We got plenty of time with each other. We came back and had a nice sleep...got up in the morning and witnessed a traditional house warming...amidst poojas and homa. Light showers blessed the occassion. Met her parents, brothers...wonderful people. Met some of her relatives and friends too. She used to come every now and then...sit with me and speak her heart out...showed how much she cared for me...and that she was happy with my presence. I too was happy by seeing her happy...and being a part of her happiness.
I had a delicious lunch and left Mysore bidding her bye....and reached Bangalore and home at 9pm. Again i had carried beautiful memories...this time from Mysore. May the new home bring new things into her life and make her happier...for ever and..............for ever...........

Fun time at...Innovative Film City...Bengaluru...

Innovative Film City is a beautiful locale on the out skirts of Bangalore...on the Mysore road at a place called Bidadi...around 15 to 16 kms from Kengeri.Just for a change if you would plan a family day out and wanna go somewhere and have fun or release all the stress within you i would strongly recommend you to have a visit to this small city...which is full of fun...you can enjoy forgetting your age n relish back the memories of your childhood. If you are planning something for your children...then take them there and let them have fun and enjoy your part of happiness in their innocent smiling and happy faces...they will thank you and remember the visit for ever as a beautiful memory. I experienced something like that when i went there with my family and also an extended version of it...where i found my happiness in the enjoyment of my 7 year old child Abhi.Thanks to my best friend Bharath for planning this trip....
It has been a pretty long time since my best friend Bharath proposed the idea of having a family trip to Innovative Film City...the plan got postponed a couple of times for one or the other reasons...but not this time. We finally decided to go there on sunday...the 1st of november 2009.
We all met at the entrance of the Film City at around 11 am...
Who all?..... My family....i mean MYSELF, my wife Manasa, my son Abhi and my mother...An extended part of my family was my students and kids...Bindhiya and Archana, my best friend Bharath...and 2 of his friends...Anand and Sandeep...who also became our best friends.
Whats there to see n enjoy?.....
I recommend you not to miss worth seeing inclusions of the city i.e...
* Louis Tussaud's Wax Works: Wonderful display of life size wax creations of world famous personalities.
*Funplex: Plenty of pay and play for your kids...they will enjoy here.(Other options.. Kid's Play)
*Ripley's Believe it or not: Believe it or not u ll get to see some of the worlds unbelievable facts.
*Aqua Kingdom...:Play and enjoy in water...Lose stress...come out happy.
*Cartoon city
*Miniature city, Amphitheatre and Wild Wild West.
Other attractions are...Innovative talkies, Wannodo city, Haunted Mansion, Fossil Museum, Dinosaur world, Mirror Maze.....
You also can play golf at Mini Golf, Cricket, Go for a drive at Velocity, Have awhirl around on the roller coster....and plenty of other fun...
Ya...you can also take a break in between and have food of your choices and as per your budget...
Best part of our trip...
*Three generations together...having fun...and experiencing happiness in each others pleasure.
*Wonderful chemistry between Bharath and Abhi...A-B Combi...through out...
*Getting new friends...wonderful people...the calm and pleasant Sandeep and the funny jolly go good Anand...both professionals...and still good gentlemen...what a company....and the rocking Bharath of course...who is of course our family member since long.
*Abhi enjoying the best part of his life and childhood...mingling with all...
*Two pretty angels with us....Bindu and Archana...
*My mother with us walking for the whole day and enjoying even at her age...
*Away from routine and fun amidst our own's for all...
What we missed?
Family members who were not with us because they could not...
Students who were supposed to come and couldnt come...
Archana Kashyap and................Rajesh
How you could better your trip?....
Go in big groups of family and friends to have innovative and maximum fun...like we did...
Carry lot of money....ha ha ha....because after the entrance ticket...thats not all...you might have to spend plenty to have more fun inside...everywhere...
Go in a vechile of your own or hired transportation...
Go as early as possible and see the selected one's...because you require lot of time and energy to cover the whole lot of the city...
If money doesnt matter all for you....if fun and enjoyment too matters...if you want to go somewhere within your city limits to have an outing....if you wanna give good for your kids and be happy for yourselves as well....then i reccomend this place strongly....
Just for a change....and if you havent seen it....its a good one...worthy....
If you have already seen it....then you know better....ignore it....and plan how to better your next visit....if you are goin with a different group.....so that you can guide them to see the best in the best of time....as we had Bharath with us....Thank you buddy....
Small trips make differences....you will gain something new and precious....Try and experience this....
Next time....another place.... more fun....more news....more friends......
Until then......Bye............................

Dashavatara...exhibit by Abhi...

Says Abhi...my 7 year old son..."I am Abhinav...My exhibit is Dashavataram...Dashavataram means 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu...They are Matsya-Koorma-Varaha-Narasimha-Vamana-Parashurama-Rama-Krishna-Buddha and Kalki. Sambhavami Yuge Yuge...Lord Krishna tells whenever there is a trouble to Dharma I will take birth in different incarnations to destroy the Adharma or evil and establish Dharma or righteousness" This was the concept he used to explain innocently to everyone who came to his counter to see his exhibit...Dashavatara. He displayed the exhibits in the exhibition conducted in his school...Prarthana School(Padmanabha nagar, Bangalore) related to science and culture from 29th to 31st of october 2009. Since Abhi has an inclination towards stories and mythological charecters...we chose the concept of Dashavataram for the cultural exhibit...after discussing with him. He was equally interested and thrilled in the concept.

