Scientists and inventors may create something with good intentions. But depraved minds may commandeer it for nefarious motives. Truly speaking, inventions do leave an indelible legacy behind, where some may turn out to be serenades of life, and some the hounding baggage difficult to carry.
Scottish physician and microbiologist Alexander Fleming was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of penicillin. Penicillin was later developed into an antibiotic to kill bacteria. It has since then saved many lives. Fleming therefore must have left the world with pleasant memories of his invention.
Alfred Nobel invented ‘dynamite’, a high-power explosive that ravaged humanity. He made a fortune out of that. But it was only during his lifetime that he realised that the invention of dynamite was a great threat to humanity. He later bequeathed his fortune to institute the Nobel Prize for Excellence.
Conversely, Eadweard Muybridge, often called the ‘father of the motion picture’, left the world with glorious recollections. This isn’t the case with General Mikhail Kalashnikov, the creator of the AK-47 assault rifle, though it was designed for the defence of his country. He was an author and a poet too. Later, he rose to become a general with innovative attributes, but his inventions appear to be for the wrong causes. Kalashnikov maintained that his rifle was an ‘armament for defence and not a weapon of offence.’ Yet, numerous killings have taken place with this invention.
Kalashnikov claimed he was always motivated more by service to the nation than money. But the rifle that was once good for the nation was used by terrorists in illegal and dreadful killings. In the final years of his life, he was saddened by the awful responsibility for the millions of deaths that his invention had caused, as per his published letter to the head of the Russian Church. Kalashnikov died at the age of 94. In his interviews, he insisted that he created the AK-47 assault rifle only to protect his country, and rejected responsibility for killings perpetrated by zealots and terrorists using his weapon.
Kalashnikov didn’t have a simple life. In his old age, he was troubled to learn that his rifle was used for evil acts, even though he knew that his weapons were also used to destroy adversaries and defend his motherland. In order to find peace, like Alfred Nobel and Oppenheimer, Kalashnikov too retired to a quiet life in the hope of experiencing a godly touch sometime and somewhere before his death. To seek pardon, he wrote a letter to the head of the Russian Church, saying:
“My soul’s ache is unbearable and has irresolvable questions: If my rifle took lives, does it mean that I, Mikhail Kalashnikov, aged 93, a peasant woman’s son, an Orthodox Christian in faith, am guilty of those people’s deaths, even if they were enemies?”
Kalashnikov spent a major part of his life as an atheist in an atheist country. Only at the age of 91 did he feel the call of faith and answered it. As he was approaching the end of his life, doubts entered his mind that his invention gave a chance to millions of miscreants … to butcher innocents.
Surely, inventions do leave a legacy behind. Some legacies are insurmountable for the soul to carry through. But sadly, the inventor only realises that when it’s too late in life.
The story remains incomplete without knowing what Oppenheimer felt after the atomic bombs exploded in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Did he feel exalted or miserable? Only he’d be able to tell. But of course, the sting of karma does follow you beyond the frontiers of your present life.
Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:
The Cologne Cathedral nests in the North Rhine—Westphalia region in Germany. It is a stupendous structure with captivating architecture and a splendid interior gracing the Christian faith. I was recently there. We came in from Amsterdam. Cologne Cathedral is the chair of the Archbishop of Cologne. It is a wondrous monument—a Roman Catholic Church with scintillating Gothic architecture. It was pronounced a World Heritage Site in 1996. And is easily Germany’s most appreciated landmark, attracting, an average of 20,000 people per day. At 157 m (515 ft), the cathedral is the tallest twin-spired church in the world. Besides it is the second tallest church in Europe after Ulm Minster—which happens to be the tallest church in the world located in Baden Wurttemberg Germany and the third tallest church of any kind in the world. It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe. Its two towering spires give the cathedral the most prominent façade when compared to any other church in the world. Its choir has the largest height-to-width ratio, 3.6:1, compared to any medieval church. The cathedral stands tall in the middle of the city. It has a huge sprawling market area around it. Many individual artists including solo musicians perform in front of the church. Even though the construction of the church began in 1248 it took around 632 years for it to complete. At the first glance, the architecture seems entirely homogenous. This was achievable only because every generation of builders adhered to the original master plan without any deviation. They were aware that they would never see the completion of the project, so they never deviated from the original plan. The construction of this Gothic masterpiece started in 1248 and took place in several stages but wasn’t completed until 1880. If you are not familiar with the Christian religion, you can find general rules of conduct displayed here. A visitor in the church can immerse himself in the solemn atmosphere, or he can relish the soothing silence, or even take time out to think about one’s life or even get into a personal prayer.
