'Shashtiabdapoorthi'


"India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most astrictive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only!"

Mark Twain

"If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions, I should point to India"

Max Mueller


Turning 60 is a social-religious event in India. When a man or woman turns 60, sacred Vedic ritual called Shashtiabdapoorthi is performed - 'shashti' meaning 60 years, 'abdam' the year and 'poorthi' completion of 60 years in a person’s lifetime. Numerous rituals are performed mainly to invoke peace, ensure good health, and longevity. India celebrating 60 years of Independence. When it comes to a nation, its the attitude and hard work of people that decide the progress and well being.

Wishing India on her 'Shashtiabdapoorthi'!

An Auto adventure....

Hiring an auto is a challenge, especially in Chennai. One has to debate, argue and what not to hire an auto. Now Govt has come up with some changes to make sure that nobody is taken for a ride (no pun intended). Once you come out of Chennai Central railway station, you will see the prepaid auto office. Its hardly 25-30 meters from station and by the time you reach there, half a dozen auto drivers would have already enquired about where you want to go. If you are successful enough not to strike a deal with them, you reach the prepaid auto office. There you have to pay Rs 2 and tell where you want to go. They will give you a slip that contains the destination, approx kms and fare. One has to give the slip back to the auto driver with fare once he reaches his place. My place is around 10kms from Central station and the auto fare mentioned was Rs 93,(In Banglore, where Petrol price is more, we can travel twice a distance with same fare). Rs 93?!!, now this is tricky! Make sure that you have exact change. I did not have( I had Rs 100 note) and I started visualizing what all can happen once I reach home. It was morning and auto driver might say, Sir this is my first trip, its raining, the place is bit interior, so you have to pay Rs 100. I started thinking how to tackle him. By the time we reached the exit point of auto stand, one person was standing there who took the slip from me, entered the auto number and gave back the slip. Along with that he gave me this card and asked me to write the feedback about system and post it.



I found this a good system, oops, lets not jump into any conclusion, so far so good. While entering the main road, I heard auto driver telling “if it was like this everywhere, it would have been good”!