Category Archives: column

#SHRAVAN #CHARITY #MISSION-MANDATE- #donate to help #poor #children suffering from #cancer

May 1, 2015article, articles, book launch, causerie, column, ngo activity, short article, short article on cancer, short story, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, story, tributes, Uncategorizedaadab lucknow...fond mempries, apollo, cancer, charity, child, children, donations, donor, gloom behind the smile, hospital, india, One to Tango ... Ria's odyssey, poor, refractions from the prism of god, SHRAVAN, shravan charity missionshravancharitymission

Dear Friends,

Shravan Charity Mission was started in the memory our late son ‘Shravan.’ He was diagnosed of ‘Brain cancer’ when he was only two-an-a-half years old. And after a long and well fought battle he succumbed tragically when he was sweet sixteen in the year 2009. It was a very arduous journey for us and since then we decided to help ‘Poor Children Suffering from Cancer,’ and the NGO was registered for this purpose.

Background: I have served in big corporate companies for over 36 years across India and at senior positions. But, I now pursue the cause of cancer. I am also a writer, author and a freelance journalist. I also run my own blog as detailed below. Through this blog we cover activities of our NGO where we make direct financial interventions for treatment of poor children; and we also write domain articles and also article of general interest. Currently we are working with Apollo Hospitals in their poor children’s ward, with Dr Amita Mahajan, Pediatric oncologist.

My wife is an educationist and works as a Principal in a B-Ed college and my elder son and daughter-in-law are both with corporate companies.

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

I am also giving below some other URLs with a brief introduction of what it stands for as it will help you in understanding our activities even better:

http://goo.gl/uZ26An Shravan remembrance day advertisement in the newspaper on 24^th February.

http://goo.gl/m6AbCF NGO Activity: Distributing toys to poor angels suffering from cancer.

http://goo.gl/4XqeQI Another way to remember #St #Valentine: #NGO activity on 14^th February 2015

http://goo.gl/XmtzoQ NGO activity #Caring for #poor #child #cancer #patients.

Dr Amita Mahajan, Apollo Hospital handing over medical assitance cheque

http://goo.gl/lpjcb1 NGO activity in the hospital on 25.4.15

http://goo.gl/vIGUIY #Nepal #Quake- 25.4.15, 2015. Short article on a lifetime of tragedy.

http://goo.gl/dNl0wZ HOW I DE-STRESSED MYSELF – IN A REAL LIFE SITUATION. the ultimate stress buster is your mind (Spiritual and real life)

http://goo.gl/D1mSOr TRIBUTE TO SUNITA TOMAR- THE #ANTI #TOBACCO #CRUSADER AGAINST CANCER

http://goo.gl/oHCcOz Lucknow Observer- Interview

http://goo.gl/ei8Fpa #Liquid-biopsy being tested in the US may soon be a boon for cancer treatment.

http://goo.gl/zztfto When even your critics come to see you off- Lucknow Boy Tribute to Vinod Mehta

MY PUBLICATIONS (Earnings go for the cause of poor children suffering from cancer)

http://goo.gl/eWuIS0 ‘#Book #review ‘Gloom behind the Smile’- A real life #story of a #child #cancer #patient (story of Shravan that you could purchase from us or an ebook from online stores – read the url) Book is archived in libraries of the US including the biggest library of world- Library of Congress, Washinton DC.

http://goo.gl/a1sUPH ‘#Aadab #Lucknow … fond memories’ is a book on Lucknow’s #culture (in novel format) of #Hindu-#Muslim #brotherhood. E-book is available in amazon.com and flipkart and some other stores. Print copies available with us. Book was launched in Lucknow Literary festival last year.

http://goo.gl/O3FgDY ‘One to tango … Ria’s odyssey.’ Is a #Story on #SINGLEHOOD about a #Delhi girl. The book is now archived in prestigious Connemara library of Chennai. In case you require a copy you can find in any online store or write to us.

Short stories for sale (Earnings go for cancer patients)

http://goo.gl/yCyImD ‘WHO SHOT THE #WILD #BOAR?’ Is a #short #story on #wild-life written to aid poor children suffering from #cancer. Price Rs 100 for a PDF copy

http://goo.gl/88UVzd ‘ ALLURING MIRAGE OF Raj estate-Ludhiana’ – a short family story written for the cause poor children suffering from #cancer. Price Rs 100 for a PDF copy.

