01 February 2006
31 January 2006
Essential learnings for life
Did you know:
Killing a person in Chennai is as simple as shooting him point blank on the head in a park with lots of kids playing around and no one actually noticing it.
Killing is also such a normal act that the killer can easily revert back to normal life, without a trace of remorse.
In the midst of all this, eating an ice cream when it rains is so peculiar, that anyone who does it should belong to one particular family (should really appreciate the director for coming up with such wonderful ideas…you can add this to the “Kudumba pattu” reunion types)
And the best is:
You can put out a fire on your back by flapping your hands.
I learnt all these when I watched Aathi (a new Tamil Film starring Vijay and Trisha).
Killing a person in Chennai is as simple as shooting him point blank on the head in a park with lots of kids playing around and no one actually noticing it.
Killing is also such a normal act that the killer can easily revert back to normal life, without a trace of remorse.
In the midst of all this, eating an ice cream when it rains is so peculiar, that anyone who does it should belong to one particular family (should really appreciate the director for coming up with such wonderful ideas…you can add this to the “Kudumba pattu” reunion types)
And the best is:
You can put out a fire on your back by flapping your hands.
I learnt all these when I watched Aathi (a new Tamil Film starring Vijay and Trisha).
27 January 2006
19 January 2006
Citizen
One of my friends has got Singapore Citizenship for her whole family. She was contemplating whether to go for the whole family or not as her second son has a US citizenship as he was born there. But since the kids can have dual citizenship and decide when they are 17 as to which citizenship they would like to retain, she went for the whole family.
Ever since she told that they have got the Singapore Citizenship, I have been wondering about the mindset of such people. Would they truly feel Singaporean and would they tell everyone that they are Singaporeans and not Indians? Would they really look with pride when there is some achievement by a Singaporean? Who would they support if there was a competition between a Singaporean and an Indian? I feel they would remain Indians at heart and use the Singapore Passport for convenience sake.
Ever since she told that they have got the Singapore Citizenship, I have been wondering about the mindset of such people. Would they truly feel Singaporean and would they tell everyone that they are Singaporeans and not Indians? Would they really look with pride when there is some achievement by a Singaporean? Who would they support if there was a competition between a Singaporean and an Indian? I feel they would remain Indians at heart and use the Singapore Passport for convenience sake.
16 January 2006
New Year and Pongal Wishes
Back after another break...
Although a bit late, here's wishing you all a very happy new year and a happy pongal.
Had been to India the past few weeks. Had gone there just after the rains had done their ravage and the whole country side was fresh and green with all the waterfronts full. All the small lakes (yerri) were full and I had the joy of seeing a "Full Cauvery" after many years. Although the Sun TV had claimed huge damages everywhere, it was not as reported. Some roads were battered very badly and some of them were in really good shape. This was a surprise, as I had expected most of the roads to have been washed away, considering the floods. Only the low lying plains and sites close to the river were affected.
An example of what privatization could do to the country was seen from the Reliance Petrol Pumps...something to be proud of. It was up to international standards with beautiful gardens, large area, clean toilets and good drinking water!!! Some portions of the National Highway (NH45) between Trichy and Chennai were also very good. Three way lanes with clear markings and no potholes!!! There were also areas with small buildings, which were marked for Trucks. This is for the lorries and trucks, when they want to take a break. A nice concept to ensure lorries and trucks don't occupy the highway and disrupt the traffic. Most of these roads reminded me of Malaysia and unsurprisingly, came to know that the road contracts were given to some Malaysian company!!!
A cool breeze was always blowing in Trichy and there were drizzles almost every evening. The buildings in Thathachariyar gardens were affected by the rains, with floods covering almost the whole of the ground floor. In a way I felt that they warranted what they got. Disrupt nature and nature would disrupt your life. I heard that many of them have now vacated their houses in ground floor and gone to other places.
