Friends
yesterday one of my friend's uncle expired after long illness. He was just 67 years with two bright Sons. One of the Son is settled in USA and the other in Delhi. Both are in their 30s building career as has been taught by the parents. Father of these sons sacrificed every thing to build excellent career for these kids. In last some years, after good job and marriage both kids had started giving trouble to parents. The situation led them to live separately for some time when situation was not even allowing them to live separately in same city, they came to Ahmedabad and started living in a rented house. I met them couple of months ago when both elderly couples were struggling to live the life in Ahmedabad. They had some money because of selling some property, so kids had some interest and hence called to Delhi. Not only did they fight with old parents but also behaved cruelly. Very soon in few days they were forced to go back Ahmedabad. Finally then Man succumbed and left the wife alone to fight in this world. This Man used to carry Oxygen cylinder along with him as the lungs were almost 80% damaged. The man died and funeral had to be done after the arrival of these two great sons.
It is really painful to see in this world how the greed spoils every thing. Why a boy remains son only till marriage and suddenly starts changing. Why the sons/daughters should look for the money from parents once they are settled forgetting the fact how parents did manage every thing? Why such greed? Life is mirror and whatever we give, we get. Every thing is here only and this fact should be understood by all of us. I feel it is also due to wrong planning on part of parents who shower every thing to their kids sand dont think of the old age. They pamper the kids to such an extent that the kids dont remain kids. They feel themselves much bigger than the parents and finally forget everything. It may also be due to Sanskars we seed in them.
CP

Friends
Joining the 50's club after one year gives feeling of maturity. Today I have completed 49yrs. It was too cold, temperature about 2-3 degree and the clouds were not allowing the sun to embrace the earth, Cold wave was at its sharpest edge. In those days communication and transportation systems were almost at the nascent stage. Medical facilities were non existent except in big cities. My father had not yet completed LLB and was about to commence professional career. My maternal d my side next generation was yet to start as my mother was eldest child in their joint family. My birth at 10.00 AM on 27.01.1963 broke the ice frozen since years and elevated every one by one slot. Brothers became Mama, Chacha and sisters Mausi and Bua. But the biggest elevation was to the parents who became Nana-Nani and Dada-Dadi. It was more exciting for Nana-Nani as my cousins had already elevated some people in paternal side to Dada-Dadi.
Childhood was more of like lower middle class with completely rural back ground. It was full of scarcity, challenges and without luxury and comfort. But joint families take care of every thing and one never feel the scarcity. That made my childhood very comfortable. After 2 years of my birth we moved to Tonk and returned back to Jaipur in 1971 when I was 8 years. Parents run the family in a very small budget, I wonder how they did every thing sacrificing every comfort of the world for kids for almost next 25 years. I can't repay this debt in my life.

CP

Friends
After long time, recently finished a Book "Does He know a mother's heart?" by Arun Shourie. The book is detailed analysis about the god, his role in all actions and reactions and events. Due to extreme analysis and details, I found this book bit difficult to read and hence had to skip many pages.
After Makar Sakranti, there are actions in all the areas. Politicians are busy in elections in UP, Punjab, Uttarakhanad etc. Literature festival in Jaipur has become political platform, Mr. Kalmadi is out and Raja may follow soon, Share market is in positive mode, RBI has released about Rs. 35000 Crs. in the sysytem by reducing the CRR ratess, Rupee has also become stronger in last fortnight. Atmosphere though cold but in positive mode. Let us hope this situation would further ijmprove for better.
CP

Friends
Uttarayan/Makar Sakranti in North India and Pongal in Southern India is very pious day as per Hindu culture. The day marks the end of almost 30 days of Kamurtas. During last 30 days, no new investment or marriage are done as per hindu rituals. Makar Sakranti is also known for kite festival.

Kites are very dangerous for the birds as thousands of flying birds are trapped in kite strings and loose their life. Also lot of accidents due to kites are witnessed in almost all the cities. Most of the festivals in our culture stated with fun and enjoyment but gradually these are becoming dangerous to our nature. Kites kills many birds and people, Holi is famous fo its notoriety and also dangerous colors bring hazards to the people. During Diwali, the crackers cause lot of sound pollution and fires. We should celebrate all the festivals as per our original tradition keeping in mind the safety of nature and other living things.

I noticed that the interest in all these festivals get eroded gradually with the age. In childhood we celebrate all the festivals with full of joy but when we grow older, the interest gets faded and we divert ourselves in different directions. Very few people keep the interest live and enjoy continuously all the festivals. May be we get trapped into so many things/issues which dont allow us to keep the interest intact in festivals.

Winter season is at its peak these days and most of the northern part of the country is virtually seized under cold. It is pathetic to see the street people wrapped into torn clothes or surrounding the bonfires whole night. It is the cost of failure they are paying. Believe me cost of failure is always much higher than the prices of success.

CP

Friends
I am writing after almost one month. Last month was more of stress and kept me busy without any concrete achievements. But finally at the fag end of the year, rather last week of the year, I went on vacation to Dubai. It was wonderful stress buster. Dubai is developed under autocratic system where no politics involved and law is strictly implemented. This has resulted into fast growth and well disciplined life. It is truly said that "Bhaya Bin Preet na Hoye". Discipline without fear is impossible.

Travelling in these days is more towards vacation or for social reasons.Vacations are always good but post vacation we feel the need to run fast to make up the lost time and opportunity.
Today again going to Jaipur.

CP