31st May

Completed morning program. Attended lunch on the occasion of Kaushal's 75th birthday , hosted by his 2 daughters, Neha and Shivani. They invited all close friends and relations. It was a gala party. About 20 persons joined in. A friend sent the following in mail :

." INNOCENCE

Today, in the cutest voice, my 8-year-old daughter asked me to start recycling. I chuckled and asked, “Why?” She replied, “So you can help me save the planet.” I chuckled again and asked, “And why do you want to save the planet?” “Because that’s where I keep all my stuff,” she said.

 JOY

Today, when I witnessed a 27-year-old breast cancer patient laughing hysterically at her 2-year-old daughter’s antics, I suddenly realized that I need to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again.

 KINDNESS

Today, a boy in a wheelchair saw me desperately struggling on crutches with my broken leg and offered to carry my backpack and books for me. He helped me all the way across campus to my class and as he was leaving he said, “I hope you feel better soon.”.

.SHARING

Today, I was traveling in Kenya and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe. He said he hadn’t eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy. Then my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he was eating. The first thing the man said was, “We can share it.” 

Cheers to life"

Retired to sleep at about 10,30 pm.

Reunion of the Civil Service Officers, 1964 batch-27th to 30th May

27th May
Left for Mussoorie to attend Reunion of the Civil Service officers 1964 Batch by Shatabdi express  6.50 am. Boarded academy transport at Dehradun for journey to Mussoorie by road. We reached Mussoorie at about 2 pm due to traffic snarls. After lunch at Gyanshila Officers' Mess, we met at Gyanshila Lounge and shared our experiences during stay in the academy.. The reminiscences were sweet and touching. We continued parleys at dinner in the mess and then retired to sleep at about 2300 hours.

28th May
After breakfast, the inaugural ceremony of the Reunion of the Civil Service Officers 1964 Batch took place with Academy song and Welcome Address by the course coordinator, Nidhi Sharma, Deputy Director, an officer of Indian Revenue Service. The Academy officers and faculty were introduced followed by address by the Director of the Academy which is known as Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. We again shared our experiences '50 years ago'. The ceremony was closed with National Anthem. The group photograph followed at A.N.Jha Plaza with tea. We were taken around the Academy.  We could not recognize it in its present form as the old buildings had been demolished and new ones come up. The rooms of the probationers are equipped with t.v., hot running water and other modern facilities which did not exist during our time. We visited the gymnasium, riding ground, saw the horses and playgrounds. All are new but  the venue remains the same. It is just like the Ganges which remains the same but water changes every moment.
We were divided into groups. Each group had a different subject to discuss. Our group discussed the balancing of public policy vis a vis globalization and development. We drafted a report containing gist of our discussion and sent it to the Director. The Director invited us for dinner. There were drinks too but one had to pay for them. As a result, none got drunk. It continued till about 10.30 pm. I raised the subject of police reforms during informal conversations. In fact i had proposed it to be included as one of the subjects of discussions.  Retired to sleep at about midnight.

The picture on the right side shows how two of us of the group on the left 
side look after 50 years in 2014 now.
Shri Ishrat Aziz of the IFS did not attend the reunion 
and Shri UB Raghvendra Rao died in the meantime.

29th May
During breakfast, we celebrated the 75th birthday of Shri Kaushal Kishore Saxena, which all the batchmates and IAS officer trainees attended. Shri Saxena extinguished two little candles and cut the cake to the singing of Happy Birthday to him by all of us, about a hundred.

Shri Saxena is 75 today.

After breakfast we interacted with groups of officer trainees of the IAS. As I belong to the Assam-Meghalaya Cadre, my group of officer trainees consisted of North-Eastern states and Union Territories. The interaction was interesting. We told them our experiences and suggested them as to how to go about in their jobs when they go back to their state cadres. We had valedictory ceremony from 12-12.30 pm at Nehru Auditorium. It started with Academy song and ended with National Anthem. It was mainly a thanksgiving ceremony. After lunch, we left for the Dehradun railway station to catch the Shatabdi Express to Delhi at 5 pm. Retired to sleep at about midnight.

