My Hero's Birthday.....

....i have many things to tell about this boy and many more things what i cant tell and he can understand the unsaid...but not this time. Today is his birthday...I call him hero not just because he looks like one...but he is a hero by virtues, morals and deeds. I have never seen anyone like him who gets quickly into a relation and brings you too in. I have a different definition of hero...and he suits by all means. He goals success and also doesnt hesitate correcting failures. At a tender age he does so many things....we could never have atleast dreamt of at this age. I thank my few years spent in a small place like Koppa wher i had a bonding to this relation with him. When i see him disguise his pains and bad moments with a beautiful smile...i only pray god to give many true smiles to him which are worth happiness and not the undesired odds. He has respected me as equal to his father...with my receprocation likewise. A few years spent in his company...and a few off...i always feel that i have lived generations with him. Some relations are designed wonderfully by god...and we never know and understand if they fall into our stride. I just want to wish him a very happy birthday. I pray God to give him tonnes of happiness...lot of lovely and loving people....miles and peaks of success...and a true smile that he deserves. He cares every relation...including the beautiful nature in which he lives...and may the nature gift him the best. For him i always tell...the best is yet to come.....
Sorry i forgot to tell his name...He is Rajesh...my hero....
Happy birthday..........Be the best and keep rocking.......

The day which was really "AKSHAYA"..

24th of July 2010...will always be memorable for us...for those gems of tears which were trying to come out... of extreme happiness...from the eyes of the man who has achieved so much in his life...our appa...my dad-in law. It was the happy occasion and a proud moment for all of us who are bound to the tree of his heart as the book named"Akshaya" was released amidst packed crowd of his contemporaries, teachers, collegues, friends and family...as a mark of respect to him and his undebated spotless life, his sincerity, dedication and the selfless work he has done all through his life in the field of Kannada literature, especially in the fight for its glory and upliftment. Ther were many speeches and words of appreciations and felicitations of crowning glory enveloped around him...but our mind, heart, senses and soul could experience the beautiful tunes of satisfaction playing in his heart. He is a true achiever in all terms and circles of life.. a milestone difficult to achieve but a guide stone which is really humble. Amma(my mom in law) sitting next to him was apt to share the honours...they really looked like Shiva-Parvathi who wer sitting there blessing us and gracing us. What a moment...!!!
The word Akshaya really looks tailor made for him. Akshaya means...that which never empties, vanishes, diminishes, ceases.....we call Tumbida Koda in Kannada...which means a filled pot which always can give you something...but at the same time maintain its quality and quantum intact. God bless him with happiness and health which have no limits. May his contribution to literature continue its journey towards unreached tops...and may his blessings keep inspiring us to contribute our part when our turn comes. The day which also marked the birthday of his beloved grandson Rachu...was an added occassion for fortified celebrations for him and of course for all of us...iceing on the cake as we can call it....
The day was really AKSHAYA....
Waiting for many such works from appa.....i sign off telling...
"Well done appa....We love you and are proud to be branches connected to you...."

Gauri Ganesha...much ahead in our family..

Gauri Ganesha..the famous festival of mother and son coming in august-september every year denotes the mythological descreption of mother and child as single unit..unseparable. But we celebrate it twice in our family. Much ahead of the original one we get one in the last week of july and is patented to be celebrated only in our family. Dont get messed up... Iam speaking of the birthday of my daughterly sis-in-law Madhurya and her son...my hero...Rachu which comes back to back on 23rd and 24th of july every year. How many mothers and sons are so lucky? wherein a son wishes his mother on her birthday and she tells"same to you..."just 24 hrs ahead!!! Madhurya and Rachu are a wonderful combi pack of mom and son. This time though they were miles away from us during this back to back celebration, we never missed them as they are in our hearts every moment. We too celebrated their special day by creating their counterparts. I, Appa and Amma(my in laws) celebrated it by pushing sweets into the mouth of Abhi(my son representing Rachu) and Manasa(my wife representing her sister)...quiet complicated family anisutta?...Nodi Swamy Naavirode Heege...!!!
Ok....let me finish by saying...."Happy Birthday Madhurya and Rachu.... Happy Gauri-Ganesha in advance" Happy returns to darling Archu and special wishes to our Shivappa...Giri for managing the nonsenses and nuisances of his party(family) efficiently as aver....Ha Ha...Just kidding......
We love you all...you know that yaar....
But we dont miss you all............................................
Take care...and be happy alwys.......

