A View of water at Sariska, Rajasthan

Photographs by : Seema Kumar

Crow on the Sea Beach

Photos by Seema Kumar

Motivational Quotes that motivated me

Today I recalled some of the old quotations.. from my school days and wanted to put them here .. like the thought for the day, and to remain here to read:

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Do not be too moral.
You may cheat yourself out of much life.
Aim above morality.

Be not simply good; be good for something.

- Henry David Thoreau

[US Transcendentalist author (1817 - 1862)]

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Aim at the sun, and you may not reach it; but your arrow will fly far higher than if aimed at an object on a level with yourself.

- Joel Hawes

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All things are difficult before they are easy.

- Dr. Thomas Fuller,

Gnomologia, 1732British physician (1654 - 1734)

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On World Environment Day

Today, une 5, on World Environment Day, my expressions come in the form of a few digital photographs ... of the flowers from one of my cherished plants.

And some more photograps are here, taken by my uncle, of our native village - which I have always loved because of its natural beauty and natural surroundings.

Photos: Seema Kumar

Shikha Lal clears the Civil Services Examinations conducted by the UPSC

It has been a long awaited day. Like most IAS aspirants for whom it becomes a passion, my younger sister Shikha Lal has also been putting in a lot of effort in the preparation for the the Civil Services Eximaniation. Finally 16th May brought the good news of her success and final selection.

She has a unique combination of subjects, looking at her academic background. She has been meritorious throuout.

She used to be class topper in school. In +2 she studied Bio Science. After +2, she joined All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and did four years' B.Sc. (Honours) in Nursing. She was the topper in her batch who joined AIIMS, and she also received scholarships while studying there. She was also meritorious while studying there.

She then decided to explore the Fashion and apparel industry, when I was already studying in NIFT. She joined National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), and did Post Graduate Diploma in Garment Manufacturing Technology (GMT). Here again, she received Gold Medal for 'Best All Round Performance' for NIFT-Mumbai centre (one person from one centre, including all courses, got this award).

She also worked in a export house for more than a year. But then her childhood aspiration to get into Civil Services came alive again. Parents supported her when she decided to attempt for it. And finally she did make it. Personally I do find it brilliant that she could do it even with her diverse academic background, and the subjects she chose for this exam was Psychology and Public Administration. Only she can tell us the secret :)

She is a very special person and everyone who knows her will agree with me on this. She is a wonderful soul, and I am sure if more people like her come into the Civil Services, they will certainly build a better India, a better world.

All the best to you, Shikha. Go ahead and fulfil your dreams. We are proud of you :)

**More than 300000 candidates appear for this exam and the final selection this year was for 734 candidates. Shikha ranked 456 in the final list.

From UPSC Website: A total number of 734 candidates recommended for appointment include 286 General (including 12 Physically challenged candidates), 266 Other Backward Classes (including 5 Physically challenged candidates), 128 Scheduled Castes (including 5 Physically challenged candidate) and 54 Scheduled Tribes candidates.

Child Fun

Happiness

A nice quotation I read today:

"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections."

Good Bye 2007

Another year comes to an end. It leaves some good things and some events to remember.

A few of such events are my brother's marriage, Tejal starting play school and some events there. Also the formal inception of RedMat Entertainment and Blue N Blaze. Also a change of job. Not too much of blogging this year on my personal blogs but some contribution in writing on 'Hind Yugm'.

2007 saw a foggy 'New Year 2007' in Delhi and NCR . Let us see how 2008 starts and what it has in store for us.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year, 2008.

Tejal's first stage presentation

Durga Pooja at CR Park

Durga Pooja at CR Park, Delhi

Last year when I wrote about Durga Pooja, I had posted some pictures of the Pooja at CR Park in Delhi. This year again I was at Chittaranjan Park with my family and it was again a good reminder of the celebrations that we used to attend as kids. I posted more photos here on Baal Udyan that I had taken.

Kids having fun ... round and rouuuuunnnnddddd

Here is a video of the 'Aarti' ... I always enjoy these beats during the 'Aarti'

Flight

Mother
When you taught me to fly
Were you aware
That one day
I would fly
Far away from you
To a new nest,
A new family ?

