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sandeepannepu — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:01:25 CST

writer: Sandeep Annepu

Credible challenges of Incredible India in making up to UNESCO world heritage sites list :

A UNESCO world heritage site can be a forest, mountain, lake, dessert, monument, building, complex, or city that is on the list maintained UNESCO. These heritage sites would be considered as international importance and also funded in certain conditions. Of the 27 World Heritage sites in India, 5 are natural and 22 are cultural. The cultural properties range from the early cave paintings in Bimbedka, Madhya Pradesh to the 19th century Nilgiri Mountain Railways in Tamil Nadu; from Mughal architecture in Delhi and Agra to the ancient capital of Vijayanagara in Hampi, Karnataka. Although being one of the most ancient urban civilizations, India does not have one city on the World Heritage List. Other heritage types missing are, for example, ‘cultural landscapes’, ‘cultural routes’ (silk route, salt route, etc.), industrial monuments, and many other categories. India has a big tentative list struggling to get listed in the UNESCO heritage sites. India is also facing many challenges in managing the existing world heritage sites in India. World heritage sites are prestigious and attract a large number of national and international visitors. Being great assets they are also very much venerable. But these are not properly managed and organized. Their standards couldn’t meet the international clientele. Some of the reasons may be – - Lack of a proper national policy that regulates the management of heritage sites. - Lack of availability of the professionals to assist the government to formulate the regulatory measures. - Lack of clear boundaries (core and buffer zones) and well defined statements of significance in many Sites. - Challenges in providing visitor facilities. - Lack of a separate body which exclusively deals with the conservation and management of the heritage sites. Golconda is one among the tentative list. Even though it could satisfy the eligibility criteria for the heritage site it is denied for one reason – encroachments which is one of the major problem for many other sites. Finally it has been decided not to remove encroachments but to involve those people in tourism oriented tasks at Golcoda which is very impractical. One more problem for these sites is multiplicity of the organizations working for the development of the site which in turn results in confusion and delay the developmental activities. Lack of enthusiasm among both governmental and non governmental organizations getting our sites listed in the world heritage sites. Lack of political will is there but it is not the major problem as it can be brought to government notice through right channel. Renovations held at the sites with out proper knowledge also hamper the authenticity of the sites. In this aspect the collaboration of the Hyderabad government with Iran in renovations of the monuments can be appreciated. Thanks to the UNESCO-led Indian Heritage Cities Network founded in September 2006.Through this Network UNESCO shares its longstanding experience in historic city management, brokers city-to-city partnerships between Indian and European cities, and facilitates the exchange of good practice and solution exchange between Indian cities. The Network also serves as a platform for linking Indian cities wanting to make heritage conservation a positive part of their development. Indian city members of this Network benefit from technical support through decentralized cooperation schemes between Indian and international partner cities from Europe, Latin America and other Asian countries which are brokered by UNESCO.

The Curse of Mother Nature

Children are we of Mother Nature which bears the heaviness of all human sins as the tree bears the heaviness of all fruits. Unlike the tree drops ripen fruits nature tolerates all its sinner kids. But scholars used to warn us against Mother Nature’s curse which was neglected by all of us. Finally the time has come and Mother Nature cursed all the humans.

It rained heavily to fill all the dried lakes and ponds. Snowfall increased in mountains and temperature decreased in the valleys. The crotons grew very huge and creepers spread all over the houses. Tamed animals forgot their lessons and escaped from the cages. Birds became faster than bullets and tusks became harder than diamonds. Plants and animals became resistant to synthetic enzymes. No more hybrids and no more cloning as the DNA structure became mysterious. New sprouts germinated all over the wooden furniture. Cells changed their structures and fission and fusion became unmanageable. Elements of the nature got freedom from human control. Plastics dissolved in the water and melted in air. New viruses were killed and extinct animals were reproduced. Cities looked like forests and forests looked denser. Metals changed their nature and became unidentified. Dams couldn’t hold waters and generate power. Rivers became harsh and oceans became ferocious. Sounds of the Nature became clearer and man made artificial sounds became inaudible. Rocks became harder and barks became stronger. Machines stop working due to lack of power generation. All the new experiments failed and old ones of no use. All the knowledge gained became incorrect and all the achievements were lost. Human life was in complete mess.

Humans are the supreme beings on the earth. We can’t accept any failure. So, we started experimenting from the beginning again. All the nations forgot their rivalry and united to work together. This time humans avoided the mistakes that were committed earlier. Now we understood our limitations and accepted the superiority of the Mother Nature. We reproduced and redeveloped everything that we lost keeping in mind the principles of Mother Nature. We became more responsible and insightful.

Finally we developed a new word of joy and happiness. The new world is abundant in clean air and pure water. A world for which war is a history and disaster is a mystery. A world which is free from pollution, diseases, poverty, calamities both natural and man made. The new world became home for healthy men and beautiful women.

It is said that even the curse of the mother turns into a blessing. So, this curse of the Mother Nature showered blessings on the human race.

Fashion and tradition Tradition is the life style of the people of a particular place at a particular period of time. It can’t be constant in any case. People need change which is unavoidable and that is fashion. In the name of fashion the tradition can’t be forgotten because it is the identity. Fashion means new style and that is not merely copying other tradition but creating it in our own. The influence of fashion is not only effecting Indian tradition but also western countries like England which has a rich tradition. This is mainly due to the changing life style. There is no need for a particular day for wearing traditional outfit. Thanks to Indian history and mythologies which gave us many festivals and days of national importance like independence and republic day. Institutions can make mandatory to wear traditional output on these days. Even though tradition couldn’t be followed it can be preserved in this way. Even fashions shows can be used as a tool to popularize traditional wear by bring out new designs and styles. Thanks to fashion shows like ‘Lakme fashion week’ which is a best example which encourages traditional wear.

Classical Arts still Popular?

Classical art is a part of our culture. Today classical art is loosing its popularity. People are being attracted towards the western culture and their arts. We are just copying theirs and call it as modernization and development where as foreigners are interested in Indian classical arts, they are coming to learn and research on ours. Modernization means improving and developing our arts but not simply copying others. Indian classical arts have a long history. The main reason why it is loosing popularity is classical arts are very difficult and it can be enjoyed only if it is understood and it can be understood only if it is taught. Today it is very difficult to find a good classical art teacher because of lack of good recognition and encouragement. Earlier artists have enjoyed a high position in the society. More classical art exhibitions and programs have to be conducted to encourage and recognize classical art and artists..

Bandhs
Bandh is a form of protest during which a group of people or a party declares a strike and the strike is expected to be voluntary. But today people are forced to participate in bandhs. Bandhs were a powerful weapon to show protest against something wrong, but now it has become a tool in the hands of political parties to satisfy their selfish needs. The Supreme Court has banned bandhs in 1998, but the politicians who should be implementing law and order, disobey it. Postponement of the intermediate exams is one of the many problems caused due to bandhs. Common people have to face many problems as their everyday lives are disturbed. Higher security in important cities ensures that the risks are highly reduced as compared to sub-urban areas where people have to face many problems. During bandhs the party workers or organizers forcibly interrupt the classes which is an insult to the teachers and the education system. This imparts a very negative effect on the students. Institutions should be very strict in this aspect; classes shouldn’t be discontinued or closed for the fear of bandhs. This can be done only with the support of the students. There are many better ways than bandh to show protest or to spread a message. This evil practice has to be fought together.

Oscar and Indian Films
India stands first in terms of the number of films produced per year. But in terms of quality they lag behind. The motive of filmmaking should be to bring out new and innovative concepts but not to repeat same what generations have made. In the case of India very few filmmakers come out with this motive and most of those are not recognized because we need the same old masala. Due to lack of efficient selection comity, many good regional films are being ignored.

Children and Indian cinema

While some films are very good and inspiring for adults, the same films may be harmful for children. . It is a surprise to see people visiting cinemas which are rated “A” by CBFC, along with kids. This rating is given to a movie which contains extreme violance, sexuality, frightened images and language. In India people are least bothered or are unaware of CBFC ratings. I have personally heard a kid asking his father "Daddy, what is that uncle doing?” during a particularly unsavory scene in one of these films. The violence in the films may also create a bad influence on the children. These films develop unnecessary doubts and irrational thoughts in their delicate minds. The parents can’t be blamed totally. Children films are not given much importance in the present Indian film industry due to the misconception that children’s films are not profitable. Even though good children’s films are being made, these are only bound to multiplexes. People in small towns and villages miss them. When it comes to Hollywood, children’s films are creating records in terms of revenue generation. They are competing with big stars’ films. Last year animated movie Happy Feet generated more revenue than the James Bond movie Casino Royale. Efforts are being made to reduce the sex and violence in the Hollywood films to attract more child viewers. But the Indian film industry is different. Except few animated movies like Hanuman, there are not enough animated movies. It is not due to lack of good technicians. The special effects for the Oscar winning film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is done by a team of Indians. Showing violence and sex is considered fashionable and a revenue generating factor which a prominent film personality also told in his interview. Cinema is one of the major entertainments for Indian families. They have no other choice except watching these films along with their kids. Children film festivals like International Children's Film Festival, held in Hyderabad is best opportunity for children to watch inspiring films from different countries. Schools have to take initiative to take their children to these festivals. Government has to provide facilities for the interested schools from rural areas to visit these festivals.

Today’s kids and their role models
Today’s kids are under pressure to perform well in schools. Parents tell their kids that their role models should be friends or relatives who got good ranks in exams or who are earning a lot in abroad and not Viswanathan Anand, P.T.Usha or about Abdul Kalam That’s the reason why our country is far behind in areas like scientific research, sports, and moral values. Parents and teachers should see that the role models of children should be philosophers, scientists and social reformers and not the film stars who behave like rowdies and our cricketers for whom only money matters and nothing else.

