In pursuit of something more

(At a restaurant after last exam)

This pursuit began in the year 2007 when Divya wanted us to take up some higher education. Down under she wanted us to do MBA. She kept forcing me to explore various options and to take this up more seriously. Like always I wasn’t much inclined to this idea and I kept dragging this for a long time. But then Divya was right behind chasing me every moment.


Around July I finally made my decision and I closed down with Bharathiar University. Both of us joined together and we had consecutive enrollment numbers. Our classes started around August. The PCP(Personal Contact Program) center was located at Queens road, which was around 45 minutes drive from home during weekends (weekdays was unthinkable). Around the same time we also got the good news that Divya was pregnant with Esha. We were all excited, and did not realize this would be challenge while pursuing our higher education.

There were times when I even thought about having Divya take a break until Esha was a little older. But then I had the encouragement and support from various family members which kept us moving. During the first two semesters( we had to take them together as our batch started late), we had to go for classes every weekend which was a real pain. We were fortunate enough to have some good batch mates though. Most of them were from Tamil Nadu and were very friendly and supportive. We also created a yahoo group id just to communicate within our group.

Though we used to attend weekend classes during our first and second semester, for the third and fourth semester we hardly attended any classes. Frankly, I still believe both of us were really lucky to have got through in the first attempt for our last three semesters. I am really thankful to many for that miracle. But, one of the most interesting was our Project Viva trip to Coimbatore (University Campus). This was the first time I ever visited the University Campus. To attend Viva, we both along with Esha had traveled down to Coimbatore where my in-laws had come over from Kerala. After Viva we all went to Kerala.

The one things that always surprised me we was, the turn of events around the semester examinations. We both had many challenges to face during our exams. But finally.......Here comes the day when we both wrote our last exam of fourth semester. Another wait.......for results would continue from here. But, it was really fun to have done this with Divya. I still remember the days when she used to try her best to stay awake during late nights when I was all charged up to study. Then were days when I was dead tired and wanted to jump over to bed, when Divya was all charged to study. But, I still believe It was Divya's support and effort that helped me get to this date........And i'm happy to have written this last exam sitting next her her like how it was for all other exams........... I hope we both get good results.

A journey to Cloud9

(Me outside the
Labor room)

It had all began with me reaching Trichur in Train around 3:15am after a hectic day of work @ Bangalore. Aachan (Father-in-law) was just in time to pick me up from the Railway Station and took me to 'Mother Hospital', where Divya was waiting for the D-Day. Divya was accompanied by Amma (Mother-in-law) at the hospital while Aachan was bringing me down to the room where they were taking rest. After I reached, around 4:30am Diya was taken to Labour room for checkup and was given some medication for pain inducement. Then around 8:30am Divya had got on to Labour room. 

(Outside Labor room)

Then started our long wait. There were tense, anxious and quite moments. Myself, Amma and Aachan were waiting outside the labour room with some other people who were also there for the same reason. There was some anxious moments when the nurse came down to us and provided us with various updates on Divya. It all concluded around 6:30pm when a Nurse came down and informed Amma that Diya has delivered a Baby Girl. All of us were thrilled and on top of the world. 

After some time baby was given to Amma and I had my first look at my Esha. She was looking like an sweet Angel. Then, close to 10:30pm is when Diya was brought out of the Labour room. This day showed me many colors, from Quite anxious tense moments to being on Cloud9. The day ended with me going to Home with Aachan and having a deep relaxing sleep.

(Room which was allocated to Divya)

(The Labor room Exit)

A Divine Bliss

I wasn’t sure that I can make it on the 10th for Ganapathi Homam and Bhagavathi Seva Pooja at my in-laws place at Guruvayur(kerala).Though I had booked my tickets in advance, I wasn’t quite sure if my work schedule would permit me to make this trip. Fortunate was I to be a part of this event. It all began on the 9th evening when the Poojari (Priest) came over and started to verify if all the items for the Pooja were available as per the item list that was provide to Aachan(Father-in-law) by the Poojari earlier. After confirmation on the items, Poojari identified the dining hall as the location where Ganapathi Homam would be performed. This location was more preferred as it was just in front of the Pooja room. But there was no rule as though the Ganapathi Homam needs to be performed in front of the Pooja room. It was a choice given to the residents of the house and all of us gave our consensus on getting it done at the said location. All this was happening around 10:30pm.

