| A man walked into a bar and ordered a glass of white wine. He took a sip of it, then tossed the remainder in the bartender’s face.
Before the bartender could recover from the surprise, the man began weeping. “I’m really sorry. I keep doing this to bartenders. I can’t tell you how embarrassing it is to have a compulsion like this.”
Far from being angry, the bartender was sympathetic. Before long, he was suggesting that the man see a psychoanalyst about his problem. “I happen to have the name of a psychoanalyst,” the bartender said. “My brother and my wife have both been treated by him, and they say he’s as good as they come.” The man wrote down the name of the doctor, thanked the bartender and left. The bartender smiled, knowing he’d done a good deed for a fellow human being. Six months later, the man was back. “Did you do what I suggested?” the bartender asked, serving the glass of white wine. “I certainly did,” the man said. “I’ve been seeing the psychoanalyst twice a week.” He took a sip of the wine. Then he threw the remainder into the bartender’s face. The flustered bartender wiped his face with a towel. “The doctor doesn’t seem to be doing you any good,” he spluttered. “On the contrary,” the man said,” he’s done me a world of good.” “But you just threw the wine in my face again!” the bartender exclaimed. “Yes,” the man said. “But it doesn’t embarrass me anymore!” Source…..www.ba-ba mail.com Natarajan |
human
Message for the Day…” Don”t have ill will towards anyone…”
“The world is impermanent. Birth is a misery. Old age is a misery. Be careful!” says a Sanskrit poem. As long as you are alive, everyone would seem to love the body. This is for purely selfish reasons. God alone is utterly selfless. Love God and lead your normal lives; there is nothing wrong in this. Whatever you do, treat it as an offering to God. See God in everyone. Don’t have ill will towards anyone. Do not have excessive attachment for anyone. Direct all attachment towards God. Love all. Do not rely on anyone except God. Realise the impermanence of the body and place your trust solely in God. Seek refuge in Him. What is most needed today in this Kali age is faith. As often as possible, when you get the chance, meditate on God. Earn the esteem of society through sincere service. That will ensure a good future for you.
Message for the Day… ” Take all worldly losses, sufferings , and worries as merely temporal and transitory…’
Irrespective of whatever inconveniences you may encounter, you must continue your spiritual practices with the same discipline. The smarana (remembrance) of the Name of the Lord you cherish should go on. Your chosen Name must not give you the slightest feeling of dislike or apathy. If the Name is changed frequently, concentration is impossible, and your mind will not attain one-pointedness, which is the goal of all spiritual disciplines. Avoid constant adoption and rejection of Lord’s Names. Be convinced that all Names and Forms are the same name and form that you adore. Take all worldly losses, sufferings, and worries as merely temporal and transitory, and realise that repetition of the Name and meditation is only to overcome such grief. You must understand that loss, suffering, and worry are external, they belong to this world, while repetition of the Name and meditation are internal, they belong to the realm of the love for the Lord.
The Extraordinary Story of Janarthanan, a Mouth Painter Who Exemplifies Grit and Determination…
Janarthanan is a 24-year-old mouth artist. He lost both his hands in a devastating accident at the age of eight and has been facing each day like a challenge since then. He has won more than 150 prizes in painting competitions since 2003, including two national awards. This is his story of determination and grit, narrated with his beautiful art.
“People always feel that they can’t do something or the other because they concentrate on a lot of negativity. But remember how we used to play many different games as children? We would focus on something – a puzzle to solve or a game to finish, and be completely positive that we will be able to achieve success. If we could think that way as kids, why can’t we have the same attitude as adults? One just has to feel positive,” says Janarthanan, a young man who lost both his hands and a leg after an accident when he was 8 years old.
Today, this Chennai resident is an accomplished mouth painter and has won over 150 prizes at different painting competitions
Janarthanan
It was March 4, 2000 – just another day for young Janarthanan who returned home after school and went to the terrace to play with his friends.
“I found a seven feet long iron rod on the terrace and started playing with it. I was spinning it while standing near the edge of the terrace and didn’t notice a high tension electric line adjacent to the building. The rod suddenly came in contact with the line,” recounts Janarthanan.
