Hi dear all,
Read this small story, Hope that makes a BIG change in YOU
Professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see & asked the students "How much do you think this glass weighs?"
'50 gms! '..... '100 gms!' ......'125 gms' ...the students answered.
"I really don't know unless I weigh it," said the professor, "but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?"
'Nothing' …..The students said.
'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked.
'Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the students.
"You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?"
"Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis & have to go to hospital for sure!"….. ventured another student & all the students laughed.
"Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?" asked the professor.
'No'…. Was the answer.
"Then what caused the arm ache & the muscle stress?"
The students were puzzled.
"What should I do now to come out of pain?" asked the Professor again.
"Put the glass down!" said one of the students.
"Exactly!" said the professor. Life's problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head & they seem OK. Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache. Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything. It's important to think of the challenges or problems in your life, But EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to 'PUT THEM DOWN' at the end of every day before You go to sleep..
That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh &strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!
So, at the end of today, remember friend to 'PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY! '
Friday, 26 December 2008
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
You Could Save A Life from STROKE (Brain - Blood Clot) !
We have reproduced an e-mail message of Dr. P R Sarma received by Dr. Rajappa and forwarded to Mr R C Upadhyaya. We feel this message can indeed save a life.
You could save a life.
STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters... S.T.R .
My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a party, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. (they offered to call ambulance)
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Veena went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Veena's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm , Veena passed away.)
She had suffered a stroke at the party. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Veena would be with us today.
Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this...
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.
The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S* Ask the individual to SMILE .
T* = TALK. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (eg 'It is sunny out today').
R* Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS .
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the ambulance and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
NOTE :
Another 'sign' of a stroke is
1.Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue.
2.If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.
A prominent cardiologist says if everyone who gets this message sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
….and it could be your own…..
PASS THIS ON….
You could save a life.
STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters... S.T.R .
My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a party, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. (they offered to call ambulance)
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Veena went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Veena's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm , Veena passed away.)
She had suffered a stroke at the party. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Veena would be with us today.
Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this...
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.
The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S* Ask the individual to SMILE .
T* = TALK. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (eg 'It is sunny out today').
R* Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS .
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the ambulance and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
NOTE :
Another 'sign' of a stroke is
1.Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue.
2.If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.
A prominent cardiologist says if everyone who gets this message sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
….and it could be your own…..
PASS THIS ON….
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Let your car breath out the poison gas!
OPEN THEWINDOWS AFTER YOU ENTER YOUR CAR.
According to research done by a University of California , the cardashboard, seats, air freshener will emit Benzene, a cancer-causing toxin(carcinogen) . In addition to causing cancer, it poisons your bones, causes,anemia, and reduces white blood cells.
Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer. It mayalso cause miscarriage. Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft. Acar parked indoors with the windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene.If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, theBenzene level goes up to 2,000-4,000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level. Thepeople inside the car will inevitably inhale an excessive amount of toxins.
It is recommended that you open the windows and doors to give time for the interior to air out before you enter. Benzene is a toxin that affects yourkidney and liver, and is difficult for your body to expel
According to research done by a University of California , the cardashboard, seats, air freshener will emit Benzene, a cancer-causing toxin(carcinogen) . In addition to causing cancer, it poisons your bones, causes,anemia, and reduces white blood cells.
Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer. It mayalso cause miscarriage. Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft. Acar parked indoors with the windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene.If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, theBenzene level goes up to 2,000-4,000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level. Thepeople inside the car will inevitably inhale an excessive amount of toxins.
It is recommended that you open the windows and doors to give time for the interior to air out before you enter. Benzene is a toxin that affects yourkidney and liver, and is difficult for your body to expel
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Please take care of these.....
Please take care of these.
Don't eat Kurkure b'coz it contains high amount of plastic if U don't believe burn kurkure n u can see plastic melting!!!!!!!!!!!
News report from Times of India
Avoid these tablets they are very dangerous
1. D cold
2. Vicks action- 500
3. Actified
4. Coldarin
5. Cosome
6. Nice
7. Nimulid
8. Cetrizet-D
They contain Phenyl- Propanol -Amide PPA. Which causes strokes, and these tablets are banned in U.S.
Cotton Ear Buds... (Must read it)
Pls do not show sympathy to people selling buds on roadside or at Signals..... .....
Just wanted to warn you people not to buy those packs of ear buds you get at the roadside. It's made from cotton that has already been used in
Hospitals.
