Happy New Year 2021

WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS AND PURPOSEFUL NEW YEAR 2020

Friday, August 31, 2012

Self-Improvement-108: 7 secrets to success of steve jobs




64,471 views
Uploaded by realestatevids on Oct 10, 2011

1.Do what you love (PASSION)
2.Put a dent in the universe (BIG, BOLD, CLEAR AND CONCISE VISION)
3.Say no to 1000 things (FOCUS)
4.Kick start your brain
5.Sell dreams not products
6.Create insanely great experiences
7.Mater the message

Grateful thanks to Realestatevids and YouTube.

Picture of the day-405: River Cauvery

Rivery Cauvery from Amma Mandapam, Srirangam.

My Photo Album-171: Uncle, Mr A.S.S.

This is my uncle, A.S.S., my father's elder brother.  My father lost both his parents before he reached the age of 9.  So this uncle was like a father to him, which explains I am named after him.  (The usual practice is to name the first-born-male child after one's father.  My father was very much devoted to him and people used to compare them to Rama and Laxmana.) He was the Leader of the Congress Party in the Dindigul Municipality and was respected by all.  He died tragically in a train accident on December 23, 1964.  It so happened that when his body was brought to Madurai Railway Station from the accident spot, I was the one who identified him and informed my dad. Then we carried his body by car to his residence at Dindigul.  

A Thought for Today-596: Leonardo da Vinci

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci

Write-up on Leonardo da Vinci from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci

The Notebooks of  Leonardo da Vinci - Complete from Project Gutenberg:
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/5000/pg5000.html

Grateful thanks to Project Gutenberg and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Picture of the day-404: Another Kodaikkanal Photo

Photo by Pravin

My Photo Album-170: Alex and Suri

Alex and Suri at India Homeo Clinic.

A Thought for Today-595: Abraham Lincoln

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing - Abraham Lincoln

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Picture of the day-403:

Kodaikkanal photo. Snapped by Pravin.

My Photo Album-169: Dr S Malaikkani


Dr S Malaikkani has been a Teacher at school and college level for more than 25 years.  Till recently, he was Acting Principal of a College of Education in Tamil Nadu.  FASOHD and Homeopathy brought us together.  He has published several books meant for teachers and students.  He has appeared in the SUN TV program, Good Morning Thamizhagam.  He is an admirer of mine and has been encouraging me in several ways.  I cherish his friendship and pray to the Almighty to bless him and his family.

A Thought for Today-594: Arnold H. Glasgow

Make your life a mission – not an intermission - Arnold H. Glasgow



Monday, August 27, 2012

Picture of the day-402: Kodaikkanal

Photo by Pravin

A Thought for Today-593: St. Clement of Alexandra

If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes - St. Clement of Alexandra, christian theologian

Biographical Sketch of St Clement of Alexandra from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_of_Alexandria

Grateful thanks to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

My Photo Album-168: Prof.S.Raghunathan



Professor S. Raghunathan, MTech from IIT, KGP, is the former Director of Computer Centre, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu. He is a great lover of books and a principled teacher. He has varied interests – Books, Music, Education, Philosophy and Holistic Medicine. He has a wonderful collection of books and carnatic music. He is soft-spoken and is an inspiring counsellor.

I first came into contact with him thru my colleague and friend, Mr.Srividhya. I found that we shared common interests in book collection and Homeopathy. These strengthened our friendship. He used to visit Health Institute, Karaikudi, and deliver lectures on various aspects of Homeopathy, which we found highly interesting and useful. Then we used to exchange notes about books. Now he is settled in Bangalore.


He has been showing interest in my blogs, which is a great encouragement to me. During the initial days of my blogging, he gave me an interview, which finds a place in my blog, BOOKS, BOOKS AND BOOKS. 


