” ஆற்றல் ஞாயிறு: என் வாழ்வில் திருக்குறள் “……

January 11, 2016Natarajan1 Comment

ஓவியம்: ஆர்.ராஜேஷ்

குறள்:

யான்எனது என்னும்செருக்கு அறுப்பான் வானோர்க்கு

உயர்ந்த உலகம் புகும் (346)

பொருள்:

நான் மற்றவர்களை விட உயர்ந்தவன் என்ற செருக்கு இல்லாதவரும் எல்லாப் பொருட்களையும் தனக்குரியது என்று கருதாதவரும் தவப் பெரியோர்கள் என்னும் எட்டாத இடத்துக்கு உயர்ந்துவிடுவர்.

விளக்கம்:

இந்தியாவின் வடகிழக்கு மாநிலம் அருணாச்சலப்பிரதேசம். 2003-ம் ஆண்டு அங்கு நான் 3,500 மீட்டர் உயரத்தில் அமைந்துள்ள ‘தாவாங்சூ’ என்ற இடத்துக்குச் சென்றிருந்தேன்.

ஒருநாள் முழுவதும் அங்கு தங்கியிருந்து, புத்த பிட்சுகளுடன் பேசி மகிழ்ந்திருந்தேன். அங்கு கடுமையான குளிரும், வாழ்வதற்கு மிகவும் சிரமமான சூழ்நிலையும் நிலவியது. அப்படிப்பட்ட குளிர் மிகுந்த சூழ்நிலையிலும் அங்கு இருந்த அனைவரும் சிரித்த முகத்துடன் புன்னகை தவழ வீற்றிருப்பதைப் பார்த்தேன்.

‘‘இப்படிப்பட்ட சூழ்நிலையில் இங்கு எப்படி அமைதியும் சாந்தியும் நிலவுகிறது?’’ என்கிற கேள்வி என்னுள் எழுந்தது. இதைத் தொடர்ந்து நான் அங்கிருக்கும் தலைமை புத்த பிட்சுவிடம், ‘‘இங்கு எப்படி அமைதியும் சாந்தியும் நிலவுகிறது… இது எப்படி சாத்தியமாகும்?’’ என்று கேள்வி எழுப்பினேன்.

அதற்கு அவர் என்னிடம்,‘‘நீங்கள் நாட்டின் குடியரசுத் தலைவர். உங்களுக்குத் தெரியாததா?’’ என்று வினவினார். அவரை நான் விடாமல் ‘‘எனக்கு நீங்கள் பதில் சொல்லியே தீர வேண்டும்” என்று வலியுறுத்தினேன்.

அதற்கு அவர் சொன்னார்: ‘‘இந்த உலகத்தில் நமக்குப் பல்வேறு பிரச்சினைகள், நம்பிக்கையின்மை, சுயநலம், சமூகப் பொருளாதார வேறுபாடுகள், கோபம், வெறுப்பு அதன் மூலமாக வன்முறை ஆகியவை நிலவுகின்றன. இப்படிப்பட்ட சூழலில் பவுத்த மடம் என்ன செய்தியைப் பரப்புகிறது என்றால், நாம் ஒவ்வொருவரும் ‘நான், எனது’ என்கிற எண்ணத்தை நம் மனதில் இருந்து அகற்றினால் நம்மிடம் உள்ள தற்பெருமை மறையும்; தற்பெருமை மறைந்தால் மனிதர்களுக்கு இடையில் இருக்கும் வெறுப்பு அகலும்; வெறுப்பு மனதைவிட்டு அகன்றால் வன்முறை எண்ணங்கள் நம்மைவிட்டு அகலும்; வன்முறை எண்ணங்கள் நம்மைவிட்டு மறைந்தால் அமைதி நம் மனதை தழுவும்” என்று பதிலளித்தார்.