He fainted due to the electric shock and the nearest transformer burst into flames. Hearing the noise, his parents and neighbours rushed to the spot to find the little boy burnt and unconscious. He was immediately taken to a nearby private hospital but the doctors there had never seen such a case. Janarthanan had suffered 99% burns and they didn’t know how to treat him. So his father was advised to take him to the Government Stanley Hospital. A group of 13 doctors, headed by a child specialist named Dr. Seeniraj, treated Janarthanan.
As the injuries were very deep, they had to amputate his right hand up to his shoulders, left hand up to the elbow, his left leg till the knee, and the toes of his right foot.
His family
“I was cured after eight months and eight operations. Dr. Seeniraj told my father that this child has got a second chance and it means that he will achieve something great in life. It gave my parents a lot of hope,” smiles Janarthanan.
He asked his doctor a simple question during the recovery period – “How will I go to school after all this? How will I go normally, like I used to go earlier?” And the even simpler answer to this question changed his life.
“The doctor just told me that he knows many people who write with their mouth, and I should also try. I started trying that evening only. And kept practicing for days till I finally succeeded,” he says.
After his treatment, Janarthanan went to the Government Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in Chennai to get a prosthetic leg. His family had spent a lot of money on his treatment by then, and this was the maximum they could afford. Soon, he started walking, after fighting immense pain with his unbeatable determination during the practice sessions.
All this while, Janarthanan also continued to practice writing with his mouth. One day, he saw his mother drawing some flowers in a notebook. It struck him then that he could try drawing and painting as well. So he did.
And after several days of hard work, he succeeded at that too – painting with poster and water colours.
This was when some people at the rehabilitation centre advised him that he should participate in painting competitions because his work was so impressive.
He writes, draws and paints with his mouth
“Earlier, I used to feel very shy and bad about going out. But when I did finally participate in one competition, I ended up winning the first prize. It really encouraged me. Everyone was talking about my victory and there were posters about my recovery at the hospital to encourage other patients like me. Every time I saw those posters, I used to get motivated to participate in more competitions,” says Janarthanan.
He practiced his art himself and never joined any training centre to learn painting or drawing. Since his first victory, he has participated in many big and small events, winning in most of them.
The first time he participated in a national level competition was in 2005, through Bal Bhawan in Chennai. The competition was held at three levels – zonal, district and state.
Janarthanan went on qualifying at each level to finally reach the finals, which were organized in Delhi.
“I didn’t participate with children with physical disabilities. The competition was for everyone, and it was really tough. A few months after the event they sent me a letter saying that I was selected for the National Award and had to go to the Rashtrapati Bhavan to receive it. I didn’t expect anything like that, and it was a priceless moment. I met Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. ‘You should be a role model for others,’ he told me. I am still living by his words,” the artist remembers.
He has won more than 150 awards since 2003, and received a recent one from musician A. R. Rahman.
Receiving an award from A.R. Rahman
Janarthanan wrote all his exams with his mouth, including his class 10 board exams for which he was granted some extra time.
With his desire to become a computer graphics designer, Janarthanan did a course in multimedia, followed by a visual effects course from Loyola College.
After that, he joined a media channel and worked there for three years.
With Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
Currently, 24-year-old Janarthanan is working as a freelancer in the field of film editing and is concentrating on learning more about film direction.
He is exploring the filed of film direction
“I face each day like a challenge, and without the support of my parents and sister, I would not have reached so far. I just want to continue being positive and do what I love,” he concludes.
Janarthanan, you really are an inspiration for many. Here’s wishing you the very best for all your future projects.
Source….Tanaya singh in http://www.the betterindia.com
Natarajan
When No Taxi Took His Wife to the Hospital, This Engineer Became a Taxi Driver so He Never Said ‘No’
When Vijay Thakur, a mechanical engineer, lost his first child just because he did not get a taxi to get to the hospital on time, he left his job. To become a taxi driver who would help the needy.
Vijay Thakur was working as a mechanical engineer with Larsen and Toubro, Mumbai, in 1982. He earned a handsome salary. Once married, life became even better with his wife Saroj by his side. They soon learnt they were going to be parents too and Vijay’s joy knew no bounds.