STAGES OFCONSTRUCTION
The construction of the Cathedral commenced in 1248 with the laying of the foundation stone but was halted in 1560. There is archaeological evidence of the first church on this site in the 6th century. The decision to build a new cathedral on this site was preceded by the transfer of the relics of the Magi to Cologne in 1164. The veneration of the Magi goes back to those “wise men from the East”. Probably around 1190 the work on the shrine began, which to a great extent involved goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun and his workshop. Around 1225 planning began for a new church that was to be used both as bishop’s and pilgrims’ church alike. On Saturday 15 August 1248, Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden laid the foundation stone of the Gothic cathedral.
Shortly after 1260, the ground floor of the choir was completed, and the first altars were consecrated. At the beginning of the 14th century, the cathedral’s choir was architecturally completed and equipped further in the years to follow. On 27 September 1322, the choir was solemnly consecrated. On this occasion, the Shrine of the Magi was temporarily set up in the new cathedral’s Axis Chappel. During this time, the ambulatory was used as a pilgrim’s path. According to a source from the 15th century, it was planned, to establish the Shrine of Magi at the intersection (crossing) of the church after the cathedral was completed, in order to create a focal point for it. But sadly, the cathedral could not be completed within the required time frame.
After the consecration of the choir, the building work slowed down. According to a source, in 1331 the work was carried out on the foundations of the southern aisles. Around 1360 work began on the south steeple’s walls after the completion of the corresponding foundations. At the beginning of the 15th century, the south steeple was completed up to a height of 58 metres.
Meanwhile, the construction of the Cathedral carried on. Around 1520 the building work came to a standstill. At that time apart from the cathedral’s completed choir, the ground floor of the nave and parts of the transept were usable, and the two lower storeys of the south steeple were completed.
But, sadly with the invasion of troops during the French Revolution in 1794, the Archdiocese of Cologne was abolished, and the cathedral was temporarily used as a fodder storage room and prisoner-of-war camp. From 1801 it was again used as an ordinary parish church. Only in 1821, the Archdiocese of Cologne was re-established and the cathedral was again elevated to the status of a bishop’s church.
In 1842, after years of waiting, the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV laid the foundation stone to resume construction. In 1880, after 38 years, the final stone was inserted on the south steeple in the presence of Emperor Wilhelm I. In the 19th century, the cathedral was completed in its present form.
But during the Second World War Cologne was reduced to rubble. The cathedral was also severely damaged by numerous bombs. Entire bays of the vault had collapsed and various windows were reduced to smithereens. At the northwestern buttress of the west facade, a bomb tore an enormous hole which was repaired with a makeshift filling containing over 20,000 bricks. Because of its indestructible construction, the cathedral withstood the shock waves and the vibrations. At the end of the war, there was massive destruction, though apparently it appeared undamaged. Fortunately, during the war, many artefacts were evacuated or protected inside the cathedral. The windows particularly those of the Middle Ages, were taken out, whereas those of the 19th century were largely destroyed.
