Varane Avashyamund - Movie

A whole bunch of Malayalis in Chennai - most of them looking to marry but not able to or stuff like that. But delightful characters starting with a retired major with anger management issues, a flirtatious dancer with a hoary past and a teenage child. a guy called fraud, a chicken called KFC and best of all, a zany psychotherapist who has some wonderful therapies for anger management.
All in all, go for it though there are so many characters that you get confused who's who.

Life in Lockdown - Day 28 of 44, April 21, 2020

Day 28

Normal day. Wake up, journal, sit outside, listen to the birds, and then get right into work. Today I decided to sweep up the home AND mop. And, time it. I started off at 1030 and it went on and on till 12 noon! I don't think the maid takes this long. I need to figure it out and get it done faster. Bit of this and that and its time for lunch.

Today is also the day I decided to go out to buy some stuff. Considering that the Ratnadeep boy told me that the crowd is a little less between 230 and 4 pm, I decided to go out at 230. The roads were emptier than normal and then I saw the chicken shop was shut the medical shop was shut and even Ratnadeep was downing its shutters. Hey, what's happening? We have time from 7 am to 5 pm right? No sir, said the security chap, the cops came and shut us up. New timings are 7am to 11 am. Whoa. There are crowds that are 20-30 people long in the 7-5 slot. Now there will be crowds 50 strong I should think, translating to longer waits of up to an hour. Let me check tomorrow. Why did they change it without warning I wonder?

Ramnarayan and Vijay Lokapalli were on phone today. Some cricket talk. Meditation and some chats with Sanjay, Ranjan and Don over Zoom. And the day is done.

Pankaj and Aarti Are out Again 
Despite the stricter enforcement of rules and regulations - now one needs to carry proof of residence so as not to flout the 3 km cut off - Pankaj and Aarti were out in the heat helping those in need.

Aaarti packing the kits

Today Pankaj and Aarti packed and delivered 300 hygiene packs to the police department, who took it to deliver the same to tribal areas which are inaccessible and have no access to essential items.

One hygiene kit

They also arranged 5000 masks for the police.

Pankaj (far left) and Aarti (far right) and friends at the police station

Well done Pankaj and Aarti. You are doing amazing work. Procuring, packing, driving from Sec'bad to Gachibowli in the heat and helping out doing your bit is simply outstanding.

Off it goes to tribal areas!

A word must go out to the police who are doing a great job and for whom Pankaj has only the highest respect now. Pankaj buddy, keep going and I will posting as long as you keep sharing!
Heroes for the day again!

Dr. Sundaragopal Sridhar and Team at CSIR-IICT Devise Low-Cost Masks 
S. Sridhar was a fantastic all-rounder in his days, part of our team when we won the Inter-varsity tournament laying for Osmania University in 1990.

He graduated as a Chemical Engineer and then became a scientist at IICT. Today he is a leading expert in water purification technology, an award-winning scientist with over 40 awards, hundreds of papers and 2 books to his name.

Sridhar had shared a low-cost mask he had devised a few days and today he shared the happy news that CSIR-IICT had delivered 100 protective face shields and 50 washable face masks to the ACP, Vanasthalipuram Division, for use by the police force. The ACP, despite his world load, sent a letter thanking the Director for the help provided.

Some Heartwarming Stories to Keep the Perspective Right
I came across a news item in Hyderabad's Khairatabad area where a Hindu man died due to TB but none of his neighbours helped - in fact the ostracised the family fearing it to be a COVID death. Five unknown Muslims helped and organised the last rites after hearing about the family's plight. Great job guys!Full marks to humanity.

https://m.timesofindia.com/city/hyderabad/five-muslim-men-organise-last-rites-of-hindu-man-shunned-by-neighbours/amp_articleshow/75242735.cms

While searching for this article I found another article about a similar situation in UP when Muslims helped cremate a Hindu who died of cancer in a curfew area. They chanted 'Ram naam satya hai' and performed the final rituals.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/muslims-conduct-hindu-mans-funeral-rites/article31334241.ece

And another in Indore, where Muslims helped perform a Hindu man's final rites...

https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/coronavirus-lockdown-muslims-help-perform-last-rites-of-hindu-neighbour-in-madhya-pradesh-822451.html