குறள்

எப்பொருள் எத்தன்மைத்து ஆயினும் அப்பொருள்

மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு. (355)

பொருள்:

எந்தப் பொருளும் நமக்கு எப்படியும் தோற்றம் தரலாம்; ஆனால் அந்தப் பொருளில் அழியாமல் என்றும் நிலைத்திருக்கக்கூடியது எது என்று கண்டறிய வேண்டும். எனவே உண்மையான இயல்பையும் கருத்தையும் அறிந்து கொள்வதே அறிவாகும். நாம் காண்கிற பொருட்கள் பலவிதமானவை. அவை உருவம், குணம், நிறம் என்று பலவிதத்தில் ஒத்ததாகவும் வேறானதாகவும் நமக்குத் தெரிகின்றன. ஆனால் ஆராய்ந்து பார்க்கும்போதுதான் அவற்றின் உண்மைத் தன்மை நமக்குப் புலப்படும்.

விளக்கம்:

உத்தரப்பிரதேசத்தில் உள்ள மீரட் நகருக்குச் சென்றபோது ஒரு குடும்பத்தைச் சந்தித்தேன். மூன்று தலைமுறையைச் சேர்ந்தவர்கள் அந்தக் குடும்பத்தில் இருந்தனர். அவர்கள் கீர்த்தனைகளைப் பாடும்போது அவர்களோடு நானும் உடனிருந்து ரசித்தேன். ஒவ்வொருவரும் பாடலின் ஒவ்வொரு வரியையும் சுவைத்து, திளைத்து பாடினர். அவர்களிடம் அது குறித்துப் பேசினேன். எது செய்வதாக இருந்தாலும் இறைவனுக்காகச் செய்யும் சிந்தனையோடு செய்வதாகச் சொன்னார்கள். அவர்கள் அத்தனை பேரின் செயல்பாடுகளும் தெய்வீகம் பொருந்தியதாகவே இருந்தன.

எடுத்துக்காட்டாக, அந்தக் குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்த தோட்டக்காரர் கடவுளுக்குக் காணிக்கையாகும் மலர்களைப் பெறுவதற்காகத் தோட்ட வேலை செய்வதாக நினைத்தார். அலங்காரம் செய்பவர் கடவுளுக்கான இடத்தைக் கடவுளுக்காக அழகாக்குவதாக எண்ணி அதில் ஈடுபட்டார். கீர்த்தனை பாடும் குழுவினர் கடவுளை வழிபடுவதற்கு ஏற்ற ராகங்களைத் தேர்ந்தெடுத்து பாடினர். இறை எண்ணத்தோடே இறைவன் புகழைப் பாடினார்கள். அதனால் அந்த இடமே தெய்வீகமாக மிளிர்ந்தது. அந்தக் குடும்பத்தின் தலைவர் தனது குடும்ப உறுப்பினர்களையும், குழுமியிருந்தவர்களையும் தெய்வப் பிரதிநிதிகளாகவே கருதினார். ஒவ்வொர் உறுப்பினரும் என்ன செய்தாலும் தங்களுடைய செயல் ஆன்மிக எண்ணங்களுக்கு சிறப்புச் சேர்ப்பதாகவே கருதினர்.

பல்வேறு துறைகளின் தகவல்களை அறிந்துகொள்ளும்போது அதில் பொதிந்திருக்கும் பேருண்மையை ஆராயும் மனதை ஒவ்வொருவரும் கொண்டிருக்க வேண்டும். அப்படி ஆராய்ந்து கண்டறிவதுதான் மெய்ப்பொருளாகும். அத்தகைய மெய்ப்பொருளை மீரட்டில் நான் சந்தித்த அந்தக் குடும்பத்தினர் ஒவ்வொருவரும் கைவரப் பெற்றிருந்தனர்.

Source….www.tamil.thehindu.com Keywords: அப்துல் கலாம், இறுதி எழுத்துக்கள் தொடர், திருக்குறள், கலாம் குறள்

Natarajan

Mango Phone: Here’s an iPhone killer….?

January 11, 2016NatarajanLeave a comment

Apple’s iPhone will soon have an interesting competitor in smartphone markets around the globe with the launch of MPhone — the Mango Phone.

Not very surprisingly, the company has also decided on a mango as their logo. The new handset is expected to hit Indian markets by the end of this month.

The company, reportedly helmed by group of Malayalis, was founded on an initial investment of Rs 3500 crore. In what could be more interesting to prospective buyers, a fresh handset also packs a bluetooth headset, wireless charger, power bank and a selfie stick!

