It is a year since Srinath left home, for higher studies.

It is one year since Srinath, my youngest son has gone to England to pursue higher studies. He left home on the night of 29^th September 2008, two days prior to his birthday. This is his first trip away from home on his own and it is turning out to be a long one. His School, Junior College and Degree College education have been at Secunderabad and all these Institutions are reachable from our house in minutes. When he wanted to pursue a Post Graduation study, that is M.Sc. in Finance and Accounting, in U.K., we agreed but with some worry as had never left home even on very short trips.

He was to join the University by 3^rd October 2008 and he got his Visa stamping on 24^th Sep. 2008. After receiving the Visa he got his ‘Hyderabad to Birmingham Flight Ticket’ for 29^th Sep. night and started packing. With just 5 days left for his departure there was hectic activity, flight booking, shopping for additional clothing and other essential requirements, bank related works etc. Those five days passed off very fast and only on 29^th Sep. night as we were leaving to the Airport we felt more saddened of the ensuing separation.

We hosted a farewell dinner for him on 28^th Sep., and on 29^th Sep. evening we celebrated his birthday, two days in advance. Later that night we dropped him at the Airport and bid him farewell at about 12:15 midnight. We returned home with a heavy heart and were in touch with him over his Cell phone until he boarded his flight. It took few weeks for us to get adjusted to his absence.

On 30^th Sep. we were constantly in touch with his friend and classmate Zameer who reached Birmingham few days prior to my son. Zameer received my son at Birmingham airport and took him to his place of stay and the University for Admission. The same day my son got a Cell phone connection and we were glad to be in touch with him. He joined the university the next day, on 1^st October 2008, his birthday.

Within few days he got well settled there, made friends with a number of Indians and was having food as close to what he has here. He learnt to cook, which he never had to do here. Every day we are in touch a minimum of two times over phone, specially his mother. And thrice or four times a week we have long sessions of video calls and are happy to see him. We are glad that he is taking good care of himself and managing everything very well. He has invited his close friends for his birthday party on coming Thursday. He is comfortable and happy there and that is a great relief for us. He has plans to come for his brother Srikanth’s marriage. God willing Srikanth’s marriage should take place soon.

Wish You Happy Dasara.

Greetings and best wishes to you on this auspicious day of Dasara; which symbolizes the triumph of good and truth over evil. It is a festival celebrated all over India with much enthusiasm and fanfare, with Calcutta and Mysore topping the list. People visit friends and relatives, exchange greetings and seek the blessings of elders. Yesterday it has rained at Hyderabad, almost the whole day. Hope the weather would be good today; especially in the evening when we have to go to the Temple and later visit my sister’s family for exchanging Dasara greetings and seek their blessings.

It is little early in the morning and we are already getting busy; exchanging Dasara greetings with friends and relatives. Some time before lunch we will be carrying out Vahana Pooja. And for the ‘Festival Lunch’ we would be having special Non-veg. dishes. Dasara, Sankranti, Holi, Mahankali Jatara are festivals for which we can have Non-veg. food but for Deepavali, Ugadhi, Vinayaka Chavithi, Rakhi Punnami and many other festivals and occasions it is strictly sweets and vegetarian food. In the evening we put on new clothes and at about 5:00 P.M. we will be visiting the Anjaneyaswamy Temple close to our house. The main shrine here is of Anjaneyaswamy but there are other shrines in this Temple, of Vinayaka, Shiva, Venkateshwaraswamy, Santosha Laxmi and Navagrahalu. After we return home from the temple; we place the Jammi tree leaves in front of the pictures and idols of Gods in our Pooja room and worship. These leaves are called Bangaram (Gold). We place Bangaram in the hands of elders and prostrate before them and seek their blessings. If it is friends or relatives of the same age group we place a few Jammi leaves in their hands, exchange greetings and hug them. A few friends and relatives normally visit us in the evening to exchange Dasara greetings. Later; after dinner we visit my sister’s family and seek blessings from my brother-in-law and sister.

