Posco's upcoming India Plant

Hi Readers,

I am not going to write about the politics and the side effects of  Posco project which has led to a riot situation in Kujanga area. Posco, the third largest steel producing Korea based company and the Odisha Government signed the agreement in year 2005 to set up Posco plant in Kujanga- Ersama area in Jagatsinghpur district. According to agreement the plant should have been functional by 2010. However, the oppostion and local people's agitation could not make it possible to have it ready by the year end 2011.

Lets first of all think of our Jagatsinghpur district. Jagatsinghpur stands first in density of population in Odisha. It also stands first in literacy rate (80%) after Khurda. Khurda district has Bhubaneswar the capital of Odisha which counts towards highest literacy. Thus, taking into consideration this Jagatsinghpur district has highest literacy rate. Now, I am going to introduce you to my own village.
My Village Garia has not a single family where children's do not attend primary education. Almost all the youth population here has a graduation degree. Moreover, the people here do not fall into BPL category. Most of the family barely depends on cultivation to meet their daily bread and butter.The educated youth and their respective parent do not want them to work as farmers. Therefore, the young youths start searching for jobs, when they do not manage to get a good job, they try to work in small shops at Bhubaneswar or Cuttack. Some of the youth  work in other state as painters, plumbers etc. Why they choose these jobs in another state? The reason is simple, they do not want to loose their family honour by working in our own state, they find it difficult to accept their occupation after having a graduation degree.

Additionally, the village crop and cultivation largely depends on climatic factor. Every year flood  & cyclone hits Jagatsinghpur, and destroys the crop. So, my question here is, how to employ these educated youth so that not only these people but their family and our state moves in the path of progress. Natural calamities can not be controlled by anyone, and if this goes on then from where these people will get their daily bread and butter ?

I am not writing in favour of Posco or against it. But, I agree there needs to be something that could employ these people. If any industry is set up in this area, it will not only give employment to people who are directly employed by the company, but would also give indirect employment to many others who would be engaged in providing the basic necessities to the employee of the industry.  In setting up a township, thousands of people would be engaged.

Unemployment is the biggest problem of Jagatsinghpur district. People of other districts like the KBK are far behind Jagatsinghpur both socially and economically. Many NGO's are engaged in these districts to feed the people, give them proper sanitation and drinking water facilities. But, what about the problem of Jagatsinghpur, who will come up with a better solution for these educated and unemployed people.

I wish if these youth would ever think by themselves what they can do, and they should do to improve their condition. It is easy to divert these people in any direction and start a riot. Unemployment and poverty leads to unsocial activities. I have kept all my prayers to help these people take their decision by themselves and I also wish Odisha government to take a more appropriate and non-violent way to come up with this project which would no doubt benefit many.

I understand there could be some terms by which it will help Korea, but I do not believe in keeping the resources and not utilising them. If India government has enough resources then let India set up plant for itself. If not then their is no harm if we can make progress by mutual understanding with another country. This will not only strengthen our bonds but would also take us in direction of progress.


----------Jai Hind!------------

Sri Maha Pratyangira Devi

Hi Readers,

Today, I am going to write about Hinduism, our belief and my findings of yet another form of Devi or Shakti. As we all know Hinduism is a religion that does not have a specific founder. It has evolved over the years and will continue to do so. People following Hinduism does not worship one god and has 3600 gods and goddesses. Basically,  Hinduism is divided into major three groups the Shaivism ( followers of Lord Shiva), Vaishnavism ( followers of Lord Krishna or Vishnu) and Shaktism ( followers of Shakti or Devi). However, there is no restriction to follow any God or Goddess and people generally choose their main deity as for their family hierarchy or as per their own belief.

It will be easier to understand Hinduism if you know the Law of Conservation of Energy.
" Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed. Only one form of energy can be transformed into another. The sum total of all the energy remains same in universe. "

Similarly, as per Hindu belief, human body is perishable but the soul is immortal. The soul is subjected to continuous birth and  rebirth. The soul changes bodies as a living person changes clothes. So, after death the soul changes bodies like transformation of energy from one form to another. The cycle continues births after births and the suffering continues endlessly." So, the ultimate goal of a Hindu is to attain salvation that is also called as Moksha or Nirvana.

