National Day Rally 2012 : My Feedback

Hi,

The annual National Day Rally (2012) was held yesterday (Sunday 26 August 2012). I was watched the speech enthusiastically with my wife.

Some of the pointers by the PM were something to think about. The points where he emphasised on the need to keep healthy and self-reliant as much as possible especially during the old age, and urging parents to allow their children to enjoy their childhood and preschool years and not stress them too much with academic and primary one work are excellent. But I was truly disappointed by this year's rally.

It appeared to me as though there are no Indian MPs or Ministers who are as capable enough to give the short speech together with Mr Lawrence Wong, Mdm Halimah Yakob and Mr Heng Swee Keat. It also appeared to me as thought there are no single Indian Singaporean role models (active senior citizens, youths, entrepreneurs and others) who are worth being mentioned in this year's national day rally.No Indian cultural centre development-related matters mentioned too unlike the Geylang Serai project and the proposed chinese cultural centre development beside singapore conference hall.

So, this rises the question in me about the position of Indians and their progress so far in Singapore. As in previous years and like the past PMs, this year too there were no mentions about the Indians in the national day rally. As a Singaporean, I felt sort of inspired by the consultative process that is being undertaken to write the next chapter of the Singapore's story, but as an Indian singaporean, I personally felt insulted, embarrassed and disappointed by this year's national day rally.

PM's Rally speech : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/annex/ND2012_PMLEE_ENGTEXT.pdf

Best regards

Kumaran RN

KRN Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

Hi,

I watched the wonderful 3 hours movie (on 28 July 2012) "The Dark Knight Rises" with my darling wife Mageswari.

This is the 7th installment of the Batman franchise and the 3rd one from Christopher Nolan which is fitting and memorable. Will there be another one in future?

Well, we may need to wait to find out, but this particular movie, like the other three predecessors, is on par in terms of its extended plots, excellent screenplay and direction. The actors who portrayed the main characters were excellent choices. The BGM was booming and added to the thrill of the movie. A hero who withholds the justice can be down but not out. A hero is in all of us. We need to believe in it and bring them out with full believe and strength especially in times of crisis. A single hero is of no use if there are no like-minded supports in terms of people. Technological gadgets help too if used creatively.

One portion of the movie that was funny was the time bomb countdown times. Like some Indian masalas, the 10 mins, 5mins and even 1min looks rather looks especially when a deep kiss can also be exchanged withing that one movie. But puting that aside, the thrill factor and the subtle messages conveyed via the movie are excellent.

My all-time favourite comic hero since young and always, Batman, rises excellently to the occassion in a motivating manner. He has always been an inspiration to me. Anyway, this is a movie worth watching in cinemas and it is worth the ticket price.

KRN Movie Review will give 4.5 stars out of 5 for The Dark Knight Rises.

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

KRN Movie Review: Billa II

Hi,

I watched Billa II with my darling wife Mageswari. A quality ganster movie in Tamil on par with a hollywood movie.

Ajit Kumar has portrayed the character Billa excellently with his acting skills, dialogue delivery, body language and style. The actors who portrayed as the villains Abbasi and Dimitri has done an excellent job especially the Dimitri guy.. so stylish and yet apt. The pace of the movie, screenplay being in focus, the special effects, the action sequences, the cinematography, the background music score and title music by Yuvan Shankar Raja and finally the direction by Chakri Toleti who also wrote the story and screenplay with a few others, are excellent and of quality. Chakri Toleti's second movie after Unnai Pol Oruvan, and he has proven that he is not a flash in the pan. The story is thin, but worth watching.

KRN Movie Review verdict: a movie worth watching and especially on the big screen with the digital sound system. I watched the digital version of the movie. I will give 4 stars out of 5.

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

A Thought-Provoking website by Gilbert Goh

Hi,

Recently in my facebook, a good friend of my Dharmendra Yadav, who himself is maintaining a thought-provoking blog entitled "Think Happiness", posted an article from the website called Transitioning.org which is maintained by Gilbert Goh.

I have read numerous comments by Gilbert in the forum pages of The Straits Times. His articles many times address the issues related to Singaporeans from the view point of a common man on the ground. Many of his articles in the website a are simple, straight and yet thought-provoking. I have began to visit the website regularly to read his latest comments. His latest on "7 Ways To Improve Population Growth" is some that was lingering in my mind for a while and he has put it in words in the right way, especially the first point on revamping the employment act.