My husband's place is a small village next to Trichy and I love going there. Especially the visits to the fields are a treat. This year the visit was extra special, since my daughter is big enough to enjoy the fields and cows. We need to wade through a small river (oodai) to reach the fields. Normally the river is dry and we go directly to the fields by car or bike. This time, we had to stop the car a good distance away and wade through the knee high water. The water was crystal clear and cool. The nearby fields were a treat to the eye with sunflowers in full bloom and lush green paddy. The oadi karai (river bank) had tamarind trees and we plucked raw tamarind to eat while we made our way to the fields. My daughter was excited with each and everything that she saw and the pump set (a small tank where the water is pumped out from the well) was her heaven. With a doting grandfather ready to satisfy all her wishes and whims she had a whale of a time. The way she played in the water and the amount of illaneer (tender coconut ) that she drank had me worried about her health.
All these bought back memories of my childhood at my granny’s place. The raw tamarind that we used to pluck from the neighbor’s fields and the way we used to play in the water in the pump-set. Oh…for those good old days!!!
Although a bit late, here's wishing you all a very happy new year and a happy pongal.
Had been to India the past few weeks. Had gone there just after the rains had done their ravage and the whole country side was fresh and green with all the waterfronts full. All the small lakes (yerri) were full and I had the joy of seeing a "Full Cauvery" after many years. Although the Sun TV had claimed huge damages everywhere, it was not as reported. Some roads were battered very badly and some of them were in really good shape. This was a surprise, as I had expected most of the roads to have been washed away, considering the floods. Only the low lying plains and sites close to the river were affected.
An example of what privatization could do to the country was seen from the Reliance Petrol Pumps...something to be proud of. It was up to international standards with beautiful gardens, large area, clean toilets and good drinking water!!! Some portions of the National Highway (NH45) between Trichy and Chennai were also very good. Three way lanes with clear markings and no potholes!!! There were also areas with small buildings, which were marked for Trucks. This is for the lorries and trucks, when they want to take a break. A nice concept to ensure lorries and trucks don't occupy the highway and disrupt the traffic. Most of these roads reminded me of Malaysia and unsurprisingly, came to know that the road contracts were given to some Malaysian company!!!
A cool breeze was always blowing in Trichy and there were drizzles almost every evening. The buildings in Thathachariyar gardens were affected by the rains, with floods covering almost the whole of the ground floor. In a way I felt that they warranted what they got. Disrupt nature and nature would disrupt your life. I heard that many of them have now vacated their houses in ground floor and gone to other places.
My husband's place is a small village next to Trichy and I love going there. Especially the visits to the fields are a treat. This year the visit was extra special, since my daughter is big enough to enjoy the fields and cows. We need to wade through a small river (oodai) to reach the fields. Normally the river is dry and we go directly to the fields by car or bike. This time, we had to stop the car a good distance away and wade through the knee high water. The water was crystal clear and cool. The nearby fields were a treat to the eye with sunflowers in full bloom and lush green paddy. The oadi karai (river bank) had tamarind trees and we plucked raw tamarind to eat while we made our way to the fields. My daughter was excited with each and everything that she saw and the pump set (a small tank where the water is pumped out from the well) was her heaven. With a doting grandfather ready to satisfy all her wishes and whims she had a whale of a time. The way she played in the water and the amount of illaneer (tender coconut ) that she drank had me worried about her health.
All these bought back memories of my childhood at my granny’s place. The raw tamarind that we used to pluck from the neighbor’s fields and the way we used to play in the water in the pump-set. Oh…for those good old days!!!
05 December 2005
The Home coming
A friend of mine is returning to India with his family after nearly 5 years in Singapore. I had initially thought he would be using public carriers to move his household items back to India and was a bit surprised when he informed that he was just relying on the 30 kgs per person allowance on the regular flights.
This is a real feat, considering the fact that we normally collect more than 30 kgs each time we visit India (and that is minimum once a year with atleast two visits from relatives and friends). I shudder to think the time when I would have to move back to India. I think we would end up leaving behind most of our stuff :))
This is a real feat, considering the fact that we normally collect more than 30 kgs each time we visit India (and that is minimum once a year with atleast two visits from relatives and friends). I shudder to think the time when I would have to move back to India. I think we would end up leaving behind most of our stuff :))
02 December 2005
What else would you need?
