23 and 24th Dec.

23rd
Completed packing. We are in get, set and go position now.
24th
Will leave for IGIA at about 2030 hours to catch the midnight flight to Bangkok on way to Hanoi , our first port of stay and later to Seim Reap in Cambodia on a 7 night and 8 day trip. 3 nights in Vietnam and 4 in Cambodia. God blessing, our next trips may be to Bali, Myanmar and China in 2018/2019. With this we would have covered more or less entire far east. I have already visited Japan and Hong Kong in 1986. Along with Venita visited Thailand and Singapore last year.  One should keep travelling to different parts of the globe to feel the pulse of every civilisation. I am confident it will make us more tolerant and happy in life.
Quotable Quotes :"Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep  in life." Robert Louis Stevenson

21 and 22nd Dec.

21st 
Got itinerary, hotel vouchers and visa for Vietnam and Cambodia visit. Took Vodafone pack for Rs 499 for ten days. It will be possible to make and receive calls at Rs. 39 per minute. Incoming sms will be free and outgoing at Rs 15 per sms.
22nd
The last pre-Xmas  working day in the Supreme court was on 15th and in the High court of Delhi today. Both the courts will now open on 2nd Jan 2018.
Quotable Quotes :"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." Robert Louis Stevenson wason

20th Dec.

Pilku is 49 today. He was born on 20.12.1968 at 05.58 hours. According to the Indian calendar, it was Thursday, Shuklapaksh, Pratipada of Paush, Samvat 2025 at Kanpur, UP. Venita  distributed sweets at VV. She visited temple to pray for his long, happy and healthy life. We talked to him ,Ruchi, Amolikaa and Abhishree too.
Photograph reproduced below is a repeat. It was taken at VV last year.

Quotable Quotes: "Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life." Omar Khayyam

17 18, and 19th Dec.

17th(Sunday)
Started preparing for journey to Vietnam and Cambodia on 24 /25th instant for a week.
18th
In the afternoon in the Supreme court. BJP won Gujarat and Himanchal Pradesh elections. The results were announced today. There was tough fight between the two parties.
19th
Travel Agent gave the final itinerary for Vietnam and Cambodia.
Quotable Quotes :"Marriage is like life - it is a field of battle, not a bed of roses." Robert Louis Stevenson

15 and 16th Dec.

15th Dec.
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Neha  came to VV on way back from Vasantkunj along with Akshat. She had joined Venita who had gone there for shopping. Babloo came from his office in the evening. All of them went back to Gurugram after dinner. It is good if children keep visiting us like this. After seeing them we are happy.
16th(Saturday)
Attended birthday get-together for Yashovardhan and Chhotu at a restraunt in Gurugram. A couple of photographs, taken there are given below :
                           Akshat and Yasovardhan in the party

Chhotu and Rajat

Chhotu looked pretty in her dress.
In the evening attended wedding reception of Chokila Tshering Iyer's daughter Gayatri Dekila and Brady Andrew,an American, in La Meridian hotel. She retired as foreign secretary. Her daughter is quite tall, about 6 feet, so is Brady. Met quite a few batchmates of IAS, IFS AND IPS and Ex-Vice President Hamid Ansari, an ex-IFS officer. We had delicious dinner.
Quotable Quotes :"You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving." Robert Louis Stevenson

12 ,13 and 14th Dec.

12th
Venita returned from Vikaspuri.
Finalised itinerary of our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. We leave on 25th Dec, witness Xmas at Hanoi,Vietnam and return Delhi after celebrating New-year in  Siem Reap, Cambodia, an eight day trip to two countries. Took a 10 day (minimum) Vodafone pack for use there.
13th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon. Participated in the Supreme Court Bar Association elections and cast my vote.
14th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Venita came along and visited a replica of Puri's Lord Jagannath temple at Haujkhas in New Delhi. She had food/prasad there along with many people at lunch time. She said that as it was Dwadasi today,it is quite auspicious to have rice in a Jagannath  temple. She brought rice from Puri of Orrisa when we visited there a couple of years back. She mixes this rice in our food on festival days to get the blessings of Lord Jagannath. She does it with sincere conviction.
Quotable Quotes :"I've a grand memory for forgetting." Robert Louis Stevenson

10 and 11th Dec.

10th (Sunday)
Due to minor sprain in the left ankle, stayed back at home.
11th
It is stated  that "caffeine in coffee acts on insulin, which is responsible for controlling blood sugar, and this can make it harder to lose weight. In addition, it can also cause anxiety. A better option would be to replace it with a tea." Google news
Quotable Quotes :"Compromise is the best and cheapest lawyer." Robert Louis Stevenson

8 and 9th Dec.

8th
Much time was spent in Vodafone store, in Connaught place to rectify my cell which replied to all that I was either busy or out of reach. I was connected to just a few calls in a  day. The store changed the cell's sim. Let us see if it works.
9th (Saturday)
Venita went to Vikaspuri for some temple program.
Attended Executive Committee meeting of Arsipso at its RK Puram office.
Quotable Quotes :"A friend is a gift you give yourself." Robert Louis Stevenson

6 and 7th Dec.

6th
Neha and Akshat came. Akshat was unwell due to bad stomach. He could not go to Agra with a school trip today. As Neha went to Max hospital along with Venita, I had Akshat's company for quite sometime. I tried to take care as much as I could. He spent time mostly watching HBO and reading a book. Along with Neha, he went back to Gurugram late in the evening with Babloo when he came from his office on way back home.
7th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Submitted required documents for Visa to Vietnam. We will take E-visa to Cambodia.
Quotable Quotes :"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." Robert Louis Stevenson

5th Dec.