As one cannot manage to meet all near and dear ones in few hours of today evening; these meetings continue tomorrow, popularly called as ‘Mulaqat day’ – meeting day. Worship, celebration, new clothes and most importantly the renewing and deepening of friendships and relationships makes this festival a unique one.

Dhairyam

Aishwaryam

Santosham

Arogyam

Rajasamu

Ayushu

Durga Devi Meeku Prasadinchalani Korukuntunnanu,

Vijayadashami Shubhakankshalu.

Ayudha Pooja.

Ayudha Pooja is worship of whatever Implements, Equipment, Machines or Vehicles one may be using in one’s daily life. Ayudha Pooja is performed on Mahanavami day or on Vijaya Dashami/Dasara day. Most Industries and Offices observe Ayudha Pooja and Durga Pooja on Mahanavami day and declare the next day as a holiday for Dasara festival. The equipment is worshipped with great respect so that they may continue to support them efficiently, successfully and protect and help them in every aspect. The respect one shows for these objects automatically makes one handle them with due care and attention which contributes to safety and prosperity. On this day, Durga Pooja is also performed at the work place to thank the Goddess of Shakthi for everything in their lives and for a better and safe future.

Mahanavami is on Sunday, 27^th September and Dasara is on Monday, 28^th September 2009. As Sunday is a holiday, at most workplaces Ayudha Pooja will be carried out tomorrow, 26^th September. And all those Offices and Factories who work for 5 days a week, have performed Ayudha Pooja today itself and will be enjoying a long holiday of three days.

I have worked for two Indian Government Companies for a period of over 25 years. In the first company, I was there for four years and in the second one for little over 21 years. In both the Companies preparations for Ayudha Pooja used to start almost a week before. Workmen clean their cupboards; work benches, machines etc., and paint them if required and the company supports them in this respect. Well decorated Durga Devi-Pooja pandals are erected in each and every department and section of the Company. The Offices and Workshops are well decorated and loud music and songs played on the Pooja day. In the first Public Sector Company that I have worked, there was a workforce of little over one Lakh employees spread over various Workshops and Coalmines. At all these places celebrations used to start on the night of Mahanavami day. In each and every section of a Workshop or Coalmine; Goats used to be sacrificed at the workplace and coconuts and prayers offered to the machines. Then there would be a grand party with a variety of food and alcohol, lasting until early hours of Vijaya Dashami/Dasara, a national holiday. Snacks and dinner made with some of the sacrificed goat meat is served at this late night celebration. Then in the early hours everyone collects sweet packets and his share of raw meat and goes home to celebrate Dasara festival with their families. In the second Company that I worked; Ayudha Pooja and Durga Pooja used to be performed in the morning of Mahanavami day. Sweet packets used to be distributed and everyone left by afternoon. The expenses for these celebrations are mostly by contributions from all employees and some support from the Companies.

The above photographs are of Vahana/Ayudha Pooja at our home; over the years, in which you will see children belonging to two generations learning these traditions from us.

Bathukamma Panduga.

The above pictures and the smiles in them speak of the devotion and happiness that Bathukamma Panduga; the nine days festival brings about in our family and similarly in many families of Telangana. It is one of the many unique festivals of Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh. It is an exclusively all women and girls festival. The men and boys get to hear and enjoy Bathukamma songs, daily prasadams and festive meals. Nowadays; it is celebrated not only in Telangana region but all over the country and world over, wherever there are families of Telangana origin.