But one night in March 1982, when Saroj was just 3 months pregnant, she had pain in her abdomen. Vijay rushed out to look for a cab to take his wife to the hospital. It was 2 am and no taxi was ready to stop for him. He kept waving and pleading but did not get a taxi. Finally, he ran till Andheri station and brought a taxi back home by paying Rs. 300 (almost like paying Rs. 3000 in today’s money) to take Saroj to Nanavati hospital. But, unfortunately, by the time they reached the hospital Saroj had a miscarriage.
Vijay and Saroj lost their first child just because no taxi driver was willing to do his job. Vijay was thoroughly shaken up by the tragedy. He kept thinking no one should go through the same experience his wife and he did.
“I was earning quite well then and so I could afford to at least pay double and get a taxi. But I started thinking about those people who cannot even afford to hire an auto rickshaw,” says Vijay.
Pic source: www.theweek.in
Vijay now wanted to do something for such patients. But his long hours at work did not leave him with much time to think. He was still struggling between his career and his desire to help people when Larsen & Toubro introduced a voluntary retirement scheme in 1984. Thakur took up the offer and decided to become a taxi driver, promising himself that he would never decline a passenger. He bought a Fiat car for Rs. 66,000 and got a taxi permit.
He made himself available to passengers always.
“I don’t sleep between 2 am and 4 am because that is the time an emergency patient may need a taxi,” says Vijay.
Despite opposition from his wife and family, Vijay kept doing his work. But then, life again took a tragic turn in the year 1999 when his younger son was hit by a ball on his knees while playing cricket. Initially, his wife and he ignored the injury, thinking it was just a small cut. But within a week the knee had swollen so much that they took him to a doctor. There, the small cut was diagnosed as cancerous and the 19-year-old boy left within 16 days.
Vijay was devastated; he had spent all his savings on his son’s treatment.
“Once, I had to pay a bill for Rs. 43,000 for my son’s treatment. I was short by Rs. 10 and the cashier refused to accept my money. A stranger offered me the balance and only then did the cashier take the money and issue a receipt. This incident strengthened my resolve to help people in need,” says Vijay.
After this incident, Vijay stopped charging fares from poor patients and painted a sign to the effect on the rear window of the taxi. Anyone in Mumbai can give him a call any time and he never says ‘No.’
When asked about his most memorable experiences, he describes quite a few. One of them happened almost 15-20 years back. He was driving on the night of December 31, around 3 am, when he saw a car ramming into a tanker. When Vijay looked inside the car, there was a couple along with an 8-month-old baby girl. He rushed them to Cooper hospital immediately. Unfortunately, the mother died but the father and the child were saved because they got treatment on time. The lady was wearing jewellery worth Rs. 2 lakhs, which the doctors gave to Vijay. Once the victim’s relatives arrived at the hospital, Vijay handed over the jewellery to them and left. Later, he came to know the accident victim was film producer Sudhakar Bokade’s wife. Mr. Bokade offered him money once he was back home with his daughter but Vijay refused to take anything.
“I don’t do this for money or publicity. I don’t remember the people who I have helped once they are fine,” says Vijay.
Vijay Thakur was felicitated by Mr. Amitabh Bachchan on his show Aaj ki Raat Hai Zindagi,where he met his all time favourite star Jeetendra.
Pic source: Twitter
“It was one of the happiest moments of my life. I never ever thought I could meet Jeetu ji. I am a huge fan. I used to bunk school and watch his movies. I have watched the movie Farz some 31 times just because of Jeetendra,” says Vijay.
Pic source: Hotstar
But this man, who left his lucrative career and took up the job of a taxi driver, helped more than 500 needy patients and ferried thousands to their destinations without any complaints, needs your help now.
He is 73 years old now and was recently diagnosed with cervical spondylitis.
“The doctor said it needs to be operated on. He also said that I will either die or will be paralyzed after this operation. But people say I have so many blessings, nothing will happen. I believe them,” he says.
If you wish to help Vijay Thakur, you can call him on +91 9819001689.