First day first show magic
Today filmmakers give a lot of publicity before the release of their films to increase the expectations so as to maximise collections in the first few weeks and to avoid the loss due to the piracy. Fans feel proud to watch first day first show of their favorite hero’s film and they go to any extent to do so. It is known that many a times people loose their lives in the attempt to get tickets for the release day. This magic even encourages the black market. This can be controlled to some extent by showings these stars’ films in more theaters for first few weeks.

Influence of cartoon character on kids
Children like and understand cartoon characters because they reflect their ideas and dreams. Many children who don’t like leafy vegetables started eating spinach, influenced by popeye character. They cultivate braveness and helping nature from the super hero characters and moral values from cartoons like panchatantra. The animated films like “Hanuman” help children to understand mythology in a better way. There are some cases in which children are injured while imitating the cartoon characters. The parents should be careful in this aspect and also see that kids are not addicted to cartoon

Rising suicide cases in Hyderabad
Majority of people committing suicide are teenagers. In Hyderabad dueto growing competition in both educational and working places the stress is more on the young people. There are also other reasons such as physical or emotional agony, mental illness, adverse environment, unsuccessful in love and studies. In some cases it is also due to incorrect and irrational philosophical belief. Medicine treats suicide as mental health issue. Whenever suicidal gestures and attempts are observed, medical attention should be sought immediately. But even today people neglect this due to lack of awareness and belief in superstitions.

Pets are man’s best friend.
Pets are kept for companionship and considered as man’s most loyal friend.There are many cases where pets rescued their masters, as they sense danger prior to man. Keeping pets has been shown to help relieve stress, for example walking a dog can provide with good exercise and social interaction. Now pets are also being trained to help physically handicapped. But some people use pets only to satisfy their needs such as security and to symbolize their status which is to be severely condemned

youngsters and right to vote

Today’s youngsters know more about American politics than Indian. This is mainly because of the dirty image of the Indian politics that is prevailing among them. Even though the youngsters register for voter card, it is merely used for identification but rarely put in to right use. The situation may encourage the political parties to manipulate the results. Youngsters rarely use the right to vote because they rarely think about politics. This is because they ignore the fact that the biggest election issue directly effects the youth of the nation. The education system rarely provides the students a platform to discuss about the politics. Even in the family elders avoid political discussion with the kids and youngsters. This resulted in the lack of interest among the youngsters on political matters. One more issue is the youth vote is underestimated or neglected by the party analysts. It is known fact about the new party Prajarajam Party’s efforts to encourage the students to enroll and register for the voter cards. It might be for their benefit but can be appreciated. Neither students nor parents can be blamed, whole system is like that. It should be understood among the youth that if the right to vote is not used the right to complain about the government’s decisions also can’t be used.

Fashion and tradition

Tradition is the life style of the people of a particular place at a particular period of time. It can’t be constant in any case. People need change which is unavoidable and that is fashion. In the name of fashion the tradition can’t be forgotten because it is the identity. Fashion means new style and that is not merely copying other tradition but creating it in our own.
The influence of fashion is not only effecting Indian tradition but also western countries like England which has a rich tradition. This is mainly due to the changing life style. There is no need for a particular day for wearing traditional outfit. Thanks to Indian history and mythologies which gave us many festivals and days of national importance like independence and republic day. Institutions can make mandatory to wear traditional output on these days. Even though tradition couldn’t be followed it can be preserved in this way. Even fashions shows can be used as a tool to popularize traditional wear by bring out new designs and styles. Thanks to fashion shows like ‘Lakme fashion week’ which is a best example which encourages traditional wear.

science

Poonamrodrigues — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:27:11 CST

Beauty Of Mathematics

Our Mountain Of E-Trash.

Our Mountain Of E-TRASH

Poonamrodrigues — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:25:43 CST

Electronic waste is hazardous to us and our planet. But there are no laws to curb this fast-growing, unregulated sector

Nazaqat Ali works with a scrap yard dealer in Delhi. Every day, he sorts out piles of junk brought in by kabaadiwaalas, separating re-usable components for re-sale and dismantling waste. The instructions from Ali’s boss are precise – recover whatever can be sold and dump the rest. Accordingly, he goes about his job with mechanical precision. Wires are burnt out in the open air in order to extract metal. Computer monitors are broken manually to recover glass. Circuit boards are heated or dipped in acid to get at the metal within. The residue is dumped in a landfill. Chemicals are often flushed into municipal drains. Ali says he’s just doing his job. But, what he and others like him involved in recycling waste don’t realize is that they’re contributing to a huge and growing problem – careless disposal of electronic or e-waste.

Today, e-waste is the fastest growing component of municipal waste. That’s because people now upgrade mobile phones, computers and televisions more frequently than before. If they are not properly recycled, they became a health and environmental hazard.
In India, more than 95% of e-waste recycling is carried out in slums dotted around Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and other big cities. “All the activities in these recycling hubs involve the use of bare hands and poor work practices,” says Jeevesh Kumar of e-waste management company Greenspace. The risks are many. Burnt cable wires means water contamination. Inhaling toxic elements in ewaste components can cause respiratory, carcinogenic and neural disorders.

What is especially worrying is the rate at which ewaste piles up. According to a study by the Manufacturer’s Association of Information Technology (MAIT), a forum of Indian IT products’ manufacturers, 380,000 tonnes of ewaste were generated across the country in 2007. The consumption of electronics items continues to grow apace and e-waste is consequently expected to exceed 470,000 tonnes by 2011. “If corrective action is not taken soon, this could snowball into a significant environmental concern for India,” says MAIT’s executive director Vinnie Mehta.

What’s more, many countries are using India as a dumping ground for e-trash. According to one recent estimate, more than 50,000 metric tonnes of e-waste is dumped in India every year, sometimes in the guise of charity. Most of it ends up in informal recycling yards. “Thanks to complex, ambiguous definitions of secondhand electronic items, customs department finds it difficult to identify and stop this illegal in-flow of e-waste,” says Abhishek Pratap of activist group Greenpeace.

The flip side is that ewaste means good money for recyclers. In Delhi alone, the informal recycling business is estimated to be worth Rs 2,000 cr., generated mostly from the resale of old computers and metal extracted from chips and PC motherboards. “Around 30,000 people are involved in e-waste recycling in India, of which about 5,000 are in the Delhi alone,” says Priti Mahesh of Toxics Link, a Delhi NGO.

Only a fraction of India’s ewaste gets to recycling companies in the organized sector. Recently, major Indian stakeholders in e-waste management came together to draft a set of rules for good management of e-waste. The rules have been submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Mehta of MAIT insists the “challenge that the problem poses is huge.” But, so are the consequences of inaction, since the e-waste time bomb is ticking away fast.

NEW DAWN IN WASTELAND

Asif Pasha’s story offers hope. He was one of 200 recyclers working in the informal sector in Gowripalya in Bangalore. He worked without protective gear, recycling toxic metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium. But NGOs such as GTZ and Sahaas managed to change Asif’s perspective. He converted to the formal sector, receiving certification a few months ago from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. One of the reasons for the change is a new strictness enforced by major IT companies about waste recycling in the informal sector. They asked for CFE (consent for establishment) and CFO (consent for operation) certificates, forcing many informal dismantlers to assume formal practice. “Most big companies like Dell, IBM, HP and others were asking for CFE and CFO. I realized that to work with more companies, it was better to convert.”

Risky Proposition :

20-50 mn tonnes of electronic products are discarded globally every year. If the estimated e-waste generated annually is put into containers on a train, it could go once around the world

80% of e-waste generated in the US is exported to India, China and Pakistan

30 mn computers are trashed annually in the US alone

1,000 different toxic materials are generated from domestic e-waste

WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY

Poonamrodrigues — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:28:05 CDT

Wednesday, 7 October 2009, 1:44 pm Press Release: Arthritis New Zealand

World Arthritis Day

Each year World Arthritis Day focuses on a different aspect of living with a rheumatic disease. World Arthritis Day falls on Monday, 12th October, with the theme of ‘Let’s Work Together’.

Be it paid employment, voluntary work or working at home supporting a family, the theme embraces understanding for people with rheumatic diseases, from healthcare professionals and employers.

The aims of World Arthritis Day are to raise awareness of arthritis in all its forms among the medical community, people with arthritis and the general public; to influence public policy by making decision-makers aware of the burden of arthritis and the steps, which can be taken to ease it; and to ensure all people with arthritis and their caregivers are aware of the vast support network available to them.
According to various studies published by the Arthritis Research Campaign UK, up to four in ten working people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) lose their jobs within five years of developing the condition.

Previous studies indicated that 14 percent of patients give up working in the first year of their disease. The numbers are even worse for patients with Lupus, with a quarter out of work, as they experience tiredness and pain. It seems that giving up employment early in the disease is because hospital referrals and treatment have not yet begun. Results showed that older age, lower income and fewer working hours were also factors for leaving employment.

The statistics are particularly alarming in how many sick days are caused by musculoskeletal conditions. Nearly half (46 percent) of all sick days are taken by people suffering from muscle and joint pain, according to a new study by the Work Foundation in the European Union. Whilst these are not NZ results they are still relevant.

Of the musculoskeletal conditions, arthritis is the most prevalent with an estimated annual cost to New Zealand of $2,089 million, affecting around half a million people. 64 percent of people with arthritis are currently in the New Zealand workforce. Compared to the total population, unemployment rates are higher among people with arthritis.

However, access to medication and support would assist more people to remain employed. “We know that the biggest cost of arthritis to the community is loss of earnings and other productivity costs – so there are individual and community benefits to having people with arthritis in the workforce,” says Ms Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive of Arthritis New Zealand.

