30th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Talked to Arvind, interior designer. We hope to meet him on 2nd Jan. in the New year. As the last digit of our  new vehicle is even we cannot use it on 1st. We can use it on 2nd.We can use odd on one day even next day and so on so forth. The idea is to control vehicular emissions and road congestion. The government had to resort to this extreme measure due to heavy levels of pollution.
Quotes Quotable "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain
Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm.

29th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Venita talked of some changes in the designs and selection of some items. Arvind, interior designer, agreed to discussion. He said that he had taken up/started work in connection with our project at his workshop. We hope to meet him within next two/three days. Venita went to Khan market today for selection of kitchen ware.
Spent the day reading magazines and newspapers and relaxed. 

Quotable Quotes : "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Mark Twain.

Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

28th Dec

Completed morning program.
Met Arvind, interior designer. Finalized the designs. We have now to meet after a couple of days to finalize colour combination, upholstery and some other minor items. He gave macro costing of designs for each room. We paid a mobilization advance and agreed to pay balance in two installments, the last after inspection of the all completed items. The delivery is to be completed by the first week of Feb. He proposes to hand over the duly completed project with flowers all over the floor and candle lights. We agreed to his wish. In the meantime, he advised Venita to go ahead and equip kitchen with requisite wares.
Quotable Quotes :"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. " Mark Twain
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

27th Dec.

Completed morning program.
We wished happy birthday to dear Ruchi. We wished her good health, long life and happiness. Venita did Puja in the temple. She distributed 'khir' to all to celebrate her birthday.
Met Arvind in his workshop. He explained details of designs of each room. After a brief stop-over for coffee at CSOI, we returned home after meeting Arvind at A7/2. He had come there to note down some measurements. He has called us tomorrow at his workshop to finalize the designs and cost of the project. We found Arvind more appealing and knowledgeable, compared to Susmita. We have,therefore,decided to engage him as our interior designer.
Quotable Quotes : "No gains without pains." Adlai Stevenson
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

26th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Interior designer Arvind Wadhwa requested us to go to his workshop tomorrow to see the bedroom/living room specific designs, prepared by him, for our flat at A7/2 in VV. I have requested Viky to come to help us in negotiating  terms of Arvind's engagement. After seeing Arvind's presentation, we will take a final view on engagement of either Susmita or Arvind. Both appear well versed in their profession.
Quotable Quotes "My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me."  Winston Churchill
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

25th Dec

Completed morning program.
Christmas is celebrated all over India with great fervor. Met Interior designer Susmita Singh at CSOI. She showed us a number of designs, furniture, color combination in placement thereof etc. in bed and living rooms on her computer screen. Arvind Wadhwa, another interior designer, will make presentation of his designs day after. As I have to send newly acquired car for mandatory service after 1000 kms and will be without a transport, I cannot meet him tomorrow.
Visited A7/2. Venita sprinkled Ganges water in all rooms, kept a copy of Tulsi krit Ramayna in  master bedroom and glassware in kitchen shelves. She said that she had started the process of shifting as it was 'Purnima' today, an auspicious day. Full shifting is to take place after 15th Jan.2016 only when 'Mal Mas' is over.
Quotable Quotes :"Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection." Winston Churchill
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

24th Dec

Completed morning program.
There was bereavement in a family of neighborhood. I joined in cremation. Thereafter we had to go for lunch, hosted by a neighbor to celebrate the first birth day of their grandson in CRPF mess at old JNU campus.
Saw power point presentation of designs by interior designer Susmita Singh at CSOI. We will finalize the designs for our flat in A7/2 of VV very soon..
Quotable Quotes :"A leader is a dealer in hope." Napoleon Bonaparte
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

23rd Dec.

Completed morning program.
Spent  over 4 hours with Arvind Wadhwa, the interior designer, at his workshop in outer Delhi. He will prepare room-wise designs for first floor of A7/2 and meet us thereafter in a day or two. We are to meet Susmita Singh next day at CSOI to see designs prepared by her.
Quotable Quotes :"In the end, everything is a gag."  Charlie Chaplin
Retired to sleep at about 11.15 pm.

22nd Dec.

