An encomium to Jayalalitha Jayaram

It was during my college days in Chennai that the corruption case filed by Subrahmanian Swamy against Jayalalitha became a huge talk. Though I was interested in debates & politics and stayed at Cathedral Road very next to the ruling party and opposition party residence where I had chance to watch live political dramas, I never bothered about TamilNadu politics because I felt it was too dramatic to be reasonably analysed but Since this particular case became a debate of national importance. I decided to peep in.
One day I spoke about the details that my colleague at media had written on Puratchi Thalaivi to one of my police friend who in-turn gave me a different version where he described her love for material goods and her dire need for power, That was the first time I started listening to what the natives had to talk about their Chief minister. And it was later, when my mom happened to talk about her that I decided to criticize Jayalalitha for the first time, unlike the listener I used to be till then. My mom patiently listened to all that I mentioned and she asked me only one thing. "Laxmi, please read about her past and the path she had to travel to reach where she is now before you comment on her" and she hung up the phone silently.
I had a negative opinion on her maybe because I was used to watching her leave her residence every day with some 13 vehicles moving together and the SUV in which she travels having four men hanging on to the doors hailing her (I felt pity for those men and felt that she did too much of showoff). After all the stories I have heard about her, her daily luxury routines of saffron milk and rose-milk bath etc. There were plenty of interesting facts as well as gossips about her. Her chair that she carried along with her wherever she goes, which initially was a joke for me, The way men had to bow before her and should not look at her face while talking to her etc made me feel like she was a lady Hitler.

All these opinions changed once I learned more about her. I became a dire admirer of Madam Jayalalitha Jayaram. I have never addressed her as Amma but Jayalalitha always, Since I am not her blind follower but an ordinary woman who admires her skills and crtiticized her faults.

First Interview of Jayalalitha I watched was Rendezvous with Simigarewal (To watch the interview click here) where I imbibed the transformation of a very emotional human being to one of India's most powerful and inspirational woman! 
"Its been a tempestuous life" In Jayalalitha`s own words. Her journey from a film-star to a Chief Minister is worth reading, To my knowledge only one authentic biography of Jayalalitha is available online. (Click here)

The second Interview I watched among the very few she had given was the one with Karan Thapar where I was so glad to see the Devil`s advocate being royally slapped. (To watch the interview click here). I really became a fan of hers by the way she retorted his sarcastic remarks.
She is indeed remarkable. She has neither lost her temper nor she became emotional in public even when she was harassed a lot mercilessly. She encountered probably the highest documented insult that a woman has ever faced in a state Assembly when she was almost disrobed.This was in addition to being the recipient of lewd comments and hair pulling on the same day.

Yet she remained a Pheonix.

She was a charming, multi-faceted actor who was trained in various dance forms. But not so obviously, she was well read and witty, she was intelligent and she knew it. It was not merely her affair with MGR that drew her to politics, it was her prolific ability to speak in English & Hindi with an intellect that could match an economist.

Two months ago on my way back from NewDelhi, I happened to enter into a discussion with a fellow traveler who used a colloquial slang while referring to Jayalalitha (which offended my feelings) all because she was found guilty in a corruption case by a magistrate court. He spoke fiercely against her. I admit the fact that she was greedy about Luxury but that doesn't make her a bad person, In fact politics itself is a dirty game. All that matters to me is what she has done for her people. She has given 70% to people even if she stole the rest all for herself. At least she makes sure that the 70% reaches her people promptly. She was a highly skilled administrator.

 Since myself and my fellow traveler happened to be Keralites it was easy for me to ask him few questions about our own Kerala Government and the benefits he gained from our state government which I believe has lead him to realize the pity condition of our home State when compared to the neighboring state with far less resource than ours and a highly corrupted leader as he mentioned. To be honest I have never seen my state government reaching to the common class neither did I feel their presence in my daily life. Myself belonging to a middle class family, government is just a myth that existed in news channels throughout my student life. It was when I went to Chennai that I realized how effectively can a state government function.

I just asked him to mention 5 good things that Jayalalitha has done for her State before lifting his fingers against her and he was mute. I pity that the man who roared against the number of silk sarees she owned had no idea about her administration or her contributions to the development of TamilNadu.
 I think, a reasonable criteria to become a critique is that you should know both the sides before you take one stand. And its a common trend that people are amused to criticize politicians especially if she is a woman with power.

I conclude by paying respects to the politician who broke gender barriers.

RIP Jayalalitha Jayaram.

Travel- A means to aquaint with Nature

A hippie lifestyle was a trend long back but now I guess someone saying they wanna sit at home or have a quality time with family seems to be trending. Since when did the quaint of traveling start trending?

 If u ask a youth what they really wanna do in life? or their idea of happiness?

The answer is 'Travel'. 

Myself being a wanderlust I would love to spend my spare time and earnings on traveling. But tonight I was  wondering why do we love to travel? What is the hist of traveling?