It most be very confusing for one to understand how we Hindu remember so many Gods and Goddess, even though, we do not follow a strict rule unlike other religion to worship or study our holy scripture. Generally, other religion have only one holy scripture, where as in Hinduism we have many. The Bhagwat Gita, Vedas, Purana, Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Yes, worshiping or visiting temples is never mandatory for a follower of Hindu. Reading scriptures and confining our belief to any form of God is also a freewill. Still, almost every Hindu believes in many more than one God and Goddesses. We celebrate many festivals in mark of our religion and beliefs. Now, I am going to introduce you to a rare and fierce form of Shakti or Mother Goddess. Hinduism not only beliefs in praying to different form of god but also worships, trees, mountains, rivers, cow and many more.

Shri Maha Pratyangira Devi

Sri Maha Pratyangira Devi, originated form Lord Shiva's fierce form Sarbeswara (Sharabha). The mythological story goes like this.

Lord Shiva in form of Sharabha or Sarabeswara

When Lord Vishnu in the form of Narashimha ( Narashimha Avtar or Vishnu) killed Hiranyakashypu by tearing his body apart and drank his blood, He became too fierce and aggressive. It was not possible to suppress his anger and then all gods prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva took the form of Sharabha or Sarbeswara. That is half lion and half bird with eight legged. It is mightier than lion and elephant and could kill a lion. However, when he came in front of Narashima , Lord Narashimha took the form of Ganda-Berunda i.e. the ferocious two headed bird to combat Sharabha. At this time, from one wing of Sharabha or Sarabeswara the Shakti in form of Pratyangira originated. She is a combination of lion and human. With a lion head and body of a beautiful women. She is also called Narashimhika. She was able to combat the anger and ferocious Narashimha. She was able to calm Narashimha by sitting on his lap.

Ganda-Berunda form of Lord Narashimha

Shri Maha Pratyangira Devi

Sri Pratyagira Devi is also associated with shri Chakra. She is considered to be powerful repellent of influences generated by witchcraft.Pratyangira Devi has also mention in Ramayana. Indrajit was performing Nikhumbala Yangya in which he worshipped Sri Pratyangira Devi. Hanuman came down to stop him from completing this Yagnya which otherwise could have made him invincible.

It is also believed that Lord Shiva in form of Sharabha or Sarabeswar had worshipped the Trishakti's ( Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati) and in their combined form incarnated in Sharabha Pakshi, He then changed his form to Bhairava and from his third eye appeared a huge fearful Goddess called Pratyangira.

There are only few temples in India where Devi Pratyangira is worshipped in this form. She is also worshipped in another form Sri Atharvana Bhadrakali.

She is goddess known to combat black magic and witchcraft.

My obsession continued with Brazilian embroidery

Hi friends,

If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you must have come across my last post about my obsession with embroidery. I have made a few embroidery patterns with different Brazilian embroidery techniques. As I have already said its not with the rayon thread, its better to call this as Brazilian dimensional embroidery.

I learnt Spiral trellis stitch, cast-on stitch, double cast-on stitch, bullion stitch, fly stitch, feather stitch to name a few. Here, I present you with pictures of my two more pot holders of size 20X20. Have a look and I welcome all your esteemed feedback.

Thanks

Footwear

Hi Readers,

Today, I want to dedicate this page to footwear. Footwear or shoe is not allowed inside Indian kitchen and in temples, other than this it has a very special place in trade,tradition and protest. Footwear has given someone his daily bread and someone its a means to protest. Throwing shoe at the victim of protest or making a garland of shoe and placing it around the effigy is a mark of protest. After China, India has gained a special position in shoe manufacturing. However, we still have thousands of people who have never used a pair of shoe in their lifetime. Footwear has many story linked to it, however it has only one aim that is to serve mankind.