Poojari then began to clean the location and after which the fire-altar was setup. The fire-altar (vedi) is generally made of brick or stone, and is almost always built specifically for the occasion, being dismantled immediately afterwards. This fire-altar is invariably built in square shape. While very large vedis are occasionally built for major public Homam, the usual altar may be as small as 1 x 1 foot square and rarely exceeds 3 x 3 feet square. Again, whereas major altars at public events may include a hollowing of the earth to create a relatively deep pit, usual altars involve no such excavation and indeed rise only inches above the ground. Pure Sand then was put in the center so that the flooring can be protected from extreme heat which would be generated while doing the Homam. Most of the family members were involved in some or the other way to help the Poojari to setup the base for the Homam.After all this was done, the Poojari asked the family members regarding what would be a convenient time for performing the Homam the next morning. Again here the Poojari was not very particular with any particular time. According to him, the earlier we can start the better it was. Subsequently we decided to have the Homam started at 5:00am.
We all got up the next morning around 4:00am, took shower, wore new traditional dress and we were all set for the Homam. The Homam started around 5:00am as planned. This whole setup had a spiritual ambience with Sanskrit Shlokas being recited with fire being lit on the Homam bench. All were silent, except the Poojari who was reciting these Shlokas with a high degree of concentration. I had taken some snaps which you can see in this posting. The whole Homam got over around 7:00am and then the Prasad was distributed to the family members and relatives who were present there. The purpose of conducting Ganapathi Homam is to overcome obstacles that may prevent well being of the family.

After all this, Bhagavathi Seva Pooja was scheduled to be conducted towards evening. Meanwhile, the Poojari had to go for some other personal event and rest of the people at home got busy with their own activities. Then, towards evening around 4:30pm the Poojari came back and started to arrange everything for the next scheduled Pooja. Bhagavathi Seva is conducted to get the blessing of Devi (Goddess) to everyone in the family. To be frank, the Poojari did brief me in detail about the reasons and benefits of conducting various Pooja. But, it did not stay for long in my memory.

Then Poojari then drew Kallam (Drawing done on the floor where the Pooja was to be performed) and then made other arrangements before he began with the Pooja. By the time it was all ready, it was past sunset around 6:30pm and pitch dark. The Pooja began with various Sanskrit mantras and Shlokas recited by Poojari in the light of some 4-5 Vellaku. The whole ambiance was giving me a feel of a Divine Bliss. It also made me feel the beauty of traditional kerala customs. I was sitting very close to the Poojari next to Aachan. As in the morning during Ganapathi Homam, all were quite except the Poojari reciting various Sanskrit Shlokas and Mantras. Bhagavathi Seva Pooja went for about 90 min, after which Poojari gave everyone Pooja Payisam.
Then everyone got back to their daily activities and relatives who had visited began to leave. This day reminds me of Prathista Stapikual (Establishment of Goddess Idol) at our family temple at Kaungal(Kerala). These were events that cannot be witnessed every day. According to me, if given a chance we should never miss out on these types of Events. These are Events which are not repetitive and should be experienced when given a chance. Coz, you never know if you get a chance tomorrow.....

Who Will Cry When You Die - Robin Sharma

This is one of the books i just finished reading. This is my first book of Robin Sharma and i really appreciate the way he speaks in this book. The book is all about self-improvement (Self-Help) which intends to help you take more control of your own life. And i agree to the author when he says ' This is a easy-to-read yet wisdom-rich manual '. I like the way the author is trying to offer some simple solutions to some of life's most complex problems. This could range from a little-known method of beating stress and worry to a powerful way to enjoy the journey while you create a legacy that lasts. The book also provides reference to other good books which has helped the author to make this masterpiece. But, my favorite part in this book are the various sayings of legends that the author has referred to convey his message. Amongst them my favorite is the saying ' Be the change that you wish to see most in your world - Mahatma Gandhi '. I'm impressed and inspired with most of the things said in this book and i look forward to practice some of them in my own life. Not sure how much i would succeeed, but i'm definitely giving it a shot.