Preparation: We took the project...i mean the exhibits for the exhibition...rather seriously and dedicated everything to see that everything went as we expected. The passion started getting the things together for us and we put the right things at the right place to get the desired product for the exhibition. I, my wife Manasa and Abhi went to the market to get all the necessary things required to make the models....paints,pencils,colour pens and crayons, thermacols,drawing sheets,scale,scissors,gum tapes, and ...........everything. We started doing the things...Painted the characters after drawing them...decorated them...cut them delicately and pasted them on platforms. Trained Abhi to recite the concept. On the day of submission it was horrible for us to carry them from home to school since they were delicately made and fragile. My father in law gave us an idea of taking them carefully in their car... They dropped us near the school on the way to a wedding where they were going. We submitted the models and the tension was cleared.

Performance: Now it was Abhi's turn to market the product and he made it a success. He presented his exhibit so nicely that he drew attention and appreciation for the work. Truely as the visitors, his teachers, friends, and the principal said...our work was unique...and every body were happy that they were made by us...doctors...not professional painters or artists. We too got appreciation for the work and at the end of the day...the climax was a happy one...for all of us. Our hard work for about a fortnight was fruitful because we did it with passion...ya things could be bettered for the next time...because we will be working to keep up our record and reputition...in the next attempt.

The Exhibition: Apart from my sons exhibit...we could find many such interested children taking part in the exhibition getting different and innovative models. The participation was open for children from 1st standard to the 10th. The exhibits were arranged classwise and it was a fabulous teamwork of the school management to bring out the best of their kids. The enthusism of the cute kids is appreciable. They never looked tired at any part of the day all through 3 days because it was every childs dream to be the best. Class 3 kids showed ultimate levels of enthusism. They used to shout and call the visitors...in a "me first-me first" instinct. The curiosity, passion and a spirit of competition....and more over a serious involvement was clearly seen. It shows the level and quality of promotion given by the teaching staff of the school.

One girl to be name was Kavya...who showed promises of becoming a good orater or a teacher or a councillor...the way she used to speak and attract the audiences was mind blowing. She had a simple concept of an Aquarium. Nobody might ever be interested to go to her. But she made sure that each one halted at her counter and heard what she wants to tell. She could have drawn the attention of almost everyone like me. Such things show us that.. "though we may not have big things for the world...but if it is presented beautifully...even simple things start looking great" Her friends Gautami, Gahavi, Daksha(one frm class 3 sec A and the other frm sec J), Deepa, Kavitha....all were promising.......

Even similar passion as said above was seen in all the classes and among kids of all age groups but with a pace of maturity. We wish that these kids grow up to be in some respectable positions in future to lift their parents head in pride with a tinct of tears of joys in the angles of their eyes. All the parents dream for their children and the children will definitely fulfill their dreams with lots of colors...provided their parents take part in moulding and channelising those dreams in a proper way keeping due respect and values to what their kid wants rather than what they desire. This is what we learnt in the process of making the moulds for exhibition. Probably Lord Vishnu in his unnamed form teaches us what is our Dharma...and if we can get the lessons right...good results and fruits will be definitely within our reach...because God has already kept our fruits ready....they are reachable provided we find the right way in the right time.....

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha....

Sarve jano sukhino bhavantu....

Jani Bhai's Marriage at Udupi...

Janardhan Hebbar....what to tell about him...Jani as we know and call him...is one of my best friends...nothing different from my brother. I know him from more than 4 years...to start with from my post graduation days at Koppa. We belonged to different faculties but shared that friendly relation. He was so jovial...and is too...even now. Very rare person to find. He speaks heart and so realistic. He is a hard and sincere worker....and a dreamer who can achieve. He thinks different and works accordingly...an organized individual. I am almost like a family member of theirs...as his mother considers me as her elder son...i m lucky for that...for having enjoyed her motherly care and affection. He is my family too.
He got married to Karthyayini on sunday the 25th of october 2009 at the holy shrine Udupi. Looks like made for each other jodi...Since i know him closely i can tell that she is lucky to have him as a life partner. It was almost like a family event that i could not have missed. On reaching Udupi at around 9 am due to a bus delay...i got freshened up at a nearby lodge and went to the marriage hall. The marriage was a fest to the eyes carried out in typical brahmin sampradaya. Got to meet some of his family members...sister...brother in law...who were not new to me...and also many more. Got 2 best friends in the form of Chandrashekara working in Airport Bangalore and his brother Divakara working in Infosys branch Mysore. Had a nice time with them until my come back. I was happy to see Dr D.K Mishra H.O.D Bhaishajya dept...Koppa for having come to his student...Janardhan's marriage...all the way. This indicates the strong student - teacher relationship as a part of our Indian culture...where they take part in each others happiness without prejudices. I also had a nice time with Dr Ravishankar...my student at Koppa...who is doing his post graduation at Moodbidri. He too was happy to see me...again a friendly student teacher relationship...though i havent taught them much. I also met Dr Rachana and her husband...she was in Jani's dept at Koppa...and a good friend of mine too.
Now not to miss out telling before i wind up...the most important one...Lord Krishna's darshanam at the Udupi mata(shrine). I sat for a while in the temple and read Vishnu Sahasra Nama...and prayed for all those in my circle of relations. One thing to miss out is the darshanam of Lord Manjunatha...at Dharmasthala...since we reached late on our way back. But i and Chandrashekara had food in the shrine as prasadam...for our satisfaction..as a small token from the almighty. I visited the Raghvendra Swamy Mata just below the marriage hall at Udupi.
At last on monday morning we were back at Bangalore...got fresh at home and back to duty. But I wish that my best friend and brother Janardhan has a wonderful and happy married life. Lord Krishna bless the couple....
Jai Shri Krishna.....