IMPORTANT DO’S AND DON’TS:
Visitors are welcome to attend the divine services in the cathedral but they must respect its dignity. Individual tours are not allowed during divine services. Speaking loudly is not permitted as it disturbs the people praying. This applies particularly to the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. During religious ceremonies or services, you are asked not to walk about or take pictures. Supervisory staff/Domschweizer- wearing red gowns ensures that silence and order are maintained in the cathedral and you’re requested to follow their instructions. Photography is permitted but without a tripod and flash and only for private and not commercial use. You are required to take pictures with care and consideration. The so-called “selfie sticks” are not permitted. Group pictures in front of altars and other such places of devotion are considered disturbing and therefore disrespectful. Guided tours always have to be registered and may only be given by authorised or licensed cathedral guides. Headgear is to be removed by men … In Christianity, this is a symbol of respecting a sacred place. Women, however, may keep their headgear on. Exempted from the obligation of removing one’s headgear are male members of various religious communities (e.g. Hindus with turban, Jews with a kipa, and dignitaries of Christian Churches). Clothes should be appropriate for the place. Inappropriate are sleeveless and belly tops as well as shorts or short skirts. Using Mobile phones, smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited. Animals like dogs are not allowed in the cathedral. The only exceptions are guide dogs for the blind. The DOMFORUM is the cathedral’s visitor centre, where you’ll find a whole lot of information about the Cathedral and the Churches in Cologne. It is situated diagonally opposite the west facade of the cathedral. It offers a wide range of information about faith, the Church itself, culture and the city. They offer daily public tours of the cathedral in German and English. They also offer public tours of the excavations below the cathedral. They provide information about guided tours, divine services and other offers of the cathedral, which include the Romanesque churches and many other churches of interest in Cologne. Their multi-vision show “Fascination Cologne Cathedral” is in German and English; and on demand also in French. Every year over six million people from all over the world visit Cologne Cathedral. Many of them regard it as an outstanding sight. Every year over 2,700 divine services are held in the cathedral.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Near the entrance and exit, there are basins containing Holy blessed Water where Catholic Christians dip their fingertips and cross themselves.
Altars: The altar is a table-like object in commemoration of the Last Supper, the final meal that Jesus shared with his apostles before his death. There are two lecterns from where the Bible is read to the congregation during a divine service.
There is also the chair of the archbishop that oversees the Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Cologne. It is called a cathedra; the word “cathedral” is derived from it. An important place is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. It is a place of silent devotion. In the cathedral, there are tabernacles at two locations. They contain vessels in which the Blessed Sacrament (consecrated bread) is kept in a Catholic church. The presence of the Blessed Sacrament is indicated by a red “perpetual light”.
Images of the Crucifixion: In memory of Christ’s death and resurrection there are many simple crosses as well as images of the crucified Christ. For Christians, this image of a torture instrument is linked with the firm faith in redemption and the overcoming of death through the resurrection of Christ. In various places in the cathedral, there are stands with candles where the Christians say a prayer and offer a candle as a personal request.
The church bells in the south steeple and the crossing’s spirelet are rung before a divine service to summon the congregation. Today in the Cologne Cathedral there are eleven bells in all, which are used according to a set schedule. With 24 tons the St Peter’s bell of 1923 (in the local parlance nicknamed “Fat Peter”) is the heaviest swinging bell in the world. In addition, there are two medieval bells, the Pretiosa, cast in 1448 with a weight of 11 tons, and the Speciosa, cast in 1447 with a weight of 6 tons.
Religious services were held by Christians at the site of present-day Cologne Cathedral during the Roman era. However, after Archbishop Rainald von Dassel brought the relics of the Three Wise Men to Cologne in 1164, the cathedral became a significant pilgrimage destination in Europe, necessitating a new architectural design.
THECATHEDRAL TOUR
On the cathedral tour, there is the prominent twin-steepled facade with its tapering spires visible from miles away—the largest church facade ever built. Windows in the steeple vestibule show biblical scenes from the creation of the world to doomsday. They were created in 1884. Six of the eight windows were destroyed in the Second World War and reconstructed later between 1994 and 2010. The window above the central portal depicts 18 scenes from the Old and the New Testament. It was inserted in 1877, dismantled during the Second World War, and again inserted in 1993. From the central nave, the tour leads into the two northern side aisles. Five holy windows on the northern side relay the story of Jesus. Then you have the so-called “Altarpiece of St. Clare” for keeping the Blessed Sacrament. Three gilded staves indicate the Cologne Archbishop’s years in office. There is also a blood relic of Pope John Paul II who was canonized (sainted) in 2014. There is also the Statue of Grace decorated with jewellery on the Baroque. There is the great organ since 1948 in the corner of the north transept and the choir The nave and the transept of the cathedral intersect at the crossing. Present there are The crossing’s altar, the cathedra (bishop’s chair) and the pulpit. These three objects underline the three duties of a bishop. He is a priest, a shepherd and a teacher. The apsidal ambulatory with its seven radiating chapels is the oldest part of the cathedral. There is mosaic flooring in the cathedral.