They ask you to come to office on a weekend and pay for the transport, give you a day off and then top it with a gift..I like this :))
30 November 2005
cross-breed
Saw a cross-breed dog this morning....it was so funny. It had the perfect face, ears and color of an Alseshan , a pomeranian's bushy tail that curves upwards, furry coat and the height of a full grown german shepard!!!
23 November 2005
FLU Vaccination
Company sponsors a free vaccination for all its employees…and one comment from a fellow employee: “They do this to ensure no one takes sick leave!!” For some people nothing can be straight forward when it concerns their employer.
08 November 2005
OZ Trip - the WOW factors
Lets start with the points in favour of Oz.
The Wheelchair friendly buses are a boon to parents using the pram. There is a place allocated for the wheelchairs and prams and can be secured tightly using a belt, so that you don’t have to worry about it moving when sudden brakes are applied. Also there is a place to store large baggage and strollers if not in use. Saves a lot of space and makes it easy for the other commuters to move around.
You can find vegetarian food almost everywhere. Its a pleasant surprise, since in Singapore, you have to search high and low for a veggie burger!!! And the best surprise was that the veggie food (burgers, pizzas and some Mexican items) tasted really good. We found a very good Indian restaurant at Glebe Point Road in Sydney. It was a north Indian restaurant named "Flavour of India" and the sabji was fantastic...I have not found such a good one even in Singapore. The only gripe was that it was open only from 6pm to 11pm.
There are lots of passes available and some good maps and guides. So it shouldn't be a problem to get around the city. We had got the Orange pass, which covered the city and the beaches like Bondi and Manly. It included bus and ferry rides for a whole week. This comes at the same price as a one-day trip on the Explorer Bus, which covers only the city.
Another one is the See Sydney & Beyond Smart Card. You can save a few dollars if you plan well and this card is pretty useful. You can get it for 1,2,3 and 7 days. I feel a 1 or 2 day card would be sufficient. We had taken the card for a single day and were able to save around 20 to 30 dollars each.
Having a kid around is in some ways a blessing...you get preference in most places and you can cut queues :) It also helps in breaking the ice...and gets you friends easily.
The people are friendly and go out of their way to help you. One incident was when a lady asked the bus driver for change for 100 dollars. He didn't have and so asked the other commuters. At least three people stood up and went to the driver immediately with the change. It was like they were waiting for it!!! There were incidents when we just had to look at our maps and people came to us and offered help. There was this old lady, who gave us directions to a place and then went and requested the bus driver to stop for us a bit further down the bus stop as we had a kid!
07 November 2005
Back from Australia
Back after a fun filled week. It was especially wonderful for us, since this is the first time that the three of us have been alone together for more than a week. Living as a joint family with my hubby's brother's family and going on trips with others has always resulted in us having atleast another family with us wherever we go. So this was the first time in years that we were alone. Diwali and hubby's birthday were small celebrations with just the three of us.
Another point that was different during this trip was my thought process...it was connecting all sights and scenes to what and how it would get translated in my blog :))
More to come in the following days...
Another point that was different during this trip was my thought process...it was connecting all sights and scenes to what and how it would get translated in my blog :))
More to come in the following days...
28 October 2005
Deepavali Wishes
Wishing you all a very happy Deepavali.
We are leaving for Australia today. Deepavali is in Sydney this time :)
We are leaving for Australia today. Deepavali is in Sydney this time :)
27 October 2005
Trichy-il oru mazhail kaalam
It rained 10cms in Trichy and heavy rains in Karnataka resulted in the current floods in Trichy and the surrounding areas. When I spoke with my parents who live in Thiruvanaikovil yesterday, they told that the whole of Chatram Bus-stand, Chinthamani and areas around the Cauvery river were submerged. But luckily there were unaffected. A few things that they told made me think.
1. The crack in one of the banks of cauvery near Srirangam was plugged using 40 bags of sand and that prevented further water flow into the city. -- kudos to those who did the job quickly and stopped a bigger damage.
2. Why is it that Trichy has become a city dependent on the climatic changes in Karnataka?
3. When will they build proper drainage facilities on the roads near St.Joseph's College and Holy Cross College? A small rain is sufficient to flood this area.