They take all the dirty, blood and pus filled cotton, wash it, bleach it and use it to make ear buds. So, unless you want to become the first
person in the world to get Herpes Zoster Oticus (a viral infection of the inner, middle, and external ear) of the ear and that too from a cotton
bud, DON'T BUY THEM!
Please forward to all. This may be helpful for someone
(Received from Shobha Nair of Dignity Foundation)
Don't eat Kurkure b'coz it contains high amount of plastic if U don't believe burn kurkure n u can see plastic melting!!!!!!!!!!!
News report from Times of India
Avoid these tablets they are very dangerous
1. D cold
2. Vicks action- 500
3. Actified
4. Coldarin
5. Cosome
6. Nice
7. Nimulid
8. Cetrizet-D
They contain Phenyl- Propanol -Amide PPA. Which causes strokes, and these tablets are banned in U.S.
Cotton Ear Buds... (Must read it)
Pls do not show sympathy to people selling buds on roadside or at Signals..... .....
Just wanted to warn you people not to buy those packs of ear buds you get at the roadside. It's made from cotton that has already been used in
Hospitals.
They take all the dirty, blood and pus filled cotton, wash it, bleach it and use it to make ear buds. So, unless you want to become the first
person in the world to get Herpes Zoster Oticus (a viral infection of the inner, middle, and external ear) of the ear and that too from a cotton
bud, DON'T BUY THEM!
Please forward to all. This may be helpful for someone
(Received from Shobha Nair of Dignity Foundation)
Monday, 1 September 2008
No need to apologise !
Have you been a miserable and lousy father to your children during the past years of life? AND you have realised and regretted (to God) sincerely and you feel you need to apologise to them now?
Dr. John Grisham, author of THE TESTAMENT says,
"Flogging yourself won't help. But it is important to be there, to take the first step in building new relationships. ....... You can't beat yourself up. You're allowed to forget the past. God certainly has. Paul murdered Christians before he became one, and he didn't flail himself for what he'd been before. Everything is forgiven. Show your kids what you are now."
Is it not applicable to children towards their parents also?
Dr. John Grisham, author of THE TESTAMENT says,
"Flogging yourself won't help. But it is important to be there, to take the first step in building new relationships. ....... You can't beat yourself up. You're allowed to forget the past. God certainly has. Paul murdered Christians before he became one, and he didn't flail himself for what he'd been before. Everything is forgiven. Show your kids what you are now."
Is it not applicable to children towards their parents also?
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Here something about our hero Wg Commander Suresh Damodar Karnik, a long time member and one of the Committee Members of the Club
During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Sqn Ldr Suresh Damodar Karnik served as flight commander of a bomber squadron. He flew six very important and difficult missions, by day as well as by night, in the Western and Eastern Sectors. These missions involved day and night bombing raids over enemy airfields and interdiction of enemy boats by day. The interdiction missions were flown against a large volume of flak, resulting in damage to his aircraft by enemy fire. Despite this, he pressed home his attacks and destroyed a number of enemy boats. He also carried out a day bombing raid over Chittagong airfield in the face of heavy antiaircraft fire. During this mission, he bombed and destroyed a large oil dump.
We are proud of you Wg Commander Karnik !
We are proud of you Wg Commander Karnik !
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Your ATM or Debit or even Credit Cards - Take Care
Hi friends...
The following is an email forwarded by Wng. Comndr Karnik. I think it is worth keeping it in our minds.
Must read it can happen with anyone..... so easy trick......
Her handbag which contained her mobile, credit card, purse.. .etc....wasstolen. 20 minutes later when she called her hubby, telling him whathappened. Husband says, 'I've just received your SMS asking about your Pin number. And I've replied a little while ago'.
When they rushed down to the bank, the Bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn.
The pickpocket had actually used the stolen hand phone to sms 'hubby' inthe contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 mins he hadwithdrawn all the money from the bank account an ATM .
Moral of the lesson :
Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in yourcontact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, sweetheart, Jaanu, Dad, Mum etc..................and very importantly, when sensitive info isbeing asked thru SMS, CONFIRM by calling back .
Be Careful....Share This info with all of our friends...
But in case of emergency, is there any way-out?
Yes. We have reproduced below a small write-up from the August 2008 Issue of Dignity Dialogue (Page 63):
ICE will spaek for you when you are not able to.....
We all carry mobile phones with names and numbers stored, but none other than ourselves knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends. If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending to us may find our phone, but would not know who to call.
The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. All you need to do is store the number of a person or persons who should be contacted during emergency, under the name "ICE" (in Case of Emergency).