FOR DONATIONS OR PURCHASES KINDLY MAKE A NET TRANSFER AS PER INDIVIDUAL URL OR DROP A CHEQUE IN ANY OF THE ACCOUNTS AND SEND US AN E-MAIL ON shravancharitymission@gmail.com AND WE WILL DESPATCH THE BOOK/SHORT STORY TO YOU

Account name: Shravan charity mission

HDFC account number: (04801450000140)

IFSC code: (HDFC0000480)

Account name: Shravan charity mission

Bank of India ac no: (680510110004635)

IFSC code: (BKID0006805)

Account name: Kamlesh Tripathi (for overseas $ transfer)

ICICI account no: (008301504072)

IFSC code: (ICIC0000018)

#PRIME #TIME #TV #DEBATES-Keep hearing the #speaker but watch the eye-movements, facial expressions of others in the #panel to get a better sense

April 28, 2015articles, column, political article, politics, SATTIRE, short article, short article on tv debates, short article- politics, short political article, snippetarnab goswami, barkha dutt, bjp, bsp, channels, cnn, congress, electronic media, gaurav bhatia, journalists, media, narsimha rao, ndtv, political parties, POLITICS, sambit patra, sanjay jha, somnath bharti, sp, times now, tv, TV debatesshravancharitymission

Kamlesh Tripathi

Of late participants in prime time TV debates have increased. All put together they go right up to eight on the screen, and some more join for special effects either at the studio, or any other location. Anticipating the hot intensity of the ensuing debate. I often find participants with parched throats. Some sipping water, which I wouldn’t dare to call it Vodka. In many ways Prime Time TV debates have replaced entertainment channels. As every individual is now eager to understand what is going on in the country. Also, news for many has become entertainment. Where, these debates are better understood both by literates and even the illiterates, unlike newspapers and magazines.

In the recent, prime time TV debates have become more cut throat, because many political parties are competing in the same political space, and have therefore become a multiparty affair. In any debate we now find time 3-4 party spokespersons. Most prime time debates start around 9 pm when office goers return from office after a hectic day’s of work, is when they want to analyse and know what all has gone right and what all has gone wrong in the country.

And, how cleverly or daringly their elected representatives from Karnataka and Telangana are hoodwinking the voters by going on a foreign junket. To how shrewdly BJP government is keeping the TRAI discussion paper alive, because Modi has to return election favours to Corporates. Or how Congress’s Anand Sharma in his own arrogant manner is spiking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, because he said something awkward in Canada about the country, but preferred to remain quiet when the scams were being committed by Congress under his own UPA regime. As if that didn’t spoil the country’s reputation. Or how PDP is kowtowing with separatists and how deeply is Mamta Banerjee involved in Sarada Chit scam and how J Jayalalita’s case on disproportionate asset is progressing. Or how Srinivasan is fighting his BCCI battle. The list goes on and on and on.

But the debate becomes daggers drawn when one spokesperson of a party criticizes the party supremo of another party, such as Narendra Modi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mulayam Singh, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamta Banerjee or for that matter any party’s top boss. The defending spokesperson as if goes into a tizzy and loses his cool as if they are about to lose their jobs and are being monitored by party bosses, debate to debate and channel to channel.

So, in all of this. There is but another way of viewing these TV debates, which I find is more gauging, engaging, absorbing, interesting and even revealing on a lighter note. And, that is when the anchor or a panel participant, like a party spokesperson or a journalist or even a lawyer or anyone else is making a point, don’t concentrate on that person visually. Just keep hearing him and look in the eye of the person he or she is attacking, and also take a quick glance at others in the panel, and you’ll find the debate to be much more interesting and revealing. For example, let’s take one prime TV channel ‘Timesnow.’