The ‘Fit for Work’ report claims that by detecting muscle and joint disorders early on and intervening appropriately, the lives of many people could be improved and they could be helped to stay in work. It is vital that employers understand the limitations that some arthritis sufferers experience and are open to looking at options to help their employees stay in paid employment.
People who are able to continue working experience a range of health, social, psychological and economic benefits.

HEALTH WATCH

Poonamrodrigues — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:11:43 CDT

World Arthritis Day

THE REWARD

Poonamrodrigues — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:48:23 CDT

A Small Offering of the Book that is soon to be published......!!

Writer: Sandeep Annepu
Editor: Poonam Rodrigues

Tulsiram was a College lecturer in the city of Hyderabad. He taught Physics as well as Life sciences;But he also believed in imparting the knowledge of life skills to the students whom he taught and they were from all walks of life in a reputed college in Hyderabad. Every evening he would spend time with them or go about to look at a new place or some new function or event that was occuring in the city. This always used to refresh him and he was also a very religious man. He used to look forward to his days at the college and his evening visits also would greatly refresh and renew him to face the stress at the college.

Tulsiram came back to his home after a long day at work, he was tired and decided to rest a little and then go and see a Carnival happening in the Public Gardens in the city. He left for the carnival at about 6:30 from his place and then reached the place at 7:00 pm. The place was Jam packed and was teaming with people. He did not mind the crowds, but today was a bit tired as he had a busy and hectic day. He decided to look around for some time till the crowd thined out.

There at the carnival; he saw a small girl about 8-9 years old stealing a hand bag; but she ran away before anyone could see her and before he could catch her also. After some time he saw her again but only this time returning the bag to the owner saying that she got the bag some where else and got herself rewarded generously for her honesty. He saw every thing that she had done. She would steal and then again return the same item to the owner.

He went up to the girl and inquired of her. Why did you do this? She replied, "For….money?, what else” But what is the need of doing such a thing at all; said Tulsiram. She looked at him earnestly as if trying to see why he wanted to know the Truth; she then looked down and then took his hand and said with a smile, “I will tell you; come with me.” and took him near the giant-wheel. She asked him; “Why do people get onto this?” He replied; “For pleasure.” She then said; “But people are always shouting and seem very scared, Yes….but after they get down, they feel the pleasure of going in it.”

She smiled and then continued; “Right, so when I stole the bag from the people, they felt very sad and were also frightened and also thought that they would never be able to see their beloved things again. Afterwards when they again got back their item; they felt very happy and were overjoyed to see that their beloved items were not stolen at all and they were left untouched. I just charged them for providing that fear as well as their happiness which knows no bounds at all.” Tulsiram was shocked and stunned for a moment to see and also hear the deep underlying but simple philosophy that was inspired by the giant cartwheel and which was used by the girl to live her dailly life.

Then she took him to the back area of a shop. There was an old lady who was sleeping on the ground. She looked at him and then turned towards her and with small rounded pearl like tears forming in her eyes; said “I don’t know who I am; but this lady who now sleeps here fed me and took care of me like her own daughter. She gave me nothing more or less, she didn't send me to school like some of the other children who went to school but yet taught me the importanceof living and valuable lessons in life that are needed to become a good individual. When I was a child she used me for begging along with her at bus stops, traffic signals etc. Now that she has become too old to even beg or do anything at all, I have decided to take care of her as she is my responsibility now. She is like my mother and grand mother, and I know that I can do anything for her as my debt towards her. She said the last part with a proud and defiant look in her small eyes which were now ready to drop the two pearl shaped tears which had become bigger than the girl's eyes."

Tulsiram then took the girl 's hand in his and said " I will also help you in looking after your mother who is very old now but promise me to come away with me when she dies so that I can give you a good home and also a good education so that all the values that she has given you may truly flourish and not wither away as stories told by her to a small road side urchin girl, whom she believed would have a great future." The girl could not believe her ears and stared bewildered at him unable to say anything at all................ He smiled and nodded to her, and then asked her name; she mentioned it as Kamala and she also nodded and smiled back with fat tears of joy running down her face. When Tulsiram got up, she waved to him and after he went a few paces and again turned back to see her....than she rushed up to him and he sat down to hug her. After some time she asked him if he was really telling her the truth and Tulsiram said "Yes"...................... He said that he would never ever forget the promise that he made with her. He gave her his phone number and told her to phone him when ever she wanted to talk or when ever she would feel lonely ...........................................................................................................
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After a month, since they met they kept talking on the phone and their friendship continued.
One day, she called him up to tell that the old lady after eating her lunch was having high fever and she was not getting up even though she called out her name. Tulsiram felt that the old lady's time had come near and addmitted her in hospital, the doctors said that they would keep her under supervision and it would be useless to keep the young child at the hospital as she could do nothing and would only get frightened by all the medical equipments and procedures being carried out there. Tulsiram understood and told the same to the little child and she gladly said that she would go along with him and said that she would come to meet the old lady every day during the mornings to which he agreed and took her home.

Kamala would go and visit the old lady everyday at the hospital and Tulsiram would always join her there after his college and take some snacks and later on eat dinner together in the hospital itself. The doctors had almost given up on her but the old lady improved and she also started to believe that Tulsiram was the right person who could take care of her daughter after she left this world as she could now die in peace as she used to worry herself to death about the well being of this child left by a young couple who had deserted this young girl near a traffic signal as she had been born out of wedlock. The old lady then believed that this child was the Golden Oppurtunity that God was giving to her as a fresh lease on life as she had decided to end her life because of the tough situations she had faced earlier. She had prayed to God that he would have to show her a strong sign in order for him to intervene to save her. This was at a time when she had been thrown out of her own house by her relatives.

Tulsiram wanted very much that Kamala would join a school so that her future would improve but she would refuse to leave her mother' side who though had improved yet was very weak and frail. She knew that her end was near and she also sensed it and so told Kamala to join a school as Tulsiram wanted her to and also told her to do very well and make her proud though she would never live to see her through. Kamala understood what the old lady meant and started to cry but the old lady told her that she must not cry as everyone who is born on the Earthmust die one day at least and it is only natural that she should go to God. She also said that though Kamala might not be able to see her yet she must know that some where she would be watching her as a star.......and after death, they would all meet again another day in heaven. With these words, she guestured to Tulsiram to not delay anymore but to take her to the school and get her admission done right away. Tulsiram took Kamala immediately to a good Convent school and joined her there. She had to go there after a week but did not want to leave her Mother's side.

That night as she and Tulsiram bade her old mother farewell, she some how knew that she would not meet her again and so clung a little while longer than usual. Tulsiram also understood the girl's fright and went outside to wait.The old lady was wise as she also knew that perhaps this would be the last time that she would see her daughter and so she also hld her more closely and longer than usual.
Both of them were crying uncontrollably and as silently as they could as they clung to each other tenderly and as firmly as possible as if clinging to each other for dear life...............................................................................................................................................................................................
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Hours passed by as if there were just minutes and soon the visiting time was over.....!! The nurse said that it was finally time to leave.

Tulsiram came to take Kamala away and took her slowly but firmly. Kamala understood and came along with him.. but not before hugging her Mother and Grand mother who was now quite peaceful and advised her to be a good girl and above all a person of Truth, Morals and Good Values and never compromise on these aspects. She then looked at the kind man, who had decided to give shelter to Kamala after her and whom she now regarded as her son. She also held him close and Blessed him with all her heart and told Kamala to always listen to Tulsiram as he was the only one to look after Kamala very well after herself and never to leave his side just as she had been beside her.She bade both of them; She waved a happy and cheerful goodbye to both Kamala and Tulsiram. She knew that she was finally ready to go and now had no fear of death as she had found a person who would look after her daughter. She knew that she had dispensed the duty that God had given to her a few years ago. She similed as she fell asleep and prayed to God that she was ready to come into his arms in peace.
That Night, the old lady passed away in her sleep very peacefully. She was very old at the age of 95.

Kamala was a bright girl and she was sad at the old lady's demise but also happy that Tulsiram was a kind man who decided to look after her and he also had a beautiful wife who looked after her very well. She treated her as if she were her own child. She also started going to the convent school everyday in the city. She was the topper in the school in all classes and Tulsiram and his wife were always happy about it. They took care of her very well along with their own children as well. She was considered as the eldest of all the children and was treated very well. She was bright, intelligent, outspoken and a bit adamant at times when she would make up her mind on a few things then she would not listen to the others. She was quite popular but would not make any real friends as she felt that there was no one who would like her for herself. She would not forget her past as she felt that it was the main thing that seperated her from the rest of the school who had easy lives and did not know the real hardships that she had faced as a little girl. When ever she would try to tell anyone or even share them witha few people whom she called as her friends, then they would call her all wierd names and go away telling that she had become loony. She would then go in to a shell of her own and be serious and a little drawn away from the others and be a little reticent . During such times, her family would come to her rescue and would try to cheer her up and then she would go back to being her normal cheerful self.
The tender years of school were soon over. Tulsiram and his wife felt that it was only yesterday that he had found her in that carnival so many years earlier..... and felt that how Time had flown and it had now healed her and made her more better as a person for she had grown up to be a very beautiful girl with a high sense of morals and character. They wanted all their children to be like Kamala and so kept telling them to model after their elder sister. They were very proud of her.

Kamala joined her graduation.
With in few days of her graduation she was attracted by a young man, Raju doing graduation in the same collage. He was a student leader and very active participant in the student welfare activities. Her ideas and principles mach with his. Very soon they became friends and friendship turned into love. From then she also started participating the activities along with him.

