Unity in Grief: PG Road's Candlelight Tribute to Pahalgam Victims

Yesterday (25th April) at 7:30 pm, the residents of Prenderghast Road, Secunderabad, came together in a solemn candlelight rally and march to protest the heinous terrorist attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on 22nd April 2025. We also gathered to offer our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families.

Over 500 participants joined the peaceful procession, which began at Arya Vysya Bhavanam and concluded at the Hanuman Temple on McIntyre Road, under police protection. The event was deeply emotional, marked by unwavering unity and spirited chants echoing our collective sentiments: “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” “Hum Sab Ek Hain,” “Batenge Toh Katenge,” “Jai Shri Ram,” “Modi Ji, Hum Tumhare Saath Hain,” “Hindustan Zindabad,” and “Pakistan Murdabad.”

Our Kashmir Dreams Shattered by Terror

The attached photographs are of Lalitha, my wife, at Pahalgam in 1974, when she visited all the lovely places in Kashmir - Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam, with her schoolmates. On 7th May this year, less than two weeks from now, we planned to go there together…

Then this tragic terrorist incident occurred in Pahalgam on 22nd April. It is deeply heartbreaking, and the stories behind each life lost or injured are truly painful to hear. What makes it even more unsettling for us is that we were scheduled to be in Kashmir from 7th May to 12th May, visiting Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Srinagar. We had planned to be in Pahalgam from 8th May to 10th May afternoon, celebrating our 46th wedding anniversary on 9th May.

Had the attack occurred in Pahalgam during that time, you would have perhaps heard that an elderly couple lost their lives while celebrating their anniversary. The thought is chilling.

We’re currently in touch with our travel agent, MakeMyTrip, to cancel the trip and are requesting the highest possible refund. However, even if there is no refund, we’ve decided to cancel our travel.

Easter 2025!

 

Happy to share ‘Easter Photos 2025’:

A few photos from previous Easter celebrations:

Summer’s Sweet Pause

By the summer beachside, under skies so wide,

Lalitha stands, where the palm trees bide.

In a hat of violet, bold and grand,

With a watermelon slice in her gentle hand.

The sun beats down, a fiery crown,

Yet she smiles, not a single frown.

Juice like rubies, sweet and red,

Cooling her spirit, lifting her head.

Behind her, pineapples wait their turn,

But it’s the melon that makes her yearn.

A pause in the journey, a slice of delight,

In that quiet cart bathed in tropical light.

Her kurta blooms like the summer field,

In her calm, a strength is softly revealed.

Simple joys on a sultry day,

Lalitha shows the sweetest way.

A puzzle for the family

This photo is from 6th January 1956, of the eldest of three siblings who was 7 years, 3 months and 20 days old then, his brother was 3 years, 1 month and 22 days old, and their sister was 3 months and 21 days old. At your leisure, please enjoy calculating their exact dates of birth, and let me know.

The idea or temptation to resort to AI for the answers is cheating and not a wise one; you will be misled. AI is dumb in such matters and inferior to our intelligence. 

A dream about His ‘Second Coming’

 

With Good Friday and Easter approaching, I went to sleep last night reflecting on the meaning of the season and had a powerful dream about Jesus Christ. In this dream, I witnessed His Second Coming, not as a distant, abstract event, but as a moment filled with overflowing love, peace, prosperity, and joy for all humanity.

The world today shows signs that seem to echo the scriptures: wars, earthquakes, famine, pollution, and growing darkness. Perhaps these are the very signs that point to His return, to restore hope and light.

What moved me most was how Jesus appeared to me, not as a stranger, but in the form of a family member. Even His followers, Mary Magdalene and Peter, felt strangely familiar, as if I had always known them. I've captured parts of this dream in the images I’m sharing.

Do you notice any resemblance between the faces in these images and members of our family? Could this dream be speaking to something deeper within us?

Bible verses about the 2nd coming of Christ:

యేసు తాను మళ్ళీ వస్తానని వాగ్దానం చేసాడు, మరియు ప్రజలందరూ "మనుష్యకుమారుడు శక్తితోను, మహా మహిమతోను పరలోక మేఘాలమీద వచ్చుట చూతురు" (మత్తయి 24:30).

Jesus promises that He will come again, and all the people “will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).

The Story Behind Our Cherished Family Photo

 

In the heart of our home, in the dining room where countless meals have been shared, hangs the above photo that holds more than just memories; it holds our family's legacy. This very old family photo captures a moment of pure joy, where my parents are seated at the dining table, sharing a meal with warm smiles and laughter. It is more than just a picture; it is a symbol of love, togetherness, and gratitude.

For generations, this table has been a witness to the laughter of children, the wisdom of elders, and the comforting presence of family. The faces in the photograph may have aged, and some are no longer with us, but their blessings continue to guide us. The tradition of gathering at this table remains unbroken, thanks to the grace of God and the values passed down by those in the photograph.

Four generations have now sat at this very table, carrying forward the same spirit of unity and gratitude. Whether it was a simple everyday meal or a grand festive feast, the essence has remained unchanged: a family that dines together stays together. The photograph serves as a silent yet powerful reminder of where we come from and the love that binds us.

Each time we look at it, we are reminded of the laughter, the stories, and the warmth of those who came before us. It is not just an old frame on the wall; it is a living testament to our family's journey through time, a story still being written with every meal we share together.

A Bittersweet Photo Narrative

This cherished photograph, taken on April 2, 1979 - from this day 46 summers ago - grows more bittersweet with time. Capturing the joy of the protagonists' betrothal ceremony, it features their beloved family and friends, about forty in all. Even today, as they hold this photograph, it remains a source of happiness. Yet, as the years pass and some of those dear ones have left this world, their absence brings a tinge of sorrow.

Life continues for the protagonists, but their hearts carry the memories of those who have gone. They find solace in wishing and praying for their blessings from above 🙏.

Perhaps this is the poignant nature of old family photographs, a beautiful blend of joy and longing, preserving moments that time can never take away.