Monday, September 29, 2014

OUR WORLD TUESDAY

TO PECK OR NOT TO PECK

After coming back to the unexpected humid heat of the plains at this time of the year, it's going to take some time to fall back to my routine of four months back. Back breaking cleaning and dusting sessions with the indifferent domestic help is an unpleasant reality of  modern day urban living. However my inability to manage my writing schedule irks  me considerably. Yesterday breaking free of the baggage of mundane chores, I headed for a short walk in the park close by Spotting a pair of placid pigeons  in  a thinking dilemma of 'to be or not to be', I clicked them forthwith to share the experience with you.



Friends, welcome here as always!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

SKYWATCH FRIDAY


 THROBBING REALITY

After coming back to Patiala from the verdant  hills, where sky watch provided myriad palette of gorgeous panoramic scenarios, the sky watch in the plains with its concrete structures is a different ball game altogether. The image below testifies this assertion.  To adjust and experiment with the changed circumstances take time.


Shot today at 9am in the morning


Here is a complex but interesting frame of urban living where the real life  pulsates  cheek by jowl with bottle brush bushes, curry leaves, a guava tree, a Christmas tree and (side of) a Pine seen in the fore ground. A gate painted black, an electric meter, an  AC, a water tank on the roof (far ahead) are positive signs of a growing economy. A lone dove perched on the electric pole completes  this colorful picture.

Friends,welcome here as always!  

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

THURSDAY CHALLENGE


TODAY'S THEME  IS:

 "CLOTHES" (Fancy, Plain, Worn, Colourful, Fashionable, Old,...)

SIMPLY HANGING CLOTHES




AN ASSORTMENT OF CLOTHES IN A WARDROBE AND A PERSONAL TOUCH !

FRIENDS, WELCOME HERE AS ALWAYS!

BLISS


LINKED TO ABC WEDNESDAY

K IS FOR KITTY


Friends, I'm back in my permanent abode in the plains, after spending four idyllic months in the  environs of Shivalik Hills in Himachal Pradesh. Whole lot of restructuring and adjustments are needed to be back in the reckoning of my favorite activities.

While peeping out through the entrance window pane, i chanced upon this blissful scene. I dared not go out to disturb that soulful sleep. So I clicked through the window pane. Strangely the face is half covered in the twisted forepaws



 Friends, welcome here as always!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

BONDED




 SKYWATCH FRIDAY

 SKY AND SUN
































SHOT AT MID MORNING FROM MY BALCONY.

FRIENDS, WELCOME HERE AS ALWAYS!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

PURE BLUE UMBRELLA SKY

THIS BLUE IS UNIQUE

THURSDAY CHALLENGE                                                                                
                                                                          
'FOR FUN AND LEARNING'

THIS WEEK'S THEME IS:

BLUE (Anything with the colour blue in it,...)



Captured the sky  in the late afternoon at Kumarhatti

I thought what better way to accept the challenge than to present a shot of the sky in its calmest blue. HERE in the hills, the rainy season is over and such lovely and clear sky scenes, I hope will stay.

Friends, welcome here as always!


 

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

'J' IS FOR A JUG OF WATER





ABC Wednesday is round the corner and I’m trying to zero in on the topic for discussion. So many ideas had been hovering inside the mind scape vying for attention. Finally, nod has been given and the chosen word is the modest, something, of daily use in our kitchens i.e., ‘J’ for jug.  

 In fact, a jug of water to be precise. Surprised aren’t you? Let me introduce it. I’ve taken up the word ‘jug’ in an entirely different context. As a means to facilitate our consumption of water. Recently I’ve been educated in real earnest about something, I had awareness  about, but was ignoring out of sheer silliness on my part. Life is like that. Isn’t it? Sometimes, we keep postponing, procrastinating until we reach the cliffhanger.

Aftermath of a urinary problem meant taking antibiotics and drinking sufficient amount of water. Since consuming antibiotics leave a trail of upset stomach, I decided to try very sincerely water therapy, thinking that it might work. The experience I’m outlining is especially for my women blog friends. For men too, as with advancing age, many of them face  enlarged prostrate problems. Frequent urinary infections are a part of our aging process. We experience diminished immunity and suffer from other health issues. Simply drinking about five glasses of water, together with other fluids in the shape of coffee, tea, vegetables, fruits, soups and the like, works wonders for the system. Religiously observing the above has helped in clearing my body of the toxins and I‘m feeling much better. Hope to save myself from the dreaded antibiotics.