In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.” R.L. Stevenson

4th Dec.

Arun/Sunanda went back to Mumbai in the forenoon.
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"We should not fret for what is past, nor should we be anxious about the future; men of discernment deal only with the present moment." Chanakya

3rd Dec.(Sunday)

Attended a family lunch get-together, organized by  Arun/Sunanda at Gurugram on their 40th anniversary.  In all 18 of the family  attended. A photograph of theirs taken in the premises of the restraunt is given below :

CSOI arranged an interaction with Dr.NC Saxena, a batchmate of IAS, on 'Why India is not doing well in social sector' in the evening. Main reason was stated to be fudged statistics of social indices. Great political will and beurocratic honesty were needed for course correction, according to Dr. Saxena.
Quotable Quotes :"As long as your body is healthy and under control and death is distant, try to save your soul; when death is immanent what can you do?" Chanakya

1st and 2nd Dec.

1st Dec.
Babloo is 46 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 distt., the biggest dist.in the state of Assam area wise. The dist hqrs was at Dhubri. We prayed for good health and long life to him. We rang him up and wished happy birthday when he was on way to Noida to attend office. He joined us all at VV in the evening. Apart from Neha, Akshat and Shivani, Arun and Sunanda ,who came yesterday, also celebrated the occasion. Babloo cut the cake to the singing of happy birthday by all. Some photographs taken in my cell-camera  are given below :

Dinner with delicious dishes by Venita and Neha followed. Venita gave food, sweets and snacks to guards and other helps.
Earlier went to the Supreme court in the afternoon.
2nd Dec.
Quotable Quotes :"One whose knowledge is confined to books and whose wealth is in the possession of others, can use neither his knowledge nor wealth when the need for them arises." Chanakya

30th Nov.

Venita attending a memorial lecture in IIC, organized by Arsipso, on 25th Nov. 

In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Arun-Sunanda arrived for a 4 day stay with us. They will celebrate their 40th anniversary during the period.
Quotable Quotes :"He who lives in our mind is near though he may actually be far away; but he who is not in our heart is far though he may really be nearby." Chanakya

28 and 29th Nov.

28th
Madhurima went back to USA by KLM flight at about 11 pm to catch it early morning on 29th.
Met the senior physician in Apollo clinic at Noida, who had seen Venita a month back and prescribed some tests. He saw all her reports today and removed a couple of medicines from the earlier prescription as he thought these were not required. Except for her diabetes, she is fine.
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
29th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
                            With President of Arsipso on 25th Nov.

Quotable Quotes :"The wise man should restrain his senses like the crane and accomplish his purpose with due knowledge of his place, time and ability." Chanakya

26,27th Nov.

26th
Attended lunch along with Venita at Habitat Centre at poolside in 5th floor today.It was hosted by children of Venita and Prabhat Mehrotra, a close friend, on their parents' golden anniversary. Coincidently Prabhat's wife's name is also Venita. Spelling of the  names is also the same. About  thirty/thityfive people, his friends, relations and batchmates with their spouses joined in. There was cutting of cake too. A photograph,taken by me is given below :

After lunch walked in for some time in the the Time's Lit festival in the ground floor of the Habitate Centre. A discussion on the need for Sensor board's certification in the context of Padmavati row was on.
27th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon. Madhurima is to come today  ,stay overnight on way back next day to USA.
Quotable Quotes :"If one has a good disposition, what other virtue is needed? If a man has fame, what is the value of other ornamentation?" Chanakya

23,24 and 25th Nov.

23rd
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
24th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon. Venita went to Noida to look-up Sangita.
25th
Attended Shravan Tondon Memorial  lecture on ' Challenges to Governance in a Democratic Society' at IIC by Shri Prakash Singh IPS(Rtd.), a reputed senior Police officer. An enlightening talk. He dwelt on the roles of police,bureacracy, media ,politicians, and judiciary  in Governance in a Democratic Society' . He said that rampant corruption had eroded governance. I spoke about indifference in judiciary towards disposal of court cases and their pendency for years. Indifference appeared to be mainly due to erosion of values in general.  I told about how CBI officers worked out cases and later were much frustrated as their disposal in courts took years.
Quotable Quotes :"Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness. Chanakya

20,21 and 22nd Nov.

20 and 21st
All diagnostic tests of Venita as recommended by a senior physician of Apollo clinic at Noida were completed.
22nd
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
 Shri VP Singh and his wife Neelam, resident of the top floor of the block where we too have our flat in Arunodaya society in the second floor, hosted a get-together for their son Rohit, daughter-in-law Autumn and granddaughter Urvashi at SDG officers mess in old JNU campus. Their son has come from USA along with his American wife and  daughter to meet  parents and other members of the family in India. 40/45 people joined in, mostly residents of Arunodaya society.
                      Venita with Autumn,Rohit,their daughter Urvashi and Rohit's mother, Neelam

Quotable Quotes :"The earth is supported by the power of truth; it is the power of truth that makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth." Chanakya

18 and 19th Nov.

18th
Left Shillong at about 8 am. A decent restraunt is set up near Nongpoh. Had coffee. Left Guwahati by Jet airways at about 1.15 pm. On way witnessed Himalayan range. Engrossing sight. The Range with its snow capped mountains on the northern side gave a golden sight. A view of the sight taken from my cell on the day : 
                               Himalayan range

Landed at Delhi,4 pm,15/20 minutes late.
19th

Quotable Quotes:"A man is great by deeds, not by birth." Chanakya

14,15,16 and 17th Nov.