Deepavali at Bannerghatta...

It was a pretty long time since we have planned to go to the Bannerghatta National Park with family...Every time it was planned it got struck due to one or the other reason. But this time we planned it perfect since the holidays were about to finish for ABHI(my son) and we wanted to get him out to have some fun before he is back to the school schedules. The occassion could not have been better than Deepavali. Appa and Amma came home(My wife's parents) in car at around 9am on 17th october 2009...Bali Padhyami...We wished each other for the fest and had the breakfast. Around about 10 am we left to Bannerghatta.
Bannerghatta National Park: We reached there at about 11am. It is one of the best and well mailtained national parks where the animals are allowed to live in a forest like natural habitat planned especially for their convenience. We all went for a around the forest safari. On the way it was a fabulous experience to see some animals very close to us... the springing bucks and deers, the elegant lion, the beautiful tiger and tigress, the furry bears...etc. It was a first encounter for abhi to see the wild animals so close and his enjoyment had no limits...infact all of us enjoyed. Coming back from the safari we had a round in the zoo seeing some animals, birds and reptiles. We also enjoyed seeing colorful fishes in the aqua. The best part was to have a fun ride over an elephant...just we 2...me and abhi. We all enjoyed delicious lunch which we had carried from home...brinjal chitranna, curd rice, chips and some special sweets prepared from amma.
Next we went to the butterfly park....the largest butterfly park in the world. Such a nice paradise....amidst beautiful nature...especially for those small beautiful colorful creatures. A sincers effort from the govt and forest dept of Karnataka. So many varieties of butterflies...attractive and eye catchy....an educative museum telling us a to z of the flies...and a film show as well. I would recommend all of you visiting Bannerghatta to go to the butterfly park and relish its beauty.
We came back home and rested for a while. The enjoying feature was abhi having fun....and more over amma inspite of recovering from a health upset for more than a week...was able to walk for long distances with us...not willing to miss anything. It was her will power that gave her extreme energy.2 extremes of ages...give us inspiration that its the will power, a heart to enjoy and a childs attitude required to enjoy life....and live life. Some morals come out with each trip of lifes journey...To enjoy life as it is and as it comes.
Evening...some light work in front of the house...customary of Deepavali.
Next day that is on 18th october we went to one of the finest films which could be brought on to the screen....Magadheera...a telugu flick. Evening some cracker display from abhi....and at the end of the day...all were happy.But one thing we all missed in common....Giri&Madhurya(my brother and sister in law...now in USA)....and the smiles of their/our kids....Rachu and Archu....But we prayed and enjoyed for them too...because we know that all our happiness are interdependant....tied in a common thread of love...Miss u all...
Festivals are not about lavish spending,partying, marketing and eating...its more about getting together...being a cause and part of each others happiness. If happiness is the goal...different routes emerge in our way....try it...n njoy life.....
HAPPY DEEPAVALI TO ALL OF YOU....

My Best Friend's Wedding....

Susheel Shetty....i can tell is one of my best friends....ever. I can tell that he's one dearest one i found from my post graduation days at Koppa. When he came to our post graduation department of Kaya Chikitsa...i thought that he should be a very reserved and conservative type of person....by the way he looks...a large built serious guy. He is one person who made me realise that its not the outer looks but the inner core which makes an individual...and much different from others as in case of Susheel. What to tell about him....So friendly, helpful, caring and a lovable person. His presence in our department brought life...and when he is not around we all used to miss him seriously. We have a lot of age difference...but he used to be so jovial with me and treated me as a close friend when many respected me due to my age...not that he didnt respect...he was the person who respected me the most...but it was seen in his gestures. He is more than a brother to me. I learnt a lot from him...to be happy always,to tolerate things when something is beyond our tolerance, to have a control over our ego and unwanted emotions, breakouts and reactions and to handle the situations carefully, delicately and as per situation.

If a friend makes you feel from your inner depth that this person should have been your brother....then there is nothing much left to explain...its all about understanding

My best friends wedding....How could i have missed it? It was on sunday the 4th of october 2009 at Karkala. I left to Karkala on saturday night and reached by 9 am due to bus delay. He had arranged my stay in a hotel which was really good and comfartable. I got freshened up and left to the choultry...i mean function hall.The wedding was fabulous, rich and traditional. He and his wife Kshama looked a wonderful pair....Made for each other...certainly. I was happy to meet some of my old friends there...Guru, Chezian, Joshi, Sreejith, Brijesh.....had a nice time with them. Left Karkala by 9 pm and reached Bangalore in the morning. Back to schedules...but i was happy that i was a part of my best friends happy moment...the best one of his life. God bless the couple.....

Happy Married Life Susheel.........

Birthday of my angel...

Sone pe suhaga as the hindi proverb goes..which means vermillon on the gold..in simple terms adding joy to happiness. If a father happens to celebrate his daughter's birthday immediately after his sons...that too if the sweetest moment come the following day..what better happiness would he ever have asked for...
Ya i am speaking about my daughter Archana Kashyap's birthday. She was my student at Koppa...Chickmagalur dist...now doing her internship at Bangalore. She is more than a daughter to me and i am lucky to get her in my life. If any girl gives you a feeling that if you would have had a daughter...she should have been like this...and if the girl too has a similar feeling and respect towards you as a father....then you are the luckiest and most blessed one in the world...Because getting a status of a father and gaining that respect from some one else's daughter is a pleasant feeling. Archana is one such girl who made me feel like that. She is an angel...whom every father would like to have her as a daughter.
Her birthday was on 14th september 2009, immediately following my son Abhi's birthday on 13th sept. She was one of the guests for my sons birthday party...but we celebrated her birthday too on the same day..as she is far away from home...and will be missing her parents. We took the responsibility to make her not miss her family. It was a fact that we could not have met on the day of her birthday and all of us will be indulged in our schedules and duties as it was a working day. Moreover we were all far away from each other...distance wise. So we had a 2 in 1 celebration. Hope she too is happy.
Happy Birthday Beta......Be happy always......

