Wrong side of the Bus Stand

A cold December night in Provo, UTAH, I and my friend Chris from California were at the Bus Stand after watching a movie. We were waiting for our Bus to take us home at Cinnamon Tree apartment. Having never been in such cold weather, and at 10 Pm, I was shivering, must have been looking bad. And, someone noticed. It was the person at the wheel of the bus going in the opposite direction. The kind soul stopped the bus asked us to be seated in the centrally heated bus, we were in the bus for a good 5 minutes, by which time, the bus we were waiting for arrived and we got down and left. We reached our apartments safe and warm.

I recalled this incident while reading this article titled Wrong Number Miracle.

I will never forget the kind soul.

Our path is the correct

Today PM Manmohan Singh during a visit to USA said, our path is correct as compared to china. He was referring to the path the country is taking on all fronts, or at least on all major fronts. The reasons he gave were human rights, social justice, etc.

Somehow, I fail to understand his reasons.

Each of the above reasons given lead to independent benefits and one does not lead to another. For example, social justice alone will not lead to great innovation. Nor fight for human rights lead to great society.

If you look at the ground situation, the scenario is frightening. Prices are increasing rapidly. Corruption is at the peak. Power situation is bad. Infrastructure is poor.

Or the PM knows something which i do not know.

Will India ever change ?

Contrary to the views of our Prime Minister, Home Minister, External Ministers, and Planning Commission Chairman, I have a diametrically opposite view. While, our leaders mentioned above think India is progressing well, with the recession behind us, and no major terror attacks for a few months, and a different Growth rate each one is projecting, I believe India is sinking. Why ?

Prices of all essential commodities are increasing rapidly since the last few years. Many Indian families are unable to buy essential groceries and prepare healthy food. They are resorting to buying low cost (and bad for health) essentials and cook them in quantities to last for a couple of days. They are also frequently eating out in roadside food carts which are dishing tasting and tangy food such as noodles, gobi manchurian, and other snacks cooked in unhygienic conditions and served in worse conditions.

Education has deteriorated. Commercialization in all ways has started in schools at a elementary level and all  schools have become marketing places for companies. The condition in Govt. schools is pathetic.

Politicians are most irresponsible. Politicians have started disrespecting the people's mandate completely. Even our PM is sitting in his chair without having to go through the mandatory election process as defined in our constitution.

Judiciary is, well no where.


I had a friend back in 1991, Ram Prasad Golla, who was an engineer with Novell, who disagreed with me that economic liberalization will revive India in a big way, and said Indians don't have it in them to lead a better life as a society. While, I did not like it one bit then, I am beginning to agree after all these years.

We badly need a courageous leader like Ashoka, Chandragupta, Krishnadeveraya. I am not saying a King. But, a leader who gets elected by due process of law.

Facing challenges

Facing challenges is tough. And for girls it is tougher. Wind back to somewhere in 1994-95, a girl riding a two wheeler was chased from SP Road in Hyderabad to Tarnaka a good five km, by a bunch of goons on bikes. Teasing and pulling her duppata they thought they were having their regular dose of fun. They had no idea what they were in for. Because, the girl was made of sterner stuff. As she reached Tarnaka center, she got down from her bike at a busy junction and stopped the guys and took out their bike keys. Immediately, the gentlemen in the crowd, gathered around and helped her to block a couple of the goons from running and created a scene which prompted the police to act and arrest the guys. The incident sparked a overwhelming response from the press and this event was covered by the media the next day.

The girl was Mrs. Kavitha Gudapati.

The above is one positive trait of the many I know of Mrs. Kavita Gudapati. Today, she is a Organizational Psychologist and Certified Coach and teaches and consults people on how to face challenges in life and profession. 


A brief of her profile can be see here : Profile


May her tribe increase.

Ten things I love about my school Manasarovar Pushkarini Vidyashrama

:-) No foul language used by Teachers. This makes it easy for me to approach them.

:-) Saturday is a HOLIDAY.

:-) Fewer Exams and no projects which are usually done by parents, like in my friend's school in JSS.

:-) Green and Well kept school. I love the atmosphere.

:-) Most teachers are good. RK Sir is special as he keeps tight control on the boys. No unruly behavior allowed.

:-) My teachers encourage me to compete in Quiz, Debates and Pick and Speak.

:-) Very well organized extra curricular activities in school.

:-) Huge grounds to play.

:-) Nice uniform. Color is good, exclusive and quality of shirt and pant cloth is great.

:-) Our school annual day conducted during the third week of December is one of the best with everyone getting to participate.

Do you agree ? If yes, Digg the page, and post your additions.

Posted by : Vamsi.K

Dated : 24 - 10 - 09

School : Manasarowar Pushkarini Vidyashrama

Contact : vamsikaredla@gmail.com

Indian National Congress - Parthenium

The Parthenium weed is a notorius weed as it can spoil Crops, Health and Appearence of any place it grows. Common places of growth are : India, Africa and Australia (Surprised?).

Yesterday, i was talking to a villager near Mysore regarding this weed and he said that it is called Congress simply because it is difficult to clear and clean just like the Congress party. I asked him was he serious ?. Absolutely.

And here is a Wikipedia entry about Parthenium which is amusing to read - check out this link:

Why Parthenium is called 'Congress'

You have more such info ? Pass it on..

Hagalkai - Kakarkai Gojju

Hagalkai (kannada), Kakarakai (telugu), Bitter Gourd (Eng) is a very interesting vege. Firstly, nutritional value. It is high in Magnesium, Vitamin K, Phosphorus and Vitamin A. Being rich in nutrition it takes time to digest.

Now, how to make Hagalkai - Kakarkai Gojju.

What is required

Kakarakai - Hagalkayyi : 1 piece

Dry Cocconut grated : 1 small cup

Mustard Seeds (spoon full)

Jaggery small pieces

Hing

Red Chillis (hot variety)

Thick tamarind paste : 3 spoons

Coriander seeds (spoon full)

Split chick peas (one small cup)

Cumin seeds (spoon full)

Heat kadai, pour a spoon full of oil, add mustard, add bitter gourd and roast. Separately, dry roast Red Chillis (hot variety), Coriander seeds, Split chick peas, Cumin seeds and grind it to a coarse paste. Make sure all ingredients are in small quantities. Chick peas can be more.

Add this paste to the fried bitter gourd, and add dry coconut powder and tamarind paste and let it boil for 10 min. Add the coconut powder at the very last. Add salt. Best eaten with rice.

Enjoy and Relish !

Please comment after preparing and tasting.