15th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
16th
Left for Shillong in the morning. From the plane i saw the Himalayan range and glimpses of its different peaks after a long gap. There is a peak called 'Gauri Shankar 'among them. When Venita had seen this peak from a plane in Kathmandu (especially flown for a close view of the peaks for the tourists) few years back ,she told that this was how Shiva and Parvati had appeared in her mind when she prayed to Him for long life to me after angioplasty in Escorts hospital in 2004. In the peak you see a tall block of ice and another lying in front of it. The tall ice block looked like Shiva and the other one like Parvati to her. Venita felt at that time that I would recover soon due to Shiva's 'Darshan'. When I narrated this to a western over-sixty lady (looked a widow), a fellow passenger in the Kathmandu aircraft, i saw a drop of tear trickling down the corner of her left eye.
Visited Herbert Syiem, former Chief Secretary, Govt of Meghalaya.
17th
Attended meeting of the Security Commission. It was the last meeting of the Commission during the tenure of the present government, which ends in Feb. 2018. Now the Commission will sit after the new govt. is sworn. General elections  are scheduled to take place in the state early next year.
Had dinner with Atiar at his father's house at Shillong.

Quotable Quotes ;"The biggest guru-mantra is: never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you." Chanakya

13 and 14th Nov.

13th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
14th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"A man is great by deeds, not by birth." Chanakya

11 and 12th Nov.

11th (Sat)
On 26th August we invited about 35 people including couples,others and children. Six could not come: a couple due to sickness and another four for bereavement in the family. The lunch has set a trend : two from them have too invited their friends. Tonight we dined with a large group in CISF mess  on an open lawn, CGO Complex, invited by Surekha/Rajiv Mathur. Invitees were mostly from IB. It was quite cool evening. Another lunch follows by PK Mehrotra on 26th Nov.with his friends. As winter sets in more will happen during week-ends.
12th(Sunday)
Quotable Quotes :"Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune." Chanakya

10th Nov.

Venita went to look-up Akshat. He was down with fever and loose motion. He is better now. Neha too is under treatment for quite sometime.Venita returned VV in the evening.
Attended  a presentation of the activities of 'Samarth', a company floated by Anuradha (Radhi), Asha's daughter. 'It is very helpful, well-thought through, and well-intentioned company which offers services for senior citizens'. Asha wrote to me,"Over and above their services, what also stands out to me is that they aren’t transactional - they have ‘care managers’ who are encouraged to think like a son or daughter or a close friend would. In fact, I was struck by this description of their services very early on. They lay emphasis on the importance of trust and also are quite focused on making sure that the job gets done. The fact that their intent has an institutional back up to ensure quality reduces the dependence on one person and also helps in handling exceptions/emergencies." 
I told the company to suggest me a part-time PA as also someone who can edit my statement, recorded  by a research assistant of Nehru Museum after questioning me for quite a few hours over a period of six months. The statement runs in over 125 pages.

Quotable Quotes :"Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest." Chanakya

8,9th Nov.

8th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Met Dr AK Aggarwala, a senior physician, at Apollo clinic, Noida along with Venita and showed her blood and other reports. He advised to obtain some more reports.
9th
Quotable Quotes :"The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman." Chanakya

3rd,4,5,6 and 7th Nov.

7th
Visited IIPA. In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
6th
Venita drove back to VV in the afternoon from Vikaspuri after about a week.
Attended interaction with H.E. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman and H.E.Maqsoud Kruse, Executive Director, of the Steering Board of Hedayah, International  Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism (a NGO,established in Abu Dhabi in Dec.2012 ) at IIC along with other members of Policy Perspective Foundation, a local think tank. Hedayah professes control of extremism by debate. It says that a bad idea cannot be destroyed/dusted under the carpet. It can be won/changed only by a superior idea and till we have such a superior idea, we should continue to debate. It was refreshing to hear such a logic for a change from a NGO of the Middle East.
5th
Got so much lost in some tricky accounts work that missed to attend an interaction with Ambassadors of India and Afghanistan at CSOI in the evening as planned.
4th
Held detailed discussion with Shri Rana ,who is reprinting Late Sharad Chandra Varma's book on Guru Nanak. Shri Rana's daughter is a University student. She came along with him and requested for guidance in her research work on designing of a police complaint. I told her to go through chapters on 'Complaints' in  the voluminous Recommendations of Indian Police Commission, 1978-79. and then come up for detailed discussions.
3rd
Met Dr A.k. Aggarwal,a senior physician, at Apollo hospital, Noida , and showed  blood and other reports for routine check-up. No new developments.

Quotable Quotes :"Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person." Chanakya

















































































































































































































































































































































































































































3rd, 4th 
Printer of late Sharad Chandra's book on 'Guru Nanak' came on 4th in the evening along with his daughter, a student. We discussed details. He said he would come later this month with proof of final print of the book for a view.
5th
Attended an interactive session at CSOI with Ambassadors of Afghanistan  and India in the evening.
Quotable Quotes :"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first." Chanakya

1st and 2nd Nov.

