Tuesday, April 30, 2013

#Everyday#Earthday

A page from my daughter's project work book  .... #EverydayisEarthday


The Earth is Our responsibility - another page from her Project book :) 
(She insisted and cut and stuck the pictures and wrote all by herself .... wish  we could all do more to save the earth)


Gulmohars in bloom in our backyard

Took these pictures of the Gulmohar flowers in our backyard.. The red flowers of the Gulmohar tree.... the more hot it gets, the more these beautiful red colours are seen splashed on the tree branches with the incessant coo-ing of the cuckoo and so many birds outside :) Spring is mid way heading into a really hot summer and hoping for the rains especially in the monsoons ..


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Atma-Shatakam by Adi Shankaracharya

Om Chidanandroopam Shivoham Shivoham ...
I used to hear these mantras while recovering and still hear them when I need solace from this maddening world .... I find peace after hearing it and my heart and soul knows that all will be well.
Though I don't know the exact translation of this powerful shloka ...
The shlokas themselves very soothing. embalming the spirit and soul ...


I'm hearing them again and rediscovering my self once again.... 

"Many a time I have lost my self ...
Many a time I have found my self in the silent swaying of the cool summer breeze,
In the silent whisper of a bud and the dancing leaves... 
In the gurgling of a little baby and the joyful laughter of children....
I have found my self in the twittering of birds merrily singing, perched atop trees...

I have found my self in the breaking a new dawn. 
I have found my self in the promise of a new morn.


In Prayers and in Silence I have found my self again ...
Copyright Madhavi Sood alias Madhavi Mohandas 2013.

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA MANTRA

| Om Namah Shivaya |  Praying with bowed head and a heart filled with gratitude...
Praying for your Light to shine in all of us ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2DDmdKhIc4



Gayatri Mantra

A Universal Prayer .... For Good health, for intellect, for the goodness to prevail - each time and every time...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDnamSM3Z3s

Wishing, praying for the light to shine !!
The light that is there in all of us - praying that it always shines like beacons across the world filling it with abundant love, joy and light!

O ShaktiMaa ! You, who protects one and all, I pray in all humility for you to encompass all in your radiance ...

Hanuman_Returns-Hanuman Chalisa[Child Voice]]

Jai Hanuman ! O Lord Protect All Children .... all people ..... Let the Light shine on All.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSJqKL2L8Fc

Sri Ganapati Atharvasheersham

OM! Praying Prayers ... Praying .....  Prayers can many a miracle make ...
O Lord Ganesha! Please help those who come to you in faith and with pure hearts....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo8PFx5OeJ0

Monday, April 22, 2013

On Earth Day - support ban of plastic carry bags #banplasticbags

Please Support a Ban on Plastic Carryout Bags


Single-use plastic bags represent one of the greatest environmental catastrophes of our generation.
It is estimated that 60% -80% of all debris in the ocean is land-based plastic. Plastics take hundreds of years to break down at sea and most types are not ever truly biodegrade.

Plastic bags are so aerodynamic that even when properly disposed off, they can still blow away and become litter. They easily escape from garbage trucks, landfills, boats, and often average consumers' hands. Not only a visible eyesore, plastic bags are dangerous to wildlife. They are often mistaken for food by marine mammals and seabirds. The United Nations estimates that plastic bags kill 1 billion animals per year. These animals suffer a painful death as the plastic wraps around their intestines or they choke to death.

Countries that have banned or restricted them include: China,  Israel, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Thailand, several states in India, three states and territories of Australia, Paris, Mexico City, Rajasthan (India), Sikkim (India), Taiwan, Singapore, Bangladesh, Malawi, Germany, Sweden, Paris, Mexico City, and three states/territories of Australia.

Please support a ban on plastic carryout bags ....


( Portions of this taken as it is from the site www.sierraclub.org ) Do Visit the site as well.

Save the Earth .... #OnEarthDay

On Earth Day today 22nd Apr'2013.
When the World will rise to protect Nature, protect the Seas, Nurture Nature and All Children and all the people around- keeping the Environment safe, healthy and sustainable ..... Indeed Each Day will be celebrated as Earth Day!  Can you make a vow, a silent promise to Take care of the Earth ? Would You ? Can You ? Will You ?

Hoping to raise consciousness through prayers and meditation,  my poems and writing .....

Wishing to Cycle myself to better health and saving the Earth in my own small ways... 
If we all stop to think of ways to Save the Earth and the Environment in small, certain ways  ; indeed it would add sum up in Saving this already shrivelled and pained Mother Earth....
(These are my views and steps, would love to hear from you and any more ideas to join in Saving Our Earth. So do pen down, oops key in and write back - would greatly appreciate it :) )
Ways to Save the Environment -
1)  Save Water 
2) Create less Pollution
3) Prevent Pollution - so much has already been said about all this.