The idea came to a paramedic who found that at the scene of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but no clue whom to call. He therefore thought it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognised name for this purpose.
In an emergency, Police and hospital staff would able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as "ICE". For more than one contact, simply enter ICE1, ICE2, and ICE3 etc.
A great idea that will make a difference !
Monday, 28 July 2008
Pranayam – Possible Relief from Asthma - RC Upadhyay
During the years 1995 to 2000 I was in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya in East Africa. Sometime in 1997 I had developed breathing problem accompanied by phlegm.
The doctors prescribed some tablets which gave me temporary relief, but the problem recurred every three months. On returning to India, Pune, the problem was diagnosed as Asthma. Lot of tablets, capsules and inhalers but no cure was in sight.
One day a young architect lady friend who had done a ten day course on Pranayam told me that she would recommend that I also should do it. I had no faith in such courses. A week after that she met me and said, “Uncle I have paid your fees and the course will begin from 10th of the month at Vaikunth Mehta Institute from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.”
I completed the course. We were advised that it is not important to learn the technique but it is vital that we practiced at home daily without fail. I continued the breathing exercise as taught and I was pleasantly surprised that the need for medication reduced considerably. After about a year or so I could give up all the medicines and till to day I have not found need for them.
I am not suggesting that it may work with everybody but there is no harm in trying.
--- R.C.Upadhyay
We have just received this article from Mr R C Upaddyay and I am sure members will find it interesting and useful. Your comments are welcome - Editor
The doctors prescribed some tablets which gave me temporary relief, but the problem recurred every three months. On returning to India, Pune, the problem was diagnosed as Asthma. Lot of tablets, capsules and inhalers but no cure was in sight.
One day a young architect lady friend who had done a ten day course on Pranayam told me that she would recommend that I also should do it. I had no faith in such courses. A week after that she met me and said, “Uncle I have paid your fees and the course will begin from 10th of the month at Vaikunth Mehta Institute from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.”
I completed the course. We were advised that it is not important to learn the technique but it is vital that we practiced at home daily without fail. I continued the breathing exercise as taught and I was pleasantly surprised that the need for medication reduced considerably. After about a year or so I could give up all the medicines and till to day I have not found need for them.
I am not suggesting that it may work with everybody but there is no harm in trying.
--- R.C.Upadhyay
We have just received this article from Mr R C Upaddyay and I am sure members will find it interesting and useful. Your comments are welcome - Editor
Use your Credit Card with Caution
Mumbai: The next time you decide to use your credit card on a shopping trip, think again. The Mumbai police have busted a hitech credit card fraud which they believe is the crime of the future.
Four gadget-savvy youngsters from Andheri, two of them software engineers, got together to earn a quick buck and ended up ripping off over Rs 3 lakh of citizens' money.. The foursome were arrested by the Juhu police on Tuesday. Interestingly, one of the boys was all set to leave for the United State s for a job in a wellplaced computer firm .. According to the police, the mastermind of the gang is 19-year-old Mr "A" A second-year engineering student of a college at Bandra, Mr "A" had read about a magnetic card-reading device which could store data once you swipe a card through it. Data from at least 12 such cards could be stored at a time. Mr "A" realised that if credit cards were swiped though the machine, the personal data of a customer stored on it could be accessed. He then teamed with Mr "B", a 19-year-old Lokhandwala resident, and ordered the card-reader from USA , using the Internet, since it's not available in India .
"The boys befriended a waiter Mr "C" at Hotel "H"at Juhu to take their plan ahead. Every time someone ate a meal in the hotel and paid by credit card, the waiter would discreetly swipe it through the magnetic card-reader, which is no more than 6-inches long and can be stored in the pocket,'' said investigating officer Mr "RN".
Once the waiter was done, he would hand over the device to Mr "A" who would download the data from the cards on to Mr "B"s personal computer. The duo would then feed the data into blank cards, available in the grey market. The cards were now ready to be used in Shopping malls and theatres, or to withdraw money from an ATM.
Senior inspector Mr "S" said that the boys forged information from more than 22 cards in this manner. The fraud came to light after officials from "H" bank complained to the police. The cops quizzed customers whose cards had been duplicated and discovered they had all visited Hotel "H"and paid by credit card. Investigators then caught the waiter who led them to the four youngsters. Mr "A", Mr "B", Mr "C" and the two other collegians identified as Mr"MC" (24) and Mr "MV (20), have been remanded to police custody.
NEW-AGE CRIME
A portable magnetic cardreader can store data from around a dozen cards tha t have been swiped through it; made in China, the device was bought on the net for Rs 18,000.
