Sunday, September 21, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Happy Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is a traditional festival that is celebrated by Indians worldwide.
It is celebrated in August on Shravan Purnima day, every year. Families come together on this special day as brothers and sisters reaffirm their relationship. The sister ties a thread or decorated band around her brother's wrist. This is accompanied by rituals, an exchange of gifts and the reaffirmation of a pledge by brothers, to protect their sisters at all times.The fond relationship between brothers and sisters is reaffirmed by the shared emotion and promises made by siblings, on the Indian festival of Rakhi Bandhan or Rakhi. Every year in August, the auspicious day of Shravan Purnima, or full moon day in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar, is celebrated as the festival of Raksha Bandhan. Apart from prayers and distributing sweets, which occur in all Hindu festivals, there is a special ritual that takes place during Rakhi. Sisters tie a red thread or nowadays more ornately decorated bracelets, around the wrists of their brothers. This thread symbolizes the affectionate sibling relationship between them. While tying the rakhi sisters chant the following Sanskrit lines.
Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah |
Tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala ||
The meaning of these lines is as follows, "I am tying a Raksha to you; similar to the one tied to Bali, the powerful and generous king. Oh Raksha, be firm, do not go away, do not go away." The auspicious words said by the sister are in memory of the demon King Bali, who was said to gain power when he wore a raksha. This is supposed to protect the wearer from negative influences. The brother in turn promises to look after his sister and protect her from any harm that may come to her. Thus the bond between brother and sister is reaffirmed. Her rakhi strengthens him and he in turn promises to use his strength to protect her.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in various ways in different parts of India. While observed in a similar manner across most of North India, other regions of India celebrate this festival in their own unique ways. In Maharashtra and its capital city Mumbai, Raksha Bandhan Day is celebrated as Narial Purnima or Coconut Full Moon day. Coconuts are offered to the Varuna the Sea God, as a form of worship.
In South India this auspicious day is celebrated as Avani Avittam. Brahmins wear a new sacred thread, recite the Vedas and make offering to their teachers and holy men.
Raksha Bandhan celebrates the purest and noblest emotions in the human psyche-the supportive and familial bond of love between brothers and sisters. The Rakhi given by the sister to the brother on this day symbolizes their sibling attachment. However the sister-brother relationship symbolized by the Rakhi represents more than the immediate ties of brothers and sisters. It also represents the shared connections of a harmonious and intertwined social order where everyone in society considers themselves brothers and sisters, united by shared bonds of love.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Independence Day Celebration at School
The 
Independence Day was celebrated as "Grand Parents Day" at Jumbo Kids. Ms.Shruthi emphasized how grand parents are important in kids lives. That it was just few days back, I wrote on the same lines, I was all excited. The aged grandparents were called on the stage for cake cutting. Then there were dance performances by kids from each section. Most of the kids were crying throughout and longing to go back to their parents. Diya too joined with her batch mates, she was all happy till she was infected by other kids crying - she too started crying at the end. We met few friends Saakshi, Prithivi and Abha. Finally we had some snacks and left.
Diya visits Taashu
Diya visited Taashu and enjoyed an hour stay with her. Taashu entertained and took care of Diya very well. Diya is always comfortable and secure with Taashu's company.
I have a dream
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
Friday, August 1, 2008
Proxy at Puja
The solar eclipse just got over. All took bath and dad went to puja room to do puja. The moment Diya heard the bell sound, she ran into the room and start chanting mantras on behalf of dad.
Grand Advice
Many articles on the internet suggest that its very important that grand children live with their grand parents during their formation days. The grand parents serve as mentors to the kids. Their longevity also increases for various reasons.
From NLP point of view, a youth visualizes abundance of future while the aged person visualizes a very narrow future. Try this- ask them “What is your future plan?” - A youth will be able to give a very colourful description of his future. An aged person will respond as though he is done with every one.
By making grand partners associate with grand children, grand parents assume the responsibility of bringing up the kids (for 2nd time). The kids also learn the values which otherwise they fail to learn from their busy parents.