Where, when, Arnab Goswami anchor of ‘Timesnow’ taunts on, Azam Khan’s buffaloes getting lost and police personnel being suspended. One should notice the taut and staring expression of Gaurav Bhatia, spokesperson of Samajwadi Party. As if wanting to say, ‘if stares could kill Arnab you would have been dead by now.’ And in the adjacent box Sanjay Jha of Congress with a smug on his face and in extreme silence and patience as if is willfully intending to say, ‘That’s a good one Arnab.’ And Sambit Patra in a fizz and gulping down, ’Arrey maza aa gaya.’

Yesterday, when Narsimha Rao, the BJP spokesperson was being cornered by Arnab for likely six fold increase in mobile NET tariff by corporates. I was watching AAP spokesperson Somnath Bharti whose expression, as if said, ‘Dear Arnab you have made AAPs job easier.’

And, in several land bill debates. The expression and eye movements of many Congress spokespersons only said, ‘Thank you Modi ji, you have once again made us relevant and greater thanks to Arnab for getting us to limelight.’

But, there is a converse also. With Nepal tragedy, did AAP get off the hook on the tragic death of Gajendra Singh. Perhaps, Arnab will have to invite Kejriwal or Ashutosh or Raghav of AAP along with spokespersons of other parties and some journalists and lawyers for the viewers to gauge and find it out.

*****

WHO SHOT THE #WILD BOAR? A #short #story written to aid poor children suffering from #Cancer

April 24, 2015casual causerie, causerie, column, short story, short story on wild life, snippet, story, Uncategorizedanimal conservation, cancer, conservation, forest, hunting, jungle, jungle story, leopard, nainital, nepal, pilibhit, sanctuary, shikaar, short story, tiger, wild life, wildboarshravancharitymission

Help poor children suffering from Cancer.

A short story published by Shravan Charity Mission

Price Rs 50/-

Flavour – few lines from the story

In the last three days they had driven around four hundred km on jungle roads to track the leopard, both, early in the mornings and in the evenings. They were even baiting the leopard with a goat near the forest lodge, by keeping night vigil. But, all that humongous effort appeared in vain. For it is widely believed, shikaars don’t fructify, without luck. But luck like the cunning leopard was only evading them.
Time now was around 6.30 in the morning and both the vehicles were moving at a very slow pace almost one behind the other at a gap of around eight to ten feet to have a deep penetrating look on both the sides of the road as leopard otherwise, is an intelligent and swift animal.
Witnessing this, both Chidda and Gurung, the obedient and loyal servants got of their vehicles and started pacing towards the wild boar to examine if it was dead or still breathing.

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Purchase the story to help poor child cancer patients.

You can receive a PDF copy in just thirty minutes after remitting Rs 100 in the following account (After remitting write to us on shravancharitymission@gmail.com)

Name of account: Kamlesh Tripathi

ICICI account no (008301504072)

IFSC CODE: ICIC0000018

‘#LIQUID-BIOPSY’ BEING TESTED IN US MAY BE A BOON FOR #CANCER TREATMENT

April 21, 2015article, caring for child cancer patients, column, general knowledge, ngo activity, short article, short article on cancer, short srticle, snippet, spiritualblood test, cancer, child cancer, CT scan, health, healthy life, life, liquidbiopsy, patient, religion, scan, scientists, treatmentshravancharitymission

copyright@shravancharitymissions

Kamlesh Tripathi

Blood tests spots tumors earlier than scans

The real heroes of the world have been those scientists and researchers who have burnt endless hours of midnight oil. Only to research for the cause of reducing human suffering. We all live in physical boundaries called countries and follow certain faiths called religion. But when it comes to cancer or for that matter any life threatening disease. We break all human boundaries and religion and join the cause of humanity.

Enclosed news column is a matter of celebration.

THE FEAR-CHEER-MAGIC OF SMALL #FEEDBACKS

April 20, 2015article on feedback, ARTICLE SPIRITUAL, casual causerie, causerie, column, short article, short story, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, story9 to 5 office hours, A.P., business world, corporate, executives, feedback, field executives, hrd, human relation, mahindra, managers, miryalguda, motivation, MSSL, positive thinking, spiritualshravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

We all know the meaning of feedback. But just to refresh our minds – it is an advice, criticism or information about how good or useful something or somebody’s work is. Thus, many may consider feedback to be a frightful happening, and miss the cheer and magic behind it.

