New Year brings new hopes and new promises. It gives one more year to live and fulfill our desires. If we have someone special to share everything, it’s of course the best happenings of life. That new year is very special too! It occurred a few years back, just a few days before my first wedding anniversary, when I and my husband decided to celebrate our first new year in some special place. Within seconds, the place was also decided. Munnar! A paradise on earth! A lovely place of Idikki district filled with snow and God’s blessings with greenery, hill stations are very rare in a state like Kerala.

Far away from that ‘Idiot box’

All the past new years, I have celebrated before the idiot box, we call ‘television’. It’s true, this entertainment machine has reduced a lot of get-togethers and our visits. Every reader will agree with me that they can’t keep themselves away from this stupid box during the New Year celebrations. When the count down begins, most of us are interested in changing channels using remote to select the ‘best’ channel. We often forget to wish our dear ones. I too can’t deny the fact that, I also spend my New Year in front of cable network. So, our trip to Munnar was something different from all the previous years and that’s the reason why I can’t forget it till now. 

Neelakurinji made us choose Munnar

Neelakurinji – A flower with purplish blue colour which blossoms once in a Jupiter year. i.e. 12 years. When it flowers once in a Jupiter year, it forms a blue bed over the mountain ranges attracting tourists and botanists a lot. Kerala Tourism department also deploys the situation a lot to attract more people during this season. Any how, since it was possible only after 12 years, we decided to make use of the situation. Though Neelakurinji season was coming to an end, we decided to visit those valleys. That’s the main reason why we choose Munnar for New Year celebrations.

We reached Munnar on December 31st, 2006

It was Marxist party Harthal all over Kerala, protesting against America for hanging Sadham Hussain. At first we thought our whole plan will be ruined. Yet, we were able to travel through the roads to reach our destination. It’s really nice to go up each pin point to reach the hill top. Everywhere, posters of Neelakurinji were there. Also, messages to protect our forests.

When we were climbing up and up, we could feel the chillness of the place. Also, watching the valley from mountain tops was really amazing. Also, monkeys were seen here and there. A few waterfalls were there adding beauty to the hills. We could see crowds near such waterfalls. Our stay was arranged earlier itself.

Places that we traveled

It’s not possible to see whole Munnar in a single day. But we had only one Sunday in hand. So, we decided to view some important places like Nilgiri hills where Neelakurinji blossomed, tea plantations and a lake on the route. Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered species is also an attraction of this hill resort.

We could find that even at noon, climate is so pleasant - freshness of early mornings of our places. Though it was a hill station, there were a lot of shops too. Also, many buildings being constructed day by day -encroachment on government land! Let me add one more thing here. Most of those newly constructed buildings were crushed by Achuthanandan one year later, when he was sworn in as Chief Minister. 

We traveled through the bushy forests, stopped at one or two places and traveled further. Then we spend a little time at one of its popular lakes – Kundala lake, which is famous for boating too. It’s a little crowded place too. We could see tribal people selling fresh carrots and corns. Again we travel forward to see many grass lands and a few tea plantations. We could see different groups of people gathering at places and a few were engaged in trekking as it’s a Christmas-New Year vacation in Kerala. 

New Year celebrations everywhere

When sun set, real celebrations began. Every where, all resorts were in full enjoyment as it’s a new year at doorstep. Munnar is a favourite place for foreigners during Christmas-New year season and hence we could see a lot of foreigners here and there. There were many programs arranged in different hotels and hence we decided to spend our New Year is some hotel, celebrating with others, enjoying stage shows and buffet dinner.

What made that New Year so special

It’s a bit expensive to spend a New Year night in some three-star hotel during the festival season. Yet we decided to take part in fun. Stage shows like singing concert, magic etc were there. We know, celebrations will continue till late night and it’s just 8 o’ clock. We had our buffet dinner and were enjoying the every moment. More than 250-300 people were present in that hotel.

There was a lucky draw. Winners get a coupon to stay two days at a three star Hotel at Kochi. We were really surprised when we won it from a group of around 300 people. “Are we so much lucky?”, we couldn’t believe it first. We rechecked several times to confirm that we were the winners. Since we were newly wedded couples, we got a lot of attention also. All eyes were on us when we received the gift coupon. At that particular moment, we became the most special and lucky persons of that New Year Eve, that was really a cherishing moment for both of us. We were treated as VIPs later too!

