A Woman …

Am I, am I.
And glad of it.

I’m Daddy’s Girl, still Growing Up
And I wonder if I’ll ever be
The Right Age

I’m that Little Girl yet
Who hasn’t given up on dreams,
And Carousel Rides

I wish I was stronger.
But then I might give
Mr. World a run for his money.
Thank you. I am happy this way
For now.

I’ve lived Sepia Dreams
And coloured them bright
I have my reasons and seasons 
And most times, I am defiant

Today, too, like other days
I celebrate me. And you….
All of you, who be humane …
Who loves and respects another,
Especially a woman; for then,

You truly live.

8 March, 2013
Wishing every reader here, both men and women the best of the day, and of life, as you walk through the world, sharing your respect for everyone, especially women. Happy Women’s Day.
And for a change, I shall not excuse myself for a self-aggrandizing post, linky linky one at that

Listened to, as the first song of the day, ”Woman” by John Lennon. Magic

I Know You’ll Dance…

(Lee Ann Womack’s beautiful song ”I hope You’ll Dance”  is the inspiration for this title The video is embedded at the end of this post, dedicated entirely to an awesome dancer, in the family! The one who never sat out a single dance in the course of his life. My second born. Ashwin.

The steel grey Gucci Suit Wala Dancer – Ashwin!

Royal in Blue Ashwin!

This one, sweetheart, is just for you. The song, I know, was written with you in mind. But wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. This is getting to be really enjoyable, the build up each year, to 3 August; and I know this is one tradition I will keep, for as long as words allow themselves to be charmed into this space, for you. Tradition. For this blog too! )

Right, before I go ga ga all over again, over my Lion Cub, I do want to share those “traditions” . It started in 2009, with “The Right Age”, the went on to “For My Little One” (incidentally he’s a few millimetres short of being 6 ft tall ), to when he flew the coop, in “When Nestlings Fly”, and Metamorphosis and settled in with “Pride”  in 2010 and 2011, last year. And here is where he tells me it’s no fun doing something unless your mom says NO. So it is 3 August again, and, as my kids in school say, “his happy birthday”!

What can I say, or wish him, that I already have not? Would you believe, I can (Ah! and you thought, here she is, quite having run out of more words, will allow us to listen to that song, and be done wishing him! But oh no…!) Oh yes, I can! *gleeful, evil grin on her face, and she anticipates the dammed words waiting to break and flow* … pun intended!

Boy oh Boy! Am I going to enjoy this! *lifts fingers from keyboard long enough to rub her hands in glee*

So here goes…

Years before, as a timid, tiny lion cub, you always made me wonder how you’d find your feet. I know, NOW, I needn’t have worried! Your feline sense of balance would help you land, feet firmly on ground, steady as ever.

Today, I want to extract each memory, as if from a pensieve, each shimmering thought strand, playing out a favourite scene of you, of how you used to be, of how we used to be… (I wish I had those photos too, to go with these threads , but could only manage these mobile pictures of photographs from the old albums )

Happy happy

Shmaille no, pleaaase?

You, Achukkutts…
… your grudging smile, reserved ONLY for family and Anu/Ani, the little girls from the ground floor of the barsati we lived in, in Delhi (Just look at you, above.. That is how you were most of time, till you turned about 2 and a half years old )

… of how you idolized your big brother, right from the beginning and how you fought so hard with him later; and how I’m accused even now ( ) of being partial

At NDA, for Arjun’s POP, Khadakwasla, Pune December, 2007! Love this picture

Awww… he would smile only for his family proof here!

Stolen from Malu’s collection The smiles were getting bigger and more uninhibited

Awww…

… of your reluctant, first, LATE baby step – so terrified of gravity – after having done EVERYTHING else in record time: turning over ALL by YOURSELF, in 2 months flat! IMAGINE!!! Never thought it would take you over a year to walk!

Achchante Kunjunni

… your charming smile; how everyone loved to see it; how hard they tried to make you, and how you just did NOT! Ask Chitta

… how once you discovered that smile, you showered it with so much joy on all and sundry, and how you still do… Padmaja Teacher (HOD, Social Science) refers to you even now as a “smiling baby”

… how you made friends slowly, and how they always were forever

Ashwin, second from right, along with Abey, Praveen and Hrithu

Ashwin Shining From an Onam Celebration picture at College. Ashwin in the Centre

Abey’s farewell treat? Or Hrithu’s? Standing: Govind, Hrithu; Sitting: Pious, Ashwin, Abey and Cezil

…how you make friends so darned fast, these days

… your Gita Chanting feats, and “Sherwood”, that memorable year, when you wowed me with your recitation! I still wonder at it!!!

… that proud moment, when you and Lakshmi became Vikramsila House Captains, and more so, the jubilant moment, when your house was Champion House!!! Those were days!!!
…how we pored over those Hotel Management courses, and that online test for MS Ramaiah! R.O.F.L.