1st Nov.
In the Supreme court in the afternoon. Attended a talk by Ramchandra Guha, a reputed historian and writer of famous book 'India after Gandhi', on Patriotism vs Jingoism in IIC in the evening. Enlightening talk. He said that there is no Constitutional patriotism in the world as enshrined in the Indian Constitution in terms of values. It is jingoism all over. It has three features: 1. It advocates one religion, 2. one language and 3. has one common enemy. According to him at present in India it is Hindutva, Hindi and minorities, mainlly, Muslims and Christans as common enemy. I think that his analysis of situation in India is not true to facts.  We have some kind of Constitutional patriotism or at least there are  sincere and serious  efforts to achieve it.
Advocate Digvijay Singh came from Fatehpur and discussed filing of acase in appeal.
2nd Nov.
In the Supreme court  in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth." Chanakya

29,30 and 31st Oct.

29th
India beat Newzeland in 3rd ODI cricket match at Kanpur and won the series by 2 to 1.
30th
Attended ceremony of release of Balmiki Prasad's book : 'The 21st Century' : Geopolitics, Democracy and Peace'(GDP) by the V.P.of India,V. Naidu at IIC in the evening. A number of dignitaries were present. I and Venita immensely liked summary and introduction of the book by him : particularly his innovative analysis, analogueing it to 'GDP'. His granddaughter, Gauri, a law student, also spoke on the occasion.
After return from the function ,Venita drove to Vikaspuri for some occasions at the socety temple.
31st
Obseved Ekadsi fast. In the Supreme court in  the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"A man is born alone and dies alone; and he experiences the good and bad consequences of his karma alone; and he goes alone to hell or the Supreme abode." Chanakya

27 and 28th Oct.

27th
Visited office of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Commitee. Chairman Paramjit Singh Rana had left the office sometime back. I interacted with his PA Jasbir Singh. He said that he would arrange my meeting with the Chairman next week. He further said that as late Sharad Chandra's book on Guru Nanak was about 50 year old, it could be reprinted privately and concurrence of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara prabandhak Samiti,the original Publishers, was not needed for the same.The Statesman Press which had printed the publication initially said that it could not reprint it now as they don't have the original prints with them after about 50 years. They too said that it could be reprited privately.
28th
Underwent some tests, prescribed by physcian at Max hospital. It took nearly 5 hours to complete. We will get reports on Monday next.
Quotable Quotes :"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions." Chanakya

26th Oct

Extract from Google :
"Einstein once 'tipped' a man with his key to happiness – it just sold for $1.5M.
In 1922, Einstein was in Japan for a lecture tour after he had received his Nobel Prize. He received a courier and as per the legend, the physicist did not have any money to pay as a tip to the courier boy so he gave him the notes and told him that if he would be lucky, the notes would become valuable.
In the notes, the great scientist had written that achieving a long-dreamt-of goal did not necessarily guarantee happiness. The note has been written on the stationery of the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, the place where the physicist was staying at that time.
"A calm and humble life will bring more happiness than the pursuit of success and the constant restlessness that comes with it," is the English translation of the note that has originally been written in German.
At the same time, he had written another note as well which reads: "Where there's a will, there's a way." This note sold for $240,000. The notes finally landed up with the nephew of the courier boy who sold them at the auction. The buyer of the notes has chosen to remain anonymous although it has been reported that the individual belongs from Europe."
A sound advice.
Settled down at VV after return from a week-long stay at Fatehpur.
Quotable Quotes :"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." John W. Gardner

24th and 25th Oct.

24th
Some friends and relations visited. Among them were Krishnanand,83, and Dr Chetan Kapoor,88. Krishnanand cannot see well. Dr. Chetan cannot walk without support. Krishnanand says he can see me whenever he desires in his mind' eyes. an affectionate jesture. Venita visited Bhavna Institute of otherwise able children. Called on SP Fatehpur, a lady IPS officer. She is unmarried and promoted to IPS.
25th
Left Fatehpur  at about 9.15 am for Kanpur by road on way to Delhi by Shatabdi express at 5.15 m . Had lunch with Bitti,83, our elder sister and her eldest daughter,Bittoo. She will be 60 next year. Reached home at about 11.45 pm. Train was about an hour late. We experienced difficulty in reaching sister's house at Lal colony, Juhi as we took a long route and faced traffic jams at some intersections. On way back Bittoo piloted us to a point from where we could reach straight to the railway station to board Shatabdi.We blessed her for the help. The train started 15 minutes late.
When we waived sister at the time of leaving her house, we noticed she was totally lost in watching Bitto driving and piloting us and did not respond, perhaps feeling too proud of her. And for good reasons. The driver had to back her car to go back home as she could not manoeuvre it.

23rd Oct

A couple of the photos of beds of flowers at ancestral house Fatehpur,grown by Shiva mohan, are given below :

Quotable Quotes :"No comment' is a splendid expression. I am using it again and again." Winston Churchill

21st and 22nd Oct

21st
Diwali mutual visits of friends and relations continued today also.Visited Ajay and family. Ajay fractured his right knee in the process of catching the parrot (in the process of domestication)  which was flyng here and there and dirtying the premises of the house. His knee is much improved. Bhaiya dwij is observed today along with Chitragupta puja.
22nd
Visited late Naresh Bhai saheb's family. Family of an old friend of the army, (he is no more), came and met Venita.
Quotable Quotes :"Never, never, never give up." Winston Churchill

19 and 20th Oct

19th
Diwali was celebrated with great zeal. Did not see any adverse  impact of demonetization and GST; markets are full with Diwali shoppers from all communities. Generally the Dwali night is cool. But it is quite warm this year. Late Naresh bhaisheb's family joined in Diwali Puja/arti of Ganesh and Lakshmi along with us in the ancestral house. Some photos of the occasion are given below :
         With late Naresh Bhaisaheb's youngest son and daughter-in law

In the ancestral house after puja

Eastern side of  Diwali-lit-ancestral house

Northern side

Southernside

The westerside is occupied by a neighbour. Hence no photo of the side.

