30th October

Completed morning program. Venita continued giving Diwali gifts.

In an interview, published in Indian Express on 30th Oct., author Friedman said that there were 5 pillars for development of a country, i.e. 1. Education. 2. Infrastructure. 3. Immigration. 4. Capital formation. 5. Govt. funded research. The USA strengthened these pillars and became a powerful country. Now it is failing in all these fronts. It is declining and Pillars are getting weaker. Globalization is one reason for it. Priorities are not properly worked out. A complete review and strengthening of the pillars are required for its revival.

I don't know how far Friedman is correct in his analysis. But one thing is certain that influence of USA in the world is not as it used to be a decade back. But I agree with Friedman in so far as he has advised to strengthen the 5 pillars for the revival of USA to its earlier position.

I agree with his another analysis, given in the interview that socialism made everyone equally poor. Globalization and capitalism had made people unequally rich.

Retired to sleep at 11pm.

29th Oct.

Completed morning program. Venita distributed cash, fruits & sweets to employees of the Society. Sent Rs.20,000/-to Fatehpur for the repairs to the ancestral house. Total amount sent so far is Rs.90,000/-. Sheomohan said that it would cover the cost of current project. I talked to Ajju also, who is supervising the construction.

Attended wedding of daughter of Sanjay at ESSEX village. Sanjay is an IAS Officer of our cadre, presently an Addl. Seceretary in GOI. Met quite a few officers of the cadre. Some of them i met after years. Peter Hanneman was also there apart from Bezbaruah, Thakur, Mendiratta, Saran, Mrs. Ashok Saikia,Vinay Kohili, Rinzah, and some others. Food was good with a number of sweet dishes. There were Indian, Chinese, Italian dishes. Those who wanted to take continental had also enough for them.While i was having dinner, Sangita rang up and informed that Naresh Bhaisaheb was shifted to hospital. He is unwell for quite sometime. General weakness, high blood pressure, stiffness of body, loss of appetite are some of the ailments he is suffering from. He is in the 86th year. I offered money if she needed. She said that she did not need it at present.

Returned home at about 11pm.

Retired to sleep at about 11.30pm.

28th Oct.

Completed morning program. Shri Aggarwal came to invite for his son's marriage. He is Commissioner Customs (Appeals), Kolkota. We told we would attend one of the two day long functions. He insisted for both the days.

Pravesh rang up. He wants to discuss a case with me on Monday, the 31rst Oct..Bitto rang up and said that Bitti was sick with fever for the last about a fortnight. I tried to talk to her but did not get the line. Sapna is coming to attend the engagement of her brother at Fatehgarh. On way back Bitti will accompany her to Ganganagar in the first week of Nov. I notice she is quite happy and healthy when she stays with Munna. He takes good care of her.

Sri Sri Ravishankar, Art of Living Guru, has come out in active support of current agitation against corruption.He gave a pledge to about a lac of people yesterday at Ahmedabad not to give bribe or take bribe .

Retired to sleep at about 11pm.

27th Oct.

Completed morning program. Employees of the Society came for Diwali 'bakshis'.Venita went for Annakut, a community feast during Diwali in the Society. I did not go. The community kitchen food upsets my stomach. Earlier i used to go. Dr. Prasad visited us with his family. Mrs Prasad brought beautiful pink roses. They spent about 2 hrs with us. Venita prepared samosas and some other snacks. Very delicious. I avoid taking snacks cooked outside. I took samosas after a long gap. Venita is superb in cooking. She learns new recipes now and then. She tries them when guests come. She cooks with love. For this reason, i look forward to the visits of guests and more guests. As it involves lot of work and application,she is scared and wants only a few to visit. In the heart of hearts, she would like many to visit. But due to her diabetic health, she finds difficult to take care of many.

Retired to sleep at 11.30 pm.

Diwali

Completed morning program. Replied to a number of telephone calls,mails & sms, wishing happy Diwali. D.M.Sharma called on. Talked to grandchildren. The atmosphere is echoing sound of crackers. There are less of crackers this year. I went out to buy some crackers with Babua yesterday. Could not locate a shop in Vikaspuri & Dst. Center Janakpuri.