… and how you went and became an engineer, with the huge rank you had , with a course you wanted, in a college you wanted! Oh yes! you had your guardian angel watching over you. Still do Achamma

…. and asking me if you could pierce your ears! High point.

…. and announcing you found your soulmate… boy! was I jealous !!! Not anymore, dont worry, N!!

Soulmates

…and growing wings, trying them out, and sailing out, smooth and fluent, and free….

I miss you. But I know you’ve gotta do what you gotta do, and be where you have to be Life’s quirky ways. We know, don’t we, that’s the way we are, and no matter what you’ll always be the baby in my arms,

That tiny head, of the baby swathed in a pink wrap is YOU ! At Viju’s wedding… all of 28 days

from twenty odd years ago, no matter you’re a hulking handsome young man now Hugs, big huge bear hugs, my dearest!

Clicked by Govind? Classic Hunk

Happy Birthday, Ashwin! You should be here, with me, considering this is the last bachelor party you’re going to have, for your birthday ! May you be just as sweet, just as strong, just as fair, and just as loving, as you have always been. May God bless you and keep you safe, always. May you ever be loved, and may you always find love, in each and every moment of each day… especially when you’re down May you always be in high spirits, and may the world take its cue from you, on how to be the best you can! I do love you so!

I do love you! Bear HUG

And here it is finally:

“I hope you dance” by Lee Ann Womack

And another one, so so beautiful, it made my cry

“My Wish” by Rascal Flatts

I found them both at this place

From 31 July to…1 August 2012
For 3 August, 2012.
Scheduled post

And so…

I have officially welcomed a daughter into the family (And that has been the reason for the long long break from blogging ) My son Arjun married Pratibha on 29th June, 2012.

I’m blessed. We are, my son and I. And it has been a wedding that was entertaining, full of song and dance, filled with all the emotions, laughter, tears, and endless late nights of catching up on news, gossip, zimbly-at-all-chatting and never wanting to sleep and miss out on spending time with loved ones. Weddings, get togethers are like that, aren’t they? Especially if it is all about the two being from different states

Finally the excitement and energy that has been on high for so many days is quietening down. Winding down is not much fun. Getting back to a workplace after that orgy of emotion and fun, even less ! But we need that bread to sustain us, forget about the butter

There were a lot of interesting “comments” and remarks that got me writing this down! Some typical, like “Gosh! Now you’re mother-in-law! You are probably feeling the power of it all!” Gawd! Seriously?? I mean, what power, darn it? I’m still me, and I have a beautiful daughter to top it all! I feel the power of happiness, that is all!!!

“Oh my, one burden is lesser to carry around now, no?” (The other, presumably, is the younger son ) Burden? They are both my wondrous offspring, bits of me, lots of themselves, all entirely made of themselves, and filled with all kinds of everything that still amazes and fascinates me. They are lovely people, and I’ve never never thought of them as burdens! I’m entirely fed up of innumerable remarks which, worded differently, say the same thing! “Responsibilities”, “duties”… what have you! If anything, I have one more person to love, to cherish, to coddle to death ! And no way can that be a burden, responsibility or whateva!!!

“We actually thought you’d look mother-in-law-ish” LOL! Do that category have a “look”??? I wonder what that could be! If anything I feel no different, and dress no different, and do things just the same! With more care and concern certainly that my daughter ( in law) should have a smooth passage into her life with her partner, my son.

And yes, I shall say daughter, though I have read somewhere that one cannot really say that; for she will always be her mother’s daughter, and a mother in law can never take that place. I certainly agree with the notion, but I do believe that it is possible to be that mother, and be that daughter too, even if it took a marriage to make it so More so, with the cross cultural wedding this turned out to be!

To put it plain and simple: I’m still me, Parukutty , my daughter is still her, and so is Arjun, my son And we are all really happy being what we are to each other! *Fingers crossed* that we may all be as blessed with the love we share with each other! May God Bless them, too, to be as loved and loving always!

A Haiku, for them

Wedded

Merging my soul in

Yours, I’m lost: only to find

Completeness in us.

15 July, 2012

Of Beginnings; Of Birthdays and a Sorority to Cherish :)

It’s a beginning, once again. A cycle of time, regenerates itself, in different parts of our land. Today, the 13th April, it is Baisakhi, it is Bihu, a time to celebrate a harvest, a start, a closure too. Tomorrow, 14th April, it is Vishu, and yet another Medam, (the first month in the Lunar Calendar, in Kerala) takes birth. The link to the post on Vishu has been receiving visitors aplenty, and that is why it is linked here, so that those who wish to know more about it may just pop thataway and do so And for the setting of the Vishukani, you could get a bit of Mother’s Advice here (The post is Vishuaashamsagal…)

The best wishes of the season to each and everyone. May the glorious golden of the Konna Flowers bestow that selfsame richness in each aspect of your lives, touching it with prosperity and good fortune!

