Yoga flash cards- an interesting gift idea!

I recently received a set of `Yoga flash cards` packed in a well-designed handy-size carton which can be used at home and is extremely convenient to carry around.  Perfect for travel. These thoughtfully designed cards, featuring 20 yoga poses in each pack,  offer guidance and motivation for practicing yoga, great for all levels. The front of each card guides you in practicing one asana and on the rear of the card you get the benefits of that particular asana and some more information on how to get enhanced benefits with that asana. The set also includes a fun interactive game.

Designed by my niece, Shwetha Srinivasan, a certified yoga instructor who has collaborated with Meghna Vaidynathan, a professional graphic designer to create these beautifully designed cards.

Shwetha says, “I started my yoga journey more than 10 years ago when I  first moved to Banglore after marriage. I joined a class nearby and loved practicing yoga and the positive impact it had on me. The same yoga studio later announced its teacher training program, and I jumped at the opportunity. When I completed the program, the studio offered me a position to teach. That's how my journey as a yoga instructor began”

Shwetha met Meghana more than 8 years back. She was a graphic designer working for a company in Chennai and Shwetha was a part-time yoga instructor at a studio in Chennai. When Shwetha came up with the idea for the flashcards, Meghna readily agreed.  The flashcards are a result of their combined efforts in the last year.

The cards make a unique and thoughtful gift. Gift your loved ones a pack today!  They are also great as return gifts for birthdays, baby showers, and more.

Priced at just 450/-  they are available with Shwetha: 9840318385

A traumatic experience

 After an embarrassing experience I had a few days ago, I would like to share with you a traumatic experience I had recently. Since I was planning to drive to Coimbatore in my car driven by a call driver on 11^th March, to save time I decided to go to the petrol bunk to fill the tank the  evening before. The attender noticed that the left rear wheel tire was low on air. As I had checked the tire pressures only two days earlier, I decided to go to the nearby puncture mechanic to find out If there was any problem with that tire.

 I parked the car opposite the shop, got out, and after ensuring that there was no vehicle in sight, started crossing the narrow road towards the shop. Out of nowhere, a cycle driven by a teenager came at breakneck speed knocking me down, with the cycle falling on me and the boy thrown out a couple of feet away. I was shocked beyond words. I was invoking the names of my favourite gods and trying to understand what was happening to me. A crowd gathered, the traffic stopped, and the boy was admonished for rash driving. Some good Samaritans helped me get up and stand on my wobbling feet. Another guy picked up my spectacles and mobile found on the road. Someone got me a glass of water and another asked me to check if I felt ok with my hands and legs. I was slowly escorted to the shop where I was made to sit on a chair in the shop. After ensuring that I was alright the crowd melted away and the traffic resumed.

Since I was dazed and in no condition to drive my car home, I called my son-in-law whose house was nearby, and sought his help. He arrived soon and took charge of the situation. He decided to not only check the defective tire but also the Stepney tire, since I was  going on a long trip the next day.  The mechanic found one puncture in the tire fitted on the vehicle and three punctures in the Stepney tire. After doing the necessary repairs and paying the mechanic for his timely service, my son-in-law drove me back to my home.

Despite the nasty accident, thanks to the Divine Grace, I had no collateral damage, not even a scratch on my body. Even my worry about having some hairline fracture was dispelled the next morning when I got up and found that there were no swellings anywhere. I decided to take the trip accompanied by my younger daughter in my car driven by the call driver.

As I always do, I started thinking about the positive side of this incident. But for my son-in-law`s help in ensuring that all the problems with tires were addressed, I could have faced serious problems on the road with a defective stepney, in case one of the other tires developed problems. Everything happens for the good as my old friend told me after a nasty accident we had in Bombay 60 years ago. Om Sairam!

