Trip to Moldova

It has been a long awaited trip to Moldova.

Once we thought that there was an arrival visa policy and last moment we found it was not and cancelled the trip.

The second time the visa was stamped but we got the passports only after the visa dates got expired! And the trip was cancelled.

Finally we planned everything in advance and the trip actually stared on 7 ^th Dec. 15.

Though this is a business trip, this article will not say anything about the business aspects.

George and I started from Karaganda to Chisinau en route Moscow. We arrived at Chisinau airport, a small airport.Moldova is a small country producing the best wines. Agriculture is major economy.

In the airport after checking our passports and visa, they asked to go back to stay on the redline and wait! We felt something was wrong and started thinking what should be our next action. Finally after 10 minutes of waiting, one officer came and let us to go! We collected the baggage and were searching for the driver. We located a person holding a placard of  Lafarge. His name was Oleg and he took us to his car. I always prefer to sit in the front with the driver and sat in the front. We developed a conversation and I came to know he was married and had a daughter studying at school. He was so cordial to us. We asked to take us to a money exchange center and help us to buy local sim cards. He took us to one small super market where the money can be exchanged. We exchanged the money and I wanted to buy some water in the super market. While checking inside the super market I saw a beautiful chocolate cake. I bought that cake. He then took us to the Orange mobile phone shop where we bought sim cards. It took some time and he was very patient and waiting.

We arrived at the plant in Rezina and after the formalities and Oleg took us to the guest house. While departing I presented the cake to him as a gift to his daughter. I told him I also have a daughter and son. He was surprised to receive a cake from a foreigner!

Rezina is a small city and no star hotels are available there. One family is running a guest house. The land lady Svetlana was sixty years old and was very, very hospitable. The room was not bad. A small TV with local channels was there and  WIFI was available! Svetlana cooked a delicious food for us. I went to bed early.

The next morning the breakfast was also good. She offered some Moldavian sweets made of grapes and other fruits. We visited the plant. Volodaya, the kiln coach was assigned to help us. He was a nice guy and showed us the plant and provided the necessary information. The shift supervisor Gregory and the CCR operators were very cordial. End of the day, I have offered them some small souvenirs fromKazakhstan. They were very happy to receive them. Sergei, production manager was giving us ride from guest house to plant!

In the evening Svetlana prepared a fish dish for us. It was delicious. I presented her a small souvenir and she was very happy. The next day in the plant we visited the quarry, met the process engineers, quality engineer and found all are very courteous and offering all the data we asked. Vova, the kiln coach took us to the packing plant also and the day came to an end. I just put the flash light I was using in to his pocket and I could see from his eyes the mutual grateful feelings.

Evening we invited Sergei, the production manager for dinner. We went to a bar and the food was good and the prices were very cheap.

The next day morning at 7 we have to leave for the airport. Svetlana prepared an early special breakfast at 6.30 am itself.

Oleg was the driver again, I was very happy to see him again. He said his daughter liked the cake very much and thanked me again and from the closet of the car he took two bottles of CRICOVA wine, the famous one, and presented each one to George and me !! Reciprocation !!

He took us in time to the airport! I thanked him and I checked my purse and took the unspent remaining Moldavian currency and inserted in his pocket.

He looked at me and we exchanged mutual feelings!

The people are good! Everybody wants to offer what they could !! I would love to visit Moldova again.

Why do I love Jesus

Recently I watched again the movie "Benhur".  Benhur was a soldier contemporary to Jesus. The charriot race of the film is the best one till date in the Hollywood films.

Well, we are not going to talk about that race or the Hollywood.

In one of the scenes, Jesus would be offering water to Benhur. And Benhur got a chance to reciprocate in the last scenes to offer water to Jesus while He was carrying the cross. But he could not.

Jesus is the ultimate one to show love to everyone. In the same Benhur movie at climax we can see the blood from the wounds of Jesus healing the lepors. Throughout the movie the director was so brilliant that he did not show the face of Jesus!

During my visit to UK, I had the opportunity to visit a church in Cambridge in the name of Mary Magdalene. I was surprised to see a church in this name. Because She was described in Christianity as a low moral woman. Though people like Dan Brown in the Da Vinci code novel, described her as the Grail and the spouse of Jesus.

