Problems of collecting drinking water in Secunderabad Cantonment area

Problems of collecting drinking water in Secunderabad Cantonment area

We get drinking water supply from Secunderabad Cantonment Board once in three days. It lasts for about two or three hours. On such days we get about 1000 to 1200 liters as against WHO norms of 1800 liters. Nowadays, normally our colony is scheduled to get water by 10:40 am.

It is a bother to collect water. The incoming tap is at 8 feet below ground level. We allow the water to flow into a syntax tank and pump it up to a larger sump. If left unattended, supply may cease and pump will be running dry; if electricity fails at my end syntax tank may overflow. If supply stops abruptly, say no poer supply at SCB end, then water may flow back along the mains and drain out. Pump may require priming at times if the suction pipe is empty. And you have to ensure that someone is available to attend to this task and residents living alone may be house bound for couple of hours. As supply times are erratic, some responsible person from the Colony Resident Welfare Association rings up the water supply gang every third day, ascertains the expected time of supply and informs all residents in the colony via bulk SMS alerts. Sending such SMS helps some people in more than one way. Some crooks who suck water by using pump directly from mains wait for SMS and switch on to illegal pumping immediately. Others nearby - law abiding ones like me - suffer due to low pressure. On days when we have no electricity at our end, as soon as supply starts, we can water gushing with full force and continue like that till electric power resumes!!

In my case I have additional issues to tackle. I am frequently alone and am busy with lot of outdoor work. Collecting water without missing any day would involve going without water for a couple of days.  We have no bore well to supplement the municipal supply. The responsible person mentioned above is I. And my age (I am 76 now) is catching up, I am more and more forgetful – may forget to switch off the pump or allow it run dry, or forget to start the series of operations in time.

I used to fret and fume over all the problems of collecting water. It didn’t help anyone. Then suddenly I drew a comparison to my problem to monthly menstrual cyclic problem of women. Are women not taking it as a matter of routine and go about making all adjustments possible? My water problem is once in three days, ten days in a month, for 3 X 10 hours in all, per month. Women suffer for about three days once a month  Many similarities may be seen:

It may come suddenly
It may stop suddenly
It may be regular or irregular
It may involves messiness
It may make you tense, anxious, apprehensive or moody
It makes take proper action promptly
If you fret about it friends may think you are making much ado about nothing

Even teenage school girls know about Sanitary pads , thanks to Whisper Ads,  and  have learnt how to ensure there is no  visible ‘leakage’ between their butts. Afterall, problems in life, especially those recurring ones, are inevitable. We should learn to suffer and live with it.

Another type of unauthorized Demonetization

Another type of unauthorized Demonetization

Vegetable vendors are refusing to accept coins of 50p and 25p denomination. Long ago they had joined small shop owners in refusing Five Rupee Notes though five rupee coins are still accepted. Beggars flatly refuse even two rupee coins saying it is difficult to exchange in supermarkets or hotels at the end of the day; another reason cited is that distinguishing one rupee coin with two rupee coin is a bother? They also seem to be better than bank cashiers in detecting soiled notes. These acts are clearly some kind of unauthorized demonetization thrust upon poor citizens.

When some notes or coins are taken out of circulation how one does get to know it authentically? I am sure WhatApp is the last source I will depend upon. There is

no limit to the rumors spread in WhatApp groups. Today I read the following:

Important msg from Hyderabad police to all over India: For the next few weeks do not drink any soft drink like Maaza, cococola, pepsi, mountain dew, sprite as a worker from one of these company has added his blood contaminated with Ebola virus . It was shown yesterday on NDTV... Pls forward this msg urgently to people you care... Take Care!!

Someone may spread a rumor that “all coins collected by a person called Vyasamoorthy are banned as per one RBI circular issued two years ago” and there are naïve persons who would believe them and others who have no work other than forwarding such non-sense.

How then to dispose of old coins that we have collected over years? I have a few Kgs of them. Put it in temple “hundi”? What if God finds out and punishes me? Give it back for minting, melting etc – might be an offense or illegal, I’m not sure. Or leave it for progeny so that they may get lot of money by selling the lot as rare coins after few centuries? I am at my wits end; please suggest a solution.

Well, if I have nothing else to write, it does not mean you have nothing else to read; kindly quit. No problems. Thanks for coming up to this point, though. Before I close I am clarifying that I am not a blogger being paid to write anything on a “per word” basis – I haven’t become that big yet.