My knowledge and experience has proven that there are many more paybacks of consuming adequate water like:

Urine flows out in a comfortable stream.

The color looks clear and there is much less smell because the toxins in the body don’t accumulate and pass out with more frequent visits to the wash room.

Water meanders inside the body with ease and bodily functions take place in a healthier environment.

Free flow of water improves the digestive process and facilities the bowel movement. Constipation sufferers get a lot of relief.

Since you remain hydrated, it promotes overall well being.

For weight watchers it is helpful too. Drinking a tumbler full of water before every meal reduces the portion size because one is already filled up somewhat.

The essence of this piece is to impress upon you to manage a jug with the capacity of about five glasses of water. Fill it. Keep it at a place where it remains in view. And empty it by the evening. Follow the routine strictly. You’re bound to reap many  health benefits.

You should also consult your doctor about it.

Friends,welcome here as always.

Image courtesy: Google

OUR WORLD TUESDAY


Leisurely grazing after day's hard labor

Mules also need recognition

A MAN WHO SUPERVISES THE BORE WELLS THAT SUPPLY PIPED WATER TO A FEW VILLAGES, OWNS

A PAIR OF MULES TO AUGMENT HIS INCOME, IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF KUMARHATTI. MULES IN FACT,

PERFORM A USEFUL PURPOSE. TWO STRONG SACKS WITH POCKETS ON EITHER SIDE ARE JOINED

TOGETHER AND ARE MADE TO HANG ON THE MULES BACK. THE SACKS ARE USED TO FERRY

BRICKS, SAND OR CEMENT BAGS,  FOR DIFFICULT TO ACCESS, UP SLOPE OR DOWN SLOPE

CONSTRUCTION SITES.


FRIENDS, WELCOME HERE  AS ALWAYS!

Thursday, September 11, 2014

SKY WATCH FRIDAY



SKY'S TWIN PARADIGM




 THE ABOVE CLICK PERTAINS TO THE TIME ABOUT 8'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, WHEN THE SUN IS MOVING UP FROM BEHIND THE HILL TOPS. THE SQUARED THIN CLOUDS APPEAR TO BE GLUED TO THE SKY. THE MYSTERY OF THE SKYLINE, SEAMLESSLY BLENDS WITH THE EVERYDAYNESS OF LIFE ON  THE PLANET EARTH.





THE EVENING SKYLINE  CAPTURED FROM THE KUMARHATTI - NAHAN ROAD DURING  MY WALK.

FRIENDS, WELCOME HERE AS ALWAYS!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

THURSDAY CHALLENGE


These singles are cheery

  THE THEME FOR TODAY IS:


  "GARDEN" (Flowers, Vegetables, Rocks, Orchards,...)
Roses are blooming in the beds around the lawn of our community.




 This ball of a flower on cactus stem really fascinated me. Nature has endowed it with long and sharp thorns as formidable guards. Strange notes of nature!

Friends, welcome here as always!

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

A CRADLE OF EDUCATION

LINKED TO ABC WEDNESDAY

'I' is for inspiring endeavors:

An overview of the area.




Here is an ordinary village on Shivalik hill slopes which had been chosen by enterprising welfare organizations for spreading educational facilities in this area of Himachal Pradesh, which direly needed such an initiative. It is a boon for locals and people of nearby places to send their children for acquiring requisite qualification for getting employment. It is situated on Kumarhatti-Sultanpur  Road on up slopes.  There is a Medical College, a multi- facility Hospital, College of Nursing, a separate University for imparting Engineering courses, a College for providing teacher training degree and many many more.

The poor of the area are having free consultations in the hospital and very marginal charges for hospitalizations and operations. The area which was deprived of all these amenities is looking up economically and in over all well being. Hostels, shops, paying guest accommodations are flourishing and providing employment to youth. A new chapter of growth and prosperity has been initiated and will go a long way in developing the area.

I'm in fact inspired by the genuine efforts of the well meaning individuals behind the success of these ventures. Such examples corroborate the profound truth that there is no dearth of caring people in this world. Let's try to imbibe and spread the spirit of selfless service around us.