When was shoe invented? To keep feet warm and protected it was first invented nearly 20 to 40 thousands years ago. However, Indian mythology suggest its use even much earlier. Earlier shoe was made up of wood or leather, in 20th century the use of plastic, rubber and synthetic polymer in manufacturing shoe was started. In year 1840 the first footwear design specifically for ladies started with the footwear of Queen Victoria.

Prativa Ray , Odia author with a story linked with footwear was able to get goose bumps in all her readers. The story was about a uncle and his nephew. The uncle who with utmost difficulty was able to make his nephew a much educated and established person, had one wish, that is to wear a pair of slippers. However, the nephew who had settled in city and was obsessed with his work had completely forgotten his uncle's wish. When he remembered about it, it was too late. Like the character of "Uncle" who knows if many would have still the same dream of wearing a pair slipper.

India is second largest manufacturer of shoe in the world after China. Almost all the well known brands have started manufacturing from India after getting license. In whole world except India, the footwear industry make a more production of women footwear. However, in India it is The reverse case. India produces most for men footwear.

Odisha had earned great reputation at the time of independence for shoe making. Madhusudan Das ( Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das) had set up a Shoe manufacturing company which had around 100 cobbler and 300 helper. These workers were so linked with Madhusudan Das that they were able to impress Mahatma Gandhi . This organisation was able to leave its footprint in Gandhi, and he had set up a tannery unit in his Sabarmati Ashram. One day, Madhusudan Das found a small hole in one of the shoe produced by his organisation Utkal Tannery. He never wanted to cheat his customer and thought the leather must not be in good condition due to which there was a hole. So, he had burnt all the shoe produced out of the same leather.  People still talk about his patriotism and noble  attitude.

Obessions

I always find myself obsessed,emerged and enthralled by something or the other.For past couple of weeks it's been two things: embroidery and food. Embroidery because I really love the tiny work with perfection. Though I must admit I am a learner, now I am obsessed to learn Brazilian embroidery techniques. It has driven me crazy as whenever I apply a new technique it comes out to be so beautiful. However, I must not call it Brazilian embroidery as I don't get the correct set of floss here.

Still, I am loving to learn these fine technique, which appear to be so sophisticated until you actually try them. Yes, Embroidery requires a lot of patience. And sometimes it's really hard to concentrate on same project that last long.

And the second thing that has kept me busy is my love for food. Well, I tried many new dishes in last couple of weeks. My husband loved them, that satisfies me when he says,"Oh! its really good to taste." I wish he would give me a certificate instead. Ha Ha Ha... All this has kept me so busy that I forgot to write. Though I could upload the pictures of all my embroidery anytime. I am feeling sad that I didn't took a bit to take few shots of my food.

Anyway, I will present my embroidery collection recently. Here, is a picture of Kamal Kadai or weaving stitch. I will be posting the other pictures soon.

The picture below is when i converted this sampler into a 20X20 pot holder.

Solar Tower for Rio Olympic

Brazil is the next host of Olympic 2016. Brazil has already started to prepare its city Rio De Janeiro to host this event. Whenever any big event like Olympic is organised, special care is taken to check the availability of electricity. Electricity is the most important factor in organising a event, and without it nothing can go on smoothly. Hence, before the commencement of Olympic, Brazil government has decided to use water and solar power.Brazil government has confirmed that they are not going to adapt any method that will lead to pollution.

The construction has already started for the Solar tower at Cottonduba Island near Rio De Janeiro, this tower has two features that will enable to provide enough electricity to host first ever Carbon free Olympic. It has solar terminals that will provide power during the daytime and a large man made waterfall that will be able to supply power in night.

It will not only supply power to Olympic event but also will be efficient to supply power to the entire city of Rio De Janeiro. Brazil is sending a message to the whole world to think of alternatives post petroleum era. Switzerland's RA FAA  has taken this project into their hand. The tower design is made in such a format that it will enable to perform many task at a time. The tower has amphitheater,indoor stadium and a market complex. It will also have a cafeteria located near the Waterfall to give a magnificent view.