Some of us travel for peace of mind or to seclude ourselves from our routine lives, few travel for purposes, and another section travels to explore new things. Ultimately Nature is the answer to the equation you create for the travel.

Traveling helps one to acquaint with nature more effusively. Nature is the best teacher and being a dedicated student can elevate you from being a mere mortal to a spiritual being. Every one has their own way to enjoy their travel. There is this friend of mine who go for long drives to talk to himself. It sounds funny but don't you think its the best way to deal with stress and deep in our heart we all talk to ourselves. 

Well my point is that, what we all need is a bonding with nature and travel is the means that we all use to acquaint with nature.

Travel helps u grow mentally. Somewhere traveling is a form of exercising one`s liberty!

Even when we travel across boundaries to study and explore different cultures or traditions,

that's again mother nature who is teaching us lessons we desire to learn. Isn't?

They say;

"Don't tell me how much u have learnt but tell me how much you have traveled"

"I would like to have a passport full of stamps than a house full of stuffs"

'P'

Remember this one?

A million years from today, umpteen lifetimes away, no matter where time or space may find us, I promise that you and I will be locked arm-in-arm, dancing through reality, daring each other on to ever more adventures, tempting the most alluring illusions, and looking for distant worlds to create and explore. Simply because we can, because it will bring us immeasurable joy, and because there just isn't anything that could ever stop a pair like you and me.

Uncanny, huh, how a million years ago I was able to be so spot on.

Ohh-wee-ohh

Roja- A symbol of dignity

I was just wondering today while having my evening coffee, I haven`t been doing so much so late. Life has been more self oriented, focus has been only on me unlike before. I sat down and looked out of my window to see a silent street- My street is always supposed to be busy and noisy with children playing around, men standing on their bikes discussing sports, women gossiping and people on walk. Today, may be because its a Sunday the streets were empty, a grave silence filled the whole area.I saw only this 'flower vendor' sitting there alone and idle. (Daily on my way back from evening walk, I cross this lady who sells flowers- Her jasmine is always special with its strong pleasant smell and freshness. I acknowledge her with a smile noting my attendance everyday) I thought of going over to her and having a small chat.

So I made a cup of coffee for her and went down, she was so happy and excited when I told her I came down just to talk to her, she gave me a big reception and a stool to sit. I stretched my hand to lend her the cup, I could see her happiness in the eyes. She smiled at me and said its the first time someone had made coffee for her. I asked her who all were there at home, She sipped her coffee and spoke in a soft tone.
"I live by myself, no family. I ran away from home when I was 8 due to my aunt`s torture."
I went to her just to give her a company for a while since it was a lonely day for her I suppose.
I wasn't expecting her to open up suddenly to me, neither did I expect a tragic story. I thought she might tell me about her kids and may be maximum a drunkard husband. she maintained the silence, I had to break it- I asked her "Are you not married?"
she looked into my eyes and I could read a different expression which made me want to take back the question I had asked her. She replied "who will want to marry a woman with nothing except flowers that bloom everyday just to help her satisfy her hunger!?"
Before I could ask her anything,
She continued, "I was a fool who fell for men`s trap many a times until I realized they are flesh eating animals who just need a woman to satisfy his lust"
  "I was at Madurai till I was 35 yrs and moved to Chennai to escape from the tag they were pushing me into -a whore"
I felt so bad for her. "I have my principles in life that I don't want to give up under any circumstance. I cant live without dignity even in poverty"
I took her hands in mine and pressed them as a gesture of support. I felt so proud of her that she was a woman of dignity.
I wanted to change the topic when she suddenly started again, "I found this means of earning myself to fight poverty, I pluck flowers from house gardens and was shooed away many a times but later sold it to get money for tea, now that I sell garlands and at least get enough for my meals thrice a day"
I asked her "Over these years nobody gave you a job even as a domestic help?" I asked so since she has been here for the past so many years,same street ,same job. So its obvious that people around knows her well.
She said "Darling, I am a known transgender in this locality. Nobody would like me helping at their household but they need me every time to bless for anything auspicious at their house."
I never knew she was a transgender, she has always been a bold and beautiful lady.
So I asked her why isn't she moving to a place near temples or on main roads where she can have more business. But since she has to pay rent for that again or get a place near temples on yearly auction, It was tough for her. She didn't go to the roads because she said she has to be loyal to those people who come in search of her. I was amazed at her sincerity.
She said, "After all I have no liabilities. I need to make enough everyday only to feed myself."

I was wondering in my mind People don't respect or consider transgenders even on humanitarian grounds when they are in need but shamelessly come to them for blessing when they buy a new car or when a baby is born.
This lady who prefers to call herself 'Roja' whirled my thoughts today to think about why do we feel attached to worldly pleasures. Life is after all about how you live. She made me realize how lucky I am in many ways. Even in her poverty she was adamant to keep up her dignity.