You would have been happy
That my wings
Can now take me
To far away places,
That I can fly to my destination
Even when alone..
Yet you would have
Had the doubt -
What if I get tired,
What if I fall.. ?
You would have had
The fear
That soon I would fly
Away from you.
Ever since I came to you
Your world has been
Revolving around me.
Your heart would have
Skipped a beat
Whenever you would have thought
This center of your life
Shifting elsewhere,
Gone to become
The center of
Someone else's life.

Yet, Mother,
You taught me
To spread my wings fully
And fly independently.
Even when far away from you
I always remembered
Your nest
And I kept returning there
To search for my memories..

Now it is my turn
To teach how to fly
And I still need you..
Your experience,
Your love,
Your guidance
So that even I can
Confidently
And fearlessly
Teach my little bird
To fly even higher.

- Seema Kumar
3rd October, 2007

(I wrote a poem in Hindi today - Udaan (उडा़न). While trying to explain its meaning to a friend who does not undertsnd Hindi fully, I ended up translating the whole poem in English... and here it is.)

Quotations

Some interesting quotes that someone shared with me today:

"Success is when ur Signature becomes an Autograph."

... and when will that happen :D ?

"Luxury is a necessity that begins where necessity ends."

... so even luxury is ultimately a necessity !!

"Dream until your dreams come true."

... and when one dream comes true, it gives birth to another one, so this process is lifelong :)

Random topics

This is a photograph of one summer evening at India Gate, Delhi, same day that we visited Qutub Minar. It keeps buzzing with people, tourists and children during the evening.

Days have been hectic and something or the other has been happening. Time flies. In the meanwhile I have written some new poems and posts in Hindi.

And before I go, some nice words that a friend shared with me recently :

"The happiest people in the world are not those who have no problems, but those who learn to live with things that are less than perfect."

Qutub Minar through my camera

Qutub Minar and Iron Pillar at Mehrauli, New Delhi photo by Seema Kumar

When you have guests who come as tourists, that is the time you get to get out and visit some such tourist places and historical monuments like Qutub Minar, Delhi, which otherwise remain just a view from the outside while you pass by. Qutab Minar, the 239 feet sandstone tower, the highest stone tower in India, is an Indo-Islamic architectural wonder of ancient India.

The Iron Pillar that has has withstood corrosion for the last 1600 years, despite harsh weather is another monument in the same premises.

When you actually go inside the premises and have a closer look, it certainly gives a different look and feel than viewing from outside or just in photographs. You can actually sense and feel history when you are in such kind of a historical place... the buildings, shapes, architectures, carvings, etc., everything has a silent story to tell... even if you don't visit with a tourist guide. Although a tourist guide can make you see many things that may remain noontices or not undestood if you are on your own.

These are just some of the photograps that I took this weekend while visiting Qutub Minar.

Today my table calendar reads:

You are a wise man today if you have learned from yesterday's blunders.

Does this indicate something ? Is this time to sit, look back and introspect and meditate a little, before moving ahead ? A need to spend some time looking within ? After all, isn't it said that the best guide and friend one can have is one's own inner self ?

This poem that got published today also has many questions.. some are too big questions I guess. But before that, there are many things, answers for many small questions that needs finding out. Maybe a little introspection for some time can help.

Construction and Creation

An interesting quotation that I read today:

"The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists."

Each Moment is a Wonder

Standing by the water,
I tried to count the countelss ripples
Caused in the silent water
Just by a pebble's throw
Or even by a gentle touch.

I strived to measure
The endless waves
That kept moving towards me
And then receding
Somewhere far away..

I yearned to embrace
The faceless wind
When it effortlessly touched me
And blew my raven hair
As it moved away from me.

The sand of time
Slipped away from my tight fists
And I watched the sand particles
Scatter and spread smoothly
Grain by grain, on the floor below.

As I enjoyed the flowers in the garden
I could see that the flowers' soft petals
Shall only last for a day
And their sweet fragrance reminded
"Enjoy me, before I fade".

They all kept repeating to me
Live, love, evolve, enjoy and cherish
Each little moment that you have,
Every flake of time that floats past,
As each moment is a wonder in itself.

