After the long wait of more than 6 months finally the day arrived when we have to leave Dubai for a month holiday in India with Amritakripa who is now 10 months old. Like any parents we were worried how she will take to the weather, water, and surroundings!..our important part of the visit was obviously "Annaprasanam" - rice feeding for Amritakripa from Mata Amritanandamayi. We reached Trivandrum at 11:30 am after a 2 hour delay by Emirates which was not even announced properly or informed while check-in. Amritakripa did sleep well in the flight despite some disturbance in sleep before boarding.
The moment we came out of Trivandrum airport, the sweltering heat was introduction to the weather that we would face in the next 4 weeks. But surprise, Amritakripa seems to like the hot weather...after a couple of days we settled in Sasthamangalam, and it was time to move to Aashram. By Amma's grace she had her rice feeding from Amma on 26Dec and we were fortunate enough to have a pada puja performed on 27Dec...but Amritakripa seemed to be liking the Aashram atmosphere so much that we decided to stay back until Thursday morning 31Dec...during her stay she liked the Siva-Shaki puja which she sat for 1 hour peacefully relishing the puja moments and she enjoyed feeding Lakshmi (Aashram elephant) with Apples!
She visited the entire Aashram..including the back-waters (did not enter the water though), saw Amma's parents house, Aashram kitchen, the beach where Amma gives satsang and obviously she liked the Kalari (temple where Amma used to give Darshan in her early days). She was also fortunate enough to have Prasadam from Amma (lunch on Tuesdays)...liked being in the Kali temple!
Back to Trivandrum after a 3 hour road journey she spend some good time with cousins who all left to Mumbai / London on 01Jan. We had a good beginning to the new year!
Today was a special day for Amritakripa - 04Jan - as she had her ears pierced for earrings to be worn...she cried a lot when the actual piercing was done, but she has been ok after that even playing and laughing in the evening...she looks adorable with the earrings....slowly taking away the father-like look to be replaced with mother-like look...makes mother more happy!
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Monday, January 4, 2010
Friday, December 11, 2009
First visit to Karachi!
Finally I land in Quaid E Azam International Airport-Karachi!
After several months of waiting, managed to secure a visit visa to Karachi for 7 days. Even though I would have loved to stay there for the entire visa validity period, due to current security situation and priority things on hand, I just stayed there for 2 days - 07th and 08th Dec, 2009
As expected, the initial turn of events in the airport was not smooth. Had to wait for the Form C to be provided, which is hardly a few seconds for the immigration staff, but he made it look like it was a tremendous amount of work involved just to hand over a carbon copy slip - Form C - it entitled me to enter the country but report to the nearest police station within 24 hours. Oh No!..
Went out to meet my driver Afzal Khan...who told me to wait near the exit and he will bring the car...one look and I said no I shall follow you as I somehow felt I was the odd one out in the crowd. On reaching the car, I saw a guard waiting with a gun, I had this to ask him how does he operate the gun. Being the first visit to Karachi just kept looking around and sat back....and was texting Mini about the place. On the way to Office in I.I.Chandrigar road it dawned that this looks like another B Class Indian city.
The amount of security you see around the city in terms of guard, being in the security field will yield lots of cash it seemed. Vehicle checking, screening of people are prevalent everywhere. One thing was quite noticeable...NO smiles....I hardly saw people smiling, all I can see is tension filled faces and it was quite clear that people hardly felt secure and happiness in their lives!..it is indeed a sad state of people living here. I managed to have dinner at Zamzama Boulevard and catch up on some shopping for Mini and Amrita in The Forum. Returned back to the comforts of the Bank's Guest House
Next day was hectic with some customer visits, internal meetings and going to our Operations shop which was around the corner. Brought memories of Delhi Trade Operations in those days. Our office looked like some sarkari place...very old cup boards and wooden drawers, the settings are similar to those days in India atleast 10-15 years back!
Luckily I was informed of some PPP rally in the city early and I left well ahead of time atleast 4 hours before flight departure and managed to reach airport within 2 hours which usually takes 45 mins according to my driver Israr once again accompanied by the Guard with a gun!
A few minutes of duty free shopping and took the flight back to Dubai only to be back in the airport within few hours to take a flight to Bahrain...Life goes on!
After several months of waiting, managed to secure a visit visa to Karachi for 7 days. Even though I would have loved to stay there for the entire visa validity period, due to current security situation and priority things on hand, I just stayed there for 2 days - 07th and 08th Dec, 2009
As expected, the initial turn of events in the airport was not smooth. Had to wait for the Form C to be provided, which is hardly a few seconds for the immigration staff, but he made it look like it was a tremendous amount of work involved just to hand over a carbon copy slip - Form C - it entitled me to enter the country but report to the nearest police station within 24 hours. Oh No!..
