Mangalyaan: A reason to celebrate

When ISRO launched its first attempt and first Asian satellite to keep a watch on life on Mars on November 5, 2013, no one would have expected that this cheapest space mission would be accomplished and make every Indian feel proud. Today, there is a jubilant mood floating at every corner of the country.  

As usual the critics from all over the world, including Indians, injected much venom to calm down the celebrations. The western media allegedly used a double tongue by roping in the issues of poverty and Indian sanitation facilities to dampen the spirits of Indians and tried enough to humiliate at its best.

A few of the counterparts from India went one step ahead by criticizing this celebration as a patch up act by ISRO and a mission to blindfold the inherent failures of the space station. Critics say we should celebrate only after our GSLV gets enough fire to fly high. Agreed. 

But MOM (Mars Orbiter Mission), formal name of Mangalyaan has obvious reasons to cherish upon.

·       Small Payload yet highly capable of addressing the daunting questions about life on Mars

·       Made India join the space elite club and uplifted to become the 4^th nation to hit the Mars orbit

·      Changed the global perceptions

·      Opened the doors for many aspiring scientists

·      Last but not least,  became a big reason to Dream Big and achieve it too

Definitely it is the time to rejoice over our achievements, irrespective of its volume. That’s what drives us towards positive growth and gives expected results. So three cheers to India and ISRO!

Cultural treat from other side of the pool

Tiny and irksome lanes, bustling hawkers, drunken rikshaw pullers, dilapidated roads painted red with betel nut spits might have made the other side of the Musi unpopular for obvious reasons. But there is much to experience and acknowledge about the less talked cultural legacy of Puranapool, resided by people from all parts of India. 

Beginning from Holi to Diwali, the hues of festive mood and aroma of ethnic culture can be felt at every corner. Come Ganesh and Navaratri festivals, the old lanes will be busy with people from across the city trying to get their best deals for purchasing idols of deities. Many devotees observe fasting for 9 days and organize Jagaran to invite kith and kin. The poor are served with delicious food to seek the blessings of Maata Rani. 

Rakshabandhan is another feast to strengthen the family bonding in joint families where siblings and immediate cousins gather to exchange the love and affection through a holy thread. The festive mood begins much before the actual day with young girls and married women thronging the streets to grab the best of the rakhi designs. 

From jodi rakhis for brother and sister-in-law to original sponge rakhis, one gets a variety of designs at much reasonable prices. On the auspicious day, it’s a visual treat to watch young girls and newly married ladies, draped in colourful saris, accompanied by glittering jewelry. 

Not to forget the colourful Holi. The mist of rainbow colours and mouthwatering desserts may not just stop you but make you go crazy along with the crowd. On Makarasankranthi, the sky is inundated with colourful kites and crowded roof tops. 

Irrespective of festival times, one can feel the warmth and affection of neighborhood, which is a distant dream for the skyscraper nuclear families. And family gatherings during every festival rejuvenates from the mundane life and helps to progress with much vigor. 

To conclude, there may be lackadaisical nature towards sophisticated culture and civic sense, but that may not dampen the spirit of this old Hyderabadis in bringing the upswing mood and cultural congruence in every festival. Take your time to visit the place at least once in your lifetime to experience the positive side of the life.  

Facing the sudden death in the family

Death, thou cannot not fear me to cherish my dreams.

It is believed that soul reaches the astral world after the death and enjoys the bliss of being with the Almighty. But what about the loved ones who are crying for the loss? How many of us understand the above said words?

It's an incurable pain which may reduce its intensity as time moves, but will never be forgotten. The sudden death is sudden. Period. In the consequence, we need to change our routine and postpone or forget our dreams. But when it is inevitable and the physical body cannot be eternal, and nothing is in our hands, why should we depress ourselves and forgo our dreams?

I heard the soul cannot recognise the immediate-left-physical-body's relationships. If so, why should one put them in distress? Let's work for our dreams and the dreams of the departed souls. And let us live the uncertain life fully without suppressing the dreams.

I know, it is very difficult. But, punch back and live the rest of your life with a revenge over the fear of death and the pain it caused. Now we all understood who we are too! A soul. Sounds very philosophical and spiritual. But if this is what the reality, let's not kill our present. With this, I say once again, "Death, thou cannot not fear me to cherish my dreams"