I was once working on a rural project in Miryalguda. A small sleepy town near Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. Since, there were no decent hotels in the town then. And the project was for a long duration. We had rented a small furnished house as our guesthouse.

There we had a cook-cum-caretaker 24×7. We were just the three of us staying there. All from North India. Although, our cook claimed. He knew well, how to cook North Indian cuisine. But the reality was quite the other way around. We, normally used to land in Miryalguda for a fortnight at a stretch. Thereafter, we used to hit Head Office at Mumbai for a couple of days. To report the progress of the project and to be with our families. Then return again for a fortnight. This continued for quite a few months. Locally, we had planned it in such a manner. That we used to have all are meals in the guesthouse. Where, we even preferred to carry our lunch, prepared in the guesthouse only. Just in case we were going out on a farmer-field visit, locally.

Our cook out there, was reasonably smart, hospitable, and a sensible young fellow. Who, normally used to serve Andhra dishes for breakfast and lunch. While he used to attempt some North Indian dishes every day for dinner. Quite realising. We must be missing home food. That unfortunately used to be worse in taste. Than even the Andhra meal, he used to prepare for us. Gradually, we had two issues at hand, relating to food. One, with the continuous hot Andhra food. Some of us started getting bouts of acidity. Two, after a couple of days of landing. We genuinely used to miss home food. And so, we were desperately looking for a solution.

One day in the evening while we all were having a cup of tea. We gave the cook some positive feedback about his culinary prowess. That charged him a wee bit. Next day. I gave him some tips on how to cook simple Dal, Chawal and Sabzi in North Indian style. Based on home recipe that i had carried.

To my surprise next day’s dinner was a delight. Quite close to the home food. And, thereafter, it only improved, over the next few days. But what was more surprising, was the fact. That a simple pep talk had created a world of a change in the cook in less than 24 hours. This small episode changed my persona to a great extent. Where, I realised. How very important it is. To keep cheering every human being on a regular basis, and not wait for milestones. Without which they start operating like mere zombies.

The incident changed me to a point of no return in life. Where, I would willfully compliment a cook for preparing a dish well. When, one could see the broad smile on his otherwise long face. Those days. I used to travel a lot and often by cabs. So, I made it a point to compliment drivers for safe driving. I could fathom the power of such small compliments. As they generated tremendous amount of positive energy. That is unimaginable. But could even race the progress of our country by leaps and bounds.

I then had many field executives and managers reporting to me. I never missed an opportunity of complimenting them on the spot for having done a good well. This definitely increased their morale and performance exponentially. That reflected on their annual appraisals too.

For let us not forget. Life is all about small building blocks. That makes the façade look grand. So, whenever you get a chance. Don’t let go the opportunity of passing. Small positive feedbacks to people around you.

*****

“MISSING IN ACTION”- THE UNCOUTH TV-CHANNEL RANT –TO DESCRIBE “RaGa” … And the sleepy Rahul brigade

April 18, 2015article, articles, casual causerie, causerie, column, political article, politics, SATTIRE, short article, short article on politics, short article- politics, short political article, short srticle, short story, snippet, Uncategorizedbjp, cnn, congress. news channels, electronic media, india today, political parties, POLITICS, print media, raga, Rahul Gandhi, times now, tv, tv channelsshravancharitymission

Let’s call a spade a spade. We all know. TV-channels, more often than not, run on the fetish of TRPs. Nothing more and nothing less. Even if a cock and bull story, has the girth to sell and bring TRPs. TV channels will broadcast it—period. For important may not be interesting and interesting may not be important, for viewers.

Rahul Gandhi is one such case in point. Ever since he lost UP polls. He became that non-charismatic politician, and after Lok Sabha debacle- useless, and after his 56 day spiritual-sabbatical at Myanmar, a gone case. As glaringly drummed by TV- channels.

But this time TV-channels went berserk. When they used an impudent idiom like ‘missing in action’ to describe ‘RaGa’s absence from the Indian political space, during his sabbatical and thought they’ll be able to justify it by giving it a semantic hue, if asked. And, I even heard some senior journalists of repute, using this silly idiom while covering ‘Raga.’