Went out to meet my driver Afzal Khan...who told me to wait near the exit and he will bring the car...one look and I said no I shall follow you as I somehow felt I was the odd one out in the crowd. On reaching the car, I saw a guard waiting with a gun, I had this to ask him how does he operate the gun. Being the first visit to Karachi just kept looking around and sat back....and was texting Mini about the place. On the way to Office in I.I.Chandrigar road it dawned that this looks like another B Class Indian city.
The amount of security you see around the city in terms of guard, being in the security field will yield lots of cash it seemed. Vehicle checking, screening of people are prevalent everywhere. One thing was quite noticeable...NO smiles....I hardly saw people smiling, all I can see is tension filled faces and it was quite clear that people hardly felt secure and happiness in their lives!..it is indeed a sad state of people living here. I managed to have dinner at Zamzama Boulevard and catch up on some shopping for Mini and Amrita in The Forum. Returned back to the comforts of the Bank's Guest House
Next day was hectic with some customer visits, internal meetings and going to our Operations shop which was around the corner. Brought memories of Delhi Trade Operations in those days. Our office looked like some sarkari place...very old cup boards and wooden drawers, the settings are similar to those days in India atleast 10-15 years back!
Luckily I was informed of some PPP rally in the city early and I left well ahead of time atleast 4 hours before flight departure and managed to reach airport within 2 hours which usually takes 45 mins according to my driver Israr once again accompanied by the Guard with a gun!
A few minutes of duty free shopping and took the flight back to Dubai only to be back in the airport within few hours to take a flight to Bahrain...Life goes on!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Train journey - Comfort
Jan 12, 2008
Trains always remind me of my train journey to office during my HSBC days. I used to live in West Mambalam, Chennai and office was in Rajaji Salai (parry's corner) in Beach road. The mambalam station being 5 minutes from home (lesser if you walk fast) all I needed to do is come out of home, walk a few metres and then climb the stairs and get down on to the platform. It was a comfortable ride most of the times as I used to get a seat, even if a seat was not available I used to stand on the pathway and watch all the oldies chat about anything and everything. I was well updated on the chennai happenings just listening to them. Mostly it was the government employees in Rajaji Salai as well as the passengers who read the morning newspaper.
It was quite interesting to travel by Train to work. It used to take 30-40 mins in the morning depending on signals being clear and I used to get down in the last station which was opposite to HSBC Building. A historical building which I now understand has been sold for a whopping 42 crores!
Evening train rides were always crowded. I still remember my night ride once when I assisted Cheque Collection Unit in processing a huge pending I left home at 5:30 am train and slept missing our mambalam station. I was woken up by the sound of Aeroplanes to find myself near the airport station. I got down and came back in another train to reach home around 6:30am. I slept for an hour and left immediately to be at office again at 8 am. Good hard working days they were!
On Sundays, I used to use the train pass to just move from station to station reading the newspapers. Train pass was very cheap. I used to pay around INR 130 for a monthly pass. It's a nice feeling to recollect those days. Little money but lots of pleasure.
Life at it's best!
Trains always remind me of my train journey to office during my HSBC days. I used to live in West Mambalam, Chennai and office was in Rajaji Salai (parry's corner) in Beach road. The mambalam station being 5 minutes from home (lesser if you walk fast) all I needed to do is come out of home, walk a few metres and then climb the stairs and get down on to the platform. It was a comfortable ride most of the times as I used to get a seat, even if a seat was not available I used to stand on the pathway and watch all the oldies chat about anything and everything. I was well updated on the chennai happenings just listening to them. Mostly it was the government employees in Rajaji Salai as well as the passengers who read the morning newspaper.
It was quite interesting to travel by Train to work. It used to take 30-40 mins in the morning depending on signals being clear and I used to get down in the last station which was opposite to HSBC Building. A historical building which I now understand has been sold for a whopping 42 crores!
Evening train rides were always crowded. I still remember my night ride once when I assisted Cheque Collection Unit in processing a huge pending I left home at 5:30 am train and slept missing our mambalam station. I was woken up by the sound of Aeroplanes to find myself near the airport station. I got down and came back in another train to reach home around 6:30am. I slept for an hour and left immediately to be at office again at 8 am. Good hard working days they were!
On Sundays, I used to use the train pass to just move from station to station reading the newspapers. Train pass was very cheap. I used to pay around INR 130 for a monthly pass. It's a nice feeling to recollect those days. Little money but lots of pleasure.