And so many more such stories

A Lamp for Dr. Simon Hercules Soul
And amidst, all this one heard the sad story of Dr Simon Hercules, who died treating COVID patients in Chennai and how people stopped his funeral by stacking the ambulance and helpers. His associate Dr. Pradeep Kumar performed the last rites himself with the help of two ward boys as policemen stood guard. Incredible. The doctor community has asked for a diya to be lit for Dr. Simon's soul. May his soul rest in peace.

indiatoday.in/india/story/he-didn-t-deserve-this-chennai-doctor-shares-trauma-of-having-to-bury-friend-who-was-denied-burial-by-mob-1669172-2020-04-21

Dr. Simon died in the line of duty. His death is no less than that of any heroes. He shall be remembered. And well.

RIP Dr. Simon Hercules

While there are so many doing so much, the least I could do was light a lamp for Dr. Simon and countless others losing risking and losing their lives in these times. I decided to light the lamp every day for those on the frontline, for those who are suffering, and send out a prayer for them.

More Food Pics
Here's a couple of food pics of the day.

God knows who sent it but it looks yummy!

That's it for today!

Lessons Others Taught Me 2 - Satish Nargundkar

Now Dr. Satish Nargundkar, is a Professor at the Georgia State University but is also a Hapkido instructor and black belt, among many other things. He learned his Hapkido skills from his master, Master Chang, a man with amazing insights and skills. Once Master Chang apparently cured a serious injury that Satish had - through sheer energy. Satish and I, when he comes to India, go on long morning walks or have long talks about this and that because he has varied interests in life and many experiences. Of the many, the big lesson I picked up from him was this.

Satish told me several years ago that Master Chang insisted on two things done well - make your bed every morning after you wake up and put your footwear in the right place after you come home. Looked simple enough. I decided to follow it. It's been ten years or more now. I make the bed (as well as I can) and put the footwear in place. Small things, but maybe they helped bring in some small change in me.

Then I saw this. A speech by Admiral McRaven at the University of Texas, Austin. Of the many points he makes in his speech, the first is to make your bed if you want to change the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaQZFhrW0fU

Watch it.

And Satish, thanks for the lesson. Now I know why - you start with feeling that you accomplished something, encourage you to accomplish another and another. If you can't do the little things right, you can't do the big things.

Failure to Launch - Movie

2006. It's about three 35 year old men who still stick around their parents' houses and how the parents hire a relationship expert who will befriend one of the boys and wean him away from home. And falls in love etc etc. Light romance. Mathew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker.

Life in Lockdown - Day 27 of 40 (and more), April 20, 2020

Day 27

No problemo with 27 days of lockdown stuff. I still feel there is so much to do, glad I am able to complete a couple of things which were on my mind. Hoping that by the next couple of weeks, I'll get one project off the table. A bunch of cricket short faction stories.

This flower falls so gently...

I realised that calls have become longer now since everyone is at home. It's the rare call that is a mere five minutes. And it's not like we are talking nonsense. I don't know what it is but its better to limit calls I realised.

Baig sir called today, Choudary called with his updates and a couple of calls here and there. Most of the day went into writing the column and then lunch and writing post-lunch and its time for meditation etc.

It's been a quiet day. No table tennis, not much other stuff.

Blondie - One Day or Another
I found an interesting song 'One Way or Another' by Blondie which I will share and take leave!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VFuHj9_Tgw (One way or another - Blondie)

Sadhana's blog
Sadhana Ramachander, author, publisher, blogger (one of the most impressive blogs I'd read) shared a blog she wrote addressed to her two daughters. I really liked it.

http://sadhanablog.blogspot.com/2020/04/to-my-children-in-times-of-covid-19.html

Aakrosh - Movie

1980. Govind Nihalani's award-winning debut film based on a page 7 news item of a real-life incident where a tribal is being tried for the murder of his wife when he actually is the victim - she was raped by the foreman and has committed suicide. Om Puri as the tribal does not utter a word through the film (except for a couple) and says it all with his eyes. Stunning performance. You cannot forget those eyes - ever.

Canteen Fundas - Homezoned? Get Out of Your Comfort Zone!

Take the 21 day challenge - do one out-of-comfort-zone act a day!

https://epaper.newindianexpress.com/c/51122661