After they were graduated they got married with Tulasiram’s permission. They started a school with the help of Tulasiram. One day an old friend of theirs came to them. He told them “you know the recent government policy which is against to the poor students. The present student leader of our collage is fighting against it. But an arrest warrant is issued against him and without him the moment would not continue. So, you have to hide him in your house for some time.” They accepted for that.

On the same night he bought the leader to their house. He was little older to be a student. But they never got doubt They treat him very good for 1 month. Then one day in the night they got a phone call saying that the police came to know about the leader. Then the leader stated packing his things to run away but by that time police has surrounded their house.

Raju was surprised to see that many police to catch an ordinary student leader. The leader ran away from the back door. Then Raju went to the police to inform them that he is not there. By the time he opened the mouth the police shot him thinking that he is the culprit.

After his death she couldn’t run the school alone. She joined a missionary school as a teacher. She became the headmistress within a short time. The school has got a very good name. there was a huge competition for the admission into the school as the fee was very less and the quality of education is very high.

Many rich people tried to bribe her but she never accepted them. One day two people visited her. They told her to give them 30 seats in the school and they were ready to pay for that. But she rejected. They threatened her. She told them she would not grant them even if they kill her. The next day a man about 50 years entered her office. She recognized him – he is the student leader whom her husband saved by giving his life.

Even he recognized her. He started “I was afraid thinking that it was some one else, now it is easy for me to get the seats.” “So it was you who sent the people for seats,” said shockingly. ‘yes, your school has become so popular that people are ready to pay thousands of rupees for a seat. I want them to sell to those people. But don’t worry you would get your commission.” Her face became red, tears started coming out of her eyes.

“I am not the student leader as you thought. I was issued arrest warrant that time because I used to smuggling. Your friend who asked you to keep me in your hose is my partner. But I your husband was really great, he died to save me.
Now I have become one of the richest in the country. Don’t worry I am ready to pay for your husband’s sacrifice also.

” Ah! Thank god, first I felt very bad thinking that a student leader for whom my husband sacrificed his life has become like this. But now I am happy you are not changed, you are a cheat then and also now. He was shocked listening this. He went away from there.

After a month a lawyer came to her and said that a rich man has donated all his money to the missionary and died. Later she came to know that the rich man was the man who came to her for the seats.

Real Stories

Poonamrodrigues — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:21:23 CDT

**********************************************************
1 – First Important Lesson – Cleaning Lady.

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

During my second month of college, our professor Gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student
And had breezed through the questions until I read The last one:

“What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school ?”

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the Cleaning woman several times. She was tall, Dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question Blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if The last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor.

“In your careers, You will meet many people. All are significant. They Deserve your attention and care, even if all you do Is smile and say “hello.”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her Name was Dorothy .

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

2. – Second Important Lesson – Pickup in the Rain

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

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American Woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway Trying to endure a lashing rain storm.

Her car had Broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

A young white man stopped to help her, generally Unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960’s.

The man Took her to safety, helped her get assistance and Put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his Address and thanked him.

Seven days went by and a Knock came on the man’s door.

To his surprise, a Giant console color TV was delivered to his home.

A Special note was attached.:

It read:

“Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway The other night. The rain drenched not only my Clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.

Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying Husband’s’ bedside just before he passed away…...!!

God Bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving Others.”

Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole.

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

3 – Third Important Lesson – Always remember those Who serve.

*******************************************
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, A 10-year- old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and Sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in Front of him.

“How much is an ice cream sundae?”

he asked.

“Fifty cents,” replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and Studied the coins in it.

“Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the Waitress was growing impatient.

“Thirty-five cents,” she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

“I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, and put the bill on the Table and walked away.

The boy finished the Ice Cream, paid the cashier and left that place.

When the waitress Came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the Table.

There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, Were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn’ t have the sundae, because he had To have enough left to leave her a tip .

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

4 – Fourth Important Lesson. – The obstacle in Our Path.

*************************************
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a Roadway.
Then he hid himself and watched to see if Anyone would remove the huge rock.

Some of the King’s’ wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by And simply walked around it.
Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did Anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of Vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the Peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the Stone to the side of the road. After much pushing And straining, he finally succeeded.

After the Peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed A purse lying in the road where the boulder had Been.
The purse contained many gold coins and a note

From the King indicating that the gold was for the Person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The Peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve Our condition.

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

5 – Fifth Important Lesson – Giving When it Counts…

*****************************
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who Was suffering from a rare & serious disease.

Her only Chance of recovery appeared to be a blood Transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had Miraculously survived the same disease and had Developed the antibodies needed to combat the Illness.

The doctor explained the situation to her Little brother, and asked the little boy if he would Be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a Deep breath and saying, “Yes I’ll do it if it will Save her.”

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in Bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did,Seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his Face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a Trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away”.

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the Doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his Sister all of his blood in order to save her .

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

Once upon a time, there lived a King who, despite his luxurious lifestyle, was neither happy nor content.

One day, the King came upon a servant who was singing happily while he worked. This fascinated the King; why was he, the Supreme Ruler of the Land, unhappy and gloomy, while A lowly servant had so much joy. The King asked the servant, “Why are you so happy?”

The man replied, “Your Majesty, I am nothing but a servant, but my family and I don’t need too much – just a roof over our heads and warm food to fill our tummies .”

The king was not satisfied with that reply. Later in the day, he sought the advice of his most trusted advisor. After hearing the King’s woes and the servant’s story, the advisor said, ” Your Majesty, I believe that the servant has not been made part of The 99 Club.”

“The 99 Club? And what exactly is that?” the King inquired.
The advisor replied, “Your Majesty, to truly know what The 99 Club is, place 99 Gold coins in a bag and leave it at this servant’s doorstep.”

When the servant saw the bag, he took it into his house. When he opened the bag, he let out a great shout of joy… So many gold coins!
He began to count them. After several counts, he was at last convinced that there were 99 coins. He wondered, ” What could’ve happened to that last gold coin? Surely, no one would leave 99 coins! “

He looked everywhere he could, but that final coin was elusive. Finally, exhausted, he decided that he was going to have to work harder than ever to earn that gold coin and complete his collection.

From that day, the servant’s life was changed.
He was overworked, horribly grumpy, and castigated his family for not helping him make that 100th gold coin. He stopped singing while he worked.

Witnessing this drastic transformation, the King was puzzled. When he sought his advisor’s help, the advisor said, ” Your Majesty, the servant has now officially joined The 99 Club. “

He continued, “The 99 Club is a name given to those people who have enough to be happy but are never contented, because they’re always yearning and striving for that extra 1 telling to themselves: “Let me get that one final thing and then I will be happy for life .”

We can be happy, even with very little in our lives, but the minute we’re given something bigger and better, we want even more!

We lose our sleep, our happiness, we hurt the people around us; all these as a price for our growing needs and desires.

That’s what joining The 99 Club is all about.”

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

The End.......!!

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

Voice your views

Poonamrodrigues — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:29:54 CDT

Today's Youth........!!

................Girls...........!!

................Girls...............

Poonamrodrigues — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:49:26 CDT

Girls...........................!!

——————–Girls—————————-
——- —–are like apples——————-
——–on trees. The best ones———–
——are at the top of the tree.——–
—-The boys dont want to reach——
—for the good ones because they ——
-are afraid of falling and getting hurt.—-
Instead, they just get the rotten apples-
—from the ground that aren’t as good,
but easy. So the apples at the top think
something is wrong with them, when in
–reality, they’re amazing. They just
—have to wait for the right boy to——-
—– come along, the one who’s———–
———– brave enough to—————–
—————–climb all———————-
—————– the way———————
—————–to the top——————–
—————- of the tree.——————

Beauty Of Mathematics

Poonamrodrigues — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:16:58 CDT

The beauty of maths is such: that it facinates all; irrespective of wether you like it or not..........!!

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn’t it?

And finally, take a look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321

writings

sandeepannepu — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:58:09 CDT

Short Stories

Title Author

The savior..................................sandy

The selfish sacrifice...............................sandy

The painter of faces.......................sandy

The new note...........................................sandy

The dustbin...........................................sandy

The city bus........................................sandy

The god's Desire.......................................sandy

whose fault........................................sandy

The butterfly.....................................sandy

The fear.......................................................sandy

The inhuman humans.........................sandy

The oversight..................................sandy

singing girl, The.......................................Sandy

The Dilemma of Seller....................................Sandy

The season of love....................................sandy

The Legend of a well.............................Sandy

The Season of Love

sandeepannepu — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:54:17 CDT

All the male birds are busy making nests as the season of love is approaching. The male birds make the nests and females come to choose their mates by the beauty of the nests. The most beautiful female chooses the male with most beautiful nest. Then the pair spends the winter enjoying the warmth of the nest and singing the songs of love. At end of the season they depart to meet in the next season of love. This happens every year.

The most handsome male bird, the hero of the story was working very hard to make most beautiful nest. He loves Jasmine, the most beautiful female and his wish to attract her. Finally he completed the most beautiful nest and was waiting for Jasmine. Then came the singer bird who was not so beautiful but a sweet singer. She saw the nest and got impressed. She then saw our hero and fell in love with him. She came to him and proposed him with a very beautiful song. But our hero who is waiting for Jasmine rejected her proposal saying that she was not worth to be his partner and his right partner was the most beautiful Jasmine.

The singer bird broke into tears. She love him and now she cant choose any one. So, she settled on a branch of the tree singing sad songs. Jasmine chooses the hero as his was the most beautiful nest. They spent the winter happily making love. But the poor singing bird spent the whole season on the branch suffering the winter winds. Finally the season came to an end. All the females including the jasmine and the singer bird left to come back in the next season.