 All I want to add to it is just this, "If you can simply walk or cycle nearby; do so. :) 
 If car pool is safe -  go ahead start one!! If you can brush your teeth using mugs of water instead of a full open running tap, do so! And don't worry, your face and teeth will sparkle all the same and that too with a halo on your head- because of the bit you tried to do to save water.
If you have stored water and not used it for a long time... please, please don't empty it into the sink.... maybe those little plants and shrubs, trees could use an extra helping (gasp, gurgle) of water from you (And you're on the way to a bigger halo around your head!! :) 
Collect all the rain water possible while it rains and you could put good use to it later in cleaning, swabbing and washing your cars, bikes, cycles or even floors !! Just do it, save them precious drops of water ....   Save it now !! "   

If you are not sitting in the kitchen, please switch off that extra light. Perhaps use less wattage, less powered electric light. If you have little ones then maybe putting a zero bulb in the hall way could do the trick (the ones that consume less power!) and you could have fun playing 'space games' or any games that your little ones cook up along with you !! I did that with my little one and believe me it was loads of fun filled laughter, tickling and then followed by stories on stars, planets and the universe....
My husband and me put up stickers of planets, stars, space ships on the ceiling roof of our cosy bed room and we would count the stars and doze of to sleep!! (actually most of the times I was the one who knocked off, while she was asking me, "Mamma what comes after 99?" - this was when she was just two yrs old! :) 

How to beat the heat without the AC or Cooler !!!  Very elementary and simple Watson!  Just store a bucket of water for some time (maybe an hour before you bathe) and then the water gets really chilletoo. d, have a nice Cool cold water with it ... if possible open all the doors, windows of your room (of course, ensure you put on a mosquito repellant ) and then also if possible hang a wet towel or two in the same room. Hey presto! You have the effect of an Air Conditioner or a Cooler (in terms of the elements of physics - good ventillation, great circulation of air across the rooms..... but all this depends to a good extent on the wind and whether its blowing outside ..)

4) Of course, usage of alternative sources of electricity viz. Solar panelled water coolers, heaters, electric supply and using Wind energy. 
Can we all work towards clean, green energy - harnessing the Sun and Wind apart from conventional hydroelectricity and chemical battery operated generators etc. Street lamps could also be powered by Solar energy panels.

5) Make sure the water in the rivers are not polluted by industrial effluents. If you see it, report it !!
6) Start using cloth, jute or paper bags for shopping - Ban the use of plastic bags that cause a lot of pollution. Using recyclable material will save the earth for generations to come...


A Page from my daughter's Project work note book :) 

Thanks for reading, in case I missed on any vital points, please do add-on to this too. Look forward to hearing from you. I would greatly appreciate and treasure your Comments / Views / Ideas :) 






Demanding Safety, Justice and Eradication of Rape!! Can we join hands to #StopRapeNow ?

In a Land where the girl child is worshipped as a Goddess, whose feet are washed and revered more than ever during the Navratri Festivals all across India.... The recent brutal rape of a 5yr old girl near Delhi- makes me very pained, deeply anguished and angered at the same time!
I too am a Mother and wish for the safety of all children girls and boys. More Law and Order needs to be enforced, even if it means a death penalty to the accused Rapist, life imprisonment of those Authorities who did not do their duty - and severest of punishment to those Police officials (juniors and seniors alike) who shirked from doing what they could have ..

At this point, I am aggrieved and worried at the way justice is being meted out...  Are children, women and men truly going to be safe?  Do the Police need to be more vigilant if not empathetic towards such cases and not go slapping Protesters?
Wondering why, why do we have to always Protest, is it not enough that those who are the ones who are meant and duty-bound and have taken the oath to protect - are balking and want for doing the same?
Why, Is it so difficult to simply dispense one's duties well enough? 
Is it so much that we cannot hear the pleas, cries of those who are injured, raped or hurt - and where is our #Humanity, #humaneness gone ? Did the little girl who was ill-treated, raped, brutually tortured (and barely five years old)  not have #human rights to Live a normal, wonderful childhood?
What if it was one of those Rapists / Police Authorities child? Would they have been so slack ? Would they have tried to hush up their own too?

Stop RAPE NOW! 
Stop the minds that go astray.... Punish those that act brutually thus, or a part of protecting the Rapists, or who have been slack; setting an example that 'RAPE is a PUNISHABLE OFFENCE! BEWARE!  STOP RAPE!  PUNISH THE GUILTY! PUNISH THE COMPLACENT!!