Neha,Babloo and Akshat at Gurugram

             Alpna by Neha at her Gurugram house
20th
Goverdhan puja is observed today.Some local residents came.
Quotable Quotes :"

15,16, 17, and 18th Oct

Left Delhi along with Venita for Fatehpur by Prayagraj on 17th at about 9.30 pm. Reached early morning on 18th, 3and 1/2 hour late. Unpacked and settled down for a week-long stay to celebrate Diwali as we have been doing more or less every year at our ancestral house. Well maintained by Shivmohan He gave us good breakfast, lunch and dinner apart from cups of tea whenever we askrd for.
Chhoti Diwali was celebrated on 18th.Venita decorated the house on the eve of Diwali. Some local residents visited us. They were treated with sweets.
Quotable Quotes :"The empires of the future are the empires of the mind." Winston Churchill

14th OCT

Attended a get-together at Gurugram to celebrate Khyati's 16th birthday on 10th Oct. On Pilku's suggestion,Venita bought a special gift for her to shine with her 16th year of life. Like girl of her age she is preoccupied with work, herself and friends. A good number of them attended this time,both boys and girls with a couple of autist ones among them too. It was nice of Khyati to have invited autist class fellows . We appreciated her this humane gesture . God will bless her. A couple of Khyati's photographs :
                                           With grandfather

Lighting candles :17 of them

Quotable Quotes : "A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." Winston Churchill

12 and 13th Oct

12th
Venita stayed back at Vikaspuri for misc work.
13th
Attended second Friday batch lunch of the month at CSOI. A batchmate of the IAS,in late 70s, who joined in lunch today with us ( he regularly attends batch lunches), lost much weight  all of a sudden during last month. It could be due to some serious impending illness.There is none here except his old wife at Gurugram. I suggested he should go to his son in USA immediately. He and his wife are leaving for USA on 1st Nov for a long stay with their son.
In the Supreme court in the afternoon. Also joined in election of the members of gender sensitizing committee of SCBI.
Quotable Quotes :"If you're going through hell, keep going." Winston Churchill

11th Oct

Today is Venita's 69th birthday.She was born on Navmi of Aswin, Suklapaksha , Samvat 2005 , at about 2.30 to 3 am according to Hindi Panchang on Monday corresponding to 11th October, 1948 at Allahabad, UP,India.. A number of family members and friends wished her happy birthday. She drove to Vikaspuri for a couple of says. Hopes to return day after.
                                                   Venita at 69

Quotable Quotes :" Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught." Winston Churchill

9 and 10th OCT

9th
Venita underwent Visual Field test. Compared to 2016 test, the result this year showed improvement . The ophthamologist, Dr Dinesh Talwar recommended minor laser correction in the right eye after Diwali.
10th
Khyati was born today.She is 16. It was Ashtami of Aswin's Adhik Mas (Dwatiya), Krishnapaksh, Wednesday, Vikram Samvat 2058/Shak Samvat 1923 of the Hindi Panchang corresponding to 10th October, 2001 of Gregorian calender at 12.10 pm in a Vasant Vihar hospital, New Delhi.. We blessed her for happy and bright life. She had left for school before we could talk to her over phone. Her photo with sister on the day:

Venita did Puja early morning and distributed dry fruit packs to all.
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill

6 ,7 and 8th Oct

6th
Venita had routine check at Center for sight. She is called again on 9th for another test.
7th
RK Kapoor, an inspirational member of the Arsipso, died today. He was 90. He had retired as Director IB.
8th
As Neha continued to remain sick, Venita went to Gurugram to look her up today.
Quotable Quiotes :"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law." Winston Churchill

3,4 and 5th Oct

3rd|4th
Local holdays. Drove to Vasant Vihar on 3rd. Neha is sick.Venita is in constant touch with her.
5th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness." Lucius Annaeus Seneca

27,28,29 30th Sept and 1,2 Oct

27th 
Drove to Vikaspuri to join Venita on the Saptmi day of Durga puja.
28th
Ashtmi is clebrated today.
29th
Navmi is celebrated today.
30th
Dashehra celebrated today.
1st Oct
Observed Ekadasi fast.
2nd Oct
Gandhi Jayanti celebrated today.
Quotable Quotes :"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." Winston Churchill

24, 25, and 26th Sept

24th (Sunday)
As the driver went on leave on the day, could not move out much. Walked over to 'Coasta Coffee outlet', about a km away. Returned home to watch India-Australia 3rd ODI which India won with 5 wickets.
25th
The Supreme court,High court closed from today. The Supreme court will now open on 3rd and High court on 9th Oct.
26th
Attended a get-together of former and now defunct Dons' club members of the Diamond Jubilee hostel of Allahabad University at IIC in the afternoon. Virendra, Prabhat, Ramesh and me could join in. Other 5 are not in Delhi. Saw our life in retrospect. Two of the club retired as senior IPS Officers, one IAS, one Central service, one Judicial service, one Professor of Indian Insttute of Publc Administration, one Professor of a Degree college, one private firm and one legal profession. One died due to drowning, in all 10 of us. The group covered almost all major spheres of activities in their life span except Technology,Science and Arts. Most of us are in early/late seventies. A refreshing get-together after long long time. Last meeting of the club took place in 1961. We decided to meet more times as far as possible.
                                     Members of the Dons'club

Quotable Quotes :"Silence is one of the great arts of conversation." Marcus Tullius Cicero

21,22 and 23rd Sept.

