Pongal and the celebrations of India

Pongal is a festival which falls in mid January celebrated by Tamil peoples all over the world. We(Tamil people) celebrate Pongal to show our gratitude to the Nature for being an essential source of agriculture.

Usually the celebrations are for four days Bohi, Pongal, Maatu pongal, and Kaanum pongal. 

On Bohi we discard old things and focus on new things by cleaning and decorating our house. 

The second day is the main day of the festival we prepare Pongal(the dish) and we keep it in front of the Sun during sunrise to show our gratitude and then we share the dish with neighbors and relations. This day coincides with Makara Sankranthi which is a winter harvest festival celebrated throughout India. The day marks the start of sun’s six-month long journey northwards.

The third day is Maatu pongal. Maatu is the Tamil word for cow, on this day we show out gratitude to the cattle by worshiping it. Cattle helps us throughout the harvesting process and gives us the dairy products. To rejuvenate the cattle we clean it and we feed pongal to it and then we will play with it.

The last and fourth day is Kaanum pongal this is the day to thank our friends and relatives. To show our gratitude to them we share gifts, pongal dish, sugarcane and dresses. During Kaanum Pongal people visit relatives and friends to enjoy the festive season. In the cities this day is synonymous with people flocking to beaches and theme parks to have a day out with their families.

Jallikattu is a sport played with specially trained bulls as a part of Pongal celebrations. The trained young guys will play with specially trained bulls. Bull fighting was has been common among the ancient tribes who lived in the ‘Mullai’ geographical division of Tamil Nadu. In olden days the game was used by women to choose their husbands. Successful "matadors" were chosen as grooms. Nowadays we see it as a sport of bravery.

The Inscription of Jallikattu

Salem Government museum

 jallikattu at Alanganallur, Madurai.

Pongal is celebrated by Tamil people and other Indian people also celebrate these days but in different names and they follow different procedures to celebrate.

Some of those are,

• Tamil Nadu - celebrated as Thai Pongal
• Andhra Pradesh, Bengal, Kerala, Bihar, Goa, Karnataka, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh - celebrated as Makara Sankranthi
• Gujarat and Rajasthan celebrated as Uttarayana
• Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab - celebrated as Lohri
• Assam - celebrated as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu
• Nepal - celebrated as Maghe Sankranti or Makar Sankranti

Most of the Indian festivals are celebrated based on the dates in ancient Indian calender. Google it you can find many interesting things.

What ever the names and procedures be lets celebrate together...!!!

Image source - Google & Wikipedia.

Unity and Diversity in Modern Indian Society

India is one of the countries which are famous for "Unity in Diversity". In our modern Indian society, are we losing our Unity? Is Diversity dominating our country? Some of the recent issues in India made this thought to root in us.

People from different religions live here in India but all are undoubtedly united by one sole feeling of ‘Being an Indian’ this is the main reason for unity. The diversity depends on the language, religion, region, culture and caste. As we all know these are the main part of our Indian History, we have studied it in our school days. As I belong to Modern Indian Society I'd like to see Unity and Diversity in my aspect.

Modern Indian society

One of the all time trending news in India is issue between two groups, two communities, two states, two religions and even between two people, yes everything starts as small. I live in south India many problems are there between each states the main reason for those problem is sharing some resource to others. Many people say that politicians are the main reason behind these problems but each and every citizen should accept the blame.

As I mentioned earlier everything starts as small for example if a child refuse to share his/her snakes to others that's the starting point. Dear younger generation of India, we have to teach our children about sharing what we have got, care for others, to respect people and how to handle our Indian society. Before doing so, we have to know about those things. I think these are the main qualities of survival of the fitness.

Nowadays we don't respect people instead of that we respect the things they have got. A single mobile phone sets the status of a person. We are forgetting people and running behind the things and teaching the same to the next generation. Let them to be close with people not with things. If your children wants to play with their friend let them go, don't buy them a video game to play. Then only they will know how to treat other people and to see our Indian society with respect.