Cottonduba Island is the mandatory approach for aircraft landing. Thus, this Solar tower will seek to become a symbol for those arriving Rio by Air or Sea.

Deepavali

According to many Hindu Mythological scriptures, during the battle of Maa Durga and Raktabija (Minister of Mahisasura), when Maa Durga tried to pierce him with her trident, his blood would create many more demons like him. In order to kill him, Maa Durga took two forms one is  Maa Chandi and the other which emerged from her head is  Maa MahaKali. Maa Chandi would fight with the Demon Raktabija and Maa Kali took the blood of this Demon in her mouth. Thus, the Demon's that were produced from his blood were immediately killed by Maa MahaKali. Thus, gradually the blood of this demon was taken completely by MahaKali and he was ultimately killed in the hands of Maa Chandi.

Maa Durga and her other incarnations not only killed Raktabija and Mahisasura but also had killed Kantimala, Bidalakhya, Biraghanta and Kaladanda. Thus, these incarnations of Maa had become very ferocious. Earth was filled with Blood by this battle. However, Maa MahaKali was still too violent. She became more and more violent and started to burn the whole world. This made all the deities to come out with a quick solution that could make Maa Mahakali calm down.

All the deities then requested Mahadev Shiva to help them, Shiva then fell in the feet's of Mahakali. When Maa Mahakali's feet landed upon Shiva, she realised her mistake  and she regained her original form.  This violent form of Maa Kali is worshipped in the midnight of Deepavali. This night is also called MahaNisha or Subharatri. Deepvali is considered to be the victory of light over darkness and Knowledge over Ignorance. As in presence of Light, there is no Darkness, same way in presence of Knowledge there cant be Ignorance. Deepavali is marked to celebrate life, happiness and prosperity in each and every house.

This day is also marked as the day when Ram had returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. The Kingdom of Ayodhya had celebrated this by lighting Diya's. This is also the day when Krishna had defeated Narkasura. That day was also celebrated by Villagers in Birdavan by lighting lamps.


---Happy Deepvali to all, May God fill your heart with peace and love for all---

My first crochet from old clothes

Hi Readers,

I am posting yet another idea to recycle your old clothes. All this started with my artc and craft teacher in Notre Dame Academy. She mostly used to give us assignments that required recycling our used things. She taught an innovative way to knit a rug out of old nylon Saree. My mom still have that rug which I made yrs back in my 7th Std.

Few, days back I thought of making same rug out my left out clothes. Unfortunately, I didn't found knitting pins.Thered, came to my mind about crochet. I saw few videos and leant, how to mfe double crochet, single chrochet, make a round and also tunisian chrochet.

At first, I tried making a pot holder out of the old cloth by Tunisian crochet. However, I made something wrong, I believe for which it was crumbling from sidesd. Then I planned to modify the same in making a desktop organiser. However, finally I landed up making a hand purse out of it.

Below, is a picture of my first crochet project that I made accidentaly, while trying to make a whole different thing out of it.

Lips and Lipstick can create wonders.

Hi Readers,

I am sure many of you might think what wonders can Lips and lipstick make ? The answer is Amazing Paintings. When I read about it, I was surprised, painting with lipstick that too using lips instead of paint brush. Wow! Who could think of such weird things? Well, its Natalie Irish from Houston, Texas. She is known for her amazing art forms. She is a renown painter and sculpture.

Recently, she made a painting of Marylin Monroe with her lipstick. Many videos are available in web, which shows her live performance.

I am just posting the picture of Marylin created by Natalie.

Thanks

Sashiko Placemats

Hi Readers,

I am at first thanking to this internet and Google, which enabled me to learn new techinques and tradition in which stitching has been done in other parts of world. Thank to Google or else I would have never known the running stitch as its commonly said in every part is known as Sashiko in Japan.

Never, had thought before what wonders could be made with just the running stitch and geometrical shapes. I most say I am falling in love with this stitching form. I have tried two different patterns on same set of linen to make placemats.

