About the Blog

This is my diary....what I make sense of, around me. You'll find short prose on contemporary topics that interest me. What can you expect - Best adjectives? …. hmm occasionally, tossed around flowery verbs ?…. Nope, haiku-like super-brevity? … I try to. Thanks for dropping by & hope to see you again

September 23, 2018

The Best Advice you ever got on Cancer Prevention

best tips on cancer prevention from nobel laurete


Rated as the world's foremost biochemists, Otto Warburg discovery about cancer assumes a lot of significance in the highly polluted environs we live in today. Because the impact of repeated exposure to toxins in air water and food impacts our biological functions at a very elementary level - the cellular activity.

The prognosis of Otto Warburg research on cancer is that our cells start responding differently to high levels of pollution. Instead of breathing oxygen, they start to ferment sugar as a biological defense to thwart pollution. What they essentially do is a primitive form of respiration (sugar fermentation) because they refuse to die to poison, instead multiply and form a protective barrier. When they start doing it, they multiply and build a ‘wall’ which is the beginning of cancer. It is this cancer process itself which causes the body to become increasingly acidic

Otto Warburg 1931 Nobel winning efforts was on mechanism of cell oxidation and identifying the iron-enzyme complex, which catalyzes this process. Dr. Warburg was quoted as stating that, "The root cause of cancer is oxygen deficiency, which creates an acidic state in the human body. Dr Warburg also discovered that cancer cells are anaerobic (do not breathe oxygen) and cannot survive in the presence of high levels of oxygen, as found in an alkaline state."

August 17, 2018

August 12, 2018

The Divine Encounter: When a British Collector Met a Hindu Saint in India

The period of British rule in India is often associated with the introduction of Christianity to the subcontinent, along with its notorious history of mass conversions. Missionaries, in their quest to spread the Christian faith, found success among the lower echelons of India's caste system. However, amidst this backdrop, there are intriguing stories of how British rulers were also influenced by Hinduism and its revered saints. One such remarkable historical incident involves the interaction between a British collector and a prominent Hindu saint in the 19th century.

Sri Raghavendra Swamiji, a renowned saint and scholar, was a staunch proponent of the dvaita philosophy in the 16th century. His spiritual teachings and miraculous powers garnered millions of admirers across various states, including myself. His influence transcended religious boundaries, attracting devotees from diverse faiths, including Christianity. Two notable believers were Sir Thomas Munro and the Nawab of Adoni.

Sir Thomas Munro's Journey

Sir Thomas Munro, 1st Baronet, arrived in India in 1779, where he began his career with an infantry cadet ship in Madras. He served diligently with his regiment during the challenging conflict against Haidar Ali. In 1819, he was appointed as the governor of Madras, earning renown for implementing the 'Ryotwari system.'


british rulers and hindu saints in india


A Real-Life 'Lagaan' Moment


In the annals of history, there are moments when reality seems to take a page from fiction. One such moment occurred when Sir Thomas Munro, the Collector of Bellary during British colonial rule in India, found himself in a situation that bore an uncanny resemblance to the Bollywood blockbuster "Lagaan." While the movie depicted a fictionalized account of a central Indian village playing a high-stakes game of cricket to avoid exorbitant taxes, our story is rooted in reality. In this instance, it was not a game of cricket but a divine encounter with Sri Raghavendra Swamiji, a revered Hindu saint and scholar, that made the British collector see reason and rewrite history.

Sir Thomas Munroe & Sri Raghavendra Swami, Mantralaya Incident


The intriguing connection between Sir Thomas Munro and Sri Raghavendra Swami unfolds during Munro's tenure as the Collector of Bellary in 1800. The Madras Government issued an order directing him to collect the entire income from the Raghavendra Swamy Matha and the village of Mantralaya. Despite their efforts, the revenue officials found it impossible to comply with this directive.

Sri Raghavendra swami and Sir Thomas Munro
          

Intrigued by the situation, Sir Thomas Munro decided to investigate the matter personally. With deep reverence, he removed his hat and shoes as he entered the sacred precincts of the Matha. To everyone's astonishment, Sri Raghavendra Swamiji himself emerged from the Vrindavana (sacred resting place) and engaged in a conversation with Munro. Their discussion centered on the resumption of endowment.

Remarkably, the saint was visible and audible only to Sir Thomas Munro, who received the divine blessing of Manthrakshate. Deeply moved by this transcendent encounter, Munro returned and issued an order in favor of the Matha and the village. This historic notification was published in the Madras Government Gazette, Chapter XI, page 213, under the title "Manchali Adoni Taluka." Copies of this order are preserved in Fort St. George and Mantralaya, serving as a testament to Munro's blessed encounter with Rayaru himself.

Fast forward 218 years, and the fifth generation of Munro's family visited Mantralaya in July 2018 to seek the blessings of Rayaru, continuing the enduring connection between British rulers and Hindu saints.

fifth generation of Munro’s family visited Mantralaya

descendants of british rulers in India

Britishers who visit India in search of their roots

english men who were influenced by colonial india


The fascinating interplay between British colonial India and the spiritual realm showcases the richness and diversity of India's cultural tapestry, where even foreign rulers found themselves touched by the profound spirituality of the land.