Adding to that point, I feel that the current working 44 hours work per months should be reduced. Either the total working hours be reduced to 35-38 hours or ensure work ends at 3pm on every Wednesday and Friday. That will create more time for the couples and families to spend quality time with their loved ones.

The 44hrs work was started (I think) during the industrial revolution and when manufacturing was the main sector where productivity mattered as that was tied to the number of hours worked. In the current knowledge economy, I feel that the KPIs, quality of work and the results are more important rather than the number of hours spent in office. We all know that not all of us are continuously working the whole 44 hours. There are definitely slack times excluding lunch and tea-breaks. These are unproductive times that when saved can be used for other better and personal uses and to spend time with the loved ones and also self-improvement. I am not sure why the government still keeps on sticking to the 8 hours work days and 44 hours work month for many work sectors.

Anyway, I hope the revamp of the employment act is timely, rather late then never.

There are of course other thought-provoking articles that I like in this website written by Gilbert Goh and others too. Enjoy reading the articles. Once again it is Transitioning.org.

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

"7 Steps Goal Setting Process" by Zafar H

Hi,

I like to share an enlightening article written by my communications guru Zafar H on goal setting. It is as follows:-

A seven steps process that you can go through to set any goal whether personal or professional. To be effective, the goal you choose must include all seven of the following steps:


1. Identify your goal by writing it down

2. Set a deadline for the achievement. Put a date on it.

3. List the obstacles to overcome in accomplishing your goal.

4. Identify the people and groups you need to work with to reach your goal.

5. List the skills and knowledge required to reach your goal. (What do you need to know?)

6. Develop a plan of action to reach your goal.

7. Write down the benefits of achieving your goal. ("What is in it for me?")


On a periodic basis, it is important to re-evaluate your goals to make certain that they are in alignment with what you truly value and want out of life. Remember, goal-setting is a life-long process. Once you have completed one goal, be sure to replace it with something else. This way you will always reap the benefits that goal-setting provides.

Whether or not people ever reach their goals they have set, people who set big, long-range goals have been found to have higher self-confidence, higher self-esteem, and greater personal motivation. The bottom line is that more than half the rewards and benefits achieved from goal-setting come from actually taking your first step in that direction, regardless of the consequences. ++ Zafar H

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

My Toastmasters Speech: What is Happiness To You ?

Hi,

Are you happy with your life now, this moment?

If you are then join me and laugh out loud ! (HAHAHAHAHA)

Are you happy now ?

Good evening Toastmaster of the Evening, fellow toastmasters and friends.

You would have heard about the Gross National Happiness Index and the New Economic Foundation's Happy Planet Index in the year 2006 that ranked Singapore very low together with other countries like Australia and USA.

We would also have read about Bhutan that has the highest Gross National Happiness even though many in the country still live in the rural areas of the country and have limited access to technology. There were also discussions on forums, think-tanks and politicians on the need to improve Singapore’s Gross National Happiness index.

The issues on happiness are slowly becoming an important national and international matter. There is also a website dedicated to happiness (www.happiness.com) that lists the 10 life characteristic and practices that can make a person happy by following them. It may not also be a surprise if new certificate, diploma, degree or even doctorate studies on happiness may be started in the near future. It may even become a big money spinner and a hype thing to associate with. Happy theme parks, clubs, dedicated television channels, and the list can go on and on.

Let us pause for a moment now.

Let us ponder :-

• Can happiness be measured?

• Can laughing alone make a person happy?

Happiness is subjective and there are no measuring tools or specific indices that can be used to measure happiness as one person’s happiness may not be another person’s happiness.

Of course there are people who like to be made happy but they will not make another person happy. There are also people who like to make another person happy without expecting any favours.

"Experience praises the most happy the one who made the most people happy." -- Karl Marx

"As for happiness, it is not something you experience, it's something you remember" --Mark Twain

How true.

Everyday, let us do something that will make us happy. If the action is evil-related, then do also understand that for every action there is an equal an opposite reaction. So be ready to face the consequences of your action that made you happy.

I know what is happiness to me. Do you know what is happiness to you ?

Toastmasters of the evening.