The card-reader is connected to a computer and the entire data is transferred there.
The data is then stored in blank cards available in the grey market..
These duplicate cards can now be used to buy a fortune and also withdraw money from ATMs.
So Take Care!
So, keep an eye on your credit card while making payment. Avoid your card being taken away from your eye view and if the card has to be taken away from you, better pay by cash to save embarrassment of chasing your money thereafter.
Saturday, 14 June 2008
THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELLPHONE COULD DO.
This is a very informative and useful information received from our member Retired Wing Commander Mr S. D. Karnik.
((1)) EMERGENCY
The Emergency Number worldwide for **Mobile** is 112If you find yourself out of coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialled even if the keypad is locked
((2)) Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does you car have remote keys? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end.. Your car will unlock. Saves someone fro having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
((3)) Hidden battery power
Imagine your cell battery is very low , you are expecting an important call and you don't have a charger. Nokia instrument comes with a reserve battery.To activate, press the keys *3370# Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a50%increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time AND...
((4)) How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 # A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. when your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless.You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either.
((5)) Be care while using your mobile phone
When you try to call someone through mobile phone,don't put your mobile closer to your ears until the recipient answers. Because directly after dialling, the mobile phone would use it's maximum signalling power, which is: 2 watts = 33dbi, Plz Be Careful, Message as received (Save your brain) Please use left ear while using cell (mobile), because if you use the right one it will affect brain directly. This is a true fact from Apollo medical team.
AND Something more !
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW IF YOUR MOBILE IS ORIGINAL OR NOT ?????
Press the following on your mobile *#06# and the-international mobile equipment identity number appears. Then check the 7th and 8th numbers:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 th 8 th 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Phone serial no. x x x x x x ? ? x x x x x x x
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 02 or 20 this means your cell phone was assembled in Emirates which is very Bad quality
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 08 or 80 this means your cell phone was manufactured in Germany which is fair quality
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 01 or 10 this means your cell phone was manufactured in Finland which is very Good
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 00 this means your cell phone was manufactured in original factory which is the best Mobile Quality
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 13 this means your cell phone was assembled in Azerbaijan which is very Bad quality and also dangerous for your health
((1)) EMERGENCY
The Emergency Number worldwide for **Mobile** is 112If you find yourself out of coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialled even if the keypad is locked
((2)) Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does you car have remote keys? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end.. Your car will unlock. Saves someone fro having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
((3)) Hidden battery power
Imagine your cell battery is very low , you are expecting an important call and you don't have a charger. Nokia instrument comes with a reserve battery.To activate, press the keys *3370# Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a50%increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time AND...
((4)) How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 # A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. when your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless.You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either.
((5)) Be care while using your mobile phone
When you try to call someone through mobile phone,don't put your mobile closer to your ears until the recipient answers. Because directly after dialling, the mobile phone would use it's maximum signalling power, which is: 2 watts = 33dbi, Plz Be Careful, Message as received (Save your brain) Please use left ear while using cell (mobile), because if you use the right one it will affect brain directly. This is a true fact from Apollo medical team.
AND Something more !
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW IF YOUR MOBILE IS ORIGINAL OR NOT ?????
Press the following on your mobile *#06# and the-international mobile equipment identity number appears. Then check the 7th and 8th numbers:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 th 8 th 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Phone serial no. x x x x x x ? ? x x x x x x x
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 02 or 20 this means your cell phone was assembled in Emirates which is very Bad quality
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 08 or 80 this means your cell phone was manufactured in Germany which is fair quality
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 01 or 10 this means your cell phone was manufactured in Finland which is very Good
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 00 this means your cell phone was manufactured in original factory which is the best Mobile Quality
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 13 this means your cell phone was assembled in Azerbaijan which is very Bad quality and also dangerous for your health
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Mr R C Upadhyay, the Convener...
We are glad to furnish below a verbatim of an article
appeared in the August 2005 (Volume 1: Issue 5) Edition of
THE PUNEITE
INITIATIVE
How Green is his Valley!
A retired gentleman and his supportive wife make laudable efforts
to improve their neighbourhood.
appeared in the August 2005 (Volume 1: Issue 5) Edition of
THE PUNEITE
INITIATIVE
How Green is his Valley!
A retired gentleman and his supportive wife make laudable efforts
to improve their neighbourhood.