In the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the northern side chapel of the choir, there is the Crucifix of Gero. It is over a thousand years old. It was donated by Archbishop Gero. It represents neither Christ suffering nor Christ triumphant, but Christ in the very moment of his death. The crucifix was considered to be miraculous, and therefore especially venerated throughout the centuries. The sanctuary (inner choir) enclosed by screens and grilles forms the architectural and the original liturgical centre of the Gothic cathedral. This is where the main divine services were held. The High Altar, which is covered with a one-piece stone slab, is the biggest stone in the cathedral. The statues under the arches represent prophets, apostles and saints. On the four sides of the altar, they form a frame for scenes from the life of Our Lady.
Since 1948 the Shrine of the Magi has been displayed behind the High Altar. The shrine was created to hold the relics of the Magi. It consists of a case made of oakwood which is richly embellished with precious stones, filigree and enamel fittings; but the essential decoration is the statues beaten in gold and silver plate. The Choir stalls with its 104 seats it is the largest set of choir stalls in Germany. Behind it, the painted screens shield the area of the sanctuary. The paintings of the first half of the 14th-century show scenes from the life of those saints with a special significance for the cathedral – including a depiction of the transfer of the Magi’s relics to Cologne on the central southern screen.
Statues of the choir pillars are the statues of Christ and Our Lady behind the altar and are surrounded by the twelve apostles, and above them angels playing music. Further above in the clerestory are windows featuring kings, the axis window depicts the Adoration of the Magi before Our Lady with the Infant Jesus on her lap. The ambulatory leads past the seven radiating chapels of the choir. They all are equipped with an altar and a tomb aligned with it. The colourful windows show all Cologne saints whose relics are kept in the cathedral or the city. They are The Chapel of St. Engelbert, Chapel of St. Maternus, Chapel of St. John, Chapel of the Magi (axis chapel), Chapel of St. Agnes, Chapel of St. Michael, Chapel of St. Stephen and the tomb of Archbishop Friedrich Von Saarwerden.
In the Lady Chapel, there is the so-called “Altarpiece of the City’s Patron Saints”, which was created for the former city hall’s chapel of Our Lady in Jerusalem and has been in the cathedral since 1810. In the place of this altarpiece used to be the Milan Madonna which today is on a wall pillar on the right. In the summer months, the weekday services are held in the Lady Chapel.
There is a window representing four popes from Pius IX to Pius XII by Wilhelm Geyer, in 1956. There is a larger-than-life-size statue of St. Christopher.
An Altarpiece of St Agilolph, and a carved altarpiece from Antwerp, from the former collegiate church of Our Lady at the Steps (St Maria and Gradus). This church, originally located to the east of the cathedral, was demolished in 1821. On the left, there is the Shrine of St Agilolph by Josef Kleefisch, 1914.
The Window of St. Paul, inserted in 1868 and destroyed in the Second World War, was completely reconstructed from 1992 to 1994.
The window of the south transept facade, inserted in 2007, is based on a design by Gerhard Richter. It consists of 72 square mouthblown glass panes measuring 9.6 cm2 with colours deduced from the shades of the other cathedral windows. The Bavarian windows in the southern aisles were donated in 1842 by the Bavarian King Ludwig I., created by Max Emmanuel Ainmiller and Heinrich Maria von Heb, and inserted in 1848 to mark the 600th anniversary of the laying of the cathedral’s foundation stone.
Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety in content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause? The bank details are given below:
NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION
Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)
IFSC code: BKID0006805
*
Kamlesh Tripathi’s Publications
GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE
(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in 8 prestigious libraries of the US which include Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed at MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in libraries and archives of Canada; Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai; Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida, India; Shoolini University, Yogananda Knowledge Center, Himachal Pradesh and Azim Premzi University, Bangalore).
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; It is also available for reading in the Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)
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 which happens to be the undying characteristic of Lucknow. The book was launched at the Lucknow International Literary Festival in 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K; Herrick District Library, Holland and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Mecklenburg County in North Carolina, USA; Black Gold Cooperative Library Administration, Arroyo Grande, California; Berkeley Library, University of California).
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 at the Lucknow International Literary Festival in 2016).
TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN
(Is a story of an Indian salesman who is, humbly qualified. Yet he fights his way through unceasing uncertainties to reach the top. A good read not only for salesmen. The book was launched on 10th February 2018 at Gorakhpur Lit-Fest. Now available on Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)
RHYTHM … in poems
(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day-to-day life. A few poems from the book have been published in Shillong Times, Bandra Times and Bhavan’s Journal. The book is available on Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)
MIRAGE
(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available on Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)
AWADH ASSAM AND DALAI LAMA … The Kalachakra
(The story of the man who received His Holiness The Dalai Lama and his retinue in 1959 as a GOI representative when he fled Tibet in 1959. The book was launched on 21st November 2022 by His Holiness The Dalai Lama at Dharmshala. The title is archived in the library of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) Government of Tibet, Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) and the personal library of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. The title is also archived in The Ohio Digital Library, USA. It was recently included in the digital library of the world-renowned company APPLE).
BHAVANS JOURNAL
Short stories, Book reviews and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: 1. Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; 2. Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; 3.Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20, 2020; 4.Indica, 15.8.20; 5.The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; 6.Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. 7. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; 8. Happy Days, November 15, 2020; 9.The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15, 2020; 10.Power Vs Influence, January 31, 2021; 11.Three Refugees, March 15, 2021; 12.Rise and Fall of Ajatashatru, March 31, 2021; 13.Reformed Ruler, May 15, 2021; 14.A Lasting Name, May 31, 2021; 15.Are Animals Better Teachers? June 16, 2021; 16.Book Review: The Gram Swaraj, 1.7.21; 17.Right Age for Achievements, 15.7.21; 18.Big Things Have Small Beginnings, 15.8.21; 19.Where is Gangaridai?, 15.9.21; 20.Confront the Donkey Within You 30.9.21; 21. Know Your Strengths 15.10.21; 22. Poverty 15.11.21; 23. Top View 30.11.21; 24. The Bansuriwala 15.1.22; 25.Sale of Alaska 15.2.22; 26.The Dimasa Kingdom 28.2.22; 27. Buried Treasure 15.4.22; 28. The Kingdom of Pragjyotisha 30.4.22; 29.Who is more useful? 15.5.22; 30. The White Swan from Lake Mansarovar 30.6.22; 31. Bhool Bhulayya 15.9.22; 32. Good Karma 30.9.22; 33. Good Name vs Bad Name 15.10.22; 34.Uttarapath—The Grand Trunk Road 1.12.22; 35.When Gods Get Angry 1.1.23; 36. Holinshed’s Chronicles 15.1.23; 37. Theogony 15.2.23; 38. Poem: Mother 14.5.23; 39. THE NAG MANDIR 30.6.23; 40. The Story of Garuda 30.7.23; 41. Janmabhoomi vs Karmabhoomi 31.8.23; 42. The Ghost Town of Kuldhara 15.9.23;
SHILLONG TIMES—SUNDAY EDITION
ARTICLES & POEMS: 1. POEM: HAPPY NEW YEAR 8.1.23; 2. POEM: SPRING 12.3.23; 3. POEM: RIGHT AND WRONG 20.3.23; 4. THE GUSH OF EMOTION—WRITING, 26.3.23; 5. THE NAG MANDIR, 7.5.23; 6. POEM:MOTHER 7.5.23; 7. POEM: RAIN RAIN 9.7.23; 8. POEM:YOU COME ALONE YOUGO ALONE 6.8.23; 9. RAIN RAIN (SECOND TIME) 10. POEM: GURU TEACHER 10.8.23;
Donald Duck vs Donald Trump both American citizens. The name sounds similar, but the feature and character so different—Donald Duck versus Donald Trump. One darling, one villain. Donald Duck waddled the world much before Donald Trump. Well, the anthropomorphic, white duck, arrived on the world scenario to entertain America and beyond America the world in the 20th century. And, the now, homonym sounding Donald Trump came later, reminding you, of the famous, star villain Ajit of, tinseltown Bollywood … ‘poora shehar mujhe loin ke nam se janta hai,’ and the hustle-bustle of the presidency made Trump immensely delighted … ‘Mogambo khush hua’—did Trump meet Amrish Puri, ever, anywhere?