Most of the festivals in our country are celebrated all over India in the same day may be some difference is there like, name of the festival and the procedure to celebrate. But the reason for celebrating is same. So Indians are very much related, no matter where they live and which region they belong to. If we do a research on that we can find how are we related and where are we separated. If you are a history student it will be easy for you.

So we should respect every other language, religion, people and city. No country in the world has so many language and religion. We should be proud of it. We should set a good example for our future generations.

Proud to be an Indian!!!

PS: Written a post about a social issue after a long time. If you like it please do share and give your valuable comments - Sasikumar Raja 

Image Courtesy: shiningbschool.in

Independence or Dependence...!!!

In an Indian Farmer's dream...

Indian Farmer : Hey FDI Angel, Why did you came here?
FDI Angel      : I came here to save the farmers and poor people of your country.

Indian Farmer : Oh! great but How?
FDI Angel      : I'll make some changes in consumerism, production and infrastructural development.

Indian Farmer : These things will help the Higher Class people. How do we get benefit.?
FDI Angel      : I've not yet, even think about it...

Indian Farmer : So we poor people should face the consequences, and we have to depend you for everything.

FDI Angel      : Yes, Of course.

Indian Farmer : Then what will happen to our Independence.
FDI Angel      : Nothing will happen for that. It'll be with me very safely.

Indian Farmer : !!!!@#$%^&**!!!! Oh, God.
FDI Angel      : Bye....!!!

He woke up suddenly...
Oh! Sh** this should not happen.
He prayed to God. And gone to his work.

The Perfect Marriage Life

Couple

Where the Ego dies and Sacrifice begins

There the Soulful Life begins

That is the perfect marriage life.




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"May you live to a ripe old age"

"May you live to a ripe old age" How do you take this phrase..? As a blessing or as a curse.

Consider this, the elderly population in India is continuously increasing and the problems they are facing is also increasing simultaneously. 60% of elderly couples in India are forced by their children to leave their homes. So the number of peoples in old age homes are constantly increasing and also most of the parents are now deciding to live in old age homes rather than living with their children.

In India, unlike USA, parents do not leave their children on their own after they turn 18 but children find it hard to accept the fact that there are times when parents want to feel the love that they once shared with them.  

There are times when parents just want to relax and want their children to reciprocate their care. Every parents wants to see their child grow and be successful but no parent wants their child to treat them like an unnecessary load on their responsibilities.

Old age cannot be avoided. It is a phase of life, which will arrive and stay till death takes its toll.

Our culture recognizes the status of the parents as that of God. A moral duty is put on the children to take care of their parents. But nowadays what we are observing in our society is that the children are not willing to take care of their parents, they do not want to spend money on them, they are treating their parents as aliens, they do not want to share an emotional bond with parents. These children are forgetting that the foundation of their life is built up by the parents. They are forgetting their moral and ethical duties towards their parents. This is because of fast life, industrialization, money oriented minds, inflation. Children have no time to look after their parents because of their busy schedule and as a consequence of this situation the elders are getting neglected. 

The problems in old age is in two forms: emotional and physical. Many studies have proved that the two are actually interconnected. No precautionary measures can avoid these problems; senior citizens just have to face them bravely.

But the only thing they need is love from their children and family. Those who can afford, try to reduce their guilt by sending their old parents to the home for the aged. But seldom do they realize that although their parents or grandparents may get physical care in these institutions, their emotional needs of affection and love by their own near and dear ones remain unfulfilled. What the youngsters of today fail to realize is that they will get old too some day and may have to meet a similar fate, because history is bound to repeat itself and a person reaps what he sows. 

Why do we tend to forget that the reason we are in this world is our parents, the reason we studied is our parents, the reason we were alive all this while is our parents, the reason we survived all the diseases is our mother’s care. The hands who made us walk is our parents’. When we were kids we never thought of it but we knew that no matter what, our parents will be by our side. But when our time came to show our respect, to reciprocate the love, to show our gratitude, we back out.

It's time to realize that our parents need us till the end. So don't soak them, love them don't treat them as a burden. They are waiting for the Soak No More state...

Even when they are counting their last breath, they are still thinking of us!