(yet to present this speech)

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

My Toastmsters Speech: Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion

Hi,

I hate being here ! I hate this room ! I hate you all ! You all make me sick ! AAAAAHHHHH !!!!!!

(show your back to audience)

(turn back and face the audience coolly)

Good evening to the club president, fellow toastmasters and friends.

How did you feel when I threw so many HATE words around this room ?

I am sure many of you felt like giving your piece of mine to me.. not literally though!

And knowing the way I behaved – what do you think .. I was ready to accept the reaction?

YES,… I should ! Because That is what Newton’s 3rd law of motion states and this law is not only for motion but it is applicable to our daily lives too.

So what is Newton’s 3rd law of motion … For Every Action, There Is An Equal And Opposite Reaction.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen. When I threw out the Hate words just now, I am sure many of your hated me and I should be prepared to accept the reaction or consequence to that action.

When we start to walk or even talk, is there a opposite reaction ? Oh yes ! we lose our energy. When we say or think negative words, what we will get back will be negative reactions, and positive thoughts and words will bring back positive reactions. When I understood this concept I had a better understanding of the book “Think and Grow Rich”.

The reactions maybe immediate, … if you have been strangers, I am sure you would thrown something at me for being so rude … OR the reaction maybe within hours, days, weeks or even years, but we will definitely get back a reaction like a ball bouncing back to us when we throw it on a hard ball. What goes around will come around because For Every Action, There Is An Equal And Opposite Reaction.

That is why the wise people tell us to think before you say or do something. This is not always possible but we should always keep in mind Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion and that is (as the audience)……

You are right. Regardless of whether we belief in karma or not prepared to accept the consequences of our actions, we will still have face the consequence of our actions.

We start saving some of our income, it will be helpful to us someday. When we eat more unhealthy food, that will lead to obesity or other illness in future (diabetes, heart problems and so on). If you treat our employees and colleagues properly and motivate them, then we may get better benefits back to ourselves and even our company. If we treat our friends and employees badly, then we will get that reaction back one day like for example : when we need help on a crucial project, the colleagues may not cooperate, resignation of our key employee, sabotages from employees, and many more.

That is MAY also be how we behave to our friends, family and those around us.

Imagine if we are nice , kind and courteous to others .. they are also going to behaving the same way to us. So, ladies and gentlemen, please repeat after me :-

I accept the reactions to my actions (3x). 3 is too much ! Try once if the response is not too good another time max twice)

See! When I asked you all nicely, you obliged. Thank you.

I like you all.

That is the universal law. That is Newton’s 3rd Law.

For Every Action, There IS An Equal And Opposite Reaction.

Toastmasters of the evening.

(January 2008)

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

My Toastmasters Speech: The Real Secret of Winning

Hi,

Do you want to know the secret of Winning? Do you want to know the REAL secret of winning?

You would have all heard many Secrets of Winning, but let me share with you the REAL secret.

Gd evening Mr. President, Toastmaster of the Evening, fellow toastmasters and friends.

Once when I was in Primary School, on the eve of children’s day, we were having sports day and many of my fellow students and friends who had participated were getting prizes for their participation. While looking at these, my sister and I started to feel sad that we were not getting prizes.

After the event, my sister and I walked home. My mother was waiting for us at the lift landing. When my sister and I saw her, we ran to her crying. My loving mother, hugged and consoled us.

“Amma, all our friends got prizes and we didn’t get anything” I told my mum and continued crying more than my sister.

“It’s ok. I will get you prizes. Don’t cry.” Said my mum My sister stopped crying but me I was still crying . . Okay I may have been a cry baby.

My mother looked at me and smiled. Then she said, “My boy, How do you expect to get a prize if you have not even participated ??? if you had participated, then you would had won prizes. Let’s go home. Don’t cry.” Her gentle words calmed me and reduced my tears.

That night, what she said rang in my mind... “…if you had participated…”

Participation, ladies and gentlemen.. How could I have won a prize if I did not even participate.?!

Then, when I was in Primary 6, we had a song competition among our classmates organised by my Tamil teacher. I had prepared hard and well for the competition, singing in front of my parents and sister. When I went to the front of the classroom, I started to feel a little nervous. I controlled it and sang the chorus. When I was a quarter way through, I paused. (action : as if I forgotten the song) This is what I did. I knew the song well, but still I somehow seemed to have forgotten the song. Then mumbled the rest of the song fast and went back to my seat. My sister stared at me – I looked back at her blankly. Nervousness and Fear got the better of me - I did not win anything too.