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Ek School Banana Hai [Full Song] (HQ) With Lyrics - Chillar Party


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd2VTTw_7t0

Behla Do - Chillar Party.flv

Are We safe ? speechless, aghast at what's happening in the society .... Can WE ALL MAKE A SAFE SOCIETY ? Can we make it safe for all our Children ? PLEASE STOP RAPE!! STOP RAPE NOW!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24nqoClrLFM

PLEASE STOP RAPE!! STOP RAPE NOW!!

STOP RAPE!  PLEASE STOP RAPE!
Why are these people who commit such barbarism not being nabbed, punished severely? When will the Authorities and People in Power STOP Rape from happening ? Will the Law alone help? Can WE change mindsets and make the childhood of ALL children safe ?  Seeking Answers, Justice and hoping that our kids remain safe.... Women and Men too move safely and know that the Police would do their duties and nab these criminals who are worse than animals... Will those officials not doing their duty be punished too as an example ? Can We? Will WE STOP RAPE!
                                          Do we have a duty as a Society ? Can we move to STOP RAPE?

Friday, April 19, 2013

Reliving the innocence of childhood days through the Movie and song 'Chillar Party'

Simply love this song and movie 'Chillar party'..... reliving the joys and innocence of childhood through this song and movie I just watched with my daughter! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxjCcPx2FSk

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Seeds of Freedom - Must Watch and hear

The Seed is the part of the plant that carries a young baby plant inside it, waiting to sprout and grow into a sapling, then a plant .... Why Play with Nature and Seeds ?

Must Watch and hear it ..... For Seed Freedom ..............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-bK8X2s1kI

Friday, April 12, 2013

My Global Conversations with Neale Donald Walsch for Peace

Here's the Link of my Global Conversation with Neale Donald Walsch for Peace ..




http://www.theglobalconversation.com/blog/?p=4554#comment-847360351

http://www.theglobalconversation.com/blog/?p=4554#comment-848424496


Peace is needed to survive and for Life !
Peace can happen when there's no strife !
Peace !! Harmony !! Inner Peace !!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Happy Gudi Padwa !!! My Guest Blog with Karen Ingalls (Author of 'Outshine' - An Ovarian Cancer Memoir)

Wishing You All a Very Happy Gudi Padwah (A Happy New Year) and hope it ushers in good health, success, happiness and prosperity and New beginnings to you.

I feel deeply humbled and honored to share the link to my Guest Blog about my book with Karen Ingalls, who I had the privilege to meet and became my pen friend (blogger friend)...
Karen Ingalls is  a wonderful person, a true spirit and a survivor who beat Ovarian Cancer and still is ever so optimistic and shining in spirit.
She is a renowned writer and the Author of  'Outshine' - An Ovarian Cancer Memoir,  a book that tells about her long battle with Ovarian Cancer and of her painful journey and how she overcame it with positive spirit....  

So here it is the Guest Blog about my book 'From the Silence Within'  ....

http://outshineovariancancer.blogspot.in/2013/04/from-silence-within.html?showComment=1365700245970#c8919228798123664055

Please Do Read on,  Like / Share ... 
Thanks for spreading the word ......

Happy Gudi Padwa ... ushering in New tidings, New Beginnings ...

Happy New Year wishes to All.. ....  Happy Gudi Padwa wishes to all my family and friends - far and near and all those I hold dear ..... May the New Year usher in a lot of Peace, Happiness, Good health and Success and Prosperity for all of us....



My Guest blog with Karen Ingalls about my book 'From the Silence Within'

Wishing You All a Very Happy Gudi Padwah (A Happy New Year) and hope it ushers in good health, success, happiness and prosperity and New beginnings to you.

I feel deeply humbled and honored to share the link to my Guest Blog about my book with Karen Ingalls, who I had the privilege to meet and became my pen friend (blogger friend)...
Karen Ingalls is  a wonderful person, a true spirit and a survivor who beat Ovarian Cancer and still is ever so optimistic and shining in spirit.
Karen Ingalls is a renowned writer and the Author of  'Outshine'- An Ovarian Cancer Memoir, a book that tells about her long battle with Ovarian Cancer and of her painful journey and how she overcame it with positive spirit....

So here it is the Guest Blog about my book 'From the Silence Within'  ....

http://outshineovariancancer.blogspot.in/2013/04/from-silence-within.html?showComment=1365700245970#c8919228798123664055

Please Do Read on,  Like / Share ...
Thanks for spreading the word ......

Monday, April 8, 2013

The simple joys of Life open up a whole Universe of happiness.


" The Simple joys of Life open up a whole Universe of happiness."

