Fathers' Love for Daughter (Hindi)

Beti tere saubhagya ka kumkum aajj ghol k laya hu,
Vidhata ne jo likha tha pata dhundke laya hu.
Meri laadli k liye rumjhum jhalar laya hu,
Dil mera ro raha hai par chehre pe muskaan laya hu,
Pahaad jaisa baap bhi ro padta hai beti ki bidai se,
Aangan mera suna hoga mein vivash banke aya hu.
Bhul jana pihar k pyar ko aansu k sath kehne aya hu,
Dono kul ko roshan karna aisa najrana dene aya hu,
Ro ro k aankhe laal ho gayi hai beti teri aur meri,
Fir bhi tujhe alag karni padegi vyavhaar aur vachan k rishte se bandha gaya hu.
Ae samay tham ja jara thoda sa piche mudja,
Ajab riti riwaaj hai ye beti ko vida karne ka,
Hui suni bagiya meri, hua suna aangan aur hui suni aaosri,
Laadli ko laad ladane ka hai baki tab vo laadi bani.
Vidai dekar laado ko apni chup chup kar khub roya hu,
Jaise mera kuch ko gaya hai apne rhidaye k aangan me dhund raha hu,
Yaado me aayi boli lo papa mein aa gayi, maanane ko raazi nahi maan mera,
Apni beti ko doli me khud vida kar aya hu.

AISA PREM HOTA HAI EK BAAP AUR BETI K BICH ME.

~ Unknown

Booming Gujarat

Image via Wikipedia

GUJARAT: 49 YEARS of SUCCESS
On August 8, 1956, the Central government merged Gujarat, Saurashtra, Kutch and Bombay with Maharastra. This triggered a major riot and many were killed in police firing. The Maha Gujarat Nagrik Parishad was formed to launch a movement for a separate Gujarat. Indulal Yagnik became the ‘mahanayak’ of this movement, lasting four years. Finally, the Central government split Maharashtra and Gujarat into independent states on May 1, 1960. 

GUJARAT: Facts n Figures

• Latitudinal Location: 23.00 N  Longitudinal Location: 72.00 E
• Quick Facts on Gujarat Total Area: 1,96,027 square kilometers
• Quick Facts on Gujarat Ecosystems: Gujarat exhibits a great diversity of ecosystems ranging from deserts, scrublands, grasslands, deciduous forests, and wetlands to mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and gulfs.
• Literacy Ratio: 61.29
• Best Time to visit: October to March
• Languages Spoken: Hindi, Gujarati, English
• Gujarat is one of the most prosperous states of the country, having a per-capita GDP 3.2 times India's average.
• The world's largest ship breaking yard is in Gujarat near Bhavnagar at Alang.
• Gujarat ranks first nationwide in gas-based thermal electricity generation with national market share of over 8% and second nationwide in nuclear electricity generation.
• An average income of a Gujarati family in North America is three times more than the average income of an American family.
• Gujarat is having the longest sea shore compared to any other Indian state
• Gujarat is having highest no. of vegetarian people compared to any other state in India.
• The first ALL VEG PIZZA-HUT was opened in Ahmedabad.
• Gujarat is having the highest no. of operating airports in India (Total 12)
• Surat is the fastest growing city in the world
• Gandhinagar is the Greenest Capital City in whole Asia
• Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad(IIMA) is Asia's 1 st management college located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. 

JAMNAGAR: PETROLEUM HUB

      This region gave Indian cricket its dark knight. Decades later, Jamnagar has put Gujarat on the global refining map. Together Reliance and Essar refineries in Jamnagar have made Gujarat the world’s refining hub. While Reliance Petroleum Ltd. has put up the largest refining complex with an aggregate refining capacity of 12.4 lakh barrels of oil per day in any single location in the world and Essar has come up with 6.80 lakh barrels a day project.

SURAT: DIAMOND SPARKLES
    It was in the 1960s that famine drove Palanpuri Jains from north Gujarat to Surat. Gems and jewellery exports were then a miniscule Rs 5 crore. Patels from Saurahstra followed suit. In 1980s, as business grew, Gujarati diamantaires moved to diamond hub of Antwerp, where Jews controlled the trade. Today, India’s diamond exports are Rs 67,000 crore — majority of them cut and polished in Surat. Gujaratis control over 60% of trade in Belgium. 