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Accessories to Sexual attraction

Accessory is one of the things which we carry from earlier years to still now. Accessory of an object is to make the object more efficient, useful and to improve its features and to make it look stylish.

When it comes to Human beings Accessories are major things to show off. What is the reason for you to wear an Accessory? Obviously, you like it, and to attract some folks, to look unique, and the last and main reason is to show your attitude to others through that. And it is implicit way to show your mood.

Accessories of Boys

Accessories of Girls

But the real fact is, Accessories are the things that shows the character which the person intended to become and hides the real character of that person. For example if you saw a person who look like a rude guy because of his Accessories and Dressings but his real character will be very polite. So don’t judge the character of somebody only with the outlook.

Why we are hiding our real character behind these Accessories? Because we are trying to attract somebody/everybody by showing “I’m unique and I differ from others”.

The reason to attract somebody is to make them know your presence and make them to look at you. Nowadays most of the boys are trying to attract girls and most of the girls are trying to attract boys through the accessories. So the accessory is a common thing for both.

But in earlier years, Accessories are designed for girls, to attract the guys. Because Accessories are used to decorate girls and make them look very pretty.

Why the accessories are meant to be a decorative element for women?

Aren't they pretty without these accessories?

Because they are treated like objects, the term decorate refers to some objects that are intended to look pretty and attractive.

Women are been treated like decorative objects in male dominated society. And they thought girls are born to serve men. Then the Accessories are been created to decorate women, to get the attention of men.

Nowadays we are been influenced to do that, it is not our mistake it came from our ancestors. But there is a difference now the Accessories are available for both girls and guys to attract opposite sex. what’s the difference says is, after some struggles to get freedom for women as like as freedom of our country there are some changes in our society.

Even though it is a male dominating society, some freedom is there for girls. Girls are doing many things as like as guys and in some areas they are doing even better than guys. Now guys are trying to attract girls as like as girls did in earlier years. So we both are trying to attract opposite sex through our outlooks and accessories and in many ways.

Now men and women have same equality in our society. But there are many partiality and sexual harassment's are happening everyday to every girl in our country. Girls know how to handle those things. Hopefully there will be an end for that very soon, with the support of good guys in our country.

So accessories are mainly designed to attract opposite sex. This is the way how I see the accessories. How do you see it? convey it through comments.

Luxury Auto Rickshaw in Delhi

It might not be another palace on wheels, but a ride in Baldev Raj's three-wheeler will definitely be different from your usual auto rickshaw experience.

For, with TV, telephone, newspaper, fan and cold water facilities, DL-IR H3013 is perhaps the only luxury auto rickshaw in the city. 

What more, while Baldev does not charge extra for any of the facilities. one local call is free for all passengers from his mobile phones. he is also very particular about going by the meter.

While TV and telephone may be sheer luxuries, Baldev is also aware of his social responsibilities. he charges 10 per cent less from senior citizens and provides free service to the injured.

Apart from the facilities, a lot of detailing has gone into doing up the vehicle's interior: Curtains, little soft pillows, artificial flowers and even media reports on the luxury vehicle are on display.

According to Baldev, ever since he started plying the deluxe vehicle around two-and-a-half years ago (before that he drove 'ordinary' autos), all he has got is appreciation.

"People are very supportive. Some days back, somebody called me up from the US saying her son had traveled in my auto when in Delhi. It felt so wonderful.

There are instances when children fiddle with the accessories in the vehicle, but they are rare," says Baldev. 

Baldev has inspired many auto drivers in his locality.

-Times of India

  

Supersonic Cruise Missile (BrahMos)

India is moving towards joining the club of few countries having air-launched cruise missiles .

BrahMos is a stealth supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. It is a joint venture between Republic of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russian Federation'sNPO Mashinostroeyenia who have together formed BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited. The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.

It is the world's fastest cruise missile in operation. The missile travels at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0. It is three times faster than USA's subsonic Tomahawk missile and three-and-a-half times faster than the USA's subsonic Harpoon or the French Exocet cruise missiles.