Appa..."My idol who deserves Loka Vandhyata".....

Many times we mistake personality to be a collective display of external gestures of an individual.But as a matter of fact- 'Being disciplined from the core interior, adherent to moral values throughout the life, being the central force for the circle of goodness-he or she has and yet being simple and humble defines the internal beauty or personality of an individual. In the whole length of the journey of our lives we would have come across only a few such people, whose values might have touched our hearts and whose footsteps might have looked like guidelines to follow and milestones to reach.

Today i take immense pleasure and previlage to pen down a few words about one such person in whom i have not only seen a friend, philosopher and guide, but also an institution to learn basics of life. He is my Appa(father)-as i call him from heart since he has been nothing less than that for me...relatively he is my father-in-law. Known as Ka.Na.Sri in the circle of family and friends...his name is K.N.Srinivas. But i shall not give his biodata as i am neither describing a historical character nor a mythological one. But it is surely not a sircastic statement on my part if i tell that he is more than that - an idol in my life.

Character as he appears:
Nobody in the world is complete and perfect. God has tailored us with our own defecits and negativities. Many of us curse our stars and blame our destinies for it.A few of us keep visiting the abodes of gods and astrologers. Not that we should not believe those: it is that we should not believe and depend on only those. They hollow us out and doesnt allow us to believe in ourselves. Our lives will be more meaningful if we ignore our defecits and start the strengths and potentials within ourselves. God gives us deficits to make us more stronger-but little do we realise it.
Appa has lived his life with polio sruck limbs and looks like never complaining about the deficit. He is a person who has never given up.He challenged the life and just achieved what he wants; but has never lost that beautiful smile in the way.Whenever i got into trouble-i just think of him.... What better lessons than this...Isnt it???. I was always a positive and an optimistic individual- but his life lessons fortified my positiveness. When something goes wrong he tells-'Dont worry!!! All is well and the best is yet to come....
Who tells-you require legs to travel in the pathway of success?? Its the attitude of igniting the positive energies within yourself is all that matters.
Appa is a great warrior and his shoes are big enough for our foot to fit in. But i have tales to tell to my next generations......

Meeting him and getting him..... In the year 2000 i.e 10 years ago from here- Mr Ka.Na.Sri and Mrs Sharada(My parents in law now) came to my home at Challakere(Chitradurga dist)- where i was teaching and practicing Ayurveda: with their doctor daughter Manasa(my wife now) for match making. It was a bit of a traditional drift wherein a girls family visited the boys home....since Dr Raghuram(myself) was too busy to go to see the girl. Welcome change isnt it???...This was the funny part of it. The crux of the matter is that I met my father-in-law for the first time at my home.
Stars and planets got going and we got married. It is customary to thank the parents in law for giving their daughter as bride; but at this juncture i would like to complete the other half of my compliment by thanking my wife Manasa, since her entry into my life got me my in-laws in the form of my parents. I call them Appa and Amma not by words but by deeds and by heart. I always asaw them as my parents and their reciprocation is much alike. I and Giri(my brother-in-law) always relished the status of son along with them and they too in our company never missed out having a son...

He and his life..... As anybody's life his life too is a mixture of up's and down's...good's and bad's. But he stood still with determination and confidence to keep climbing the elevation. I would not miss out on this occasion to mention obout Amma(his wife Sharada) who stood with him even in his most difficult times. Apart from his bank job, he was involved in the activities related to theatre and Kannada Literature. Being the president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat-Kolar district was a feather in the crown for him and a proud occasion for all of us. He has been constantly supporting and encouraging me to keep my writing habits going.
More to tell...he is a simple and humble character. First look though might give an impression of appa being a serious person. He treasures a big circle of friends in spite of being less spoken, which is not only strange but beyond belief too.
He is a social person. I have been extremely inspired by the way he builds and maitains relationships. His friends circle doesnt have any age limitations and exceptions. He gets along with different generations. I have seen him respecting the most elderly and at the same time inspiring youngsters. He is one of the best councellors i have ever seen. Whenever there is a difference between individuals or groups and if he feels that his interference is required, he quickly pushes in and settles the scores. He is a kid by heart and fond of children.
When it comes to helping somebody- may be family or friends- he will be the first person to volunteer. I have seen him take unbiased participation in both good's and bad's of those in his circle. I feel that this is a strong area of his where he draws love and respect from many. I have learnt from him that when it matters having people in your life...only your heart should work and not the brain.....