How could I ? I was disappointed. I had participated and yet I did not win a prize. What happened.? I did prepare well but on the day it counts I did not deliver my best.

After that experience I didn’t get any chance to sing on stage until I reached Junior college. This time – my experience from my earlier days told me participating and preparing well is not enough - I needed to be focused and give my Best And you know what – I started to win prizes.

Ladies and gentlemen, when we mix all the necessary ingredients and bake a cake, the outcome that satisfies us is when the cake turns out Great! That’s the winning feeling.

Participation is only the first step to winning. The icing on the cake is winning the prize! So what is the Real secret of winning …? Doing YOUR BEST!

So ladies and gentlemen – to put yourself on the road to winning – participate, take part, be involved – whatever the endeavour is And when you are participating make sure you are giving your best That is the wholly baked cake which many times tastes better even without icing.

Now I have the winner mindset because now I just don’t participate, but also ensure I do my best.

Will you do your best too? Toastmasters of the evening

(November 2007)

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

My Toastmasters Speech: The Positive Why

Hi,

Why? Why ? Why?

Why am I here? Why? Am I doing the project today ..?

Gd evening to the club president , fellow toastmasters and friends … Ladies and Gentlemen, have you ever wondered WHY ? asking positive WHY is important?

“To be or not to be.. that is the question”, according to Shakespeare, but “Why” is the more important question.

How many times today did you ask “why” that will lead you to a positive outcome? What did you feel after asking it ?

The positive “why” is a powerful question and it is the mother all of inventions and discoveries. If Galileo Galilee, Benjamin Franklin, Sir Isaac Newton, Thomas Alva Edison, Michael Faraday, Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell and many other scientists and inventors had not kept on asking “why” after “why”, then we will still be living in caves in the dark looking at each other. If Sir Stamford Raffles and then Mr Lee Kwan Yew have not asked that positive “why”, then Singapore will still be a fishing village and way smaller than what it is actually today.

If I had not asked that positive “why”, then I would not had taken the first step to join the Toastmaster Club and speak in front of you.

Do you know that by asking a positive “why”, we can make our lives better ? Let me share with you the POWER of asking positive Why?

Isaac Asimov and Sir Arthur C. Clarke mentioned in their numerous science-fiction stories about man-like robots, (Cyborgs) ruling the world one day. That fiction has already become true and we have been seeing the cyborgs for many years now living, breathing and eating among us. I am talking about the many of us hom we know who, have been going through the motion and carrying on their same old daily routines happily day in day out without questioning or pausing to ask a positive “why” to see that important improvements in their lives and those around them.

Why are we doing this way ? Why can’t it be done another way ? Why must we speak in this way? Why is he or she behaving this way to us ? Why are we behaving such to others? Why why why ?

Just by asking “why”, your mind becomes curious and keeping up the curiosity will lead your brain / mind to work on getting the solutions. That process not only keeps your brain and mind active but your whole body healthy.

When you ask “why”, it is important that it should lead you to a more positive outcome than a negative one. If you ask “Why must I be alive?” and start to plan for suicide, then that is a “ negative why”. Instead, if you ask “Why can’t I have a better live?”, then this will lead you to thinking of ways to make you a more positive person and leading you to achieve your goals in life.

Now we know asking ourselves positive "Why?"s Can bring about positive changes that can improve the life for us and those around us.

Lets keep our inquisitive part of our mind active always – asking why? Is not only for the child – but for the child in all of us!

So, ladies and gentleman ask “why” and the truth for a better living shall be revealed to you as the truth is out there for you to discover and benefit.

Why Do I have to end my speech now?

Toastmasters of the evening

(August 2007)

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

My Toastmasters Speech: My Most Favourite Course

Hi,

We have all been attending courses throughout our lives. Some courses, we like. Some courses, we don’t like. Some courses, we are forced to attend. Some courses, we are willing to attend. Some are expensive and some are very affordable. Some we pay out of our pockets (cash, credit card, cheque or NETS) and some are sponsored.