Duck came to entertain, Trump to serve. Duck never lost but Trump did, finally. Donald Duck, remained in the cool confines of water, in his sailor shirt and cap, with his yellow-orange bill, legs and feet, whereas, Trump strode and helicoptered in his monolithic dark suits, contrasting ties, immaculate knots and the hefty self. The Duck was famous for his semi-intelligible speeches and his mischievous and temperamental personality, while Trump for his indelible tweets that ran his ministries. Donald Trump did not sensitise to the homonymous sounding similarity of his first name with Donald Duck. On the contrary he swallowed fire like the Greek God Prometheus, by joining politics. He made the world to feel he befriended Modi by hosting Howdy Modi in Houston, but scurried to copy Indira Gandhi, who for the lust of power imposed Emergency in 1975. Nor, did Trump remember to learn from the Great King Edward VIII, who for his kind of, morganatic, left-handed marriage, abdicated the throne of England when the Church objected to it, even when, Prime Minister Baldwin tried to intervene.
Post the attack on Capitol Hill, Donald Duck, might severe his homonym with Donald Trump. From the days of New Amsterdam and Lenape, America has come a long way. But a single Ravana is enough to destroy a sunehari Lanka. Donald Trump reduces himself to a figurine of Sisyphus, dealing with a Sisyphean task—where the hill is steep and bolder is huge. Watch out America your allies are looking at you with bated breath. Will the red dim and blue shine only time will tell. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping is having a laugh, but he is shrewd enough not to call it the last.
Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers that includes both children and adults and it has a huge variety in terms of content. We also accept donations for our mission. 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 8 prestigious libraries of the US that includes Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in libraries and archives of Canada, Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai and Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida, India)
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; Available for reading in Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)
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 the undying characteristics of Lucknow. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K.)
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)
RHYTHM … in poems
(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)
MIRAGE
(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)
Short stories and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20 2020; Indica, 15.8.20; The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; Happy Days, November 15, 2020; The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15,2020;
(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)
Floccinaucinihilipilification: is the longest non-technical word in the English language. It means an estimation of something as worthless. It has 29 letters which is more than the entire 26 letters of English Language.
Antidisestablishmentarianism: The word has 28 letters which again is more than the entire 26 letters of English language. It means opposite of disestablishment often used in the context of the Church of England.
Let’s not forget Christopher Columbus was looking for India when he lost his way to America. Funnily in his ‘letter of the first voyage’ explaining why he was looking for India, he mentioned the word ‘gold’ 17 times, while he mentioned the word ‘Lord’ and ‘God’ only once.
‘Lucky 7′ is the world’s favourite number. There are seven days in a week, seven colours in a rainbow, seven notes in a musical scale, seven seas and above all seven continents.
Anytime you ask people about happy moments in their lives, they have to really think hard. But ask them about unpleasant or sad moments they will come up easily with many.
Fake news: There are some 560 million or say (56 crore) internet users and 354 million or say (35 crore) smartphone devices that are either willing recipients, distributors or even victims of this growing phenomenon in India. In many cases all three.
Law of ‘diminishing returns’ means: Every incremental acquisition (maybe a costlier car) gives less incremental happiness than the earlier acquisition did.
Around 56% to 58% of GDP is generated by private consumption.
Meteorological department’s first 2019, southwest, monsoon forecast, puts it at, “near normal”, or 96% of the long period average (LPA) of 89 cm. Private forecaster Skymet Weather said, the monsoon would be below normal at 93% of LPA.
From a long term perspective, India is currently in the midst of a dry epoch. Government says that between 1951 and 2007, southwest monsoon has shown a decreasing trend. This monsoon provides about 75% of India’s annual rainfall, significantly influencing food production.
‘Break water to storm’ is a type of phrase which means that we take a measure or make a structure with concrete or with rock at a sea shore to protect coastline from dangerous wave and storm which often take place in sea. Some are naturally created and some barriers made manually are known as breakwater.
Ashvatta trees are those whose roots are in the air and branches touch the ground, symbolizing the subtle truth that the world we observe is the inversion of the real.
Orwellian is an adjective describing the situation, idea, or societal condition that George Orwell identified as being destructive to the welfare of a free and open society.
MAM Ramaswamy- Chennai industrialist holds the record for the most wins in Indian Turf (horse-racing) history.
Barely 4% of all households in India are headed by women. Over 70% of currently married men are household heads compared to 3% of married women.