**************

The month of April is wonderful for other reasons too! My first born, Arjun, celebrates his birthday, and so do other loved ones. My elder brother, Viju, Commodore V.K. Pisharody, on the day after Vishu.

This year, I want to spread my net of gladness, and send out loving wishes to other Ariens who have touched my life, inspiring, scaffolding, being supportive, being the patient listening ear, being part of the sorority that has surrounded me with the deepest empathy and given me the benediction of their friendship, unconditionally and unerringly known each time I needed to have a shoulder to lean on, and bawl my head off, figuratively, of course ! Well on occasion, literally as well.

My dearest friends, this is to wish each of you
A day and year filled with laughter, and nothing blue
Moments spent in gladness, each day anew
May worries and stresses, be far, and few
All love, and God’s Blessings, I do wish YOU

Elsie Abraham, for the 14th April

Omana Vasudevan, for the 18th April

Renuka Menon, for the 19th April

Ladies, you are the best there is!!! This post is entirely dedicated to each of you! Advance wishes for a Great Day, followed by the best year, so far! I pray that each of you finds that life unfolds in just the way you wished it would!

Beautiful songs, too, to go with the wishes: Below

That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick

 

Another link to the same song which has an amazing quatret singing this song – Dionne Warwick, Whitney Huston, Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder!

And yes, I will always look to you, for succor and support as I have been, all these years Thank you for being part of what makes me ME The song below says it all!

I Look to You, Whitney Huston:

****************************

Once again, Vishuaashamsagal to one and all!

(P.S. Sorry it’s such a linky linky post )

13 April, 2012

An August Month :)

I’ve always liked August. Of course, the most basic reason being it is a birthday month, but more than that, the name itself. There is something, isn’t there, about how August it is. In August.

It’s the time when rains intensify, then slack. It is the time when festivities fade, then rise, in anticipation. The time when Onam slowly unfolds, around the corner. The time when a brief ten day vacation happens (if one is lucky to have the Thiruvonam during the August part of Chingam maasam ).

It is the month when two of my Lion Cubs were born. The Second Born, and his brother, and comrade-in-arms, Kiran.

It’s that time when I remember Indygurl and miss her, all the more; for she is a Lioness too, having made her mark on this Universe, on 2 August, years ago.

This year, August is special. It’s a time when fruition comes to be. Of hopes, wishes, desires, aspirations. Kindred hearts, mirrored souls, a season of ripening, of the fruit of sweet love.

John Keats’ “Ode to Autumn” has always reminded me of August, ever since this vibrant lecturer read it out to us in College. The sheer golden sheen, the warmth of sun-flecked nature, the call of something beyond…

It is a time, this time, to spend in remembrance of a warm soul I met last year. Someone who keeps me going, when things seem tough. Someone who did not spend enough time in this world, but sped on Angel Wings, to keep other Angels, like her, company. Someone who lives on, regardless. Tejaswee.

It’s that time when life meets life anew, when love beckons; when slowly, but surely, the threads weave closer, forming patterns designed so long ago; inter-twining memories, making fresh ones, to take in the journey forward.

Yes, it’s August

So Happy Birthday, my dearest little One, Ashwin, for the third! May your footsteps always travel upon promising paths, and find each journey exciting and successful! May joy and love hound those footsteps ever!

And Happy Birthday, dearest Kiran, for the sixth, for the brilliant ray of Sunshine you will ever be, to me. All smiles, and pure wit

Happy Birthday, dear Lioness, Meggie aka Indyeah for the second! How I do long to hear from you again!

And Happy Birthday, to a dear dear dear beloved daughter, Neeti… , for the thirtieth of the month. More August a date I have to know

Happy Anniversary too, to My EB and ESis in law, for the thirtieth  oops, thirty first.  Also my YB and Y Sis in law’s! You two couples rock!

Praveen, cannot help but remember, and wish you, for the third! Happy Birthday!

The thirty first of July, 2011

(An under 500 word post. A first time surely, except for the 55 ers here )

Vishuaashamsagal! Better late…

This was in the drafts, waiting to be scheduled, but incomplete. And being busy on Vishu, and it’s eve, because of the anticipated joy and preparation of the SB’s visit, it is being completed only now. The finishing touches. And this post is more for the verbal/linguistic reader, than the visual, because I forgot to take pictures of the awesome Vishukani I had arranged …

Belated Vishuaashamsagal.

The Konna tree, at my parents’ home, a beautiful beautiful sight!