30th 
Went for half-an-hour walk. Visited PNB. In the chamber from about 12.30 to 5 pm. Retired to sleep at about 11.15 pm.

26th May

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Spent the day reading newspapers and magazines. Packed for journey to Mussoorie to attend the Golden jubilee reunion of the 1964 bach. In all 66 officers of the batch are attending which include 30 of IAS, 13 IPS and remaining of other services including IFS, IRS etc. Quite a few have departed, some are crippled, others are unable to attend due to one reason or the other.
Watched the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi and his cabinet. All the South Asian leadership was in attendence.
Retired to sleep at about 10.15 pm.

25th May

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Spent the day reading newspapers and magazines. Munna was promoted to the rank of GM in the Cotton Corporation of India. As he still has 10 year service to retire, he may be promoted as CMD in due course. He is honest and hard working .A friend sent the following in the mail :

 "GOODNESS & GRATITUDE

Today, after a 72 hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to me at the grocery store and gave me a hug. When I tensed up, she realized I didn’t recognize her. She let go with tears of joy in her eyes and the most sincere smile and said, “On 9-11-2001, you carried me out of the World Trade Center.”

. LOVE CONQUERS PAIN

Today, after I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the side of the road holding him and crying. And just before he died, he licked the tears off my face.

 A DOOR CLOSES TO OPEN ANOTHER

Today at 7AM, I woke up feeling ill, but decided I needed the money, so I went into work. At 3PM I got laid off. On my drive home I got a flat tire. When I went into the trunk for the spare, it was flat too. A man in a BMW pulled over, gave me a ride, we chatted, and then he offered me a job. I start tomorrow.

LOOKING BACK

Today, as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around my mother’s hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died. She simply said, “I feel so loved right now. We should have gotten together like this more often.”

AFFECTION

Today, I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a small hospital bed. About 5 seconds after he passed, I realized it was the first time I had given him a kiss since I was a little boy."
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm

24th May

Went for 45 minute walk. Visited dentist. Observed ekadasi fast. Spent the day reading newspapers and magazines. Read part of the book,' One Mind Many Thoughts', written by Pravesh Jain. It is a collection of his writings in the newspapers,The Pioneer and The Asian Age ,on contemporary issues, over the years. A friend has sent the following :

 "A father's advice

Today, my father told me, “Just go for it and give it a try! You don’t have to be a professional to build a successful product. Amateurs started Google and Apple. Professionals built the Titanic

Looking Back

Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I’m working on for my Psychology class. When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said, “Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile.

 Try and U shall know

I am blind by birth. When I was 8 years old, I wanted to play baseball. I asked my father- "Dad, can I play baseball?" He said "You'll never know until you try." When I was a teenager, I asked him, - "Dad Can I become a surgeon?". He replied "Son, you'll never know until you try." Today I am a Surgeon, just because I tried! "

Retired to sleep at about 10.15 pm.

23rd May

Completed morning program. Visited CGHS. Venita came along with me to South Delhi for her work. In the chamber from about 1 to 4.30  pm.
Retired to sleep at about 11.15 pm.
Amolikaa with her School team which won Inter-School-Sports-Championships 2014

22nd May

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Met Commissioner of police, Delhi along with Advocate Atiar Singh Dey.In the Supreme court and chamber from about 1 to 5 pm.
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

21st May

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Visited CGHS. Lunched with Vikas. A friend sent the following :

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild. ~  Welsh Proverb

You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. ~Proverb

Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple. Grandmas are short on criticism and long on love.  ~Author Unknown

Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

20th May

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Visited dentist and a diagnostic center for some tests.In the chamber from about 1 to 3 pm.
Retired to sleep at about 10.15 pm.

19th May

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Visited Safdarjung hospital. In the Supreme court and chamber from about 1 to 4.30 pm.
Retired to sleep at about 10 .45 pm.