But that apart. I was quite surprised when Congress Party and more so. The young Rahul Brigade did not take umbrage to such a dubious and debatable term of expression. That on one end hinges on–‘as presumed dead’ being used for their young leader. When I’m sure the likes of dictionaries or thesauruses could have offered a much more dignified and decent set of words to describe ‘Raga.’ Or, is it that the TV-channels slipped up this time on simple English, which looks quite unlikely, or is it daggers drawn with Raga. Only they can explain.

And, let us for once analyse how close ‘missing in action’ is ‘to presumed dead.’

As per the Oxford ADVANCED LEARNER’S Dictionary

Meaning of ‘missing’

That cannot be found or that is not in its usual place, or at home SYNONYM- LOST: I never found the missing piece. * My gloves have been missing for ages * Two files have gone missing * They still hoped to find their missing son * (especially brE) Our cat’s gone missing 2 that has been removed, lost or destroyed and has not been replaced: The book has two pages missing/missing pages * He didn’t notice there was anything missing from his room until later on. 3 (of a person) not present after an accident, battle, etc. but not known to have been killed: He was reported missing, presumed dead. *Many soldiers were listed as missing in action. 4 not included, often when it should have been.
Google

Missing in action (MIA) is a casualty classification assigned to armed services personnel and other combatants who are reported missing during wartime. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave has been positively identified.

Missing in action

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the military term. For other uses, see Missing in action (disambiguation).

The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. (July 2011)

Grave of an unknown British soldier, killed in 1943 during theBattle of Leros. Because his identity is unknown, he is missing in action.

On a dismal note. one can only hope the nation’s conscience keeper- the fourth estate and more specifically the English TV channels will introspect the real meaning of “missing in action” within themselves by rewinding their sound bites; when RaGa is back safe and sound.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*****

THE CLASSY ICON- #ANAND #MAHINDRA- CMD, #MAHINDRA GROUP

April 16, 2015article, articles, causerie, column, lifestyle article, short article, short article on business, short story, snippet, story, tributesagm, anand mahindra, bolero, corporate, et, health, health regimen, icon, instagram, M&M, mahindra, mumbai, panache, scorpio, snake and ladder, who, world health day, xuv500shravancharitymission

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

Some personalities happen to impress you at times, but some always. He happens to be one of them. And, I would desist from venerating him; in some paltry words of mine. For words will fall short in contouring this supersonic icon of Indian business. But yes, he is inherently original, beamingly creative, and knows well how to welcome the future in all humility. A role model for many. He does complex things in simple and novel ways.

And, this time he conjoins the childhood favourite board game of Snakes and Ladders to the health regimen and shares it on Instagram for better recall value. This interesting creation of his was published in ET Panache, around the World Health Day (April 7). Wherein, he makes some simple but interesting observations in the colourful boxes of snakes and ladders, where ladders you need to climb and snakes you need to avoid:

Ladder: High fibre meals (>30 gms/day), controls Blood Sugar and cholesterol.
Ladder: By consuming fruits and vegetables regularly, one can be at low levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Snake: Aerated drinks, fruit juices and maida items lead to high blood sugar levels.
Ladder: Exercise (5-6 days/week) leads to significant control of lifestyle diseases.
Snake: Waist size (>43” M; >38” F) is a direct market for heart attack.
Snake: Papad, pickle and processed food increases risk if obesity.
Ladder: Quit smoking, it decreases the risk of heart attack.
Snake: Sedentary lifestyle increases waist circumference and weight.
Ladder: Taking the stairs increases the fitness levels.
Snake: Fried snacks, farsan, bakery products increase high risk of high cholesterol.

Wishing Mr. Anand Mahindra health, wealth and fame.

*****

HOW WE DE-STRESSED OURSELVES– IN A REAL LIFE SITUATION: The ultimate stress buster lies in your mind

April 15, 2015article, ARTICLE SPIRITUAL, articles, beautiful lines, casual causerie, causerie, column, short article, short article on cancer, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, story, vignetteapollo hospital, brain cancer, cancer, de-stress, death, destiny, exercises, faith, gloom behind the smile, happiness, hospital, life, mind, powerful thoughts, real life situation, spiritual, stress, stress buster, treatment, yogashravancharitymission

Copyright@shravancharitymission

I was once faced with an ominous situation that looked like a lifetime disaster, where my younger child was diagnosed of ‘Brain Cancer’ when he was just about two-an-a-half-years old. What followed thereafter was a long battle of nerves, emotions, brawn and brain through the thick and thin of my fast corporate life. Even though, at the end of it we lost the battle, because we couldn’t save him, but not before fighting up to the last straw.