My experience with Angel Gabriel

In the book ‘Angel Therapy’, I read that Gabriel is the left hand of God. He is a messenger in all Christian and Muslim scriptures. Mostly journalists, writers, lawyers and other professions related to writing and communicating, call upon angel Gabriel. He will lead you till you finish your piece of work that you have already started. He serves those who call upon him. He is an angel of words. There are people who reported saying they had disturbances while sleeping till they finished their work. Gabriel is a perfectionist and will make you one too in your respective career.

Gabriel is often mentioned as ‘he’ but a fact is that an angel do not belong to any gender. Angels are pictured as cute tiny human figures with wings attached. Anyways Angels are just light. Hindus mention this Light as ‘Guru’ the shadow that leads us to through righteousness. People who report that they had seen angels, says that they saw a light. Angels are always connected to nature. You find them on flowers or in garden. You will have more Idea about how to keep angels happy etc from the book ‘Earth Angels’ by Doreen Virtue.
Again back on track, what I wanted to say was that I had an experience today early morning. Believe it or not I heard something whispering in my ears to get up and write. I woke up suddenly and turned around. I first thought it was my brother but he was asleep. I opened the curtain and saw the sky was still dark. I tried to sleep. Again as I sank into a deep sleep, something came near me and kept a watch next to my face on my pillow (was that an illusion?). I woke up with a bong and this time to my utter amazement I found an alarm clock on top of my pillow right next to where I slept. May be the clock fell from the table to the bed ending up on top of my pillow making a bong that woke me. But what made that happen??
I woke up before the entity (that is trying to wake me so badly) lose its patience.
I believe it was an angel, probably Gabriel angel who urged me to do my work before the fire in my heart extinguishes. Thank you my Angels!

Golden Days

For most of us the first thing that runs through our mind when we hear the word 'summer vacation' is 'Grandparents house'.

In my case I grew up with my maternal grandmother. She did whole of my parenting. Her home was not really a vacation place for me, I had the best part of my life spent with her, back in my hometown. 

I always felt like she was my twin sister, even though i respected her age.  I always felt comfortable and safe when she was next to me. As a child I always thought she would protect me from anything that can happen on earth.  I hug her tight when i get bad dreams because I believe no evil can harm her as she was regular with her prayers.

When I was a kid. We used to have running race at the parking lot of our apartment, My friends were jealous because my grandmother was young and healthy unlike their grannies to play catch&catch or hide&seek.
I really laugh when I think of the scene- little me shouting to her "Don`t forget to give Kevin(my stuffed doll) lunch, he is hungry" from the main door,before leaving for my tuition classes. She replies "Of course dear, Make sure you are back before he finds out that you are not here"
She always made me feel that my fantasies of dolls having life and fairy Godmothers, did really exist in the real world. 
She was an angel who safe guarded me from getting beatings from my mom. 

When I was in my fourth grade we both secretly decided to shift to Kerala. Home with both of us alone was a heaven. She loved me being mischievous. She never stopped me from doing crazy things like moving about in my grandpa`s dhoti and vest with a charcoal mustache on my face . We played, we fought, we cooked, did gardening, went to temples ,bhajanas, visited houses, attended functions.. in fact everything together.People called me her tail (vaalu), because they never found us apart. We never liked someone else (other family members) entering our comfort zones. 

As I grew up, She protected my pride from my parents when I score less in exams and boasted when I score well, Kept advertising when I won prizes. We kept lot of secrets too within us. 

When I was put in hostel during my high school, I wait for second Saturdays to rush to her. I sit at the kitchen counter hours, explaining all that happened for the past one month. She used to bring me my favourite lunch ('pothichoru'- consisted of curd rice, coconut chutney, potato fry and my favourite mango pickle ♥) during weekends. We sit together on the steps of lonely basket ball court in my school talking.

All these golden moments vanished as I move out of Kerala to do my higher studies, which she never liked but silently accepted her resignation. Everything is just memories at present and I love to cherish all those sweet memories of mine with her.

Now that she has become more old and weak but still smart and quick witted as always. She talks less and pray more. She finds happiness while watering plants or cooking. Her silence shows us her detachment from material world. Her priorities have changed.

'NO MATTER HOW PERFECT A DAY IS, IT HAS TO COME TO AN END.'
-Stephanie Meyer

But am glad that I was the luckiest among all her grandchildren to grow up with her, to have known her, to have taken care of her.

Monsoons at my Hometown

I miss the monsoons at Kerala. Feeling blessed to be born in the land of *Lord Sree Vallabha*.
I miss those days I stood at the big wooden doors facing 'Garuda mada thara' at the entrance of a huge temple wondering whether I should go home inthat heavy rain.. But the environment surrounding me would keep me arrested there for longer time...smell of agarbhati and camphor, People moving about reciting 'narayana namam'. The excitement on the old lady's face as she waits to watch the 'Kadhakali'

The air itself carries an 'Aum mantra' in it. Every breath I take-in would be divine. An unknown presence is there at the nook and corner of the temple compound.
I cherish those moments...