Here’s a beautiful message I received via sms, from Omana

ഓര്‍മ്മകള്‍ കൂട് കൂട്ടിയ തളിര്‍ ചില്ലയില്‍ 

പൊന്നിന്‍ നിറമുള്ള ഓര്‍മകളുമായി 

ഒരു വിഷുകൂടി വരവായി 

സ്നേഹത്തോടെ ഒരായിരം 

വിഷുആശംസകള്‍

(Pliss to ignore and excuse spelling mistakes in the Malayalam printed here. Google’s transliteration is responsible for it )

It’s that time of the year again, when the golden drops of the sun take the form of the Kani Konna… the Cassia Fistula tree, or the Indian Laburnum, it’s bunches of chandelier shaped gorgeous yellow flowers, seen almost all over the countryside, in Kerala, and elsewhere.

It’s Vishu. The beginning of a new year, in the Malayalam Calendar. The beginning of the month of Medam (മേടം), the first of the 12 months of the calendar we follow.

This year, Vishu was celebrated on the 2nd of Medam (മേടം), on the Makam Nakshatram (മകം നക്ഷത്രം), because the Sankramam, or transition of the Sun into this Raashi was on this Nakshatram, which happened to start only sometime during the noon, of the 1st of Medam. So my dad informed me, referring to the Panchaangam. It is still a bit confusing, but not being well versed in astrology and its terms (though I have a great interest in it- esp. predictions! ) I accepted it.

After a gap of several years, I had a Vishu Kani in my own home, not my parents. Else we always gather together as a family at my Dad’s place and celebrate the New Year. This year, the SB was to arrive on the eve so I decided to have my own My mother instructed me, and with my badgering (don’t I always?) she managed to retain her calm, telling me why each thing was for Most of it was… “I don’t know. It is, that’s all! I DON’T know everything!!!” I’m a pest!

So she gave me her uruli (ഉറുളി) a medium sized one. I was to arrange everything in it. I record it here (too late; still, it is here, for future reference )

First a layer of rice - unkkalari (ഉണക്കലരി )

Then the vellarikka, the orange ripened cucumber vegetable (വെള്ളരിക്ക);

coconut split in halves (നാളികേരം ഉടച്ചത്)

thiruvidada or cloth (vastram) (തിരുവിടാട, വസ്ത്രം );

ripe mangoes, banana,

vermillion (kumkum കുങ്കുമം )

kajal, made at home if possible (കണ്മഷി)

jackfruit (ചക്ക), other fruits, gold and silver.

An important thing is a mirror, two kinds, the normal, and the valkannadi (a symbol of Bhagavathi, or Mother Goddess) (വാല്‍ക്കണ്ണാടി).

Spread all over this should be the Konnapoovu, the Konna, the golden chandelier flowers (കണി കൊന്ന), and the Erukkumpoova (എരുക്കുംപ്പൂവ് ), the flowers (picture below) from the Erukku (എരുക്ക്) Tree (a medicinal plant)

Arrange these in the order mentioned, and if one cannot fit everything into the uruli, it’s ok to place the fruits outside. The rest ought to be placed within the uruli. A brass lamp, traditional Kerala type is placed near, and lit, at the time of the Kani… the first sight on the Vishu morning. The flowers are placed last and strewn over the items there.

Very early in the morning (usually the time for the Kani is mentioned in the Almanac) usually between 3 to 4 am is the auspicious time to see this blessed sight. All of the things in the assembled array all promise prosperity, and success and good fortune. So says my mother !

Except for the jackfruit I placed the rest of it, and had a beautiful Vishu Kani of my own, for me and mine . Loved ones together on such occasions add to a simple contentment, and a feeling of completeness. I was blessed, so was my SB

Belated Wishes to each one of you once again.

*****

Actually it was a triple whammy this day The Elder Brother’s Birthday(S), according to both the Western and Malayalam calendar was also on Vishu day Birthday Greetings too

******

The Athiraathram concluded on 15th April 2011, at Panjaal. I was fortunate to have been able to visit on the 11th day, for a brief period of time. Was happy to witness certain offerings to the fire, at the centre of the Chithi, and the pressing of the soma plants to extract juice, which would then be taken for Saumyam, and for the offerings to Agni again. The Saumyam is especially beneficial for women who are pregnant in their first trimester and for couples who have infertility problems. It was interesting to read from Surekha Pillai (@surekhapillai, on twitter) who was involved with the Media there, how she met some people born to mothers who had partaken of the Saumyam in the 1975 Athiraathram at the same place! More on the details of the Athiraathram here, on Sandeep Varma’s blog and the Official Website. At the end of the yaagam, people thronged to witness the final burning of the yaagashaala, which after it returns the Agni, the divine element, back to the Arani (Whence it was brought forth) resembles only a forest fire, lacking the divine force. Just before the yaagashaala was set ablaze, it rained. Poured, I am told. And so it concluded. Physically perhaps. It is held close in the hearts and recounted both in words and thoughts for those who have followed it closely and been part of it. Surekha Pillai (@surekhapillai, on twitter)  aptly says, as she finally leaves;  ”it’s raining tears. i guess #athirathram is finally over.” It found resonance in thousands of hearts!