18th May

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Spent the day reading magazines and newspapers.
Retired to sleep at 11.30 pm.
A friend sent the following mail 
     

17th May

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Modi was given rousing reception on arrival at Delhi airport and during his road journey to the BJP hqrs at Ashoka road. Attended a tea party at Tunu's house, Gurgaon. Returned Delhi at about 10 pm .
Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm.

16th May

Completed morning program. Visited CGHS. Venita too went to dental clinic. BJP got majority in current parliamentary elections on its own.
Retired to sleep at about 10 pm.

15th May

Went for 45 minute walk. Visited CGHS. In the Supreme court and chamber from about 1 to 4.30 pm. Counting of votes is to start next day from 8.30 am. Complete results would be out by 5 pm.
Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm.

14th May

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Attended a conference at Oberoi hotel along with Advocate Atiar Singh Dey. The courts were closed due to Buddha Purnima holiday. The Buddha was born today, enlightened on this day and also died on the day. What a great coincidence.
Retired to sleep at about 11.30 pm.

13th May

Completed morning program. Visited SBI. In the chamber from about 2 to 4.30  pm. Planned a week long visit to Bhutan from 15th to 22nd June through Dago Tshering, an officer of Bhutan Government. He had Foundation Course training with us at LBSNAA, Mussoorie in 1964. The tour operator has given the following program :
Hotel reservations :

Sector :Del-Paro-Del

Thimpu 03 NIGHTS ---  Riverview--Confirmed

CHECK IN : 15^th June 2014-

CHECK OUT : 18^th June 2014

Punakha  2 Nights--- Puna Tsangchu Cottages---Confirmed

CHECK IN : 18^th June 2014-

CHECK OUT : 20^th June 2014

Paro 02 NIGHTS --- Kichu--Confirmed

CHECK IN : 20^th June 2014-

CHECK OUT : 22^nd June 2014

Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm.

12th May

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Visited CGHS. In the Supreme court and chamber from about 12.30 to 4 pm. Exit poll predict Modi-led NDA govt.at the center.
Retired to sleep at 10.45 pm.

11th May

Completed morning program. Spent the day reading newspapers and magazines. Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.
"Sharing a saying of Dalai Lama, this is deep philosophy"


Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

10th May

Completed morning program. Attended marriage of Venita's cousin's son at Trillion hotel on MG road near Chhatarpur temple. Some interesting definitions :
OFFICE: 
A place where you can relax after your strenuous 
home life.
COMPROMISE: 
The art of dividing a cake in such a way that 
everybody believes he got the biggest piece.
Retired to sleep at about midnight.

9th May

Could go only for half an hour walk as i had to leave for Arsipso office early to attend the Executive committee meeting. In the chamber from about 2.30 to 4.30 pm.
 In an article in The New York Times it is suggested that motivation to enjoy Exercise 'may be at least partly inherited.'

Are You Programmed to Enjoy Exercise? - NYTimes.com - NYTimes.com BY GRETCHEN REYNOLDS According to an eye-opening new genetics study of lab rats, the motivation to exercise ? or not ? may be at least partly inherited.

Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

8th May

Went for 45 minute brisk walk. Visited Sony service center  jail road, Tilaknagar. In the Supreme court and chamber from about 1 to 4.30 pm. Planned a visit to Bhutan in June for a week through Eco Expeditions and tours Pvt. Ltd. .
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

7th March

Completed morning program. Sh DK Rastogi, MD Aargee group met and discussed a  case relating to fraudulent encasement of bank guarantee. Follow up legal action is to be taken. In the chamber from about 12.45 to 4 pm.
A friend sent the following mail. May interest you.

