May God’s radiance so divine forever on us shine.

May God guard us

Wherever we go

May God guide us

In whatever we do

May God’s blessings

And radiance so divine

Forever on us shine

May every day be a blessing!

Today is International Tiger Day.

Tiger is a symbol of Beauty, Bravery, Strength, and Nationality, so save the Tiger. Save our Nation’s Pride.

The attached pictures are all of the Royal Bengal Tigers, and as the name indicates they have Indian origins.

Today is International Tiger Day, also known as Global Tiger Day. Every year, the 29th of July is celebrated as International Tiger Day to raise awareness for tiger conservation.

International Tiger Day was established back in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia; the primary goal is to promote a global system for protecting the natural habitats of tigers and raise public awareness and support for tiger conservation issues.

Tigers are majestic species and are revered in various cultures. They are also an endangered species and the number of tigers is consistently declining due to poaching, hunting and illegal trading as well as loss of habitat. This International Day is celebrated annually with the slogan/theme, “Their Survival is in our hands”. The main aim is to make people aware of the declining tiger population and to conserve tigers globally.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), globally there are only 3900 tigers left. 95% of the tiger population went extinct in activities like poaching from the beginning of the 20th century. Tigers are one of the most majestic and royal species that we have seen globally. They are also called the “Umbrella Species” as their conservation also conserves many other species in the same habitat.

As per the latest tiger estimation report released by the Prime Minister, India’s tiger population is 2967 tigers. This is the highest number of tigers so far a country has globally. Project Tiger was launched in India in the year 1973. Because of the planned efforts under Project Tiger in the current situation, India has the maximum number of tigers in the world.

Tigers are icons of beauty and power. It is our National Animal and that of Bangladesh too. As Indians, we are proud of tigers which at one time existed in very large numbers in most parts of our country. During my childhood at Kothagudem, I used to hear of tigers and cheetahs in the nearby forests. Hunters came here not specifically for these wild animals, but mostly for sambar deer, spotted deer, wild boar, rabbits and waterfowl.  I remember a few personal incidents from my childhood involving tigers at Kothagudem. When attacked by a tiger a farmer fought it with his sickle and in the process, both the huge tiger and the fragile farmer died. Their bodies were brought on bullock carts to the house and office of the RDO (Revenue Divisional Officer), our neighbour, for financial assistance to the farmer‘s family and maybe some award. I witnessed this entire scene. Another incident was of tiger pug marks seen very close to our house at the spray pond of the thermal power station adjacent to our house, where the tiger came to drink water.  I was a part of the small crowd that went and witnessed these pug marks. Yet another incident is when our family was invited to visit a circus in the town during the daytime to see the caged birds and wild animals, that is lions, tigers and bears and other animals that is horses, chimpanzees and elephants, and the circus artists practising for their shows. I got to hold a tiger cub, the size of a fully grown cat, for some time. And now at Sriracha, I and my wife got to carry an almost fully grown tiger on our laps and feed milk! You can see this in the attached pictures and video.   

Let’s celebrate International Tiger Day by raising awareness and taking concrete steps to protect India‘s National Animals from extinction. 

Here is a video showing the majestic and beautiful Royal Bengal Tigers (though unfortunately in captivity): 

A Prayer to the Vedic Gods!

Life supporting Sun and Moon

Life supporting every season

And all the Vedic Gods

You keep our planet and us happy and alive

Functioning like clockwork

From the beginning of time.

You are our Gods,

Surya, Soma/Chandra,

Agni, Vayu and Varuna,

Blessing us from Antariksha

And Prithvi

We are ever grateful to you.

You have protected us

Through centuries

Every second of our lives

In amazing and miraculous ways

Kindly, through your merciful ways

Brilliantly end this COVID pandemic.

PLEASE NOTE:

Surya: Sun God, Soma/Chandra: Moon God,

Agni: Fire God, Vayu: God of Winds/breath,

Varuna: Rain God, Antariksha: Space, Prithvi: Earth.

Manakula Vinayagar Temple.

Manakula Vinayagar Temple is an ancient temple of Lord Vinayaka (Ganesha), in Pondicherry. It is a grand and beautiful temple. It is a famous pilgrimage place and a tourist destination.

 Between 1987 and 1996, I visited Pondicherry a few times on official work and during every trip, I visited this temple. After many years I have recently visited this temple for the first time with my wife. The attached photographs are from this visit.

This magnificent temple was built before the 15th century, long before the French settled in Pondicherry. The temple derives its name from two Tamil words 'Manal' meaning sand and 'Kulam' meaning pond. There was a pond close to the temple and due to its proximity to the sea (the temple is just 400 meters West of the Bay of Bengal), the pond had a lot of sand and the temple came to be known as the temple beside the pond of sand and hence the name Manakula Vinayagar temple.

At this temple, God Ganesha showers blessings in all his forms. Resting on a golden chariot, the idol of Lord Ganesha is breathtaking. Devotees strongly believe and have experienced that their prayers and wishes are granted by praying here.

One will be amazed by looking at the intricate paintings at this temple. Renowned painters have created different events from Hindu mythology, from the birth of Lord Ganesha to his marriage to Siddhi and Riddhi, the killing of demons, and a few more such historical scenes.

According to a myth, a Frenchman made several frantic attempts to remove the Ganesha idol from the temple. But each time the idol was removed, it reappeared on its own! Astonished by the power of the idol, the Frenchman converted as an ardent devotee of the lord.

This is a must-visit temple, when in Pondicherry (now called Puducherry).

General warning to the travel-starved.

Kempty Falls, Mussoorie, is an awesome place,

I for sure with these photos can vouch.

Be there to see, bathe and enjoy,

In any season and on any day.

But not at a time like this,

When it is fetching bad news.

Travel-starved due to COVID,

People are visiting here and anywhere in multitude.

They are violating COVID travel guidelines,

And risking their life and that of their loved ones.

Anxiety over vanishing forests - A limerick.

 

How far do I have to travel

From this concrete jungle

To God’s greatest creation

The most magnanimous boon

Life supporting trees and jungle.

Half of this year has passed by…

Good evening! Family and friends!

Half of the year 2021 has passed by. Today the 1st of July, the 182nd day of the year marks the first day of the second half of the Year. Hope this half and the future will see great relief from the COVID pandemic and open up avenues to enjoy life better… fearless normal life in every sphere, entertainment, partying and vacations.

Thank God, despite COVID cases in the city and the lockdowns, we have celebrated and enjoyed festivals, our birthdays and marriage anniversaries in the best way possible though with smaller family gatherings since the very beginning of this year, as in the video below.

Wish we all can get together happily soon and often, and certainly for Vanabhojanalu in Karthika Masam (21st October ~ 19th November 2021)…

Please take care and be safe.

With warmest regards,

- N. Raghu.