PHARMA: HEALTHY NATION
    Starting with Alembic, makers of good old Glycodin, in 1907, Gujarat’s pharma sector today contributes the highest - 35 per cent - among all states, to India’s total output. Home to some of country’s pharma biggies like Zydus Cadila, Alembic, Cadila Pharma and Torrent Pharmaceuticals and close to 3,500 drug manufacturing units, the capital investment in Gujarat’s pharma sector has witnessed a CAGR of whopping 54 % in the last 3-4 years. 

MUNDRA & PIPAV: PORTS
    From Lothal in 2400 BC to Mundra in 2009 AD, it has a been successful voyage for Gujarat as far as port development is concerned. Two private ports - Mundra and Pipavav, country’s only two LNG terminals at Dahej and Hazira and a string of ports along its 1,600 km coast line, has enabled Gujarat handle at least 250 million tonnes cargo a year, the highest among all maritime states.

AHMEDABAD: WEAVING SUCCESS
    Within decades of Gujarat was born, its financial capital Ahmedabad emerged as the Manchester of the East. Legendary mahajans like Kasturbhai Lalbhai brought the city on the global map. The sector witnessed a decline in the 1980s, leaving thousands jobless. But, a revival was scripted in the late 1990s, with the city reclaiming its lost glory by turning into the denim capital -- manufacturing over 200 million metres of denim in a year.

ANAND: AMUL
    This billion dollar brand is Gujarat’s gift to Asia’s co-operative sector. Asia's largest milk brand, Amul’s foundation was laid in 1946 at Anand with inspiration of Sardar Patel. If Tribhuvandas Patel as chairman laid foundation of Kaira District Co~operative Milk Producers Union Limited, Father of White Revolution Verghese Kurien laid foundation of NDDB in 1965 and GCMMF in 1973. 13 dairies and GCMMF clock a collective turnover of Rs 10,000 crore. 

AHMEDABAD: NANO (world's most economic CAR)
    A landmark in the history of Gujarat’s business. Nearly a decade after General Motors drove in to Gujarat, the state changed gears with Nano. Investment of more than Rs 2,000 crore, Tata Motors shifting its small car project from Singur to Sanand helped the state wash away the taint of 2002 to some extent and paved way for Gujarat’s journey to become an auto hub.

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Shaping Young Minds

A lecture series - Shaping Young Minds - organised by All India Management Institute (AIMA), Ahmedabad where the four guest speakers (Indian Icon's) share their life's experiences with the students on the role of youth in nation building:

• Prahlad Kakkar, Ad film maker
• R Gopalkrishnan, Director, Tata Sons
• Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Sarod maestro
• Shobhaa De, Novelist

The seminar was meant to inspire young people, mainly students and young professionals to channelize their thoughts and energies in right direction on Saturday, April 18th, 2009. Below, I share the thoughts and advisory given in the seminar where more than 500 people participated:

"Do what your heart tells you and you may just end up doing right."~ Kakkar

"If you know your worth and are honest in what you do, speak up and stand by what you think. In all probability, you will be heard."~ Kakkar

"If you really want something badly and think you cannot live without it, then leave it because you will anyway not get it."~ Kakkar

"In this sensitive period, huge responsibility is on youth to vote for right reasons. We should shun criminals in public life and use our voting powers. Politicians are accountable to people not the other way round."~ De

"The country needs to change for the better and we all should contribute to make India more democratic and tolerant."~ De

"Youth must work together for a unified world without any mindless bloodshed." ~ Khan

 "Music is one religion and it speaks only one language of love and peace."~ Khan

"We have numerous memorials for political leaders but not for any single artist who have given up their life in service of music."~ Khan

"Life is nothing but a bunch of stories and we learn more from stories than instructions. Management education is all about people, life and experiences." ~  Gopalkrishnan

"Leadership is not about speaking, it's about empathy. Be human." ~ Gopalkrishnan

"It is music that helps me connect with God." ~ Khan

"Every one comes and leaves this world without anything on hand. Then why should everyone be treated differently? There is need to realise that we only have a common God." ~ Khan

"Whatever you do should involve a lot of passion. Then there is no chance you will not succeed." ~ De 

"The day you close your mind to responses, voices and emotions of other people, you are finished." ~ De

"Young minds can contribute significantly in steering the nation forward. This programme will provide a unique platform for professionals to interact with leading icons from different fields." ~ S K Swamy, President AIMA