I then had a very demanding corporate job. And during that phase of my life we were located in various metros such as Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi –NCR. Where, we did not have any day-to-day support from our extended family nor even old buddies. Nevertheless, we had to survive, by fighting the menacing circumstances, where, caring colleagues and friendly neighbours were the only ones who came forward to help us.

The prevailing situation fatigued me no end. I was working for some big banners those days who took good care of me. They were considerate under the circumstances. But I still had to continuously perform to keep my stalk and career ambitions alive. My wife, who too was qualified, had to abandon her career because she had to stay put at home to take care of the child. And beyond that, there were immense financial and emotional insecurities to deal with, in terms of expensive treatment, physical stress and the mystery behind the ultimate cure.

When he fell sick, we were in our late thirties. A tricky age, when we were not quite clear, whether we should adventure for a third child when the second was in peril to maintain the count of two. And God! it was a horrendous situation, when even the Indian economy every now and then was not doing well and lot of companies were issuing pink slips. This led to severe job insecurity, when every month our medical bills were spiraling above seventy five thousand in the final years of his life.

But even with all these humongous issues we needed to work and survive. So, we charted out an omnipotent methodology to de-stress ourselves. It was a seamless combination of ideas, thoughts, mythology and even some physical exercises, that took us through the ordeal. And, as we were approaching the end, the intensity of stress increased exponentially, and under those circumstances this was how we eased our tension:

CHAIN OF STRONG THOUGHTS:

Everything, in one’s life starts from the mind. Mind is your biggest problem. Your biggest enemy. But also your biggest friend. Your solution provider and leveler. So, we decided to control it by conditioning ourselves, in the following manner: By …..

Deciding to do away, with all the negative emotions.
Nothing is permanent so why worry. Just keep doing what you are supposed to do under the circumstances.
PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens) Pray and pray.
Don’t plan excessively. Take life one day at a time.
No matter how bad things are, they could be worse.
At any given time in your life. There is something going right and something wrong. This balances life. For in life not everything will go wrong, nor everything will go right in one go. That is the law of the nature.
Life is a very sturdy boat. So, just keep moving and don’t stop. For movement is life and stillness is death.
Whatever, you can do for the child do within your means. Don’t get intimidated by what others tell you to do. Especially, if it is beyond your means.
Our child may have to leave the world soon. But even I have to go some day. For that’s destiny. At the end of it we all have to go. No one can fight the law of nature. So why worry.
Don’t try to run the universe yourself. Leave few things to God. Your child could be one of them.
Human beings are blind. They can’t even see the next moment of life. So how can they predict the time of anyone’s death.
There is something called the destiny. Try and believe in it.
When the child was very critical towards the end days. I started believing in miracles all the more. Even when it did not happen with us. But it kept me charged under the circumstances.
I started taking my work more passionately. Remember your daily routine could be one of your biggest stress busters.
Just dress up and show up for work. Never sulk around in those negative surroundings and emotions.
After a bad day there is always a good day. But one really doesn’t know which is that bad day and which is a good day.
Only get dismayed by situations you have created for yourself and not situations that God has created for you. For he only will correct it. ‘Brain Cancer’ was God’s creation.
Try and be watchful whenever, there is a change of surroundings, locations, friends and colleagues around you. For, every change of situation, will have something new to offer. And, with that. There is also a possibility of some new energies coming close to you to influence you. Remember, life is all about positive and negative energies.
Life is an esoteric journey. For every new situation you’ll have some new company who would leave you when that part of the journey is over. So nothing is permanent.
To console ourselves we even started thinking. This child has a short life. He is here to spread a message. So, don’t just feel morose about it and help the cause.
In those firefighting days we had created our own little Gods. Anything, that helped our circumstances was like a God to us. And, how clearly, we felt. There are two worlds. One is the world of cancer and the other is without it for the lucky ones. Where, we belonged to the former.
We never initiated a discussion around our child’s health to look for sympathies. As we believed in God and in ourselves.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