Now, slowly I am heading towards making more Sashiko patterns in different things. So, let me take the pleasure to show you my very first encounter withh Sashiko. Below are few picture of the same.

I am looking forward to your esteemed feedback.

Thanks
Sharmistha

Empowered Women means Empowered Nation, Empowered Society and Empowered Civilization

Hi Readers,

Today's topic revolves round Women. Women given enough opportunity to develop in governance can make it remarkable. Women are proving themselves time and again in every field from art, science, research and politics. Empowering women has led the society to see a beautiful world.

You must be wondering, Why I am saying so much about Women ? The recent Nobel prize that has been awarded to three Women proves all my statement. Is not it? This time three women from Africa have got the privilege to get the World's highest considered award.

The three Nobel Women namely Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gobwee of Liberia and Tawakel Karmen of Yemen. The three women were recognised for their non-violent struggle for safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace building.The act recognises extraordinary individuals effecting great changes around them.It simultaneously makes another point for peace and development,it is vital women have an equal share in governance and protest for both processes to achieve meaningful progress.

Sirleaf is the first democratically elected female President who took over war torn Liberia in January 2006. She is the only female head of state in Africa. Inheriting a nation ravaged by violation and debts, Sirleaf made enormous efforts and turned Liberia into a much better place. Her efforts to make Liberia peaceful and overcome the debts, has been recognised worldwide. Leymah Roberta Gobwee is a Peace Activist, responsible for organising Peace movements in Liberia that eventually brought an end to the Second Civil War in year 2003. She united Christian and Muslim women against militias using rape to terrorise and humiliate opponents. Tawakel Abdel-Salam Karman is a Yemeni Journalist, Politician and a human rights activist. She has been demanding democracy much before the up rise of Arab Springs.Karman opposed Yemen's repressive regime and demanded democracy in non-violent method. She is the first Yemeni civilian to get Nobel prize.

The Nobel Committees recognition of the internal dynamics of conflicts,introspection about what violence does within societies,and whom it hits the hardest.The committees choice highlights the profound position of women in experiencing and resolving ground-level violence.
The Nobel committee observed that given equal opportunity in governance, women pulls other women, children, families into an expanding circle of benefits that features education, health care, employment and peace. One empowered women empowers many other people functioning as she does in an inter locking system. Women use creative non-violence to prosper and protest. Like Karman adopted in Yemen or Gobwee adopted in Liberia.

Some of my old fabric paintings

Hi Friends,

These are some of my old fabric paintings that I did long back in schooldays. I got so bored today, that I was thinking to start a fresh one, but the saddest part is I need to collect the fabric paints, a good linen and need to find a ultimate design.

I am sure, I won't let myself down. And for sure I will make a few  soon. For now let me share my good old memories of my school time with you all.

Thanks

X-stitch

Hi Readers,

I still remember my sixth std class of art and crafts at Notre Dame Academy, Jamalpur. Our teacher had asked to get the Cross stitch cloth and embroidery threads. I had never seen  before what it looks like the so called cross stitch cloth.

It was my good luck that our landlords daughter knew about it and she helped me in getting it from shop. My mother had no knowledge of cross stitch. I got a beautiful light sea green cloth and few chocolate and sky blue embroidery threads. I hardly had any experience at that time about cross stitch and also the colour combination.

My teacher taught us how to make cross stitch. Though I learnt it, I didn't follow the traditional way to make it. I stitched a simple boarder with three boxes arranged according to their sizes at each corner. I made the boxes with back stitch not the cross stitch. For me my work was good.

But, the day it was time for us to showcase our work in art and craft fest, I was speechless when I saw my friends work. They all had beautiful designs, wonderful colour combination. And as expected, my craft was given the last corner of the room as hardly anyone would take a look at my work after viewing the wonderful work my friends.

I laugh at this incident which had made me sad, though I didn't show anyone my emotion that day. Now, when I learnt from my friend that almost everyone except me had got it done by their Moms. But, literally, I thank my mom for not helping me a single time, when these tasks were given. This helped me a lot in knowing the technique. And, today I thank my teachers and school for teaching me all these wonderful crafts that I don't find time at home to get bored.

