Category Archives: casual causerie

Snippet: Cricket, corruption and stubbornness- Lord God Vishnu in conversation with SRINIVASAN

article, article on feedback, articles, casual causerie, causerie, column, short article, short story, snippet, , , , , , , , , , ,

1711srinivasan

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

A snippet

One day, Lord God Vishnu, during one of his sojourns came across N. Srinivasan, the ousted BCCI chief, while he was frequenting his temple-abode atop, a tall hillock. Srinivasan, was attired in a crisp dhoti, bare-chested, appearing that devout Hindu with a holy kumkum- tilak on his broad forehead. And, seeing this, Lord Vishnu was more than tempted to talk to him. He decided to start the conversation in a soft manner, when he disguised himself as a senior Pandit of the temple.

‘Hello Srini, nice to see you in the temple again, and what brings you here so often?’

‘Well my name is Srinivasan and not Srini. And I don’t believe in giving away, anything to anyone once I get it, so don’t take away the ‘vasan’ part of my name. And, by the way who are you, for I’ve never seen you in this temple in the recent past.’

‘Well–well. I am Lord Vishnu and I reside in all temples as the Lord God, and you all are my disciples. Since, I couldn’t have met you in my divine form because you’re facing some charges. I have come to meet you in human disguise. And, I find off late you have started coming to the temple quite regularly.’

‘Yes-yes, I am now inclined to come to the temple for regular blessings. It acts like a relieving bout of physiotherapy. Since I am bruised because of this stupid IPL case where they have got me involved, for conflict of interest. But, please don’t give me that cock and bull story of you being Lord Vishnu. Anyone, out here can recognize me as I’m a celebrity. And what do you want from me?’

‘Well, I am Lord God Vishnu, and I want you to return my name ‘Srinivasan’ to me.’

‘Maybe, your name is Vishnu, but mine is Srinivasan. So where is the conflict and why should I return your name?’

‘Well, Srinivasan is a synonym of Vishnu. And, there lies our conflict, so please return my name, as it stands for goodness.’

‘Return your name, what do you exactly mean by that?’

‘I mean return my holy name to me. Renounce it, and keep some other name matching your profile and characteristics.’

‘Are you mad? Why should I spoil another name. Instead let me keep spoiling this age old and tested name only. And, moreover, you have now become a synonym of me, and I am no more a synonym of yours.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Lord God Vishnu in some surprise.

‘I mean, I have a wider copyright on the name ‘Srinivasan’ and its synonyms, then you. The very word Srinivasan reminds everyone of me and not you, anymore.’

‘And moreover as a policy I don’t return anything I get or I earn. Entire India knows how I am fighting tooth and nail for my position as the BCCI chief. And you can see it for yourself, I am not giving up.’

‘But, you are priding all the way, with my all powerful name. Moreover, you run the game of cricket considered a religion in this country, as its God, yet you don’t manage the game with any Godly instincts. Shouldn’t you just move away, on your own, till the entire enquiry gets over, and also surrender my name till your name is cleared.’

‘See I am a modern day ‘God’ and I manage affairs in modern ways. But you happen to be an ancient ‘God’ with ancient value system, and system of governance. So, you please carry on, and let’s meet after this bloody case is over.’

With the conversation heading nowhere, Lord God Vishnu decides to leave quite demoralized; is when Srinivasan makes a request,

‘God can you surrender your name ‘Vishnu?’

‘But why?’ asks God.

‘Because, I now realize I have a complete copyright on my name ‘Srinivasan’ and its synonym ‘Vishnu.’

*****

SOME INTERESTING, #QUOTES AND #SAYINGS

article, articles, beautiful lines, casual causerie, column, quote, quotes and lines, snippet, , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