Completed morning program.
Met Arvind at A7/2. He did interior designing of its ground floor flat. We discussed designing of interiors of our flat in first floor with him for about a couple of hours. We will visit his workshop at Okhla next day for further discussions. Viky also joined in. In the meantime we will also get a scheme for selection of colour, furniture, other placements etc. within two/three days from Ms Susmita Singh. She is an interior designer and works full time in 'IN-LIVING' STYLE+SUBSTANCE', a reputed firm which has retail outlets at Gurgaon, Delhi, Pune and Bengalru and sells designer furniture. In fact Venita herself is a designer. We will finalize the interior designing of our flat within a couple of days and commence buying furniture etc.thereafter with their help. We have seen enough of furniture and other requisites in Delhi and Gurgaon during last about 15 days.
Quotable Quotes : "I suppose that's one of the ironies of life doing the wrong thing at the right moment." Charlie Chaplin
Retired to sleep at about 11.30 pm.

21st Dec.

Completed morning program.
Visited SBI and CSOI. Venita joined in The Gita day celebration in the Society temple.There was discourse by Shrimad Bhagvat 'vachak', kirtan and Arti. She had been making arrangements for it over last 2/3 days.
Quotable Quotes : "Only the unloved hate; the unloved and the unnatural" Charlie Chaplin
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

20th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Pilku is 47 today. He was born on 20.12.1968. According to the Indian calendar, he saw light of the day at about 05.58 hrs of Thursday, Shuklapaksh, Pratipada of Paush, Samvat 2025 at Kanpur, UP. Venita did Puja in the temple early morning and distributed prasad and 'halva' to all. We blessed him for a happy life. We also contributed to a charity of Fatehpur on the day.
During the year, he bought a house at New Delhi so that we could live comfortably nearer place of work, hospital, better connectivity and relations keeping in view stage of our life. I am 76 and Venita 67. She too would soon be a septuagenarian. As his attorney i signed the sale deed along with the representative of the Builder on 26th Nov.2015 in presence of the Sub registrar, Govt of Delhi. I wrote him on Dec 10th, 2015 : 

"I had tears in my eyes when i signed the sale deed on 26.11.2015. Perhaps the following lines of Shakespeare are true to the hilt :

" When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry.  William Shakespeare.
Love

Papa"
Some say that it is a Jewish proverb and not from Shakespeare as it is not found in any of his plays. The source of it is immaterial. It states a rare truth of life. The Builder and some others said that only one among millions of sons could do it. 
Attended lunch hosted by Tunu and Gauri at Gurgaon to celebrate their son's birthday on 15th Dec.
Along with Venita visited some markets to look up appliances and equipments for A7/2.

Quotable Quotes :" To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it!" Charlie Chaplin
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

19th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Visited markets in search of equipments and appliances for A7/2. 
Munna left n the morning by Shatabdi. His stay broke monotony of stay and was refreshing. This was his second coming during last 2 months.
Akshat got a gold medal in brain O brain. 1st 100 get gold. His rank was 57th in India :

Quotable Quotes "A tramp, a gentleman, a poet, a dreamer, a lonely fellow, always hopeful of romance and adventure." Charlie Chaplin
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

18th Dec.

Completed morning program.Along with Venita and Viky met Ms Susmita Singh, interior designer in A7/2. She will submit her design in a couple of days. Met the family, living in ground floor of A7/2. Venita struck a chord with her. Munna stayed for the night.
Quotable Quotes : " Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles." Charlie Chaplin
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

17th Dec.

Completed morning program. The Supreme court closed for winter vacation from today. It will now open on 2nd Jan.2016. We should be able to devote more time now in completing work in Pilku's flat. Venita went to Connaught place to look up some equipments and appliances for A7/2. Sheomohan has come today for winter stay with us. Munna is to come to Delhi tomorrow for professional work. He will stay with us and leave next day.
The temperature went down to about 4 degree today which, according to BBC, is about the same as in London;
Quotable Quotes : "All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl." Charlie Chaplin
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

16th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Visited Vodafone store,CGHS and CSOI. In the Supreme court from about 2 to 4.30 pm.
The parliament did not function today also.
Quotable Quotes : "A man's true character comes out when he's drunk. Charlie Chaplin
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

R

15th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Visited CGHS, IIPA, Soni service center. and CSOI. In Supreme court from about 2.30 to 4 pm.
The parliament did not function today also.
Quotable Quotes ; “A gift is pure when it is given from the heart to the right person at the right time and at the right place, and when we expect nothing in return” ―The Bhagavad Gita
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

14th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Visited Safdurjung hospital, CGHS, SBI and CSOI.
Indian parliament has been dysfunctional due to interruptions by the opposition, mainly Congress during the current session.
Quotable Quotes : "All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love." Leo Tolstoy
Retired to sleep at about 10 pm.