Appu's Birthday

13th sept 2009..yesterday...it was supposed to be one of the happiest day in my life...and so did it turn to be...and why not...it was my son Abhi's birthday. So soon he has grew up crossing 7 autumns of his life...as he stepped into his 8th year... For us as parents he is always a small kid doing some mischievous things, non senses and rubbishes in front of us. It is hard to believe that he has grown up into a 7 years old boy so quickly...or is it that we havent grown up? Probably it may be due to a fact that he does so kiddish things much below par of his age that we miss out that growth pattern in him or it may also be true that we do not want to accept that he is growing up or we always like to see him doing such things which doesnt give an impression of his growing up. Its not that he is too childish...there are some facts which makes us believe that he is a child of immense potentials...he is a creator and a genius by himself. He makes us look young and too tiny before him. We are proud parents today. Many who see him might think that he is a jovial child enjoying his life as he wants and not doing anything serious. We knowing his potentials have decided to allow him to grow by enjoying life as it comes and as he wants...not too much freedom...but the trust factor in him which makes me tell this. Dont think that i am too possessive or optimistic about my child. May be as per my sixth sense i might be linking this blog to another one of mine about abhi...substantiating the same fact when he grows up to be a different and unique successful individual in the society...may be 20 to 25 years later...when probably i ll be too grey but still full of pride and honour. This is a language of a confident father. If he plays before the day of exam without revising...and goes to the exam as if there is none and still can hold applause for topping in the school, if he tries to know everything by questioning and sub questioning, if he plays cool when he has to be stressed, if we shout at him for stupid acts...and makes us feel sorry for that...my vision of him being a genious might be in the cards when they turn in his favour. We have started noticing creativity in his stupid plays. Our support and blessings are always with him...and God's too. Happy Birthday Appu....
The Celebrations...............His birthday started on the previous day itself. He helped his grandfather...sastry tata...to decorate home for the occassion. We missed his prabha ajji. Kanasri tata and Sharada ajji(my in law's) were missed too....as they couldnt come due to a compression injury to my father in law. We missed my brothers and brother in law's family. More over Rachu...my brother in law's son...we missed him so much as we always celebrated their birthdays jointly. Though we missed many...the other part of our family joined the party...to make it memorable. The first one to come was my daughter...Bindhiya(student). She filled some joyful environment with her presence...by nature she is no elder to my son. We jointly celebrated the birthday of my yet another daughter...my angel...Archana Kashyap(student)...whose birthday was 1 day later i.e on 14th sept. Other kids at the party were...my students...Archana M.S, Ranjita, Dinesh Sahu, Sowmya Bhat, Prathiba, Keshav and best friend..Bharath. But all of us missed my son....Rajesh(student)...seriously. Abhi's friends came in the evening.
We had a cake cut...Black Current...best one from Kaggi's Bakery...Uttarahalli, Bangalore. Every one relished the taste. Meals...another good cattering service from the famous Sastry's Bakery...K.R.Road, Bangalore. The menu had...delicious Bisi bele bath, Holige, Curd rice, Poori and sagu, chips....every one liked the taste amidst enjoyment and celebrations. It was a festive environment...thanks to all who responded my call amidst their busy schedules...of course it is the relationship that counts and matters at last. Some people come from nowhere and become a part of our life...we and abhi too is lucky for having been blessed with such relations in our life. Abhi had some wonderful gifts...apart love...which he ll surely relish for the rest of his life...
C U next year....same day...same time....same celebrations...probably with lots of nears and dears...whom we missed along this time and all those relations which will sum up in the coming days....

Felt the responsibility of a daughters father...

It was an afternoon of a cloudy monday i.e 31st of august 2009...ya...day before yesterday...that i was keenly waiting for the arrival of my destined daughter...my student Archana...my lil angel...who was coming to Bangalore from her native after a 2 day travel...to complete her remaining part of housemanship of 6 months here...
It was planned that i would be collecting her from the railway station. She refused initially and said that she would come to my clinic or home if i would give her the address and guide her. But i did not agree. I told her that she was not a formality but a responsibility to me. She had given me the status and respect of a father to me and its my responsibility and duty to gaurd that relationship...and i had nothing to prove. She reached Majestic bus stand from railway station at around 5.30 pm. From there we left to my residence...her home at Uttarahalli. I was so happy by seeing her that i did not even ask her whether she had any food in the noon or at what time she had the food...how stupid of an ageing father...was it fading memory or the love which masked it?...i dont know...but though it was not intentional...i felt that i failed somewhere as a father...it would carry on in my heart...may be for improvising over such mistakes in future.... i mean to correct and not to repeat them. I messaged her appologizing for that...and she too gave a beautiful reply...in her own words... " No sir.. I took breakfast na.. I dnt hav hunger, nd aftr seeing u i got such a happiness, wat to tell nw.. I dnt want anything. Bit cold is der 4 me so nt mood.." .......so innocent, loving and frank reply. I felt no one could defend their parents mistakes and mask them as a daughter does.
We reached home and had food. My wife was a perfect mom in such a condition and knows how to treat kids and love them...and who would not like my angel? She enjoyed the food with us and her brother Abhi...ya....my son. We all had a nice time with each other...as one family. Her father gave a call and said that they were much relieved that their daughter has reached a secured destination...her home...and they shall not worry as long as we are there. Such a satisfaction it gives you when some one gives the responsibility of their daughter to you and trusts you so much...i felt proud and happy.
Next day i got her up early in the morning...around 5 am because she had to report to her duty by 9 am and she had to leave home early to travel a long distance till Shivajinagar. When i tuned the alarm the previous night...since it was a long time since i got up so early...my wife Manasa threw a joke on me which is so practical... She said...."Its not easy to be a daughter's father and since you have taken that responsibility you should enjoy it..." How true....Daughters are our pride, respect and responsibility. We feel thrilled and joyous when we fulfil our duties towards them and see a smile on their faces. I took her to the bus stand and bid her bye...with wishes for her future and lots of love. I missed her while sending off...probably every father of a girl feels...and keeps feeling.
I really felt the responsibility of a daughter's father and enjoyed every moment of it.... Luv u beta......