If your idea of a retired person is one who sits back and watches the world go by, you’ll have to do a rethink when you meet Rajnikant Upadhyay! Take a walk through ICS Colony off Ganeshkhind Road early one morning, and pass through a small gate into the premises of the Vaikunth Mehta Institute. Walk upto the lower slopes of the small hill that’s the part of the University campus and you’ll see the enthusiastic gentleman inspecting the rows of saplings he’s recently planted in an effort to green the hill. “This is my favourite,” he says, gently touching fresh green velvety fronds of a plant that’s obviously thriving under his ministrations.
Settled in Bhosale Nagar after working abroad for several years, Upadhyay and his wife Sujata used to be regular walkers on the private Vaikunth Mehta Institute road, along with several others. Unfortunately, the University authorities decided to block the access to the hill one day to discourage labourers from a nearby site from misusing it. Upadhyay and a bunch of walkers got together and requested the University for permission to continue their walks. “A few days later we saw that the fence had been reopened,” says a grateful Upadhyay, “and we decided to do something for the University in return.”
While an earlier initiative BY Prof. Marathe and students from the University’s earn and learn scheme had resulted in the greening of a part of the hill, the other side was completely bare in summer. Under an informal organization called Friends of Trees, Upadhyay garnered support and raised Rs. 20,000 towards beautification efforts for the hill. “We have already planted 150 plants in three rows along the lower slopes of the hill, and will maintain them for two years. We also want to beautify the road and have planted flowering shrubs along the roadside,” informs Upadhyay. A gardener spends a couple of hours maintaining the plants every day, and water tank has also been installed to facilitate watering the plants in the dry months. Already the plants have perked up thanks to the rain and the hill is a sight to behold in its varying shades of green.
One of Upadhyay’s earliest efforts was to start a senior citizens club in the area. It began with just six people and today has more than 135 members who meet regularly to interact with each other and listen to guest speakers from different fields. Throughout the year picnics are organized for members, and the club also make efforts to raise money for various deserving causes. Like Upadhyay, his wife Sujata is also a concerned citizen, determined to do her bit for the neighbourhood. Recently she rallied round her neighbours and formed a Citizen’s Mohalla Committee that is all set to tackle issues affecting the area.
If you’d like to contribute Upadhyay’s efforts or join the senior citizen’s club contact him on 25537801.
*************************************************************************************
INDIAN EXPRESS
The Indian Express in its Pune Newsline issue of 21 May 2007 also wrote:
HE spent his life training people in the field of insurance, but R C Upadhyay had never expected to spend his days as a pensioner, saving trees and fighting for them. Having spent 35 years in Africa, Upadhyay probably thought of coming back to Pune in 1990, to live in peace in a city that was ……….. oneday while gazing out of a window from his friend’s apartment in Bhonsle Nagar, life gave him another ambition. “I could catch sight of the University hill, which was barren with a few trees.” And that is when he resolved to change the foothills of the hillock. Upadhyay worked undeterred for two years and the thickets surrounding the base of the stand proof of that. “It started with gathering a few friends who eventually vanished,” he recollects. But Upadhyay was not someone to give up. He adopted a different strategy and approached strangers by circulating pamplets regarding his ………”…… was soon collected and were christened Friends of Trees. Gradually people even started funding the purpose,” he says. “Unfortunately people have only a temporary interest. So I have employed two people at Rs. 20 per hour who come with me at 6.30 every morning to water the plants,” he says. The group has planted about 150 trees there till now.
Upadhyay’s work that began with watering six neem trees on the hill, has today assumed greater proportions, extending to voicing his opinion against attempt to cut down trees. Six months ago when a boundary wall was being constructed at Vaikuntha Mehta University, meant that a bulldozer would run over some 40 trees, Upadhyay and his wife complained to the garden department and got a panchnama against the contractor. “Where there is a will there is a way,” says Upadhyay. “A wall could have been built even while the trees were saved,” says the man on the green mission.
(I am also a witness to the efforts of Mr Upadhyay while I have been on my daily morning walks on the slope of the said hill. Thank You Mr Upadhyay, the club is proud of you!)
- P.Aravind
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
At the Hair Dresser’s Saloon
It was just yesterday. I was sitting on the plastic chair in front of the hair dressing saloon named ‘Ideal’ waiting for my turn. I was told, “Just five minutes” which I took to be my waiting time. But it turned out to be one hour. Well almost. In the beginning I was going through the November issue of ‘Film Fare’ given to me by one of the boys. But I got bored with all the semi clad actresses and biceps exhibiting actors with in minutes. I started observing the happenings around me - my usual and ever interesting time pass.