Through bible we could understand that Jesus loved the poor and weak. He himself being son of a carpenter He chose fishermen shepherds and like, as His followers! 

He rescued the poor Magdalen when the people got ready to stone her to death as she was declared as a sinner. The famous saying "The one who didn't commit a sin throw the first stone" by Jesus saved her life and she became her follower. 

Jesus couldn't differentiate anybody to show his affection and love. He was so magnanimous that He cared for those who were neglected from the society. 

The world was so cruel that teeth for teeth, blood for blood was the rule. That's why when he started preaching love in a layman's language it reached millions! He inspired the people to love. 

Love, love and love that was the principle teaching of Jesus! 

He said he would change water to wine. 

Any water contaminates after a period of time. But more the time the wine is stored, the better would be the quality of the wine. That is the reason he used such words that the poor would understand!  Changing the ordinary to everlasting enlightened!

He loved the thieves who were put on the cross side by side along with him!

He would love the single kid of goat that was left out in the fields and he would search for the kid with all the force available!

He loved the woman who was thrown to the street to die by stoning!

He loved the rich and poor!

There are millions of reasons to love Jesus!

I love Jesus!

Doctor for the Poor

It was 1977 and I was doing my PUC course - pre university course.
I had study holidays and was at home, preparing for examinations. Father was digging deep the well as water level had gone down.

They were using some explosives for digging. Sometimes some of the detonators used would not explode. Those would be collected and kept safe in the motor room at the fields.
I used to utilize that room for studies. I saw the detonators and started playing with one. I was a mischievous lad then! The detonators had two wires - one is positive and the other was negative . I took a flash light and removed the batteries and started connecting them to the batteries. Nothing happened. I tried again. Alas! The detonator blasted! Left hand wrist, stomach, chest everywhere injuries . I was crying and shouting. My father was rushing from the fields to me. He bandaged the wounds with towel and was carrying to the house. Mother also was rushing and one bus was coming. We stopped the bus and boarded to go to hospital.Mother checked her tiny typical surukkupai - purse; only one  10 Rupee  note was there. Tickets each 35 paise totaling 1.05 Rupee were taken to Attur, the nearest town. We got down at Attur bus stand hired a horse cart for 2 Rupees and rushed to Ramadoss Nursing Home. We had only 6.95 Rupees.

The doctor with genuine smile saw us. Immediately took me to the new operating room; Removed the pieces; did the surgery and admitted to the hospital to the new room built. Virtually we did not have any money. He did not ask any! One nurse was sent to bring the medicines. All treatment was going on. Not even a single Rupee was asked. Tea from doctor's home was served to me.
It was a heavy drought season in whole Tamilnadu. Agriculture was not at all possible due to scarcity of water. Even drinking water was not available. With all our resources father was trying to dig deep the well and all money was going there.

Dr. Ramadoss was usually called as the Doctor for the Poor. By a single glance he would understand the disease of the patient and more importantly the patient's finance condition. For many patients he used to treat for free and give bus fare to go home !
He was our family doctor! For  four generations- grand father, father,me and my children- he gave us treatment. Whenever possible we used to pay for the medicines only. Only some vegetables, milk, some rice for Pongal festival - these are the doctor fees we used to pay! I used to prepare for the examinations at the hospital. He tried with all possible treatment to discharge me before the examinations commence. Exactly two days before I was discharged with a small sling in my left hand. We did not pay any money. He did not ask also . After the harvest we assured to pay the bills. I attended the examinations and passed in first class!

This is Dr. Ramadoss! A great soul and a wonderful human being!  He always approached the patients gently and charged them what they could afford!
If a specialist is to be consulted he would find someone who would charge very reasonably!
Any of our family function he would find the time to attend.
When I was at  the age of 13, my milk teeth of 8 numbers did not fall and the permanent teeth also started growing. My mouth was full of teeth and as I was trying to close my mouth, my looks were very awkward. One day while visiting him, he looked at me and asked me to show the teeth. After that he told his assistant to hold me tight and asked me to open my mouth. Within no time he took a dentist tong like a cutting plyer and pulled out all the protruding teeth. Even I kicked him a little during this process !
My father was a big fan of him. Many times he gave treatment to my father and my father used to say that he was living because of him. Father used to keep a photo of him in our home. Everyday he used to see the photo till date.