Bathuku means Life and Amma means Mother and this is the festival of the ‘Life-giver/protector’ Goddess Gauramma. Bathukamma is prayed in the form of a conical flower arrangement and small cones made of turmeric paste as you can see in the above photographs. Bathukamma festival starts on Mahalaya Amavasya also called Pethra Amaasa. Starting from this day every evening for nine days women arrange flowers of different colors on a plate in a conical manner and move around this floral Bathukamma in a circle and in unison, synchronizing body movements, steps, claps and sing Bathukamma folk songs. After the lead singer renders a short verse, the entire group around the Poola Bathukamma repeats it in a chorus, dancing and clapping to the rhythm. Some of these songs are made up instantaneously on their family members and family history. This goes on for some time every evening until everyone gets chances to sing Bathukamma Patalu (Songs). For eight days Bathukamma is normally made of a smaller size and after singing and dancing around, Bathukamma is left in a water tank in the house and if convenient in a nearby lake or river. On the ninth day, the last day of the festival which is on Ashweeyuja Shukla Ashtami a very large Bathukamma is made as per ones interest. This day is called as Saddula Bathukamma. On this day the women and girls put on the best of silks and jewellery and play Bathukamma for much longer time. Not only do they play at home and in front of their house along with neighbors but also at the nearest lake or river bed along with many other women who come there with their Bathukammas. After this, Bathukamma is bid farewell and left in the water to float away. For eight days the prasadam is made of Beaten rice with Sugar and Putnala pappu (Roasted Indian Black Chickpeas with hulls removed and split) and on the ninth day it is Maleedha, Pulihora and Dhaddhojanam. This year’s Bathukamma festivities started on 18th September and Saddula Bathukamma is on coming Saturday, 26th September.

An identical event called Boddemma festival precedes Bathukmma festival. Boddemma festival which is also of nine days is also to pray and honor Goddess Gauramma. The festival starts on Bhadrapada Bahula Panchami and ends on Chaturdashi. Boddemma is prayed during these nine days by making a five step conical platform with red mud and of about six inches height. Holes are provided on each step into which flowers are inserted. At the top of Boddemma, Gauramma made from Turmeric paste in the form of a cone is placed. And every evening prayer is offered to Boddemma by singing Boddemma and Bathukamma songs and dancing as in the case Bathukamma festival and prasadam distributed. On the ninth day that is Chaturdashi, Boddemma is left on the banks of any water source. The Naivedhayam and Prasadam on this day is Jaggery Kudumulu. This year’s Boddemma festival was celebrated between 9th September and 17th September.

P.S. You may read more ‘Photo and Video’-articles by me on Bathukamma Festival by clicking on the following links:

All about Bathukamma Panduga.

Procedure to arrange Bathukamma.

Saddhula Bathukamma Festival - 2010.

First Day of Bathukamma Panduga - 2013.

Bathukamma Festival - 2013.

Bathukamma Festival 2014 - Pictures and Video.

Bathukamma Shubakankshalu!-2014.

Saddhula Bathukamma Panduga - 2015.

Happy Bathukamma Festival – 2016.

79 years old Wedding Invitation Card of my parents!

The top photograph is my parents Wedding Invitation Card and it is 79 years old! It is in Telugu, and as you can see it is very elaborate. The Invitation is extended by my paternal grandfather Sri. Narayanaraopeta Lakshminarasaiah garu. My father was 14 & 1/2 years old and my mother was 9 & ½ years old at the time of their marriage in 1930. I am told that around this time there was talk of the introduction of legislation prohibiting child marriages by enforcing the 'Sharada Act'. So a record number of child marriages were performed throughout the country in 1930.

At the top of the Invitation is a Sloka in Sanskrit which states the importance of marriage and seeks the blessings of Gods, especially Lord Vishwakarma for the prosperity of the newlywed couple and their family. This is followed by the details of the marriage as quoted below.

“The Vedic pundits have decided the auspicious day and time for the marriage of my third son, Chiranjeevi Bhaskarachary with Chiranjeevi Sowbagyavathi Eshwaramma the eldest daughter of Sri. Bellary Brahmaiah bava garu, as Pramodootha Nama Samvatsaram (Name of Telugu Year), Vaishaka Masam (Name of Telugu Month), Bahula Thadiya (Particulars of the day), at 1:45 Hrs. on the night of Guruvaram (Thursday), 15^th May 1930, that is early hours of 16^th May 1930. The marriage will be performed at the bride’s residence at Pioneer Bazaar, Bolarum, Secunderabad. Sadasyamu is on Bahula Panchami Shanivaramu, that is on Saturday 17^th May. Poota (Reception) is on Bahula Shasti Aadivaramu, that is on Sunday 18^th May, and Phala Pradhanam and Nagabhali are on Somavaramu, that is on Monday 19^th May 1930.”

