R.K.LAXMAN:THE FACE OF THE COMMON MAN!!!

   R.K. LAXMAN: A RENOWNED CARTOONIST PASSES AWAY

Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Laxman (24 October 1921 – 26 January 2015) was an Indian cartoonist, illustrator, and humorist. He is best known for his creation THE COMMON DAY, for his daily cartoon strip, "You Said It" in the TIMES OF INDIA, which started in 1951.

OTHER CREATIONS:

• He also created a popular mascot for the Asian Paints group called Gattu in 1954.  
• His cartoons have appeared in Hindi films such as Mr. & Mrs. '55 and a Tamil film Kamaraj. 
• His creations also include the sketches drawn for the television adaptation of MALGUDI DAYS which was written by his elder brother R K Narayan and directed by Shankar Nag. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

•  PADMA BHUSHAN – Govt. Of India 1973
• PADMA VIBUSHAN – Govt. of India, 2005
• RAMAN MAGSAYSAY AWARD for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts – 1984
• Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism – CNN IBN TV18, 29 January 2008
• 'Pune Pandit' Award (Scholar of Pune Award) by the Art & Music Foundation for excellence in 'Creative Communication' – 2012
• Honorary Doctorate awarded to R.K. Laxman from the University of Mysore in 2005
• There is a chair named after R. K. Laxman at Symbiosis International University.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY:

                     The Tunnel of Time 

MY OPINION:

R.K's COMMON MAN

• I heard about Mr.R.K. Laxman but I was not aware that he was such a great personality  till the day he passed away.
• Sir,your contribution i.e, Common Man,created in 1957, was the symbol of India's ordinary people, their trials and tribulations, their little joys and sorrows, and the mess they found themselves in thanks to the political class and bureaucracy. But despite the sobering reality of this, there was never any bitterness in your cartoons. Your humour was always delightful, and no one could hold a candle to your brushstrokes.

• Your contribution will be remembered till the cartoons  exist in this world.

          India has lost one of  it's  favourite sons..........

              MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE....

NOTE:To see some of his best cartoons visit the link:
                   http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Best-of-RK-Laxmans-cartoons/photostory/45944740.cms

RAGS TO RICHES :The WHATSAPP(Jan Koum) story!!!!!

REMARKABLE STORIES THAT PROVIDE ENDLESS MOTIVATION AND INSPIRATION!!!!

WHAT'S UP????  WHAT'S UP????

    Well the story of WHATSAPP is here!!!!!!!!!!!

MY OPINION:

Friends,

Everybody comes across problems in life in some or the other form,some never make an attempt to come out of them,some have the desire to make it big but lack enough Dedication and Hardwork but there are some who come out of every obstacle and create history like never before.I am talking about that category of people who provide the greatest inspiration and motivation to the rest of the world.

"Nothing is beyond us if we believe in ourselves" is what these remarkable stories teach us.

                                                                    -MY THOUGHT

In this post,I am going to share with you the story of Jan Koum who became an overnight Billionare ,Thanks to WhatsApp!!   

WhatsApp Story:                    

The poor Ukranian immigrant who became a silicon valley mogul : Jan Koum

• When Facebook announced that it was buying Mobile messaging start up WHATSAPPfor $19 Billion in February 2014, that caused quite a stir.JAN KOUM, the startup's cofounder became the most talked about Entrepreneur overnight.Media reported that the WhatsApp floored Mark Zuckerberg so much that the record offer was made so that the two could become "FRIENDS".

JAN KOUM

• A true rags to riches hero,Koum was born and raised in a village on the outskirts of Kiev,Ukraine,as the only child of a housewife and a construction labourer.
• Forbes reported that his had no hot water,and his parents eared that their phone was tapped by the state and so rarely talked on it.
• He immigrated to California with his mother when he was 16.He used to sweep the floor of a grocery store and stood in line to collect food stamps.By 18,he was an expert computer hacker.
• In 1997,Koum was hired by Yahoo as an Infrastructure engineer,shortly after he met Brian Acton while working at Ernst&Young as a security tester.In January 2009,Koum bought an iPhone and realized that it would spawn a whole new industry of apps.On his birthday,February 24, 2009,he incorporated WhatsApp Inc. in California.   

                                          A TRULY REMARKABLE STORY!!!!!

JANUARY 15:INDIAN ARMY DAY

               SALUTING OUR REAL HEROES !!!!!

Why is Army Day celebrated on January 15 ?

Significance:

• Army Day is celebrated on 15 January every year in India,in recognition of Lieutenant General(later Field Marshal)K.M. Cariappa's taking over as the First Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher,the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on 15 January 1949.

SALUTING OUR REAL HEROES:

There are many Inspirational stories about our brave soldiers which we need to be proud of,in this post I would like to share a truly great story of one our soldiers.