- Seema Kumar
19th June, 2007

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Update July 6, 2021

In Dec 2020, I also updated this poetry Each Moment is a Wonder on YouTube.

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Lalyog - Specialised Yoga School for busy corporate guys & Ladies/ Children

As a young student, when I saw my brother Ashish suffering from Osteo Arthritis and 24/7 of excruciating pain, it was really sad. He was so young and doctors told him he will not be able to lift heavy weights, or do tough excercises. There seemed to be no cure. He did not accept it .. did not agree to what the doctors told him. It was not in him to give up without fighting. Even as a young student at IIT, Delhi, he went for Yoga classes, meditation and made sure not a single day was missed out. His dicsipline was admirable and so was his enthusiam. And today noone can say he ever had Osteo Arthritis.

It was late night and he was still not sleeping, was sitting upright and unable to even lie down. Was not well and was not able to breathe properly. We consulted doctors. They suggested inhalers. It was some form of Asthma. He did take inhalers, but no, that was not what he was going to do all his life like the doctors suggested. How can he live like a patient all his life? He fought again.. and won. He does not need inhalers any more !

He and his wife are both trained at different places for Yoga and meditation and they practise regularly with discipline. I have often wished that I had the same discipline towards Yoga and excercise. Even though I myself have learned Yoga, like all busy corporate people, even I have the excuse ... where is the time for all this.. at least not for daily practise !

We all are at least aware about the benifits of Yoga and regular excercise. So it was good to know that Ashish and Sarika have started Lalyog - Specialised Yoga School for busy corporate guys & Ladies/ Children.

This is what they have to say about it:

"Many corporate/ other busy people since several years have been expressing their eagerness to learn Yoga but couldn't do so due to lack of time because all courses elsewhere are of about a week at least. Capsule Course at Lalyog is a 4.5 hrs (it's a one day 4.5 hrs course) complete course covering important Pranayamas, Aasanas, Bandh, Mudra and Meditation and will suit busy men and women. Owing to more than 7 years experience in this field, we can assure that there is no such course available anywhere else in India! We both would be the trainers for this unique course."

"There is a specialised course named Weekly Course which is only for Ladies and Children (less than 10years) which will extend for 5days in a week. Sarika would be the trainer for this specialised course."

If you want to do the course in near future, you can contact on the numbers given at the end of this post. Given below is a brief about 'Lalyog' as given by Ashish:

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Lalyog : gateway to a sound physical, mental & spiritual health

YOGA:
Yoga is our yog i.e. union with our soul! Does this statement excite you? Union with our soul is possible only after attaining a sound physical, mental and spiritual health. Hence, whether you want to be physically & mentally fit or you want to move up the spiritual ladder in your life, you ought to get excited because you’re at the right place – Lalyog!

SPECIALITY:
At Lalyog, we have two types of courses each having detailed teaching of important Aasanas, Pranayamas, Bandh, Mudra and Meditation – without all these five elements, learning of Yoga is incomplete which is exactly the case with most courses elsewhere.

COURSES:
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Course: Capsule Courses (Two per week of 4.5 hrs each)
Days & Timing: Saturday & Sunday: 7.30am – 12noon
For Whom: For busy males & females who have lack of time

Speciality:
· No such course available anywhere else
· Personalized training – only about 5 people in a batch
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Course: Weekly Course
Days & Timing: Monday – Friday, 10.30am - 11.30am
For Whom: Only for Ladies and Children (below 10yrs)
· Specialized course for Ladies & Children by a Lady Trainer
· Personalized training – only about 5 people in a batch

Speciality
Anybody can choose either the course on Saturday or Sunday; however, only ladies and children (below 10years) can do the Weekly Course. The courses would be conducted in South Delhi.
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TRAINERS:
The trainers are Ashish Lal (B.Tech. from IIT Delhi) and Sarika Lal (M.Sc. in Life Sciences) and have more than 7 years of experience in all the 5 elements of Yoga. They have been trained from the Yogis of most prestigious Yoga University in India – Bihar School of Yoga as well as from other prestigious organizations viz. Art of Living, Vihangama Yoga Sansthana and Vipassana Meditation. They’ve cured themselves of incurable diseases like Osteo Arthritis (endured 3 years 24/7 of excruciating pain) and Asthma (took inhalers twice daily for several months) after being confirmed incurable from AIIMS and Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, New Delhi!