13th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Along with Venita,visited some shops in Gurgaon area to finalize purchase of equipments, appliances and furniture for A7/2.
Quotable Quotes : "A value is valuable when the value of value is valuable to oneself." Dayananda Saraswati
Retired to sleep at about 10 pm.

12th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Spent the day reading newspapers and magazines.

Quotable Quotes : "No Government can be long secure without a formidable opposition." Benjamin Disraeli

Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

11th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Visited CGHS. Voted in SCBA elections.Went to A7/2 to receive and place Godrej office furniture, part of which came today. The remaining are to be received shortly. On way back dropped in CSOI library.
                 Amolikaa and Pilku in House of Commons, London

Quotable Quotes : "The main factor behind success is - self control." Rig Veda
Retired to sleep at about 9.45 pm.

10th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Visited CGHS, CSOI. Went to Magic Auto shop to buy a replacement to our 6 year old car.
Sold Maruti Swift, acquired in 2009 and bought Maruti Swift Dezire in its place. The old car had done over 1,25,000 kms. During use it never broke down and always gave good service. The new car is of 1200cc
                 Shri Bedi handing over Maruti Swift Dezire

Quotable Quotes : "Happiness and joy always elude a hypocrite." Sam Veda quote
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

9th Dec.

Completed morning program.
Following issuance of summons to Gandhis to appear before the court in National Herald case on 19th, Congress did not allow the parliament to function. They alleged vendetta against NDA which denied it.
Visited CGHS. In the Supreme court from about 2 to 4 pm. It should be possible to operate my office from A7/2 after Godrej office furniture is received and placed there within a week or so. . Met Sarthak son of Pravesh in the office of Paras Dyes and Chemicals.  Pravesh was away for a meeting in the city.
Quotable Quotes : "Water is the elixir of life, water contain medicines." Atharva Veda
Retired to sleep at 10.30 pm.

8th Nov.

Completed morning program. Visited Kirtinagar to buy some equipments and appliances for A7/2.
Quotable Quotes : "No man ever became great or good except through many and great mistakes." W.E.Gladstone
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

7th Dec.

Completed morning program. Visited more stores in search of equipments and appliances for A7/2 from about 11.30 am to 7 pm.
Life is more or less normal in Chennai.
Quotable Quotes : "One whose mind is pure and chaste, and who works incessantly all the desires of his heart are fulfilled. " Rig Veda
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

6th Nov.

Completed morning program. Some air flights and rail communication started to and from Chennai. Power,telephone services commenced partially. Rehabilitation and relief are stepped up.
Along with Venita visited Fab India to look up furniture on offer for A7/2.
Quotable Quotes : "Tumhein dukh wahi dete hain jo sukh dete hain." Gurumaa
Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm.

5th Dec.

Completed morning program. Along with Venita interacted with two interior decorators for placement of furniture and other items such as TV, colour combination etc. in A7/2 from about 3 to 8 pm. We have to visit 3 more places before a decision is taken to buy various items. By Tuesday it may be possible to finalize things.
Normal life is being restored slowly in Chennai. Little or no rains today.
Quotable Quotes : "Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall." Ray Bradbury
Retired to sleep at about midnight.

4th Dec.

Completed morning program. Visited Magic Auto Private Ltd and paid for the car. Hope to get it within a week. Collected medicine from CGHS. Chennai flood situation is easing slowly.
Quotable Quotes : "Every burden is a blessing."   Walt Kelly
Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm.

3rd Dec.