MANASA and ME....

......20th August 2009....the day on which i and Manasa started our journey of togetherness...being bound in wedlock....9 years and still going....
Married life is a mixture of emotions- feelings, love, care, affection, trust, understanding and misunderstandings,possessiveness, togetherness, outrages, patch ups...and much more. The combinations look improper at times...in the cocktail of life...but its always pleasure to taste it. Strange thing is that we can expect all from one...and be sure of getting it...at one time or the other...but the suspence is which emotion comes when...and how? We never know whether the thing we like the most is likable to the other person in our life or not...and we dont even know what will be the responses and reactions to it! But we still like to love the one we hate at times...applause the same person whom we criticise at times...Hug the same person whom we avoid at times...Live with the person whom we never knew...and know the person whom we dont want to at times...We learn so many things and take so much of time to realise that the other person matters in life and the life is incomplete without him or her.
But the institution of marriage and the concept of family is the greatest one basing the culture and tradition of our country...Come what may...at the end of the day...Husband gaurds the wife and wife supports her husband...not unwillingly...but unknowingly...many times. But how wonderful would be our lives if we do things for our partner knowingly and they reciprocate knowingly too. We spend our whole life time admiring the qualities of our partner inwards and denying it outwards, Wanting to express our love inwards and controlling it outwards. At last we end our lives thinking that we are each others necissities...and would never have felt that we are each others responsibilities and a reason to live. Before we realise the crux of the story it would have been too late.
Should we realise the importance of the other in the absence of the other and not until then?
Should we be so egoistic to take chances to express our love and care waiting for 'who first'.....?
Never....Life is not about competition...its about compromises, its not about our success...its the feeling of happiness in others success, Life is all about complementing each other...not creating complications to each other, Life is not conquering...its about giving and sacrificing, Life is not hatred...its extreme love.
As all husbands and wives... i and my wife Manasa too lived and are living in cocktail of emotions. We learnt and shared many things between us...and we have to learn many things from each other...for the rest of our lives. For me she is the best friend philosopheer and guide apart from being a wife. On the eve of our wedding anniversary i would proclaim my selfless love to her...which many times she would have loved to hear...and missed it from me...and i would have liked to tell and tried to tell and might have lost her notice. I respect her as much as i have loved her. The love, care, affection, support....and everything she has given me....only she could have given. She has at many times compromised for me, accepted some of my mistakes and corrected many...and has sacrificed somethings for me which i would not disclose. She accepted many of my relations and understood what i need...she probably learnt that i am a person who likes to expand the empire of relations...and i am happy...and will be happy if she is with me...always and she will...because she knows me by heart...and that i consider any new person coming into our web of relations as ours and not mine...
I would certainly not thank her for being there in my life as it would be an insult to her...
If you can reach the infinity point of love dear...i will be waiting for you...
With Love.... Raghu
Happy Wedding Day............

My Parents "Wedding Day"

It was the day my parents got together to become husband and wife...on 18th of august 1972. Even after 37 long years of a loving voyage of togetherness they look like worlds best couple...Made for each other.
For me their wedding day is a sweet memory which comes every year. Though we as a family were not physically together to celebrate their special day...many times...we missed them a lot and had a small celebration in our hearts every time...this time too.
I learnt many things from their everlasting and ever loving combination. Though they never trained or thought me about the marital relation...i learnt it from observance...all through my life. This helped me to better my marital relations everytime. The utmost love, care, affection, sharing things between them, taking decissions after discussing with each other, fulfilling the responsibilities towards children even in the toughest of times and worst of conditions...no matter what and how much they sacrifice, voluntering help to anybody when needed...are a few of many rich qualities which i tried to learn and adapt in my life from my parents.
I thank them from heart for getting right basics, discipline and culture into our lives...for giving the best for us...and for making us live as better individuals today.
Love you Appa and Amma....God bless your relationship...and keep you both happy for ever...and for ever.....
Happy Married Life........

Sending Archu....