Many interesting competitions were arranged later. Some items were really funny which made everyone laugh a lot. But we couldn’t get any prizes. Yet, we were satisfied with what we got – the lucky coupon! After 11 pm, everyone was on the dance floor dancing to hit Bollywood numbers. Foreigners were not far behind. It was really nice to see them dancing to Hindi songs. I was keeping myself away from dance floor as I am a girl of shy type and don’t have any dancing experiences. My hubby became a little bit angry too! Then he joined the group and I was sitting in a chair watching everyone. 

At that special moment

When time approached 12 pm, people were dancing with full excitement as if they were waiting for that special moment. Just 2 minutes before 12pm, all lights were switched off and it was total darkness everywhere. It was silent everywhere. Everyone hold their dear own hands listening to the count down. When it reached zero, we heard a lot of crackers’ song and whole lights were switched on. We greeted each other who were present all around and it was for the first time, I was celebrating such an occasion in a colourful way among a group of people. Then, a colourful firework was displayed for the New Year eve and party ended.

While we were returning back, we could see hotels decorated with lights and stars welcoming the New Year eve. Still celebrations going on!

Something disturbed us

When we reached our room, we switched on TV to know about New Year celebrations all over the world. But, all channels were showing Saddam’s live video of death which was something unpleasant on such an occasion. I think it was captured by someone’s mobile video.

Neelakurunji magic – A dream came true

Early morning itself, we set off to opposite direction. That day’s mission was already fixed – to see purple mountains. I was a child when these mountain valleys blossomed before and I has been desiring from that time itself, to visit this place at least once when nature bless it with purple beauty. We knew well, season has almost come into an end. Yet we were to trace what exist that time. It was something like trekking or mountaineering to reach Nilgiri hills. Yet, we were able to get a glimpse of blue beauty! I collected a few flowers too! Guards asked us not to pluck flowers as only a few were remaining. I hid it in my bag - not so much, only a few! Just to remember about the blossoms of a Jupiter year. Though tribal people believe that blue blossoms bring a lot of curses, tourists eagerly wait for this wonderful occasion to come back soon. Just near to that valley is a special place from which we can see vast distant spread land full of green. It’s just a mountain top to view the valleys. Also, we can see Tamil Nadu Border from that hill. After spending some time there, we returned back.

We traveled through tea gardens

What attracts tourists to Munnar is its lovely climate, scenery, valleys, lakes, mountains and of course, tea plantations. There are acres of land under tea cultivation and those green layers one after one is a spectacular scene to watch! When we travel through tea plantations, we get attracted towards its deep valleys, greenery and tea plants uniformly cultivated. Also, there are a lot of rare trees available in the forests like sandal wood. It's very pleasing to see homes in the valleys surrounded by green gardens and trees. A few gardens are also there with rare flowers. An yellow bed of tiny flowers on either road sides is a spendid scene to watch.

Our minds were not filled

It’s true, nature’s beauty is something that attracts us a lot. Even if we prefer to live in big cities and towns, fresh air and chillness provided by such hill stations prompt us to stay there, a few more minutes. Yet, if time doesn’t permit, what to do? Instead of spending a whole New Year night in front of an idiot box, it’s better to be in nature’s lap and a lot of people all around. So, we left those tea gardens wishing in mind, we could return back to nature’s lap as early as possible.

October 2nd, the birthday of Gandhiji is known as Gandhi Jayanthi and it’s celebrated as International Day of Non-violence all over the world which aims to know Gandhiji a little more. On this occasion, let me try to see our Bapu a little more well. Through his simple life and principles of non-violence, he gave a lot of lessons for we people to follow.

A different dress code

Everyone was surprised to see Gandhiji in a simple dhoti and shawl, when he went to attend a round table conference. Organisers were in a dilemma, how to include Gandhiji in a dinner of George V? Through direct and indirect words, they suggested him to change clothes. But Gandhiji ignored their words and participated in the function in his simple dress to make them remind, ‘I am the representative of poor’.

Seven deadly sins

Now also, those principles haven’t lost their importance. Seven sins, he has always advised people to stay away from are
1. Politics without principles
2. Wealth without work
3. Science without humanity
4. Worship without sacrifice
5. Knowledge without character
6. Pleasure without conscience
7. Commerce without morality

Neem toothpaste

He used neem stick to brush his teeth. Once he was in Yerwada prison. When Kaka Kalelkar was to pluck a whole neem branch for Gandhiji, he asked, “What you doing now is violence. Just, with a humble request, pluck a small branch only”. That shows his simplicity and respect and love towards nature and plants. Also, he reused the neem stick everyday by cutting its tip. He believed that neem is not only for our uses, but also for many people.