123

  • It is faith that removes mental turbidity and makes your mind clear.
  • Weakness on both sides is, as we know, the motto of all quarrels- Voltaire.
  • In the absence of writing, all knowledge was located in the mind of the Brahmin; this is why killing a Brahmin was forbidden as it was equal to killing a library. This made the Brahmin very powerful, too powerful. He jealously guarded his knowledge.’
  • The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die.
  • A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
  • How long can a snake keep straight.
  • Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery why we climb.
  • What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it.
  • If there is a lesson to be learnt from success of IT, it is that openness leads to job creation.
  • Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.
  • What to eat and what not to eat are options available to only those who have plenty to eat and not for those who have very little to eat.
  • There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread
  • “Mind” the emperor of all remedies.
  • Consumers need a reason to stick
  • I became the dog who caught the car.
  • All cultures are distant relatives because they are all human contracts.
  • Every single time you make a merger, somebody is losing his identity.
  • The sweetest sound in the world is the person’s own name.
  • “Manam Pola Vaazhkai” Tamil- (The way your heart goes the way your life will be) law of nature.
  • The mind is everything. What you think you become.
  • Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.
  • They say behind every successful man, there is a wife and behind every successful woman a resentful husband.
  • Do not ask God to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet.
  • Thinking is one thing no one has ever been able to tax
  • Life is a chaplet of little miseries.
  • The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the bladder.
  • Often it isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out. It’s the little pebble in your shoe.
  • Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls & looks like work.
  • Absolute leaders nurture absolute followers who believe in absolute intimidation.
  • An Idea- Take up one idea. Think of it, dream of it, live on that idea, and just leave every other idea alone.
  • Winning isn’t everything- but wanting to win is.
  • Beauty is a greater recommendation than any letter of introduction.
  • Forget the past and lose an eye; dwell on the past and lose both eyes.
  • You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus
  • You are what other people see you as.
  • There are weeks when decades have happened and there are decades when not even weeks have happened.
  • Well, I was always enamoured with the stepwells of India.
  • A city is like a person- you need to look into its darker sides to understand the whole thing. Everyone wants to present the beautiful to you.
  • I love cows, my grandmother told me, “If you want to feel God, look into a cow’s eyes.” Gandhi protected the cow because cow is the image of all sub human life.
  • You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.
  • ‘Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it … he who doesn’t … pays it.’
  • There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same
  • Meaning of Life: What is meaning of life? Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is meaning.
  • Election and Governance: winning a majority is one thing, running the country another.
  • If you compare life becomes miserable.If somebody is better than you, learn from them; enjoy others success. If some one is better than you at some level, do not whip yourself with comparision-.
  • Poverty is the parent of revolution & crime
  • ‘No matter if it it is a white cat or a black cat; as long as it can catch mice, it is a good cat.’
  • ‘If all had taken a leaf out of their Parents book, it would have been difficult for God to manage aspirations of mankind; as most would be on the right track.’

If you don’t know the author of these lines write to us.

*****

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share it if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases especially cancer. Should you wish to donate for the cause. The bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Is a fiction written around the great city of Nawabs—Lucknow. It describes Lucknow in great detail and also talks about its Hindu-Muslim amity. That happens to be its undying characteristic. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. It was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

(Is a story of an Indian salesman who is, humbly qualified. Yet he fights his ways through unceasing uncertainties to reach the top. A good read not only for salesmen. The book was launched on 10th February, 2018 in Gorakhpur Lit-Fest. Now available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

 

 

 

 

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES- A BOOK BY KAMLESH TRIPATHI, CO AUTHOR: SUJATA TRIPATHI

article, article on feedback, articles, book launch, book launch aadab lucknow, Book review and excerpts, casual causerie, causerie, column, interview and book launch, short article, short story, snippet, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

51+O4fGLGaL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX324_SY324_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA346_SH20_OU31_#AADAB #LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES BOOK LAUNCHED IN RECENT- LUCKNOW INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL

E-book available in Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble. Print copies available in Poth.com, Flipkart.

EXCERPTS

‘whatever … whenever … Lucknow is forever.’

‘Aadab-Lucknow … fond memories’ is a story of a group of friends who spend their childhood and part of their adolescence in Lucknow. They part ways for their career and future but the umbilical-cord remains intact and they connect after many years, attempting to relive the city.’

‘What is #Lucknow up to? Smiling, giggling, laughing or weeping. Let’s figure out.’
‘Isn’t Lucknow the world’s showcase of #Hindu-Muslim amity? Do you have any doubts? We have none.’

‘#Imambara-to-see … Evening-in-Ganj-#Hazratganj … Kababs-to-eat …Chikan-to-wear … Attar-for-fragrance … Ikka-buggy-to-roam … Kite-to-fly … Hospitality-by-leaf-Betel-leaf … Sweet-tongue … and the great Lakhnawi pride … after-you-after-you.’

‘Langotia-Gang: A group of ‘Underwear friends’ nay ‘childhood friends’ a metaphorical and peppy expression. The Langotians take you through the intrinsic essence of life.’

‘And post #Kabootar-bazi, dressed in a crisp Achkan, seated on his flashy Ikka, he used to join Rehman for the evening Chai-Nashtaa which he ensured, he never missed after the game. After all … All was fair in love and Kabootar-bazi.’

‘Anyway, guys send me a quick update on, Vakil, Neta, Naukarshah and Abhiyanta … Shahid, IV, Irfan and Savita. Lucknow runs because of these four; business and industry are not there and rest can go to hell.’

‘Other states carry weight as a state, but we carry only some districts as weight.’
‘Mem-sahab, Babuji, kaan laga ke dhyan se suniya Lucknow ka har bachcha kya gaa raha hai.’ (Madam, Sir, listen intently to what every child of Lucknow is singing)

‘Mandar, Masjid, Church the Gurudware da shehar, change shehar Lucknow.’