The handset will be brought to the markets by MPhone Electronics and Technologies Limited with 4G and 3D technology assistance from Korea. MPhone Electronics and Technologies Limited is learnt to be partnered by Anto Augustine, Roy Augustine and Josekutty Augustine from the Wayanad district of Kerala.

It is also learnt that the handset employs a 6050 mah battery that assures three days charge life for a fully charged handset. Shock resistant Gorilla screen glass, 23 MP primary and 8 MP secondary camera are other major attractions of the upcoming competitor of the iPhone. Reportedly, the handset will be providing an internal memory of 32 GB, which can be extended up to 128 GB. A 3 GB RAM module will speed up the handset.

As per unofficial reports, the MPhone will be priced around Rs 35,000. While it may not be wise to compare apples to oranges mangoes, it will certainly make for some interesting competition in this space!

Deepu

Source:

http://www.rediff.com

Natarajan

Anamorphic Art by István Orosz………

January 11, 2016NatarajanLeave a comment

István Orosz was born in 1951 and after training as a graphic designer, he first gained recognition as a stage designer and for his work in animated film as animator and director. His posters and graphic art have featured in countless international design exhibitions, and he is well-known as a printmaker and illustrator too. He is perhaps best known for his renewal of the technique of anamorphosis.

Anamorphosis is an art of distorted projection or perspective requiring the viewer to use special devices or occupy a specific vantage point to reconstitute the image. The art of Anamorphosis was invented in China and brought to Italy in the 16th century, about the time Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci were mastering 3-D and discovering slant anamorphosis.

István Orosz specializes in mirror anamorphosis, where a conical or cylindrical mirror is placed on the drawing to transform a flat distorted image into a three dimensional picture that can be viewed from many angles. He also does slant anamorphosis.

István Orosz’s best creation is probably the one called Mysterious Island. It’s a sketch of a seashore with a sail pushed along by the wind, and two men trekking.

But if a cylindrical mirror is placed over the circular sun, a portrait of Jules Verne emerges.

His other works

Source…..www.amusingplanet.com

Natarajan

These 5 Indians over 88 Will Prove that Age is Just a Number…!

January 10, 2016NatarajanLeave a comment

A 93 year old woman whose graceful dance moves will leave you mesmerised, a 104 year old marathon runner — these five such elderly people will leave you deeply inspired and motivate you to pursue your dreams.

“A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams,” said John Barrymore. There are some inspiring people in their twilight years who make sure that they live their dream each day. For them, their dreams really do become reality.

Here are five such people, who are still rocking it in their 80s and 90s:

1. Sunderlal Bahuguna, 88

Photo: alchetron.com

This environmentalist from Uttarakhand is the man behind the Chipko movement. Since several decades, he has been fighting to preserve Himalayan forests and is still very active when it comes to environmental conservation. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the government of India in 1981, but he turned it down. He later got the Padma Vibhushan in 2009. He has been actively working to defend India’s rivers and has backed many anti-dam protests.

2. Fauja Singh, 104

Photo: weinterrupt.com

Born in Punjab, this 104-year-old superman is the oldest marathon runner in the world. He ran the London Marathon when he was 101-years-old and completed it in 7 hours and 49 minutes. Now he runs for fun! In 2011 (the year which also marked his 100th birthday), he attempted and accomplished eight world age-group records in one day at the special Ontario Masters Association Fauja Singh Invitational Meet, held at Birchmount Stadium in Toronto, Ontario Canada.

3. V. Nanammal, 95

She is 95 but does extremely difficult yoga poses with ease. With her talent, she has proved that age is just a number. She started practicing yoga when she was just 14 and has continued to pursue the ancient art till date. This Coimbatore-based super grandmother says she teaches yoga to over 100 kids and hasn’t faced any health problems till date — all thanks to yoga.

4. K.T. Antony, 91

Photo: mattersindia.com

While many people of his age prefer reading as they grow older, Antony chose to follow a different path. He is currently busy writing his next romantic novel, which is based on biblical characters. He has completed two sets of short plays and three novels. Not just this, he is also a graphic designer, actor, and director. Now that’s what we call living the life to its fullest!