These not only keep me busy, but also give me material to write on it. Now, its time for me to write about my cross stitch. I made a table mat with cream colour cross stitch cloth with very vibrant colour combination. The boarder is simple with cupids in all sides blowing love. The middle portion has a diamond with lilac's.

I have also made cushion covers and pot holders with cross stitched top. View them, enjoy and give me your valuable comments.

Thanks

Time to showcase some patch work

Hi Readers,

I made bedsheet with patchwork. The design was a combination of my own design with inputs from web. I was glad to show my work to my mom. Infact, I gifted this bedsheet to my Mom 2 yrs back. She still uses it and loves my work on it.

I used button-hole stitch to stitch in the fabric cut pieces with the main bed linen. Infact, I and my friend Sagathika both made exact alike bed sheets, when we used to stay together in one room at Bangalore. I am sure, the moment she will see her bed-sheet, she would remeber me. I miss her when today I sit back and stitch something. Those were really wonderful days, when we both explored new ideas in sewing.

I will miss you Sagathika and I would like to see your work these days. I am sure, you would not have given up sewing.

Now its time readers, please give in your inputs, so that I could make improvements in my work.

Thanks

Time again for Deepavali and time to give away wonderful gifts.

Hi Readers,

Time is nearing to enjoy yet another wonderful festival, the festival of lights Deepavali. Dewali or Deepavali as its commonly said all over India, is celebrated in every part of India with a different custom and tradition. However, as we say, India has unity in diversity, this festival has a unique common feature that is followed in every corner of India. It is to share our goodies with friends and relatives.

I love to get the awsome gifts, that my parent receive on this occasion. We three sibilling used to divide the chocolates among us and used to enjoy them together. The wonderful gift boxes filled in with chocolates, dry fruits and decorated to give it a awsome look. Last year, I designed a few gift boxes with paper, and acrylic 3D liner paint. I decorated them with beads and designed them in traditional way. The designes mostly resemble the Heena or Mehendi design. This year, I am planning to make such gift boxes again, but not with black colour.

Lets see if I get some awsome idea to decorate these boxes myself and give away the gifts with my personal touch. Anyway, I am posting the images here, to help you in case you are someone who is also planning to give the gifts your personal touch.

Hope you all enjoy the festival of lights and sweets. May god bless you all and make your life filled with lights.

Thanks
Sharmistha

Recycled Old clothes to make a cushion cover

Hi Readers,

Today, I thought to talk about some of my work. Well, we all hear a lot about global warming, plotution, price rise etc. We speak about recycling things, and today I present you with my idea to recycle your old clothes.

I thought about recycling clothes some two years back. As I was having a number of old Salwar Kameez, and had no clue what I could do out of them other than donating them. I came about an idea to create other essential things like pillow cover, cushion cover, table mats etc out of my old belongings.
Oneday, I and my friend Sagathika visited our near by shop @Home in Bangalore, and I found many interestingly simple ideas to creat wonderful articles. You won't believe the cost of these cushion covers that were showcased in the shop.

Well, I just bought a simple cushion cover to get the exact measure of it, and cutted my old Dupatta in that measure. As I love to learn new embroidery skills, this was my first time trial of lazy-dazy stitch. I made few flowers, then thought of putting a thicker thread to give a more modern look. I got a Jute thread, cutted it barely in 10 cm length. Got few strands of such thread and then joined them with botton-hole stitch onto the fabric.


I was really surprised to see the outcome of my experiment. I made two beautiful cushion covers in just a single Dupatta.

Still, today, I experiment with all my old clothes, I make a number of articles varying from Pillow covers, kitchen towels, rugs, crochetterd purses, desktop organiser etc. These are really simple craft ideas that any one with just a little bit skill can make.

I would love to get more ideas on what else we can make out of these clothes.I would love to get your comments.