This time our hero’s love doubled. So, he decided to make a more beautiful and stronger nest. So he started the work very early. But he became ill and couldn’t complete the nest. He slept in the half completed nest unconscious with no one to take care of. Jasmine came along with the season of love. She watched the half completed nest and went away without a second thought. She chooses another mate with a beautiful nest. The singer bird couldn’t leave our sick hero in the winter. She worked hard in the freezing winds to complete the nest. She also fetched some food for hm. But our hero was not in a state to identify the singer bird. All the night the singer bird sang beautiful songs to him which filled the nest with her warmth of love.

When the season was coming to an end the singer bird became week and fell down from the tree and died. Our hero became well by the end of the season surprised to see the nest. It was the most beautiful and strongest. But he never knew that it was made by the singer bird.

The nest ruined never and the hero was chosen for ever by Jasmine. The singer bird’s body decomposed and became manure to the tree and it grew more beautiful.

The end

The Legend of a well

sandeepannepu — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 07:30:33 CDT

“This seems to be a very old well. Who might have dug this on this highway?”

“Yes, my grandfather once told me about its legend.”

“That’s interesting! Common tell me…… What is it?”

“Once lived a wood cutter in a near by village

They were waiting on the highway for the mechanic who is on his way from the village. They are going to the village for their summer vacations and their car broke down on the way.

“The legend says there was a wood cutter in a near by village who comes to the forest which was here. Those were the times when there was only a mud road surrounded by thick woods instead of this highway. He used to come here daily along with his donkey, cut the trees and then goes back to the village in the evening carrying the timber on the donkeys back. Then he would sell the timber to the dealer in the village for a small price. That would give him and his wife food till the next evening and adds a little to their savings.
On a hot summer afternoon when the wood cutter was busy cutting trees, heard a cry from the road. He then rushed towards the mud road and shocked to find a man lying unconscious. Without wasting time he fetched some water in his leathered pouch and sprinkled on the man’s face. The man slowly opened his eyes without showing any fear or surprise. The woodcutter made him drink some water.
“Thank you for your timely help. I work in a nearby village and travel the same path everyday. I face problem in the summer as they were extremely hot and there is no water source on this way. This happens with me frequently. Most of the times there would be no one to give me water. This time I am lucky that you are there.”

“I am a wood cutter. I come here every day for work. From now feel free to share water with me. I bring water in this pouch along with me which is enough for two.”

The traveler used to share water with the wood cutter from the next day. The wood cutter used to give a break to his work and would sit with the traveler for a small chat. This way they became friends.

One day the traveler couldn’t find the wood cutter. Traveler thought the wood cutter took a leave. But this continued for three more days. On the fourth day the traveler found a stranger digging a well beside the road.
The traveler asked “why are you digging a well here?”

The stranger said “the wood cutter who used to come here wanted me to dig a well instead of money for his donkey which he sold to me. He wanted this well for his friend who travels this way.”

“But where is he?” asked the traveler.

“I am sorry if you don’t know about this, he committed suicide after selling his donkey to me. He was deeply depressed by the murder of his wife and theft in his house by a thief.”

After listening to the stranger the traveler went away without saying a word.

The next day the stranger came to complete the well, but shocked to find some body in the well. He removed it from the well and identified it. It was the body of the traveler.”

Later it was known that the thief who was responsible for the murder and robbery in the house of the wood cutter is no one but theTraveller."

After that people some times found these two friends sitting under the tree and chatting in the hot summer noon.”

“I don’t know if the legend is true, but its heart touching.”

“Yes, you are right.”

The end.

The singing girl

Poonamrodrigues — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:50:14 CDT

“You need to come to the Police Station once as soon as possible.”
“Ok, Sir.”
Then the line got cut.

I became surprised and little frightened. I couldn’t guess the reason at all. The next day I went to the police station and became even more appalled after I came to know the reason for which the Police had called me.
They showed me, two photographs of a kid and then asked “Do you know her...?”
I answered in the affirmative; “Yes I do know her.”

She is a Singing Girl. I had met her on the Express Train when I was travelling along with my friends for a tour to Delhi on a Sunday in the third week of December. She had two small tennis-bat shaped sticks. She created Music while singing, by hitting them together rhythmically. She usually sang film songs with the perfect tune and lyrics. I got intrigued and I asked “Where did you learn playing such an instrument...??”
She answered with a smile on her pretty face, “By watching movies.”
I was impressed by her simple and innocent answer. Then I made her sing for us for some time and then gave her some money and allowed her to pass through the crowd in the train.

The next Sunday, I was travelling back to Hyderabad on the same Express train. I was going back home alone for my Exams were going to start off from Wednesday that week. My Friends decided to stay on as they had finished their exams and were going ahead to holiday in Jaipur by Road. Their Holiday would last till January when I would also go and join them in Agra. I was a little depressed as I would miss seeing one of my favourite Holiday destinations like Jaipur....................
Then I saw the singing girl again.............!!!!!!!!! Such a Strange Coincidence it was...!!!!
I forgot all my depression; and called out to her. This time I asked her to sit beside me and then asked her a few personal questions.
I asked her, "What is your name dear?" She looked at me, and with a smile said " Radha"
Then I asked her “Where do you stay?” She said the name of some place that I don’t remember, in her innocent and trusting way which made me like this girl, the very first time that I met her. But she immediately said that it was the "next station that would be comming in a little while" with ecstacy.
I then asked her, “Do you go to school..?” She said with a huge smile “Yes I do, but only on Sundays, do I come out on to the train to sing. I am in the 5th standard.”
I could see that she was very proud of going to school everyday and also earn her pocket money on Sundays by singing in the train.
Then I asked her “how much you generally earn?”
She answered “Nearly 150 rupees every Sunday, but today uptill now, I could only earn 50 rupees and I still have only half an hour to go.”

I then told her in a firm but gentle voice, “you be with me till your station comes and I will pay you the rest of the money that you usually earn.” She was very happy. She sang some songs and spoke about her parents and her school. We then shot some photographs together from my mobile. She saw them and was pleased. She asked me to mail them at her school address. Then she played with the mobile for a while. Then she dialed the number "100" on the keypad of my mobile and then said “my station has come, Now pay me a 100 rupees.” She demanded imitating an adult voice and looked at me in a Mischevious manner. I laughed at her at her antiqe and said in a very serious voice but with twinkling eyes, “Ok, ok, I will pay you. But be careful, Don’t dial that number for it is the police control room's number.” She had listened to me very carefully and understood what ever I had told her. She then smiled and got down from the train after it stopped.

I narrated the whole incident that occured in the train to the Police officer sitting infront of me. He then looked at me in a very stern and hard way and said, “How can I believe this really happened?” I replied looking at him directly into the eye, a little exasperated and said, “You believe it or not Sir, but this is the fact.” He then loooking satisfied said, “You may go now.”

I came to know from the police officer that Radha was missing. She went as usual for singing the last Sunday but she didn’t return. Her parents got worried and they informed the school and the police. Later when my photographs got posted on to the school address which immediately raised a suspicion upon me. Hence I was summoned to the Police Station in such a manner.

I felt very bad for her. She was a very intelligent girl with a great talent. I thought to myself, “she might have been kidnapped." But then the other point that came up in my mind was that why would someone kidnap a poor kid for; it was certainly not for money, maybe to sell her off as a domestic helper or to kill her to use her organs, or something....” I shruddered at the thoughts that were coming into my head.

Two days later in the morning when I switched on the television to watch the morning news; A news channel was covering a police interview live:There was a gang of 5 men with covered faces who were shown to the press present there and the Police Officer who had interviewed me was talking “This is a gang of kidnappers who kidnap kids from train, local buses and roads and then smuggle them to all the different parts of the world to work either as domestic helpers in rich homes or in factories.If they were not found to be any good they would be sold to people for their organs. We couldn’t arrest this gang for a long time, but had kept track of them but it was to no avail as they would flee before we could discover their hideouts and arrest them all. But today we have successfully been able to capture every single one of the goons with the help of this brave child.” Then the camera focused on a 10 year old girl. She was none other than the Singing Girl, Radha.

The Police Officer then continued “she dialed 100(the police control room's number) from one of the kidnapper's mobile in their absence and she was able to inform them about her captors and the place where they had brought her. There were 10 more kids who were rescued along with her from the gang." The bravery and smartness of this Kid is greatly appreciated by the Police department and we would like to give her and her family a huge sum of money so that she can continue her education without having to sing ever again on the trains.............……….”

I then knew that she would be able to complte her education and also be able to go to College. I also knew that she would grow up to be a fine and a responsible Citizen of the country called India.......................!!

I felt very happy and proud deep down in my heart that she had indeed become famous just as she had wished on that train journey that afternoon .......................!!

Dilemma of a CD seller

Poonamrodrigues — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:49:20 CDT

Hi, my name is Raja and I work in a hotel as a Chef. My working hours are from 9 am to 5 pm everyday. My off is usually on Sundays. I go to the hotel by city bus everyday. I generally need not wait for a long time to catch a bus in the morning but in the evening, buses are crowded and I generally wait for 30 to 40 minutes to catch a bus which can provide me with a good seat. I wait at the bus stop in the market place which is very close to the hotel. While waiting at the bus stop, my time pass is usually watching the street vendors sell their wares around that place. I never get bored of waiting for long hours in the evening as this is a very stable form of entertainment.

The most interesting aspect are the negotiations which happen between the street vendors and their customers. I have never seen an item being sold for the same price to more than one customer. The difference between the lowest and highest prices of the same item are very huge.

Out of the many stalls, selling all the various items, the Compact Disc (C.D.) stall has always attracted me. The CD seller sells all types of movies and music CDs. This was one of the most busiest stalls functional there as the CDs are available for a much lesser price than in the big shops but with an equal quality of prints. The customers, hail from all classes of life; such as bicycle owners to car owners,etc...