Word count under 1000. That has to be a first(except for the 55 ers) for this eccentric rambler ! Have a wonderful year, all of you! God Bless!

16 April, 2011

I Have a Dream …

… (sic) with due apologies to Martin Luther King Junior

I am not plagiarizing. I swear ! The original with video is here:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

 

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history of our Interactions on Facebook and Twitter as the greatest demonstration for urging a victory in the much touted and tainted game of Kiricket in the history of our nation.

This momentous introduction to the GAME came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Indians who finally found a way to douse insults having been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their seeming helplessness! we Indians wielded the willow for the first time, quivering in the symbolic shadow of the English (Many score years ago)

But many hundreds of matches later, the game is mired in murk and  is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination! We have seen the glorious game thrown to the bookies, have had the underworld dons rule the roost and fix matches, we have seen the worst happening!  And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a return to the days when we loved it for what it was. A battle of wills. A class apart, in terms of style, cut and action : )

In a sense we’ve come to our own FB walls and Twitter Timelines with a score to settle and to  cash a cheque. We expect and pray and hope with a desperation bordering on violence that this cheque be  honoured, this sacred obligation, that the Cup that Cheers a Billion Hearts stays with us. Where it belongs. We have an inalienable right to it! Call it an earthworm vision if you wish, but it is also the vision of the eagle that flies on high… and sees that speck miles below, that it WILL OWN!

But we refuse to believe that the bank of victory is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we’ve come to cash this cheque, a cheque that will give us upon demand the riches of our dreams and aspirations to that very MOMENT!

We have also come to this hallowed spot our FB walls and timelines on Twitter with the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of victory. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of bad-mouthing and desperation to the sunlit path of radiating HOPE. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of negativity to the solid rock of brotherhood and blessing and prayers. Now is the time to make The Royal Blue Men’s day out superlative and a reality for all of us serenely madly-in-love-with-Kiricket folks.

(laughing away, cant type, holding sides, shaking uncontrolably* Pray God MLK forgives this blashphemy!)

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Mohali Environs will not pass until there is an invigorating freshness of fragrance of sweet gain. 30th March is not the end, but a beginning. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in here until the day is won. The cup is won.  The whirlwinds of comments, updates and review, views, tweets and smileys, and ^&*##@$%&^()^+%#@ will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of The Cup emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my cohorts-in-cahoots who are tagged with this: who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the realms of heaven, just thinking of the victory: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for victory by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our support on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative urging to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. (!) The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the FB community must not lead us to a distrust of all who detract us, for many of them, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that theirdesire to see the cup stay at home is inextricably bound to our very wish!

We cannot walk alone. They cannot play alone. We are there, each of us, to hit each ball, take each wicket, run behind the fleeing ball and catch it before it reaches the boundary, and always but always, have a smile and cheering word and a pat on their backs! NO MATTER WHAT!

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

Some of you have come fresh from narrow minded thoughts. And some of you have come from areas where your quest — quest for victory left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of unhelpful negativity by others! You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to praying, go back to urging, go back to crossing your fingers, go back to your banishment by spouse/partner/ offspring/ self (lol!!!), , knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.We WILL MAKE IT!I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the Kiricket Crazy Indian 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. But Sachin is the BEST!”

 

I have a dream that the little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, and the HISTORY of this WIN!

 

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.” For on a day that is was deemed to be The Day. We did what was to be done!

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the bed, and my papers with. (:D)

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together,  to stand up and cheer  together, knowing that we will be victorious THAT day.

All of us  will be able to join hands and sing in the words of from the Classic Film… My Fair Lady: And when this happens, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when

You(We) did it!!!

Sample of the lyrics:

You did it! You did it! You said that you would do it, and indeed you did.

I thought that you would rue it;

I doubted you’d do it. But now I must admit it

That succeed you did. You should get a medal

Or be even made a knight……

LOL!

 

Apologies Apologies my dear friends and any human rights activists. The momentary urge to give in to this ridiculous temptation to unburden myself of these deepest desires was too strong to hold back. And also it’s Leenuka Reddy’s fault for egging me on. If you must stone me, pelt one at her too! She’s tagged with this.

 

And another one to Anita C Warrier, if she makes any remark on 30th against the Indian team ! She’s tagged too!Leenuka, now to my papers !!

 

*Phew* *Wipes sweat off brow*

 

26 March, 2011

 

Pls to excuse any and all  typos in here. Am too exhausted to edit anymore ! Thanks in advance! I enjoyed every bit of this. Hope this dream is yours too!