Its a part of our Indian culture...but its never easy to say bye to your daughter. Tuesday the 11th of august 2009...it was a dream come true scenario for my brother-in-law Giri and his family...as they were flying to USA for an year. Sending them off was difficult but we have to live in reality. We all went to international airport - Bengaluru...to see them off for the 8:30 pm flight. Giri's daughter and my little darling baby...Archu...came to the partition separating us once they checked in...put her tiny hands on the glass divider and smiled at us...not knowing that she would fly far from us for a year or more. Her face indicated the unexplainable feeling that she is going to miss us as we do. As they took the boarding pass and slowly vanished from our vision...we kept looking them until we had a last glimpse...a feeling in each of our hearts which we were not ready to show or share with each other. Seeing tears roll from the eyes of my parents in law...i realised that the toughest thing in the life is to send a daughter far away...but i too had sent 2 of my daughters...Madhurya-my sis in law...who is nothing less than a daughter to me and her daughter...Archu who is a darling of my heart.
To make things heavier...not 2 but 3 daughters i had sent off...2 actively as i mentioned above and the other in my absence...another Archu...my student and daughter...Archana Kashyap. She too was going home at Korba...Chattisghar...and would take more time than Giri and family to reach the destination. She had a night train from city station. I fed Archu with my own hands on the afternoon of the day on which they left for USA. But i couldnt do it with the elder one...but i felt i was even feeding her. I went to airport with my archu darling...but i felt i was with my angel at the railway station too...at the same time. When i saw archu smiling at me...i saw the elder archu too in her eyes. One Archu went out of country and one out of state. But both of them rule my heart.....
It feels hard when your daughter is away...but you feel happy when she is away and happy...because even your happiness is in hers....
Miss you and love you a lot Archu....& Archu....you too....

She called me dad.......

Today is a happy day for me...because it is my daughters birthday...Her name is Bindhya...With love i call her Magu...Her loving name is Bindu...as her friends call her. Actually she is not my daughter by relation...she is my destined daughter...a gift by God to fulfill the slot & place of a daughter in my life.
She was my student in Koppa...Chickmagalur dist. I know her since she was in 2nd profesional B.A.M.S...and much more since i accompanied her class to the south Indian educational 10 day tour in 2006. I was not familiar with names of many and especially the cool and girls like Bindhiya. The tour days gave me to know them closely...their names and many things about these kids. One special kid was Bindhiya. It was in the mid way of our tour schedule...18th february...in Kodaikkanal...she told me something which touched my heart...She told me that whenever she sees me she feels like seeing her father...and she would not miss him when i am around. She was the first girl to give me a status of father and made me proud aswell. From that day our relationship developed strongly as a dad-daughter combination. I never feel that she is my student...infact my heart has accepted her as my own daughter that i at times become too possessive about her...as though i am her own dad. She too shares every happiness and bad moments with me so innocently like a child. I always feel that she is another face of my son Abhi.
I pray that God give her all the happiness...more than what she deserves...and keep her smile intact for ever. May every birthday of hers fortify the happy moments in her life.
Happy Birthday Magu....Love you so much....

Happy Day….

At last the tension came to an end….the drama was over….the suspense concluded….
Happy day indeed for all of us…. Friday..the 17th of july 2009…brought some pleasant news to our ears…as everyone of us were waiting for it desperately… 12:30:40 noon.. when Madhurya called with a sigh of relief and satisfaction to tell us that the stamping of visa…as a much awaited procedure…was over and the countdown of the few days at the end of which they will be flying to USA has just begun. As we tell know…that when right time comes…the destiny will place the right things in the right places. It was a wuch awaited one. Giri…deputed from Infosys on an official assignment to USA…will by all means be flying with family on 7th of august…where they will be staying for about a year or so…may be even more.

Many will have an ambition to fly abroad for career, money…and what not. But by all means people like Giri who are hard at their targets and don’t compromise with quality of work-garnished with sincerety passion and perfection deserve such chances to prove that they are choosen because they are the best. His dedication to the family or work or whatever is simply appreciable…and I am out of heart…a secret admirer and a fan of his.
The scheduled programme was kept delayed for one or the other reason…but the time had to come…and it did come. All the best Giri… We ll be missing you,love u too.

When Madhurya told that everything has been finalised…her sister…my wife Manasa…tried to hide her tears…I didn’t want to notice that aswell. After all they were more of friends…than sisters. My father and mother in law too would have felt the same…but those emotions are very important…because they will carry as blessings. Its not that I don’t have such feelings…after all I am sending my eldest daughter abroad…confusing isnt it! Simple..I and Madhurya share the relationship of father and daughter rather than……….!! She is a kid….and we ll be missin her. Love you baby.

Coming to their kids…neither they nor us have differentiated between our and their kids…rather we would admit that they are all our kids…the lime lights of our home. Its difficult even to miss little Rachu and Archu darling..but they are never far away…they rule our hearts.Especially Abhi…my son will be missing the kids..very much. Miss you and love you kids… take care….

Even they too will be missing us aswell….but whatever may be the feelings in the depth…we all know that there is a purpose behind everything…and we pray that their purpose, dreams, ambitions, aspirations…and everything…come true…and realistic.
May Lord Ganesha shower success fortune happiness health wealth friends…and everything on them and take care of them whereever they are….

All the best……..and…….Happy Journey

From all of us……

This is for you…..
“Shuklaambharadharam Vishnum Shashi Varnam Chaturbhujam
Prasannavadanam Dhyaayet Sarva Vighnopa Shaantahe”

My Birthday at “Halli-Mane….”

….seems strange isnt it!

July 12th 2009…my birthday. This time we all met at my father-in-laws home to celebrate my birthday. We all….means my wife Manasa, son Abhi, brother and sister in law – Giri and Madhurya, their kids Rachit and Archita &……of course the birthday boy…Raghu…that’s me. My father and mother in law- Ka Na Sri & Sharada Srinivas were hosting the bash. Big family…..no!.....But really missed out two more i.e my parents Seetharama Sastry and Prabha Sastry.