"पाँच पाण्डव तथा सौ कौरवों के नाम ये थे :–

पाण्डव पाँच भाई थे जिनके नाम हैं -

1. युधिष्ठिर

2. भीम

3. अर्जुन

4. नकुल

5. सहदेव

( इन पांचों के अलावा , महाबली कर्ण

भी कुंती के ही पुत्र थे , परन्तु

उनकी गिनती पांडवों में नहीं की जाती है )

यहाँ ध्यान रखें कि… पाण्डु के उपरोक्त

पाँचों पुत्रों में से युधिष्ठिर, भीम और अर्जुन

की माता कुन्ती थीं ……तथा , नकुल और  सहदेव

की माता माद्री थी ।

वहीँ …. धृतराष्ट्र और गांधारी के सौ पुत्र…..

वहीँ …. धृतराष्ट्र और गांधारी के सौ पुत्र…..

कौरव कहलाए जिनके नाम हैं -

1. दुर्योधन 2. दुःशासन 3. दुःसह 4. दुःशल 5. जलसंघ 6. सम 7. सह 8. विंद 9. अनुविंद 10. दुर्धर्ष 11. सुबाहु 12. दुषप्रधर्षण 13. दुर्मर्षण 14. दुर्मुख 15. दुष्कर्ण 16. विकर्ण 17. शल18. सत्वान 19. सुलोचन 20. चित्र 21. उपचित्र  22. चित्राक्ष 23. चारुचित्र 24. शरासन 25. दुर्मद 26. दुर्विगाह 27. विवित्सु 28. विकटानन्द 29. ऊर्णनाभ 30. सुनाभ 31. नन्द 32. उपनन्द 33. चित्रबाण 34. चित्रवर्मा 35. सुवर्मा 36. दुर्विमोचन 37. अयोबाहु 38. महाबाहु 39. चित्रांग 40. चित्रकुण्डल 41. भीमवेग 42. भीमबल 43. बालाकि 44. बलवर्धन 45. उग्रायुध 46. सुषेण 47. कुण्डधर 48. महोदर 49. चित्रायुध 50. निषंगी 51. पाशी 52. वृन्दारक 53. दृढ़वर्मा 54. दृढ़क्षत्रn55. सोमकीर्ति  56. अनूदर 57. दढ़संघ 58. जरासंघ 59. सत्यसंघ 60. सद्सुवाक 61. उग्रश्रवा 62. उग्रसेन 63. सेनानी 64. दुष्पराजय 65. अपराजित 66. कुण्डशायी 67. विशालाक्ष 68. दुराधर 69. दृढ़हस्त 70. सुहस्त 71. वातवेग 72. सुवर्च 73. आदित्यकेतु 74. बह्वाशी 75. नागदत्त 76. उग्रशायी 77. कवचि 78. क्रथन 79. कुण्डी 80. भीमविक्र 81. धनुर्धर 82. वीरबाहु 83. अलोलुप 84. अभय 85. दृढ़कर्मा 86. दृढ़रथाश्रय 87. अनाधृष्य 88. कुण्डभेदी 89. विरवि 90. चित्रकुण्डल 91. प्रधम 92. अमाप्रमाथि 93. दीर्घरोमा 94. सुवीर्यवान 95. दीर्घबाहु 96. सुजात 97. कनकध्वज 98. कुण्डाशी 99. विरज 100. युयुत्सु

( इन 100 भाइयों के अलावा कौरवों की एक बहन

भी थी… जिसका नाम""दुशाला""था,

जिसका विवाह"जयद्रथ"सेहुआ था )

"श्री मद्-भगवत गीता"
के बारे में-

किसको किसने सुनाई?
उ.- श्रीकृष्ण ने अर्जुन को सुनाई।

 कब सुनाई?
उ.- आज से लगभग 7 हज़ार साल पहले सुनाई।

भगवान ने किस दिन गीता सुनाई?
उ.- रविवार के दिन।

कोनसी तिथि को?
उ.- एकादशी
कहा सुनाई?
उ.- कुरुक्षेत्र की रणभूमि में।
 कितनी देर में सुनाई?
उ.- लगभग 45 मिनट में

