Funny Road Signs! Take them seriously and enjoy your journey.

In every journey we see risk and that is the reason we wish the travelers “A safe and happy journey”. In India we pray before going on a journey and also offer prayers to the vehicle so that our journey is safe and happy, free of hurdles and dangers. Every decent individual anywhere in the world would be very unhappy to listen, see or read about accidents. Countries all over the world do their best to minimize accidents in every possible way with stringent rules, regulations, punishments and strong technical and scientific methods. And they are mostly successful in controlling accidents.  India is also doing its best by mostly putting up caution sign boards along the roads, some of them very humorous but with a serious message. Unfortunately there are thousands of careless drivers on our roads, some of them illiterate, who do not understand these signboards! And we have reckless, overconfident drivers, who understand but overlook these signboards and think breaking the rules by speeding, overtaking, talking over phone, drinking and eating or meddling with the music player while driving is not at all risky for them or others as they are supermen! These people are educated fools!  And our Government which mostly survives on income from sale of liquor; permits bars and liquor shops on highways! Something more than signboards; need to be done in India to reduce ever increasing rate of accidents and overcome the dubious distinction of being "World Number 1 in road accidents" (Click Here to read about this).

So while on Indian roads we have to fend for ourselves very cautiously, take all the signboards seriously, keep away from rash drivers and let our family enjoy the ride and reach our destination safely.

Please exercise extreme caution on our roads; India has the dubious distinction of being “World Number 1 in road accidents”.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Road Federation (IRF) publish details of accidents on roads all over the world, every year. And since the last five years India is attaining the dubious distinction of registering the most number of accidents and fatalities on its roads. Close to 125,000 people have died in road accidents last year, which means that on an average 14 persons die every hour in our country. The percentage of such figures and those of countless persons who get injured and disabled in road accidents is constantly growing. My intention of bringing forth these sorrowful statistics is to forewarn every reader to be very cautious on our roads.

India has little over 1 percent of world’s vehicles but it accounts for 11 percent of the world’s accidents. Our roads are filled with large number of careless drivers and pedestrians who do not follow traffic rules and road signs. Most of them go unwarned and unpunished and grow into confident and habitual risky drivers, a threat to themselves and others. This lack of discipline and respect for the rules and fear of the law is the main reason for the accidents. The 11.8 Kilometre long P.V. Narasimha Rao Expressway to Hyderabad International Airport has ‘Speed limit sign boards’ every few metres indicating a speed limit of 40 Kmph. You will find 99.99 percent cars plying on this flyover at speeds above 60 Kmph and up to even 120 Kmph! There are serious accidents on this stretch all due to rash driving; just a week back there was one involving a relative of ours. Fortunately he suffered only minor bruises but his car was heavily damaged. He was hit by a speeding car from the rear. There are plenty of bad drivers in our country, they should be disciplined before they harm themselves and others.

My caution is to each and every user of the road and especially to those who are more prone to injury, the pedestrians, cyclists and those riding motorbikes. Take care.   

My sympathies to the people of Norway.

I wish to express my sympathies to the people of Norway, especially to the families of the victims and the injured. I have never heard of turmoil or terror in Norway. It is a very small and peaceful country with a population of half of my city, Hyderabad. And suddenly one sick man has struck terror by killing 98 people and injuring over 90 innocent people, mostly teenagers with a bomb blast and mostly by gunfire. I know that it is very difficult to overcome grief from such a massive personal and national tragedy. I am writing this message to express that my thoughts and prayers; just as that of the entire peace loving World are with the people of Norway at these sad times. May God bless them with love and courage to gradually overcome the loss and heartache they are suffering from.

“Vaastu Fishes” – A manipulation for riches!

“Vaastu Fishes” a new Vaastu fad! a modern Vaastu Shastra!! supposed to keep the keepers happy and prosperous; may or may not be doing so but is certainly making the vendors of fishes richer! A variety of fish called Vaastu Fishes are available in the market, the price ranging from a few rupees to over a Lakh of rupees!

Calling them Feng shui Fishes may be appropriate but calling them Vaastu Fishes to lure the ardent followers of Vaastu, I feel is solely to benefit some Vaastu Shastra pandits, consultants, experts and the vendors of the fishes. I have heard a lot of Vaastu Shastra, some aspects may be easy to follow and may be beneficial but most of them seem to be controversial and most of its recommendations are virtually impossible to practice today. For instance, is it possible for an entire family or a gathering or an individual to consume food seated in a particular direction for every meal and at every place! And since we are unable to observe this Vaastu ritual, we should be in a pitiable situation by now!

