Few pages of my book

On a Radhasaptami night, due to the lack of the sun rays at night, my mind seemed to act weird, thus writing these thoughts. I even asked my dad a while back about my dilemma, which was seeded by him 36 years back by naming me Goutham, who removed all the goal posts (read desires). As I chant Nirvana Satakam every day, which says I have no mother/father/teacher/friend/Veda/yagna, there is one and only eternal soul which is pure bliss, I started to delineate myself from everything around me, including my own family members. During the family crisis and issues, pain to the closest family member or the biggest fights with the nearest people caused me distress. So, I had to remind myself and digest Nirvana Satakam concept a lot more often to relieve the emotional pain to thus disassociate me from not feeling associated with any of my close family members. Similar to the family connections, I have also disassociated with the objects and goals around me. Whether it is a fancy car, luxurious

1300 kms of travel, 7 families, 2 months of planning, innumerable myntra, h&m, ajio orders & returns, 5 meetings to decide the location of Goa- for the new year to set it as the 'lifetime event', and on the night of new year, we were shocked to see marriage reception like party where an old man hosting retero soothing songs and childish games, and the audience are casually sitting in the chairs like they have come to witness a school event. However, our group didn't step back, instead of waiting for someone else to create a rocking environment, we put on the dancing shoes to set the floor to fire.   That's the way our new year end. Day 1 (28 -Wed): Journey of 650 kms from Bengaluru to Panjim, which has a steady degradation of roads from 3-way lane -> 2-way lane -> then to 1-way lane -> halfway and then ghats before reaching our resort. Best part of the journey was the drive through the thick jungle the road was covered with a canopy of trees shade, whic

 "All we expect is some kindness and a smile on the face" A parting statement told by our homestay owner in Chikkamagaluru struck my heart so deeply that I kept pondering all the way driving to Bengaluru. A relaxed unplanned trip was sought to commemorate our 9th marriage anniversary, so all we did was book a homestay as suggested by one of our friends and drive there without planning for the nearby attractions. As we covered quite a few scenic well-known and less-known places, created a list for the benefit of all if anyone plans for a trip. Wish you a happy vacation. Day 1: Drive from Bangalore to Chikkamagaluru. Took 1.5 hrs to cross city limits, so better to start before 8 to escape the traffic. Visited Belur Chenna Keshava Temple Water sports in Yagachi dam (5 km from the temple) and had a pleasant time in Yagachi Park too. Reached Smarika Farms  Homestay amid Coffee and Pepper plantations. Day 2:  Baba Budhangiri & Datta peeta temple in the same cave. A unique pl

People say that visiting a temple is more of a destiny than a choice. It seems true in our case too where we had no plans of travel and suddenly a sweet family friend in our society has benevolently invited us to join them in the car for the trip where the tedious work of selecting hotels and making itinerary was already done. We had to just book the hotels and pack the bags 😊 The biggest motivator is our son who is more excited than any of us as the host family's son is his bestie and he started counting down every day. The shopping, packing, and planning were very excitingly done by both the families together and the trip was also successfully completed covering much more than what we had thought and enjoying much more than the initial expectations.  The only surprise element is the tyre burst & a dent on the car at the same location in Rameshwaram on different days, otherwise, it was a pretty smooth and fun trip.  I have shared the places visited, attractions that could hav

 After a certain age, interest is mostly considered as a dreaded word after taking umpteen loans, credit cards, and other borrowings. I would like to share my experience about the other 'interest' - ' the feeling of wanting to know/have or learn about something or someone' . People usually complain about unfulfilled wishes/interests. Trust me, having the pain of unfulfilled interest is better than having no interest. When life frustrates you and tests you to the core, we usually attain this stage momentarily, where everything in the world looks silly and find no interest in anything. Nature has nicely weaved our minds and surroundings. After a few reasonably good instances, our mind will again start hovering again towards the same or increased list of interests, unless there is big enlightenment obtained under a bodhi tree. Our interests drift so easily over time and age. If you ask any person about the interests of his/her previous stage or future stage, it will ge

It is the time when everyone is happy that a dynamic leader has become PM who can show a growth trajectory and give better governance. I am also one among the many who is happy for seeing a dynamic and smart leader. His marketing skills which took BJP to the next level in Indian politics are an epitome of his smartness. Sometimes I feel BJP wouldn’t have got majority of this level if Modi hadn’t done marketing so high. Whatever may be the reason, we have got a good leader, mark my work it is leader not good person. I have got two doubts at the stroke of midnight over the upcoming govt. 1.        What is the growth he is growing to bring? Is it the inclusive growth, taking in account of the environmental issues or just a higher GDP growth and employment to everyone 2.        What is the guarantee that the newly elected representatives won’t get involved in corruption Let us discuss the second point which is more close to my heart. What is the guarantee that the newly elected wil