Explore the deep-rooted connections between Lord Hanuman and Sri Raghavendra Swami in our related article. check here 

July 8, 2018

#IncredibleIndia

incredible india news
I agreed to spend the afternoon if only to understand the mystery of how a place could feel so strange , and yet so familiar - Tim Burton, dir Big Fish, 2001

April 22, 2018

Illusion

When others asked the truth of me, I was convinced it was not the truth they wanted, but an illusion they could bear to live with

Anais Nin





April 8, 2018

Super Hero Comics: Sal-Man and the Black Buck episode

Check out the latest adventure of your favorite super hero. In the latest episode Sal-Man is entrapped in the spell of the hideous black buck which he had vanquished 20 years ago. It resurrects again in the bishnoi badlands of flmistaan and casts its bad spell on our righteous do-good super hero. Can Sal-Man fight off this evil spirit and escape from its clutches? 

Check out the adventure unfolding.....Grab your copy today, now at the NEWS stands
salman khan and black buck episode cartoon

April 1, 2018

Baggy Green, Sandpaper and Reverse Swing

It has been one hell of a fall through the rabbit hole for the australian cricket team this week. The guys who sport the baggy green cap with pride and reverence are now the poster boy cheats of the game. The kangaroos who strutted the cricket field like tough cookies just crumbled and 'bawled' in front of the cameras after getting caught & punished.

For the spectator it was a heady mix of bewilderment, humor and a tinge of sadness to see the rapid fall from grace for the Australian cricket team. For a team that inspired 'Awe' to a spectacle of 'Baww'  the fall has been swift and spectacular


March 25, 2018

Echoes of Schoolyard Laughter: A Nostalgic Trip to the First Day at School

First Steps into a Wider World: Memories of My School Debut


Ah, cast your mind back to the golden haze of the late seventies and mid-eighties, a time when life seemed to move at the rhythm of vinyl records and the world was a playground of endless possibilities. Those were the days when my childhood memories were painted in the most vibrant colors, frozen in the best moments that now twinkle like stars in the night sky of my past. We were the carefree souls of our early school days, swaying and grooving to the infectious beats of BoneyM and ABBA, alongside the heart-throbbing local anthems like ‘Dafali waale Dafali bajaa’, ‘I am a disco dancer’, and ‘Arre dewano…’. Our spirits danced in sheer jubilation, our laughter mingling with the air as we indulged in the simple joys of neelam supari, only to wash it down with the creamy delight of Mainu’s lassi during those fleeting school breaks.

Canteen Chronicles: The Basement Bazaar of School-Day Delights


Just outside the school gates, life unfolded in its simplest form, yet for those with a bit more pocket money to spare, the canteen beckoned like a treasure trove of delights. Nestled in the basement, at the very edge of the main building, it was our little corner of paradise. A cozy rectangular cabin to the left was where the teachers retreated for their tea, creating a little sanctuary of their own, while we, the students, eagerly queued at the rear windows on the opposite side, our mouths watering for batata wada, tea, and other tantalizing snacks. And oh, the chocolate jars! Filled to the brim with Peppermints, Parle Kissme, Ravalgons, wrapped in a kaleidoscope of green, red, and orange - they were like magnets, drawing at least a glance from each passerby as we ascended the stairs back to our classes.

The Principal’s office, now that was a realm of awe and trepidation. The mere thought of being summoned there sent shivers down my spine, a prelude to a scolding or, heaven forbid, a call to my father over some mischief or academic slip-up. The path to his chamber was guarded by a brightly lit aquarium, its fish gliding silently, oblivious to the turmoil in our young hearts as the bubble maker softly hummed in the background, doing little to ease the fluttering in our stomachs as we awaited our fate.

Lessons Beyond the Books: The Teachers Who Shaped Us


Reflecting on those school days, each of us can undoubtedly recall the teachers who left indelible marks on our lives. Their dedication, the sparkle in their eyes as they shared knowledge and stories, brought the world into our classrooms. I remember Ms. Pramila Savlekar & Mr. Premratnam particularly, who could bring history and literature to life, making every lesson an adventure. Such memories of SMHS have only grown fonder with time, each of us holding our special moments close to our hearts, yet sharing many common bonds that bring us together in reminiscence.


Aluminum Boxes and Merry-Go-Rounds: The Innocence of Starting Fresh


And then, there was my first day of school in 1976-77, a moment frozen in time. My father, driving his Fiat 1100D, brought me to the 1st standard classroom, a quaint structure that seemed a world away from the main building. Clutching my aluminum school box, filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation, I stepped into a new world. The playground, with its silent merry-go-round and the cacophony of boys at lunch, felt overwhelming. Amidst the noise and the chaos, I found myself longing for the familiar comfort of home.

Stepping out into the sunlight during recess, I wandered just a few paces to where the playground lay spread out in front of our class, a vivid tableau of childhood adventures waiting to unfold. There, in a quiet corner, sat a small, hand-operated merry-go-round. It was an eerie sight, standing silent and still, as if waiting for the laughter of children to breathe life into its solitary existence—perhaps the absence of its operator lending it an air of desolation amidst the bustling school day.

As the day wore on, the playground transformed. It became a teeming mass of energy as what seemed like a hundred boys, both small and towering, descended upon it. They were a whirlwind of noise and motion, running, tumbling, and shouting in the throes of their lunch break revelries. Amid this tumult, I felt like a tiny boat lost at sea, buffeted by waves of commotion and chaos. The rough-and-tumble play of my peers, so different from the quiet order I was accustomed to, filled me with a sense of dread. I remember a moment, poignant and sharp, when the overwhelming sensation of not belonging washed over me. Tears blurred my vision as I whispered a heart-heavy plea to the empty air, "Let me go home."

school memories - a day in the playground in merrygo around

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