Forbes' list of world's most powerful

Forbes, the American magazine popular for its ‘Lists’ was always interesting and read with respect. The research methodologies followed by Forbes to prepare these Lists is undoubtedly the best. The Magazine is considered to be a dependable Index for Entrepreneur’s all over the world and equally an inspiration for the new comers.

But unfortunately the recently published ‘Most Powerful’ persons list is disturbing and equally illogical.

On Top of the list are the world’s best 'Arms Leaders(dealers)' and mafia dons. It is no secret that many mighty groups from Western and European nations are having direct or indirect involvement in the Arms deal in most of the war-torn African countries. These Africans have food or not; but for sure they will have a state of the art Russian made Kalashnikov or a Chinese or European made weapon and ammunition even when they sleep. Remember! The miseries in Rwandas’, Congos’ and Darfur’s are not God’s creation………………

On what parameter is this ‘World’s Most Powerful’ list made?

And how come Osama is ranked 37 and The Dalai Lama 39 and Dawood is ranked at 50 while Queen Elizabeth is not in the list at all. And host Oprah Winfrey at 45 though she deserves to be on top 20.

There are many great souls who silently makes a difference in others lives and thought processes. These are the real 'Powerful' and the ones who should be present in this list.

In spite of its popularity and credibility why Forbes act like that ‘Attention seeking’ kid....

(pic taken from net)*

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple - Stunning Virtual Tour‏

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

(Please click the above link)

This is a Fantastic work from 'view360' team. A 360 degree vision of one of the most famous temples in India.

You can click or copy paste this above mentioned link to a browser and have a virtual tour. It takes a while depending on system. There is a layout on top left corner with pointers. You can click on any of that pointer to visit that particular part of the temple. Once the page appears, just click and drag up, down, right, left wherever. Don't miss the roof where you can see century old amazing wall paintings, the sculptures on the pillars and 1000 pillar hall.

The date of original diety is still unknown and the temple is mentioned in many Tamil literary works as early as 7th century A.D. This temple is believed to be ransacked by Muslim Invaders in early 1300's and almost destroyed. The structure was re-built and got the present form after many Hindu Kings, Patrons and Rulers took initiative in the 1500's and thereafter....

A brilliant testimony of ancient architecture!!

Thanks to Mr.Partha Partha's Blog, a blogger friend who has shared this info.

The designers View360

Our Own Culture..

This was posted on 2nd of Feb in my old blog when 'a few Indian women were attacked in Mangalore, Karnataka just because they entered a pub' (which the attackers claim is 'against Indian culture).

India always showed an openness to embrace and extract the good from anything and everything. How can we recognize an act, which is against 'Our' culture? And how we define 'Our' culture, which is a culmination of many, put together. We have a track record of combining civilizations, voluntarily or forcibly, right from the days of Aryan invasion, centuries ago. Then we came across various unfamiliar kingdoms, both good and evil, which attacked and ruled us for centuries. A ‘Holy Fusion’ of various thoughts and practices altogether. This doesn't mean it is the weakness of India as a nation, but it is the broadness and our nature of warmness to our 'Uninvited Guests' which ultimately ended up in this present unique form.

A nation, where Mahatma Gandhi lived and showed the world the importance of high thinking and simple living ; a nation that gave birth to Swami Vivekananda, who with his adept oration and discourses, changed the way the world look at Indian Monks ; a nation with thousands of other leads like Subash Chandra Bose, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, B.R. Ambedkar, C.V Raman, Mother Teresa, Amartya Sen, E.M.S Namboodiripad, K Kamaraj, Baba Amte, Homi Bhabha and A.P.J Abdul Kalam to name a very few from the never ending list.

How can we forget the epitome of righteousness, Sri Adi Shankara, who truly was a ‘Revolutionary’ in terms of his vision on caste and creed? The one who revived and purified Hinduism with his philosophies and condemned the wrong practices existed in those days (Though there are still many, who fail to understand him and stick to 'Unnecessary Practices’).

The Essence and Strength of our nation or cultural heritage is our Vibrant and Receptive nature and let’s be proud of that. No nation has a culture/history/tradition as Unique or Diversified as ours. Jai Hind!!!

Note: The world has seen last year an ‘Indian’ woman Space Walk. Sad that a few of us bother when women Pub Walk...


(pic taken from net)*

David Shepherd ‘ran out’ of Time

David Shepherd was undoubtedly the most appreciated and sincere umpires in the game of cricket till date. He shot to fame in the early 80’s with his elegance and accuracy on and off the field. He stood in 92 Tests, 172 ODIs, between 1983-2005, including three World Cup finals.

He has made umpiring an art with his style and smile. In schooldays while preparing to watch a cricket match, kids never bother about an umpire. But after noticing this great man it has become a habit to enquire about umpires before the start of each match.

Indian masses always wished to see Shepherd whenever there is a crucial match with Australia or particularly with Pakistan the arch rival. Indian fans always believe Shepherd can be a better judge than any Indian Umpire in curial matches. This is because the track record is that Indian Umpires rules decisions always against India and god knows for what reason.