The average protein intake of a person in India through normal diet has dipped 6-10% in the past two decades with almost 86% of rural and 70% of urban population not getting the government designated 2400 kilo calories per day. While the richest get over 2518 kilo calories each day the poorest get less than 1679 kilo calories—a difference of almost 50%.
US and India are able to export only about a quarter of what they import from China.
In the 1950s private health costs were, just between, 5% to 10%, of the total health bill of the country. Today, the position is reversed and the change has not been in slow motion. There has been an eight fold increase in the number of private hospitals between 1980 and now. This is why, the NSS records, as many as 24% of rural households and as many as 18% of urban households fall into the debt trap on account of medical expenses.
According to the most recent national survey, around 5 crore people in India are pushed below poverty line due to high out-of-pocket health expenditures.
As of the last count there were 20 lakh major temples, three lakh major mosques and thousands of churches in India.
In the recent past UNESCO estimated that India had lost 50,000 artifacts till 1989. I would say the number is much bigger. India has been able to recover only about 40 pieces of stolen heritage since independence. Fascinatingly 27 of these have come back only in the last 4 years.
With half of India’s farm less than half hectare in size many of its farmers need decent jobs to escape poverty.
In past centuries people suffered from a severe lack of information which made it difficult to verify what’s true. Today we suffer from too much information, so people are too distracted to investigate the truth.
Mountstuart Elphinstone was a Scottish statesman and historian, associated with the government of British India. He later became the Governor of Bombay where he is credited with the opening of several educational institutions accessible to the Indian population.
In a single day there are a 50 million exchanges on snapchat. 1.15 billion opinions on facebook, 500 million twitter feeds and a multitude of reactions on newspaper and TV.
And now some interesting lines:
These days, to find fools is not difficult, and to find people who fool others, is even easier.
Tradition is a guide and not a jailor—said SOMERSET MAUGHAM
George Mikes (Hungarian born-British journalist) said this of Englishmen and queues: ‘An Englishman even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one.’
India has always been a difficult country for Indians.
If you are not born with a silver spoon, you better become a spoon.
Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers that includes both children and adults and it has a huge variety in terms of content. We also accept donations for our mission. 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
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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)
RHYTHM … in poems
(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is 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)
What might be good for you may not be good for your nation, and what might be good for your nation, may not be good for humanity. What is good for today, may not be good for tomorrow, but may be good for day after, and again a disaster for the day- day-after.
Thinkers, scientists, innovators and inventors may create something with a noble intention. But crooked minds traversing mother earth may hijack it for sinister motives. To come to think of it, inventions leave a legacy behind. Where, some may turn out to be the serenades of life, while some the hounding baggage, difficult to carry.
When Sir Alexander Fleming, Scottish biologist and botanist discovered Penicillin in 1928, he shared the Nobel Prize for Medicine the same year. Penicillin later developed into antibiotics used for killing microorganisms; and since then it has saved many lives and has reduced the agony of so many sick people. Fleming therefore must have left the world with pleasant memories about his invention.
Realising what he had created—Dynamite! A high intensity explosive that could have been a bane for the society. Alfred Nobel bequeathed his fortune to institute the Nobel Prize for noble causes. Perhaps, he could visualise in his lifetime the ominous calamity that could be struck with dynamite that he had invented. And to offset that he instituted this prestigious award.
While Eadweard Muybridge commonly referred as the ‘father of the motion picture’ must have exited the world with pleasant memories. The same can’t be said about Lieutenant General Mikhail Kalashnikov the inventor of AK-47 assault rifle, even when he invented it for his country. He was born to a peasant woman and was an Orthodox Christian. He rose to be a Russian General with sterling innovative attributes, but on hindsight his inventions appear to be for the wrong causes.
Approximately 100 million AK-47 assault rifles were produced by 2009, and about half of them are counterfeit, manufactured at a rate of about a million a year. Kalashnikov maintained in his lifetime, that his rifle was a ‘weapon for defense and not a weapon of offence.’ Yet countless unwarranted killings must have taken place through this invention.
Kalashnikov claimed he was always motivated by service to his nation than money. But then, what was once good for the nation could have been used by myriads of terrorists in illegal and dreadful killings.