I, too, have attended numerous courses. Many are for free which means the investment is time and energy. Of all the courses I have attended so far, there is this course which I have grown to like, so much that it has become my most favourite course. Sexual Intercourse you may think, but that is my second most favourite course, and after marriage, it has been only with my wife. So, what is this favourite course?

I have been attending this course since the day I was made to realise that it is to be treated as a course and not a stress or burden. Although, I started to accept it as a course only after some enlightenments by some people like my parents, especially my mother, some of my teachers, friends, situations and recently some books and visual media. Only recently, I have started to like and have fun with this course.

This course has many modules and tests after tests. It is stressful sometimes. It is enjoyable other times. You need to pay for some of the modules and some modules are free. Some modules and accompanying tests can cause so much stress and pain that sometimes, it may lead one to the extreme end of life – death to himself/herself or others near him/her.

I remember watching this Batman cartoon where he will answer to his sidekick on a particular incident, “When there is a will, there is a way.” That is the mantra I say to myself when I encounter such challenging modules and tests of the course. That mantra, too, I started to apply only after the year 2001 when I had a heart-breaking love break-off and being unemployed for a year after encountering my first retrenchment.

I encountered two subsequent retrenchments too and still I carried on with the course taking other modules and tests. Sometimes I do fail my tests and had to retake the tests. That have many times gave me better results than before. That is how I got my lovely wife. That is how I met and got linked with great friends like Zafar. That is how I am where I am now talking to you.

When will I graduate form this course ? Well, there is still a very long way to go and that time will come one day. Until then I have to complete some other modules and tests I am being presented to.

What is this course I am taking about? You would have guessed by now. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my most favourite course is called "Experience".

We all have experiences and it has many modules and accompanying tests. So, we can pass and get over them only when we learn a thing or two from them. If not we maybe required to retake them.

I have come to a point and realisation that experience is good and that is invaluable course that life have given to me.

(March 2007)

Best regards

Kumaran RN

Thank you Zafar H and Toastmasters Club

Hi,

Its been a long time since I updated this blog of mine. I was caught up with my facebook account and the updates and article/thoughts sharing were happening there. It still continues there but I thought of maintaining my blog continuously too especially for those who do not have a facebook account or not in my "Friends" list.

I thought of sharing some my toastmasters club speeches that I had delivered during my stint at Whampoa Toastmasters Club (Singapore). Toastmasters club is something I will strongly recommend to anyone who wants to improve his or her communication skills and their confidence in communicating. It helped me so much and all thanks to my communications guru Zafar H who himself is an award-winning speaker and an active toastmasters club member and participant for many years now. I did not continue due to my work schedules and personal commitment but I am always grateful to Zafar and toastmasters club for improving my communication skills, the confidence in delivering a speech and off-the-cuff (table-topics) speeches especially when caught off-guard. The evaluation skills I learnt in toastmasters club is excellent too and I still follow their "Evaluate to Motivate" motto when I have to evaluate someone - formally or informally.

Though I only completed 6 projects and had 4 more to attain the Competent Toastmaster title, I am confident that I will join a club in the new future and completed all the 10 projects even if I have to redo the first 6 projects again. I will be more than glad to do it.

In my following blog posts, I will share my past speeches.

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

First Time Acting Experience on TV

Hi,

I have had acted in small stage skits (during Junior College days, in 1990 and 1991, as writer, director and actor)and two full-length stage drama (one in 1997 as a writer, director and actor and the other in 2006 as actor only in a major part as the hero's comedy friend). I have also been featured in a couple of interviews on current affairs programmes on TV, but on 22 August 2010, I was requested by my friend and casting manager of Royal Productions Kevin Rajasekar to act on TV for a drama based on true-live stories entitled, "Theerpugal" (Judgements).

I acted as one of the parents of the hero (a student who stabs his lecturer and commits suicide). It was a new experience for me and my screen pair Ms Sheeda. We did our best and I thank her for being co-operative, sporting, committed and doing her part well too although at a couple of times I made some bloopers by saying the wrong dialogues making everyone laugh. It was suppose to be a very emotional and anger-mixed scene.

Sheeda had the most difficult task of forcing tears in her eyes by using the Axe-brand medicated oil and some water. My role was that of an angry father who, together with Sheeda (my screen wife), confront a lecturer for the loss of our screen son who committed suicide in the campus.