Such a great soul is no more now. Maybe the Almighty wanted a better doctor to take care of His Holy staff and called our doctor back!
In the city of Attur nobody will forget him.
We lost a great human being! He will be always in our hearts!

May his soul rest in peace.

SIM CARDS IN OUR LIVES

SIM CARDS IN OUR LIVES

During my trip in April 2015 to UK, my son Arun gave me a SIM card for the local usage. The SIM was not fitting to my Iphone slot and we were searching to cut it to fit to the Iphone.

We approached a store in Coventry, West Midlands, and asked to help one Indian salesman. He happily agreed and asked 5 Pounds as the service charge. I was shocked. Almost 500 Rupees! Arun informed that the cost of the SIM card itself is only one Pound

I said no need to cut and came back and we decided to approach one more shop where the students usually go!

Arun was having classes at the University and he excused himself.  I decided to roam around the places in the city centre. There was a Main Market.

I went inside and saw one Punjabi young man’s vegetable shop. I was checking the vegetables. Almost all vegetables were available. I purchased some and I asked him in Hindi where I could cut this SIM card to fit to my phone. He said he was also selling SIM card and he was doing part time job in that vegetable shop! He just asked me to hand over the SIM card and gave me a new SIM card which would exactly fit to Iphone. He said in Hindi, “Uncleji do not worry both SIM cards are from the same company, you can talk to your son free of cost.” He helped insert it into my phone and activated it. I asked,” How much?” He simply laughed and said, “We just exchanged the SIM cards; no charges!” I wished him all the best and called Arun and informed the new number.

I had some Pounds which I wanted to deposit in Arun’s account. Being first time in that place I found a little difficult to locate the Bank.

In the entrance of a mall I saw one Indian selling SIM cards of a mobile company. There was a small umbrella and he was trying very hard to sell. As usual people do not care to stop. I approached him and he asked me whether I wanted a SIM. I told him my SIM card story and asked him the way for the Bank, He explained and showed the way. Then I asked him who he was and what was he doing. He said he was a student and doing part time job to support his expenses in turn to reduce his parents’ financial load. He was doing his M.S. in construction management! I was impressed. Then I found the bank and deposited the money.

During my second visit to Coventry this August 15, I came to know that two of Arun’s apartment’s partners were doing part time selling the SIM cards. Arun was also trying to get some part time job.

I returned to Kazakhstan, one day Arun called and informed that he was also selected as a salesman for one mobile company. Now he is selling SIM cards to reduce my financial load!

In UK if you see anyone selling SIM cards, most probably that person will be a student! May be he would be an intelligent post graduate, who is not having any ego, who respects all the jobs!!

If you want to buy a SIM card you could always support a student! 

What that looks is not what it is!

While waiting to board at Almaty International Airport went to the cafe and ordered a cappuccino. While slowly enjoying the drink, noticed a kazak woman withdrew a chair and sitting on it started waving hands. I was surprised what was she doing. Noticed one more woman sitting in another chair also doing same. Both were sitting in the same direction. Suddenly I understood, the women were praying! 
They were silently performing the prayer with the correct rituals at the same time others cannot easily understand. 
Lived in Arab countries I could understand the Namas!
Soul touching! In this country I could witness the hugging and kissing in the public. On the contrary people worship also in public! 
Mixture of culture! People believe faith is the truth! 
What that looks is not what it is! 

You cannot offer which you do not possess!

Jesus has abundant level of Love. He teaches, preaches love! He says "Love your enemy also" Throughout His life He tried to sow the seeds of love. For which people gave Him the cross. Because they could offer only what they had!
Buddha , had plenty of knowledge! He was a son of a king! He always preached in a commanding manner! 
Jesus can be physically touched but Buddha cannot be!
Once, while walking through a village somebody offered Buddha some sweets which he could not accept. In Another  village, one person came and started abusing Him with very strong words but Buddha was unperturbed and moved along. The infuriated disciples asked him why did He allow the talk. Calmly Buddha replied " when the sweets were offered I could not accept they took back. When someone offers bad words if I do not accept that would go back to the source " He smiled and walked calmly.
When somebody offers bad words, please feel pity on him/her. The poor person has only bad words to offer. Instead you offer the good because you are filled with blessings!