There is also a seperate class of people who come to the CD seller which attract my attention each time that I wait at the Bus stop. These people are the ones who come for a seperate section of CD's that consist of adult movies with erotic labels printed on them. This particular section is subdivided into two types of people who patronise them. One type who come to purchase these CDs and the others who again are interesting as they only come to browse through all these labels. They always take a bunch of these CDs and keep watching these erotic labels one by one for long periods of time; acting as if they want to purchase them but never do so. This activity of these people always disturbs the CD seller a lot. After they would leave, it would always take him some of his busy business time to rearrange all the Cds into their original slots. This activity of those people even irritated all the decent class of customers who would come to shop at the CD seller's shop.

The CD seller then thought of some plan to avoid such kind of disturbances. He then removed all the labels of the erotic CDs so that no one would waste his time by simply looking at them. But this idea failed as even the serious buyers of those CDs stopped buying them. Generally the genuine customers would also select the CDs only by looking at the various labels and so he had to drop this idea.

Then his second idea was to display all the labels of these CDs on a chart and hang it infront of his stall instead of displaying them in bunches. If some one wanted to browse through them and leave then they could do so without disturbing his business. This completely spoiled his business as the main crowd was also misled into only thinking that he sold only such CDs in his cart due to the chart. He had to take down the chart as this idea came to naught. Finally he gave up and followed his traditional way of displaying all the CDs in bunches.The activity of the interesting type of crowd also continued.

One fine day, as I needed some music CDs, I decided to visit his stall to purchase them. That particular time he was quite frustrated by one man who was browsing all these erotic labels and was not buying any. The CD seller then started abusing him very badly. Then a small quarrel started off between them. I left the stall from there, intending to come again later.

I visited him the next day and there were not many customers at that time. I selected my music CD and paid him promptly. Then I inquired with him as to what the problem was with that person with whom he quarreled the previous evening. As I was a frequent customer, he told me his problem immediately. He also mentioned that he couldn’t find a good solution for his problem.

Then I asked him wether those CDs fetched him a good profit. He said that they were profitable but rarely would some one come to purchase them. I then told him to stop selling those CDs as they would not matter much wether he sold them or not; and then notice the difference.

Then after a month, while I was waiting at the bus stop, the CD seller came up to me and thanked me profusely for my suggestions. He also mentioned that in spite of losing a certain section of his customers; yet it had no effect on his main stream business as it increased the flow of the other classes of people who bought the other CDs........

The End

The savior

Poonamrodrigues — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:49:49 CDT

It was a Monday morning the laziest morning in the week. The climate was cool and cloudy as it was rainy season. Ramu woke up by his mother’s call,”Ramu get up soon or else you’ll miss the school bus.” Ramu was eight years old studying 4th standard.

He doesn’t feel to get up, previous day’s thoughts were still fresh in his mind and he was on the bed in spite of his mother’s call. Then he suddenly remembered his mathematics homework was not completed. He saw the clock hanging opposite to his bed, the time was 7’o clock and there is no way he could complete his work in one hour because he has to catch the bus at 8’o clock to reach the school in time. The ferocious face of his mathematics teacher came to his mind. He knows the punishment given to one who doesn’t complete their homework.

Then came his mother’s call from the kitchen “Ramu go and have your bath soon or else…...” Ramu saw his uniform kept ready beside his bed as soon as he came out after finishing his bath. He was not at all interested to go to school; he was very much worried about the homework. He was suddenly startled by his mother’s call,”Ramu wear your uniform soon or else…..” He completed his breakfast, wore his shoes readily polished and left for the school at 7.50am.

The bus stop is in the next lane a 5minuts walk and he could reach the bus stop. He was walking slowly; his mind is full of thoughts on what to say in order to escape from the punishment. He reached the next lane which has small pits on the road filled with previous day’s rain water. He started walking carefully to prevent himself stamping on them.

He came across a large pit and he thought of jumping over it; but he suspended his action when he saw a big black Ant floating on the surface of brown water making strenuous efforts to come out of it. He felt pity for the tiny creature and thought of rescuing it from evil pit. But he couldn’t decide how to rescue it from the pit.

First he thought of picking up it with his finger but later avoided it seeing the dirty brown water. He thought for a while and finally came to a decision. He opened his school bag and took a pencil from his pencil box; he dipped the needle of the pencil in the water very close to the ant and it started slowly climbing on to the pencil. He removed the pencil from the water and started observing the movements of the ant. It walking towards the other end; when it came close to his hand he withdrew his hand and held the needle of the pencil. The ant walked till the tip of the pencil and fell down.

He watched it escaping into the grass beside the road. was so astonished how it was still alive after falling from a great height for its size. He felt very happy on saving an ant from getting killed. Then he kept his pencil inside his bag and started walking towards the bus stop.

When he reached the bus stop to his great surprise none of his school mates were there and he came to the conclusion that the school bus has gone. Then he went back home and told his mother “Ma, I missed the school bus.” After scolding him she dropped him at his school.

He was half-an-hour late to the school and it was mathematics class. He saw some of his classmates were already out for not doing their homework. “May I come in teacher!” said Ramu standing at the entrance of his classroom.

Teacher stopped her class and turned towards the entrance. “Ramu why were you late?” uttered teacher angrily. “I missed the school bus teacher.” said Ramu in a panic voice. “Why?” screamed the teacher. “I saved a life which is in danger teacher.” said Ramu. “Is it,” asked the teacher in astonishment “Whom did you save?” “AN ANT.”

The End

great thoughts

Poonamrodrigues — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:25:34 CDT

The Hunter And The Vulture
(inspired by a telugu poem which i read in my 6th std)

- Sandy

Fresh and bright was the winter morning
washed and painted was the forest like.

Humming a song, a hunter was moving along,
the narrow path of the forest thick.

Said the vulture, sitting on a tree,
“hunter, you seem to be happy.”

“Yes” said the hunter, looking at the bird,
“I became a father from yesterday night.”

“Congratulations,” wished the bird,
“may your child become the king of hunters.”

Feeling happy the hunter told the vulture,
“thank you very much, I’ll leave you alive.”

“No,” said the bird, “you kill me now and leave my children.”
“Neither you will be killed, nor your children” assured the hunter.

“But I don’t know how your children look like.”
“The most beautiful are my children,” told the vulture and flew into the sky.

Evening was it, cold was the weather,
Waiting was the vulture for its loving children.

Then it saw the hunter coming towards her,
hung on his shoulders were the birds he hunted.

Vulture felt very sad seeing the birds,
All those were her children whom she loves the most.

“Why did you kill my children in spite of telling you not?”
I didn’t kill your children, all these are ugly birds.

The great mother fell down on the earth with a broken heart.

* * *

My Good Old Village....

- Sandy

My Village - Then and Now.

After 3 long years, a visit to my village brought me great disappointment.

Where is the pond which welcome me at the entrance of the village with its sparkling water?

Where is the muddy road that is filled with the cool breeze from the adjacent paddy fields?

Where are the trees that extend their branches to shadow the road?

Why is the big old neem tree abandoned which used to hold the village gatherings?

Why is the rice mill which was always busy with people discussing their business was deserted?

Where are the huts which looked like mushrooms when seen from my terrace?

Where are the cattle which raised the dust every evening while coming back home?

Where are the folk songs of the village women every evening?

Where are Ravi and Sinu who accompany me during my stay in the village?

Where is the village priest who smiles at me when I pass that way?

Why are the distant hills towards which I used to look and spend hours not visible now?

Where are the bushes bearing wild flowers which fill the country path with pleasant scent?

Where have the kids who used to come and play in the small canal near my house disappeared?

why are the rhythmic sounds of bullock carts not heard now?

Answer:
People have been educated and became decent.
Televisions have come up and people spend their evening watching TV.
People started migrating towards towns and cities as they found farming is not profitable.
Cement roads have come up and mud roads vanished along with the trees and the wild bushes all along the path.
Due to population growth tall building have come up and obstruct the distant hills.
Children started going to town schools and they are not left with any time to play.
Farmers started using tractors and stop rearing cattle.

Innocent Mother

- Sandy

Mother told me to go to distant lands
I asked what for
to learn and earn like learned
i asked what for
to get all the riches
to get all the honour
to get all the fame
to get all pleasures of the world
to get all the great people as friends
innocent mother....she is like a flower tree
who wish her flower could decorate the royal vase
while her flower wish to remain with the tree.

Farmer and the lord of rains

- Sandy

That year is not like any other bad years.
There were rains at right time;
no floods and droughts.
farmers were very happy.
There was a good yield.
crops were harvested, packed
and were left in the fields as there was no sign of rain.

They went home and slept happily.
there was a big rain that night
The farmers were shocked and ran to their fields.
All the grains were wet and became useless.
All the years hard work was lost.
They were frightened of their debuts.

Ranga was one of them,
he was very upset and abused rain god
Who was responsible for the disaster.
Then the god appeared before him.
“Ranga, why did you abuse me?” asked god.
“why did you do this? we never failed to conduct prayers and sacrifices.” said Ranga.
"ranga i havent done anything, i tried to stop this disaster but i am helpless."
“a program was set for every thing in this universe.
All the bodies function according to the set program.
The animals, birds, plants, planets, sun, moon; even the seasons.
Only humans were given intelligence.
They were given the power to think, analyze
and function on their own.

But what have you done?
You have disturbed the whole universe.
All the programs were corrupted and not under my control.
And now you have to face the consequences of your deeds.
I am totally not responsible for this disaster, Ranga.”