21st
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude." John C. Maxwell
22nd
In the Supreme court in the afternon.
23rd
My driving licence was to expire on 30th Sept. Went for renewal to Transport office today. It was renewed without hastles. Was it due to good governance ? If you know the procedure, it is easier to get it done. One should understand the procedure, then go for anything in government.
I saw about 10/12 people in queu and going one by one in their turn for the licence.
'Women Are 'Quarter Brained', Shouldn't Drive, Said a Saudi Cleric.' Google news dt 23rd Sept)
Quotable Quotes :"Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it." Winston Churchill

19 20th Sept

19th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
20th
In the Supreme court of India in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." Winston Churchill

16, 17, 18th Sept

16th
Attended a get-together at Gurgaon today to celebrate Akshat's birthday yesterday. Some photographs, taken on the occasion are given below :
                            Cutting cake

            Cake being smeared on the face of Akshat by his about 12 friends

   

Kaushal with his family

Akshat's friends

                                                 Neha /Babloo

Silku/Babloo

                       Venita along with Kaushal/Gauri/DNS

17th
We invited Kaushal Saxena and family for lunch. After lunch we watched 1st ODI between Australia and India. India won the toss and decided to play first. They scored 281 mainly with the contribution of MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya. Australia lost  by over 30 runs.
18th
Inthe Supreme court in the afternoon.
Venita left for Vikaspuri to participate in Durga Puja celebration.
Quotable Quotes :"Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong." Winston Churchill

15th Sept.

Today is Akshat's birthday. He is 11. According to Indian calendar, he was born on Friday, Navmi, at 9.57 am of Aswin's Krishnapaksh, Vikram Samvat 2063 in Moolchand hospital, New Delhi, India. It was also Shradha paksh during the period. It corresponded to Gregorian calender's 15th September 2006. It is a Hindu belief that ancestors take births during the Shradha paksh in families. We prayed for his long healthy life. We rang up at 7.30 am to wish and bless him but he had already left for the School at 7. Neha promised to connect him to us when he returned. He has a test tomorrow too. Let us not distract him. Venita distributed sweets to all helps and guards.

Venita's visit to E&T early morning, Election office for VV voter id card and repair to her specks(snatched and damaged by monkey during Vrindavan visit a couple of days back) kept us preoccupied until 2.30 pm. I heard the news of explosion in an underground station in SW London on a route frequented by Pilku/Ruchi and grandchildren. I felt all of them were safe. Hence made no queries. Later we got a mail from Pilku in reply to Silku's confirming my intution about him and family's safety and well being. He is kind to all of us.

Quotable Quotes :"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose." Lyndon B. Johnson

14 Sept

In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
North Korea threatened to sink Japan. Japan Prime Minister is visiting India these days.
Quotable Quote :"All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." Winston Churchill

13th Sept

Venita was impressed with cleanliness, landscaping of Mathura-Vrindaban. She returned quite happy after 2 day trip to the two places . In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." Winston Churchill

12th Sept

Venita returned from Vrindavan in the evening. She along with other ladies attended Mangla arti very early morning at ISCON temple. She  visited Varsana, Radha's place and Gopeswar temple. At Gopeswar temple her specks were taken away by a monkey. She was advised to give it a fruity pack. It dropped the specks after getting the pack. There were other monkeys too who adopted this methodology to get fruity packs from other speck users. They won't be satisfied with buscuits or any other eatables.
She took parikrama of Giriraj hill. Krishna had raised it on his little finger to give refuge to people hit by deluge, caused by Indra's anger. They took parikrama of Vrindavan too.
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential." Winston Churchillby

10 and 11 Sept

10th
Below is my photograph taken by Alaynah while she was watching NDTV program tonight. I featured in it as one of the panelists. The discussion related to right to dissent in the context of  recent murder of  journalist Lankesh at Bangluru and authors of some books. Only she and Akshat of our grandchildren watched the program in full. Khyati watched it for a couple of minutes.       

11th
Venita went to Vrindavan in the morning along with 3 ladies who came from Vikaspuri. She will return tomorrow in the evening. We had reserved two rooms with 4 beds in ISCON guest house for all of them . But she took only one. As the room has only 3 beds, one of them will sleep on the floor. Perhaps they decided to sleep  in one room and renounced the other so that some more devotees could be accomodated.
They visited birthplace of Krishna at Mathura and Gokul where He spent early life till he became about 12 years. It was at that age he went to Mathura , liberated his parents and killed Kansa, king of Mathura.They also visited old Bankey Bihari temple besides some other places at Vrindavan before retiring for the day. Quite hectic schedule. It was possible perhaps due to their relgious fervour and devotion to Krishna.They took a guide to take them round and tell legends of each place.
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"We are stripped bare by the curse of plenty." Winston Churchill

8 and 9th Sept

8th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
9th
Appeared in a program of NDTV on request. It related to recent murders of a journalist and authors  to be telecast tonight at 8 pm.
Quotable Quotes :"I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." Winston Churchill

6 and 7th Sept.

6th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.  India won T20 match against Sri Lanka. Thus India won all the matches (Test,ODI and T20) against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka during the current season.
7th
In tbe Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill 

4 and 5th Sept

4th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon. The new central cabinet ministers selected on the basis of performance. Non performers were dropped.
5th
In the Supreme cort in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"If you're going through hell, keep going." Winston Churchill

2nd and 3rd Sept.