Early morning…as if everybody were waiting to pour their first wish on me. Family members sitting all around to hug and wish…calls and messages coming one behind the other…no spaces…call jams…waiting lists…continued till late morning. Wishes started flowing in right from the early morning….from friends…students…uff…never to end till night…more belated ones on the following days too.

We will come back to the special day. It was special in another sort because we had Giri’s family with us may be for the last time in a big get together before they flew to US in early august for a year or more. We ll be seriously missing them and they us. We all drove to a studio for a family photograph.

The next venue was HALLI MANE….dont mistake….we were not going on a trip to a villge cottage. We had planned our lunch in a wonderful restaurant…one of its kind by name Halli Mane…in 3rd cross Sampige Road,Malleshwaram – Bengaluru. Really pleasant place to have your food with a cultural touch….Only if you could book your seat and could wait for an hour or so with patience.We couldn’t have gone for a better place. Other than having good delicious food, tiffin and sweets of your choice…at the bottom floor….you could relish the feast of a tongue tickling dish on the first floor…especially if you are with your family or friends. The services and hospitality, cleanliness, environment, taste, choices….my god no compromises whatsoever with any thing. Hats off for the maintainance.

If you are at Bangalore and havent visited this place or if you are struck at Malleshwaram and would like to have good stuff for your belly or even for a visitor of Bengaluru searching for fabulous food…I would recommend Halli Mane. You will definitely like it and remember it for long.

We came back home at night.We had a nice time together and enjoyed as ever.

Bye…meet you on my next birthday….

Being Father....

Sunday...the 21st of june 2009. When i was on my way back home after a hectic day at the clinic...maybe around 8:00 pm...i was recieved by my son Abhi when i got down from the bus at my bank colony stop of Uttarahalli-Bangalore.His mother....i mean my wife Manasa was sitting in the Kaggis Bakery having ordered nodules,cake and gobi manchuri for all of us...as planned earlier to meet there at that particular time.Abhi jumped in joy when he saw me getting out of the bus...as always he gets thrilled seeing me even on other days when i come back home from clinic...indicating that he was eagerly waiting for me since long.He rushed into the bakery and told his mother that i have come.We had the snacks and reached home.That was a small treat he had planned for me along with his mom on account of the 'Fathers Day' He had told me on the way that some gift is awaiting for me at home and some more surprises.On entering home i was thrilled to see...not the little gift he has got for me...but the stickers he had pasted on the walls... which read...'My Dad Super'...'I love my dad'...& My dad is my hero'.There is nothing unusual about a father loving his son or a son loving his father...but many times the love and care either remains unexpressed...unsaid or un- understood.I always liked the way Appu....i mean Abhi... expressing his love towards me in an unsaid and innocent way.He is a shy guy when it comes to expressing things especially regarding matters concerned with love care and affection...but he has his own way of conveying things. Many say that he is like me in these things...as i too never used to be expressive in my younger days...and i am a much reformed person...is what i feel now and i dont take time to tell anyone how much i love and care for them...because life had taught me that things which are unsaid remain unheard by others.But things contrary to this concept has also happened to me many a times....Many in my life have understood my feelings of love and care though i didnt make a mention of it...i am blessed in this aspect.Really a father is a hero in the life of his child...and if your child has to consider and rate you as his or her hero then you have to prove yourself worthy of it in all aspects.You have to set yourself a rolemodel so that they should proudly be able to follow you and your principles.

Children are generally attached to their mothers rather than fathers.Fathers are generally tough towards their children atleast until they grow up and stand on their own legs.They want their children to grow up disciplined.Its not that the mothers dont do that...but they are more forgiving at situations.Fathers get annoyed when their child does a mistake and take harsh steps and go to the level of punishing them...of course with a genuine reason...which the child will not understand.By the time the father looks his child as a friend at their teenage...it will be too late for the poor father...because a rebel has already developed and matured in the mind of the child.. who during the course of his growth and development has built and fortified a strong concept within himself that the father is a punisher and a terminator...and can never be a friend.But who should tell the children that it was the same father who made them walk by holding the fingers... who made them talk...who saw dreams for them and put their hearts out day and night earning to accomplish the dreams into reality...who loved them and could never express or their love and care was masked by their tough attitudes.Most of the fathers dont speak to their children especially their sons and the sons to their fathers.They dont sit and sort it out...instead go on stretching the difference of opinions and conflicts as if they are the greatest enemies.They communicate with each other in an indirect way or through a mediator...may be mother.. wife...or...whoever.Generations have gone...but the gap is yet to fill. Its not that a father should not hear to what his son has to tell and adhere to his stubborn concepts of what he thinks and means. Its not a question of winning and losing. The father should also try to understand that the trends are changing and he should be giving friendly suggestions rather than implementing rules and regulations. The kids on the other hand can hear to what their father is trying to tell rather than discarding the theory before it is framed..because no father will think ill for his kids...maybe the experienced suggestions come handy!. Luck are those fathers whose kids consider them as their friends philosophers and guides and try to live on their guidelines and morals.Lucky are those children whose fathers have time for them...to play with them...to enjoy with them...to teach them...to go outing with them...and understand that todays children require a bit of freedom and liberty...of course conditioned. Fathers...try to get involved in each and every aspect of your childrens life...but dont ever make them feel that you are interfering into their affairs.Give them freedom and allow them to grow up as an individual...because God has given potential to every one and we can only motivate them but not control and command them. Condition the freedom in such a way that the children keep thinking that they are given liberty and at the same time do not tresspass the ethical way of life.Everything lies in managing things.Trying to understand,helping,lending moral support,motivating,loving and caring your kids may either reduce or close the generation gap.Life is living happily on the backdrop of compromises...and if its these little compromises which make us live happily...why not make them?