I took up to regular walking and weekend Golf. It was a great stress buster.
Deep breathing became a regular activity that helped us in restoring freshness and rejuvenated our lives, even in those scary nights when we couldn’t sleep.
I got hooked up to one of the soap operas that suited my timing for deflecting my tired mind.
We kept our home ambience alive for we didn’t want to give advance invitation to death. And, in that, we looked for micro positivity in life.
Whatever the child wanted we provided. We were proud of him and never negative.
I got into a hobby that still continues. To divert my mind.

MYTHOLOGY A GREAT LEVELER

What to talk of human beings, when, even Gods had to leave their mortal bodies.
The biggest unknown boon of life is a painless exit and a dignified death. Mythology, combined with our circumstances taught us that.

These are pointers from the book: “GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE” now catalogued in many libraries of the US including Harvard and Library of Congress. It is also catalogued in libraries of Canada and even India.

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)

*****

EQUAL INTERNET

April 14, 2015article, articles, causerie, column, SATTIRE, short article, short srticle, snippet, storyacchey din, bjp, cartels, congress, equal internet, free internet, government, india, internet, net surfing, netizens, opposition parties., telecos, youth forceshravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

The desperate debate raging on ‘Equal Internet’ in India is reflecting very badly on the Czars of telecos. Who otherwise project themselves to be the cat’s whiskers. In their day to day life they project themselves as honest citizens. True to India and its citizenry and especially its youth-force. But behind the scene they form such unethical cartels. That may scuttle and whittle the chances of many innovators and beginners and that too just for some extra pennies.

This stealthy move jeopardizing equal internet has however exposed them. Ruling BJP should be very careful in playing into their hands. As they have lost a lot of sheen. Ever since they came to power. For not much has changed on the ground. The so called “Acchey Din” continues to be that alluring mirage. Please join the movement against this day light robbery of internet freedom.

Nice editorial in TOI of today: for your ready perusal

“An Equal Internet

Government and Trai heed citizens cry for net neutrality”

*****

SPINDRIFT

April 13, 2015article, articles, casual causerie, causerie, column, short article, short srticle, short story, snippet, spiritual, story, Uncategorized, vignettebhootnath, camus, capt hameed, chandrakanta, col vinod, devaki nandan khatri, english novels, find, finding, hindi novels, Humphry Bogart, kafka, somerset maugham, spindriftshravancharitymission

Finding is such pure joy. And how rare, too! It had been several years since I had picked up anything when I found a penknife, a Hindi thriller and a five rupee coin, the last named beaming at me from below the seat of a ramshackle bus plying in our very own metropolis. Recalling that Elvis ditty ‘finders keepers, losers weepers’ I closed my eyes, stiffened my sinews and commended my soul to God before picking up the coin glistening in the errant sunbeam which had chanced through one of the innumerable slits in the roof. Nobody noticed. The conductor did raise a quizzical eye brow but that was about all. The term ‘conductor’ through over use has lost its semantic substance. The fellow is basically a logistics manager and with training can outsmart any sophisticated route operator. Even a funambulist might take a cue from the number of jobs he juggles while on board the boneshaker. This perception is wholly reserved for our country. Now coming back to the treasure trove -the Hindi thriller was a disappointment- not a patch on the Col Vinod and Capt Hameed era whodunits. Hindi detective fiction since then has been on the decline, virtually on the ‘endangered species’ list. Such a sorry state is inexplicable considering the vast treasure of Indian fiction available in genres like Sorcery, Witchcraft, Tilism, and detective fiction. ‘Chandrakanta’ and ‘Bhootnath’ had once fired the imagination of generation of readers and also contributed immensely to the popularity of Hindi language. These works of Devaki Nandan Khatri have outlived the copyright regime and are in the public domain since the early 60s. That is why they were churning out Chandrakanta serials decades ago paying scant regard to the original text and plot. But perhaps I am digressing.