Sounds like Gyaan? Next topic: Relevance of Old Age Home
Eating Habits
It may be common everywhere. But its worth to capture what Diya does when it comes to food.
Horlicks: Horlicks is her favorite drink these days. She craves for Horlicks atleast 3 times every night. Sleep-starved Sudha expressed her frustration to her “How many times would you drink like this?”. DIya gave her traditional reply in sleep “Naalu (4)”
Egg I wanted to introduce eggs (Suguna brand) in her meals. But Diya is yet to catch up with it.
Soya Milk I am very fond of soya milk for its taste and protein richness. People at home did not have much liking. So, I tried my hand with Diya. Diya too did not have much inclination. But thanks to my dad, he has a strategy to make Diya eat / drink anything. He will pick the bigheaded pink baby and make Diya envy about it. Then every piece will go in automatically. That way, I could make her have 5 sip of Soya milk.
Noodles is her favorite
Curd rice is her another favorite; that too from my plate. If she is in mood, she will take as much as she can.
For any other food, she will point to one of us to feed her. Once we start, she will point to someone else and the game goes on.
If I feed her, say chappathi and chutney, I need to sing a song “Dip Dip Dip, one-a-penny, two-a-penny, dip-dip-dip”. As I do this, I need to dip the chappathi in chutney, and before I complete the line, I would push the piece in her mouth.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Teach India
Teach India is a nation-building initiative (or social initiative) from the Times of India that brings together children in need of education and people who can contribute a little time towards teaching them. It is based on one simple principle: If you have the desire to teach, they will put you in touch with underprivileged children who are willing to learn. With over sixty of India’s committed NGOs, corporates, schools and social organizations already supporting our cause, they now look for selfless individuals to come forward and help change the future of a child forever, by giving just a few hours a week to Teach India. More on their website
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Taashi
After Taashu, if there is someone who Diya keeps chanting about, its her friend and classmate Saakshi. She keeps chanting her name 'Taashi' these days. Today, there was a parents-teachers meeting at the school. I was made to wait for long before my turn came (last!). But, the delay helped. Diya found time to play with Saakshi and Prithvi. Saakshi received Diya fondly by extending her hand. Seems Saakshi also chanting Diya's name all day.
Playing Rhymes
Diya's favourite entertainer these days, the Rhymes CD in Malayalam language. Girija has sent it from Delhi, and Diya can spend her whole day watching it. Diya, may be wondering the same rhymes being taught in the school too.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Three Stages of Sleeping
If you are trying to put someone to sleep, there are three stages:
Stage 1: You try to make some one sleep
Stage 2: You get sleep
Stage 3: Finally you get sleepy and the other one is wide awake
(Illustration by Diya and 'paapa' toy)
Friday, July 4, 2008
Birthday function at School
Diya celebrated her birthday with her class mates by distributing chocolates.
Diya's 2nd Birthday!
Diya woke up and we all wished "Happy Birthday". I took Diya to the car and picked all the birthday gifts. She was very surprised. She was excited with all the gifts. Then she got ready, had cake cutting. She was very thrilled with all the attention.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Diya's birthday tomorrow
Tomorrow is Diya’s birthday. I am very excited to see this girl growing and having joined school. I certainly get mesmerized for her innocent smile. She has started picking words and by next birthday she must be speaking full-fledged language.
There is no grand party as such at home and I have not invited anybody. Diya is not keeping well recently, catches cold very often and has become very cranky.
So, it’s a in-house celebration (aathoda vechikalaamnu)
I have bought cake; the store person has written “Divya” on the cake instead of “Diya”.
There are some surprise gifts for Diya for tomorrow. I have kept them in the car.
Nobody at home has clues about it.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
St.Bernard from Swiss
Gift for Diya from Switzerland
The St. Bernard Dog is a very large breed of dog originally bred for rescue and as a working dog. A full-grown male can weigh between 160 and 240 lb (72.5 / 110+ kg) and the approximate height is 27½ inches to 35½ inches (70 to 90 cm). More on this website.
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