He and his family..... Appa is a family man. Apart from the first circle, he is popular among all the other circles of the family...as a loving grandpa to his grandchildren; loving father for his daughters; caring brother to his brothers and sisters..and what not. Functions..Parties...whatever... expectations of his presence will be so high and he disappoints none. He has an unique array of magnetism around him which keeps everyone attracted towards him. His words are taken as testimonials by many. The fragrance of love and affection what he spreads is what he gets from all of us....
In our country the daughters are still considered as potential burdens. It is one of the lessons we should learn from appa regarding how to get the rare equation of love and liberty working in bringing up the daughters. If such basics are taught and followed, the girls will really reign in the families. Apart from his daughters all the younger generation of girls love him as do the boys.
Either he calls his daughters or they call him daily; but the anticipation is always in the air. They speak with each other for hours and share virtually everything. Amma probably enjoys the scenario more passively. But take it for sure that its neither a casual nor a formal call. Madhurya gives him a call from USA every night at 10:00 pm(Our time). He keeps joking about it...but the uneasiness on his face when the call is a couple of minutes late is worth watching. His heart starts getting rings much earlier. I pray that the bond keeps tight forever-not afflicted by the drishti dosha of anyone.
Who says that a girls love towards her first home gets sleak, scattered and divided post marriage??? Never...if the fathers are so posessive. If there is anything like University for daughters care....Appa is my choice for dean!!!Surely not kidding. Daughters should be blessed to have such wonderful father in their life......
Immaterial of the gender of the child....we will neither lose nor miss out the company and bonding of our children at any stage or at any age of our life if we cultivate ourselves in making our presence in every good and bad od theirs; however small they may be. Child rearing is not only a duty of parenthood but it is an art which needs a blend of improvisation with time. I learnt good lessons of this art from appa which might help me in becoming a better father.....

His Support..... However grown up's we are; however matured and experienced we are- we need family support to back us up, to tap us at our success and console us at our bad times. You are bound to get a larger part of it from your parents...and getting the same from your parents-in-law is complementary. I am greatful and at debt for getting this extending part of selfless support from my parents-in-law. Especially a few words from appa during my bad patches boosted my morals many a times and made me feel that everything is not yet lost. His words are so encouraging that i suddenly start getting a shore in my sight when drowning looks inevitable. It is only because he has seen the world so much and he feels nothing is lost until you give up...
A few instances to quote:
*I dedicate and treasure my highest qualification of post graduation to his name. Nobody had dreamt it larger than him. It looked that he was living my dream. His efforts, help and support are invaluable.
*In a narrow patch of crests and troughs that i faced in my career front he stood by me as a friend and showed me better ways to sort them out.
*I am thankful to him for taking care of my family during my higher studies. It may be practical to think that he looked after his daughter and grandson, but the point of worth is that he did everything what i should have done to them during that period. He never allowed them to miss my presence. On the other way he discharged me of my family responsibilities and helped me concentrate on my goals and studies.
*I could still remember how he along with my brother-in-law Giri and my wife Manasa travelled for the whole day tidiously in that age to reach out to me, brought me to Bangalore from Koppa and helped me to recover when i suffered from the worst health upset of my life.

These are a few instances to remember about the support given by him during my bad times...and many more to tell.

At the same time his appreciations for my success and achievements value a lot to me.....

Some more things about appa that i value:
*Discipline and Punctuality - He follows and values discipline in life. The time sense he has is extraordinary...what our younger generation has a lot to borrow, learn and follow. He wants things to be planned and done in time. Delay annoys him.
*Perfection - By nature he is a perfectionist. He expects right things in right place. But he never commands anyone to do anything what he likes. He insists perfection with liberty.
*I have never seen him criticise anyone.Probably he thinks that everybody has their own way of life. But he shows ways of correction and doesnt accept whatever is wrong. In this way he is a friendly critic.
*Never say 'NO' - I have hardly heard negative words or thoughts from him. He is a believer and a hardcore optimist.
*He never believes in the concept of preframed destiny. He opines that it is we who carve our destinations provided we are determined. His concept is 'Believe in God..but more than that trust yourself...Work is Worship'.
*I have seen a very few of them who practice what they preach and appa is one among them.
Many more things to tell about appa...No I am not short of words....I fear that i might be short of space......

