Little Sparks

  Enthralling Locos haul Coaches  Those trails behind. The mighty train Gently winds its way! O' hail our Railway!! Tunnels so dark Curves are sharp gradients very steep Yet,  the wheels screech O'er the tracks  for people to reach their places back

Excuse me! Has the train crossed Whitefield? The excitement attached to a train journey begins the minute you book your ticket.  With IRCTC offering e-ticket facility, one can easily book the tickets without much hassle, from the comfort of homes.  The journey of a ticket  itself is enough to kindle the interest in the traveler.     One keeps checking the PNR status now and then.  From Waiting list to RAC (Reservation against Cancellation) to a Confirmed ticket finally...   Coach C3..Seat 25  Train No.22625 Chennai - Bengaluru Double Decker  .  Y ou get goosebumps once you get the SMS from Indian Railways after the preparation of  final chart.  There are a few others who book tickets only if  confirmed accommodation is available in the train and the class of their choice.  Some, who are unable to plan their travel well in advance opt for Tatkal where the probability of getting confirmed tickets is brighter, even a day before the commencement of the journey. After all the ordeals, the c

Little Lord Ganesha, you know! India is a country that celebrates diversity.  There are endless mythological stories unraveling multiple forms of divinity. Lord Ganesha, also called Ganpathi or Vinayaka,  is worshipped all over the country.  He is loved beyond religious barriers for his childlike features and interesting legends chronicled on his wisdom and tactfulness.  Children and adults alike are fascinated by his beautiful looks, elephant head, pot belly, and of all, his majestic pose.  Mooshika, his  mouse Vaahan (Vehicle) is also adored by one and all. Here goes a beautiful story - Once little lord Ganesha was playing near a temple in Boolokha (Planet Earth), all alone.  After a while, he felt bored and awaited his brother Lord Muruga to join him.   But, it was his Uncle, Lord Krishna who gave a surprise visit.  Krishna was very fond of his little nephew.  He would play with Ganesha for hours and enjoy his antics.   The same happened on that day also and Krishna forgot himself w

                    Karma is a boomerang! Since time immemorial, humanity had conceived a ubiquitous word which collectively indicates its actions, whether it be a generally accepted action or  otherwise.     Called 'Karma', it appears whenever someone deviates from accepted behavior.    People who argue that it was against their will would try to persuade the so-called offender to honor karma.   If not, Karma would serve its menu, they say.  This little story goes a long way to explain Karma.  Once a learned man had to cross a younger stream.   'Namaste', a smiling ferryman  humbly greeted the scholar and offered a ride across the stream.  While they were sailing, the 'omniscient' man started questioning the boatman, "Have you read the greatest epic of all times, the Ramayana?".  The illiterate ferryman nodded his head in denial and said, " Aiyah (Boss), I have never ventured to school. Hence, know-how on epics is nil".  The learned man did

                      Happy Women's Day dears!! 8th of March - International Women's Day! 'Happy Women's Day Amma!', my son greeted me early in the morning. Moments later, my daughter hugged me and said, 'You're the best mom! Happy IWD MA!'.  Minutes later, I got a 'ping' from my better half who had overheard our conversation. It reads 'To the most lovely woman... blah.. Blah' .  I left a smile and went about doing my chores.   After this morning Hulla-Bulla, I reached my workplace.  Male colleagues accorded us a warm welcome, beautiful flowers, chocolates and what not!  Okays! Shot over!  As the day steered ahead, there were funny comments from the menfolk on our bright make up, stylish attire on our D-Day. Why not celebrate Men's Day too? Don't we men also deserve some attention??!', voiced out a senior colleague.  Pat came the reply from another, " We'll never have such days! It's all for the privileged womenfo

                                                                  The Cookie-savvy Crow I wake up as early as five in the mornings to prepare breakfast and lunch for the family. A typical Indian working woman, I would wake up my better half too, offering him a cup of coffee and a bunch of veggies for slicing and dicing.  The frenzy of mustards and the aroma of sambar fill the air,  attracting this coveted guest, none other than our beloved 'Biscotha'.  No sooner I open the kitchen window, this cute visitor would come and sit on the sunshade slab looking for its favorite snack.  It is a specially challenged crow.  A real fighter, this one-legged bird would grab the 'cookie' (Didn't I say it's his breakfast, lunch and dinner) that I place in a whisker and fly way.  There is not enough space on the slab to sit and relish its routine breakfast.  It would fly to the sunshade of a nearby house and return in no time to fetch another. At times, I would run out of cookie