My Father: Seetharama Sastry...ya my loving dad....I have alwys considered him as my hero and role model.He has always inspired and motivated me.He is extraordinary to me because i have seen him struggling day and night without rest to give us what we want and make us what we are today.Every bit of my today is his.He is a principled man...bit moody...but having unbound love for me in his heart.He is always concerned about me.We have not expressed the best of love and care for each other...but i feel we have a sensitive and sensible relationship the extent of which neither of us know.As typical father and son we have strong differences of opinions where our tracks dont meet anywhere..but we know how much we love and care for each other.I take this opportunity to tell him.. 'Dad I Love You....Be My Dad Everytime..'Sorry for all the unexpressed feelings...i am poor at that.Iam blessed that you are my father.

My Father In Law: K.N.Srinivas...known by all his dears and nears as Ka.Na.Sri...is a father in law by relation...but i share a different relationship with him by heart.I have always considered and respected him as my father and when i call him Appa...i mean it.He too has always considered me as his son.He is something special..very friendly..very lively..and always smiling from heart which soothens those in his company and i am no exemption.The achievements he has made and the ethics he has followed in his life has always inspired and motivated me.He has fought his life and has made life look smaller.I love you dad..

My Son: Abhinav...Appu as i call him with love and many call him by this name aswell.He has given meaning to my life..and has made me a proud father.He is a silent kid..only in front of me and has a face off...very active and notorious in the out of coverage area of his father...thats me. This behaviour of his always gives me a feeling...Am I an object of fear for him?...Will it develop a gap between us in future??... But he answers thes questions beautifully by his silent love and care which only i can understand.I have given him all the liberty..love..care..affection..and everything.I see that i fulfil all his dreams before he wakes from his sleep.His childish mannerisms doesnt suit his age many a times...that may be the reason that he has so many people to love him always...anywhere.He seems to be playful always but his performance in his academics make us proud.I never asked him to read or write because as a father i have identified his inner potential of being a genius.I feel proud when people especially his teachers praise him telling that he is a boy with immense potentials and learning abilities.My dream is to see him on the top of the world and i know that i will see him doing that.He has made me realise the values of life and i learnt a lot from him.I always wish that i would have been like him... i am trying...!Love you Appu....

Kids in my family:
Madhurya:She is in relation my sister in law.But i have always considered her as my eldest daughter.I have recieved that status and respect from her too.She is a perfectionist and likes right things to be put in right places.Good by heart and so caring...
Rachit:Madhuryas elder son...nothing less to me.Boss..as i call him..is really a boss of our home. Bit dominating and loud...but so smooth by heart...lovely kid...He has a special affection towards me...right from the beginning...
Archita:.....what to tell about my baby darling...the way she giggles when i call her baby... Madhuryas second child...first and the only girl child of this generation in our family...adorable by everyone... looks like she takes advantage of our love even in future and will rule all of us..and we too hope that happens...an angel of love in our family...
Samarth:Son of my brother Sudhi...lovely kid.I am less exposed to this kid as we rarely meet due to our busy schedules.I still miss this child....

Kids who have made me feel like a Father: Unknown yet well known...Unrelated yet related by destiny and heart.Some children have given me the value place & respect of a father though they were not related to me directly.They are my destinys children and have become an inseparable part of my life today.They are Gods best gifts to me.They came into my life unknowingly and gave me the selfless love and affection when it mattered.It all happened during my post graduation days in Koppa-Chickmagalur dist.All the students especially those of the 2008-09 passout batch loved and cared me giving me the parental respect when iwas away from my family for 3 years.They never made me miss my family.They are related to me in the same way even today.I would like to mention a few names of the kids who are equal to Abhi in all aspects for me....
Rajesh...Hero as i call him.Simple..stylish..hearty..childish..lovable..charecter.I consider him as my son because he has been the same to me.He taught me to be a better father.I can claim that we dont have any secrets between us..atleast from his side.His heart is an open book..and he has shared all his good and bad moments with me.I hope to do the same with Abhi.He is a dreamer and accomplisher too.He dares to conquer the world and i bless him to do it.Rich by goodness..
Archana...Beta as i call her.Simple..disciplined..principled..beautiful little girl.She has fulfilled the place of daughter in my life.More over at times she has been motherly to me in the way she exerts her rights over me.I call her Angel too..and truely she is.
Bindhiya...Magu as i call her with love.She is a kid and very darling.Innocent..fearful..very sensitive..yet sensible.She was the first child to express that i looked and behaved like her dad.. though many might have thought.She cares me like a daughter does..feels for me too.
Sania...Yet another angel in disguise.Very naughty...yet loving.
Shruthi...A beautiful little girl..in thoughts and mind too.Very caring..and commanding too.

On the eve of Fathers Day...I dedicate this blog to my dad..& father in law.I also humbly dedicate it to my loving son Abhi and all those kids who have made me feel proud and blessed in the role of a father.Parenthood is Gods best gift and we should live and enjoy it every moment and make our children realise that they will be in our place some day...and they have to deliver goods.Every child gets an opportunity to be a parent and every son has to be a father tomorrow. Come lets teach and guide our kids to be better parents of tomorrow and see the dream of each generation loving the other sorting all the differences..

Pithru Devo Bhava.......