5. Bhanu Rao, 92

This extremely talented lady might be over 90 but still has amazing talent. Her graceful Bharatnatyam moves are enough to give a complex to any young dancer. Watch her perform on her 92nd birthday and fall in love with her.

source….Shreya Pareek in http://www.the betterindia.com

Natarajan

The Incredible Story of a Village in Kerala That Gave up Alcohol… For Chess!

January 10, 2016NatarajanLeave a comment

In the midst of the recent debate surrounding prohibition in the southern Indian state of Kerala, maybe it’s time once again to talk about the tiny village of Marottichal in Puthur Gram, Thrissur.

In the 60s and 70s, the village had a serious problem with locally-brewed liquor. Too many villagers both brewed toddy and were addicted to it. Over time, this became a source of local suffering. Slowly but surely, though, the villagers realised that the deep rifts caused in their community because of alcohol needed to be healed. In a move that goes to show the extent of their determination (and desperation) to be rid of alcohol, they convinced excise officials to raid their village and put a stop to the brewing.

Often, when the focus of an addiction is removed, the addict simply replaces the object his devotion with another.

How delightful then, that what the residents of Marottichal chose to put their heart in was, of all things — chess.

mage for representation only. Source: Wikipedia

Over 40 years ago, when the villagers were struggling to cope with the aftermath of their alcoholism, it just so happened that a young man called C. Unnikrishnan was intensely fascinated by Bobby Fischer — the American who became the youngest chess Grandmaster at the at of 16.

After he came across an article about Fischer in a magazine, Unnikrishnan was hooked. He started attending coaching classes to learn chess, then decided that the game was too special to remain a private pleasure; it needed to be popularised. He started giving free lessons at his home to villagers both young and old. Since then, he has trained over 600 people. Today, he runs a restaurant where people can come at any time and play chess.

In a 2012 article, Unnikrishnan had said to The Hindu, “Chess is my passion. Once I start playing, I forget everything. It’s kind of an addiction.”

Funny that he would choose that word.

Today, 90 percent of the residents of Marottichal are chess players. This passion cuts across gender and age — here men and women, children and grandparents all play intense games of chess against each other with equal fervour.

Viswanathan Anand, Grandmaster and five time World Chess Champion, has congratulated the villagers’ effort “to create a rare distinction in the field of chess”. Their prodigious love of the game has also found a place in a 2013 Malayalam movie, August Club.

Source…..Vandita Kapoor in www.the betterindia.com

Natarajan

9 of the Most Remote Inhabited Islands in the World…!!!

January 10, 2016Natarajan1 Comment

I can’t get my head around how far away the inhabitants of these islands live from civilization! They are hundreds, if not thousands, of miles from the nearest continental land mass – it’s truly astonishing to think they’re even inhabited at all. Would you dare to visit somewhere so remote? These are 9 of the world’s most remote inhabited islands:

Saint Helena

The Most Remoted Inhabited Islands in the World

Image Source

Distance from Civilization: 1,200 miles from Angolan coast

Saint Helena is widely believed to have been discovered by the Portuguese at the turn of the 15th Century. Various European powers staked different claims to the island during the 17th Century. It’s probably most well-known as the place that Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to, following his defeat by the British. It is home to 4,255 people.

Ascension Island

The Most Remoted Inhabited Islands in the World

Distance from Civilization: 1,000 miles from African coast

Located in the South Atlantic Ocean, Ascension Island is home to approximately 880 people. It is not thought to have had an indigenous population, and it was first settled in 1815. Prior to that, it was sporadically used as an open prison. Its principle settlement and capital city is Georgetown.

Easter Island

The Most Remoted Inhabited Islands in the World

Distance from Civilization: 2,000 miles from Chilean coast

Easter Island is instantly recognizable due to the Moai, or giant statues, which dot the island. They were carved by the native Rapa Nui people between the 13th and 16th Centuries. In the present day, the island is populated by a little over 6,000 people. It’s said to overwhelm first-time visitors with the sheer sense of isolation they feel upon arrival.