This is followed by a very extensive request asking the invitees to attend the functions along with family and friends and bless the couple abundantly and receive the hospitality offered in the form of Flowers, Rosewater, Sumptuous meals and Thamboolam and make the wedding ceremonies a grand success. Towards the end of the invitation, there are modest requests made by my grandfather: “If there are any mistakes or inconvenience caused to you through this invitation or at the marriage I may kindly be excused”. And lastly, he states: “Unmindful of the summer heat, unmindful of the long distance from which you may have to come, unmindful of the problems you foresee in coming, please attend the marriage ceremonies with love and treat the functions as that of your household.” 

The Invitation Card below is of a pre-wedding function of my parents, extended to relatives and friends by my paternal grandfather:

“శ్రీవధూవర నిరీక్షణ మహోత్సవాహ్వాన పత్రిక”

This is an invitation for two functions on Saturday, the 13th of May 1930 (Vaishaka Masam), and called “శ్రీవధూవర నిరీక్షణ మహోత్సవం” and also as “పూలుపండ్లు” function. The first was at 9 a.m. at the house of the Bride (my mother), at Bolarum, and the second was at the Groom’s (my father’s) house in Imambavidi, Secunderabad at 4 p.m. These traditional functions were to gift ceremoniously the Bride and the Groom with symbolic gold jewellery, dresses, sweets, fruits and flowers. My grandfather’s relatives were taken to Bolarum in the morning and introduced to the Bride’s family, her parents and relatives and the gifting ceremony took place. And in the evening the Bride’s family with their relatives visited my grandfather’s house and got introduced to the Groom and offered their gifts. The Bride and the Groom were not together at these functions, they stayed back at their respective houses as their parents and relatives attended the two functions. The Bride and the Groom were chosen by their respective parents and their relatives. My father and mother met and saw one another for the first time at their marriage venue (Kalyana Mandapam) during the “Jeelakarra Bellam” (జీలకర్రాబెల్లం) ceremony which signifies the union/marriage of the Bride and the Groom.

* * * * * * *

Happy to share photographs of my grandparents from the 1940s, of my paternal grandfather, Sri. Narayanaraopeta Lakshminarsaiah Garu, my maternal grandfather Sri. Bellary Brahmaiah Garu, my maternal grandmother Smt. Bhoolaxmi, my maternal uncle Sri. Lakshminarsaiah Garu and his wife Smt. Narsamma (Narsavvattha), d/o Sri. Toopran Laxminarayana Garu:

A touch of ‘Lovely living nature’ in our home!

We have two ‘Freshwater-Planted Aquariums’ at our home, one indoors and the other outdoors amidst plants and under a tree. My brother Dr. Lakshminarsu picked up this hobby while at school in 1963 and since then we have been keeping a variety of attractive fishes. My nephew Dr. Uday Bhasker and my son Srikanth have shown interest in fishkeeping since childhood and have learnt from my brother all that an aquarist needs to know in maintaining aquariums.

The aquarium is the only means that enables us to bring an element of living nature into our house without causing the difficulties we may face in raising pets like dogs or cats. Of course, it is an altogether different pleasure of having a dog or dogs in the house. Since my childhood, we had 14 dogs in our house, all my best friends, and these departed friends I shall never forget as long as I live. And when they die it is a great tragedy. Coming back to the subject of an aquarium, the fishes do not make noise, they do not dirty the house, they do not need a license, they do not need much care and when they die the sadness is momentary because it is a common occurrence in an aquarium.

There is no other hobby which like the aquarium offers the possibility of living in daily contact with nature in the comfort of one’s own home. Any time it is a pleasure to watch lovely fishes swimming around in the aquarium amidst the plants, over the sand and shells. Well decorated aquariums with colourful and exotic fishes are like ornaments to a house.