‘#Awadh shrieks and shrills to the fading countenance of Wajid as she promises to herself to be in command and control of the fond memories of her Mehboob, #Wajid-Ali-Shah.’
SKU-000674302_COVERSKU-000674302_COVER

ALLURING MIRAGE OF RAJ ESTATE-LUDHIANA, A SHORT STORY BY KAMLESH TRIPATHI

book launch, casual causerie, column, short story, snippet, story, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

Purchase the short story to contribute for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases.

Price Rs 50 only

rajestate

ALLURING MIRAGE OF Raj estate-Ludhiana

By Kamlesh Tripathi

 scm image

Published by: Shravan Charity Mission

Few lines for flavour:

  •  ‘Papa ji, my friend who recently went to Toronto was telling me around ten to fifteen lacs, when his Parents are still supporting him till he finds a job. O-O Daddy ji, it is very, very tough these days.’ replied Mandeep.
  • Soon the ambience at home deteriorated. Fun, cheer, smiles were replaced by gloom and suspicion. Rapid degradation followed in interpersonal. The boisterous evenings that saw all the three brothers clanging their glasses, nibbling rich snacks in the lawns of the Kothi had turned turtle.
  • Mandeep, had married a girl of Canadian origin without informing his Parents. Jasmeet invited Jasvinder and Sukhbir for his wedding to a Tamilian software engineer but they refused to attend.
  • A gloom had set in around the clan. Rajs were now past sixty … senior citizens. Some even had health problems. Banto, had recently informed Gurdeep that Upinder and Lovely had visited PGI Chandigarh a couple of times. Perhaps, between them someone was not well.”

PRICE RS 50 (It takes just thirty minutes to receive a PDF copy of the story after remitting the payment) Write to us after making a net transfer, on the blog itself or on our e-mail id: shravancharitymission@gmail.com and we will mail the copy to you.

FOR NET TRANSFER DETAILS REFER THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT DETAILS;

Name of account: Kamlesh Tripathi

ICICI account no: 008301504072

IFSC code: ICIC0000018

Thanks & Regards

IT COULD BE FOR MORE THAN ONE REASON: SO JUST DON’T DUMP YOUR FRIEND YET.

article, article on feedback, articles, casual causerie, causerie, column, short article, short story, snippet, story, vignette, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

142

BY KAMLESH TRIPATHI

Recently, I visited an old friend-cum-colleague of mine, whom I knew quite well. An innate live-wire, I should say. Whom, I had known for the last thirty years but was meeting him after three years. With the idea of reminiscing those good old days. I was now plonked in his drawing room holding a fancy glass and some mouthwatering snacks.

In the initial moments of warm-up I felt as usual; and as usual as I used to feel in his company earlier. But then a little beyond that. I felt as if the winds had changed. For he was not the same, and had become sober, quiet and somewhat unresponsive. Anyhow, I went past those unwieldy moments and left with an overbearing him.

Later on. I pondered and pondered, about what I thought. The diffident behaviour of my friend. And, each time I only came across emotions and insinuations that had no logic. Next day, as usual, I was back, dabbling my laptop. When, I decided to surf around certain industries, where I found some logical co-relation with my friend’s behaviour.

367

The industry in which my friend was working was undergoing torturous times. When, I decided to peep into his company figures, which I found were even more pathetic. As for the past two years it was in deep red. I then decided to drop the disturbing thoughts and leave the whole thing to unknown destiny.

Time trickled by. It was three months since I had met him. When, one day. I got a call from him again. And, his very first sentence took me back to times immemorial. Thirty years, to be precise. He had found a new job. I found in him the same chirpy soul talking to me, and once again he invited me home. In the manner, he usually invited me. Which, I couldn’t refuse. Sure enough, he had regained himself, and it was heartening to visualize that. So, I drew a moral out of his story.

In life don’t ever misunderstand any such friend and don’t write him off. For you really don’t know, who might be standing next to you when you are close to crossing the broken bridge. They may look and behave in a manner that may make you feel, they are annoyed with you. But they could be annoyed with themselves. Yielding and bleeding to their own circumstances in this unnecessary tough world.

*****

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU FEEL LOW?

article, articles, casual causerie, column, ngo activity, quote, short article, short article on cancer, short story, snippet, spiritual, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

 

123

    ‘I’m feeling low, sad or depressed’ is something we all hear almost on a daily basis from friends, colleagues, peer groups, relatives and even close family members. You may call it depression, a state of mind, a dejected syndrome, life style occurrence or all in one, as it is difficult to delineate? So, for the time being let’s call it a ‘Sad State of Mind (SSOM). The frequency in some may be high and in some low. However, it spares no one, except children up to a certain age group. Does it therefore mean, that as soon as you start facing life you encounter SSOM?