Shots were done at different angles and we also had to wait for about 3 hours before our parts were shot. Kudos to the director Mr Viknesh who was calm and encouraging. Kevin was encouraging too by giving us tips with Mr Viknesh.

I am more comfortable as being a script writer for short films as a hobby and maybe direct a short film (which I am yet to begin although a couple of my scripts are in progress to be made into short-films thanks to Sam Guna of DSMedia and Kevin), but to act on screen, well.. now I know the difficulty the actors really face.

The show will be screened on Vasantham channel on Tuesday 31 August 2010 at 10pm. I am eager to see how I have performed. I will also try to record it with my video camera and post it on my my facebook.

I am really excited :)

Will I act more if there are offers ? well, if only time permits as work and family are my first priorities. Acting and script writing are hobbies that i enjoy doing especially screenplay writing.

I just wanted to record this new experience of mine on this blog :)

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

Back again

Hi....

It is nice to be back to this blog of mine again after some time.

Within this period some changes have happened, but all for good and they are positive ones.

Important of all is me starting on my screenplay writing for short-films. I have managed to link up with a small production company contact for that and at least that will help me to think more and encourage me to write more too. I have embarked it as just a hobby for the moment. Apart from my existing screenplays, I have written one for an animation short-film too.. my first time. Hope it turns out well on screen on day.

I am also working on another screenplay dealing with financial needs : with a message to say. I hope to complete it by the end of the month. I have planned for a comedy script too.

Anyway, apart form that, I have been learning more spiritual matters too. Without me asking, I have received wonderful books like Vishnu Puranam, Sridevi Baagavatham, Siva Puranam and information about the 6 temples (aarupadi veedu) of Lord Murugan. Really informative and enriching.

I also learned about the basics of chakras and auras. I still have lots to learn about them.

Hope I can share my knowledge on whatever I learnt to the younger generation and others who have interest in such spiritual matters.

Best regards.
Kumaran RN

The Triple Sai Avatars

Hi,

The following is an interesting article I received via email :-

*************************************
"Om Sri Sai Ram"

TRIPLE SAI AVATAR

The Sai Avatar (re-incarnation - God in human form) is a trinity of avatars. The first Sai Baba incarnation was Shirdi Sai Baba. The second (and present Sai Baba) is Sathya Sai Baba. The third and final avatar will be Prema Sai Baba. The three avatars carry the triple message of work, worship, and wisdom.

It may seem as though each Sai Baba is "different" however they are all the same great "atma" (soul). Only the body of each avatar is different as the soul and the spiritual powers are the same. Unless the divine comes with a form, no one can develop faith in the Formless. The divine in human form is the preparation for comprehending the formless Absolute.

1.. The first avatar (Shirdi Sai Baba) was for revealing divinity (Incarnation of Shiva)

2.. The second avatar (Sathya Sai Baba) is to awaken the divinity in human beings (Incarnation of Shiva and Shakti)

3.. The final avatar (Prema Sai Baba) will be for propagating divinity (Incarnation of Shakti) Shirdi Sai Baba

Shirdi Sai Baba
===============

The first of the triple Sai Avatar, Shirdi Sai Baba's birth took place on September 28, 1835 in India. He first appeared as a young man in the village of Shirdi, wearing the garb of a wandering Muslim renunciate, known as a "fakir". After a few years in the jungle of the surrounding area, living very simply and begging for good, He eventually settled down in Shirdi.

Shirdi is where Sai Baba became well known and amassed a following of devotees,both Hindu and non-Hindu. He taught complete surrender and devotion to God in whatever name and form the devotee wishes to worship. He also performed many miracles and healed the sick. He would cure diseases with the use of "udhi" (sacred ash). The udhi came from His ever-burning "dhuni" (fire) which is continuously burning even to this day. Shirdi Sai Baba laid the base for secular integration and gave mankind the message of duty as work.

Shirdi Sai Baba left his body in 1918 declaring that He will reincarnate again in 8 years. His prophecy came true as the second Sai Avatar (Sathya Sai Baba) took birth in 1926.

Devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba flock to the city of Shirdi, located in the state of Maharashtra, India to have darshan of Shirdi Sai Baba's "samadhi" (place where His body was put after death). In Shirdi one can also see where Shirdi Sai Baba used to live and meet devotees.

