30th October

Completed morning program. Venita continued giving Diwali gifts.

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

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

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

Retired to sleep at 11pm.

29th Oct.

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

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

Returned home at about 11pm.

Retired to sleep at about 11.30pm.

28th Oct.

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

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

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

Retired to sleep at about 11pm.

27th Oct.

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

Retired to sleep at 11.30 pm.

Diwali

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

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

Retired to sleep at 0015 hrs of 27th.

25th Oct.

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

24th Oct.

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

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

21rst to 23rd Oct.

On 21

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

On 22 & 23

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

20th October

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

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

India won 3rd ODI.

Retired to sleep at 11pm.

19th October

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

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