Narendra Modi- Best Chief Minister of India for 2009

Image by World Economic Forum via Flickr

When it comes to politics, it doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman, illiterate or educated, urban or rural, old or young, Hindu or Muslim, upper caste or Dalit.
Everybody has an opinion and everyone believes he or she is right. Narendra Modi is not among the dozen or so men and women who barely conceal their prime ministerial ambitions but if a political version of “Indian Idol” were to be chosen, irrespective of these divides, the Gujarat chief minister is likely to win hands down.
Since 2002, when INDIA TODAY and pollsters AC Nielsen-ORG-MARG broadened the scope of the Mood of the Nation poll to assess the performance of chief ministers across the country, Modi has always been rated among the five best chief ministers in the country.
In our last three polls, he has held the number one slot and this year, with a nationwide approval rating of 20, Modi polled almost as much as the first and second runners-up, Sheila Dikshit (11) and Nitish Kumar (10), put together.
For the 15th Mood of the Nation poll, 12,374 voters in 19 states were asked to rate the performance of the chief ministers of their own states as well as their perceptions about the chief ministers of other states. Though chief ministerial writ does not extend beyond the boundaries of the respective states, some like Modi have come to acquire a pan-Indian image.
That Modi’s approval rating is a phenomenal 80 per cent in his home state should come as no surprise, but what is truly astounding is that across several states, he has got between 20 and 25 per cent of the votes.
Across the country, 12 per cent of voters who voted for the Congress in the last elections say they will vote for Modi if they get a chance. Proof perhaps that people believe in his development mantra.
The overwhelming endorsement is also a proof that despite the controversies that have surrounded Modi these past few years, people are by and large taken in by his image as an absolutely incorruptible politician, something that sounds like an oxymoron these days. Read full story here.

Narendra Modi says:

"For me whole Gujarat is SEZ - Spirituality, Enterprise and Zeal"

"IT+IT=IT Indian talent + Information technology = India Tomorrow"

"Desire + stability = ResolutionResolution + Hard work = Success"

Unplugged: A R Rahman

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

His music is everywhere; but his personal life lies ensconced within the walls of his two-storey bungalow in Kodambakkam!
We try to dig out lesser-known facts about the fiercely private musician AR Rahman.

• Nine-year-old Dileep Kumar a.k.a A R Rahman slept late, played carrom and hated waking up at 7 a.m to practice at the piano!
• Asked to leave school due to lack of attendance, he quit studies at the age of 15.
• When Rahman’s sister fell seriously ill in 1988, Pir Qadri, who cured her, advised the family to convert to Islam and they did!
• Dileep had a choice of seven names during his conversion. He chose Allah Rakha Rahman.
• Call it a filmi coincidence, his name was Dileep Kumar before he converted to Islam and his wife’s name is Saira Bano!
• His nickname is Isai Puyal.
• Rahman is closest to his mother Kasturi who converted to Kareema Begum.
• A true believer, he offers namaaz five times a day.
• Is superstitious about starting work according to the prayer time in the place of worship close to his heart!
• The maestro loves eating rasam-rice. When busy, he eats lunch at 5 p.m and dinner after midnight!
• Rahman lives in a small two-storey bungalow in Kodambakkam.
• He has three kids Khatija (13), Rahima (10), and son Ameen (5).
• His mother spotted Saira at a dargah and sent a marriage proposal right away!
• Saira Banu is the sister-in-law of Tamil actor Rahman and the daughter of a Chennai-based businessman from Kutch.
• The musician's wife likes to “dress him up” for important occasions; he is mostly dressed in black.
• Rahman loves to shop for music records at the Virgin Records store in New York. Once he landed in NY at 2 a.m and dashed off to the store.
• In Chennai, Rahman takes his family and friends to a Thai joint located behind The Park Sheraton.
• Rahman's long-time associate drummer Shivamani once cooked fish curry for him in London while he was working on Bombay Dreams. Rahman loved it. He's a non-veg but has suddenly stopped eating prawns.
• His Man Friday Swamidurai, fondly called Swami, has been with him since the begining of his career.
• As a bachelor, he used to often use the abbreviation LFA, which stood for ‘Love Failures Association’!
• Rahman usually sees his children off to school before he sleeps after working nights!
• He does not let his wife or children inside the studio when he’s working.
• Khatija doesn’t like her dad signing autographs in school and has asked him not to come there.
• Rahman’s son shares his birthday with him.
• The old keyboard that he used to play as a teenager is still displayed in his studio.
• A master with instruments, he likes dismantling parts and assembling them.
• A good mimic, he loves to imitate lyricist Vairamuthu, who in turn mimics Rahman’s style of walking!
• Rahman usually works in the night but he’s made an exception for SP Balasubramaniam whose songs have all been recorded before 10 pm.
• He likes listening to songs based on the raaga Sindhu Bhairavi.
• When Subhash Ghai once told Rahman during the music of Taal that he would once win an Oscar, Rahman laughed and reply that Indians can’t.
• Jai Ho was initially composed for Yuvvraaj!