He sends me links to great ebooks regularly. I am very grateful to him for all his encouragement and I cherish his friendship. May God bless him!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Self-Improvement-107: Three Keys To Greatness by Jim Rohn




63,122  views
Published on 28 Mar 2012 by MarcoBelgrade
A guide for teenagers to achieve financial independence and success.

Jim Rohn covers the three places to begin for any teenager (or adult) in their quest for a future full of success, happiness and wealth.

1. Price and promise - the power of vision and setting goals.

2. Personal development - expanding your knowledge through books,
tapes, seminars and other successful people.

3. The principles of wealth - earning, saving, giving and investing.

Over the years, Jim Rohn has heard from thousands of people - many who saw or heard Jim early in their life who later went on to achieve success. Don't let yourself or your family miss out on this powerful 56 minute video that can inspire, teach and lead you to success.

"A very big thank you to Jim, all his staff and all his associates for helping me becoming more valuable to myself, family and the marketplace. Thousands of participants in my banking courses have watched Jim's "3 Keys to Greatness" video. It's been a great way to end my courses. It has been my greatest satisfaction and joy to see faces brighten up as neon signs. They all depart with "It is Possible and I Can" attitudes. May God's best and richest be yours." -- Micah

"I am a huge fan of your "words of wisdom" as I call it. After watching your "3 Keys to Greatness" I have to say, Great, and thanks!" -- Rob McKinney.

Grateful thanks to MarcoBelgrade and YouTube.

Eyecatchers-163: Intolerance

“… Intolerance cannot tolerate non-conformism; it cannot brook dissent. And when the dissenter is exposed to social and extra legal sanctions, democracy is under siege….” – From Soli J.Sorabjee’s “Practising Tolerance is the Need of the Hour” in the Chennai edition of The New Sunday Express dated Aug.19,2012.

Grateful thanks to Mr.Soli Sorabjee and The NewSunday Express.

Picture of the day-401: A view from the Kodai Hills

Photo taken by Pravin.

Picture of the day-401: A view from the Kodai Hills

Photo taken by Pravin.

My Photo Album-167: Suri with two friends

First is Dr V Yegnaraman, who became the Director of CECRI; next is Suri; and the third one is Dr R Janakiraman,who retired as a General Manager of Hyderabad Batteries Ltd.  This photo was taken at the CECRI Men's Hostel during 1970 when the three of us were just Lab Assistants;  self being Junior Lab Asst and my two friends, Senior Lab Assts. I retired as a Private Secretary.  This is yet another photo I cherish.  As the saying goes, with great people, there are ordy people who say they went to school with them or they worked with them.  How true!

A Thought for Today-592: Einstein

A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty - Einstein

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Picture of the day-400:


My Photo Album-166: Prof.Dr.PL.Sabarathinam

Prof Dr PL Sabarathinam addressing a FASOHD meeting.  I got acquainted with him when we planned to organize a National Tamil Seminar at Annamalai University, Chidambaram.  He was then Registrar of that University.  My friend, Dr P Subramanian, introduced him to me.  We were working together in connection with that Seminar and that brought us closer.  That Tamil Seminar, first of its kind, organized by FASOHD ws my idea and it was a grand success.  After that, we requested him to become a Vice President of FASOHD and he very kindly agreed, which brought us even more closer.  He was supporting my various ideas and was extending all possible support to us.  I cherish his association till this day.  May God bless him!

A Thought for Today-591: Jim Rohn

Asking is the beginning of receiving. Make sure you don't go to the ocean with a teaspoon. At least take a bucket so the kids won't laugh at you - Jim Rohn, American motivational speaker

Brief biographical sketch of Jim Rohn from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Rohn

His official website:
http://www.jimrohn.com/

Grateful thanks to JimRohn.com and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Picture of the day-399: Dhanushkodi

People coming out of Sri Kothandaramar Temple, Dhanushkodi.  
Photo by Suri with his Canon Powershot A590 IS digital camera.