Source…….Manabi Katoch in http://www.the betterindia.com
Natarajan
Message for the Day….” Never get inflated when you are praised…Never get deflated when you are blamed …”
Above all, it is best that the Sadhaka under all circumstances should be joyful, smiling and enthusiastic. Even more than Bhakthi and Jnana (Devotion and Wisdom), this pure attitude is desirable. Those who have acquired it deserve to reach the goal first. This quality of joy at all times is the fruit of the good done in past births. When a person is ever worried, depressed and doubting, he can never attain bliss, whatever spiritual practices or Sadhana one may undertake. The first task of a spiritual aspirant is the cultivation of enthusiasm. Through that enthusiasm, he can derive any variety of Ananda. Never get inflated when you are praised; never get deflated when you are blamed. Be a spiritual lion, regardless of both. One must analyse and correct one’s faults on his own; this is most important.
A Man with Dwarfism Heard about a Woman with Polio Crossing the English Channel. Then He Did This….
He is 44, was born with dwarfism, is 4 feet 2 inches tall, and is super passionate about sports. This is the inspiring story of K Y Venkatesh, a para-sportsman from Bengaluru, whose short stature never disheartened him from moving forward in life.
Meet K Y Venkatesh, a 44-year-old para-sportsman who did not let his disability come in the way of his dream to make a mark in the field of sports. Venkatesh has achondroplasia, a condition that leads to dwarfism.
“I never faced many problems when I was growing up. The only challenge was that whenever I used to go to a new place or my native village, strangers would often stare at me and talk about my height behind my back. But my family always supported me and that helped me in keeping myself motivated,” he recounts.
Today Venkatesh has his name in the Limca Book of Records for winning the highest number of medals in the World Dwarf Games, 2005.
He made himself proud with a successful career and is still working hard to promote different sports among people with disabilities.
Born and brought up in Bengaluru, Venkatesh started his career in 1994:
“This was after I heard about C.N Janaki, a woman who was afflicted with polio since the age of two. She swam across the English Channel in 1992 and her victory motivated me a lot. That was where this spirit and love for sports arose in me. I thought if she can do something like this without having any mobility in her legs, why can’t I try? I took that spirit and built my sports career on it,” he says.
Venkatesh represented India at the first International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships held in Berlin, Germany in 1994.
“I felt extremely proud while entering the stadium in which the Indian hockey team had won gold,” he says.
Venkatesh never looked back after that day. He is interested in multiple games and has achieved excellence in athletics, badminton, basketball, hockey, soccer, and volleyball. In 1999, he won his first international gold medal for shotput in a multi disability championship held in Australia. “It was like a dream come true. I could not express my feelings. It was my first international medal and that too gold. My family was exhilarated. It was like my parents saw a dream and it turned into reality,” he smiles. Since he was new to the field of sports, people around Venkatesh used to help and guide him a lot during coaching sessions.
In 2005, Venkatesh became the first Indian athlete to represent India at the fourth World Dwarf Games. It was here that he won six medals – two gold, one silver and three bronze. These were for athletics and badminton events (singles and doubles). The World Dwarf Games are similar to the Paralympics, where people with dwarfism compete at an international level. The Games are held every four years at locations around the world.
Recently, the Limca Book of Records honoured Venkatesh with the People of the Year award for his achievements.
“The experience of playing at the World Dwarf Games was really unique. So many people from other countries come in and we have a really good time. India is slowly gaining awareness about these games and the sportspersons are being recognised. We had to arrange for funds ourselves to participate in the games because the government didn’t sponsor us that time. So we also had to worry about finding sponsors and that was one of the major troubles for us. People from other countries did not have to worry about those things,” he says.
While Venkatesh stopped playing after 2012, he is contributing largely to the administration, development, and promotion of different sports among people with disabilities. He is the secretary of the Karnataka Badminton Association for the Disabled that conducts national badminton tournaments every year. “First we identify the people, bring them to the national level, and if they are very good, then we prepare them for the international games. Recently, two people from the Association won medals in world championships. This way, I am trying to encourage talented players,” he says. Later, he attended the IPC accredited coaching, technical and classification course in wheelchair basketball to promote the sport in India.
Seeing his contribution to sports for people with disabilities, the Government of India sent Venkatesh as the team escort for many international level sports meets to help wheelchair bound players.