Source: here

Being Positive ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Image via Wikipedia

"Keep my words positive, because my words become behaviors.

Keep my behaviors positive, because my behaviors become habits.

Keep my habits positive, because my habits become my values.

Keep my values positive, because they become my destiny."

~Mahatma Gandhi

Anger

Image by scriptingnews via FlickrAnger is a completely normal, usually healthy, negative human emotion. Why do we have it? I think it is because we want to Control situations of the past which we can't and to Control people's behaviour, the way we want them to behave them.

While thinking over it I found that it is due to image in our mind set which triggers Anger when ever it differs from our set image of situation or person which we have created for the person/ situation and that may be totally different.

I think we can win over this emotion by removing our expectations from people / situation. It's really easier said then done. But, I believe, we can start experimenting by making a declaration of having a day of no expectations with hubby, co-workers, kids, traffic, pollution, fund managers, bankers or even systems.

Are you ready to play the game? An invitation to share your views and experiences along with your thoughts on Anger.

I aspire ...

Image by jsymmetry via FlickrMay every being remain happy.

May there be no enmity, immorality or pride.

May the virtues prevail in all.

May there be no perils.

May there be no drought.

May there be no illness.

May everyone live in peace.

May there be compassion every where.

May no one speak malice.

May we always remain to be a responsible citizen.

By developing the understanding the nature of sustances, I develop courage to face adversity.

My Feelings...

Image via WikipediaMy feelings of friendliness for all.

My feelings of sympathy for the poor and miserable.

My feelings of indifference for the ill-virtued.

My feelings of praise, appreciation for people with virtues.

May I always look at good qualities of others and not their follies.

I Revere

Image by Christolakis via FlickrI revere 'God' who dissolved the bondage's of Affection for worldly desires, feeling of hatred, indulgence in pleasure of body senses;

I revere 'God' who has in his experience known the universal truth;

I revere 'God' who has shown the path of Moksha, ultimate happiness, to all;

I revere 'Monk' who has no material desires, who practice virtues within oneself and equanimity towards all.

Thumbs Up Gujarat

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• State to get 12 new Medical Colleges

At present Gujrat has 1655 seats which in two years time would go to 3300+ seats. Eight new colleges have been planned in Six cities: 2 each in Ahmedabad and Surat & 1 each in Valsad, Palanpur, Mehasana, and Nadiad. At present State has 12 medical colleges.

• Infrastructure: 3 more 4-Lane Highways

A move which will boost road connectivity & save fuel and time across the Gujarat of the road riders. The roads selected are Ahmedabad - Viramgam - Maliya, Halol - Godhra - Shamlaji and Rajkot - Jamnagar - Vadinar highways. As GRDC & L&T have signed agrrement, construction work will start soon and will be completed in 30 months. L&T will charge Toll on the highways.

• Farmers Cheer! 3 days & 12% Rainfall

Short fall in rains was sending shiverings to all spines here in Gujarat. But, the rainfall in last 72 hours benefited immensly as it was 12% of its annual average. Saurastra farmers are joyous as they will harvest 3 crops this year.

• Forensic Science Varsity at Gandhinagar

Gujarat govt. plans to start from next academic year next to Gandhinagar Forsenic Science Laboratory spread over 20,000 sq km. It was needed to filfill the shaortage of trained manpower.

• Library on Wheels by DPS (East) Ahmedabd

The idea behind the launch is to revive reading habit and bring books closer to the people, especially weaker sections of the society. On Wednesday, Shantibhai Patel, MJ Library's chief librarian said` it is essential for children to realise importance of books and Library on Wheels will go a long way in encouraging to read. It will also be an asset to those who have a desire to read, but don't have means.

• Special Relief Train for Bihar flood victims

Narendra Modi, CM of Gujarat flagged of a special train with all essentials worth Rs.4.7cr in countinuaton of Gujarat's tradition to support disaster-stricken people, be it Kanshmir, Andman Nicobar islands and Tamil Nadu. He louded Surtis for their noble act.

• Cellphone to solve your queries

'VoicePitara' as this new innovation is known, is a platform to connect people to various services using voice and keypad on mobile phones, according to its creators Vinay Modi & Mahesh Chopra. The technocrats are ably supported in their venture by the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM, Ahmedabad. The main advantage of our system would be communication in the local language without dependence on computers says its innovators.