2nd
Attended a poetry reading session at CSOI ,organized by Lippi Parida. She observed blue lotuses in a pond at her official bunglow, Puduchery.and wrote book 'If the Blue lotus Sings'. It is the story of Lord Jagannath of Puri. He appears once in 12 or 19 years.
'If the blue lotus sings' is a tale of forbidden love' says the author.
3rd
9 new Ministers of of State have been appointed apart from upgrading the existing four. Ms Sitharaman is the new Defence Minister and Piyush Goel, Railway Minister.
Quotable Quotes :"History is written by the victors." Winston Churchill.

1st Sept

In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
RBI's report card on facts and figures relating to Nov 8 demoneytisation have evoked mixed reactions here. While opposition parties have been critical of PM and BJP, Rajiv Kumar who took over as the Deputy Chairman,Niti Ayog, today has defended it and countered all criticism and convincingly replied to all points of objections.
India won 4th ODI against Sri Lank by 168 runs.
Quotable Quotes :"My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me." Winston Churchill

31st Aug

In the Supreme court in the afternoon. India scored 375 for 5 in the 5th ODI in Colombo. Sri Lanka has to score 376 to win, a herculian task, keeping in view their form at present.
Quotable Quotes :"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill

30th Aug

In the Supreme court in the afternoon. Venita returned VV after participating in Radhaashtmi celebration at Society temple ,Vikaspuri
Quotable Quotes :"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." Winston Churchill

28 and 29th Aug.

28th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Venita went to Vikaspuri to celebrate Radhaashtmi tomorrow (29th) at the Society temple. Will come back VV day after. Pilku who left Delhi yesterday (27th) reached London same day in the evening. He came on 25th,desired to stay with us for longer time, but could not due to commitments in UK.
Baba Gurmeet Singh  Ram Rahim of Sirsa, Haryana was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in jail and fine of 30 lakhs ,10 years jail and 15 lakhs fine in each of the two rape cases , registered against him in 2002.
29th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes:"Never, never, never give up." Winston Churchill

26 and 27th August

26th
I am 78 today.
In a family get-together at our Vasant Vihar flat, Bina/Barun,Mrs prasad/Dr Prasad,Pilku/Silku/Ritambara/Babloo/Neha joined in. As done last year, Pilku especially came to Delhi on the day.
Cut cake along with Akshat. Venita gave us tea with delicious snacks. Silku/Ritanbara prepared an album with photographs of get-togethers at India International Center// Vasant Vihar and uploaded it in Google plus. A couple of photos, taken from the album, are given below :

Pilku hosted a get-together of my colleagues of civil services and legal profession at India International Center. About 30 persons attended.
Link to album :PapaBirthdayCelebrations
27th
Slku was born today.  According to the Indian calendar, he was born on 12th day of Bhadrapad, Krishnapaksh, Thursday at 08.07 pm, Jorhat, Assam, Samvat 2027 corresponding to Gregorian calender's 27.08.1970. He is 47. Blessed him for happiness,good health and long life.
Quotable Quotes :"If we open a quarrel between past and present, we shall find that we have lost the future." Winston Churchill

24 and 25th Aug

24th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon. The Supreme court of India ruled today that right to privacy was fundamental right under the Indian constitution. Its impact on use of Adhar in govt transactions is yet to be clear.
Pilku came.
25th
Spent the day with Plku.
Quotable Quotes :"I never could have done what I have done without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one subject at a time." Charles Dickens

22nd and 23rd Aug

22nd
In the IIPA in the afernoon.
23rd
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Tripple talaq is adjudicated illegal and unconstitutional by the Supreme court of India. After this victory, the petitioner proposes to fight for common civil code too for Muslims, a proposition likely to be contested vhemently by different Muslim groups.
Pilku is expected to arrive Delhi on 24th night for a couple of days.
Quotable Quotes :"It is a melancholy truth that even great men have their poor relations." Charles Dickens

20 and 21st August

20th
Venita had to stay back at Vikaspuri as the driver took leave and was off duty on the day.
India won 1st ODI against Sri lanka by nine wckets in Sri lanka.
21st
Venita came back to VV. In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
A far-right nationalist leader said in Britain that OCIs should be sent back to India after payment as they have bright chances of growth in India as on the day. A poll survey says that Congress will retain power in Karnataka in ensuiing elections this year
Quotable Quotes :"Reflect upon your present blessings -- of which every man has many -- not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." Charles Dickens

18 and 19th Aug

18th
Venita returned VV. In the supreme court in the afternoon.Observed Ekadasi fast today.
19th
Alaynah was born today at Gurgaon, Haryana, 7 years back. According to Indian calendar, it was Navmi, Shuklapaksh, Shravan, Vikram Samvat 2067,11 am, Thursday, corresponding to  Gregorian calender's 19.08.2010 . We attended the birthday party and joined in cake cutting ceremony. We blessed her for long,healthy and bright life.
                            A photo of the occasion

Venita went to Vikaspuri to join in the puja at the society temple on the sixth day of Krishna's birth (Chhathi,20th Aug). Hopes to return VV thereafter.
Quotable Quotes :"There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast." Charles Dickens

16,17th Aug.