Visited Duttas & Jhas. Did Diwali Puja and Laxmi Arti. Residents of the colony have decorated fronts of their flats with colorful electric bulbs.

Retired to sleep at 0015 hrs of 27th.

25th Oct.

Completed morning program. Neha came. Took Babua and Neha to the Dist. center market. He bought a toy. Spent the day, playing hide and seek and other games with him. They left at about 3pm. Grandchildren are great stress busters.

24th Oct.

Completed morning program. Visited PNB, CGHS, SBI . In chamber from 1.30 to 4.30 pm. Advocate Digvijay Singh came. Discussed filing of SLP, Gave money to para-legal employees for Diwali sweets.

The prices are going up. Hard work to earn more, savings and less consumption are the answer to keep surviving. Venita has to cooperate. Will she? I doubt.

21rst to 23rd Oct.

On 21

Completed only walk. Could not do the asans, pranayams, & exercises as i had to leave early for CBI conference. Attended conference at Vigyan Bhawan which was addressed by PM. Visited CGHS. & SBI. Advocate Digvijay Singh came with the brief of a case A SLP is to be filed for transfer of a case from Silvassa court to any court in India. Will meet him on Monday, the 24th for further discussion. Had costa coffee. Retired to sleep at 9.30pm.

On 22 & 23

Stayed at home and rested. Venita visited South Delhi for Diwali shopping. On 23rd, she went to Gurgaon to give Diwali gifts to grandchildren.

20th October

Completed morning program. Visited PNB, SBI & Hauzkhas Enclave.Met Dr. Srivastava, CMO, and took medicine for cold.

In chamber from 12.30 to 4.30pm. Sagar came for drafting his will. I suggested one each in respect his property, his wife's and one for joint property. Tulsi suggested two and dictated the same. I suggested him to to take a third opinion and then decide. Had Cafe day coffee.

India won 3rd ODI.

Retired to sleep at 11pm.

19th October

Completed morning program. Visited Hauz Khas Enclave diagnostic center and CGHS. Consulted Dr.Rita Srivastava, CMO, Pandara Road, CGHS for cold. I did not have flu or cold for the last 3-4 years. I am having it this year, but without fever and body pain. I have dry cough and flow from nostrils. I have been taking Tulsi water for the last 2-3 years. I take 4-5 Tulsi leaves and put them in a glass of water overnight and take it in the morning. I used to have flu invariably during change of seasons earlier. A French physician had suggested to take Tulsi water. It helped a lot. The flu this time is not acute. I think I got flu perhaps due to weakening immune system because of age. Even then it was not as severe as it used to be before taking of Tulsi water. Tulsi water is an effective antidote to cold and is advised to all.

In chamber from 1.15-3.30 pm. Collected pass books/ cheque books from Mr.Das. I had given them to him in connection with preparation of ITR 2011-12. Had coffee at Cafe Coffee day at Rajouri garden. Talked to Mr. Das and thanked him for help in preparation of my ITR. Retired to sleep at 11pm.

18th Oct.

Completed morning program. Visited PNB. I forgot to write the amount in words on the cheque. As it was a cheque for transfer of an amount of Rs.20,000/- from my F.D. Interest Account in SBI to PNB Account, PNB said that i should have mentioned my full name in the cheque. I wrote down as suggested. The lady at the desk was assertive and did not mince words. Venita got a ring from PNB to inform me to go to the bank for corrective action.

Visited Hauz Khas diagnostic center for Maxilla ct. scan. It is an exercise to know if my upper gums can take plants.

In chamber from 1.20 to 4.30pm. Took out Venita's and her friend, Mrs. Manorama's e-tickets to Dharmshala and back. They plan to go to Dharmshala for pilgrimage and sightseeing on 11th and return on 15th Nov.

On way back from chamber, visited Hanuman temple in Chanakyapuri.

Pravesh rang up and desired to meet. I told that we could meet next day. He is going to Mumbbai tomorrow. We will meet on his return.

Retired to sleep at 11pm.

17th October

Completed morning program.