Prison rules

Once, Kasthurba visited Gandhiji in the jail. Prisoners were allowed to speak to visitors only in the presence of an officer at that time. Seeing Kasturba, officer left the place allowing them to take personal. When he returned after half an hour and asked, “Your conversation ended?” Gandhiji replied, “Conversation? You know well aware of prison rules. According to rules, we talked each other in front of you. But after you went out, we were just sitting quiet waiting for your return, as it’s against rules to talk in an officer’s absence”.

Tolstoy farm

He established Tolstoy farm in the year 1910 to start his ‘Experiments with truth’. 11 acres of land purchased by Gandhiji’s close friend Herman Keller was made Tolstoy farm – the place for the people who were fighting against racial discrimination in South Africa, according to Gandhiji’s principles. The role played by Tolstoy farm to convert M.K.Gandhi to Mahatma, is truly significant. The life close to nature, natural and ayurvedic treatments, bachelor life, honesty, self dependency etc were some of the principles taught in this farm. It was kept hygienic also.

A man with shy character

He was not a person with heavenly qualities, but a man with simple man with limitations. His ability to overcome those defects and limitations made him so special. While he was studying in London, he associated himself with an organization of full vegetarians. But, he was not able to deliver a speech even once during his meetings. Shyness was its root cause. But once he prepared a speech, attempted too. But he was not able to deliver due to stage fear. Same thing happened when he stood up for his first time in the Mumbai court as a barrister, but was not able to speak even a single word. A feeling of dizziness and darkness spread in front of the eyes – It’s what written in his autobiography! Once he was called to present a resolution in Congress general body meeting. Again he faced the same problem. That’s why it’s told in his autobiography, “What I can do is possible for a small child too!”

Gandhiji in Kerala

Now let me tell a few words about Gandhiji’s visits to Kerala. He first visited Kerala on August 18, 1920 for delivering a speech related to non-co-operative movement of India. Next visit was related to Vaikkom Satyagraha on March 8, 1925. Next time he visited Kerala in the year 1927, October 17 in association with Harijan movement. He gave a speech at Kozhicode that time. Next time also it was for Harijans to accumulate a fund for their welfare. It was 1934, January 10. This visit is most remembered for a girl’s love towards Gandhiji showing her support. A small girl from Vadakara gave her only asset, a pair of golden bangles to Gandhiji to add something to Harijan’s welfare fund. Her name is Kaumudi. In 1934, January 13, he visited ‘Mathrubhumi’ office to unveil the picture of K.Madhavan Nair, the founder Managing director of Mathrubhumi newspaper. Last time, it was for the great Temple Entry Proclamation by Shri Chithira Thirunal Balaramavarma of Travancore. It was on January 13, 1937. So, he visited Kerala five times, with some missions every time.

A few Malayalam books about Gandhiji

Many Malayalam writers have written books about this great person. During his birth anniversary, let me name a few writers and mention a few books. The book that is most popular is the Malayalam translation of his autobiography and it’s known as “Ente satyaanvesha pareekshanangal”. Prominent writers of Malayalam, Sukumar Azhicode, Dr.K.S.Radha Krishnan, Professor Ponnara Saraswathy, U.K.Kumaran, N.Radha Krishanan, G.Ravendra Varma, Nithya Chaithanya Yathi, N.P.Poonthaly and Tony Mathew have tried to rediscover Gandhiji through their books. ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ written by K.P.Kesava Menon is one among the best five books of Gandhiji. P.Muralideeran translated Gandhi-Tolstoy letters which is also a great contribution to Malayalam literature.

Today, on October 2nd 2012, we are celebrating 144th birthday of Gandhiji – the man who preached the principles of non-violence and Ahimsa. We need not celebrate it in a grand way. But if we are able to help at least a few poor people in distress on this great day as our small effort to carry forward his mission, it’s sure Gandhiji’s soul will feel pleased. Though a day is given holiday to preach his principles only a few are doing so. Yet, we are remembering this great freedom fighter at least for a moment. This article is my simple tribute for the man who taught us the basic lessons of life through his life and I will feel satisfied if at least a few people think about him with respect and love even for a moment while going through my words. 

I don't know why i have started writing this article but i just feel like pouring my thoughts here and that's exactly what i am doing now. Every day this question puzzles me. Who am i or rather who are We ?People say we live in a smart generation where everything is getting smarter everyday. Starting from the things we start using in morning till the time we sleep. Everything is smart. But i really failed to understand the kind of smartness we are getting into.

Yes, we are smart enough to have the world at our finger tips but we are so much far away from the person we are living next door to. Frankly speaking, the place i am living at from past one year, i really don't know who lives next door. But leave that apart for now. There is something else i am here to talk about.