My Photo Album-165: Prof.M.Palani Raghuladasan

Prof.M.Palani Raghuladasan.  He was a Professor of Tamil in Sree Sevugan Annamalai College, Devakottai.  My association with him began with the first state-wide Karaikudi Book Festival.  He was a great admirer of mine and was lending me support to the various activities of FASOHD including 'SIGARAM', the inhouse Tamil magazine of FASOHD.  He was publishing a Tamil bulletin by name, BHARATHI GNANAM and I used to eagerly await for its copy.  Ultimately it folded up like many such ventures.  I always cherish his kindness and support.  May God bless him!

A Thought for Today-590: Jonathan Lockwood Huie

To change who you are, change who you think you are - Jonathan Lockwood Huie, baseball player of Canada and an author of self-awareness books. Also hailed as a Philosopher of Happiness.

More about him from his blog:

Grateful thanks to Jonathan Lockwood Huie.


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Picture of the day-398: Tender Coconut Seller at Pillayarpatti


My Photo Album-164: Dr A Selvaraj

My friend Dr A Selvaraj, the man in dark safari suit.  He was one of the volunteers in the Vedathiri Maharishi Book Stall at the Karaikudi Book Festival.  He is a public-spirited person and volunteers himself for many public activities.  He conducts Personality Development Programs for students at the school-level and is a very good speaker. With his homeopathic knowledge, he serves the needy poor also. May God bless him! 

A Thought for Today-589: Wayne Dyer

Everything you are against weakens you. Everything you are for empowers you - Wayne Dyer,  renowned American self-help author and motivational speaker

Write-up on Wayne Dyer from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Dyer

His Website:
http://www.drwaynedyer.com/

Grateful thanks to Dr Wayne Dyer and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Self-Improvement-106: The Wisdom of Norman Vincent Peale




10,586  views.
Uploaded by wileystudios on Nov 27, 2009

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (May 31, 1898 December 24, 1993) was a Protestant preacher and author (most notably of The Power of Positive Thinking) and a progenitor of the theory of "positive thinking".

Write-up on Dr Peale from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Vincent_Peale

Grateful thanks to Wiley Studios, YouTube and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Picture of the day-397:


My Photo Album-163: Dr Alex in his clinic

Dr Alex is a friend of mine for more than 20 years now.  He is well versed in so many areas like Painting, Scultping, Drawing etc etc.  He writes poems, composes songs, plays harmonium.  He has been serving people with his in depth knowledge of Homoepathy.  Many persons have got cured by taking his treatment.  He is the President of one of the Lions Clubs of Karaikudi.  He takes part in many social activities and has got a helping nature.  May God bless him!

A Thought for Today-588: Nikki Giovanni

If you don't understand yourself you don't understand anybody else - Nikki Giovanni, American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator

Write-up on Nikki Giovanni from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikki_Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni's Website:
http://www.nikki-giovanni.com/

Her poem, "The American Vision of Abraham Lincoln AT THIS MOMENT":
http://nikki-giovanni.com/americanvision.shtml

Grateful thanks to Nikki Giovanni and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Picture of the day-396: Kodaikanal photo by Pravin

This Kodaikanal photo was taken by Pravin during one of his visits there.
  I had been to Kodaikanal only once during my bachelor days.
This photo creates in me a longing to visit the place again.

My Photo Album-162: SIVARAMAN


My young friend, Sivarman.  He is an MCA.  Actually he joined our organisation after I retired and was continuing to work on contract for a year or so.  We were occupying adjacent seats in the office. He is a sincere, hard, devoted and tireless worker. I quit that contract job three years back, but still he continues to help and has been kind to me in various ways.  Especially, when my computer creates some job problem, in spite of his tight schedule, he manages to visit our house and sets right the problem very kindly.  I very much cherish the friendship of the soft-spoken Sivaraman very much.  May God bless him!

Photo taken by me during my last days at CECRI with my Canon Powershot A590 IS digital camera.