Visited PNB and transferred Rs. 40,000/- to Ajju for repairs to the ancestral house at Fatehpur. In fact i have opened a separate account wherein get deposited all interests, received from fixed deposits. These F. Ds. have been made from the sale proceeds of ancestral immovable property. I have given details thereof in my blog dated 9th Dec. 2009. All expenses for the upkeep of the house including salary of the care-taker are met from this account. On 11 & 16th ,i had transferred Rs.10,000/-each to Ajju for the purpose. In addition i had given Rs.10,000/- to Sheomohan during my visit to Fatehpur from 1rst to 7th Oct. from my personal account. In all a sum of Rs. 70.000/- is given. Visited CGHS .

In chamber from 12am to 4pm. Prageet rang up. I informed him that it would take some time to answer his questions .Atiar rang up and said that he needed sometime to prepare the draft reply. The question involved a study of provisions of Company Law. I told him to prepare it by the weekend. He agreed to it.

"The latest charges against the Man Booker Prize is that it now values readability over literary merit. The debate suggests , speciously, that the two cannot go together."Uma Mahadevan inI.E. dated 16th Oct.

Retired to sleep at about 10.45pm

16th October

Completed morning program. Spent the day at home, it being Sunday.

Global demonstrations for occupation of Wall Street accuse the bankers and the politicians for wrecking economies. Demonstration turned violent in Rome. It is the news of the day.

Today is the birthday of Ritsy as well as of Anita and Rajiv Mohan. Wished them all. Due to an echo, the voice of Ritsy was not clear.

Anita is at Hyderabad with her son who is employed there. She has to stay there to help Pinku, her son, to take care of his son who may be about 7 year old. Situation arose due to the divorce. By mutual agreement,Pinku is given the custody of the son. His former wife, Hritika, has married again to an owner of a restraunt in USA and has a son with him. She had filed a suit for the custody of the son with Pinku before the birth of a son from the second marriage. The suit is pending in a Gurgaon court and she is pursuing the case. She has visitation right to her son with Pinku. I feel she may not pursue the case now in view of the birth of a son with her second husband.

Anita and Pramod are going through hard times. We pray to God this day to give them fortitude to face the situation and carry on. Our good wishes are with them.

Retired to sleep at 11pm.

14th & 15th October

On 14th
Completed morning program.Visited Safdurjung hospital and met Dr.Vohra. Took endorsement on the prescription. In chamber from 1.20 to 3.3o pm. Prageet rang up and checked if i had got his mail reg. legal opinion on whether Frigoglass could open another branch outside Haryana. He has posed the question in the context of pending case in Punjab & Haryana High Court. I told him that we would send our opinion by Monday possibly.

India won One Day International Cricket match against England at Hyderabad today.

Retired to sleep at 10.40 pm

On 15th

Completed morning program. Spent the day at home, a Saturday. Venita went to South Delhi for haircut.She also met her paternal aunt (Bua). She is staying with her daughter at Motibagh New Delhi. She lost her only son some months back at Bhopal where she is living at present all alone. Her other daughter lives in Mumbai. Ruchi rang up. She wanted to wish Venita on Karwa Chauth. I told her that she was not at home. She may speak to her on cell. Today is Karwa Chauth. Venita is not well. She was not sure if she could keep fast. I offered to keep fast on her behalf. But then she said that she would keep the fast.

Had a cup of coffee at Mcdonald's. Retired to sleep at 11 pm.

13th October

Completed morning program. Visited CGHS for collection of medicines, Khan market for provisions. In chamber from 1.20-3.15pm. Had a cup of Darjeeling tea in Cafe for Coffee day, served stylishly with a heating flame below the teapot. Pravesh rang up, but could not talk to him due to pre-occupation. Told him that I would call him later Spoke to Ajju and advised him about repairs of the house at Fatehpur. Retired to sleep at 11pm.

12th October

Completed morning program. Visited PNB for transfer of Rs.10,000/- to Ajju's account at Fatehpur in connection with repairs to our ancestral house, going on at present. In chamber from 12 to 3.15pm. Had organic Darjeeling tea with Sh.SS Sharma. Had coffee at Rajouri garden Cafe for coffee day. Talked to Ajju about progress of repairs. We decided not to have beams over the walls for slabs as advised by Sh.Daksh Bharadwaj, of M/s Bharadwaj and Bharadwaj, the architects. The chief mason had prepared framework for the beams. It had to be dismantled. Retired to sleep at 11pm.