In a life time frittered away looking at the mirror I scarcely noticed the ‘sixpence lying at my feet’. I was never much of a chance finder. At times one does strike a gold mine but the instances are so far removed that they vanish like the may snow drift. Once while waiting to get my vintage Ambassador car serviced I came across an unclaimed copy Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham. I was familiar with the works of Maugham and therefore happy to add to my collection of Moon and the Sixpence and Eyeless in Gaza. The neo-intellectuals in my college days would talk of Camus, Kafka and Maugham in the same breath. Perusal of their works was considered the hallmark of intellectual prowess and was a sure passport to the local salons where deipnosophists abound. Photograph of Camus in a trench coat and fedora with a cigarette dangling loosely from the corner of the mouth, looking very much the Bogart of the noir genre, was one of the most widely reproduced photograph of the time.

HUMPHRY BOGART

God’s largesse did not end with the book. This time it was a crumpled hundred rupee note with remnants of superfine khaini , the closest western variant being the snuff, much in vogue among the aristocracy of Europe in the days of yore. This bonanza came my way while going to Ranchi town from my college campus at Mesra. It was not one of those savoury trips one looks forward to but an undignified exit due to hostel vacation orders. As the college had been closed sine die it was being hotly debated whether to push homewards or to foregather in some cosy pastoral retreat for some good times together. It all depended on the pelf and riches.

Emboldened by the find I decided to join the merry revelers, home being at ‘Lands End’. Though I put the money to good use I still haven’t been able to figure out what made the fellow to ‘crumple it’ and to tuck the promissory note under the seat. Perhaps he was a chance finder like me and had acted the way he did to avoid detection by fellow passengers. Of course he would take the booty away while disembarking. Another plausible theory was that he has merely stored the surplus khaini there for a rainy day quite forgetting the king’s ransom in the form of a crumpled note.

I might add, that now and then, perhaps a ball pen, pocket comb or a sparsely populated purse or some such trifles, no matter how well supplied one may be with, cannot be acquired without a thrill. Think of a Blackbury or a Rayban thus found. We all live and learn. A defeatist may venture something like “it takes all sorts”.

The essence of finding something which brings to us unalloyed joy is half unexpectedness and half uniqueness. There being no aposematic forecast, no intuitive premonition and the ‘gift’ coming to you by chance: no one is to be thanked, no one to be owed anything. “Something for nothing … ” Ay, there’s the rub…”. Shakespeare has put these things so beautifully. To look for the thing is to transform the whole plot-to rob it of its ‘sublime suddenness’-perchance to become even concerned or greedy.

In its larger context we may use the word discovery-something akin to Columbus discovering America or was it the West Indies. Our concern for trifles and small findings are at once so stimulating and pure joy that to meddle with it would only appeal to a killjoy. Yet there are people who have an unsavoury sense of the sport!

I recall the small rustic game or charade being played out by stringing a purse or paper money (bill or note) or any such desirable object which the casual walker gleefully stoops to pick up. The pranksters conveniently hidden from view have a field day as they pull the string leading the unsuspecting wayfarer on a merry chase. There are many clever variants which the fun-seeking lads have in their repertoire. In this cyber age of ours such diversions may seem blasé. But for a country whose half the population lives below poverty line there may still be some relevance left in such innocuous and simple pastimes.

One common thread which runs through this serendipity is the absence of haste. My once rural seat and current urban dwellings present contrasting styles in time management. Reckon a simple activity like breakfast. Absence of haste is anathema to modern spirit. For most commuters it is always charged with disturbing quiet. The unnerving scenario of buses disappearing round the corner and the cacophony of traffic jams brood over the chota hazri , transforming mild God-fearing men into wild harpies as they sprint out like bats from hell. Down at the rural seat the meals are leisurely and indolent- a perfect epitome of laid-back country life of a cultured man. It is a breakfast of ease and languescent mood, a meal of ‘soft murmurs and rustling papers’.

Circumstances afford little options. This harum-scarum age of ours has everything excepting time where brutish bolting of food is the in-thing. However, a quiet leisurely, laid- back meal by the crackling logs in winter has its unwavering charm.

Let’s take a little time off for ourselves.

“We look before and after

And pine for what is not”

A.K.Tripathi,

Guwahati-2015

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