Tristan da Cunha

The Most Remoted Inhabited Islands in the World

Image Source

Distance from Civilization: 1,750 miles from South African coast

Lying all alone in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, Tristan da Cunha was first inhabited in 1816. Its main settlement, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, is widely considered to be the most remote permanent settlement on earth.

Pitcairn Island

The Most Remoted Inhabited Islands in the World

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Distance from Civilization: 1,800 miles from New Zealand

Most of the 56 people that currently live on Pitcairn Island descended from the Bounty mutineers and the Tahitians that accompanied them. The island is the least populous natural jurisdiction in the world.

South Keeling/Cocos Islands

The Most Remoted Inhabited Islands in the World

Distance from Civilization: 620 miles from Java, Indonesia

This island chain consists of two atolls and 27 coral islands. Just two of the latter are inhabited. West Island is home to approximately 120 people, while Home Island is home to about 500 people. The islands are a territory of Australia.

Floreana

The Most Remoted Inhabited Islands in the World

Distance from Civilization: 620 miles from Ecuador

Taking its name from the first president of Ecuador, Floreana is part of the Galapagos Islands. While it’s true that there are some 26,000 people living throughout this archipelago in the present day, Floreana is the most remote island within it. It’s home to just 100 people.

Niue

Image Source

Distance from Civilization: 1,500 miles from New Zealand

Although Niue is an independent island country, it is in free association with New Zealand, which conducts diplomatic affairs on its behalf. It was the first nation in the world to provide free WiFi to all of its 1,600 citizens.

St. George’s Island

The Most Remoted Inhabited Islands in the World

Distance from Civilization: Approx. 500 miles from Alaska

Located in the frigid Bering Sea between Russia to the west and Alaska to the east, St. George’s Island features one settlement that encompasses the entire 35 square miles of the island. Just 100 people live on the island.

Written by: Jake Schembri

Source……www.ba-bamail.com

Natarajan

Message for the Day….” Understand What is Culture …”

January 10, 2016NatarajanLeave a comment

Many do not invest time to understand the sacredness and value of their culture. ‘Culture’ means that which sanctifies the world, which enhances the greatness and glory of a country, and which helps to raise the individual and society to a higher level of existence. The observance of morality in daily life, divinisation of all actions and thoughts related to life, and adherence to ideals – all these together constitute culture. Culture contributes to the refinement of life. The process of refinement or transformation is essential for improving the utility of any object. For instance, paddy has to be milled and the husk has to be removed before the rice is fit for cooking. This is the process known as Samskriti or transformation. This means getting rid of the unwanted elements and securing the desirable elements. With regards to people, Samskriti (culture) means getting rid of bad qualities and cultivating virtues. A cultured person is one who has good thoughts and good conduct.

Sathya Sai Baba

inspiring lessons to be learnt from street food vendors……….

January 9, 2016Natarajan1 Comment

Before starting a new company, perhaps you should visit your nearest food stall for some quick inspiration. Here’s why.

As I travel across Bangalore and other cities attempting to discover interesting street food and local eateries, I am often struck by the creativity, innovation, and business sensibilities that some of the owners exhibit.

From humble tea stalls catering to actors and politicians to trained fine dine chefs, many owners bring extensive knowledge and an inspiring spirit of entrepreneurship to their eateries.

Here are some of these inspiring stories and what they’ve taught me.

#1. Don’t let the world dictate what you can do

Daniel D’souza, the owner of Sharon Tea Stall in Bangalore, didn’t want to run just another tea stall.

So he decided that there was no reason why the more exotic teas should be available only in fancy tea parlours and out of the reach of an everyday person on the road.

Sharon Tea Stall in Indira Nagar is a full-fledged tea parlour in the garb of a small street-side shack that serves a wide variety of interesting teas.

No wonder then that his clients include actors and politicians from across the state, something he proudly displays through photographs at the tiny stall.

Try stuff that hasn’t been done before even if you’re unsure of succeeding.

#2. Do something unexpected. Then expect it to create stickiness

Simple creative differentiators can be used to transform products from also-rans to pack-leaders, and often a small tweak within existing boundaries can result in starkly different products that are bound to attract attention.