Every day my brother and son spend some time giving food to the fishes and in the maintenance of the aquariums. They ensure proper aeration, lighting, check the state of plants, clean the glass and so on. Come Sunday, they spend some more time in maintenance of the aquariums, top up the water and sometimes go to shops for procuring more fishes. Uday who is working at Al Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is now on a long vacation at Hyderabad and is actively involved in upgrading and maintenance of the aquariums.

My contribution to such a popular hobby in the house is negligible. Only once in a while, I am asked to give food to the fishes. But every day I spend at least a few minutes in front of the aquarium and it brings about a pleasant feeling.

My son, Srinath’s passion for exercise & good physique.

Srinath, in childhood and at school was interested in sports and games like many other children. At school; as he grew up, he took more interest in Cricket and Basketball. He represented his school in Basketball and won few prizes. He regularly watched WWF wrestling programs on TV, which I do not like. So I used to restrict his viewing.

Once he joined college, he developed a passion for exercise in order to be in tip-top shape. He spent about one to two hours on workouts every day, at one or the other Gyms close to the house. Apart from this he also exercised at home with a collection of Dumbbells, Barbell sets, Exercise Cycle, Treadmill and other miscellaneous exercise equipment. And he continued to play Cricket and Basketball at college.

Now in England for almost a year, this passion continues with him. He plays cricket at times there and regularly goes to the college Gym and the one close to his residence. At times when he informs us of body pains due to strain while playing cricket or exercise; it bothers us.

He is a fan of film stars with good physique and the Tollywood hero Srihari is his favorite. He has met him, talked to him for some time and got some pictures snapped with him.

We did not discourage his interest in sports, games and exercise mostly because he loved doing this and after all this was for his good health, better looks and overall well-being.

About my brother and sister’s birthdays …..

The families of my brother and sister have gone on pilgrimage to Srisailam today. Since several years they have been embarking on this pilgrimage on 16^th September to be at Srisailam on their birthdays. Srisailam is the abode of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramarambha Devi. Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is one of the eighteen Mahashakthis. It is an ancient and a very sacred place of worship for Hindus and devotees come here from all over the country. It is about 230 Kms. from Hyderabad and is situated amidst Nallamalai Hills alongside the holy River Krishna.

My brother Dr. Lakshminarsu was born in Secunderabad on 18^th September 1948, a very historic day. This is the day on which the Princely State of Hyderabad got liberated and joined the Indian Union. When India became Independent on 15^th August 1947, The State of Hyderabad did not join the Indian Union like many other princely States. Hyderabad State was then the largest Princely State with a population of 1.7 Crores and a territory of 82,698 sq. miles which is more than that of England and Scotland put together. Hyderabad State had its own army, Postal Department, Railway, Airline, Telecommunication network, Currency, Radio broadcasting stations and a GDP larger than that of some European countries and its ruler the Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan was the world’s richest man. It is in this context the Nizam decided to remain Independent. However due to several reasons most importantly the civil unrest in the State and in this context the failure of negotiations between the Indian Government and the Nizam a situation so arose that India commenced military action on 13^th September 1948. Hyderabad State was attacked from different directions in what is popularly known as ‘Hyderabad Police Action’ and also as ‘Operation Polo’, because there were 17 Polo grounds in Hyderabad State then. After 5 days of hostilities the Nizam surrendered on 17^th September evening. The next day, on 18^th September, Hyderabad became liberated and a part of India that is 13 months after India became Independent. It is the day of my brother’s birth and a day of celebration for India and the majority people of Hyderabad State who wanted to be a part of India.