Naresh Bhaisaheb and My Father

On 11th October completed morning program. In chamber from 12.30 to 3.30 pm. The parents of Lt. Col. Jain came and discussed their son's case.Lt.Col.is at a place which is about 200 kms.away and up from Leh.BSNL lines are difficult to connect.You get a line sometime.We faced it when we were there for a holiday sometime back.We got Delhi occasionally.The father tried to connect so that Lt. Col. could talk to me,but could not.
Today is Venita's birthday.Wished her many happy returns of the day. Blessed her too.She said that she would like to go to Devi temples in Himachal Pradesh, namely Jwalaji,Chintpurni & Chamundaji. The journey to these temples is via Chandigarh by road. It is a long journey from Chandigarh. I suggested that she could go to Dharmashala by air and from there by road to the temples which could be covered in one day and not much of journey by road was involved. She said that her friend, Mrs. Manorama Gupta, wife of a retired Superintendenting engineer could not afford the cost of air journey.I told that taxi expenses from Chandigarh and back plus train expenses from Delhi to Chandigarh would be more or less equal to expenses by air. But she insisted that she would like to go by road and that the distance was not much from Chandigarh to the temples. I said that her health would not permit long journey. She has spondalitis as also back pain. She still insisted that she would like to go by road. The heated arguments continued for sometime. I left for the chamber. I could not convince her of my viewpoint.
At Fatehpur I noticed that Naresh Bhaisaheb was still very keen to walk & prayed to God for power to walk . He had tears in his eyes when he talked to me about his inability to walk.He also told that he could not move his right hand properly. I told him to take these inabilities as blessings of God. As he is 85, there is no place left for him to visit. He still toys with the idea of going to Haradwar and staying in an Ashram. But he cannot move. This is in contrast to the attitude of my father who never complained of his inability to walk, as he used to walk earlier before the age of 80. He wanted to live in his house at Fatehpur and din't want to leave it even for a day.I wish Naresh Bhaisaheb also has the same attitude and should now give up craving for walk and going to any Ashram. I told him so when I met him last on 6th instant.
Craving for something is the main cause of suffering, so said Buddha. I am reminded of a story narrated by Gurumaa in course of her discourses. She told that she visited a saint. She was completely bedridden. Seeing Guruma, she welcomed her. She looked quite happy. Gurumaa saw her being cleaned by the disciples. She said to Guruma "Look He has crippled me. But He has provided me tools to take care also." She said this with laughter. I wish Naresh Bhaisaheb also develops the same attitude. Although he cannot move, but he has attendants to take care of him.
Retired to sleep at 7.30pm.

10th October

Completed morning program. After 30th September, I could do it today. During my stay at Fatehpur, I could not do exercises/asans/pranayams. But I did go for long walks. Visited CGHS. In chamber from 12.30 to 4.30 pm. Lt. Col. Jain's father rang up from Meerut and desired to meet me. I advised him to meet Sh.Atiar. Retired to sleep at 10.50 pm.

8th & 9th October

On 8th :
Arrived Delhi at about 8am. The train was late for over one hour. Browsed through the old newspapers. Retired to sleep at 11.30pm.

On 9th :
Went for a walk, but could not do the exercises,pranayam and asans. Visited Bablu/Neha in their newly rented house in Vatika city. Attended Khyati's birthday celebration. Met Ritsy's sister,parents and others. There were a number of children to join Khyati in the celebration. Khyati moved excitedly all over in the basement. The wall of the basement had her paintings. I suggested Silku to plan/arrange an exhibition of Khyati's paintings after they were a little over 150 or so. Furthermore each painting should have her autograph. The little Alanah was sick with fever. We had photographs with children. I preponed my visit to Delhi from Fatehpur so that I could attend the birthday celebration. Retired to sleep at 9.45pm.

Fatehpur Visit (1st to 7th October)

On 1st :
Arrived Fatehpur at about 6am. The train was late by over one hour. Ajju came and we discussed repairs to the ancestral house along with the chief mason Baijnath. Called on Naresh Bhaisaheb. The age is telling on his mental and physical capability. Retired to sleep at 10.15pm.