In the final years of his life he was saddened and anguished over his awry responsibility for the millions of deaths that his invention caused, reveals his published letter to the head of the Russian Church.
In his various public interviews, Kalashiikov who died at the age of 94 insisted that he created the AK-47 assault rifle and dozens of other firearms as a means to protect his country, and rejected the responsibility for killings, perpetrated by militants and terrorists using his weapons.
“My soul ache is unbearable and has one irresolvable question: if my rifle took lives, does it mean that I, Mikhail Kalashnikov, aged 93, a peasant woman’s son, an Orthodox Christian in faith, is guilty of those people’s deaths, even if they were enemies?” the leaked letter reads. He wrote the letter sometime before his death.
Even when he was baptized as a child, he spent most of his life as an atheist, living in an officially atheist country. It was only at the age of 91 that he felt the call of faith and answered. And as he was approaching the end of his life some doubts lingered in his mind. That perhaps, through his invention he gave a chance to millions of miscreants … to massacre innocents.
Surely, inventions do leave a legacy behind, and some legacies are insurmountable for the soul. But sadly the inventor only realizes this when its too late and when he is at the twilight of his life.
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By Kamlesh Tripathi
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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)
Once upon a time there was a person who could not understand as to why so many devotees queued up in front of the Shiva temple for darshan of the Shiv-ling. In fact he was extremely intrigued by the simplicity of these devotees, and so he wanted to see for himself, the power that Lord Shiva in his own Shiv-ling.
So, one day he decided, here on, every night, when the temple is closed to the devotees, he would enter it from the back gate with his cane to whack the Shiv-ling at least five times, and see how Lord Shiva retaliates at him in return, as he was doubtful, even of his existence.
And he confided in his wife about his agnostic idea, to take her reaction as she too was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. On hearing this, his wife shuddered, at the very thought. She tried to convince her husband tooth and nail, about the devastating consequences, but failed in doing so.
The person started visiting the temple every night to whack the Shiv-ling. And every day in the morning his wife used to seek pardon in the same temple for him.
After sometime when the person felt even after whacking Lord Shiva’s Shiv-ling every night, nothing was happening and everything was as normal as every day, he would come and tease his wife and say. ‘See you are only worshiping a piece of stone as he has no powers.’
And gradually the person’s dare increased manifold when besides whacking he also started abusing Lord Shiva. But he was extremely regular in doing so.
By now a year had passed, but he had not missed a single day where he did not whack the Shiv-ling. Whether, it was the heat of summers, freezing cold of winters or even torrential monsoon, and even when he was unwell or his wife or children were unwell he made it a point to enter the temple and whack Lord Shiva.
Once, during monsoon, when it had been raining for a couple of days continuously, and the area around the temple was totally flooded, and the temple marooned. One could only swim to the temple, but that also was quite risky as all the snakes and crabs had come out of their holes and were floating along the waters.
But the person was determined as ever to reach the temple. So he took the cane between his teeth and started swimming. And on the way he ducked and even went around certain snakes and insects and finally reached the steps of the temple.
And happy at his effort, he as usual, entered the temple and started whacking and abusing Lord Shiva’s Shiv-ling. And he was enjoying it even more today because of the humungous effort he had put in to reach there.
And then suddenly the person saw he was being blinded by a very bright light and saw some silhouettes emerging that resembled the pictures of Lord Shiva that he had often seen.
And then he could hear a divine voice as if telling him,
‘I’m impressed by your passion and regularity, even when each day, you only came to whack and abuse me. Not one day you missed out, no matter what issues you had at hand. I’m happy and I grant you a vardan, bhakt.’ Resonated, the divine loud voice of Lord Shiva as the silhouettes merged into a gigantic image of the Lord.
The person was astounded when he realised his mistake and fell at the feet of the Lord and started asking for mercy. Lord Shiva granted him mercy and just then the gigantic image of the Lord started receding along with the bright light and soon everything was calm and normal.
The story conveys a message that there is no shortcut for perseverance. Perseverance is so powerful that it even made Lord Shiva appear, even when the person was pursuing a campaign against Lord God Shiva.
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
(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
(Archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture)
AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES
(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 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. Book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)
TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN
A story of an Indian Salesman who is lowly qualified but fights his way up. The book is now available in Amazon.com
(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)