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF YOGA:
Stress release - mental and physical, very essential in this modern world.
Prevents/ cures/ reduces the suffering associated with problems like – Arthritis, Asthma, Obesity, Depression, B.P. (high/ low), Diabetes, Gastric disorders, Cardio-vascular problems etc. Surprisingly, the benefits are infinite because Yoga works on each and every used/ unused cell of your body!
Develops positive attitude towards goals of life via physical, mental and spiritual growth.

CONTACT FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
Mobile – 9811800120, 9213753803 & 9213196487
Landline – 011-40560820
Email – ashishlal_iitd@yahoo.com

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The Little Artist

Art on the wall ... the big canvas !

Enganed with colours :)

See.. I painted this ;)

More Photos of Rishikesh and Haridwar Trip

Rainbow, Rishikesh, 13th August '06

Ganges Water, 13th August '06

Sunrise, Rishikesh, 14th August '06

Thirsty Dog, Rishikesh, 14th August '06

Haridwar, 14th August, '06

These are some more photos from our Rishikesh and Haridwar Trip taken by me.

Questions about life

Summer is here. The sun keeps increasing its heat day by day and people start staying indoors most of the time during the day. I often think, does the thought process get effected by the season or the climatic conditions ?

There is a strange kind of restlessness. Does everyone feels the same or is it just me ? Is it because of the season, the weather, or just an introspective nature ? I have always felt life is too short and there are so many things that need time and attention and the unfulfilled ambitions need to be fulfilled, so many other things that I would like to do.

At one time, I had almost rebelled and went to study Drawing and Painting, after being a science student, and enjoyed it. It is almost nine years now that we had our independent group exhibition of our 'Pancham Group' and the members of the group went different ways to pursue different opportunities in life. I went on to pursue my professional course at NIFT and the related careers after that.

Few years of job and the restlessness bagan. Is this what I want from life ? Do I only need to have a full time job and trying to make ends meet, trying to find time for family and no time for things that I have always wanted to do ? What happened to art, to poetry, to thoughts about doing something for social development and lots of other things ? What happened to the girl who wrote THIS ... will it happen with the efforts that I am making towards it... or am I even on the right track ? Is life a cycle ?

Do we have answers to everything in life or is time the only answer ?

Thought of the day

"Even if all you can do is crawl across the floor, it's better than just sitting there doing nothing."

Photo by Seema Kumar

Cricket Fever ??

My brother's marriage

Another family occasion, another time to celebrate. My younger brother is getting married on 8th March and am leaving to attend the ceremony. Hope to have a good family time :)

Don't Quit Poem by anonymous - A favorite poem

Today I came across one of my favorite poems Don't Quit by an anonymous poet. It has been one of the most inspiring poems since my school days:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

- by anonymous

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Photograph of 'Haveli' - in India Today travel PLUS in their SPECIAL 11TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE JAN 2007

After Diwali I had posted the pics of A 'Punjabi Dhaba' - Haveli on my blog and on flickr. From flickr, it was picked up for India Today travel PLUS in their SPECIAL 11TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE JAN 2007. It has been published under 'EAT' section of Punjab (pg. 94).

The Entrance of Haveli.

The haveli Courtyard with traditional Dhaba style open air eating.

I had taken this photo on our drive back from Ludhiana to Delhi, after the office Diwali Party, where we had stopped for Lunch. I had heard about it and thought of giving it a try and it was good. Here again are some photos of Haveli.

Today I got a complementary copy of this special issue of India Today travel PLUS. Seemed to be a gift.. specially on my marriage anniversary day :)

Ansal Plaza at South Delhi

This is Ansal Plaza, one of the earliest shopping malls in South Delhi.
There was a time when we used to visit Ansal Plaza mainly to go to Shopper's Stop or McDonald's or window shopping.
I went there after a long time in the first week of Dec'06 where I took these photos. It was working day and not much crowded. There are so many shopping malls now all around, but when you go somehwere after a long time, you have a different type of fascination .. and that is what made me take these photographs.

All photos by - Seema Kumar, 6th Dec.'06