Completed morning program.
Will pay for Maruti Dezire to Magic Auto private limited next day. The delivery is expected within a week.Visited SBI and CSOI.
Unprecedented rains have inundated Chennai in all its nooks and corners. Rescue measures are in full swing. About 300 people have died in the calamity so far..
                         Babloo cutting cake on 1st Dec

Quotable Quotes : "There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly."  R. Buckminster Fuller
Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm.

2nd Dec.

Completed morning program.
Visited some vehicle shops to select car to replace one in hand. We may buy Maruti Swift Dezire. We hope to finalize it today.
In the Supreme court from 2 to 4 pm. Went to CSOI also.
Due to incessant rains, normal life in  Chennai is in a state of total disarray. Communications are disrupted.
Quotable Quotes : "Thanksgiving Day is a good day to recommit our energies to giving thanks and just giving." Amy Grant
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

1st Dec.

Completed morning program. Visited Gurgaon in search of equipments and appliances for A7/2.
Babloo is 44 today. On 1st December, 1971, Wednesday, Chaturdashi of the month of Marg Shirsh, Shuklapksh, Samvat 2028, he was born at 09.02 hours in Dhubri civil hospital, Assam. I was then posted as SP Goalpara dist, the biggest in the state of Assam area wise. The dist hqrs was at Dhubri.  Venita did puja in the temple and distributed 'halva' to all. 
I remember the day when Babloo fell from the horse in 1978. We had finished our riding and were returning to stables.Then came a pony from the side. It provoked our horses who started running helter-skelter. In the melee Babloo's horse, Sikander, galloped towards the stables. Seeing the scene the sentry tried to stop it by pulling down the barrier which hit Babloo's head. He lost control and fell on the ground. He was hospitalized for about 10 days. It was a new life to him.
We organised a family get together on the occasion at Gurgaon. Silku could not come due to preoccupation :

Quotable Quotes : "The love that lasts longest is the love that is never returned." W. Somerset Maugham
Retired to sleep at about 11.30 pm.

30th Nov.

Completed morning program. Went to A7/2 along with Venita and discussed placement of furniture and other items. Visited some more areas in Delhi in search of requisite items. An interior designer will guide us in the matter day after.
Quotable Quotes :" There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." Maya Angelou

Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

 :

29th Nov

Completed morning program.
Moved about in Kirtinagar area in search of appliances and equipments for A7/2. 
Neha acted as tiger in the one act play ,written and directed by her at Sriram school, Gurgaon on 28th Nov. 
Photograph below shows her as a tiger :

Quotable Quotes :"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." Albert Camus Retired to sleep at about 10 pm.

28th Nov.

Completed morning program.
All the big size pink lilies and purple orchids in Pilku's bouquet, given to me by Uppal and co. are blooming in full glory. I have watched them with great interest opening one by one during last two days . It is 'creation of beauty' by nature. The bouquet is likely to last for quite a few days. 
Visited a few more places today in search of equipments and appliances for A7/2 in Gurgaon and Delhi. 
Neha organized and staged an One-Act-Play at Shriram school, Gurgaon, played a role in it and directed also, three-in one. She had been quite busy for a week so much so that when Venita talked to her today in the evening, she could not speak properly. She was quite tired. She should take care of of her hemoglobin level which is quite low.
                              Neha with the artists

Quotable quotes : " Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Retired to sleep at about 11.30 pm.

27th Nov.

Completed morning program. 
Met Rajesh and family at Gymkhana club. Mrs Chandra whose case i handled earlier was also there. Searched for equipments and appliances for A7/2 at Rajouri garden Mall along with Venita on the suggestion of Viky. Tomorrow we would see some more places and finalize.
Quotable Quotes : " Once all struggle is grasped, miracles are possible." Mao Zedong
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

26th Nov.

Completed morning program.
 The terrorist attack on Taj and Oberoi hotels in Mumbai took place seven years back today,(26/11),  in 2008. The masterminds are facing trial in Pakistan. The trial in Mumbai is over . One person was sentenced to death. .
Visited office of the Sub-registrar at Palika Bhavan.
Quotable Quotes : "Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend." Mao Zedong
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

25th Nov.