I was reminded of my own childhood days when we would run out and play under the Sun without a clue of how long we had played outside instead of being glued to the Television watching Cartoons or playing virtual video games... (though I have nothing against either of it, excepting the fact of the time well-spent or ill spent during holidays... )
I remember My Dad taking us every night for an after dinner stroll as he slowly introduced us to stars, pointing them out. It was always a time of great bonding, talking about the whole day with me and my brother and his own day's work or worries that he would share with us.
We had great fun, I recollect now so vividly while both of us tried locating the Great bear, the Casseopia (its the constellation shaped like a 'W') , the Belt of Orion and the Pole star.

He would encourage us to read (and even does so now) and find out more about the Stars, the Milky way and the Comets and and showed us so many constellations to me and my brother as we walked alongside with him... We would be forever asking him questions, as he would patiently answer us back, as we walked together on either side holding his hands.

I still remember holding his fingers and now look on fondly myself as my daughter scampers off almost jumping to get her bear-hug from her Grandad now and walk alongside him as he now answers her umpteen questions and listens to all her little fairy stories with ever rising wonder....


Truly, its the simple things and little incidents that sum up to make a life filled with joy !!
Thanks for connecting with me and my blogs

Best Wishes,
www.madhavisood.blogspot.in
www.madhavisood.wordpress.com

On Miracles and Prayers ....



Sometimes when we pray with a grateful heart, 

even the most unlikely of circumstance becomes a miracle .... 

Copyright Madhavi Sood alias Madhavi Mohandas 2013.

 (The colourful cartoon picture is drawn by my little daughter )



Saturday, April 6, 2013

Hanuman Chalisa New by Udit Narayan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OMGktVrioc

O Lord Hanuman! Just as you leapt and crossed the mighty ocean in one giant leap with inherent faith in the Lord Rama in your heart, I pray with bowed head and folded palms to always be in my heart and give me the strength to bear all that Life offers me at all times, with a smile on my lips and ever rising gratitude .... Please help me and all those who call out your name .... please hear my prayers and stay in my heart and soul forever ....

Michael Jackson - Heal The World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWf-eARnf6U

I have been humming and singing this song .....  Heal the World by Michael Jackson who created so many dreams through his songs ....
There are people dying if you care enough for the living .... Make a better place for You and for Me ....
Make a better place for the entire human race .... save the world for our children.............

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Excerpts of my poem 'Crossroads' ....from my book 'From the Silence Within'


A small excerpt from my poem 'Crossroads' for you ......
Which path to choose and take??
Should I give it all up -
 For what my heart truly yearns?
Or push my head ahead.
And let the heart bleed.
So that I too reach where others have long gone reached?


Or should I just close my eyes.
And let my heart and soul wander.
Move tracing paths and doing;
What none has moved …
‘To Be or Not to Be’ and ‘To Do or Not to Do’ are still questions
Yet unanswered, when, each reaches Life’s Crossroads …

Copyright Madhavi Sood alias Madhavi Mohandas 2012.
All Rights Reserved.
Published in my book 'From the Silence Within'

Monday, April 1, 2013

Excerpts of my poem 'Dare to Dream' ....



If I could dream a thousand dreams.And work hard to make them true.Onto far horizons and green valleys I will fly.If today, I give my best shot, my ardent try.....

Today I dream, I dare to dream.Of impossibles that say, I am possible someday.On the wings of my maiden flight.Heaven let me dare to dream, with my goal in sight.Copyright Madhavi Sood alias Madhavi Mohandas 2012.All Rights Reserved. Published in my book 'From the Silence Within'



Some wonderful quotes ....

Some Wonderful Quotes :
"Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. 
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." - Lao Tzu




"Don't wait around for your life to happen to you. 
Find something that makes you happy and do it. Everything else is just background 
noise." - George Mason

"Jump in boots and all, bite off more than you can chew then chew like hell." - Natalie Ledwell  
 (Thank you so much for triggering off my imagination to reply to you and also put this blog post.) 

" If I could dream a thousand dreams.
And work hard to make them true.
Onto far horizons and green valleys I will fly.
If today, I give my best shot, my ardent try.....

Today I dream, I dare to dream.
Of impossibles that say, I am possible someday.
On the wings of my maiden flight.
Heaven let me dare to dream, with my goal in sight."

Copyright Madhavi Sood alias Madhavi Mohandas 2012.
All Rights Reserved. Published in my book 'From the Silence Within'
Available in paper back cover via Amazon, Tower, uRead, Landmarkonthenet, Crossword.in sites.




FOR GLOBAL PEACE .... A Conversation by Neale D Walsch

READ ON, PLEASE SHARE FOR GLOBAL PEACE.....

http://www.theglobalconversation.com/blog/?p=4554#comment-847360351
 My voice for World Peace and a surprise conversation with Neale D Walsch Sir


 My voice for World Peace and a surprise conversation with Neale D Walsch Sir