Life at it's best!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Beginning of 2008
Jan 05, 2008
It was a beginning worth remembering. Got up early in the morning at 4:15 am - Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram. Had a warm bath and wore new clothes - sandal color dhoti (mundu) and strip white shirt. Went down to Kaleri (temple) for Ganapathy Homam. It was very crowded, struggled to sit down somehow managed to find space to fold my legs and sit. The experience was unique one as I witnessed the Poti (pujari) perform the Homam. Got blessings and came back to the room. Felt energised and was little tensed as later in the day we were to offer pada puja to Amma. All that I wanted to ask amma was for a child and that too within this year. Life will not be complete without a "family"
The day went off very well. Did have some sweating moments grinding the sandal wood preparing sandal paste. Spoke to amma and sought her blessings for all the changes in life - new job in Feb 2008 - back to Standard Chartered Bank, new home later during the year, and of course all that we need in life is a child - amma's child!!
Amma seemed to be in a playful mood with me - understand from elders in Ashram it is due to the spiritual connection - will take it as a blessing. One week away from Mini was taking a toll as I wasn't able to sleep on 01st night and knowing well that it is going to be another 2 days before I reach Dubai. First time after marriage being away for 1 week was too much.
2nd of Jan passed on with some excitement of moving in a boat behind the Ashram and Maya (Mini's elder sister) locking the room and going to buy Amma doll which upset her dad as she promised that she would not be moving away from the room. Well, it was a case of simple mistake on Maya's part but dad expecting the worst got worried and tried desperate to look inside the room.
3rd of Jan was more excited as I would be back in Dubai. Missing Mini of course!....travelled by road to trivandrum, succeeded in delaying the departure so that we don't need to travel all the way to Sasthamangalam to see Mini's grandmother (aunty). Delayed because we were waiting for the Pada Puja Video and picture CDs which were not ready and also we wanted to get Amma's blessings before we left the Ashram at around 11:15 am
Reached Trivandrum airport on time 1:45 am right in time for Maya & fly's flight at 2:55 pm. After some excitement of excess baggage left on time to reach on time. Happy to see Mini waiting for me downstairs. Still struggling with severe cold congestion in chest after change of water the last 1 week as well as weather.
Now with holidays over, eager to see 2 weeks off peacefully before I await my return to SCB!
It was a beginning worth remembering. Got up early in the morning at 4:15 am - Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram. Had a warm bath and wore new clothes - sandal color dhoti (mundu) and strip white shirt. Went down to Kaleri (temple) for Ganapathy Homam. It was very crowded, struggled to sit down somehow managed to find space to fold my legs and sit. The experience was unique one as I witnessed the Poti (pujari) perform the Homam. Got blessings and came back to the room. Felt energised and was little tensed as later in the day we were to offer pada puja to Amma. All that I wanted to ask amma was for a child and that too within this year. Life will not be complete without a "family"
The day went off very well. Did have some sweating moments grinding the sandal wood preparing sandal paste. Spoke to amma and sought her blessings for all the changes in life - new job in Feb 2008 - back to Standard Chartered Bank, new home later during the year, and of course all that we need in life is a child - amma's child!!
Amma seemed to be in a playful mood with me - understand from elders in Ashram it is due to the spiritual connection - will take it as a blessing. One week away from Mini was taking a toll as I wasn't able to sleep on 01st night and knowing well that it is going to be another 2 days before I reach Dubai. First time after marriage being away for 1 week was too much.
2nd of Jan passed on with some excitement of moving in a boat behind the Ashram and Maya (Mini's elder sister) locking the room and going to buy Amma doll which upset her dad as she promised that she would not be moving away from the room. Well, it was a case of simple mistake on Maya's part but dad expecting the worst got worried and tried desperate to look inside the room.
3rd of Jan was more excited as I would be back in Dubai. Missing Mini of course!....travelled by road to trivandrum, succeeded in delaying the departure so that we don't need to travel all the way to Sasthamangalam to see Mini's grandmother (aunty). Delayed because we were waiting for the Pada Puja Video and picture CDs which were not ready and also we wanted to get Amma's blessings before we left the Ashram at around 11:15 am
Reached Trivandrum airport on time 1:45 am right in time for Maya & fly's flight at 2:55 pm. After some excitement of excess baggage left on time to reach on time. Happy to see Mini waiting for me downstairs. Still struggling with severe cold congestion in chest after change of water the last 1 week as well as weather.
Now with holidays over, eager to see 2 weeks off peacefully before I await my return to SCB!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Coffee - morning bliss!