Completed morning program.
Katik  Purnima was celebrated today as Guru Parb, birthday of Guru Nanak Deo and Deva Diwali. It was a holiday. You see Diwali lights again today all over the place. It is also recognized as last day of Diwali or end of Diwali season. Venita was busy throughout the day preparing for the Puja in the temple. 'Khir' was prepared in good quantity and distributed to all.
Visited the office of Uppal & co.
Quotable Quotes ; "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." Mao Zedong
Retired to sleep at about 11pm.

24th Nov.

Completed morning program. Along with Venita visited VV Flat A7/2 and discussed/planned its interior decoration and installation of requisite appliances. Viky joined in the process. 
Also attended wedding reception of Shri ML Sharma's son (Gaurang) at BSF Officers mess, followed by dinner. ML Sharma and i worked in CBI for over 5 years. We blessed them for a very happy married life.

Quotable Quotes :" Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed." Mao Zedong

Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

23rd Nov.

Completed morning program. Visited CGHS and CSOI. In the Supreme court from about 2 to 4 pm.
Quotable Quotes : "In time of difficulties, we must not lose sight of our achievements."  Mao Zedong
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

22nd Nov.

Completed morning program. Kept Ekadasi fast. Spent day reading newspapers and magazines. Venita participated in 'Tulsi Vivah' ceremony in the temple.
Quotable Quotes : "Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience."  Paulo Coelho
Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm.

20 and 21st Nov.

20th Nov
Completed morning program.
Visited SB.I.In the Supreme court from about 2 to 4 pm. Attended a meeting in Uppal's office. Had to retire to sleep early due to low-back pain.
Quotable Quotes : "A happy family is but an earlier heaven."  George Bernard Shaw
Retired to sleep at about 10 pm.

21st Nov
Took rest. Babloo/Neha came.
Quotable Quotes : "Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
Retired to sleep at about 10 pm.

19th Nov.

Completed morning program.
Paris ISIS attacks have been widely condemned by Indian Muslims.
Discussed issue of custody of flat A7/2 original property documents with .some Advocates including Vikas in his GK office chamber.
Visited Safdurjung hospital and CSOI. In the Supreme court from about 2 to 4 pm.
Quotable Quotes : "Success consists of going from  failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill
Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm.

17 and 18th Nov.

Fatehpur visit
17th
Left Fatehpur early morning by road. Had lunch at elder sister's place. Jharkhand express was late by over 3 hours.  It was 3 minute late when checked before leaving sister's house. I did not check it personally. Late Naresh Bhaisaheb's son, Vinay had checked. Probably he committed mistake. We took quite a few cups of tea/coffee from a well-run fast-food joint ,Cumson, at the railway station. I read some part of 'Autobiography of a Yogi'. I had read it during student days. Reached Delhi next day.
Quotable Quotes : "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."  Winston Churchill

18th
Reached Fatehpur at about 3 AM. Rested at home. Could not send this mail yesterday as there was no internet connectivity.
Quotable Quotes : "It is no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary."  Winston Churchill
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

15th and 16th Nov.

15th
Completed morning program. Some families visited us.
Quotable Quotes : "If you're going through hell, keep going." Winston Churchill
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

16th 
Completed morning program.
Krishnanand visited us. Met SP Fatehpur. Venita went shopping in local market. Shivaji came along with two of his friends calling on for Diwali. We shared sweets with them. Packed to leave for Kanpur early morning by road to board Sampark kranti express for Delhi after lunch with elder sister there.

Quotable Quotes : " Never, never, never give up." Winston Churchill
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

14th Nov

Visited Swami Vigyananand ashram on the bank of north-flowing Ganga, at Bhitoraghats, 10 kms from Ftehpur town.. He had invited us for a function on 15th Nov. Mistakenly we went there today. Vigyananandji came to our house along with Shri Pradeep Srivastava, ex-DGP Chandigarh. On request, he gave us a discourse on spirituality. He said that miracles have no role in unfolding truth. It is individual effort or 'sadhna' which leads to its realization. Bhawna in charge of otherwise able children school came and requested for helping to buy a plot of land for constructing school building. We told them to find out one and let us know. We assured to help as much as we can.
 Some families visited us in the evening.
Quotable Quotes : "If music be the food of love, play on." William Shakespeare
Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.

13th Nov.