Thanks

Mahesh- Somesh and their Donkey

Mahesh is a simple soul who believes whatever he is told. The village boys are aware of this and exploit his simplicity for a few laughs. One day, Mahesh is on his way to the market with his son Somesh to sell their donkey. He comes across some village boys out to have fun.

Seeing the father and son duo walking with the donkey, they first suggest that the son Somesh ride on the donkey and save the effort. The son is put on the donkey’s back. The boys then ridicule the boy for riding while the father walks. The father and son switch places. The father rides while the son walks. The boys then taunt the father for making the poor son walk and advise the duo to ride the donkey together.

Thinking it a good idea they comply. The poor donkey collapses from exhaustion. The boys then express their disgust at the duo for ill treating the donkey and advice that they take the donkey to an animal doctor. The duo again follows the advice.

On the way, they come across barking stray dogs. In the confusion that ensues, the donkey falls into the flowing river. The donkey is lost forever. Mahesh loses the donkey because he follows what he is suggested without thinking for himself.

Moral:- He who listens to everybody will only become a laughing stock.

Lazy Donkey Bhola

Ramu owns a donkey called Bhola. Ramu is very tolerant and kind master. Whereas Bhola is very lazy and always keeps on finding ways to avoid work.

Once while returning with loads of salt on his back, Bhola falls in the river. He realizes that the fall has lessened the weights of the sacks as the salt has dissolved in the water.

 

The next few days Bhola purposely falls into the water everyday. Ramu is unhappy at the way Bhola is behaving because he is losing money in the process. He decides to teach Bhola a lesson.

The next day instead of salt bags he loads Bhola with bags of cotton. Bhola is unaware of the change. As planned, he falls into the water and gets the bags wet. He is surprised to find the load unbearable. His otherwise master also starts beating him.

Bhola learns his lesson and starts behaving.

Moral:- 

Work with honesty and sincerity because laziness will ruin you.

Farmer's Donkey

Hi Readers,

Today, I am going to share few stories, that are based on donkey. These stories are infact my favourite moral stories.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
Free your mind from worries - Most never happen
Live simply and appreciate what you have.
Give more.
Expect less

Maa Durga Durgatinashini!!

Hi Readers,

Today, the Saptami(7th day worship)  puja of Maa Durga has started. From this day onwards till Dashami(10th day) the worship of Maa Durga is celebrated with much pump and show in all parts of India. The four day long puja from the Saptami till Dashami is given more importance in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Though, Gujurat and other state celebrate this as Navaratri from day one to day nine.

MahishasuraMardini Form of Maa Durga

Maa Durga the name itself has got much more deeper insight. The word "Durga" means which cannot be obtained easily. Maa Durga is believed to be the source of energy(Shakti). She is considered to have two forms one is Knowledge or Wisdom and another Ignorance or Illiteracy. Knowledge or Wisdom controls our vision towards truth and enables us the strength to understand the meaning of our existence.Knowledge makes us more kin towards spiritual form of living and detaches us from materialistic objects. Whereas, Ignorance or Illiteracy makes us more kin towards materialistic form of living thus giving rise to greed for wealth and power. Maa Durga is considered to be the creator of life, she preserves and sustains the existence of life and also is the destroyer or end of life.

She is the origin of all source of power and energy. She has many forms. Like wise the name "Durga" has another meaning, that is Durgatinashini meaning one who eradicates all the evils. She is the one who protects her beloved children from all forms of evil and obstacles. We pray to Maa Durga to get truth its victory over evil. Sri Ram is believed to have prayed to Maa in order to get victory over Ravana and Lanka.

If we think spiritually, it shows that we pray to her to get control of all the ignorance that exist inside us, like the greed for wealth and power. Even if, she is one she is worshipped in many forms, namely the nine forms of Maa Durga and also in form of Maa Lakshmi and Saraswati.

Maa Ambika form of Maa Durga

The Durga Pandal's are decorated with many forms of Maa. In various parts of India, she is worshipped in different forms. Especially, she is worshipped in Mahisashura Mardini form i.e. the form when Maa Durga kills the demon king Mahisashura with her Trident. The Durga Pandal's in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa is decorated with this form of Maa generally. Though, now a days theme based Durga Pandals are visible in every place. In Gujurat and Andhra Pradesh, the durga pandals are decorated with Maa Ambika form of Durga where she is depicted to be calm and rides on a tiger.

