Happy Family Day! Today, 15th May is the International Day of Families.

Every year 15th of May is celebrated as International Day of Families (IDF). This day highlights the importance of families as a basic unit of society. May 15th was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 to reflect the importance of the international community towards families. International Day of Families provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the issues related to families and increase the knowledge of the "social, economic and demographic processes affecting families." International Day of Families also celebrates the role of families in development.

International Day of Families has been around since 1994, with different family-focused themes every year. The theme for International Day of Families 2019 is “Families and Climate Action: Focus on SDG 13.

In 2018, the theme was "Families and inclusive societies", while in 2017 and 2016 the themes were "Families, education and well-being" and "Families, healthy lives and sustainable future".

In short, the United Nations seeks to create “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – embracing not only all people but also Mother Earth.  “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” is a Sanskrit phrase from the Maha Upanishad, which means "The world is one family”.

Some memories last forever!

Some memories last forever,

One such is when you were a teenager,

And on a pleasant early morning,

As we were returning from shopping,

You flourished a spurt of shyness,

With your captivating smiles,

As I held your hand at Monda market,

To help you cross the street,

And we suddenly came across,

Your eldest sister,

And for a moment it appeared,

That you stepped aside,

To hide behind me,

Just like our grandson today!

Similar shyness,

Similar smiles,

And attempts,

To hide!

I shall never forget,

Such lovely memories!

Happy Mother’s Day!

On this happy occasion of Mother’s Day, I wish Lalitha Raghu & all Moms in my Facebook circle and among my blog followers "A Very Happy Mother’s Day" and wish that their families continue to extend abundant love and care to them forever:

Here is an article I wrote eight years ago on Mother’s Day, conveying my greetings to my mother who was 91 years old then:

“Mathru Devo Bhava,

Pithru Devo Bhava”.

This Sanskrit Sloka means:

Revere your mother as GOD,

Revere your father as GOD.

The photographs in my blog post dated 7th May 2011, the link to which is towards the end of this article are of my mother who was 91 years old and the greetings therein are for her on the occasion of Mother’s Day. The concept of celebrating Mother’s Day is new to our country and gradually it is becoming very popular. We have many festivals and celebrations in India but none to thank Mother for all that she does for us. The importance of a mother in anyone’s life is so great that she is equivalent to GOD – “Mathru Devo Bhava”. We naturally love and respect her every day but do not have a specific day to celebrate and honour her; for taking care of us even at the ripe old age of 91, and thank her. Now with this Western culture of celebrating Mother’s Day coming into our lives; it has become a significant day for us too, to express our gratitude to our mother and say a big THANK YOU for all that she does for us and make her as happy as possible.

“Ya Devi Sarva-Bhooteshu Mathru-Roopena SamsthitaNamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha”. This Sanskrit Sloka means “Salutations to the Divine Mother, who art manifest in every being’s existence as MOTHER. I worship thee, over and over and over again”.

Happy Mother’s Day!

You may reach my subject blog post by clicking on the following link:

http://srisrilara.blogspot.in/2011/05/happy-mothers-day_07.html

I miss my mother; she passed away five years ago at the age of 94:

Showers in summer!... Of love and blessings!

Last Thursday that is 9th May we had a family get-together which the entire gathering enjoyed. You can have a glimpse of this Party and the pleasure we had through the attached photographs and video.

For me and my wife, the entire day passed off happily. The day started early for us with the ceremony of  Abhishekam (Saswatha Pooja) to Lord Ganesha at the famous Sri Ganapathi Devalayam (Temple) adjacent to Secunderabad Railway Station. We then had a lavish buffet breakfast followed by lots of relaxation, but for some time taken out in-between for arrangements for the Party at home in the evening. Really not much work at home as the major part of the Party was at a restaurant.

After all the family members assembled at our house in the evening, and after greetings were exchanged we cut the cake and had it with some snacks. We took the blessings of my sister and brother-in-law and blessings and best wishes from all present, with lots of gifting and return-gifting.

We then proceeded for dinner at a restaurant called Vivaha Bhojanambu in Secunderabad. The dinner was in a private dining room of the restaurant. The dinner was a very special, traditional and a sumptuous one, named as Prathyeka Banthi Bhojanam, served on Banana leaves, with a large variety of Veg and Non-Veg. preparations. Everyone enjoyed the dinner and camaraderie.

However, we missed the company of my nephew, my two nieces and their families and my younger son, at this party. They got in touch with us on WhatsApp and phone to convey their best wishes.

It was late night by the time we bid farewell to one another.

The Party was to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary and we are happy that it went off well.

PARTY VIDEO:

In fond remembrance of times from Gramophone days to present times…

In fond remembrance of times,

From Gramophone days to present times,

On this very important day of ours…

Our Wedding Anniversary!

A sweet melody!...

Great memories! From summer vacations, of the good old days!

Great memories!

From summer vacations,

Of the good old days,

When cousins came together,

At grandmothers’ houses,

To play all day long,

And listen to stories,

With little time to eat,

When grandmothers’,

And mothers’,

Happily,

Fed the children,

From time to time,

With all children,

Sitting around them,

Enjoying the food,

In rotation!

And the camaraderie!

Even while eating!

Hope you too have,

Such happy memories!

Of summer vacations.

May these flowers blossom all over the regions!

May these flowers,

Auspicious and gorgeous,

Blossom all over the regions,

To bring about smiles,

And happiness!

They need just some mud,

Water, air and light,

And good people,

For their growth.

But off late,

Some villains,

Some criminals,

And some desperados,

Corrupt to the core,

Jealous of the flower,

For its prominence,

It's greatness,

And popularity,

Have come together,

To destroy it,

By spreading lies,

Against the flower,

Day in and day out.

Let all the good people,

And all the good in the world,

Come together…

And with the blessings,

Of the almighty,

Prevent this evil,

Against all that is good.