A memorial meeting for Prabha

 It was a small function to inaugurate the renovated office room of the Balavadi which the Mangayarkarasi Mahalir Manram ( MMM- Sastri Nagar Ladies Club) was planning to revive after a gap of five years. Since Prabha Rajan Talent Foundation(PRTF) had sponsored the renovation cost, the new dynamic President of MMM Mrs Archana Ramasundaram {IPS Retd.) converted the occasion to a memorial meeting for Prabha. It was a pleasure listening to some old members recalling their association with Prabha as a soft-spoken person who was involved in all the activities of the Manram and did any job given to her with total commitment. I remembered that it was the Manram, apart from the Inner Wheel Club of Madras South, which opened up a whole new world to Prabha. The active involvement with these two institutions helped her come out of her shell and display her hidden talents as a writer, singer, and many other fields, emerging as an independent woman with an identity of her own. I was happy that my daughter Sowmya and granddaughter Uthara were present at the meeting. At the end of the meeting, on my special request, Uthara sang a Puranadara Dasa number in her melodious voice, delighting the audience. I must thank the managing committee of the Manram, particularly Mrs. Vanaja Krishnamurthy, the Vice-President of the Manram for giving me an opportunity to be associated with the project.

An embarrassing experience

 This happened a couple of days ago. Whenever I am in Chennai, if I am having lunch at home, I send the following message on  WhatsApp to my daughter-in-law who lives on the first floor of my independent home-   `Please give me whatever you are having for lunch`. As soon as I sent the message, she came to see me to tell me what she had done.  I thought she was responding to my message. I was happy and went to have my usual pre-lunch siesta, putting my mobile on silent mode. When I woke up and switched on my mobile, I was surprised to see several missed calls from a friend`s wife. When I called her, she screamed at me ``Where are you? We have been trying to reach you for the last 30 minutes without luck. Hope you are ok? As per your message, I have only cooked a simple meal and eagerly waiting for you to join us for lunch

I retorted, `I never sent you any message. My daughter-in-law has already kept my lunch on my dining table. Besides I am tired, I am in no mood to go out.`

She promptly forwarded the message I sent her. Immediately I realized that the same message was what I had sent my daughter-in-law. When I checked my daughter-in-law`s WA page , I found my message missing and found it on my friend`s WA page. I had inadvertently sent the message to my friend instead of my daughter-in-law. I immediately called my friend, profusely apologized for the big goof up, and promised to reach their home in the next ten minutes to have lunch with them. I decided to have the lunch given by my daughter-in-law for dinner and rushed to my friend`s place, a five-minute drive from my place.

When I reached their home, they told me how they were worried that something serious had happened to me and were planning to visit me to physically find out if I needed any help.  I cringed and felt like going under the table. I once again apologized. I had a hearty meal and spent some pleasant time with the couple.

All's well that ends well.

PS: Always double-check the mobile to ensure that your messages are reaching the right person. Imagine some very personal information meant for a near and dear one reaching the wrong person! It will also help to make a correction if the prompter in the mobile used a wrong word instead of what you intended to.

 

 

An Award with a difference

 It was an award function not organised by any industry body or a voluntary organization to recognize me.  It was my good friend of 48 years, R.T Chari and Ramu Endowments, a trust he had started in his father`s name years ago.  A Philanthropist whose contribution to Carnatic Music and South India Heritage is phenomenal, Chari has been recognizing and presenting Awards to many achievers over the last several years covering writers, authors, musicians, Heritage champions, artists and many more.

This New Year started with my receiving an award for the `Inspiring Writer of Nana Nani` on 2nd January. Now, I have this award from Chari, which recognizes me as an `Inspiring Senior Citizen for dynamism after retirement`. I accept it with all humility because it comes with Chari`s deep affection for me.

For me, Chari is a role model. He helped me discover the joy of giving and making people happy. I have also found that if people around you are happy, you are happy. Today, I have a policy of making at least one person happy every day.  With little acts, gestures, or using my limited resources. Also because my Bank of Goodwill is always overflowing,  I can help anyone needing any kind of help by connecting them with someone who can provide that help. 80% of the time it works making that person happy! There is nothing like the joy of giving.