Completed morning program. Venita did Bhai Dooj puja in the morning.
The festival of Bhai Dooj is celebrated two days after Diwali, and is, like Raksha Bandhan, a day dedicated to the love between a brother and sister. Along with Bhai Dooj, Kayasthas perform Chitragupta puja or Dawat puja on the last day of 5 day Diwali celebration. It is also the birthday of Chitragupta  who is believed to have appeared from the body of Bramha., as his 17th son. Chitragupta is the record keeper of births and deaths of entire humanity. He also records their good and bad deeds and reports to Lord Yama, demi-god in charge of births and deaths in the order of universe.
Rangoli by Namrata daughter of Vandana and Dinesh on Diwali day

Advocate Digvijay lunched with us. Watched Modi reception at Wembley stadium telecast from London.
Quotable Quotes : "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so." William Shakespeare
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

12th Nov.

Completed morning program.
Venita did Govardhan puja. "According to legend, Lord Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan to save the people of Gokul from the wrath of Lord Indra, the demigod in charge of rain. He got angry and flooded it because Lord Krishna told them (people of Gokul) not to worship him (Lord Indra) but only God. And they stopped worshiping him (Lord Indra). Govardhan is considered to be none other than Lord Krishna Himself. It sheltered people of Gokul, afflicted by flooding due to incessant rains by  Lord Indra.
A number of persons visited on the occasion of Diwali. We shared sweets with them. Advocate Poonam, one of them , insisted that we should visit them before leaving Fatehpur for Delhi.
Quotable Quotes : " No legacy is so rich as honesty." William Shakespeare
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

11th Nov.

Completed morning program. Diwali celebrated today. Vinay and his family joined in the Lakshmi puja. Later Ajay came with his family. Messages, emails and phone calls with Diwali good wishes came today also.
       Rangoli with Shri Ganesh image in 'Angan' of the ancestral house at Fatehpur by Madhuri, Shiva Mohan's daughter.

                     Rangoli by Neha at her house in Gurgaon 

Akshat and Neha celebrating Diwali with fireworks

Quotable Quotes : "Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none." William Shakespeare

Retired to sleep at about midnight.

10th Nov.

Completed morning program. Venita is guiding Shiva Mohan's children how to put twinkling lights around the ancestral house. A number of friends, relations and acquaintances have sent Diwali greetings. Vinay Prakash. Ajay and Dr Chetan came.
Quotable Quotes : "A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool." William Shakespeare
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

9th Nov.

Completed morning program. Called on Dr. Chetan Kapoor. As he was in a hurry to go to the clinic, he said he would come to us to spend more time on 16th on return from his brother's place at Delhi. He was going there to celebrate Diwali. He is 84, very active and single. He did not marry.. He does not charge for visit to patients' houses. He is quite popular at Fatehpur. People come to him from all corners of the dist. Venita went to local market for Dhanteras shopping. It is widely believed that purchasing gold or silver on the day protects you from mishaps.
Advocates Shivji and Ajay called on.
Quotable Quotes : "Better three hours too soon than a minute too late." William Shakespeare
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

8th Nov.

Reached Fatehpur. The train was late by about 2 hours. The house is well kept by Shiva Mohan, the care taker.
Venita boarded  Chauri Chaura express at Allahabad at about 11 am. Due to agitation by the candidates for recruitment to 'Lekhpal' posts, movement of trains and road  traffic was blocked near Katoghan of Kaushambi dist. The youth  alleged that they could not reach the test centers as the trains were delayed. I spoke to SP Kaushambi. He said that he was trying to sort out the mess and requested to bear with him for sometime. Venita came back home around 6.30  pm.
Quotable Quotes : "When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry." William Shakespeare
Retired to sleep at about 9.15 pm.

7th Nov.

Completed morning program. Packed for journey to Fatehpur and stay there for 10 days. Venita is to come from Allahabad next day and join me there. Left Delhi by Prayagraj express at about 9.30 pm.
Quotable Quotes : "In politics stupidity is not a handicap." Napoleon Bonaparte
Retired to sleep at about 10 pm.