Commodore Vijay K. Pisharody, Nao Sena (नव सेना) Medal

Commodore Vijay Kumar Pisharody, IN, Nao Sena Medal

 

Here it goes, an ode to you,

For another capped feather, all anew.

In 2011, the Republic Day,

You made us proud in every way.

Once again you’ve proved your mettle,

To  adorn  your chest, you’ve  earned the Nao Sena Medal.

The honour bestowed… much deserved,

More laurels for you are surely reserved.

In the years ahead, as you go the length,

May you sail from strength to strength.

(written by Captain Vinod Kumar Pisharody, my younger brother )

(Alert Long Post… but I hope you will stay with it )

That is my elder brother. The brightest star, on our horizons. The one with the Professional Acumen (my FB’s words!). Genius. Integrity. Dedication. Sheer presence of mind. Great bulldozing tactics (well you need that you see, when you command men ). Yoga fiend. Health freak. No-nonsense. Huge Hindi Film Fan. Mohanlal too . Great fun.

He’s got what it takes, and has done what needed to be done. Not many do both. And for Devotion to Duty, he has been awarded the Naosena Medal, NM as it is referred to. I cannot of course, stop here. That would be sheer injustice to the subject, the blog and the eccentric rambler, who cannot act out of sync with her image now, can she? Lol!

A word on the Medals and Awards given to Defence Personnel, and announced on the eve of Republic Day, each year. This year’s awards can be viewed here, on the Press Information Bureau’s Website. (Select 25 Jan 2011, as the date on the left sidebar, and you will notice a link further down , 440 Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations Announced – (This year we were pleasantly and awesomely (!!!) surprised to hear one of us being named as an awardee. The actual ceremony takes place later, in May I am told. And is telecast live on Doordarshan Will post an update on that as soon as I know)

Medals are given for Devotion to Duty or for Gallantry. The Ashok Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Param Vir Chakra, the Vir Chakra, the Shaurya Chakra are all gallantry awards of the Highest Order. Next come the Sena Medals, the Sena (Army), the Vayu Sena Medal (Air Force) and the Nao Sena (नव सेना) Medal (Navy) which can be either for Gallantry or for Devotion to Duty. The PVSM (Param Vishisht Seva Medal ) and the VSM (Vishsist Seva Medal) follow. Each with its due credit and importance.

My father is a VSM recipient, having been awarded in 1970, when he was involved with setting up the communications network for the Naval Airport in Goa. (Trivia: My younger brother is a Naval pilot -have mentioned him here – who is stationed there, President,  AIRCATS -  Aircrew Categorization and Inspection!). He, my father, ie, retired as a Commander, having worked his way up from the ranks. Sheer hard work and dedication. As my younger brother remarked, first my elder brother outranked him, when he became a Captain, and now a Commodore, and now he has out medalled him as well, with an NM- a Nao Sena Medal!

Viju, as I call him, Pisha as he is known to his coursemates (Common Name for both my younger brother, (and me while in school) ), and Pisha Sir as he is known to the others others… , is someone you might say is… (*hunting desperately for a word, and failing to find any*) an allrounder. It’s cricket season, and he loves cricket, plays very well, so let us use that metaphor for now. You’ll understand what I mean as we go on

Born at the height of the ascending of the Sun (മേടം രാശി, സൂര്യന്‍ ഉച്ചത്തില്‍ medam raashi,sooryan uchchathil), during the Uttarayana, in the Malayalam month of medam (Aries, by the Western Zodiac – a perfect offspring of the sign ), on the monrning of Vishu, the new year, that year, in 1962, his planetary positions, according to my mother, were near perfect! That is not to say that all he has achieved is because of them. This is to say that even that had fallen in line The perspective is that it could not be otherwise

As a young boisterous laddie, in Delhi, he managed his first FEAT. Twice in a row, around the same date, consecutive year, he fractured his right arm, between his wrist and elbow. Once, it was while trying to climb a pole that some of us, me and few other children were instructed to hold. We, being awed, and being us, let go, in sheer admiration, (the pole, ie), and he took a gentle tumble, fracturing his right arm. The next year, same time, he was showing us how to dive off the bed. Bingo. His arm was fractured again. And would you believe the coincidence? Same place, bone, and spot! He lived to tell the tale, swing some mean shots, on the Cricket field, Captain the NDA team, and sail in regattas. Unputdownable. That says it all.

This young man in school,  Balwinds Boys’ High School, Bangalore, was consistent. Topper in class. Consistent. On the sports field, in the swimming pool, always there, always bringing back medals. It was sometimes difficult for me, the ham of the sandwich (errm, I have an equally competent and brilliant younger brother! ), to live it down. The green eyed monster kept rising to the surface. Then I learnt to deal with it, hatke! I just decided not to conform, and a rebel was born. Ah! but I digress. This one is for the First Born. Viju. 