Jan 05, 2008
I just love the smell of coffee. I still remember the size of coffee tumbler in hotels in Trichy where I grew up until college and my first year of work.. Hotels like Kalpana, Kavita, Aristo near the round about before Junction bus stand. I lived in Ponnagar which was close to National College - a famous one at that where Ex-President Venkataraman studied. It was an institute by Brahmins. A college where my school friend Mahendran from Puthur did his Geology graduation. Even though we rarely went to the hotels as we ate from home mostly, we did occassionally visit these hotels. I remember dad once taking us for lunch and somtime later for dinner. But we used to buy lunch in a big tiffin box when mother was not well. A hotel near Railway Junction not sure of it's name. We visited the Railway junction for also getting books from library. The comics during summer holidays were Ritchie Rich, Amar Chitra Katha books, Superman, Spiderman, Phantom comics. I am still fond of those comics.
Coming back to coffee, I got used to drinking coffee during my early days and it continued thereafter when I joined work, even though it reduced to a certain extent as Tea consumption increased. However, anyday a filter coffee is welcome and it works on my senses and activates my brain and muscles. You really wake up after a cup of coffee.
There used to be a corner shop in Junction bus stand from where we used to buy our coffee powder mixed with chicory. If my memory serves me right I guess it is Narsus's coffee powder shop. The coffee advertisements those days in Doordarshan were quite interesting! Coffee - hmmm!
I just love the smell of coffee. I still remember the size of coffee tumbler in hotels in Trichy where I grew up until college and my first year of work.. Hotels like Kalpana, Kavita, Aristo near the round about before Junction bus stand. I lived in Ponnagar which was close to National College - a famous one at that where Ex-President Venkataraman studied. It was an institute by Brahmins. A college where my school friend Mahendran from Puthur did his Geology graduation. Even though we rarely went to the hotels as we ate from home mostly, we did occassionally visit these hotels. I remember dad once taking us for lunch and somtime later for dinner. But we used to buy lunch in a big tiffin box when mother was not well. A hotel near Railway Junction not sure of it's name. We visited the Railway junction for also getting books from library. The comics during summer holidays were Ritchie Rich, Amar Chitra Katha books, Superman, Spiderman, Phantom comics. I am still fond of those comics.
Coming back to coffee, I got used to drinking coffee during my early days and it continued thereafter when I joined work, even though it reduced to a certain extent as Tea consumption increased. However, anyday a filter coffee is welcome and it works on my senses and activates my brain and muscles. You really wake up after a cup of coffee.
There used to be a corner shop in Junction bus stand from where we used to buy our coffee powder mixed with chicory. If my memory serves me right I guess it is Narsus's coffee powder shop. The coffee advertisements those days in Doordarshan were quite interesting! Coffee - hmmm!
Life - A Journey!
Jan 04, 2008
As I read 'Wings of Fire" by Abdul Kalam, it inspired to write my own life story. I vowed to atleast make an attempt in recording my life moments in a place where I can later edit and release a book. Interesting...not interesting is left to a later thought, but right now I need to recall most of the happenings during my last 34 years in various chapters. This is an attempt to recall all that has passed by me ever since I came into this world on August 22nd, 1973!
It was Lord Krishna's birthday and hence my name Krishnakumar, which went to be called KK since I was eight years old by a friend called Manickam during my VI standard in SDA High School. He used to live in a lodge near a theatre called "Kalairangam" near Trichy Junction. This theatre was behind LIC Main branch in Trichy, wonder whether the place is still the same.
I am not sure how to start my story. So I shall just go on recording here as and when I find the time. After a few years when I have felt that I have recollected most of the moments in the last 34 years I shall edit it for easier reading.
As I read 'Wings of Fire" by Abdul Kalam, it inspired to write my own life story. I vowed to atleast make an attempt in recording my life moments in a place where I can later edit and release a book. Interesting...not interesting is left to a later thought, but right now I need to recall most of the happenings during my last 34 years in various chapters. This is an attempt to recall all that has passed by me ever since I came into this world on August 22nd, 1973!
It was Lord Krishna's birthday and hence my name Krishnakumar, which went to be called KK since I was eight years old by a friend called Manickam during my VI standard in SDA High School. He used to live in a lodge near a theatre called "Kalairangam" near Trichy Junction. This theatre was behind LIC Main branch in Trichy, wonder whether the place is still the same.
I am not sure how to start my story. So I shall just go on recording here as and when I find the time. After a few years when I have felt that I have recollected most of the moments in the last 34 years I shall edit it for easier reading.
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