According to Feng shui, keeping a fish tank or aquarium in the house is good. It is said that; as fish do not shut their eyes even while sleeping, evil forces and bad energies are afraid to enter the house under the impression that the fishes are guarding the house and would obstruct their entry! And apart from this Feng shui considers that a water body in an appropriate location in the house is auspicious and that it brings good fortune. Hence the aquariums with the fishes! It was initially said that an aquarium with eight Gold Fishes and a Black Fish would be very beneficial. But now a number of exotic and expensive fishes like the Arowana, Flower Horn and a host of other fishes have arrived in the market, higher the price greater the levels of fortune to the owner! Copying this Chinese tradition into Vaastu Shastra and selling a fish for Rupees 1.5 Lakhs is certainly a manipulation to bring good fortune to the Vaastu consultants and the sellers of “Vaastu Fishes”.

We have aquariums in our house since decades but not due to Feng shui or Vaastu, it is just as a hobby and for reasons that I have written earlier in this blog. You may reach these photo-posts by clicking on the following two links:

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

New look to our Aquariums!

Dearest Gold is getting dearer by the day :-(

The above pictures depict our love, respect and admiration for GOLD. And the Charts below the pictures, illustrate how Gold is becoming dearer by the day. If this upward trend of soaring prices continues more and more people would be disappointed. In the case of prices of commodities we all know that “What goes up will never come down”. So we have no alternative left but to wish that the price rise freezes or at least rises marginally over the coming months and years!

However if the ultimate truth behind the price rise is the huge demand! Then I think the price of Gold will always be on the rise!

“The Hans India” a new daily Newspaper, supposedly a good one is launched!

A new English Daily Newspaper called “The Hans India” is launched in Hyderabad. The first copy of the newspaper was available at the newsstands today. You can see the clipping of the newspaper design and title at the top of this article. The name and symbol of the Newspaper is chosen as “HANS” that is Hamsa or a Swan. According to Hindu mythology Swan is a celestial bird which is the vehicle of Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswathi who represent wisdom, intelligence, consciousness, enlightenment, education and all other finer attributes. And a Swan symbolizes the power of discrimination because of its ability to separate water from milk!

This newspaper is a part of the standard and popular and noncontroversial HMTV Telugu News Channel and is owned by the Hyderabad Media House Ltd. With headquarters at Hyderabad, the newspaper is being published from Hyderabad, Warangal, Vijayawada, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. Just as HMTV stood for impartial and high standards of journalism I am sure “The Hans India” under its Chief Editor, Sri K. Ramachandra Murthy who is also responsible for the popularity and success of HMTV will become a great newspaper and serve well the majority of people.

Guru Purnima.

Today is Guru Purnima, an important and auspicious day to honour, pay tributes and seek the blessings of Gurus that is Teachers, Spiritual Teachers and Teachers of any subject or activity. In Sanskrit “Gu” means darkness and “Ru” means remover, hence the word “Guru” means remover of darkness, one who enlightens us. Guru Purnima is celebrated in this month of Ashada Masam; on the Full Moon Day, that is Purnima. It is in celebration of the birthday of Maharishi Vyasa who edited the four Vedas and wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavatam. Since such ancient times, Guru Purnima is observed along the length and breadth of the country to honour Saints and Teachers.

For ages, the children in our country have been taught to respect and honour teachers and treat them as Gods. We are all taught the following Sanskrit Sloka as infants; as we just begin to say a few words in our mother tongue!

GURUR BRAHMA,

GURUR VISHNU,

GURUR DEVO MAHESHWARAH,

GURUR SAAKSHAAT PARA-BRAHMA,

TASMAI SHRI GURUVE NAMAH.

SUMMARY OF THE SLOKA:

The Guru is Brahma (The God of Creation),

The Guru is Vishnu (The God of Sustenance),

The Guru is Shiva (The God of Annihilation),

My Salutation to such a Guru,

Who is verily the Supreme GOD.

P.S. Teaching is the profession that teaches all other professions! – Author unknown. 

The above video is of our granddaughter, Ch. Sudhiksha rendering “Gurur Brahma” sloka.

With the ongoing Sailing season Hussain Sagar Lake looks lovelier.