6th Nov

Completed morning program. Went to Safdurjung hospital and CSOI. In the  Supreme court from 2.30 to 5 pm. Venita is at Allahabad. Met Shri Uppal along with Viky in the evening.
In continuation, a number of film artists and authors have surrendered their awards in protest against the alleged atmosphere of intolerance. This has attracted international attention. Moody has appealed to PM Modi to take note of it. It has also said that if it continued, it may affect investment climate and lead to downgrading of rating of India's economy.The former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has also decried the atmosphere. Whether the move is politically orchestrated or real, is difficult to say. Niti Ayog member, Debroy said that intolerance was always there in India in the past. But India has grown despite it and minorities have lived and grown here  in numbers and riches too.
Quotable Quotes : "Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter." John Keats
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm

5th Nov.

Completed morning program. Visited Safdarjung hospital and SBI. Attended meeting of the Executive Committee of Arsipso at Heritage club, RK Puram. Met Viky also there. Venita is at Allahabad.
Bihar elections are over. Exit polls do not unequivocally give victory to one or the other group .We will have to wait for 8th Nov. for final poll results.
Quotable Quotes : "The things which I have seen I now can see no more."
"William Wordsworth
Retired to sleep at about 10.15 pm.

4th Nov

Completed morning program. Met Suraj in CSOI and discussed the Income tax return, submitted to the authorities, advance tax, refund etc. Venita left for Allhabad by Prayagraj express.
Shah Rukh Khan's statement on alleged growing atmosphere of intolerance is much in the news. He has joined many others in making such statement. There are others who do not agree with such a statement. One thing is certain that it helps political parties in lambasting the present establishment.
Quotable Quotes : "The flower that smells the sweetest is shy and lowly." William Wordsworth
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

3rd Nov.

Completed morning program. Visited SBI. In the Supreme court from about 1.30 pm to 4 pm. Met Viky and others in Shri Uppal's office.
Word 'Intolerance' is in almost all the newspapers these days daily. What does it mean ? It means unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behaviour that differ from one's own. Some people are intolerant of those who eat cow meat. Some people do not like people of Pakistan. Others do not tolerate members of BJP, heading FTII. Very often this intolerance is termed as politically motivated. A number of writers and film artists have returned their awards in protest against the alleged atmosphere of intolerance. We should discuss with such authors and others so that their misgivings are removed and atmosphere of amity is restored.
Retired to sleep at 11 pm.Quotable Quotes : "The child is father of the man." William Wordsworth

2nd Nov.

Completed morning program. Visited CGHS CSOI. Met Uppal and Viky. In the Supreme court from about 2.30 to 4 pm 
Neha was one of the finalists for Flash Fiction Competition, an annual international event. Out of 35600 stories, 10 were selected.  Neha's 'The game' was one of them. All the finalists will receive diplomas. Neha will also receive one. First prize with $ 20.000, went to Mrs. Emily Raboteau, of New York.
Quotable Quotes : "To begin, begin." William Wordsworth
Retired to sleep at about 10.45 pm

1st Nov.

Completed morning program. Attended 'Books and Authors' program today in the CSOI (It happens on first Sunday each month ). Shrimati Suryakanthi Tripathi, an Ex-IFS officer who has scripted plays, 'Dara' and 'Azad Maulana', spoke about them. She spoke about Mughal times, independence movement and partition. In that context, she said that a little meditation and lot of madness achieved the impossible.
Quotable Quotes : “Stupid men are the only ones worth knowing after all.”   Jane Austen
Retired to sleep at about 11 pm.

31st Oct

Completed morning program.
Subhash/Sunita arranged a Diwali get together at a Gurgaon restaurant. Each one ordered his Choice food. Subhash took the orders. In the end gifts were exchanged. A couple of photographs taken by Babloo on the occasion are given below :

Quotable Quotes : "Let us never underestimate the power of a well-written letter.” 
― Jane Austen, Persuasion

Retired to sleep at about 11.30 pm.

30th Oct

Completed morning program.
Visited DD Motors at Mayapuri. Venita accompanied to South Delhi and went to Dilli hat for Diwali shopping. In the Supreme court from from 2.15 to 3b.45 pm. Karvachouth is observed today.
Quotable Quotes :" My idea of good company...is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.' 
'You are mistaken,' said he gently, 'that is not good company, that is the best.” Jane Austen, Persuasion

Retired to sleep at about 10.30 pm.