Please view http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org for more information on
Shirdi Sai Baba.

Sathya Sai Baba
===============
Sathya Sai Baba is the second of the triple Sai Avatar. Sathya Sai Baba was born as Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23, 1926 in the village of Puttaparthi in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Sathya Sai Baba is alive today and primarily resides in His ashram in Puttaparthi known as "Prashanti Nilayam" (Abode of Highest Peace).

The purpose of both the Shirdi Sai and Sathya Sai avatars are the same. Only, the need to transform the modern wisdom has now become more imminent. In the previous Shirdi avatar, the emphasis was more on community, now it is on the individual; then the message was given to comparatively few, now all are welcome to it.

The mission of the present avatar is to make everybody realize that the same God or divinity resides in everyone. People should respect, love, and help each other irrespective of colour or creed. Thus, all work can become a way of worship.

To learn more about Sathya Sai Baba, please visit our webpage on Sri Sathya Sai Baba. You can also visit http://www.sathyasai.org or http://www.srisathyasai.org.in.

Prema Sai Baba
==============
Prema Sai Baba is the announced third and final avatar in the trinity of Sai incarnations. He will be born in India, in the state of Karnataka after Sathya Sai Baba leaves the body at the age of 96.

Prema Sai Baba will promote the evangel news that not only does God reside in everybody, but everybody is God. That will be the final wisdom that will enable every man and woman to go to God.

****************************************

Best regards.
Kumaran RN

Health is Wealth

Hi,

It has been a while since I updated my blog and here I am again with an important piece of information which I feel is essential for us and our body, mind and soul to function well. I received these is information via my email.

Do remember...Health is Wealth.

************************************
BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS:

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our 20 body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6 . Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest.. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells..

7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.

2. Not urinating in the morning.

3. Too much eating.

4. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil.
As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is20very fit.

8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.
Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'


The top five cancer-causing foods are:


1.. Hot Dogs

Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate..

2. Processed meats and Bacon

Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.

3. Doughnuts

Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.

4. French fries

Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams ..

5. Chips, crackers, and cookies

All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.
*************************************************

Best regards.
Kumaran RN

2010 : Another New Year

Hi,

2010...Another new year with some changes for the better (for me). Anticipating some economic changes in the country and that will not be the same as the pre 2008, the financial industry will be having tighter controls and with that, the trade sector will be improving steadily.

With many of my new year resolutions achieved (except for the story-writing portions), I need to draft out the resolution tonight. One will be the story writing (again). Although many stories are in my mind, I have not been puting it down in writing. So, that is what I must start doing. There are also others that I will nto be able to share here, but things are looking better for me unlike my pre-2007 times (my first half of my life).

This time, it is another ball game.. a more positive one and it is great. Just creating and molding it to the betterment of my progress in career and life.

I am doing good in eating more vegetarian food than non-veg. I only consume egg and fish once in a while and have stopped eating other non-veg food. I have also completely stopped drinking soft-drinks. My body feels much better now. That clean and fresh feeling.. it is great. Hope to maintain it consistently.

I used to be very stingy due to my financial constrains and that trait is still stuck in me. I should loosen alittle and be thrifty than stingy.

I have started reading more books and should continue that too.

I have learnt to set my priorities especially when it involves grassroots volunteerism.

Just keeping in my the importance of time and money and staying in focus with my life's vision that was set by me 10 years ago.

Hope this new year will be a great one for the country as a whole :)

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

My Poems

Hi,

The following are some poems written by me :-


























Best regards.
Kumaran RN

A Thought Provoking Speech by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Hi,

The following is a thoght proving speech by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (former President of India) who delivered it in Hyderabad, South India. I feel all Indian (from India) should read this speech and think about it and hopefully change for the better :-

=============================================================================
Why is the media here so negative?

Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?

We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?

We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.

Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.

I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.
In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.
Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her, you and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.

Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance. Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours.

YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.
YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?

Take a person on his way to Singapore . Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face - 'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity… In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai . YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.

YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else.'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand .

Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India ?

In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan .

Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.

We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.

We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.
This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public.
When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?

What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.

Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.

Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too…. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians…..

'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'

Lets do what India needs from us.
Forward this mail to each Indian for a change instead of sending Jokes or junk mails.