Hussain Sagar Lake is a very popular place and a must-see tourist attraction in the Twin Cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. You may click on this link: Hussain Sagar, to know about this beautiful place and the entertainment available around this Lake.

Now with the ongoing Sailing season the Lake looks more attractive with colorful and attractive varieties of boats – canoes, sailboats, yachts, etc., practicing and racing. Since very long Hussain Sagar is a popular spot for sailing in the country. Various training programs, competitions and regattas are conducted here. Different classes of Sailboats, Yachts and even Olympic class Laser boats can be seen practicing and competing here. There are a number of local Sailing Clubs along the Lake encouraging the sport that is the Secunderabad Sailing Club, Hyderabad Boat Club, EME Sailing Association and the Yacht Club of Hyderabad.

Starting from April as Schools and Colleges closed for summer vacation, these clubs organized Sailing workshops and training for juniors to enjoy this sport as adventure, hobby or for competitive purpose. A major event “The Monsoon Regatta 2011” was held from 5th to 10th July by the Yacht Club of Hyderabad in conjunction with the National Optimist Association of India and the Yachting Association of India. And from 24th to 31st July “The Laser Inland Nationals Sailing Championship 2011” will be held at Hussain Sagar. And this event is being hosted by EME Sailing Association and Secunderabad Sailing Club. During these major events one gets to see Olympic World Champions and Arjuna awardees in action.  

Large crowds; interested in the Sailing events and other people passing along Tank bund and Necklace Road stop by to enjoy the colorful and thrilling races and the picturesque Hussain Sagar Lake.

Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple, Ammapally, near Shamshabad.

Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple of Ammapally, near Shamshabad Village and close to Hyderabad International Airport is a very ancient Temple. One of the two Archakas, Sri Sathyanarayanamurthy Sharma informed us that the Temple was built sometime in the 13th century by the local rulers called Venghi Rajulu. That makes the Temple over 700 years old!

The Temple is exactly 35 km from our house at Paradise, and on a holiday morning, with lean traffic, it would take us under an hour to reach the Temple. Travelling via Paradise, Begumpet, Banjara Hills and Mehdipatnam we have to take the PV Narasimha Rao Expressway and reach Shamshabad Bus Station which is on the right-hand side. Here we will have to take a right turn at the Bus Station and travel straight along Rallaguda Road, a distance of 5 Km and we will get to the ‘Temple Kamaan’ (Entrance Arch) to our left. Passing through the Kamaan we will reach the huge Temple precincts. The approach to the Temple and its location is serene. The 90 feet high Galigopuram is stunning. The Temple and Pushkarini (Temple Pond) are quite large and the vacant space around these is much larger as you can see in the above Google Earth Map.

As narrated by the Archaka, the deities in the sanctum sanctorum, of Sri Sita Devi, Sri Rama and Sri Laxmana are unique. Each of the Idols and its Makara Thoranam is beautifully formed from a single black rock, they are not separate as in the case of other Temples. All three Makara Thoranams also have Dashavataras sculpted on them. Sri Rama’s idol is four feet tall and that of Sri Sita Devi and Sri Laxmana a few inches less. As in other Temples, Sri Anjaneya Swamy’s Idol is not seen here at the feet of Sri Rama. Sri Anjaneya Swamy’s Idol is at the Dwaja Sthambam facing Sri Rama. It is believed that when devotees pray for the fulfilment of their wishes, Sri Rama would ask Sri Anjaneya Swamy to accomplish the wishes. And that is why Sri Anjaneya Swamy is always waiting outside the Sanctum Sanctorum to take instructions from Sri Rama and rush to help the devotees. The Archaka, Sri Sathyanarayanamurthy Sharma is in the service of God here since 1995. He told us that the majority of pilgrims who visit the Temple come back to thank God for his benevolence and help in fulfilling their wishes. He also narrated some of his personal experiences and that of a few other devotees which are simply miracles!

The film industry, especially Tollywood loves this Temple. They believe that movies filmed here with at least a single scene would automatically become big hits with the blessings of Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy. The list of movies filmed here runs very long. Some of the movies filmed here are Srimad Virat Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy Charitra, Rikshavodu, Murari, Annamayya, Anthahpuram,  Gudumba Shankar, Arundhati, Missamma, Nuvvu Vasthanante Nenu Vaddhantana, Shambo Shiva Shambo, Jalsa, Brindavanam, Paramveer Chakra, Mr. Perfect, Teen Maar, Veera and even some Bollywood movies like Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahen, Rudraksh and Bandhan!