 Friends,welcome here as always.
  

Monday, September 8, 2014

OUR WORLD TUESDAY


NESTLING AMONG THE WOODS


A HOUSE ON THE MOUNTAIN

A HOUSE ON TOP OF THE HILL


 Whenever i go for a walk i can't help craning my neck up to look at this cute house. It's is located on Kumarhatti Nahan Highway and is constructed almost on top of the hill. It is about 50ft. above the road level. On three sides it is enveloped by ram rod Pines. The approach  from this very road is through winding ramps  laid between retaining walls. The ramps are steep but motor able.The house which has been completed recently belongs to a young doctor from the plains.

One of these days I'm going to muster up courage to climb all the way up to explore the novelty of the endeavor. The doctor has already extended me a standing invitation.

Friends, welcome here as always.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

SKY WATCH FRIDAY


 SKY'S CHARMING MOMENTS

Since I've joined sky watch Friday meme, I keep noticing different moods of the sky line. When we go for a drive, I carry the camera for the opportune moment. 

 This shot is taken on Barog Solan highway last week. The time is evening during sun set. The horizontal streak of pink clouds above the mountains, reflect the fading light of the sun.


The mid morning scene on  windy Thursday( yesterday) when the cottony clouds are playing a run and chase game in the backdrop of bright blue sky.

Friends, welcome here as always.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

H WORDS AS CONCEPTS





Three short narratives.

“There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

 'H' is for hunger and more.

The word ‘hunger’ denotes a scourge, which has been raging unabated in some parts of the world for a long time. Isn’t it ironical and tragic that at many places, food is surplus and goes waste and at other places the starving millions can’t afford two square meals a day. It is in fact, happening due to utter disregard, apathy, maladministration, faulty distribution systems, inadequate storage facilities and egotistic attitude of the people at the helm of affairs. Quite a lot has been done by some rich counties to alleviate the hunger pangs of the people, affected by drought, floods, internal unrest, external warfare and old agricultural practices. However, long-term and drastic, remedial measures need to be put in place, as the problem is gigantic. Conversely, the hunger for equal opportunities, fair play, social justice, spirituality and modernity, still, is a distant dream for a large number of people in the world.
………
Those who don’t know history are bound to repeat it. Edmund Burke


H is also for ‘history.’ The archives of world history enfold numerous eras representing their own specific cultures, worldviews and events. We find them chronicled in history books. In short, history is a saga of all that happened in the past. History has recorded the holocausts, world wars and several fabricated tragedies, which added to the human misery to no end. These are painful blots on the face of humanity. However, the tragedy for the human race is that, it neither pauses to ponder nor learns any lessons from the devastating mistakes of the world leaders of the past. No wonder, ‘history repeats itself.’  Moreover, we write our history every day.

“Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough: Give your best anyway.”
― Mother Teresa

'H' stands for the word ‘human’ too. Being human connotes the qualities of love, kindness, empathy and above all a desire to help others. It is said that if you want to be happy, then be a doer and bring some joy in other peoples' lives. Rightly opined, that what you give comes back to you with interest.

According to an old saying, ‘proper study of mankind is man.’ Man holds the pivotal position in ancient philosophical treatises. In the spiritual aspect of our life, the scriptures propound that ‘God made man in his own likeness.’ All this proves that man came into this world for a higher purpose. He is to be an instrument of justice, welfare driven social order, committed to peace and solidarity among all segments of society.  

However, unfortunately man has degenerated into a greedy, grasping, selfish creature. He has morphed into an insensitive, uncaring and narcissistic being.

If man wants to contribute to society, he has to be his own conscience keeper. 

Friends, welcome here as always.

Monday, September 1, 2014

OUR WORLD TUESDAY




SOME SPECTACULAR MOMENTS

MAN,MACHINE,ANIMAL,NATURE AND DIVINITY IN PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE


 A HEART WARMING  TEMPLATE IN THE PRECINCTS OF  A TEMPLE!  MAN, MACHINE AND ANIMAL COEXIST UNOBTRUSIVELY! CLICKED ON KUMARHATTI- NAHAN ROAD YESTERDAY DURING EVENING WALK.