It was becoming dark and the street lights came to life. The road was becoming busier with home returning pedestrians, cycles, motorcycles, scooters and cars of various sizes and colours.
A young lady of around 25 was parking her (or her hubby’s) motorcycle in front of the shop with some difficulty in balancing the vehicle. She helped her young son to get down from the motorcycle. She brought him into the saloon. One of the hair-dressers took charge of the boy and placed him on a chair for a hair-cut. The lady came out, went and stood in darkness by the side of the road. She was away from those who were eying her but at the same time for her to keep a watch on her son when he would come out.
I was wondering why the lady did not sit on one of the vacant chairs kept for the customers. Why was she reluctant? Was she afraid of the crowd of young boys who were also seated there in front of the shop waiting for their favourite hair-dresser to call them? Why in our country do the ladies not feel comfortable among strangers even such harmless group of people? Cultural or social or just traditional bias? And what was the husband doing? Could he not find time to bring his loving son to the saloon himself?
The thought took me back to my younger days. It was a real pleasure to take my son for a hair-cut. He would go up to the shop but not enter. He would look at me with tearful eyes. (My children never cried aloud.) Promises of chocolates, promises of outing by me and cajoling by the shop owner would place him on the chair. With all the assurances that I was there to ‘protect’ him he would allow the hair-dresser to touch his head. Then, when done with, with all smiles he would say that he was not afraid of the hair-dresser at all. He would then remind me of my promises of chocolates.
I also remember telling my children stories which I had heard from my mother when I was a child. Or reading fairy tales from books for them. With all the happiness. I think it is one of the reasons for the successful career of my children. It was enjoyable time for me!
Some movements by my side brought me back to the present world. Then I saw this young man, around 30, entering the saloon. He peeped in, came out and sat by my side. He was well dressed and quite handsome with a pleasant face. He did not look like needing a hair-cut or a shave. I was wondering for what he had come. For a head or facial massage? But he would be too well dressed for the purpose. While I was still wondering why he was there, he got up and entered the saloon. His turn would not have come that soon and I was still waiting for my turn. Out of curiosity, I just peeped in. I saw him standing behind a chair which was already occupied – by somebody I could not see. He was suggesting something to the hair-dresser or asking something of the person who was seated on the chair. It looked he had come to take the person back home after the hair-cut.
Should be his loving young son! So, it is not that only mothers care, there are fathers too who care their children!
I was happy.
Then they came out. It was not a child that the young man was helping him out of the saloon. But his old father or may be even his grand father (because the person was looking very old and was in need of help even to walk)! He slowly walked the old man home talking to him warmly all the way.
I was even more happier.
- P.Aravind,
(This article has been published in the June 2008 issue of "Dignity Dialogue")
It was becoming dark and the street lights came to life. The road was becoming busier with home returning pedestrians, cycles, motorcycles, scooters and cars of various sizes and colours.
A young lady of around 25 was parking her (or her hubby’s) motorcycle in front of the shop with some difficulty in balancing the vehicle. She helped her young son to get down from the motorcycle. She brought him into the saloon. One of the hair-dressers took charge of the boy and placed him on a chair for a hair-cut. The lady came out, went and stood in darkness by the side of the road. She was away from those who were eying her but at the same time for her to keep a watch on her son when he would come out.
I was wondering why the lady did not sit on one of the vacant chairs kept for the customers. Why was she reluctant? Was she afraid of the crowd of young boys who were also seated there in front of the shop waiting for their favourite hair-dresser to call them? Why in our country do the ladies not feel comfortable among strangers even such harmless group of people? Cultural or social or just traditional bias? And what was the husband doing? Could he not find time to bring his loving son to the saloon himself?
The thought took me back to my younger days. It was a real pleasure to take my son for a hair-cut. He would go up to the shop but not enter. He would look at me with tearful eyes. (My children never cried aloud.) Promises of chocolates, promises of outing by me and cajoling by the shop owner would place him on the chair. With all the assurances that I was there to ‘protect’ him he would allow the hair-dresser to touch his head. Then, when done with, with all smiles he would say that he was not afraid of the hair-dresser at all. He would then remind me of my promises of chocolates.
I also remember telling my children stories which I had heard from my mother when I was a child. Or reading fairy tales from books for them. With all the happiness. I think it is one of the reasons for the successful career of my children. It was enjoyable time for me!