Durga Pandal at Hyderabad

It is believed that one who prays with much devotion to the goddess gets all the benefits and also gets his/her wish fulfilled. Though now a days, people not only fast on Navaratri days to get benefit out of these austerities but also to get health benefits that this nine day fast would cleanse their digestive system and make it more systematic than before. Some also follow this to get rid of the fat.

Thank you.

"Ban on Jasmine"

Hi Readers,

Are you aware that our neighbouring country CHINA has removed the word Jasmine from all its dictionary? What was the guilt of this beautiful scented Jasmine? Why did China government has ban on it?

If you search in the Internet with the word Jasmine in China it will reply that there is no such word. The farmers who used to produce Jasmine before 2011, have lost there source of income because the government has a ban on Jasmine. There was a beautiful song in China dedicated to its President which used Jasmine as a word. Now, broadcasting that is also banned. After all why did this all happen, what was the guilt of Jasmine that China has a ban on it. Why did China ban its flower festival named Jasmine festival after all. All this started in February 2011, when there was people's revolution against its diplomatic ruler at Tunisia (North Africa). Tunisia has Jasmine as its national flower. And this common mass revolution against its government was named JASMINE REVOLUTION by international media. This revolution not only had the people of Tunisia overcome its Diplomat ruler Ben Ali, but also led to other revolutions in Egypt and Libya. The result of all this revolutions is known.

During this agitation, the Internet flooded with news and blogs and tweeter started raising people to have peace march holding Jasmine in their hand. Though the people of Tunisia called this revolution Dignity Revolution, it gained fame as Jasmine Revolution world wide.

The China government fearing that people of China will follow the path that Tunisia has shown, led ban on this scented Jasmine. Now, SM S's Internet, even talking and growing Jasmine in China has been banned. However, the farmers who depended on Jasmine cultivation are in loss. And its hard to understand why there was ban on this flower, just because its name was used in the revolution.Nobody, has any answer to the strict ban on use of word Jasmine in China.

Vellore Fort - Jalakantheswar Temple

Hi Readers,

Today, again I am going to describe my trip to Vellore. Its more of about the fort and the magnificent temple inside it.

View of the fort from boat in the moat.

The fortification consist of a main rampart broken at irregular intervals by round towers and rectangular projections. The main wall is made up of granite stone taken from nearby Arcot and Chittor. The main wall is surrounded by moat fed with water to make it even more defensive. This is one of the most perfect specimen of military architecture in India. Same as any other fort be it in south or north of India. The architecture depicts the same massive and huge walls surrounded by moat to make it more defensive.

The most interesting fact about this fort is there is a Hindu temple(Jalakantheswar temple), a mosque and a church inside its barricade. The fort also houses the famous "TIPU MAHAL", where Tipu Sultan is believed to have stayed along with his family during the war with Britishers.

There is a garden outside this fort and boating facility is there in the moat. Paintings of Demon faces, horses, elephants, gooses and human figure can be seen in the main wall of this fort. The cannon pointing outside with the cannon balls can still be seen.

Main entrance Jalakantheswar.

The Jalakantheswar temple is of same age as this fort. This temple is noted for its magnificent sculpture, and speaks about the highly skilled and efficient artisans of that age. The temple has a large wedding hall adorned with elegant reliefs of monolithic sculpture. The temple has double Gopurams and has many deities beside the Jalakantheswar Shiva to whom it is dedicated. The temple premises has Ganapati temple, Akhilanteswari temple and Navagrahas. There is a well, where they say to drop a coin and make a wish. It also displays the Gold chariot that is used to take the lord for Parikrama(trip to town) once a year.

Sculptures

Pillar

Pillars

Gold Chariot

Mandapa

So, readers if you happen to go on a trip to Vellore, don't miss out this wonderful destination.