As the saying goes; Even a Sage cannot be completely impartial; knowing the hunger of a hunter the sage still stands by the bird.

But any cricket lover can blindly say David Shepherd was always an Impartial Sage on the field

May your soul RIP Mr. David Shepherd

(image taken from net)*

Cauvery fishing camp and river rafting

A couple of weeks back, I posted about a place called Sangam and Mekedatu. Very close to this place (around 10-15 miles) is another less populated, thick jungle and a very neat and serene place called Cauvery fishing camp. You can take part in various other activities here, apart from fishing. You can enjoy river rafting, trekking, canoeing, boat-rides and even bird watching....

Last week, with cousins and friends we had a one day trip to this Cauvery fishing camp.

This river bank jungle lodge is a pretty nice place for kids as well....


Kids are also allowed to raft...and every raft will have one guide....

We heard fishing is the preferred outdoor activity of many and this place is home to Mahseer fish, which is the finest game fish anywhere in the world and this freshwater fish is considered to be the toughest fighting species of fish. And Crocs are also seen here.

And all these make Cauvery fishing camp a popular spot not only for the locals but also for people from different countries, who visit every year.

There are cottages available on this river bank resort where people can stay and chill out a couple of days if interested.

After reaching this resort, we were taken to the starting point (for Rafting) in an open jeep....
Trekking is one activity people prefer while taking a break from fishing. Trek to Basavanna betta; which is 4000 feet is one option. There are various routes through which we can reach the top.

All set for rafting.....
Of course we need to follow and obey the Guides in these areas; be it River rafting, Trekking and Fishing. As people who have trekked before know, there are chances we may loose our way and as it’s very much away from our normal life and adventurous too...
As we dint have a plan and reached a bit late, we were able to do only River Rafting….




rafting would be around 45 minutes including swimming for about 10-15minutes on the way......
Though the under current is so powerful here rafting is comparatively peaceful and hence elders, women and kids can take part and enjoy.

At one point(where we did swimming) the guide requested me not to take camera, since it is risky. So I could not take a few interesting and nice pics.....Water splashing all over us at one particular area where the waves were slightly dangerous......





cousin prefered canoyeing which is a bit riskier than raft


reaching safe home..



Beautiful dusk! Just before leaving the place......

Happy Deepavali

Wishing you all a very Prosperous, Colorful and Safe Deepavali

Mostly Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, Deepavali is the festival of lights, Victory of righteousness over the evil and also the time which brings in prosperity and peace. On Deepavali morning, as kids, we use to wake up early in the morning in our ancestral home were we all gather during festive occasions (as early as 3.00 am) take oil bath, wear new clothes, and burst crackers till sunrise. Celebrated with pomp and splendor Deepavali has been always a fun time; sweets, new clothes, family gathering, bursting of crackers and so on..............


Note: Unfortunately the wastes of busted crackers always makes the streets and public places a mess. Wish it would be great if each one of us clean and clear the mess which we create and keep the premises clean again after Deepavali.

(pic taken from net)*

Ninne Kanaan (A beautiful malayalam folk song)

A beautiful Malayalam folk song. Though this VDO is shot like an Album, it mostly affirms in line with the lyrics.



(vdo taken from net)*

Sangam and Mekedatu Trip

Sangam simply means ‘UNION’. Here it’s the union of river Cauvery, Arkavathi and an other imaginary river which is invisible. A beautiful, serene river basin to unwind in weekends, Sangam is just around 85 km from Bangalore. Green all around and blue up above!!!


The Team


The Rider


The beautiful roadside on the way to sangam


Two bikes and one car - 7 of us









Reached Sangam and have to take that circular boat to reach the other bank


The authorities say - Beware of Crocs! though we dint even see a 'Crow'


From this bank a bus takes us to Makedatu which is around 4 km


A few choose to walk in the jungle expecting to see some wild animals (unfortunately or fortunately we dint see any).

















Reached Makedatu




Trust me this is truly adventurous!
while posing so adventurously, I never knew that this shallow looking river has swirls here and there and very powerful undercurrents. I heard from the locals, that many do these kinda stuff, but never RETURNS.
You ask me to do this again??? I will never...Phew!!!


A refreshing and elaborate bath while coming back (in sangam)




The Dusk - Just before leaving Sangam


The local fresh fish right from the river...






The team after reaching Bangalore.


The village mode of transportation


An old house in a village


A farmer using the traditional plough


The bee and the flower again :)


A traditional way of making Silk. Seen in front of a village house


The happy village kid


Another happy village kid again


Shot taken while sitting behind the bike

Wish you all a Happy Dasara

Dasara is celebrated in India and many other countries with great pomp and splendor.
Dasara concludes with Navarathri, the holy day when the good wins over evil.
Dasara in sanskrit means the "remover of bad fate".
There are different forms of celebration depending on the place and golu or the doll festival is very popular in southern part of India.
The vastness and number of dolls displayed depends on the size of ones wallet;-)

Wish you all a Happy Dasara! :)

(pic taken from net)*