AOSC celebrates Foundation Day

Foundation Day Celebrations of Association of Senior Citizens held on 21^st Jan 2018

AOSC-H celebrated their Foundation day on 21^st January 2017 in Lions Bhavan, Secunderabad. Nearly 70 persons participated. The meeting started with our charming Master of ceremony, Smt Kamakshi Hatti, requesting dignitaries to occupy the dais.  Seated on the dais were Sri RN Mital, Sri IM Bhalla, Sri Surya Prakash, Sri Chepuri Shankar Rao, Sri Chidambara Rao and Sri  VC Dalal. First there was a prayer song in Hindi by Sri Chandragupta. Thereafter Sri Shankar Rao sang a special welcome song composed by him in Telugu (saying welcome to all) followed by all the ladies welcoming the participants by raining flowers and petals from the dais.

  

Three dignitaries – Sri Jagadiswar, Smt Shylaja, Lion Syed Javed – could not come, leaving Sri Surya Prakash to take up their roles as well. Sri Bhalla welcomed all and thanked all the participants in Painting and Crafts exhibitions, the judge for the competitions Sri Surya Prakash and others. Sri Mital briefly sketched the achievements of many members who did us proud during their post-retirement period. Sri Shankar Rao described the achievements of the association since inception citing awards, events and seminars conducted.

The judge went round the exhibition of paintings and crafts. Nearly 30 paintings and three crafts(wo)men participated. Sri Suryaprakash said that categorizing winners like first, second or third does not make sense and all the prizes will be given with equal importance. Learning to draw or paint is more important than winning prizes, he emphasized. Three prizes for paintings and two prizes for crafts were given away, amidst applause and approbation.See the painting entries in the video by Sri Shankar Rao given below:

Smt Vaijayanti announced that Dr P Vyasamoorthy has been chosen as the recipient of Prof Visweswaraiah Memorial Award, instituted three years ago. The award comprised of a shawl, Memento, Framed Citation and a Cheque for Rs 5000/- Sri Surya Prakash did the honour of giving away the award to Dr Vyasamoorthy, followed by a brief thanksgiving by the recipient.

Some 19 members were to be felicitated for becoming octogenarian, nonagenarians etc. But only five turned up: Sri RN Mital, Dr Venkateswara Rao, Sri GR Krishnamurthy, Smt  Hymavathi Bheemanna and xxxxxxx.  Sri GR Krishnamurthy gave a pleasant surprise to all by making a big donation of Rs 25000/-. We were all overjoyed not only by the amount but also by the surprise element.

Sri  Samudrala Mallikarjun who came from Nalgonda has authored a book in Telugu on Religious tourism – places to visit on pilgrimages and details thereon. His book was released on this occasion by Sri Surya Prakash.

Thereafter all the winners and runners up in Carom tournament were given prizes.  With this the meeting part ended.

Then Dr Sobha Gurajada Perindevi took over cultural program. Besides songs by several people including Sri Chandraguta there were skits as well. Shankar Rao and Sobha portrayed a Telugu skit full of humor involving selection of a bride. Sobha and Hymavathi did a marvelous job of conversing with each other as MIL and DIL trying to show each other their places.  The function ended with sumptuous delicious lunch.

The function was remarkable in many ways. Master of Ceremony, Smt Kamakshi, did a splendid job, adjusting to surprising changes as warranted, keeping everyone deeply engaged. Sri Surya Prakash  was humility personified and his advice was a great tonic to all seniors. The painting competition saw largest participation ever. The crafts show helped us discover happily hidden talents among our members. Malleswari gave away a doll made by her to Kamakshi exhibiting sisterly concern, affection, appreciation and understanding. The lunch was superb because of carefully selected menu. Cultural program was so designed to expand or be shortened depending on circumstances.  Recipient of Prof Visweswaraiah Award was so happy and motivated   that he posted a separate blog post  on it. Sakshi – Telugu daily - covered the event nicely.

Appendix gives details of prize winners in competitions carom competition etc

Prof Vontimitta Visweswaraiah remembered

  Prof Vontimitta Visweswaraiah remembered

                                                                                                                               

Prof Visweswaraiah is a well known social activist concerned with the welfare of the older persons. In his memory, after his demise in 2015 at the age of 85, his family trust instituted an annual award to be given to some senior citizen for outstanding services to the elderly community. This year’s (2017) award was given to me during the Foundation Day celebration function of the Association of Senior Citizens of Hyderabad, today in Lions Bhavan, Secunderabad. This has given me an opportunity to remember Prof Visweswaraia, a great soul, with fond memories.

I received the honour at the hands of the chief guest for the event, Sri Surya Prakash, a renowned artist. The award comprised of a Shawl, Memento, Citation and a Cheque for Rs 5000/-  .See the text of the citation here. At home, I have a print of a famous painting of Surya Prakash in my house, received as a parting gift when I left ICICI Knowledge Park - see image! 

