Mutual benefit

"Wanna glasses?" a young guy asked an aged villager, sitting in a group near a bonfire. The older one nodded. The guy squatted to show the glasses he was carrying on his hand. Villager picked up one, put it on the face and looked up and down, towards the farthest point and the close objects. Removed it and tried a new one offered by the moving shop. The black carry bag on the guy's shoulder contained the shopping items. The villager repeated the viewing of all things. Must have liked it so asked for its price. A good bargaining proved fruitful, of course for both.

A person buying a spectacles without consulting an optician! Is the villager looking COOL in his new purchase?

Zeal

A little bit lazy person I was, so took this photo while sitting on my seat. There was not much space to move. It was raining cats and dogs and the crowd was huge to attend the function. Muddy puddles were formed here and there. Rain water was seeping from the tent ceiling when extra polythene sheets could no longer hold it. Heavy showers led to the formation of small pools on the ceiling which were constantly dripping. To find a dry seat was tough and to detain it was much tougher. :)

It was the fifth annual function of Gaushala (cattle house) in a tiny village Mangali. It is run and organised by self help group. Homeless, hungry and injured cows are brought here. It provides food, shelter and medical treatment to them.

The villagers were concerned about the welfare of the innocent animals. They were eager to do everything. Local businessmen, farmers, housewives and senior citizens were enthusiastically taking part and giving donations delightfully. Children were giving money out of their piggy banks. A child in shabby clothes shivering from cold, came forward and gave one rupee as charity.

Who sacrificed more, a rich chap who gave 500 bucks from his pocket money or a poor one who gave all his treasure; one coin.

New Year Resolution

"My New Year Resolution is to have nuptial ties." Ms. 'S' replied to me. "Next year, her New Year Resolution will be to have a baby." I thought. :-)

Here the point to ponder is when there is so much sorrow, pain, poverty, then how could one be so selfish? Mentally and physically challenged needs our love and affection and care. Ill persons and senior citizens who can't look after themselves, it becomes our obliged duty to take care of them. Even after green revolution, there are a few regions where poor can't afford one time meal. Is it the time to think about just own selfish self or about the ones who are less fortunate?

My New Year Resolution is that I will help everyone through my knowledge of Vastushastra. Vastushastra is an ancient science of Indian architect. With the help of this science, financial problems, health problems and other common problems can be sorted out by making small changes in the house or work place. If anybody needs my help can write to me. I am here to help you all.

What is your New Year Resolution? Please do share.

Happy 2010. :)

Bad situations : Good results

Holding a small sized fabric paint bottle and also balancing the frame with my left hand, I was making the outline of yellow flowers with orange dipped brush. Except that work, fabric painting was almost complete. I was totally absorbed. My pet Kartiki rushed towards me. Before I could stop her from coming near me, she pushed her nose on my hand, disturbing my balance. Orange color spilt from the opened bottle. She was poking me to say something important. I left the work. Being successful in grasping my attention, she hurriedly ran towards the door. It was locked. I unlocked it. She vigorously opened the door and was out of the house in the garden. I followed her and saw she was vomiting some foam mixed with some grass which she ate during the morning walk. It stroked to me that she had caught the cold. She is an intelligent baby who never spread dirt in the house.

When I returned back, I saw the orange strain on a few inches distance from the design. If I tried to remove it then it would only be spoiling it further. I was upset. So what should be done?

I cut the centre of cardboard in oval shape so that the whole floral motif is visible. Took a green coloured fabric and cut its centre also in oval shape little smaller than the earlier one. Pasted the fabric on cardboard, smoothed it by making small cuts and then folding the extra fabric on wrong side. To maintain symmetry, I did the same for both pieces.

The look was now more awesome with green background. What do you think?
Bad situations always leeds to better results. :)

Creepy or cute creature

"I can't do the cleaning in that room.", maid servant with a touch of fear in her voice told me.
"Why? What happened?", I asked curiously.
"There is an animal. Come and see it yourself."
She led me to the room. Sea green curtains and the bed cover weaved with light brown and sea green colored threads were making the color scheme of room quite monotonous. A big lizard with a blend of light and dark shades of green was lying on bed. Oh! It was gecko who was perfectly blending with the surrounding colors. On seeing the horrible animal lying so calmly, I couldn't stop smiling. It was just a poor imitation of a lizard.
"This one." I pointed.
"Yes, I am scared of such animals."
"It is not an animal but a toy made of rubber." I picked up that object and squeezed it a little to convince her.
"NO.No.Put it down." Now, horror could be clearly seen on her face. "I am afraid of such creatures."
"This is a toy and not a reptile who will bite you. See." I squeezed it more and then hold it from its tail and swung it.
"Ah...!" she screamed and stepped back a little."
"It's too scary, hide it otherwise I won't work." Failed to persuade her, I placed it on the window sill behind the sea green curtains. For normalization of work, gecko went into hibernation, I thought. And she - Out of sight out of mind.

Is this creature so creepy or so cute to be played with?

Bird feeding on palm

With stretched arms and crushed biscuits on my palms, I was waiting stand still. It was novice to me although bird feeding was my routine. Indian tree pie is bigger than a house crow, is chestnut brown bird with long black tail. This friendly bird is in abundance in Sariska Tiger Sanctuary, Alwar. Guide told me these birds love to eat on palms so this posture. He failed to attract a single bird on maintaining the same for very long time or I could say till he might have felt fatigue in arms.

He dropped the idea, now it was my turn to try it. A tree pie with short glide spreading its wings and tail feathers came towards me. It balanced itself with slight grip of pointed hard claws on my soft left palm. Examined and then selected the desired size of biscuit piece. It was followed by more birds, two on my left hand and three on my right side. One who was more friendly, jumped on my black woollen cap. Naughty bird pulled it with its beak.

They were enjoying the biscuit powder as only powder was left on my palms and me their soothing and refreshing touch on body and soul.

Happy B'day

There was neither a message on my mobile, orkut, facebook, twitter nor any mail on gmail, yahoo accounts. To verify, I checked them again. But ‘No’ there was ‘None’. I felt utterly disappointed. Everybody was soooo busy with their own business that they forgot to wish me. Today, I was born, how many years ago, let it be a secret. :-)

My mobile jingling tone disturbed my thoughts, someone at last called me. I hurriedly picked it up, viewed that the name of caller was not displayed; only number was there. I dunno who it could be?

“Hello” teach
“Hello Chandrika. It’s me, ………”
“Wow! What a pleasant surprise.”
“Happy B’day, dear.”
“Oh! My Goodness! Ma’am you remembered my birth date. Thank you! Thank you!”

For a while, we chatted about here and there. It was from, Head of the Deptt., Dr. (Mrs.) ‘S’ under whom I worked for a few years. A brief description would be ex-boss though she was more like a caring mother than a bossy boss. She guided me how to organize functions elegantly. She taught how to work hard to a hard working person like me. She sharpened my management skills, searched out some hidden talents in me which I was unaware. She advised me to be comfortable in drastic situations and not to get tensed over the trifles.

Talking to such an amazing person like her was the best b’day gift for me.