* * *

The I

- Sandy

I dont like what I do
Because I dont know what to do

I dont like what I got
Because I dont know what I want

I dont like what I like
Because I dont know what to like

I dont like what I am
Because I don't know what I am

The Happiness

- Sandy

If sorrow is the darkness, you are the sun
If sorrow is the desert, you are the oasis
If sorrow is the death, you are the nectar

Fuel in the sun may get exhausted
Water in the oasis may get evaporated
The immortelles power of the nectar may get vanished

But happiness in you may remain for ever

Victim of your faces

- Sandy

I am victimized by your two faces.
One very old and very bright;
Its radiance of love is so intense that it concealed every thing;
I could feel nothing except its love.
Other is very new and very dark;
Its gloom of deception is so intense that it concealed every thing including you;
I could only see your dark face in the light of my anger which melted like candle in no time.
Now I am incarcerated in that darkness.
I am living with memories of your bright face in this dark world waiting for new light;
Give an end to this everlasting wait by throwing beams of your radiance of love into this unknown world of painful memories.

Your Eyes….!!

-Sandy

Your eyes are flowers;
Their nectars can neutralize bitter relations of the worlds.

Your eyes are valleys;
Their loneliness can captivate the grief of the worlds.
Your eyes are forests;
Their density can hide the cruelty of the worlds.

Your eyes are volcanoes;
Their lava when hot can destroy the impurities and when cold becomes the purest body of the worlds

Your eyes are black holes;
Their gravity can absorb the pain of the worlds.

Your eyes are Himalayas;
Their colds can cool the fire of deceived hearts of the worlds.

Your eyes are oceans;
Their waters can dissolve the sorrows of the world.

NOW THE WORLD REGRETS FOR GIVING THEIR PATENT TO YOUR husband.

The Ruler

- Sandy

When your defeat becomes my victory and victory becomes my defeat,

Something I need that is beyond victory and defeat to rule your heart.

When you hate my love and love my hatred,

Something I need that is beyond love and hatred to rule your heart.

When you feel bad for my good and good for my bad,

Something I need that is beyond good and bad to rule your heart.

When you loose from my gain and gain from my loss,

Something I need that is beyond gain and loss to rule your heart.

When your sorrow becomes my happiness and happiness becomes my sorrow, Something I need that is beyond happiness and sorrow to rule your heart.

If DEATH is that something needed to rule your heart, she is WELCOME.

ONLY A DAD

Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959

Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.

The Good Old Days

-Author Unknown

A computer was something on TV
From a science fiction show of note
A window was something you hated to clean
And ram was the cousin of a goat.
Meg was the name of my girlfriend
And gig was a job for the nights
Now they all mean different things
And that really mega bytes.
An application was for employment
A program was a TV show
A curser used profanity
A keyboard was a piano.
Memory was something you lost with age
A CD was a bank account
And if you had a 3-in. floppy
You hoped nobody found out.
Compress was something you did to the trash
Not something you did to a file
And if you unzipped anything in public
You'd be in jail for a while.
Log on was adding wood to the fire
Hard drive was a long trip on the road
A mouse pad was where a mouse lived
And a backup happened to your commode.
Cut you did with a pocket knife
And paste you did with glue
A web was simply a spider's home
And a virus was just the flu.
I guess I'll stick to my pad and paper
And the memory that's in my head
I hear nobody's been killed in a computer crash
But when it happens they'll wish they were dead.
***

Poems that inspired me

The fear

Poonamrodrigues — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:09:48 CDT

Peter was a young boy of about 12 to13 years of age. He was going to the Seventh class very soon. He did not like being called a child as he was too old for that he thought. And his father would tell him that he was not an adult as yet, but the two would get along very well. They were a family of six with Peter being the eldest, Kevin and Alan being the naughty ones and Olivia being the baby of the family.

Finances were also a bit on the tighter side and it was already difficult to manage the house with his young boisterous brothers who would both bring the house down with their wails if they were denied anything. Olivia was a 6 month old baby girl whom all the boys just adored and doted upon her whenever they got a chance to. Only Peter was allowed to baby sit the her as he was big enough to undertake her responsibility. Kevin and Alan were were going to the 1st and the 2nd classes respectively. His mother was a thin and wiry lady but was strong enough to look afetr the whole family and the house, but only during the day when the boys would be at school and Olivia would be at her side babbling and crawling all around the house. At night, she and her husband would have to look after all the kids taking their own ways and turns to discipline and keep them and the house in a perfect order.

Usually his dad would accompany him on his trips to the villlage and if needed back at home would leave Peter and return to their house in Bangalore. This time, his mother had also been unwell and she needed little more help than usual and they had to hire a nanny for Olivia. And the holiday's plan of going to the village was also booked way in advance which couldn't be cancelled as Peter had to leave the very day that he finished his exams. Peter did not want to go but his Mom advised him to do so as the fresh air of the village would do him good and in a few days, Kevin and Alan were going to join him. His father did not want him to go alone to the village as it was a journey that started in the afternoon but he would reach only after Midnight and that was not a good time to be outside, but he had insisted as he felt that being the eldest son among his two younger brothers, he could look after himself as well. Besides he did not want his father to worry much about him as he already had too much upon his hands to look after.

Peter got ready and went to the main bus stand with his father where most of the buses plying out of Bangalore stood. He bought his ticket and went to the bus which was to leave towards his village. He got his luggage loaded up into the bus and then bade his father a warm goodbye. Though his Father had insisted on staying till the bus left yet Peter gently told him that he was needed more at home as his mother was unwell. He waved out a big bye with a huge smile and then waited for the bus to leave, as it was scheduled to do so in 15 minutes.

Time passed but the bus did not leave the bus stand at the appointed hour, it was going to leave an hour late. Peter was anxiously waiting for the bus to start moving. He knew that it would be past midnight by the time he reached his village. That was the very reason why he was a bit scared and wished that his father was near to comfort him. He was thinking if only he had listened to his dad, than he would have travelled along with him and not boasted that he could look after himself.

When the bus started off he was slightly relieved from his anxiety. He then opened up a book which had a shadow of a man holding a knife as a cover picture. He fell asleep while reading the book as the bus jerked all around while moving and the comfortable seats were only making people sleep. When he woke up he noticed that he was the only passenger left in the bus. He looked at his watch, it was already 1:30 am, and after half an hour more, he got down at his village and started walking towards his home.

Water filled pits on the wet road showed that it rained here just half an hour ago as small drops were still falling from the sky. He was frightened to walk alone all along the church road because it was surrounded by big trees on both sides thus blocking the moon light and making it darker than usual. Suddenly an owl shouted very loudly in the trees from behind him which gave him such a start that he started walking faster as he felt that his heart beat became louder than usual and his heart was beating so fast as though it would come out anytime.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaa” a wail echoed out through out the trees and the sky and the owls also stopped shouting. But the shriek continued for some time and Peter realised that it was comming from the Church side. He continued to walk faster as he did not know what made that noise. His heart almost stopped for a fraction of a second, hearing a man’s cry again for the second time when he was walking beside the church gate. Immediately he ran ahead upto some distance, and stopped as his tired legs could carry him no more, he panted for breath to get back his strength.
Then he realised that he had acted like a coward as his father had taught that when some one was in need we should go and help them. He felt that the person who screamed was in need and might need his help and so decided to help him and came back to find out what had occured.

He entered the church, but the watchman was not there. He would generally sleep on the portico of the church in the front. He then started walking towards the backyard and heard some footsteps coming out from the garden. Peter got scared and hid himself behind a tree. He saw a man coming from the backyard. His hands and legs were strained with blood. Peter then remembered the novel he had read in the bus, it was in his pocket. He started thinking that this man had killed someone and then buried him in the backyard of the church similar to the villain in the novel. He waited in his hiding place as he was scared and thought that the man would also kill him if he showed himself now. The man was in pain and stopped near the tree, Peter froze in terror but did not make any noise. The man was saying how he could be so careless so as to hurt himself while doing one simple job and how negligent he had become while doing such simple things. The man was using cuss words, he wanted the blood to stop and also washed off the wound at the tap near the tree. He stayed for a little while more near the tree and then decided to get a drink and then go to the hospital. Peter was scared as he did not feel that killing a person was a simple job and was literally frozen to death. After an hour, when the man left, and after making sure that no one was around, only then did Peter come out and go to his house.

Early the next morning, Peter along with a few elders of the village went to the church. The watchman was fast asleep on the chair. He had a cloth bandage tied onto his foot and which was stained with blood. Everyone asked the watchman what he had been upto when Peter had come to the church at night and told him the entire story that had occured. Then the watchman fearing for his job, blurted out the truth and said that a heavy rainfall had occured last night and the backyard was filled up with rain water. It was threatening to go down into the church basement and spoil the walls and so the watchman dug small canals to make the water drain out into the main canal. While he was digging these canals, he had hurt himself on his foot as it was dark and he had tried to stop it with his hands and so he was blood stained when Peter had seen him. That was also the reason why he had cried out in pain.

Peter then grew red in the face and then realised his folly and was ashamed, but the elders were kind to him and they also told him that if they were in his place they would have either run off or do as he had done. They also patted him on his back for trying to follow the advice that his father had given him of helping others. They also told Peter that what was written in the novels and story books was not always true and was mostly a figment of the author's imagination running wild. We as people who buy books should know the difference between the truth and fiction and should not also blindly follow them at all times. Peter then understood their point and made sure that he would never forget it. They also told the watchman to be careful and not to do such foolish things but to do things carefully and well.

The End

The painter of faces

Poonamrodrigues — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:07:59 CDT

Krishna was a post graduate in business management. He had come from his village in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh to the city of Hyderabad to complete his studies after his schoolling and had dreamed of being a good and a great man who would help the people in his village.