    Perhaps yes, and it transcends all age groups, sex and even professions. Where, it encounters everyone in the journey of life. I too have suffered from SSOM. It comes uninvited, and at odd hours like an unwanted guest, not knowing how long it will stay. One day when I got frustrated. I decided to cross check with some of my colleagues and friends if they too were infested by SSOM and most of them said yes. I wasn’t surprised. As it leaves you hapless, makes you lethargic and impedes you from doing even your normal chores at home and routine work at office. And, in this manner it also affects India’s GDP and leads to a negative trail. So, I decided to do something about it.

    First, I thought of ways and means to prevent it, if not cure it. Or, find a sound way to dispel it but failed in doing so. So, I decided to survey some men, women, students, professionals, academicians and politicians with just one startling question:

67

‘WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU FEEL LOW?’

    Sample size was two hundred. And to my astonishment no one sulked at the very question. In fact, everyone just promptly replied in a one-liner, which I am writing below as quote-unquote or verbatim. Results showed that every person had a way of resolving his or her own SSOM but broadly preferred to stay under the nine sub-headings mentioned below.

SURRENDER TO #ALMIGHTY … He will take care

    I talk to God. I visit the temple. I chant verses from holy Ramayana. I read a few pages out of my handy Gita. I flip through my Holy Quran. I go to the Gurudwara. I pray to Goddess Durga. I read a few pages of Holy Bible. I watch a devotional channel on TV. I recite Hanuman Chalisa. I ponder over my equation with God. Mind you, I didn’t find anyone telling me that I go to a powerful person to resolve my SSOM.

INTROSPECTION & MEDITATION … helps you in rediscovering yourself.

  I meditate. I introspect. I ponder over my past. I start worrying about my future. When did I help someone last? I try and remember. Why did I hurt someone? I think. Why did I make fun of someone? I regret. Perhaps it’s a reminder for some noble deed.

TO SERVE … gives a feeling of soul cleansing.

    I donate. I feed my cat to some milk. I feed ants. I feed a cow. I feed a street dog. I feed my pet dog. I feed an old beggar.

PHYSICAL EXERTION … refreshes you to take on the world.

    I take my dog for a walk. I go for a swim. I jog for a while. I go cycling. I go golfing. I go swimming. I go to the gym. I go to the spa. I do indoor exercises. I do deep breathing, it helps. I go fishing.

ENTERTAINMENT … rejuvenates you.

    I open my bottle to have a swig. I read a novel. I switch on the TV. I go for a movie. I watch cricket. I start playing computer games. I read jokes. I play indoor games. I laugh in my toilet, as you would in the laughing club. I sing in my bathroom. I watch a cartoon channel. I Play with my Pet. I listen to music. I play my keyboard. I smoke a cigarette. I eat excessively.

MIND DIVERSION … helps you forget.

    I read anything just anything lying around. I start writing. I start painting. I go and sit in the lawn amidst plants. I call up my girlfriend. I call up my boyfriend. I call up Dad. I call up Mom. I call up my daughter. I call up my son. I call up my daughter-in-law. I call up my wife. I call my up husband. I call up my best friend. I speak to my boss, he gives me some sound advice. I start thinking of pending work in office. I speak to my mentor. I flip through a magazine. I read newspaper. I go for a drive.

KILLING SSOM … with other powerful thoughts.

    I think of my last holiday and the pleasant moments with my family. I build determination to confront the situation that makes me feel low. I recall, ‘No matter how bad things are they could be worse.’ ‘Nothing is permanent’ I say to myself. I think of the best surprise of my life. I think of the best episode of my life. I think of an ugly episode of my life. I still have a healthy body and soul so why worry. I have a loving family so why feel low. I have a bright career so why feel low.

DOING NOTHING … just another way of handling by not reacting.

I sulk. I just shut my mind for some time. I know something good is coming next so I don’t bother. I just doze off. I take a small break from work. I just have a cup of tea. I do nothing and wait for the mood swing to be over. I stop eating. I fiddle with my mobile. I consider it to be like common cold, so I just move on. I believe in- no matter how bad things are something is going right and no matter how good things are something is going wrong; this balances life. Even the President of the US suffers from SSOM so who am I? Feeling low is cyclic, so why worry. Once in a while we all feel low, perhaps it’s the order of the nature. Chalta hai- don’t be too serious about life, let life be serious about you.
    The moral of the story is we all feel low at times, and many a times during a lifetime. Whilst, such occurrences happen, we should not feel isolated and down beaten as it happens to most human beings on the planet. Life is not a bed of roses but a constant struggle and more the struggle is shared more life becomes easy to take on and this is a small attempt towards that.

*

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

Share if you like it

*

    Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

 

*****