One momo vendor decided that plain white momos are passe.

So she transformed them into colourful bites using natural food extracts from beetroots, carrots and spinach. Now that’s creative!

3. Where there’s a will, there’s a way

A vendor selling sundal, the popular South Indian snack made with chickpeas, wanted to ensure that the food is both moist and steaming hot. Not an easy task to achieve, given the push-cart he was selling out of.

So he built a simple section below the cart to house a pot of water on a stove. The steam from the boiling water comes up through the holes on the cart platform.

When a customer draws up, he simply spoons the required quantity of sundal onto the holes so that it is infused with steam making it moist and piping hot.

A similar example is of a chicken seekh kebab stand at 27th Main Road, HSR Layout.

Here’s a photo shot of the crank-shaft-operated open grill that he conceptualised to keep the coals fired. Indian jugaad at its best!

#4. Limited variety, unbeatable quality

Just recently, I was introduced to small bhajji or pakora vendor in a popular market in Gandhi Bazaar, Bangalore.

He sells a simple variety of bhajjis made out of capsicum, raw bananas, potatoes and green peppers.

At the cost of pricing his bhajjis 50 per cent above market rate, the vendor, Praveen ensures that he only uses the best vegetables.

Each of the bhajjis is the same size and each vegetable he uses is fresh.

That’s also the case with many other street food vendors — they do not compromise on quality, which explains why they have stayed popular for decades.

#5. Service with a smile, always

With the crowds that Ravi’s Gobi van attracts, it could be easy to be a little impatient at times.

But the one thing that regular customers love about Ravi (pictured above), apart from the delectable Chinese fare he churns out of his food van at one corner of the Banashankari BDA complex in Bangalore, is his constant smile and polite demeanour even when he is answering irate customers.

A perfect example of winning service orientation.

#6. Apply existing concepts differently

Who said pizzas are to be eaten only in fancy chains or that soup can be had only at sit-down restaurants?

Kumar, an erstwhile chef with Little Italy, has designed a pizza van which sees regular crowds relishing pizzas and garlic bread.

Meanwhile Vallarmati serves three different soups everyday complete with condiments, from her simple soup cart in HSR Layout, Bangalore.

#7. Choose a niche and be the expert in it

Revathy, a food and nutrition student, realised that street food hardly catered to people with health issues such as diabetes.

So she developed special recipes using sprouts, green gram and bitter gourd

which she retails from her small eatery in Malleshwaram, Bangalore.

8. Build something that customers love. And then sit back to enjoy it. More is not always better

This was a recurrent theme across Goa where work takes on a different meaning altogether and living a good life is about having the bandwidth to do the things one enjoys and spending time with friends and family.

Many a popular eatery owner makes a well thought through choice about business hours and expansion keeping this in mind.

The author Maheima Kapur is founder and CEO of Talking Street, a start-up that helps find the best street and local food in different cities. She was earlier with Unilever and Tata, and studied at IIM-B and SSSIHL. She can be followed on Twitter at @maheima

Source……..Maheima Kapur….in http://www.rediff.com

Natarajan

Message for the Day…….” Hearts filled with the nectar of love indicate genuine humanity in people “…..

January 8, 2016NatarajanLeave a comment

Humans are those who consider love as the only quality to be fostered and stay away from inferior qualities as if they are snakes. Bad conduct and bad habits distort the humanness of people. Hearts filled with the nectar of love indicate genuine humanity in people. True love is unsullied, unselfish, devoid of impurity, and continuous. The difference between human(manava) and demon (danava) is only ‘ma’ and ‘da’! The letter ‘ma’ is soft, sweet, and immortal in symbolism, while the sound ‘da’ is merciless, lawless, and burning. Are they humans who have no sweetness in them and who endeavour to suppress the craving for immortality? Theirs is the nature of demons, though the form is human! For, it is the character and not the form which is primary. Good nature is resplendent on the faces of true humans as bliss (ananda). But without that goodness, even if they are infatuated with joy, the face will indicate only the destructive fire of the demon; they won’t have the grace of spiritual bliss.

Sathya Sai Baba