The Beginning and the End

 When the child comes to the world crying; the mother and the relatives would be smiling.

This is only occasion where the child’s tears bring cheers to the mother.

The End is entirely different. Except the deceased the others would cry (that also if the deceased’s deeds are to that level)

Both are of same nature – birth and death – same magnitude, same level – life starts and life ends. But the feelings are opposite.

Recently I attended a funeral.

Anatoly, one of our old employees, was the shop chief of Clay crusher. When we started the plant, his experience helped to stabilize the unit. He contributed whatever he could. After two years of plant operation he opted for retirement. Management was ready to extend his employment until he could perform. He opted to retire owing to health reasons. He was given a befitting farewell.

4^th of August 2014, he passed away. We went for the funeral. It was an old house. Around 15 ladies, some children and 5 men were there. The ambience told the sad story. All are waiting for the van. From the morgue the van came with the coffin. The coffin was off loaded and the cover opened for people to pay their last respect. Anatoly was dressed like a king. A cross is kept in the chest. Even the dead body also indicated the pain he came across. An Orthodox cross was kept there which will be positioned in the grave yard. The Cross which took the life of Christ became divine! The Orthodox cross contains three cross beams. The lowest foot rest one was slanted the top edge pointing the good thief and lower edge to the bad thief. Good and bad are always there and exist!

Two wreaths were kept in the foot side. His wife was standing in the head side; three other girls were also standing and sobbing. Everybody looked tired and devastated, but at the same time trying to adapt to the reality.

One woman had a bundle of hand kerchiefs and tying on the hands of the volunteers who would help in the rituals. There were only two men and the remaining were woman volunteers.

Anatoly was Godfather to Sasha. This Sasha met with an electrical accident and died; Anatoly was arranging for the funeral at that time in spite of his old age and sickness. I was there in that funeral also. I learnt what a genuine kind of man was Anatoly.

I asked Erlan, one of our shop chiefs, whether I could pay respect like our Indian custom. He said Ok. I went near to the coffin and touched his feet and brought the two palms together, the Indian way of showing respect. The wife and the others noticed this; I could not contain the tears from the eyes. The tears started rolling down uncontrollably. And I walked away from there to the car.  Modern society teaches us not to cry openly, but after all we are the weak human!

Cross

Cross is an important thing in many persons life!

The Christians worship the Cross!

Everyone passes across a cross road almost everyday!

There is a Red Cross, taking care of people in need; there is blue cross to take care of animals.

I had a grace for a Cross! Yes it was for a Cross pen!

The elegant pen !

Many an occasion while passing through the pen shop I used to have an urge to buy a Cross pen. But somehow or I could not.

Recently paid a visit to my son Arun in Coventry, UK.

With him I visited many places. In Coventry itself I saw a beautiful cross pen. The price was some 25 pound . But I hesitated to buy.

We went to visit Cambridge. There was a dedicated pen shop. We were looking inside the shop. Parker, Mont Blonc, Sheaffer, cross many types of pens were there.

As usual I only saw and did not buy. 5 rupees pen and 5000 rupees do the same work! This was my logic.

While visiting the Birmingham city, I checked the internet and visited the pen museum situated there !

I had a plenty of affection to the pen! During my college days I created a pen with different spares. Different tank, different cap, different nip; like that. I wrote all the examinations with that pen only. During our farewell from the college I gifted that precious pen to my best friend Dharmalingam.

I used to gift pens to many people and children.

In fact gifting a pen is used to be the highest honor among scholars.

Well the next day I have to start to Kazakhstan. We were packing the things.

Arun gave me a box. I asked what was that. " Appa open afterwards" he requested. But I opened immediately and found inside this CROSS pen!!!

He arranged with his friend Chaithanya to procure a pen through Amazon.

It was a pleasant surprise!! He added," Appa I bought through my earning by part time work"

I cannot express the happiness I felt that day!I am proud of my dear son Arun!!