He also played a key role in getting the international affiliation for India from the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF), Canada; International Para Equestrian Committee (IPEC), Switzerland; and International Dwarf Sports Federation (IDSF), UK.
Venkatesh was the youngest kid in his family with an elder brother and four sisters. His father was a government ayurveda doctor who played a huge role in developing Venkatesh’s interest in sports. He used to coach him in chess when he was in high school, giving young Venkatesh a chance to participate in several interschool championships.
“My family has always supported me. Nobody in my family has reached such heights in sports, and they are very happy about my achievements. They keep searching on Google and show me the different places where my photos come up,” he says.
Venkatesh completed his graduation from MES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Bengaluru.
“Seeing other people who are living with more severe disabilities but are moving forward in life, I always think that when they can achieve so much, we can too. That is what I tell people. We should not be restricted by our disabilities but move ahead, contributing to the country’s success as well,” he concludes.
Source….Tanaya Singh in http://www.the betterindia.com
Natarajan
These 7 Photos by Indians Just Got Shortlisted in the World’s Biggest Photography Contest…
Six Indian photographers have been shortlisted for the Sony World Photography Awards, 2016. Their photographs made it to the top 115 from about 2,30,103 entries that came from 186 countries around the world.
The Sony World Photography Awards competition began in 2007 and has emerged as the biggest photography competition in the world. , and the winners will share the prize money of $30,000. Their photographs will also be displayed at the World Photography Awards exhibition (April–May), other than being featured in the 2016 edition of the Awards book.
Here is a look at the work of six shortlisted photographers:
1. Prakash Singh, Professional Landscape Category
Prakash, who currently lives in Dubai, took up photography as a profession in 2012. Two of his photographs have been shortlisted under the Landscape Category.
2. Nikunj Rathod, Open People Category
Nikunj is a 28-year-old film director and photographer from Mumbai, and his picture, Bird Hunter, has been shortlisted. He is interested in capturing life on streets.
3. Jaydip Bhattacharya, Open Smile Category
A high school teacher in Kolkata, Jaydip loves to take pictures of faces, people, etc. His shortlisted picture is named Joys of learning.
4. Abhijeet Banerjee, Open Travel Category
Abhijeet Banerjee’s picture Gangasagar Fair shows India’s second largest fair which takes place every year in January.
5. Anasuya Mandal, Open Travel Category
Anasuya Mandal, who is pursuing her PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, began travel photography three years ago. The image captures the Bryce Amphitheater in Utah.
6. Sanghamitra Sarkar, Open Low Light Category
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An amateur photographer from Kalyani, West Bengal, Sanghamitra Sarkar, likes to document different festivals in India and abroad. This image – All souls day, was shot in Puruliya village.
All pictures: Sony World Photography Awards
Source…….Tanaya Singh in http://www.the betterindia.com
Natarajan
Message for the Day….” Everlasting happiness can be obtained only from God…”
In this vast world, every living being desires happiness that is eternal. Where can we attain this happiness from? Beauty is happiness, and happiness is the nectarous essence of life. Which objects are beautiful in this world? A number of objects attract people in various ways. You think it is the beauty of the objects that attracts. But beauty is temporary, whether it is in human beings, birds, animals, or things. For example, this is a rose. It looks so beautiful. Its beauty gives happiness. But how long will its beauty last? It may be there till today or tomorrow. Thereafter all its petals will fall down and it will lose its shine. When it loses its beauty, it will no longer give you happiness. Thus in this world, you cannot find permanent beauty and permanent happiness. Only God is permanent in this world; the rest is temporary like passing clouds. Everlasting happiness can be attained only from God.
Message for the Day….” Expansion is the keynote of Education…”
Expansion is the keynote of education. The first step for this expansion is the home, where you must revere and please your parents who gave you this chance to live and learn. If you ill-treat them or inflict grief on their minds, how can you ever gladden others by service and understanding? You know that when a balloon is blown, it bursts and the air inside it merges with the vast limitless expanse outside. So too your love must fill your home and your society, and finally burst even those bonds and become worldwide. A drop of water held in the palm evaporates soon; it is very solitary. But drop it into the sea – it survives! It assumes the name, the majesty and the might of a sea! Cultivate the seeds of love in all hearts!
Take off with Natarajan 