Some movements by my side brought me back to the present world. Then I saw this young man, around 30, entering the saloon. He peeped in, came out and sat by my side. He was well dressed and quite handsome with a pleasant face. He did not look like needing a hair-cut or a shave. I was wondering for what he had come. For a head or facial massage? But he would be too well dressed for the purpose. While I was still wondering why he was there, he got up and entered the saloon. His turn would not have come that soon and I was still waiting for my turn. Out of curiosity, I just peeped in. I saw him standing behind a chair which was already occupied – by somebody I could not see. He was suggesting something to the hair-dresser or asking something of the person who was seated on the chair. It looked he had come to take the person back home after the hair-cut.
Should be his loving young son! So, it is not that only mothers care, there are fathers too who care their children!
I was happy.
Then they came out. It was not a child that the young man was helping him out of the saloon. But his old father or may be even his grand father (because the person was looking very old and was in need of help even to walk)! He slowly walked the old man home talking to him warmly all the way.
I was even more happier.
- P.Aravind,
(This article has been published in the June 2008 issue of "Dignity Dialogue")
Sunday, 18 May 2008
84 Years Young!
I almost missed it.
My neighbour Mr Sahasrabhojane, IPS (Retd), mentioned about his not being able to attend the meeting of the Senior Citizens’ Club.
I was just rusting for the past two years i.e. ever since I retired. Cursing myself for not being able to adjust to the life of ‘not-any-more-needed’. Not that I did not get any offers. Some offers came through the Senior Executive Forum of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture where I was also a member. The Symbiosis Institute of Business Management offered me to be one of their consultants which I have accepted. But I was not very sure whether I would be feeling comfortable working for someone especially after being the regional head of the major office of the Bank. Hence the solitude.
There were articles in the newspapers about the Senior Citizens Club. I wanted to join them but did not know how to approach them. Thus when my neighbour mentioned about the Senior Citizens Club, I became excited. I had requested him to explain its activities, its membership details, location etc. But unfortunately his response was luke-warm. I did not know why. But he said that the next meeting fell on that Saturday and he would take me if I was interested. It was more than enough for me.
I went to the place where the meeting was held. It was a pure shock. They were all very old, totally bald headed, wearing thick specs, and a few covered in sweaters and woollen caps. I called my wife and told her that it was not the place for us as these people were very old. She said we were also old. And that made me thinking. Yes I might think that I was still young; but in others view I was also old just as any of them. After all I am 62 now. I thought I was still young compared to many of them. My neighbour introduced me to a few people and the committee members. They seemed to welcome me.
The deliberations started. A young man who was chosen by the Times of India as a Lead India Member was the guest speaker and he spoke about his views on the slum clearance scheme of the Maharashtra Government. Someone was celebrating her marriage anniversary and distributed sweets and snacks. Hot teas was served in clean cups. Slowly I started liking the atmosphere.
They announced a picnic on the next Sunday to a nearby Resort; a bus would take them at 8.00 a.m.; tea, breakfast, lunch and evening tea would be served and there would be a lot of games etc. I gave our names for the picnic.
My neighbour, his wife, and we left our home around 7.30 a.m. and walked to the spot where the bus would be waiting. He walked slowly. I cursed myself that in his company I could walk fast. It dawned on me that he was 80 years old. He was the Commissioner of Police.
We arrived at the resort and the activities commenced. The Convenor, Mr Upadhyaya. Assisted by his wife from a distance, he conducted the get-together very efficiently and nicely. He was looking quite young. But someone said he was 84. A Gujarati married a Tamilian lady fifty-five years back. They were the founder-members of the club. I asked Mr Upadhyaya how he was looking so young. He just smiled and did not have any answer. So I probed about his other activities. He was associated with old age homes, orphaned children, physically challenged children, persons of incurable diseases, arranging welfare activities, picnics, camps, food, monitory support for them and much more. The elixir for his ever youthfulness!
The treasurer, Mr Vakhi assisted by his wife, conducted the game of housie. He was very witty with his stock of jokes and well-timed comments. Very healthy and very active. I thought he would be of my age. But he was already a graduate when I had not even entered into the primary school. He was a Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force and now 82.
One Mr Zaveri, a tall handsome man, lived, studied and ran his own business in New Zealand had returned to his original native place Pune for settling at his old age. He was very healthy and quite active. He was 79.
There was a homeopathy doctor who wanted to become my friend. He continuously spoke of the wonders of the homeopathy medicines and wanted to show his clinic to me. He was a bit short of hearing. He was 84.
My wife became a hit as she was the only lady from Tamil Nadu who could prepare nice soft iddlies and well-versed in crochet, embroidery, knitting etc. Many wanted to become her students.
