There are no problems, they are just Challenges!

“If you think, you can!” This is one of those quotes which prove the law of exception wrong. Every individual who truly aspires to achieve something and works towards the goal with their mind, heart and soul, accomplishes it, no matter what! For such people, hindrances are nothing but small fragments of a chipped stone that don’t deserve any more attention than being kicked out of the way; even when the obstacle is something as big as a genetic disability. I have personally seen one of my friend’s brothers grow with Down syndrome and he has now taken the decision to continue his education and take up a post secondary degree. That young boy has the determination of a mountain giant!

Today, the 21^st of March, 2012 celebrates the 7^th anniversary of World Down Syndrome day, and the United Nations has finally recognised it as an International Day this year! What makes it more special for my friend and his family is that his brother has applied to the Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, Pennsylvania today!

I am sure that all his dreams would definitely come true, and I hope that he proves to be an inspiration for several others like him. I wish everyone a very Happy Down Syndrome Day, and request you’ll to do your bit in helping them and spreading awareness.

Let Your Heart Rule The Mind!

If you got up one day to find that everything you did was right, wouldn’t that be the best feeling? Oh! but I don’t mean that you are right even if you punch your brother in the face in order to win the rest-room race in the morning, or if you yell at your boss because that is something you had always secretly wished for. Don’t blame me if those things backfire; its not like God has granted you a day to do all you want, without adding it to your ‘Karma’ list. Today, the 16^th of March is a day when you must encourage yourself and everyone around you to feel good and feel right about everything you do.

Its called Everything You Do is Right Day! Well ideally, each day should be started with the thought, ‘you would not fall pray to any guilt, dilemma or stress’, but on this day especially, you are supposed to promise yourself to trust the judgement of the heart, believe in yourself and have faith in God.

I don’t know where days like these originate from, but I am sure it was some life-lover to think of days to remind the mankind that irrespective of our technological advancements, it is the human heart and the belief in God that can show us the right path to success! So here’s wishing all the lovely people I know, a very happy Everything You Do is Right Day!

A man called 'Genius'

A young boy was waiting at the signal to cross the street along with a few others; he decided to try out his favourite joke on them and asked, “why did the chicken cross the road?" One of them immediately replied, "My young burgeoning mind, ze question does not have a definite anzer. Vether ze chicken crossed ze road or ze road crossed ze chicken depends on your frame of reference." Almost everyone was taken aback at the reply and they turned to look at one of the greatest Physicists, the father of ‘Relativity’ – Albert Einstein!

I had read this joke around five years ago, but every time I think of Einstein, I remember it. Even though it is a made up tale, it is very believable, as I am sure the man is completely capable of coming up with such a retort. He was always known for his slapstick humour. He was not only a great comedian, but also a celebrated musician! Yes I am talking about the same Albert Einstein, who most of us only know as the Nobel Prize Winner. 

It’s his birthday today, and I thought of paying a tribute to the man, synonymous to the word ‘Genius’! This is one of my favourite videos, where Einstein gives an amazing reply to "God is Evil as he created Evil"! The young scientific brain proves that God does exist, and is definitely NOT evil. ♥ Hope you’ll like it!

Heal The World!

 

Cultural unity is not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people and beliefs, hopes and dreams, but one unifying bond – HUMANITY! I Love the theme of the Commonwealth Day this year – Connecting Cultures!

Whenever I think of cultural unity or fusion, I am reminded of coffee. When you've got some coffee that is too black, or too strong, what would you do? Add a little more cream of course? Oh but what would happen if you end up pouring too much cream? It wouldn’t remain ‘coffee’ any more. Something that was strong becomes mild. It loses its identity, its flavour, just like the cultures would, if blended in excess; don’t you think so? Isn’t it the best for everyone if ‘Each forms a whole and yet it stands out on its own’? Just a little food for though… What do you’ll think?

 

Beat and say Happy Holi!

 

Would you believe me if I said beating men with a stick is a traditional way of celebration in India? I didn’t, when my friend told me about it. In Barsana, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, people celebrate the festival of colours – Holi, wherein women beat men with (Lathi) sticks. If you just said ‘what nonsense’, you need to read further.