4. During the floods yesterday, there were too many police and firemen around giving different instructions that people were totally confused and majority of the commotion was because of this.
5. People living in the low lying areas next to the river had moved to the roads and were living there with no cover over them!!!
6. Cauvery brimming with water is such an extraordinary sight that there were hundreds of people on the Cauvery Bridge.
1. The crack in one of the banks of cauvery near Srirangam was plugged using 40 bags of sand and that prevented further water flow into the city. -- kudos to those who did the job quickly and stopped a bigger damage.
2. Why is it that Trichy has become a city dependent on the climatic changes in Karnataka?
3. When will they build proper drainage facilities on the roads near St.Joseph's College and Holy Cross College? A small rain is sufficient to flood this area.
4. During the floods yesterday, there were too many police and firemen around giving different instructions that people were totally confused and majority of the commotion was because of this.
5. People living in the low lying areas next to the river had moved to the roads and were living there with no cover over them!!!
6. Cauvery brimming with water is such an extraordinary sight that there were hundreds of people on the Cauvery Bridge.
24 October 2005
Is it in Singapore?
A normally busy road on the CBD which also houses one of the famous tourist attractions in Singapore is blocked for a whole day... A mail is sent to all the tenants around the area and information is displayed on boards about the road block. The road block starts as early as 7am in the morning and extends upto 7pm. All buses plying through that route are redirected...All this for a film shooting!!!
That is what is happening now in Singapore, that too for a Bollywood flick!!! All this is possible becos this film is being sponsored by STB (Singapore Tourism Board).
That is what is happening now in Singapore, that too for a Bollywood flick!!! All this is possible becos this film is being sponsored by STB (Singapore Tourism Board).
19 October 2005
Corruption less (in) India
Corruption in India has gone down when compared to the previous years as per this article in Rediff. Although this is really heart warming, I found a most disturbing info --- Schools and hospitals are the most corrupted organisations in Tamil Nadu. This is really worrying since schools are the foundation stones for a better future and hospitals are one of the essentials in a society. Teachers & Doctors are considered to hold noble professions and this is where we see the most corruptions in Tamil Nadu. How sad!!!
18 October 2005
Deepavali
Shopping for Deepavali is something that we and our kids are surely going to miss. Although Deepavali is celebrated in Singapore and you get the festive feeling when you do to Little India, I have always felt that the essence of Deepavali is somehow missing. I certainly miss the crowds on the streets and shops, during the weeks nearing Deepavali...and its always a pleasure to buy for an occasion. The past few years, our Deepavali dresses are one of those we got long back or some dress sent from India. Although we prepare sweets and savouries at home, the joy of sharing it with the neighbours and friends is so restricted here. Most of all I miss the fire cracker sounds that almost makes one go mad during this time.
Oh...how I miss it all!!!
Oh...how I miss it all!!!
13 October 2005
A Come Back
It's been really long since I have been to this space, although I have done a bit of blog hopping now and then...visiting some of my favourite blogs.
What started as a short break due to work pressure, turned out to be a looooooooooong one due to various reasons. I hope to start updating on a regular basis again and am really thankful for those who have been visiting during my absence.
A short update on what's been happening at my end:
Job going on as usual...but a bit better now. Have got a new colleague and so able to share the load.
The hard disk on my new machine (just two months old) in office crashed (happy it wasn't the one at home :)). But wonderful service...got it replaced with a day with all my data restored.
Home front is also good...have enrolled my daughter in a playschool to start from next Jan. We performed the "Yedu thuvakkam" (the first time she learns to write a letter) function yesterday for her.
We have planned for a trip to Australia during this month end. So, pretty busy with getting the necessary stuff ready.
A close friend and a cousin have become proud parents. Another friend in Singapore was blessed with twins. Now, she has become really busy. :)
This seems to be the month of birthdays...have attend a couple of birthday parties and there's one the coming weekend too.