There were quite a few others – men and women - from Bengal, Gujarat, UP, Andhra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu apart from Maharashtra. There were widowers, single women, some living alone and some living with the grand children. They had retired from Geological Survey of India, Artillery Ammunition Factory, own business,Tata Motors, Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and others. Many of them were in the age group of 75 to 85. Very active and very much enthusiastic about living a full life.
Compared to their age, I was the youngest.
But I felt I was the oldest in the group.
- P.Aravind
My neighbour Mr Sahasrabhojane, IPS (Retd), mentioned about his not being able to attend the meeting of the Senior Citizens’ Club.
I was just rusting for the past two years i.e. ever since I retired. Cursing myself for not being able to adjust to the life of ‘not-any-more-needed’. Not that I did not get any offers. Some offers came through the Senior Executive Forum of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture where I was also a member. The Symbiosis Institute of Business Management offered me to be one of their consultants which I have accepted. But I was not very sure whether I would be feeling comfortable working for someone especially after being the regional head of the major office of the Bank. Hence the solitude.
There were articles in the newspapers about the Senior Citizens Club. I wanted to join them but did not know how to approach them. Thus when my neighbour mentioned about the Senior Citizens Club, I became excited. I had requested him to explain its activities, its membership details, location etc. But unfortunately his response was luke-warm. I did not know why. But he said that the next meeting fell on that Saturday and he would take me if I was interested. It was more than enough for me.
I went to the place where the meeting was held. It was a pure shock. They were all very old, totally bald headed, wearing thick specs, and a few covered in sweaters and woollen caps. I called my wife and told her that it was not the place for us as these people were very old. She said we were also old. And that made me thinking. Yes I might think that I was still young; but in others view I was also old just as any of them. After all I am 62 now. I thought I was still young compared to many of them. My neighbour introduced me to a few people and the committee members. They seemed to welcome me.
The deliberations started. A young man who was chosen by the Times of India as a Lead India Member was the guest speaker and he spoke about his views on the slum clearance scheme of the Maharashtra Government. Someone was celebrating her marriage anniversary and distributed sweets and snacks. Hot teas was served in clean cups. Slowly I started liking the atmosphere.
They announced a picnic on the next Sunday to a nearby Resort; a bus would take them at 8.00 a.m.; tea, breakfast, lunch and evening tea would be served and there would be a lot of games etc. I gave our names for the picnic.
My neighbour, his wife, and we left our home around 7.30 a.m. and walked to the spot where the bus would be waiting. He walked slowly. I cursed myself that in his company I could walk fast. It dawned on me that he was 80 years old. He was the Commissioner of Police.
We arrived at the resort and the activities commenced. The Convenor, Mr Upadhyaya. Assisted by his wife from a distance, he conducted the get-together very efficiently and nicely. He was looking quite young. But someone said he was 84. A Gujarati married a Tamilian lady fifty-five years back. They were the founder-members of the club. I asked Mr Upadhyaya how he was looking so young. He just smiled and did not have any answer. So I probed about his other activities. He was associated with old age homes, orphaned children, physically challenged children, persons of incurable diseases, arranging welfare activities, picnics, camps, food, monitory support for them and much more. The elixir for his ever youthfulness!
The treasurer, Mr Vakhi assisted by his wife, conducted the game of housie. He was very witty with his stock of jokes and well-timed comments. Very healthy and very active. I thought he would be of my age. But he was already a graduate when I had not even entered into the primary school. He was a Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force and now 82.
One Mr Zaveri, a tall handsome man, lived, studied and ran his own business in New Zealand had returned to his original native place Pune for settling at his old age. He was very healthy and quite active. He was 79.
There was a homeopathy doctor who wanted to become my friend. He continuously spoke of the wonders of the homeopathy medicines and wanted to show his clinic to me. He was a bit short of hearing. He was 84.
My wife became a hit as she was the only lady from Tamil Nadu who could prepare nice soft iddlies and well-versed in crochet, embroidery, knitting etc. Many wanted to become her students.
There were quite a few others – men and women - from Bengal, Gujarat, UP, Andhra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu apart from Maharashtra. There were widowers, single women, some living alone and some living with the grand children. They had retired from Geological Survey of India, Artillery Ammunition Factory, own business,Tata Motors, Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and others. Many of them were in the age group of 75 to 85. Very active and very much enthusiastic about living a full life.
Compared to their age, I was the youngest.
But I felt I was the oldest in the group.
- P.Aravind
(An edited version of this article was published in the February 2008 issue of "Dignity Dialogue" a monthly magazine brought out by Dignity Foundation, Mumbai.)
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