My sister Hemalatha was born 7 years later on 17^th September, anniversary day of the surrender of the Nizam’s Army to the Indian Army. 17^th September is also the birthday of Lord Vishwakarma. Lord Vishwakarma is the God of Architecture and Engineering and his Jayanthi (Birthday) is celebrated by Industrial houses, artists, craftsmen and weavers and it is a holiday in many parts of the country. Thus interestingly my sister and brother’s birthdays are on consecutive days; 17^th and 18^th September, and these are very important dates in the calendars. Many years ago my sister and brother have become members of Srisailam Devasthanam Sashwatha Pooja Schemes to perform Abihshekam to the Lord on their respective birthdays, each year. Additionally my sister performs Kalyanam on 17^th September evening. And normally after brother’s Abhishekam Pooja on 18^th September morning they start back to Hyderabad for their birthday celebrations in the city. Accommodation at Srisailam is not a problem for them as my brother-in-law Sri. Kasoji Niranjan has donated a large Air-conditioned Cottage to the Devasthanam and as a donor he is eligible for quite a long stay there.

Last night we enjoyed a delicious barbecue party at home!

As planned two days back, we had an exhaustive barbecue dinner at home on 12th September. Though it is a Saturday, everyone in the family could join for a very tasty and exotic flavoured meal. By everyone, I mean all but Srinath who is in Birmingham. We decided on this day; as Uday and Hina who are here on a holiday from Saudi Arabia are busy attending parties almost every other evening as their vacation is coming to an end.

I prepared barbecued Chicken and Mint Chutney; while Hina’s list is quite elaborate. She prepared Hot & Sour Mixed Non-veg. Soup, Chilli Garlic Prawns, Kimchi (Chilli Cabbage), Smoked Pudina Fish, Coleslaw, Coriander Chutney and a variety of Veg. Kababs, that is with Paneer, Mushroom, Baby corn, Capsicum, Pineapple and Onion. Uday helped her to some extent in these preparations. We started the charcoal fire well in time to barbecue all the items by 9:00 P.M. for dinner. All items turned out to be perfect and everyone enjoyed the dinner.

Cooking food for our families and friends and more so for the children is a pleasure for us. This is because we love them and want to see them happy with good talk and good food. We go to a variety of restaurants and order exotic food and enjoy such outings but the pleasure we get from homemade specials is much higher.

Alcohol consumption warning!

Dear All,

I place before you a "Collection of some very interesting & wise quotations". Please read them with due attention. I hope you will realize and remember the wisdom in them - forever, for your good health, peace and prosperity. God bless you.

Ø Excessive alcohol reduces a man to the level of a beast.

Ø Drunkard is one who takes a drink on two occasions - when he is thirsty & when he is not.

Ø One whisky is all right; two is too much; three is too few.

Ø First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.

Ø Alcohol has drowned more men than all the lakes, rivers & oceans put together.

Ø Drink not the third glass, - which you cannot tame.

Ø They who drink beer will think beer.

Ø We are fighting Germany, Austria and drink, and so far as I can see the greatest of these deadly foes is drink.

Ø Drunkenness is temporary suicide: the happiness that it brings is merely negative, a momentary cessation of unhappiness.

Ø Drunkenness doesn't create vices, but it brings them to the fore.

Ø Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary insanity.

Ø Alcohol is the only disease that you can get yelled at for having.

Ø I'm not as think as you drunk I am.

Ø When he read about the evils of drinking he gave up reading.

Ø There are better things in life than alcohol, but some men think that alcohol makes up for not having them.

Ø It takes me only one drink to get me drunk. The trouble is, I can't remember if it's the thirteenth or fourteenth.

Ø Alcohol is our greatest enemy, but Bible tells us to love our enemies.

Ø Oh God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! that we should, with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause, transform ourselves into beasts.

Ø If drinking is interfering with your work, you're probably a heavy drinker. If work is interfering with your drinking, you're probably an alcoholic.

Ø If you know someone who tries to drown their sorrows, you might tell them sorrows know how to swim.

Ø If you must drink and drive, drink Pepsi.

Ø The first thing in the human personality that dissolves in alcohol is dignity.

Ø When the wine goes in, strange things come out.

Ø It takes 8,460 bolts to assemble an automobile, and one drunken nut to scatter it all over the road.

Ø I like to keep a bottle of stimulant handy in case I see a snake, which I also keep handy.