I am also happy that  Mrs. Sivasankari, for whom I have great respect and regard, was the chief guest at the function.  Apart from being a celebrity writer,  she is also a great advocate of the need for senior citizens to lead an active life. She has been practicing what she preaches. I consider her also as a Role Model among Senior Citizens. I felt honoured to receive the award from her.

I was also happy to see many well-wishers in the packed audience at Tag Centre where the event was held on Sunday 23^rd February,2025 preceded by a sumptuous breakfast and followed by an interesting video programme on `Kishore Kumar` presented by another good friend S.R.Madhu and put together by  T S . Gopal. It was 70 minutes of excerpts from Kishore Kumar`s famous songs which brought back memories of the olden /golden days of film music to the audience, mostly consisting of senior citizens.

I was particularly happy that three of my friends from Nana Nani were present in the audience.

Thank you, Chari, for the Award and for giving me an opportunity to meet many old friends. Pray God to bestow good health on you so that you continue to make people happy!

Wasting food is criminal

In Hindu mythology, Anna Lakshmi, one of the eight (Ashta) Laxmis,  is often depicted as the "Goddess Lakshmi of Food/Grains" symbolizing the provider of nourishment and prosperity. I remember my mother invoking the name of Anna Laxmi whenever, as little kids, we refused to eat or waste food.  Growing up in a lower middle class family in the chawls of Bombay there was always a shortage of food at home. Very often, after providing for her husband- a foodie and her four kids, my mother would be left with insufficient food.  So children wasting food was unacceptable. This message has been ingrained in me so much that I feel very bad when I see anyone wasting food. My mother would also insist on concentrating our attention on what we eat lest we displease Anna Laxmi. She would certainly not approve of the habit of many these days, who keep browsing messages on WhatsApp while having their food. Why am I talking about this now?

 

In Nana Nani, at the dining hall, I see many residents wasting food served on their plates (banana leaf). Not only do they not clear what is served in the first round but also insist on getting additional servings that they don`t touch, leaving behind food that could satisfy the needs of a poor, hungry person.

 

I have a cousin who after a hearty meal at any function would ensure that the banana leaf from which he had his meal is squeaky clean, leaving no trace of any items he has consumed. Though I don`t do this I ensure that only the right quantity that  I can consume is served on my plate. If it is an item that I don`t like, I would not allow it to be served to me. In many marriages or other functions where the number of items served is beyond the capacity of any ordinary human being, I am extra careful. The amount of food wasted on such occasions is mind-boggling. I prefer partaking in food from the buffet counter at a function, if that option is available because I can choose the items I like and take just the quantity that  I can consume.

 

I remember a well-known educationist who served only a tasty biryani with a side dish and a dessert for dinner at the wedding reception of his daughter.

 

Can something be done about the wastage of food? A community in North India bans members of that community from serving more than a certain number of items at weddings and other festive occasions. Those who break the rules are punished. I am told that in Germany, guests who order more than what they need in restaurants and waste food are penalized. More than any law, what will work is self-discipline.

 

I believe wasting food at home or on social occasions is criminal!

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Pros and Cons of my stay at Nana Nani

Ten months have flown by and it is time for me to renew the 11 months  Lease  Agreement with the owner of the apartment where I am staying now at Nana Nani- Phase 4, in  Coimbatore.

Though I have been sharing my experiences in Nana Nani from time to time, I would  like to sum up the observations- both positive and negative before I tell you about my decision

On the positive side

The weather in Coimbatore is very pleasant for ten months in a year, unlike Chennai, where it is hot and humid for ten months. Having lived close to the Sea ( Elliots Beach) in Chennai for 50 years, I am now able to have a lovely view of the Marudha Malai, part of the Western Ghats, every morning from the balcony attached to my bedroom. I love mountains more than the seas!