My friend said that this practice had its roots in Hindu mythology. Lord Krishna used to visit Barsana to playfully tease Radha and her friends by throwing coloured water on them and in turn, they would beat him with sticks and chase him out of town. Thus till date, men from Lord Krishna’s town (Nandgaon) visit Barsana and the women beat them with sticks; not literally beat them blue of course!

The little town of Barsana welcomes thousands of tourists and visitors every year around this time as several people wish to witness the ‘Lathmar Holi’. And guess what? While the rest of the country celebrates only two days of rituals and colours, Barsana begins its celebrations at least fifteen days prior to the actual day.

Today and tomorrow are the main days of Holi and not only Barsana, but the entire country would be painted in the colours of VIBGYOR! Wouldn’t it be magnificent? I’d love to be a part of it someday! :)

 

A Tribute to Michelangelo Buonarroti

I was a little disappointed when I opened Google today. I had expected a 'masterpiece' doodle to celebrate the birthday of none other than the Master himself - Michelangelo Buonarroti. Do I need to say any more? His introduction can never be bound to words, his paintings and sculptures talk on his behalf. 

So what if Google didn't feel it important to pay him a tribute, I will! Take a look at this beautiful video that compiles some of his greatest works! I bow to the man who gave us the magnificent Sistine Chapel, David and much more; the man who gave art a new dimension!

Plant a tree, plant hope!

Almost all occasions commemorate the past, but do you know of any that is celebrated for the future? Yes, there is one such occasion that people celebrate around the world to ensure a wonderful and healthy future – the Arbor Day! Around spring, several countries celebrate this day by planting trees and take measures to conserve nature, ensuring a Green future. Arbor means a tree, and the day was originated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872 by J. Sterling Morton. It is rightly said, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children” and hence this day is an effort to make people sow some seeds of gratitude for letting us borrow the Earth from our future generations. Especially, after witnessing the wrath of Mother Nature that we have called upon ourselves, it is not only our duty, but an obligation to conserve it and leave back something for the coming generations to live upon.

Many countries were inspired by the idea and chose a date best suited to plant trees according to their climatic conditions. Iran is one of them, and it celebrates its National Tree Planting Day today! So I wish all my Iranian friends a very Happy Tree Planting Day and would suggest that irrespective of the days, all of us must plant as many trees as possible and refrain from separating the Mother from her children.

Around the World in 94 hours!

Our newly married neighbours happened stop by last night for a cup of coffee and they told us that they were planning for a world trip. WORLD TRIP! Yes, that was my exact reaction. In my defence, it has always been a top priority on my bucket list and I am desperately waiting for the day I can plan one too. Travelling across the vast, wide globe and unfolding innumerable secrets that lie below the layers of time, is not just my wish, but a passionate dream that I want to achieve some day!

If I am left to it, I can go on all day, but I don’t think anyone would really want to read all about my travelling fascination, besides, there’s something I wanted to share with you’ll! Something, that happened 63 years ago - the first NON-STOP around-the-world flight! ‘Lucky Lady II’ was the first flight to circle the globe in 94 hours and 1 minute, without stopping. From 26^th February to 2^nd March, 1949, the 43^rd Bomb Group flew continuously covering 23,452 miles, using the in-flight refuelling technique developed by the British.

 

Now isn’t that amazing?

St David's Day

It’s the first of March, 

A day celebrated at large

By the Welsh around the globe

With Leeks and Daffodils

On shoulders or sleeves,

They adorn their national dress

On this day of St David’s

All adults and kids

Rejoice, chant and dance alike!

Happy St David’s Day to all!

Here are some interesting facts that I would like to share:

• It is believed that two pilgrimages to the city of St David’s equals one to Rome, and three pilgrimages, to Jerusalem

• Dewi miraculously raised the ground underneath him while preaching at Brevi, in order to be seen and heard by all. On his success, a white dove settled upon his shoulder, and thus, he is usually represented standing on a hill with a dove on his shoulder

• Saint David abstained from drinking and advised others to do the same, but for St David’s day celebrations, a number of Welsh breweries make special St. David’s Day ales