CONTEXT:26/11 MUMBAI ATTACKS 2008 

             MAJOR SANDEEP UNNIKRISHNAN
                                

MAJOR SANDEEP UNNIKRISHNAN

• Sandeep Unnikrishnan(15 March 1977 - 28 November 2008) was a major in the Indian Army serving in the elite Special Action Group of the National Security Guards(NSG).He was killed in action while fighting terrorists in the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.His bravery was honoured with the Ashoka Chakra,India's highest peace time Gallantry Award, on 26 January 2009.
• "Do not come up,I will handle them",were the last words which Major Unnikrishnan told his men as he was hit by bullets while engaging terrorists inside the Taj Mahal palace and Tower during Operation Black Tornado,according to NSG officials.

• Later NSG sources clarified that when a Guardsman got injured during the operation,Major
  
  
  Unnikrishnan arranged for his evacuation and started chasing the terrorists himself.The terrorists escaped to another floor of the hotel and during the chase Major Unnikrishnan was seriously injured and succumbed to his injuries.

MY OPINION:

• I have tremendous respect for the soldiers of this country who time and time again make us proud with their heroics.
• They dedicate themselves and sometimes  sacrifice their lives for our well-being.
• Most of the times their sacrifices are forgotten by us but still they safeguard our people and our country at all times all throughout their lives.
• In this context I would like to thank the parents of every soldier,for giving birth to such selfless patriots.
• I would like to quote a famous statement form one of our soldiers,which I reckon is one of the greatest statements that has been ever made.

 "WE SACRIFICE OUR TODAY FOR YOUR TOMORROW!!!!"

It's truly a great line and I am really proud of our soldiers and I am really proud to be an "INDIAN."

                             THANKS FOR SAFEGUARDING US!!!
THE NATION SALUTES YOU FOR YOUR SELFLESS SERVICE!!

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2. If you want to thank them,comment YES!!!

HAPPY PONGAL!!!!!!!

Friends,
Pongal is one of the widely celebrated festivals across India.In this post Iam going to give some stories behind the origin of this festival.There might be many stories but these are the most popular ones.
PONGAL:

•   Pongal is an ancient festival of people in South India particularly Tamils. The history of the festival can be traced back to the Sangam Age i.e. 200 B.C. To 300 A.D. Although, Pongal originated as a Dravidian Harvest festival and has a mention in Sanskrit Puranas, historians identify the festival with the Thai Unand Thai Niradal which are believed to have been celebrated during the Sangam Age. 

Legends of Pongal :

Some legendary stories are also associated with Pongal festival celebrations. The two most popular legends of Pongal are stories related to Lord Shiva and Lord Indra. 

• According to a legend, once Shiva asked his bull, Basava, to go to the earth and ask the mortals to have an oil massage and bath every day and to eat once a month. Inadvertently, Basava announced that everyone should eat daily and have an oil bath once a month. This mistake enraged Shiva who then cursed Basava, banishing him to live on the earth forever. He would have to plough the fields and help people produce more food. Thus the association of this day with cattle. 

• Another legend of Lord Indra and Lord Krishna also led to Pongal celebrations. It is said when Lord Krishna were in his childhood, he decided to teach a lesson to Lord Indra who became arrogant after becoming the king of all deities. Lord Krishna asked all the cowherds to stop worshiping Lord Indra. This angered Lord Indra and sent forth his clouds for thunder-storms and 3 days continuous rains. Lord Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan to save all the humans. Later, Lord Indra realized his mistake and divine power of Krishna. 

Pongal Celebrations:

• According to Hindu mythology, this is when the day of the gods begins, after a six-month long night. The festival is spread over three days and is the most important and most fervently-celebrated harvest festival of South India. A special puja is performed on the first day of Pongal before the cutting of the paddy. Farmers worship the sun and the earth by anointing their ploughs and sickles with sandal wood paste. It is with these consecrated tools that the newly-harvested rice is cut. 

Each of the three days are marked by different festivities. 

• The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is a day for the family. 
• Surya Pongal, the second day, is dedicated to the worship of Surya, the Sun God.Boiled milk and jaggery is offered to the Sun God.
• The third day of Pongal, Mattu Pongal, is for worship of the cattle known as Mattu. Cattle are bathed, their horns polished and painted in bright colors, and garlands of flowers placed around their necks. The Pongal that has been offered to the Gods is then given to cattle and birds to eat.

I wish all the people of this country a very very very Happy Pongal!!!!!

May God with every passing day give everyone of you renewed energy to lead your respective lives peacefully.

JANUARY 12: NATIONAL YOUTH DAY(INDIA)

QUOTE OF THE DAY…!!

  “ We are what our thoughts have made us;so take care about what     you think.Words are secondary,thoughts live;they travel far.”

                                                            -  Swami Vivekananda.