Being a man of high principles and values he couldn’t work with any one company. He joined a few companies after college in campus placements but left because he had to work against all his principles and values. His financial status was poor yet he had to do something or the other for his livelihood.

He was good at drawing and painting. But he had no money to buy any expensive colors at all to make good paintings which he could sell at the big Art galleries as they also offered good rates for the paintings that they bought from the various artists who sold them their paintings. It was also heard that the Art galleries would offer these artists anything between "15,000 rupees to a lakh of rupees" were the whispers that used to run through the markets.

But he had just enough money to buy some drawing sheets and pencils with different varying darkness just like the kajal pencils that ladies put in their eyes. Some of these were expensive, yet he managed to buy them, and also bought some kajal pencils to vary the black effects in his paintings. He put these things in a cloth bag and went to all the busy places like parks, market places, exhibitions, fairs, movie talkies and complexes.

Then he would sit at some place or the other but usually under a shady tree and start looking around at people. If he would find some one interesting; like a child playing with a ball or someone just sitting idle, some one with their friends or their beloved; he would just draw them on to the paper. He then would show it to them. Some get impressed and then give him a good renumeration while some wouldn't respond in a good manner at all. They would get annoyed at him and tell him to destroy the paper or just glare at him angrilly.

In this way he would earn just the sufficient money needed to satisfy all his basic requirements.

It was a Wednesday, the days which Krishna liked going out to draw as he would get the most favourable feelings from the crowds on these days. He selected the Maheshwary Talkies; A Cinema theater for his job today. He was dressed in his white shirt with offwhite trousers. Then he went and posted himself at one corner of the inner compound walls which over looked the gates. He looked all around but everyone was very busy moving around.

Then he saw a person who was standing out in the crowd wearing a black outfit, having a dark beard and also wearing a black cap on a hot summer afternoon. That bearded man was standing very near to the gate. Krishna decided to sketch him out. He took out his paper and pencil and started drawing him by looking at his face and his posture. He noticed that the bearded man was looking out for someone. He also noticed a sort of tension in the bearded man’s face. After 5 whole minutes, Krishna had almost finished his drawing, when he realised that just the neck was remaining.

Then he looked up at the bearded man .He drew in a sharp breath; as he saw the bearded man taking out a gun from his pocket, aiming and shooting at another man and then escaping out into the crowd. There was an utter chaos in the talkies as the people moved away from the man who was shot and ran in all the different directions fearing some more shooters as they ran. But nobody was going forward to help the man who was shot. Krishna was much to dazed to even run forward after all that had happened in front of his eyes in a fraction of seconds.

Then a girl appeared out of the crowd who went towards the injured man to help him, then Krishna too recovering from the initial shock then went and helped her call the ambulance and took the man to the hospital. The doctors could do little for him by operating on him to remove the bullet. But yet they said that the chances of his survival were less, yet they would keep him in the I.C.U. for further observation.

They told this to Krishna and Leena who had brought him there. They asked them about their family members, but both did not know him. They related to the doctors that they had found him in this condition at the talkies. The doctors thanked them for their bravery and the soundness of their mind to think of the person infront rather than save themselves by just blindly leaving the injured to die helplessly on the road with out any medication. They said if needed, the doctors would call them if they were to beome witnesses for the police if a case was registered.
They both thanked the doctors and left the hospital.

He went to home but was in a disturbed mood. What had to be done with that painting?? Whether to give that painting to the police or not...? If he gives it up to them Would they believe him or not?? These were some of the questions that ran in his mind. He decided to confide in Leena as they had spoken to each other earlier that day. Upon hearing his side of the entire incident, she calmly told Krishna to go and give the drawing over to the police station as this was the best thing to do rather than to sit at home and feel guilty about not going to the police when the murderer was still at large. At last he decided to give the painting up to the police station closest to his home. The picture soon caught the attention of the senior police officers and it was reported over to the commissioner's office.

The Commissioner then decided to call Krishna to his office. The next day, Krishna went over to the police commissioner's office and met him. He narrated the entire story to the commissioner as he had seen and had drawn. The police commissioner then showed him the paper on which he had drawn the face of the murderer and asked him if this was the paper that he had submitted and Krishna acknowledged it.

The commissioner was silent for a while and then he summoned someone on the phone. After about 2 minutes, a man entered the room. Krishna looked up at him and was surprised as he was the murderer himself. Then the commissioner said “ He is Mr.Sayed, a special officer from the CBI. The man whom he killed was a notorious criminal. We arrested him on many occasions, but he escaped as he got a lot of support from the local politicians and other influencial people. He was a very dangerous man. So I had appointed Syed to kill him in an undercover encounter so as to prevent any political uproar over a proper police encounter. This was kept very confidential and was known only to me, Syed and two more senior officers only."

The commissioner was then very impressed with Krishna’s job. He was given a job of painting all the criminal’s faces according the clues given in by the witnesses.
Finally Krishna had a wonderful job that would allow him to pursue his first love and the art of painting and drawing. He would also never have to make any compromises with his high values and principles that he always believed in. Leena and Krishna became great friends as time passed.

The End

The butterfly

Poonamrodrigues — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:03:19 CDT

This is story about a child who just loves butterflies and as any young child wants to catch one............
But a kind servant boy shows how such a small living thing if bound or caught is completely unable to fend for itself if Man interferes by trying to capture it in a simple act of giving Happiness..................!!

There is a story of ten year old Madhuri living with her parents in Pune in Maharastra. She lived in the city all her life with her parents who were working individuals and she would go visiting her grandparents in the village Sajjanpur in the school summer holidays. She would feel very happy and excited as her grandparents would pamper and spoil her a lot when ever she went there unlike her parents who would rather have her to develop as a prim and proper lady living in the city. So she would just love the serenity away from the hustle and the bustle of the city life as well and also enjoy her care free time with her grandparents.

After she got promoted to her fifth class, she knew that she soon would be joining her grandparents in the village the very next day after her school gave them holidays. The summer vacations would last for a month and it would usually be heavenly time for Madhuri. She had summer school and there were going to announce the future dates of comming back to school after the holidays and they would then be left for the day after recieving some home work to be done during the vacations.

Soon it was the last day and she got up early to get dressed for school. Her mom was surprised but was pleased with her daughter that she was learning to be responsible. And Madhuri was also happy that it was her last day in school today as tomorrow morning she would be in her grandparent's house in the village. Her mother would be the one to accompany her for this trip but she was going to stay only for a day and then leave for Pune the very next day. She would be returning to Pune when her father would come to pick her up from the village while returning.They would be travelling by train for both the trips.

Madhuri soon arrived at her grandparent's house the next day after a very comfortable journey with her mother by train in the night. She had slept through the whole journey. She was very excited as she was going to meet them after almost a year. Jogharao the servant had come to the railway station to receive them. It was dark by the time they reached the village. Her grandparents were very pleased and said that she had grown since they had last seen her and Madhuri was quite glad. She was tired of the journey and went to sleep as soon as she had dinner and the first day passed off quietly.
Then her mother left after spending a whole day and a half with her parents and then caught the late afternooon train fron Sajjanpur back to Pune. Madhuri was thrilled that she had come back after a long time. She was very happy because she had lots of different things to do and they would be quite different from all that she was usually did. She could play with the sand near the pond, and she could catch butterflies and dragonflies in the garden.

On the next day after her bath she went to the pond and saw the fish dancing to the rhythm of morning sun light. She threw stones at the fish and thrilled to see the disturbed fish schools. She had her lunch and went to the garden. She found a lot of flowers, plucked them and made a garland with them. She collected a bunch of flowers for her mother.

She saw lot of butterflies there and tried to catch them, but couldn’t do so. She became very upset. Her grand parents noticed that she was upset and asked her why she was upset. She told them that she was unable to catch any butterflies. They consoled her and told her to try again. The next day, she went to the garden and tried, but she failed. Her grandparents felt sad seeing their granddaughter getting upset. Every day she would go happily into the garden but returned back unhappy. This continued for a few days.

On the seventh day, they sent Jogharao to assist Madhuri in catching the butterflies. Jogharao went with her but didn’t help her in catching the butterflies. He just sat under a tree and watched her chase the butterflies. The sun rose up in the sky and the shade grew dense and a cool wind blew, very soon Jogharao drifted into a sound sleep.
When he awoke after sometime, he saw her sitting beside him looking like a Princess defeated in war.

He got up and took her to the middle of the garden where there were many bushes full of different flowers around which many butterflies were howering all around them. He ran behind a butterfly and caught it by the wings. Madhuri came running towards him gleefully looking at the butterfly and pleading him to give it to her. He gave the butterfly to her, at the same time telling her to be gentle with it. Madhuri was excited as well as happy to finally catch a butterfly and so caught it very tightly so that it would not fly away. As soon as she caught it with her hand, than the part of the wings which she was catching broke off from the rest of its body and it fell down. It made huge streneuos efforts to fly up again but it could not. It was unable to fly but could not do so because of the absence of it's wings, it struggled for some time and then finally died trying to fly after some time.

Madhuri had watched it with such intensity and a sadness that only she could understand as all these days she had tried so hard to catch a butterfly but couldn't. When she finally caught one, it died due to her eagerness to catch it tightly so that it would not fly away.
Then Jogarao explained to her who was on the verge of weeping, by telling her and pointing towards the butterfly lying on the ground, that “By touching it you can kill, but by leaving it alone you are preserving life and beauty. You also have it in possession by admiring it's beauty with your eyes.”

From the next day onwards she went to the garden but never got upset again. Her Grandparents thought that Jogharao caught butterflies for her everyday but she had left chasing the butterflies. They never got to know what had happened on that day when Jogharao helped Madhuri to catch Butterflies as that was their little secret. They became the Best of Friends........................!!

The End.