What is AKS

The title of my article says:AKS which is an Urdu word and it means Image. So when we look in the mirror, who do we see actually ? Is it the real you or the other ego which is in front of all.

Today, when my Wife came back from office and she was discussing the same things with me that what kind of so called smart people we have turned ourselves into. She looked frustrated seeing all such things everyday.

What have we turned into

Why can't we see anyone happy. Why we are jealous of other people achievements. We just want to go up, in any way we can. We won't work much but we make sure our Superiors should not feel so. And even if we spend the whole day in playing or gossiping in Cafeteria , we make sure to stay late in office to prove that we are hard working (Smartness Indeed).

We make sure even if we have got a good help from our team mate we won't express that, but if that guy is not helping, we make sure everyone knows it and in the worst possible word of mouth(Again Very smart). We can't be happy with other accomplishments of others. Why we just have to show that we are happy for what they have achieved but in reality we aren't.

I have learned a lesson in life that, never envy someone's accomplishments because they will envy yours too. That's Nature's rule. You can't defy it. So whats the point ? Every one knows its not good to cheat , to take credit of someone Else's work , but still we do, because that's called smartness, no ? Your job is to stay at top no matter till what level you have to go. But where have we reached ? Totally unsatisfied life.

We can't love our near and dear ones because we are busy in finding the benefit they are trying to get out of us. Every day we try to look for something different to do. We just can't sit calm. We are not running in so called race of life which has no finishing point, but in reality we are just running from ourselves.

Can't we just be ourselves rather than being a hypocrite. So that we can sleep in peace. If we we ask ourselves the questions being who we can get an answer and when we look into mirror we see ourselves, not the alter ego !!

Human is a social Animal and we are surrounded by People all the time. Its almost impssible to live alone. There is always as time when we have to interact with the people whether its out work, family or friends and every day we deal with them. We need to setup a proper connection with each other to make a nice social circle. And the problem people facing today are setting up the things proprerly at their workplaces. We are so busy in our work or so much self centered that we don't feel like interacting well and everythime we have a thought that i have to go ahead and in that attitude we are losing many things.

So how do we create a connection and how do we interact well. There is no golden rule to that but yes there are few small things which we can work upon can reallly bring up the good change and that will be impacting our both personal and proffessional lives.

CARE

Thee first step to build a good relationship is to let people know that you do care about them and you indeed will be cared in return because love is like the nature rule: " Do good and Find good". I remember, once my old friend came to my house and he told me to keep in touch with other old friends and I said: "Man they know i love them" so its ok. He told me yes: "You keep loving them without getting in touch and the'll keep loving you from there without knowing that you care or not". We need to tell them that yes we are here for them when they need and we do care. Belive it or not, people love to hear that.

Be Social rather Techincal

Our Technical skill are the pillars of our professional career. Without them we are worth nothing. So our whole life we keep building our technical skills but in one way or ther other we keep ignoring the social skills which is also required at ever spehere. After all its people who ultimately you gonna end up with. You skills don't have emotions and they are not going to talk to you that its good that you are pursing me. Its people who are going to be there, so deal with them properly and interact as much as you can. That will also help in improving both skills as you social skills might take you to some one who can also help you techincally.

Work on Saving Relationships

Its very easy to end an relationship and walk out of it. But its very difficult to maintain them. Endure them. Once a relationship is broken, you can put a patch to fix it but they will be visible and they will keep reminding you of what you have did. Relationships need lot of respect, trust and sacrifice. You need to take stand for people you care so that can be around you when you need them. Make such kind of relationships that when you are going to sleep in night you can sleep with a trust that yes people are there to take care for oyur family if you don't wake up tomorrow.

Set Bounderies

If you want to maintain you self-respect then maintain a boundary for your self. One should setup a paramter aroundhimself that people should care not to cross. You should not any kind any kind of bad behaviour just to save a relationship. People should understand you and they should be clear about what to talk and what  not to talk about with you. Although we should not be very rigid but certain bounderies should be there else people will start taking you forgranted. Respect other people boundries also, if you want yours to be respected.

Be Yourself

That's the Golden Rule for any good relation. You don't want any fake personality around you and neither do other people want. In today's world everyone is smart enough to guess who's who. Even you can ditch them today but they will understand you eventually because there is a energy which everyone creates and if you are not being yourself then you'll just create a negative aura around you and will try to fake what you are not or pretend to do what you don't. Just be Genuine. Its the golden mantra for being in a good relation. People feel save around genuine people and they love them.

Enjoy!!!