Identity

What does identity mean? There is physical identity which is the physical structure which our eyes use to identify a person. But is that what his identity is. Infact scientific definition of equivalence fail. If two human entities are physically equivalent does not mean they are identical. I have been trying to comprehend this interesting fact and trying to logically reason out, then what is identity of human. After sufficient thought I came to this conclusion. Human identity is a composition of his/her's measure in various dimensions that human life has. Life can be viewed as n dimensional space. Some examples for these dimensions are visual creativity (arts), logical conclusive reasoning (science), unbounded imagination (arts),
adventure (sports), philosophic thinking, etc. I know it is a crude thought which I feel in the course of time will get refined. Every human being has a place in this n dimensional space. Human's response to an external stimuli is governed by the dimensions he has and the measure of them. I have found that more dimensions a person has more receptive he/she is and more wiser he/she becomes. Many of these dimensions are related. When you have deeper understanding, you feel they converge. Dimensions that someone possesses also has an important role to play in him/her to connect with others through a relationship. Deep relationship emerge when there are similarities in dimensions else it does not stay.

A Noble gesture

Are humans receptors to good vibes in a social network? I feel the probability for this is falling day by day. Let us take a simple example. A sincere smile from someone is a good vibe, with a lot of positiveness. How many of us respond to a sincere smile, whole heartedly? I have often seen, goodness in someone perceived as weakness. A sincere smile is like an oasis in a desert. A noble gesture which can do wonders. I have tried to observe how people respond to a smile in my city life, and those observations have lead to certain dismal realizations. Often subject of stimuli, interprets it as an acknowledgement to his/her's distinguished existence, rather than, humiltiy and goodness of the source. This is a grossly skewed interpretation leading to an inappropritate response.
Is this so important in a social context? Yes it is. This is my strong belief. Sum total of goodness in a society derives out of these small noble gestures.
Somebody gives you a good smile that is originating from goodness in him, respond without any hesitation and with utmost sincerity. Let that be one more ray of goodness among a number of them that emerge out of your inner consciousness and WORLD WILL BE A BETTER PLACE!!!

Travelogue

The long awaited year end vacation came and we visited Kerala. In fact had a round trip. We strarted on December 19th afternoon from Bangalore. All three of us we excited about holidays. Looking forward to relax and rejuvenate ourselves to be prepared to take up challenges of next year.

We halted December 19th night at Salem . Started of early in morning on December 20th to Ernakulam, which is also called Cochin. We had a nice stay with my parents and my mother was busy making a lot of mouth watering dishes which was a treat for our taste buds!! Meanwhile Aparna got to know that Manjadikuru a Malayalam movie for which she had written dialogues has won IFFK best movie award. She was in a state of bliss and I was happy seeing that.
We had stayed there for 4 days and then on Dec 24th drove down to Thrissur. One of my favourite towns in Kerala. My brother in law is doing post graduation in psychiatry there. He stays very near the medical college which is situated in outskirts of Thrissur. It is wonderful place and was very queit and peaceful.
On December 25th drove down to Calicut and spend two days at Aparna's home.

River Retreat Resort

What I want to detail out in this travelogue is our visit to Shornur and stay in a resort right on the banks of Bharathapuzha which is one of the main rivers of Kerala.
Shornur, away from hustle and bustle of a city. Where life is around Bharathapuzha. Where you always hear her whispering. Where her glimmer touches your heart and her beauty humbles you. We stayed in River Retreat Resort (http://riverretreat.in/). It used to be summer palace of Maharaja of Cochin. The calmness that prevailed in the pristine ambience had a very positive and spiritual influence on my inner being. I rejoiced just as my son did. The small child in me was awake. Free from all the professional responsibilities. When I looked at Bharathapuzha, I felt that she was whispering to me, "Where are you all running to!!! I have been around for so long, as a helpless spectator, to the attrocities that you and your fellow creatures have been commiting." I had no words to pacify her and gazed at the endless river with despair.

Resort had good rooms and from restaurant there was a good view of Bharathapuzha.





Resort had a good swimming pool. From pool there was a very good view to the river. Both me and Sidu took a plunge into the pool and thoroughly enjoyed the time together.
During the sunset as the slanting rays from the Sun fell on the river it looked as if sun has metled into her adding a tinge of indigo into her complexion.
Second morning all of us visited Thiruvilwamala Temple (http://www.thiruvilwamala.com/) which is around 20 kms from the resort. The temple is on a rocky hill top. As I was climbing the stairs towards the temple, I could hear the rustle of the banyan leaves as the cool breeze blew across the banyan trees. Atmosphere in the temple was simply superb. Spiritual ambience elevated me to a state of trance.
Stay in River Retreat were among those moments in my life which I will always hold close to my heart.
Will blog soon with more thoughts and experiences......

My new dwelling!!

It has been long time since I have written something. Have been busy with personal work out of which most important has been shifting to a row house which we recently bought. When I write this writeup, some thoughts are coming to my mind. The evenings when I used to sit with Aparna in the living room of erstwhile home (apartment in Airport Road) and wonder whether we will ever live in an independent house in Bangalore. Well, with lot of pondering about different possibilities we used to conclude that, it is impossible.

Many of crucial decisions in my life has been pretty quick. The decision regarding this house was also similar.

We had visited my friend Jeetu's house in the same campus. We did not have any thought of changing our place of stay at that point. We saw the house and told Jeetu that it looks great and very spacious.

Aparna has been always a very adventurous character. Her curiosity in exploring ways of purchasing this row house has to be really appreciated, because, had it not been there I would not have even thought of that as a possibility for even a nanosecond!! :)

We had some very intense discussions of the financial implications, etc. etc. But then we thought this probably is a last opportunity for us to think of investing in a proper house which will be a long term investment. It had risk, because we had to sell our apartment before investing in this house, but my wife's optimism is just amazing. She was very convinced that we will be able to sell our apartment in a short span.

We met a bank officer to check on terms of loan and he gave me all math for the loan. My mental computer started making quick computations to see the book keeping and cash flow. It looked to be feasible.

With God's grace we could sell our apartment to a family friend and we shifted to our new dwelling on May 2008. Sidu was delighted because he had a lot of space to run within and outside home. I really enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. Aparna has a space for her arts school.

Having a garden in front of the house is a dream come true and I really enjoy seeing variety of flowers blossoming. Small joys of life which gives a sense of contentment!! It bring's back momories in my mind about my childhood days in Eloor (See Another Day in Paradise).

I like the drive towards our house because all along there are trees on both sides. The area is called Brookefields. Aparna has been busy all these days finding innovative ways of beautifying the house and she has been successful!! Her arts school has strarted. It is called Tarang School Of Arts.

I will be more regular in writing my thoughts and experiences!!

Till then....... Bye!!