Kamal Haasan in Vijay TV

If there is one program that I watched "offline" on Youtube, it was Kamal Haasan's appearance in Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi in Vijay TV.  The program anchor Prakash Raj being a great fan of Kamal Haasan, showed a lot of respect and devotion throughout the programme. Also, it was not a real quiz program, it was an organized interview - there is no debate and very clear that Kamal can answer all these questions. There is no coincidences. What I liked was Kamal's brilliance and intelligence.  There is a lot to more about this legend. I just love this man.

Bookmarks in style

Bookmarks at Crossword

Bookmarks at Crossword

Bookmarks are essential part of reading.  People who do not care for books, use dog ear folds (folding the corner of the page for a bookmark).   Bookmarks are fun.  Some come with message, some come with fun dose.
The recent collection I saw in Crossword are cute but expensive (Rs.400/-).  I bought one to encourage reading habit of my daughter.
I want to gift trendy bookmarks and travel lights for my dear ones on special occasions. If you find a place where I can get them cheaper, please let me know.

Making of Paradesi.

Paradesi (பரதேசி) is the recent movie by director Bala.  I stumbled upon Youtube to watch the Sun Music exclusive video on the making of this movie. I am stunned. I am going to watch this movie. I am a great fan of Director Bala - read his autobiography இவன் தான் பாலா to know him more.  Here is the embedded video of making of Paradesi.

Gandhi on Forgiveness

I was struck by Gandhi's quote on Forgiveness in the morning newspaper. "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong".  In a flash of seconds, random events and people popped from past reminding me on whom I should forgive and what events I should forgive. The very word "strong" made me think if I am really strong or weak in the eyes of Gandhi.  I should mindfully reflect on it.
With this one quote, I am trying to wash my heart coated with chemicals of hatred and worries.  The strength does not lie in the biceps and triceps - its in the purity of heart.  But the world, environment, circumstances are so challenging to live up to this one single quote. But I am sure, as I grew up I did forgive people on my way (life).  I reflected upon it often and even forget about it later.  Still some cleanup needed!

Samaritans on the road

Traffic Samaritans on the road!

For the past few days, I happen to see this senior citizen near the Silk Board Junction. I am sure people commuting between BTM Layout and Silk Board Junction (Bangalore),  would not have missed him. His actions are very animated. With a whistle in his mouth, he prompts the vehicles other than public buses that try to stop near the bus stops.  He also guides vehicles on the traffic to streamline. I guess he must be self-appointed traffic regulator. Hope the traffic authorities make a note of him and recognize his work in hot sun and pollution.
Like you, I was reminded of the Traffic Ramaswamy at Chennai who is a senior citizen and traffic regulator.  More on traffic ramaswamy here. 

Health and Safety - Concerns

I generally donot talk about ill health to anyone.  I talk about health.  I also insist on safety.

First two safety incidents -

a) A senior citizen going for a walk was struck on middle of his head by a strong object. He fell unconscious on the road and someone rescued him and admitted him to the hospital. Nobody knows what struck him.
b) A young professional was riding fast in his new two wheeler and hit a pole in the foot path. His face split open in two halves and his jaws broke. The roadside sugarcane seller admitted him in the hospital and informed some of his recent contacts in the mobile.

Safety issues can hit young and old any time.
1. Safety issues need not happen just at the road. It can happen in the home. Also ensure your guests and visitors are not affected by your safety shortcomings.
2. If your parents are going for a walk, ensure they carry the important contact numbers, emergency medicines, and their mobile phone.
3. Now the summer is approaching, let your parents not be exposed to the hot sun. Be aware of the sun stroke.
4. We would have often heard the humble Aspirin/Anacin helps at the time of chest pain and one gets sufficient time to reach the nearest hospital.  (Check with your family doctor and get a double confirmation on this belief).

With respect to health, I have few concerns -

a) The elderly people tend to take medicines more and more without taking control on the food practice.
b) The elderly people often given up one course of treatment and move to the next one.
c) There is also a common tendency of self medication in India.  (Almost, everyone is a doctor in India !)
d) When it comes to the young and the middle-aged,  the more they know of the hotels, and food varieties, the less we know of health.  How many here can talk of protein, carbohydrates, starch?
e)  How many of my contacts would do something, on a regular basis
    (i) to prevent illness
    (ii) to gain strength / stamina
    (iii) to slow ageing
    (iv) to beat stress

In the information era, knowledge is free. We know what is good and bad.  Despite knowing burgers and coke bad to health, we reach out. We celebrate every occassion with fat. We soak our internal organs with acids, and all chemical combinations on earth. And different types of addictions and loads of justifications for those addictions.  We forget that we have to be alive and strong to support our kids till they grow and settle in life.  Yes, a young, fat professional, died of heart attack in his early 30's and he was a father of 10 month old few months back.

We have passed our exams, but we have not learned really on health.

Its a wake up call for all the readers on safety and health.

New Rules for Bangalore School Buses

New rules for Bangalore school buses have been published in the newspaper today.  To be effective from 2013.