The Moonstruck Mystique...

I just don't get it. Yesterday the newspaper carried an article which said that the entire sanctum sanctorum of the Tirupati Balaji temple is to be gold plated. This is a huge scheme estimated to cost around Rs.1000 crores. The article claims that this amount of money is to be generated by the temple's internal revenue and gold donations. It goes on to say that since the project was inaugurated a few weeks back there has been a steep rise in gold donations not only by business tycoons, charitable trusts etc but also by ordinary devotees who offer their gold ornaments. I am too a religious (or must I call myself spiritual) person. I visit temples though not every other day and do like it too. I strongly believe that religious sentiments are purely personal. I can accept the fact that temples spend a considerable amount in renovation work in trying to reduce chaos and confusion within the temple premises and so as to ensure a safe and fulfilling pilgrimage. But I don't see ...

I make friends easily and mostly for life. Many of them are now in far places. A few of my best pals are in Dubai and when my folks left the place for good I felt terrible. I felt we'd never meet and spend time together and we'd slowly begin to stop being such good friends. But five years down the line, today, I can easily say that they are still as dear to me as they were then, if only a little more... When I couldn't go to Mumbai to meet them, 3 of them decided to come to Chennai to be together for a few days. And boy, did I have the time of my life! These guys are the best friends anyone can have. As my friend said, after this trip we can say that we know each other more than ever. Spending a few hours every week or say everyday for years is a big thing. But we guys had never spent the whole day together. This was a different experience. In half a decade everyone changes; and so have my friends and I. We were never similar but lifestyles and situations have made us more ...

The media is no doubt trying to fight stiff competition and come up with innovative news stories adding to being the first to report the news of happenings the world over. The reason I write this is last week the media had focussed considerable attention on the Finance Minister publicly reprimanding the External affairs minister and his deputy for staying in Five star hotels. This was followed by news that all politicians would be required to curb a lavish lifestyle and take to austere living. Next, newspapers and channels gave extensive coverage to Pranab Mukherjee's flight to Kolkata in the economy class of SpiceJet, a low cost carrier. So much importance was given to this piece of information that it was the day's 'Breaking News' in many News channels. And then the news of many politicians welcoming this austerity drive. Now what caught my attention is that one of the Indian websites in their news section has introduced a new segment which says 'Shoot a photogr...

As it dawned on a bright spring day, I heard the nightingale’s melody Sitting in the grove’s pleasant shade she sang for herself... all night all day Her gilded voice with a thousand echoes as nature smiled in blissful glee.. And then he came and the cupid struck She sang for him now through dawn through dusk His love consort for her angelic symphony Their love bloomed in the gleaming meadow.. Then one summer night he bade farewell And asked her to await his return Said he’d be back to prove his love. Awaiting him with painful patience She sang all day. sang all night Her melancholy strain and forlorn voice. Her Broken heart and shattered soul... She tried to break free from him But she couldn’t .... For he was now a part of her. And one winter morn in the icy chill, her voice was heard no more Her soul had embraced death. Her cold listless body slept forever... Awaiting his return, which would never be. Alas, she lost herself for she couldn’t let go.... ...