A Thought for Today-587: Thoreau

Dreams are the touchstones of our character - Henry David Thoreau

Write-up on Thoreau from Wikipedia:

Full Text of His famous works from Project Gutenberg:

Walden:

Civil Disobedience:

Grateful thanks to Project Gutenberg and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Picture of the day-395: Lord Buddha

Mamallapuram is just 14 km from my brother, Nellai's place, Tirupporur.  Both of us are early risers and, at every opportunity, we go to Mamallapuram in the early mornings to enjoy sea breeze and feast our eyes on the wonderful statues of yore as well as the present, lying along the streets.

Yes, Mamallapuram is full of sculptors, bringing life to images hidden in stones.  As I went along a road full of sculptures lying about for sale and sculptors chiseling stones, I came across this statue of Lord Buddha, whom I always love.  I clicked it with my Canon Powershot A590 IS digital camera.

My Photo Album-161: M/s.M.Ramakrishnan and C.Srividyarajagopalan

My friends, Mr.M.Ramakrishnan and Mr.C.Srividyarajagopalan, who have been doing a wonderful job as in charge of the Infrastructure Committee of the Karaikudi Book Festivals.  

Photo taken by Suri with his Canon Powershot A590 IS digital camera inside the venue of the Book Festival.

A Thought for Today-586: Gloria Steinem

Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning - Gloria Steinem, American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist.

Write-up on Gloria Steinem from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_Steinem

Works by or about Gloria Steinem in libraries (WorldCat catalog):
http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n83-74143

Grateful thanks to Gloria Steinem, WorldCat.org and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.


Thursday, August 09, 2012

Picture of the day-394: Second Karaikudi Book Festival Inauguration

Inaugural Function of the Second Karaikudi Book Festival -  
Prof.Dr.'Vetri' Meyyappan, Valampuri John, 
Dr.M.Raghavan (the then Director of CECRI), 
Vice Chancellor and Dr V Sundaram, the then President of FASOHD

My Photo Album-160: Suri with his cousins


A Thought for Today-585: Robin Sharma

We are all here for some special reason. Stop being a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future - Robin Sharma

Brief Write-up on Robin Sharma from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Sharma

His official Website:
http://www.robinsharma.com/

Grateful thanks to Robin Sharma and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Picture of the day-393: Ariyakkudi Temple

Ariyakkudi Arulmigu Thiruvengadamudaiyaan Thirukkovil. 
Photo by Suri with his Canon Powershot A590 IS digital camaera.

My Photo Album-159: Prof ALC delivering a lecture

Prof.AL.Chidambaram, a former professor from Annamalai University, is delivering a lecture at CECRI Auditorium, Karaikudi, for FASOHD.  He is fine gentleman, whose kindness I cherish very much.  Even after losing contact, he used to send me New Year Greetings (containing a lot of wonderful quotations) every year which I loved.  Unfortunately, I have lost his contact completely now.

A Thought for Today-584: Voltaire

Love truth, and pardon error - Voltaire, French Writer, Historian, Philosopher and Playwright

A biographical sketch of Voltaire from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltaire

Links to Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary (9 Vol)(English Translation) from Project Gutenberg:

Grateful thanks to Project Gutenberg and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.


Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Health News-26: Cancer drug to flush out dormant HIV

This is another news item which I came across in the same section of the paper of the same day. It is reported that researchers claim that a drug used to treat certain types of cancer, VORINOSTA or vorinostat, is able to dislodge hidden virus in HIV patients. Lab experiments measuring active HIV levels in CD4 + T cells, which are specialized white blood cells that the virus uses to replicate, showed that this drug unmasked the hidden virus in these cells. It is a major breakthrough in the treatment of AIDS. 

More on this:
Cancer Drug May Flush Out 'Hidden' HIV - Study:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=160683

Grateful thanks to The Times of India and MedicineNet.

Eyecatchers-162: Solar System that looks like Ours!