16th
Drove to VV. Venita stayed back for physiotherapy sessions at a local centre near the society. She will come back to VV day after.
Quotable Quotes :"The age of chivalry is past. Bores have succeeded to dragons." Charles Dickens
17th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"Subdue your appetites, my dears, and you've conquered human nature." Charles Dickens

14 and15th August

14th
At Vikaspuri. Venita participated in preparations for Janmashtami at the Society temple and at home too.
Quotable Quotes :"An idea, like a ghost, must be spoken to a little before it will explain itself." Charles Dickens

15th
Prime Minister Modi gave an inspiring speech from 7.30 to 8.30 am (IST) today. It was his fourth speech from the ramparts of the Red fort. He connects well with Indian masses by his speeches.
Janmashtami is celebrated. We observed fast today.
Quotable Quotes :"He would make a lovely corpse."Charles Dickens

12th Aug.

12th
Tarun and family had lunch with us. They had come from Allahabad for medical check-up at Medant hospital, Gurugram. Sangita did not look quite well.
Quotable Quotes :"The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again." Charles Dickens
13th
Drove to Vikaspuri for week-end. The house is well-kept. Lunch served by help is delicious. Venita's about 100 plants in clay-pots are taken well care of. The Vikaspuri house is like a country house to us. Venita comes here for a day or two to paticipate in the festivals. She is deeply involved in the society temple management. I prefer to stay back in our son's flat at VV. It is close to courts, hospitals, airport, railway station, club, IIPA library where i visit occasionaly and coffee joints such as Coasta, Cafe coffee day etc. I come here along with Venita whenever she so desires, for not more than 2 to 3 days in a month, and that too on public holidays and week-ends. The change is refreshing.
We came here today and will go back on 16th morning after breakfast.

11th Aug

Attended batch lunch at CSOI Kasturba Gandhi marg. 15 batchmates attended.
We propose to invite about 30/35 friends of civil services and legal profession with their spouses for lunch when Pilku is here  from 22nd to 27th August. He has suggested 26th August for the same. Sarvashri BP Singh, SK Srivastava, CP Mishra, KK Sinha, PK Mehrotra, GBS Siddhu, RK srivastava, Ashok Mallik & Juri, Vikas, Tulsi, Sultan Singh, Rajiv Mathur, Karthikeyan, AP Singh, Advocate Alok Sengupta and Pravesh Jain are invited apart from a few more. The venue and catering are in IIC. We have spoken to all and will confirm them by sms after a day or two.
In the Supreme court in the afternoon
Quable Quotes :"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."Charles Dickens

9,10th Aug

9th
In the Supreme cout in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." Charles Dickens
10th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quiotes:"Regrets are the natural property of grey hairs." Charles Dickens

6,7 and 8th Aug.

6th
Wished to witness Bahubali at CSOI, but could not.
Quotable Quotes :"Great men are seldom over-scrupulous in the arrangement of their attire." Charles Dickens
7th
Rkshabandhan is observed today. Shanno's rakhi has reached VV; Bitti's went to Vikaspuri.  Shanno demanded a part of Fatehpur house. Demand is made after she came to know that i had started the process of sale of the house. This has anguished and disturbed me much.
As Shanno wants a part of the house, it will be difficult to sell it now. Earlier I had decided to sell the house and share the proceeds among three of us equally. The house is so made that it cannot be partitioned. She said she would like to bring in Gopalji too in the matter. Let us see how the matter is settled now and when.
My father had wished to will it to me. He told me and Venita this quite a few times. He had anticipated the problem. I  had told him that it was not necesary, that sisters loved me much and that there would be no problem in respect of the house for me from their side. His apprehension was right and we were wrong.

Quotable Quotes :"Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." Charles Dickens
8th
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"The one great principle of English law is to make business for itself." Charles Dickens

5th Aug.

Attended a discussion in Policy Perspectives Foundation (PPF) on militancy. About 20 persons joined in. PPF is a non-profit and apolitical think tank on matters of national interest.
Venkataya Naidu won as VP of India.
Quotable Quotes :"We forge the chains we wear in life." Ch.arles Dickens

4th August

In the Supreme court in the afternoon. India amassed a winning total of 633 runs in their first innings play against Sri Lanka at Colombo.
Quotable Quotes :"A loving heart is the truest wisdom." Charles Dickens

3rd August

Attended lecture by Shri Shyam Saran, ex-Foreign secretary and an expert on China affairs, on 'The India-China border: Is there a solution in sight?' at IIC. It was an erudite presentation by Shri Saran. He did not suggest any solution. It was the 7th A.K. Dave Memorial Lecture. Late Shri Dave was a reputed IPS officer.
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.​
Observed Ekadasi fast.

Quotable Quotes :"There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast." Charles Dickens

2nd August

In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
All senior police officers, chargesheeted in Sohrabuddin case, have been discharged by Special CBI court for lack of credible evidence.  All spent over 6/7 years in jail before they got bail. Holders of public offices are very often subjected to humiliation in such happenings. .
Quotable Quotes :"Cows are my passion. What I have ever sighed for has been to retreat to a Swiss farm, and live entirely surrounded by cows - and china." Charles Dickens

1st August

Venita returned VV after Shravan Somvar Puja. She will go to Vikaspuri for the next puja on 7th Aug.
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Quotable Quotes :"If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers." Charles Dickens

30 and 31st July

30th
Venita went to Vikaspuri today in the afternoon for Shravan Somvar puja. Will return VV on Tuesday.
Quotable Quotes :"Young lawyers attend the courts, not because they have business there, but because they have no business. Washington Irving
31st
In the Supreme court in the afternoon.
Met Shri Das, senior VP and Chartered Accountant in the office of Paras Dyes. Requested to oversee submission of ITR  by me from next financial year.
Quotable Quotes :"Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart." Washington Irving