On 2nd :
Had a walk for over 40 mins. Could not do the exercises/pranayam/asans. Met Dr. Chetan on way back from Kalkan temple. Incourse of discussion with Baijnath, Ajju suggested to check on (1) Whether the existing wall of the house can take the load of slabs and (2) whether other load bearing walls would require support of pillars. He also suggested preparation of estimates of expenditure for the repairs to the house. Retired to sleep at 10.50 pm.

On 3rd :
Went for a walk for over an hour to Tameshwar temple. Work started with 2 laborers. Spent over an hour in the cyber cafe attending to emails. Retired to sleep at 10pm.

On 4th :
Went for a walk for over an hour. Got lost in the lanes and by-lanes of my own town in search of an old temple. So much of construction has taken place. Visited Durga Pujas of the town. The celebration of Durga Puja is new phenomenon in the town. Earlier Ram lilas were performed in different places. Now we do not hear of them. Caves have been made for people to get in to see the goddess, copying the Vaishnav Devi gufa. Big rows of people are seen at these improvised gufas. A class fellow whose shop I used to visit whenever I came to Fatehpur, expired in August last year. I met his wife and son in the shop and conveyed my condolences. Retired to sleep at 11pm.

On 5th :
Went for a long walk. Visited the old Shiva temple near our ancestral house. A number of people visited. The co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, died today. I have saved one speech of his which I found quite inspiring, made in 2006. I have also circulated it to the children. Retired to sleep at 10.30pm.

On 6th :
Had a long walk. A number of persons visited. Went to Jwalaganj to have a view of Savaris which come out on the Dashera day. Could not see them. They made a round of the town and crossed the main market at about 2am on 7th. Received a number of messages for Dashera and replied them back. Retired to sleep at 11pm.

On 7th :
Went for a long walk. Advoctes Digvijay and Agnihotri came beside others. Visited Naresh Bhaisaheb and spent over an hour with him. Decided to have beams over the walls before slabs are fabricated over them. No SBI ATMs had money for about 3 days. Took out money from IDBI and HDFC ATMs instead. Ruchi told to bring the aluminium box of Pilku. Pilku had taken it to St. Edmunds school, Shillong, when he went there to study at the age of 8 years. Silku also joined him next year. His box is perhaps lying in Delhi. Left Delhi by Prayagraj Express at 10.50pm.

September 2011

While Venita stayed with Neha for 3 days at Gurgaon from 3rd to 6th September in absence of Babloo in Helsinki, I attended one workshop in Hotel Imperial on Computer Crime incidents on 8th and a seminar in IHC on 11th. Attended Babua's birthday at Gurgaon on 15th. There was a get together in the house of Sh.SK Dutta, Ex-Director CBI. Dr. Srivastava of CGHS told Venita that cramps in her legs were due to high level sugar. Caire fell down in the bathroom and fractured two ribs on the right side. On 26th there was an explosion at the Delhi High Court gate. 11 persons were killed and a number of others injured. Decided to take infrastructure bonds worth Rs.20,000/- on 01/01/2012. This will reduce my income tax liability by about Rs.200/- per month.

27th to 30th September

On 27th :
Completed morning walk. Visited the Precision dental center. Dr. Mohit Kumar, the dentist, said that route canaling in wisdom tooth was not advisable. In chamber from 12.45-3.30 pm. Advocates Digvijay and Tripathi came. On way back visited Hanuman temple. Retired to sleep at 11pm.

On 28th :
Completed morning program. In chamber from 12.15-3.30pm. Advocate Digvijay Singh came. Retired to sleep at 10.30pm.

On 29th :
Completed morning program. In chamber from 12.15- 3.30pm. Adarsh Deewan spoke about a report to his auditors. Sent the report to him. Retired to sleep at 10.30pm.

On 30th :
Completed morning program. Whole day is spent in packing for journey to Fatehpur. This is my first journey to Fatehpur in 2011. Generally I go to Fatehpur in March also. This year could not go due to sickness of Yash. Left for Fatehpur by Prayagraj Express at 9.30pm.