In the eleventh standard, he found his calling. Well, I was not so sure then.  (I told him he was training his head – that should be engaged in doing complex stuff at IIT- to be an enemy’s target!!! ). But now, in hindsight, the bigger picture unfolds. There is something called destiny. You do not realize it in proximity. It is always the distance that leads one to focus on what counted, and what still counts

At that time, he was a member of the Karnataka State U-19 team, that returned home, runners-up! He maintained a demonic schedule, even way back then. Early morning, cricket camp, back home, school, back home, studies, and play, and back all over again! And then, he was selected to train at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. The year was 1979. He had decided to join the Indian Navy, just like his father, Cdr. U. K. Pisharody, VSM. My dad too… !

The rest as they say, is History! But I must share a few moments from that In the NDA, he was an Eagle, ie he was in Echo Squadron, (my younger brother and my first born also went there. All belonged to different squadrons- Vinu, my brother was Bravo-Alpha-Bravo,  and Arjun was Alpha then India ), and to be certain, he did fly very high. He was Captain of the Cricket Team (they called him the Kapil Dev of the Academy ),and his exemplary performance got him a Cricket Blue – an honour given to remarkable and gifted and consistently high achievers of a particular field. The blazer that is given is proudly preserved even now. As is the yearbook of the Academy of that time.

>>Fast Forward a few years. He was commissioned as an Officer of the Indian Navy in 1983, and served in various establishments, and ships. In due course there are very many more feathers he has donned on his well deserved cap. After his Long Course/ Specialization in Logistics, he has done courses at the IIM, Kozhikode, Defence Management at the premier institute, College of Defence Management, in Hyderabad. He was part of an Inter-Services team that went to the United States of America and Canada to attend an International Supply Officers Course in 2006. One thing I remember him telling us on his return was about the ocean currents off Nova Scotia, Halifax, that we had learnt about. The warm current and the cold current and their mingling creating rich sea life. It stands out, because he mentioned that it was fascinating to see, for real, something that is abstract for us, in a Geography text book. I concur entirely! Even I was fascinated by his description!

One of his stints was at his Alma Mater, the NDA. Newly married, in 1988, he took up the duties of a Divisional Officer, of the Alpha Squadron. At that time, my younger brother was in the NDA, in the self same squadron, that his elder brother was in charge of. Poor chap, Vinu (the younger one), he had to move out to Bravo Squadron! (And that made it a Bravo – Alpha – Bravo shift for my younger brother, as he was first assigned Bravo, then shifted to Alpha to even out numbers of their course, then back to Bravo, when the elder brother arrived on the scene )

There is yet another interesting tidbit : The first ship he served on was the INS Mysore (the erstwhile), which incidentally, was the last ship my father had served on! INS Mysore has since been decommissioned and now we have a new ship that goes by the same nomenclature. I have always wondered at this coincidence, and found it a fitting event

He also served on other ships the INS Deepak, INS Taragiri, INS Mysore (the new one), and in  Materials Organization, Mumbai and Vishakapatnam.

A brilliant technicolour feather in his cap is his tenure as the Station Commander, or what they call Commanding Officer, of the renowned Logistics and Management Training Establishment, in Mumbai, known as INS Hamla .  He served almost two years, from 2008 to 2010,  in this capacity, bringing a sea change (pun intended!!!) in both the training and day to day running of the establishment. My son happened to be there, for a brief course, while his uncle was the CO He speaks of the awe in which the others held the CO, and the fact that he was called a terror. All of which, instead of putting Viju off, merely added to his pleasure Likewise his sister and brother. We are all honoured to be known as terrors in their own fields !!!

Presently, he’s a hotshot ! The Principal Director, Procurement, Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), in Delhi. There is much more to add, but due to constraints of your time and energy, , I shall spare you that!

1798. Word Count ie. Time to stop. Not before congratulating my brother, and his wonderful family, his wife, Anuradha, his children Archana, and Arun, along with my parents… and wishing we have a re run of the joy when the younger one (Captain Vinod Kumar Pisharody) also brings in his dues Or rather, the Navy recognizes a long overdue duty they need to do, to him . For now, we’re celebrating a rare honour, and basking in the reflected glory !

25 February, 2011

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Golden Moments

തനി തങ്കം. Thani Thankam. No, no, this is not a piece on the Grand Shopping Festival of Kerala, and it’s myriad Jewellery Stores! It’s about two special people, and their special Golden Moment. This phrase in Malayalam best describes them. Pure as gold. The kind that is tested by the hottest fires, and still holds the golden sheen, soft and malleable. Daddy and Mummy. And this day, 7th December, they celebrate 50 years of togetherness. A golden moment, is it not?