So, that's for now....keep visiting :)
What started as a short break due to work pressure, turned out to be a looooooooooong one due to various reasons. I hope to start updating on a regular basis again and am really thankful for those who have been visiting during my absence.
A short update on what's been happening at my end:
Job going on as usual...but a bit better now. Have got a new colleague and so able to share the load.
The hard disk on my new machine (just two months old) in office crashed (happy it wasn't the one at home :)). But wonderful service...got it replaced with a day with all my data restored.
Home front is also good...have enrolled my daughter in a playschool to start from next Jan. We performed the "Yedu thuvakkam" (the first time she learns to write a letter) function yesterday for her.
We have planned for a trip to Australia during this month end. So, pretty busy with getting the necessary stuff ready.
A close friend and a cousin have become proud parents. Another friend in Singapore was blessed with twins. Now, she has become really busy. :)
This seems to be the month of birthdays...have attend a couple of birthday parties and there's one the coming weekend too.
So, that's for now....keep visiting :)
09 August 2005
Happy Birthday Singapore
That is how they celebrate the National Day in Singapore...Wish her a very happy birthday, and all gifts can be sent to me :))
Being 40 years old, the celebrations this year are extra special. There have been extensive preparations for the National Day Parade. This being the rainy season, I came to know yesterday that there has never been a time in the past 40 years when the National Day Parade was disrupted or cancelled due to rains. Hard to believe.
Lets see if it holds true this year too!!!
Being 40 years old, the celebrations this year are extra special. There have been extensive preparations for the National Day Parade. This being the rainy season, I came to know yesterday that there has never been a time in the past 40 years when the National Day Parade was disrupted or cancelled due to rains. Hard to believe.
Lets see if it holds true this year too!!!
28 July 2005
Nambikkai
What else can be done when AF has the "Nambikai" in you and asks you to take part in the "Kavithai Competition" by
Narayanan Venkittu. So here is my last minute entry!!!
engo ozhinthu kondirupavanai
thedi kandu pidithu
erandu cup theneer koduthu
yezhupinanen - kavithai vaendum
Kavithai piranthathu
Nambikai valarnthathu
ini thaedavendum
Tamil font-ai, valaipoo valara!!!
--------
Thanks to Adengappa!!!
எங்கோ ஒழிந்து கொண்டிருப்பவனை
தேடி கண்டு பிடித்து
இரண்டு கப் தேனீர் கொடுத்து
எழுப்பினேன் - கவிதை வேண்டும்
கவிதை பிறந்தது
நம்பிக்கை வளர்ந்தது
இனி தேடவேண்டும்
தமிழ் Font-ஐ, வலைபூ வளர!!!
Narayanan Venkittu. So here is my last minute entry!!!
engo ozhinthu kondirupavanai
thedi kandu pidithu
erandu cup theneer koduthu
yezhupinanen - kavithai vaendum
Kavithai piranthathu
Nambikai valarnthathu
ini thaedavendum
Tamil font-ai, valaipoo valara!!!
--------
Thanks to Adengappa!!!
எங்கோ ஒழிந்து கொண்டிருப்பவனை
தேடி கண்டு பிடித்து
இரண்டு கப் தேனீர் கொடுத்து
எழுப்பினேன் - கவிதை வேண்டும்
கவிதை பிறந்தது
நம்பிக்கை வளர்ந்தது
இனி தேடவேண்டும்
தமிழ் Font-ஐ, வலைபூ வளர!!!
21 July 2005
Medical Tourism
India has great potentials of becoming a tourism hub. With its varied climatic conditions and cultural diversity, it has something for everyone. If advertised properly and with better infrastructure, Indian tourism can become a thriving industry providing jobs for millions of people.
Saw an article today about Visas for Medical Tourism The Indian Government is taking the right step towards tourism. But it would be encouraging to see them provide such visas for other countries too. Especially to countries like UK where the Medical cost is very high and already there is awareness about Medical Tourism in India.
Saw an article today about Visas for Medical Tourism The Indian Government is taking the right step towards tourism. But it would be encouraging to see them provide such visas for other countries too. Especially to countries like UK where the Medical cost is very high and already there is awareness about Medical Tourism in India.
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