The reason for this blog post is not merely to boast – I am an unabashed self-motivator, if I don’t talk well about myself, who will – but also to record my thanks to all: AOSC Award Selection Committee, Smt Vaijayanthi and others concerned and as well to several people who congratulated me subsequently. Any recognition, however big or small, enriches my life and I consider this award as very precious as Prof Visweswaraiah was quite close to me and I wish to cherish him in my memory as much as possible.

My daily prayer includes chanting Devistuti (in praise of Lingabhairabi Devi consecrated at Isha Ashram, Coimbatore) which has a line: “Jai Bhairavidevi Vishweswari Namahshree”. A Surya mala he gifted to me when we went to Kashi is kept in our Puja room. Therefore I remember him almost daily. What could make me more happier than getting an award named after Prof Vontimitta Visweswaraiah?  Jai Bhairavidevi.

==========================

Our Streets are Unsafe but can we avoid using them?

Our Streets are unsafe, but can we avoid using them?

Our streets are unsafe for all, especially pedestrians. If you are a senior citizen you are all the more vulnerable.  I include roads and highways when I say streets. The causes or conditions leading to rendering roads unsafe include our selves (human beings), animals and nature itself.

It is becoming extremely difficult to cross even inner streets of a residential area.  It is not just the irritating factor of heavy traffic making you wait for the traffic to subside but also irresponsible vehicle drivers. The other day I was crossing the road when traffic cleared but a bike fellow came in wrong direction and hit me.  Maintenance People cut electric or telephone poles and leave metal stub projections on the ground, which are dangerous for walkers. They trip and fall and break their hips. Residents allow thorny vegetation – bougainvillea for instance – to grow and obstruct walkers right at their eye level.

During rainy season, water flows like river on the streets. You don’t know if you will reach home safe or disappear in a watery grave in uncovered drainage manhole. During Shankranti you may get your throat or leg cut by manja thread. Or during Deepavali you may get hurt by crackers fired without care or caution. But these are seasonal for a day or two. Avoiding stepping on dogs’ shit is a tricky task during morning walk. Dogs prefer to poop in all parts of the street not just the pedestrian pathways. Dog owners have no responsibility or control over their pets. Mad street dogs may bite you too, choosing which part to bite on their own. Streets are dark during night due to non-working street lights and even a torch would not help as roads are uneven filled with debris and other obstructions.

The only way you can avoid trouble to yourself, as Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev says in a different context: Be hundred percent aware of the present. This applies even when you are a street walker.

 ===================================

Book Review - Ananta Vinayaka - The Elternal God

Book Review: Ananta Vinayaka

Book Review: Ananta Vinayaka: The Eternal God. Original in Telugu authored by Prof V Balamohandas and English version translated by Sri S Vinaya Bhushan Rao.

Published by Vasantha Mohana Foundation, Vishakapatnam. (Ph 0891-2551 1282) 2011. Pages 226 + ten colour plates. Price: Rs 200/-

This book on Lord Vinayaka is a veritable encyclopedia offering a wide variety of information on the God Ganesha. It has one less than sixty chapters. You can find stories about the origin of “elephant god”, his relationship with personages like: Agastiya, Kubera, Talaasura, Parasurama, Vibheeshna, Vyasa, Jambavanta, Avvaiyaar etc. Info on prominent temples of Ganesha in India and abroad are furnished. Methodology of conducting Pujas, Vratams, Prayers are given. The book is an indispensable source for several Naamavalis, stotras and poems. All stories connected with Vinayaka – including the miracle of Ganesha Idols drinking milk in 1995 – are described in detail. Ganesh festival as obtaining in Andhra Pradesh has been described vividly.

It is a book that will help us recover and retain our culture. Senior citizens will find a mine of info to share with their grand children. Ladies’ Bhajan groups will benefit immensely in learning and reciting shlokas and naamavalis. Every newspaper published something or the other on Vinayaka chaturthi . The first place they should look for is here.

Prof Balamohandas, being a management oriented academician, has a passion to lecture on leadership qualities of Vinayaka analyzing his physical features. No wonder he has given 200 plus talks on this topic alone. His entire family members are ardent devotees of Lord Ganesha.  The person who inspired the author to write this wonderful book is Sri YVSR Moorti. We should thank these Trimurthys: Author, Translator and the Inspiration for this literary treasure house on Eternal God – VINAYAKA. I am hopeful of the book becoming eternally useful in times to come.