I came across this news item in the Chennai edition of The Times of India of July 27, 2012 under the section, TIMES TRENDS, which I would like to share here. Scientists have discovered the first exoplanetary system which has planets lined up in aligned orbits similar to those in our solar system. At the centre of this system is Kepler 30, a star as bright and as massive as our sun.

For more on this topic:

On the Same Plane by Sid Perkins (July 25, 2012)


Science Now, News.ScienceMag.Org

Grateful thanks to The Times of India and Science Now.

Picture of the day-392: Macaw


My Photo Album-158: Arunvel


A Thought for Today-583: Harry Truman

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit - Harry Truman, 33rd President of the USA


Some Important events during his Presidency:

1. Dropping of Atom Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
2. Formation of the UNO
3. Recognition of Israel
4. Berlin Airlift
5. Formation of NATO
6. Chinese Civil War
7. Korean War


Biographical sketch of Harry Truman from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman

Grateful thanks to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.






Monday, August 06, 2012

Picture of the day-391: Pattamangalam Sri Ayyanar Temple


My Photo Album-157: Karthik riding a Kayak in Australia

Grateful thanks to Karthik for providing the photo

A Thought for Today-582:Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

All I'm saying is simply this, that all life is interrelated, that somehow we're caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. You can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sunday, August 05, 2012

Picture of the day-390:


My Photo Album-156: Ganesh and Achu


A Thought for Today-581: Martin Luther King Jr.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that - Martin Luther King Jr.

Biographical sketch Dr Martin Luther King Jr from Wikipedia:

Full Text of his famous speech, "I have a dream" from Chicago Tribune:

Grateful thanks to Chicago Tribune and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Saturday, August 04, 2012

Picture of the day-389: Walruses everywhere!

Grateful thanks to Karthik for the photo, which he took in Australia 
during a picnic with his colleagues.

My Photo Album-155: Training Program for Teachers by FASOHD

During my FASOHD days, we organized a Training Program for School Teachers on Value Education at CECRI, Karaikudi.  About 150 teachers of various schools in the district participated.  The Program organized thru Sahaj Marg Research and Training Institute, Chennai.  Here in the picture Shri Y Mahadeva Iyer, who presided over the function and Shri K.Nakkeeran, the then President of FASOHD.

Here I would like to record my sincere and grateful thanks to Mr.Nakkeeran, who readily gave consent and supported in every idea I wanted to implement thru FASOHD.  With his unstinted support, I was able bring to reality many of my dreams and ideas.

A Thought for Today-580: Aristotle

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit – Aristotle

A biographical sketch of Aristotle from Wikipedia:

Full Text of Some Selected Works of Aristotle from Project Gutenberg:

POLITICS: A TREATISE ON GOVERNMENT  BY  ARISTOTLE:


THE POETICS OF ARISTOTLE:


THE ETHICS OF ARISTOTLE:

Grateful thanks to Project Gutenberg and Wikipedia, free encyclopedia.

Friday, August 03, 2012

Self-Improvement-105: Never Give up: Inspirational video




Uploaded to YouTube by realvipul on Aug 7, 2007


Fight for yourself using every drop of blood from your body. Muster every effort within you and fight: sure you will win.


Grateful thanks to realvipul and YouTube.

Picture of the day-388:

Red Monkey
Grateful thanks to Ashok for the photo.

My Photo Album-154: Dad's last photo


A Thought for Today-579: Alan Dean Foster

Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting - Alan Dean Foster, American author of fantasy and science fiction, especially the Star Trek series.

A brief biographical sketch of Alan Dean Foster from Wikipedia:

Grateful thanks to FantasticFiction and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Picture of the day-387:

Baby Alligator

Grateful thanks to Ashok.

My Photo Album-153:

Ashok with kids who take care of Anaconda

A Thought for Today-578: Thomas Alva Edison

The value of an idea lies in using it - Thomas Alva Edison