Quite apart from the fact that they are MY parents ( ), what makes them special is that they have been just that, to ever so many others. Irrespective of age, sex, social status (and that is a big criteria, you can be sure, generally, in India, not to mention down under, here…!), or whatever…

But most of all, it is their togetherness that, I feel, they have been blessed with- right through their lives, that envelops them in that aura of a gentle mist of gold.  (I may be overusing that word today. Do excuse me. I cannot not )

They came together fifty years ago, she, a shy diminutive, pretty, dark-eyed beauty, and he, a tall, dashing, dark and handsome Navy man. The early pictures of them have always charmed me. Mom’s kohl lined pretty eyes, the ever-smiling face (even now), the sporting gal (all the more now!), and by my word, I must confess she is perhaps the only one I know who grows younger, with age. Silvery haired, still diminutive, still beautiful woman. An awesome cook, an empathetic friend to everyone, especially in the neighbourhood…. ഷാരത്തെ അമ്മുമ്മ, “shaarathe ammumma” (ammumma means grandmother,  and shaarathe, for Pisharathe the house name) is what she is known as

And he? Well. I loved the thick curly mane that rose from his high, broad, intelligent forehead, the quiet eyes, the hint of a smile hovering, but not quite showing itself, the reserve that used to be there (now in shambles, ever since the advent of the first grandchild – happens to all the taciturn men, doesn’t it? And that is just such a joy to see too!) Over the years, the hair has thinned and quite disappeared, most of it… from the top of his head, but he’s still my dashing daddy, especially when he dresses up – impeccably as always- be it is mundu- veshti or his format attire. He’s always been a stickler for time, and perfect turnouts, and still is. Dapper, even now He is (I ought to say was, for he no longer is ) the reserved one. A natural reserve that drew a natural respect from all who knew him. A most sincere and committed Professional, be it while he was in the Navy, the BEL, Tata Telecom or Tata Elixsi – he inspired and continues, even now, to inspire the young… At the young age of 70, he mastered the use of a computer, and is now quite internet savvy too, lately having joined facebook as well! Mom went for classes too, and got the hang of it, but felt that virtual world was not as warm as the real world , though skype wowed her, and FB sometimes facinates her. She’d rather interact personally Wise girl!

Together? Just as beautiful, even now, as they were then They rock!  \m/  !!!

Growing up , as with other kids, there were some moments of reserve, with dad, of sheer and unadulterated fun with mom, and her large brood of siblings (dad was an only child!).

There are no words to describe our parents, are there? To each of us, they hold that special something, that no other parent in the world does; and you cannot really put it in so many words. It’s the lasting ideals in life, the enduring of their spirit, the knowing ( now, especially,  when one is a parent), that they did a darned fantastic job with their kids, kept them grounded (sometimes, for real too!!!), kept teaching, with their lives, even the next generation, in fact a whole generation of their children’s and grandkids’ friends too, that makes my parents a world apart.

I cannot ever say my children might someday say this of me, but this I know, my brothers and I, for sure, feel this.

Have you read Dr. Brian Weiss? His book “Many Lives, Many Masters” is a revelation – how the knowing of someone happens the instant you meet, or sometimes even before you do. I know that if my soul were to find a lifetime again, I would be part of dad’s and mom’s life too. I’d want to be. Even one of the pets they have. Yes, indeed. A pet it ought to be

No matter what  sourest of lemons life threw at them, they had the gumption to toast a tequila with it, bottoms up! They have endured, and in a way that is exemplary.

Today their quiet celebration is with Lord Krishna at Guruvayoor, and some close family members… partaking of the Lord’s simple meal, and spending time in harmony with their inner selves. Another golden moment in their lives glides by.

My simple wish is that they continue fill each other’s lives and ours too, with the wealth of their love, their affection and their blessing. For as long as they can, happily and in good health. For they deserve nothing less. First, they say, you have to deserve, then desire. I don’t think they would desire much more, than to see all of us happy, healthy and together… and I hope their desires, all thoroughly deserved will be theirs.

As we are too. Ever. Daddy, and Mummy, a wonderful and happy anniversary to both of you! May the Lord Bless us to have you with us, hale and hearty, for a long time!

(for the 7th of December, 2010)

5 December, 2010 (Scheduled post)

Pssst… there is another one for them on A Quest, my other blog called “Golden”, if you have the time, inclination and energy after reading till here!

Thiruvonam

Happy Onam, dear readers We had a wonderful day today, at my parents’ place A few pictures of the pookalam, the flower carpet are shared here, for your pleasure

A collage of mom’s pookkalams this Onam season…

The one on Onam day, 23 August, 2010

I did do some of the work, the foundation of which was laid by Shanta and her son Manikandan

Ahem! Finishing touches…

The Thampuraans and Thampuraattys… that is what we call the royal personages of the erstwhile land At our family temple atop a little hill! Only two of the lot are true blue mallus!

*Click on the pics. to enlarge

1710 hrs. 23 August, 2010