 क्यू सुनाई?
उ.- कर्त्तव्य से भटके हुए अर्जुन को कर्त्तव्य सिखाने के लिए और आने वाली पीढियों को धर्म-ज्ञान सिखाने के लिए।
 कितने अध्याय है?
उ.- कुल 18 अध्याय
 कितने श्लोक है?
उ.- 700 श्लोक
 गीता में क्या-क्या बताया गया है?
उ.- ज्ञान-भक्ति-कर्म योग मार्गो की विस्तृत व्याख्या की गयी है, इन मार्गो पर चलने से व्यक्ति निश्चित ही परमपद का अधिकारी बन जाता है।
 गीता को अर्जुन के अलावा
और किन किन लोगो ने सुना?
उ.- धृतराष्ट्र एवं संजय ने
 अर्जुन से पहले गीता का पावन ज्ञान किन्हें मिला था?
उ.- भगवान सूर्यदेव को
 गीता की गिनती किन धर्म-ग्रंथो में आती है?
उ.- उपनिषदों में
 गीता किस महाग्रंथ का भाग है....?
उ.- गीता महाभारत के एक अध्याय शांति-पर्व का एक हिस्सा है।
 गीता का दूसरा नाम क्या है?
उ.- गीतोपनिषद

 गीता का सार क्या है?
उ.- प्रभु श्रीकृष्ण की शरण लेना
गीता में किसने कितने श्लोक कहे है?
उ.- श्रीकृष्ण ने- 574
अर्जुन ने- 85
धृतराष्ट्र ने- 1
संजय ने- 40."

Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm.

6th May

Went for 40 minute brisk walk. In the Supreme court and chamber from about 12.30 to 4 pm. Venita narrated about her stay at Nashik, journey and back to Delhi yesterday.
Retired to sleep at about 11.15 pm.

5th May

Went for 40 minute brisk walk. After a stay of a week at Nashik, Venita returned Delhi by Indigo flight in the evening. Her photograph, taken by Neha at Vatika Gurgaon  recently, is given below:

Akshat with his new bi-cycle headgear at Vatika, Gurgaon. Photograph by Neha.

In the Supreme court and chamber from about 12.30 to 4.30 pm.
Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm.

4th May

Went for 40 minute brisk walk covering 4 kms. Touching of furniture and painting continued for half-a-day and ended at about 2 pm, Venita joined in birthday celebration of her brother's grandson at Nasik. DM Sharma called on to inform that he had been promoted to the rank of the additional SP.
Retired to sleep at about 11.30 pm.

3rd May

Went for brisk walk covering 4 km in less than 40 minutes. Late Prof. Tondon of Sitaram Bhartia hospital ,a senior cardiologist, had advised me to walk and cover 4 km in 40 minute every day. As long as i could do it, it indicated good condition of the heart.
Painting of the drawing-cum-dining room and my bedroom is complete. It took 4 days. The furniture is also touched. I could do it in absence of Venita who ts at Nasik. She is always jittery about it and would not easily allow in her presence. Only one bedroom, occupied by Venita with her Puja , is left. It is not white washed/painted for quite some time. I am to try to do it with her consent.
Retired to sleep at about 11.30 pm.

2nd May

Completed morning program. In the Supreme court and chamber from about 12.30 to 4.15 pm. Venita visited Kaleram temple at Nashik. A friend has sent the following summary of life. According to him we have four stages of life :

1) You believe in Santa Claus.

2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.

3) You are Santa Claus.4) You look like Santa Claus."

I would place myself in the second stage, Venita in the 3rd stage and grandchildren in the first stage. What about sons and daughters-in-law? I think that they would also fall in the second stage. 

Retired to sleep at about 9.15 pm.

1st May

Completed morning program. Visited CGHS. In the Supreme court and chamber from about 12.30 to 4,15 pm. Venita attended birthday celebration of her brother's granddaughter at Nashik yesterday. Some sayings for Pilku and Silku :
1.Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.
2.If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.