                                                                                                                             

                        

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   JANUARY 12:THE BIRTHDAY OF THE DIVINE  SOUL:SWAMI  VIVEKANANDA

NATIONAL YOUTH DAY:

•   In 1984,the government of India declared and decided to observe the Birthday of  SWAMI VIVEKANANDA(12 January)as NATIONAL YOUTH DAY every year from 1985  onwards.To quote from the Government of India's communication, 

          "It was felt that the Philosophy of Swamiji and the  ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great  source of inspiration for the Indian Youth."

• The National Youth Day is celebrated across the country with processions,speeches,recitations,Youth conventions,seminars,sports,music and various other competitions on 12th January every year.

   

MY OPINION:

• I personally took a lot inspiration from his teachings and he is one among the very few  persons whom I admire the most.
•  The impression and impact he created on this world(especially India) in his short life  is tremendous. The famous Parliament of Religions(Chicago,1893) lecture 

 which made the world stand up and look at this  30 year old young man with great respect for  his speech and also his country,till today is  rated among the greatest lectures in the history  of the world.

•  The way in which he was able to influence  every Indian with his teachings and make them  think was very special.
•  He introduced the greatness of this great  country( India) to the people of this world in an  eloquent way highlighting the greatness of  Indian Vedanta without ever criticizing other traditions and religions is something  which everyone should take notice of  in high regard.
•  It  may take hundred's and thousand's of lines for me to express my respect and  admiration  for Swami Vivekananda and it still never ends,but the thing I want to  highlight is whatever he did was for the sake of the country,may it be the  RAMAKRISHNA MISSION,his travelling to the WEST and his immortal lectures.
•  Everyone and especially youth of this country should draw inspiration from his words  and apply them in their lives and as swami wished, should  serve  the country in  whatever way they can and work for the progress of this country.That would be the  greatest tribute we can pay to the IMMORTAL SOUL,whose teachings have had lasting  impression on the people in the past,continuing in the present and most definitely  will do so in the future.

 QUOTES ON SWAMI VIVEKANANDA:                                

•  I have gone through his works very thoroughly, and  after having through them,the love that I had for    my country became a thousand-fold.

                                 -Mahatma Gandhi                                                                                    

•   If you want to India,study Vivekananda.In him  everything is positive and nothing negative.

                              -Rabindranath Tagore

•  Swamiji was a full-blooded masculine personality-  and a fighter to the core of his being.I can go on for  hours and yet fail to do the slightest justice to that  great man.He was so great,so profound,so  complex.If he had been alive, I would have been at  his feet.

                 -Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

   

  

   For more quotes on Vivekananda,visit the following  link:

       http://www.slideshare.net/swamijyoti/video3-pps-world-thinkers-on-swami-vivekananda

     For more quotes of Vivekananda,visit the following  link:

    http://narendramodi.in/VivekanandaQuotes/index.htm#.VLRAtdLF9i8

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

                                                         MY POETRY!!!!!!          

FRIENDS,

• With every passing year, life of man is is evolving at such a rapid pace, which, we have to accept is slowly going beyond our control. So, what do these Festivals, Birthdays, and New Year's mean to life?
• Do they play any role?

 Well, they play a massive role. On these days we pray to god to give us success and only success in life, which, as we all know is not entirely possible in life because there will be failures which we need to overcome in life.
Knowing that we have to face a lot of  difficulties, Is that prayer worth it?   

• Then What is a perfect prayer for a New Year or for that matter for any occasion?

Well my version of prayer would be summarized at the end of this little poem of mine.

                                       Let us all remember that life is a GAME,

                           where, at the end of the day,we have no scope to BLAME,

                                        B'coz Life will give us NAME,

                                         Life will give us FAME,

                                         Sometimes, life will also give us SHAME,

                                         Let us take everything in our STRIDE,

                                         And on the horse of OPTIMISM let us go for a long RIDE.

                                          B'coz Life without any shadow of doubt will be TOUGH,

                                          And the road is mostly ROUGH,

                                          Let us come out of our own HAND-CUFF,

                                          And show the world our real STUFF.

                                          Let us not ask God for the mediocre earthly PLEASURES ,

                                     But for PATIENCE and ENDURANCE,the greatest TREASURES.

                                          In this brief life, let us pass our TIME,

                                          making our story a famous RHYME.

                                          B'coz FRIENDS

                                                               IT'S OUR LIFE!

                                                WE HAVE TO LIVE FOR OUR SELF!!

                                                 FOR THE PEOPLE AROUND US!!!

                                                 AND LARGELY, LET US LIVE FOR THE LIFE ITSELF!!!!

On behalf of entire mankind, I pray to god to bestow these 2 qualities (as PATIENCE is the answer to all our excitements and the other i.e., ENDURANCE is the panacea to lead a difficult life) on all of us, add spark to our lives and subsequently ignite the spark of genuine excellence which is already present in all of us.

   I take immense pleasure in wishing all my fellow citizens and their families a

                               very very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!   

                                                             

                                                    -MY THOUGHT.