Self Retrospect

While at Masinagudi during our vacations I met a couple from Bangalore vacationing, the husband working in IT and the wife a teacher. We just started some conversation and slowly it inevitably turned into how hectic life is.. and why we wanted to have a break and how we cannot be left alone etc.,.

Well as always, the talkative side of me took over and was talking telling how busy I'm and how I don't get to spend sometime with my family. At one point, I realized that rather than feeling the pain and being apologetic, I was in a way boasting myself as if it was a matter of pride! How insane!??! I realized that work is not always what is important. It is family, health and then wealth.

Honestly I really do not know how I can reverse the damage I have done by not being a responsible person in life with respect to my family, I can only change myself here after. Not sure if the steps that I would take will ever heal the probable wounds that I would have created in the hearts of everyone who love me dearly, but I wish I will not rub on it more.

Not spending time with your kid or wife or parents or siblings is not a matter of pride. It is absolute shame.

I now realize that Nilaa spells out a few words, does a lot of small things that brings smiles on to her face and that she would never ever repeat probably. I realize that Leela needs more of my time to talk about what happened on a day and help her out in some small house hold works. I missed out that I completely missed asking my mom on what has been happening back at home and the issues and problems.

I have made a few resolutions that I have started implementing and I hope I can sustain that going forward no matter what. This is not a guan to others but rather to myself! Change yourself Raj! It's time and not always everyone would be patient and persevere with you!

Shame!

What is happening in India now is an absolute shame! The country know for its culture and tradition, a culture part of which hospitality is a very significant factor will be now hell bent down before the entire world!

Corruption, power politics and arrogance is what we can say about people who rule this country at New Delhi. What should have been completed during 2007 will not be completed possibly by 2017 or worse will never get completed at all. And we will possibly be spending more Billions on this from the poor tax payers. Like how I read, if had spend 100 Crores on individual athletes we would have possibly had 700 athletes representing India in the future. Now all we are seeing is debris and worse is that making India ashamed after all this spending! 70,000 Crores! This is crazy and the worst thing is that we are not able to do anything at all!

Mr. PM. Please call it off. It is lot better than countries boycotting and the games not happening at all! If you really cannot do that it proves that good men need not necessarily make good leaders! An elderly statesmen like you shouldn't even get these words from a loafer like me! Be pragmatic and realistic and ensure that we keep the flag of India flying high!

Please call off CWG 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know I have people all over the world who will reading this one, but am not concerned because they will anyway be reading something worse than this in their newspapers already!

- Raj.

Ovvaiyaar’s Aathichudi

The other day while I was driving, I was listening to the remix from a Thamizh movie on a FM radio. It was all about Ovvaiyaar’s Aathichudi (ஒளவையாரின் ஆத்திச்சூடி)! The one that is so ancient and that I hope that every generation takes along.

The first reaction was, crazy buggers, they have not let this one go to. But later one thing stuck me (purely reminded by someone saying something in a meeting). And I went back to my school days to try and get Aathichudi. It was a refresher of sorts for me. I hope you love the below without any controversy.

Read what this great Old lady has given and the greatness of Thamizh.

Like any other language Tamil has Alphabets. Basically they are of two sets.

Uyir Ezhuthugal

Mei Ezhuthugal.

While all languages teach alphabets with some objects (like A for Apple, B for Boy etc.,.) look at what Thamizh offers.

The below are Thamizh’s Uyir Ezhugal.

அ, ஆ, இ, ஈ, உ, ஊ, எ, ஏ, ஐ, ஒ, ஓ, ஒள, ஃ

And look at how this great lady teaches Thamizh. She teaches Thamizh with morals.

அறம் செய்ய விரும்பு (Aram Seiya Virumbu) -> Have desire to do good

ஆறுவது சினம் (Aaruvadhu Sinam) -> The one that reduces should be anger

இயல்வது கரவேல் (Iyalvadhu Karavel) -> Donate what you can/Help if you can.

ஈவது விலக்கேல் (Eevadhu Vilagel) -> Do not stop giving.

உடையது விளம்பேல் (Udaiyadhu Velambel) -> Don't belittle your family and self to others/have and exhibit pride.

ஊக்கமது கைவிடேல் (Ookamadhu Kaividale) -> Do not lose hope

எண், எழுத்து இகழேல் (Enn, Ezhuthu Igalel) -> Do not underestimate the power of Mathematics and literature

ஏற்பது இகழ்ச்சி (Yerpadhu Igazhchi) -> Receiving is meaner.

ஐயமிட்டு உண் (Iyamittu Unn) -> Eat after sharing.

ஒப்புரவு ஒழுகு (Oppuravu Ozhugu) -> Get used to what you have. Get along with the world.

ஓதுவ தொழியேல் (Odhuvadhu Ozhiyel) -> Never stop learning or preaching.

ஒளவியம் பேசேல் (Oviyam Pesale) -> Do not talk ill about others.

ஃகஞ் சுருக்கேல் (Akanjurukale) -> Do not be stingy.

It does not stop here. It continues with the Mei Ezhuthugal as well.

Of course not all of this is exact meaning and may not even be right, but I’ve tried my level best to capture it. Apologies if you find the meaning wrong. My intent is to say how the ancient Thamizh culture instilled morality into our system. While doing so am trying to translate a few as I can. If you find it wrong, please correct me and I shall include that as well.

Long live Thamizh!

Hope you had got something out of this.

Please do not treat me as a Thamizh Maniac. It just occurred to me and am just penning it down. Even if you think so, no issues.

- Raj