Thanksgiving

For those alums like me residing in the US this is a festival we look forward to. I am not sure if the reasons are the same as back when I was in school. I remember I used to look forward to the holidays in school as a break from the regular study routine replaced by a day or two of just hanging out with friends or playing games like cricket, football.

Thanksgiving is a harvest festival similar to the ones we celebrate in various parts of India, giving thanks for a bountiful harvest. Pongal and Baisakhi comes to mind. Thanksgiving is also referred to as Turkey day. The origins of the festival are obscured however the general belief is that around 1621 the native Indians saved the pilgrims (pilgrims were religious dissidents who separated from the Church of England and moved to Holland initially (1607) and then to the US 1620) from starvation by helping them cultivate their land and fish. The pilgrims thanked the native Indians by having a feast and the tradition continued to this day. Thanksgiving in the US is celebrated on the 4th Thursday in November.

So what happens for thanksgiving in modern times? Friends and families get together for dinner served earlier than usual. Unlike Christmas gifts are not exchanged. Food is served around 3 or 4 p.m and the spirit is to reflect and be thankful for all the things that have happened in the past year and reconnect with people one holds close. There is a lot of food on the table. Roasted turkey is a central attraction with stuffing of bread, sage (herb), celery, onions and carrots. For side dish there is Cranberry sauce, gravy, sweet potato mash, green bean casserole etc. Dessert is apple pie, pumpkin pie etc.

After all that gluttony the next day called black Friday is when people line up at the shopping malls starting at 4 a.m. sometimes 2 a.m. to be first into the shop to get the best deals on sale. Even if you don’t buy anything you need the exercise going shop to shop to burn the calories you gained from that one meal.

Happy Thanksgiving.

HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY! !

'Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man. '
Rabindranath Tagore

Remembering all the wonderful students of GHS, who taught me so much about life and its joys...Happy Children's Day.

With lots of love and blessings,
Pandit Teacher

Diwali- the "Festival of Light"

With lights glittering in every house, Diwali is being celebrated today in every part of India. Diwali, the “Festival of LIGHTS”, brings fun and togetherness. For children, fireworks, new clothes and sweets make this festival the most eagerly awaited of the year.

The celebrations of Diwali differ from region to region. There are many legends associated with Diwali and its celebrations. In Northern and Western regions of India, Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating and killing the demon king, Ravana.

  In Eastern states, Diwali is associated with the story of Narakasura, who had become a menace to people. He is killed by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.

  In Bengal, people celebrate Diwali as part of Kali puja. Kali is another form of Durga, the most powerful goddess. Goddess Kali pierces darkness with her strength. In North and South, people light earthen lamps on the occasion of Diwali.

I m sure you all are excited about Diwali, But there is a thing that I would fervently want you to do. Being the responsible citizens of India, we should try (atleast from our sides) to do something to keep the environment pollution free. We can do that by reducing the use of crackers to 50% & especially churchuri & annar because they contain Lead in higher concentration and causes Lead Fume Fever in humans. This is the day when Lung Cancer is initiated in many people whose Lungs are sensitive & this is (naturally) because of the pollution we create with the use of crackers.

Diwali is the only festival which contaminates all the Spheres of the Earth i.e., Lithosphere, Hydrosphere & Atmosphere & the Earth takes about 4 months to remove them or degrade them.

And I am sure you are aware of the heat holding capacity of various green house gases and the damage caused by them to our very own Ozone Layer.

So why not celebrate Diwali as a “Festival of LIGHT” in its true essence. Lighting earthen lamps, candles, enjoying with friends and family, having delicious meals, and hopefully Cadbury-diwali celebration :-)

Lets become environment conscious citizens and make it sustainable for generations….

Safety precautions for people who will still burn crackers:

1. Light fireworks outside the house.
2. Hold sparklers away from the body.
3. Light up rockets only on open ground.
4. Wear closed footwear and close-fitting clothes of thick material (instead of loose or flowing garments) while lighting fireworks.
5. Check the area before igniting fireworks to ensure that no inflammable materials are near.
6. Don’t  wear Nylon clothes – cotton is safest while lighting crackers.

Wish you all a Happy and Safe Diwali..

Please do comment your Diwali experiences..