Antara Echoes

The other day I read an article in paper which was all about the West rediscovering the "indian arranged marriage" system and extolling its great virtues etc etc. You ask me, I say any marriage works only when the concerned parties want to make it work. Talking of marriages, I have a sis-in-law who is an engineer by qualification, working in a well-known MNC, quite good looking and with parents who have amassed enough money to give her a fairly grand wedding. The problem happens to be in getting the right groom. We have gone through the rigamarole of taking professional 'wedding' pictures, getting the horoscope done and uploading them in several of the available marriage websites. This not enough we have also taken the paid membership to several of these sites so as to enable us in our 'search' for the perfect groom. Its been over 2 years now with no luck. And its not just her, my younger sister, my best friend, the elder sister of another friend all seem to ...

In the same breath, here are a few other truths... 1. The intense & insane love you will feel for your kid will send goosebumps down your spine. 2. You will be amazed to see the perfection of the tiny form and gush happily that it all works and how! 3. You will realize that nothing smells quite as divine as how your baby does. 4. Every time you see your husband being so, so gentle with him, your heart will swell with pride and love. 5. You will feel something nice about your strong, able body....no matter what it looks like. 6. Traffic jams, global warming, bad bosses....everything else will seem simply silly. 7. The first time you leave him even for a shortwhile will break your heart and when you return home to him your heart will flutter like it has never before. 8. You will mentally list up the places you want to show him, things you want to tell him and imagine his gurgles & giggles. 9. You will realize slowly that you can still travel, meet up with friends, and think of a...

What they don't tell you but what you need to know during the initial months of having a baby: 1. 3 o'clock in the morning with a screaming newborn is *very* different from a 3 o'clock pyjama party with your friends. 2. There will be at least once when you are so frustrated that you want to slam your head against the wall, throw yourself to the ground and cry. 3. No matter how helpful your husband is he will never be able to do it like you. 4. Pumping is embarrassing, weird and you find yourself totally obsessing about how much milk goes in those bottles. 5. You will feel so vulnerable about your body and crave compliments more than ever before ("Wow, can't believe you had a baby" - works every time) 6. Your day will be scheduled by the TV shows (11 am - Saas Bahu (feeding), 2pm - Tamil soap (cereals & veggies)...4pm Friends (nap time) 3 more hours until hubby comes home) 7. A long, hot shower for your achy body (without you imagining your baby crying hims...

Pujya Swami Satchidananda attained his samadhi on the night October 12th at 8:10 p.m. Though he lives in our thoughts and through his ideals, the world has lost a spiritual leader. Making oneself useful to the society should indeed be the foremost objective of every one. Whenever opportunities arise, serve humanity in whatever way possible, considering such service as Seva of God . - Swami Satchidananda Anandashram – A world-renowned spiritual centre propagating the ideal of Universal Love and Service has been a beacon-light to humanity and a solace for the poor and needy through its multifarious humanitarian activities. The Ashram, founded in 1931 by Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas and Pujya Mataji Krishnabai, was being ably guided by Pujya Swami Satchidanandaji. (Pic courtesy: Yogasanft) The bhajan hall at Anand ashram with the life size images of the divine masters Pujya Swami Ramdas & Pujya Mata Krishnabai.

Controversy seems to be the easiest route to success. Be it movies, models, politics even lame TV serials today rely on some controversy or the other to up their TRP's. Nobody cares how you reach as long as you are up there. The latest controvery seems to be around the book - " The Jewel of Medina " - a historical fiction which is about the child-bride of Prophet Muhammad. Author Sherry Jones saccharinely says its a well researched "love story" between the 54 year old Prophet and 6 year old A’ishah who happens to be the daughter of his brother. Aa-a-ah! Random House who had reportedly paid an advance of $100,000 slowly distanced themselves when they received "cautionary advice not only that the publication of this book might be offensive to some in the Muslim community, but also that it could incite acts of violence by a small, radical segment" and realized they could be in the epicenter of a storm. Published by Beaufort Books the book could well be ...