Thank you,
Dr. Abdul Kalam
========================================================================

Best regards.
Kumaran RN

Interesting Definitions

Hi,

I recently received an email from a friend that contained some interesting definitions that were (and still is) thought provoking. The following are the ones :-

CIGARETTE:
A pinch of tobacco rolled in paper with fire at one end and a fool at the other!

MARRIAGE:
It's an agreement wherein a man loses his bachelor degree and a woman gains her master

LECTURE:
An art of transmitting Information from the notes of the lecturer to the notes of students without passing through the minds of either

CONFERENCE:
The confusion of one man multiplied by the number present

COMPROMISE:
The art of dividing a cake in such a way that everybody believes he got the biggest piece

TEARS:
The hydraulic force by which masculine will power is defeated by feminine water-power!

DICTIONARY:
A place where divorce comes before marriage

CONFERENCE ROOM:
A place where everybody talks, nobody listens and everybody disagrees later on

ECSTASY:
A feeling when you feel you are going to feel a feeling you have never felt before

CLASSIC:
A book which people praise, but never read

OFFICE:
A place where you can relax after your strenuous home life

YAWN:
The only time when some married men ever get to open their mouth

ETC:
A sign to make others believe that you know more than you actually do

COMMITTEE:
Individuals who can do nothing individually and sit to decide that nothing can be done together

EXPERIENCE:
The name men give to their Mistakes

ATOM BOMB:
An invention to bring an end to all inventions

PHILOSOPHER:
A fool who torments himself during life, to be spoken of when dead

DIPLOMAT:
A person who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward
to the trip

OPPORTUNIST:
A person who starts taking bath if he accidentally falls into a river

OPTIMIST:
A person who while falling from EIFFEL TOWER says in midway "SEE I AM NOT INJURED YET!"

PESSIMIST:
A person who says that O is the last letter in ZERO, instead of the first letter
in OPPORTUNITY

MISER:
A person who lives poor so that he can die RICH!

FATHER:
A banker provided by nature

CRIMINAL:
A guy no different from the other, unless he gets caught

BOSS:
Someone who is early when you are late and late when you are early

POLITICIAN:
One who shakes your hand before elections and your Confidence later

DOCTOR:
A person who kills your ills by pills, and kills you by his bills!

Best regards.
Kumaran RN

Towards Progress

Hi,

After tiring Deepavali preparations and celebrations, and continuing heavy workload, I managed to find some time now to air out my thoughts.

Deepavali comes and goes. When I was a single living with my parents, I used to just spend the deepavali holiday at home watching TV and doing my own things (after the usual morning prayers and family breakfast). After marriage, I started to travel to visit my parents, parents-in-law, and sisters.. all in a day. This was the same thing too for the three years now, but this year there has been a slight improvement.

After last year's deepavali, I stared to increase my vegetarian food intake and reduce my non-vegetarian food intake drastically. I have stopped eating chicken and mutton. I do take egg and fish, not often but once in a while. It has been a year since and I feel great physically and internally. I have also started to do regular meditation and improving my spiritual involvement.

As a result, I am able to find more answers and get realisations for many happenings. This year onwards I have decided to be on full vegetarian diet every deepavali (no egg or fish intake at all for me). It is nice to get the spiritual connections. The feelings and energy they generate as fantastic.

two weeks ago, I got the blessings of the siththar Dattatreya Siva Baba (http://www.sivababa.org/) when he was visiting Singapore to give some spiritual talks. I wanted to see him live and hear his speech, but I was gifted (unexpected) to get to walk with him so close after the talk to his car. His blessing looks and smile was just awesome. I felt as though I my karmas were gone. Thanks to my god brother Shivakkumar.

At least this year I have reduced my grassroots and volunteer involvement drastically and realigned my live to be more focused on my family, career, spirituality and knowledge seeking. I am still maintaining my membership int he Indian Activites Executive Committee (IAEC) in Punggol Park Community Centre, but a low profile one.

There are still more to do and the progress is encouraging. I am curently planing out my goals/targets to achieve in 2010.

Of course there are slack periods that I do experience sometimes, but it is not as worse as before.

Hope to instill more improvements in my life and in turn help others by creating positive differences in them.

Best regards.

Kumaran RN