An Air launched variant of Brahmos is planned which is expected to come out in 2012 and will make India the only country with supersonic cruise missiles in their army, navy, and air force. A hypersonic version of the missile is also presently under development with speed of Mach 7 to boost aerial fast strike capability. It is expected to be ready by 2016.

Though India had wanted the BrahMos to be based on a mid range cruise missile like P-700 Granit, Russia opted for the shorter range sister of the missile, P-800 Oniks, in order to comply with Missile Technology Control Regime restrictions, to which Russia is a signatory. Its propulsion is based on the Russian missile, and guidance has been developed by BrahMos Corp. The missile is expected to reach a total order worth of US$13 billion

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is soon expected to consider the proposal of the Defence Ministry to procure the air-launched version of the 290-km-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for the Indian Air Force.

The proposal involves sanctioning of funds for the integration and testing of the BrahMos missile on the Russian-origin Su-30MKI of the IAF, they said.

As per the plans, the first test of the air-launched version of the supersonic cruise missile, developed jointly by India and Russia, is to be conducted by December-end.

Sources said two SU-30 MKI of the IAF would be modified indigenously by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at its Nasik facility where they will also be integrated with the aerial launcher developed by the BrahMos.


-Indian Air Force

The Teenage Gandhi....!

Like all teenagers Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was curious and loved to dabble with new experiences. While he was in High School he had a number of experiences - not always pleasant - from which he learned much.

Mohan had a friend in school who had rather a bad reputation. Both Putlibai (Gandhi's mother) and Kasturba (Gandhi's wife) disliked him, but Mohan said, "Let me be his friend; I know he has weaknesses but he also has virtues". This friend had told Mohan many stories about the benefits of eating meat. "Some of our teachers eat meat secretly," he said. "So do some of our leading men." "I did not know that," said Mohan. "Why do they do it?" "Meat eaters grow strong and healthy", said his friend. "Look at me! I can run long distances. I can do any hard work. And look at you! You are weak, you have no courage."

"That is true" thought Mohan. "I am a coward. I am afraid of darkness and ghosts and thieves. Even Kasturba is bolder than I am."

"Do you know why the English rule over us? his friend went on. "It's because they are meat-eaters. If we want to fight them and drive them out we too must eat meat and grow strong."

Mohan's mind was divided. If he ate meat, he would have to hide it from his parents. They were Vaishnavas and would be greatly shocked and grieved. Surely it was wrong to deceive them. Yet, on the other hand, it was his duty to help drive the British out of India. Finally he agreed that he would try meat-eating and his friend secretly brought some goat's meat for him. How terrible it tasted! He could not sleep that night; he felt as if a live goat was bleating inside him. But he did not give up. His friend brought good tasty meat dishes and soon he began to enjoy them. So it went on for a year.

But there was a difficulty. After eating meat secretly Mohan did not feel hungry when he got home. His mother noticed it. "Why don't you eat well, Mohan?" she asked. "I don't feel like it, mother," he replied. "My stomach is bad," As he said the words, his conscience pricked him: "I am lying to my mother - No, I can't do it. I won't lie to my parents. I will take no more meat while they are alive."

Another school friend encouraged Mohan to smoke. They enjoyed the experience and saw nothing wrong in it. Adult men smoked, why not we do the same? But soon they were not satisfied to collect half-smoked cigarettes which other people threw away. They wanted their own, and cigarettes cost money. They began to steal coppers from servants pockets, but that was not sufficient. Mohan was too proud to ask his wife for money. Finally he stole a bit of gold from his brother's armlet and sold it.

Once more his conscience prickled him. Stealing was wrong, he knew it. He decided he must confess to his father, but he could not speak out openly. He wrote on a piece of paper all that he had done, and asked for punishment. His father was sick, lying in bed, and Mohan went to him and gave him the paper. Kaba Gandhi read it; tears of love and compassion flowed from his eyes, then he tore up the paper and lay down. His father's tears were Mohan's first lesson in the meaning of Ahimsa. The father's tears were Mohan's first lesson in the meaning of Ahimsa. The father suffered because the son had done wrong, and the father was happy because the son had confessed.