The infrastructure at Nana Nani is top class with all the facilities that senior citizens need available inside the campus. The ambience is beautiful and the entire property is maintained well giving you the feeling of living in a Resort. I am able to lead a very active life without going out, except for attending specific functions, visiting temples or for specialist medical consultations.

Phase 4 where I am staying is a vibrant community. Residents are friendly and helpful. With a good mixture of seniors and super seniors, the atmosphere is generally cheerful.  I have made some good friends here who ensure that I never feel lonely. It is like a big, happy family here.

I find more time to write and my articles are well appreciated by the residents here. The icing on the cake- I was conferred the `Inspiring Writer Award` at the Awards Nite held on 2^nd January as a part of the New Year Celebrations held here. As I was away in Chennai I was not there to collect the Award.

As for entertainment, there is enough to keep you engaged every other evening. The management arranges to show a Tamil,  Malayalam or  Hindi film every Saturday evening at the air-conditioned theatre located in the Club House. I have seen 30  films in 11 months as opposed to an average of two films in a year in Chennai. Many talented residents provide entertainment in the form of music and dance programmes, and plays besides other activities like quizzes, tombola, spiritual lectures, etc.  At least 10 to 12 programmes are conducted by the residents every month, many of them very professionally done.  Nanogenarian, Hariharan (94), popularly known as Hari Om Mama,  organizes music and dance festivals and spiritual sessions from time to time- all at his own cost.  An inspirational person much admired by everyone here. He is one of my role models!

The big Mahalaxmi temple, located adjacent to the entrance gate is a popular venue for many religious and spiritual activities. Though  I am not spiritually inclined I like the uplifting feeling I  get whenever  I visit the temple and occasionally meditate there.

The emergency medical service here works fairly efficiently. I am satisfied with the instant response I got on a couple of occasions when I needed help. I am also satisfied with the maintenance service. Just a telephone call and your problem is attended to.

On the negative side:

Though I enjoy my morning walks here, there are no post-walk group meetings like in Chennai. That happens only before or after each meal session outside the dining hall. I  miss the fun time I used to have with friends after my morning walks at Bessy in Chennai which would charge my battery for the day!

The escalating costs are a major issue here. Especially the Rs 400/-per day for all meals that the management charges are higher than any other Senior Citizen Homes in Coimbatore. Unlike the `pay for what you eat` system in other Homes, the condition that you have to pay for all meals even if you have a cup of coffee but do not want to partake in other meals,  is unfair.  However, the management allows you to opt out of taking your meals in the dining hall every day by giving advance notice about your meal breaks.  Whether  you take the meals or not, every resident has to pay a small fixed kitchen fee every month.

While most of the dishes served during meals are tasty, the choice of menu, unimaginative combination of items, and monotony of eating the same type of food, have begun to make me feel tired of the meals served here.  Many residents cook their meals or get food from outside caterers. For the last two months, I have also started using this facility when I find the menu not interesting, as we get the menu two days in advance. I cook items that I like, which are not part of the menu here. I find cooking therapeutic!

Having seen and experienced a few other Senior Citizen facilities in Coimbatore and Chennai, I can say with confidence that Nana Nani has by far one of the best infrastructure and services suited for senior citizens in Coimbatore.

Since the positive side far outweighs the negative side I have decided to continue my stay in Nana Nani, Phase 4.  Besides, I keep visiting Chennai often. Two months of a relaxed, carefree life in Coimbatore and two weeks of hectic activity in Chennai;  meeting old friends, attending important functions, and spending some time with my little grandchildren. Having the best of both worlds!  What more can I want in life?

I  pray to god to bestow good health on me so that I continue to enjoy this life.

PS: After some anxious moments regarding the extension of the lease agreement, I am happy to say that the owner of the apartment where I stay has agreed to extend the lease for two years – 11 months at a time. Om Sairam!