Time to write a few conclusive lines. I am an Ayurvedic doctor and habitually i will end my writing in an Ayurvedic way. In Ayurveda we have a concept called 'Achara Rasayana' Rasayana is a method in which each cell of the body is enriched, fortified and rejuvenatedafter giving some medicaments. By this the cells become stronger and will become capable of defending themselvesfrom the effects of stress, infection, trauma(injury) or a disease.Thus the immunity of the cells in particular and the person as a whole will be enhanced. The quality and quantity of the life will increase many folds. But Ayurveda claims that the ACHARA i.e a noble and holistic way of living can bring out optimum rejuvenation of a person even without consuming Rasayana(medicine). Achara Rasayana infers many beneficial qualities in an individual among which 'Pranati' is an important one. Pranati means 'Loka Vandhyata' That means when a person following Achara Rasayana walks through, all the people(even those who doesnt know him) will bow their heads with respect even without their knowledge...and their hands will reach out to touch his feet. Probably it is written after seeing people like appa.

APPA is rejuvenated by his ACHARA and he deserves LOKA VANDHYATA.....

He has walked miles in the journey of life......way ahead. I t is not possible to reach him but we will keep tracking his footsteps. His blessings will come in handy for us.

All these words come straight from my heart and is no fiction. I t is my loving Paa as i have seen him. If I could assemble these words, it is only due to the strength, motivation and driving force coming from his love and affection.

I pray God to endevour and grace appa with health and happiness in the years to come so that we can grow in his shade....

I dont wish that I should have been his son....because.....I am......

"Love You APPA............."


Yours lovingly............
Raghu..........

Keshav's dream....

Keshav…I share a different relation with this boy…deep from the heart. He is more than a student for me. He is like my son…always a part of my family. Right from his student life at Challakere..he looked different. He always showed signs of aggressive success…not only by words but also by deeds and moreover by attitude. As a student he went through many ups and downs…which we share intimately. But he learnt with every even and odds. He is a quick learner and improviser. When something used to go wrong he used to tackle it with mental toughness. Thus with such toughness from within he looked more matured in pace with his age. With time he not only learnt to meet the challenges of life as they come but also to challenge the life for better. He is a fearless fighter with killer instinct.

When he met with undesired humiliations, criticisms for no wrong of his, targeted for somebody’s mistakes, politics in academic career which broke him and when he was denied appreciations when he truly deserved it…he used to tell me… “Sir…one day I will achieve the dream and prove my worth….” And he did it today. I am proud of him. I saw his success in his wet eyes when I was with him during the inauguration of the hospital he owns now at Mangalore…Earth Ayurveda Hospital.

Even after his graduation Keshav worked in a few Ayurvedic hospitals with a dream of achieving something in and for his system. But little did he know that the humiliation and insult was still on cards. He gave me a call in april 2008 and explained his anguish. He said that he was going to Kerala to learn Ayurveda. There he found the Guru he was searching for…in Dr Anish. Later when he came to invite me for the inauguration of Earth Ayurveda Hospital…their first unit at BTM Layout, Bangalore…I saw the seed of dream sprouting in him. He had come to the dream city with lots of aspirations. I was very happy for him. With a humble start…with a small team he became an integral part of Earth Ayurveda…and his dream journey had taken off. Today he is a proud owner of a hospital at Mangalore. That’s what I call…holding the bull by its horn.

He loves me as much as I do. I went to the inauguration of his hospital on 11th of april 2010…which was a double moment of happiness for me because it was my Dad’s birthday too on that day. He used to tell me before that… “Sir you have to see my hospital…I have done it with passion…and no compromise…” I was on my toes until I saw the hospital. It was a beautiful palace in my vision…holistic, ethnic, cultural, artwork and a moulded dream. I met his parents…and the happiness in their faces was worth seeing and why not…after all parents live to see only that…the dreams of their kids coming true in all colors. They are mutually blessed. I met my loving son Rajesh, my loving kids Prathiba, Bhavana, Radhika and lots of friends. I missed out meeting my lovely daughter Bindu. Had a nice time at Mangalore. He along with Prathiba and Bhavana came at night to see me off and had dinner with me. Moments to cherish….How much love these kids show….God bless them all….

I will be going as a consultant to his hospital every month. The crux of the matter is that I will be working under him…with him. He may not see it with that vision but it is always a matter of pride for a teacher to work with his students.

For Keshav it is the start of a beautiful fairy tale…. and many more milestones to come…. I wish to be an integral part of each of his dream….

Good luck Keshav…..Keep going…..Achieve the impossible……………….