Ø When the wine is in, the wit is out.

Ø I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day.

Ø The chief reason for drinking is the desire to behave in a certain way, and to be able to blame it on alcohol.

Ø I envy people who drink - at least they know what to blame everything on.

Ø Champagne, if you are seeking the truth, is better than a lie detector. It encourages a man to be expansive, even reckless, while lie detectors are only a challenge to tell lies successfully.

Ø No animal ever invented anything so bad as drunkenness - or so good as drink.

Ø Wine gives a man nothing... it only puts in motion what had been locked up in frost.

Ø A man ought not, never to get drunk above the neck.

Ø If you wish to keep your affairs secret, drink no wine.

Ø Beer is the cause and solution to all of life's problems.

Ø Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss.

Ø Drink the first. Sip the second slowly. Skip the third.

Ø If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Ø Health - what my friends are always drinking to before they fall down.

Ø How come if alcohol kills millions of brain cells, it never killed the ones that made me want to drink?

Ø One martini is all right. Two are too many, and three are not enough.

This is not to offend you are anyone but to spread some known facts among our family and friends.

Regards,

Yours lovingly,

Sd/- Raghu N

Today is Srikanth’s birthday.

Today is my eldest son Srikanth’s birthday. In the morning we had a breakfast party when he cut a cake before going to the office. Then again in the night he cut another cake followed by a spicy non-veg. dinner. The above two sets of photographs are of the two parties we had for him today.

Our granddaughter Sudhiksha wished her ‘Srikanth Babai’ a happy birthday in the morning but missed the breakfast party due to school. However the evening party kept her amused and happy. But for my youngest son Srinath, the entire family was present at home today and has enjoyed the events. We all missed Srinath very much.

I made ‘Bread pudding’ for dessert which you can see in the last photograph.

Sudhiksha’s ‘Saree Ceremony’.

Today we celebrated our granddaughter Ch. Sudhiksha’s ‘Saree Ceremony’. Just six days back we celebrated her fourth birthday. The ‘Saree ceremony’ is celebrated in the fifth year of a girl child in our community and it is called as ‘Vallaey Katticchuta’. This is the day when a child wears a Saree for the first time and it is celebrated in a grand manner. And as you know the Saree is a traditional dress worn by Hindu ladies for over 6000 years.

She wore a beautiful Saree and you can see how cute she is looking from the photographs above. And you will also see that she is draped in all sorts of gold jewellery. She was very happy as her friends and cousins were around her and playing with her at the party.

We organized the party at a Lions Club auditorium adjacent to our house. All close family members and friends were invited to the party. We reached the auditorium by 11:15 A.M. and guests began to arrive from 11:30 A.M. All guests queued up to bless Sudhiksha one after another. Then there were gifts exchanged between close members in the family. This was followed by a sumptuous lunch. There was all round camaraderie, smiles and laughter making the function a memorable one.

The last Saree ceremony performed in our family was exactly fifty years ago that of my sister Hemalatha. In these fifty years only boys were born in the family and Sudhiksha is the first girl child. She is everyone’s darling and with such traditions we are rejoicing our granddaughter’s various functions.

Tragedy strikes AP, YSR our CM is no more.

Raghu Narayanaraopeta

Extremely saddened by the tragic death of Sri. Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy. I have always admired him as a great leader, C.M., and as a friend of the needy ever since the beginning of his political career. His various projects and schemes have been very beneficial to the society and once all the water projects are complete the State's several problems would end. AP shall never forget this great leader. May his soul R.I.P.

4 hours ago · Comment · Like

Raghu Narayanaraopeta:

I feel extremely sad. He was a great leader and a good person. He single-handedly led his party to victory twice in Andhra Pradesh and has worked hard to improve the State. His favorite water projects, Arogyasri,and many other projects and schemes have given good results and people admire him for this contribution and pursuit. May his soul rest in peace and may God give the strength and courage to his family and millions of admirers like me to overcome grief. He is one modern leader and Chief Minister who will never, ever be forgotten.