Personal Weblog of Deepak Vasudevan

Ramayana Mahotsavam in Chennai   Sri Rama Samithi is organizing Ramayana Mahotsavam in Chennai on December 23. The purpose of this function is as follows: Upholding and spreading the moral values from Ramayana Protect the greatest cultural assets of the nation Uphold the Unity and Integrity of the Nation Ensure and Uphold World Peace and Prosperity Programme Timings: December 23, 2007 (0900 hours to 1900 hours Indian Time)   Programme Features:   A lot of great persons, writers and educationist are intending to participate in the function and render speeches. The samithi has also planned to organize puzzle contests for kids, Bhajans, Essay Writing contests, Folk Songs, Suppu Arumugam's Villuppattu etc. The venue of Mahotsavam would also accomodate stalls where books, photos, audio and video (MP3 casettes) related to Ramayana. The samithi encourages everyone to participate in the function and to make it a huge success. If you are willing to participate/con...

Sabarimala Mandala Pooja and Makara Jyothi Yatra by Sri Ranga Travels   I came to know of the various travel programmes that have been planned out towards the Mandala Pooja and Makara Jyothi by Sri Ranga Travels based from T. Nagar, Chennai. Sometime on Friday I went out to their shop and got a pamplet so that I can share the information with other interested devotees and pilgrims. 14th December 2007 to 17th December 2007 (4 days INR 900) (Point to Point) Bhavani, Guruvayoor, Erumeli, Pampa, Kumuli, Pazhani, Samayapuram 18th December 2007 to 22nd December 2007 (5 days INR 1120) (Point to Point) Namakkal, Thiruchengode, Bhavani, Pariyoor, Bhannari, Marudhamalai, Perur, Guruvayoor, Chottanikkarai, Erumeli, Pampa, Kumuli, Pazhani, Samayapuram 19th December 2007 to 22nd December 2007 (4 days INR 950) (Point to Point) Samayapuram, Kumuli, Erumeli, Pampa, Guruvayoor, Pazhani 22nd December 2007 to 25th December 2007 (4 days INR 950) (Point to Point) Bhavani, Guruvayoor, Erumeli, Pa...

Lord Puri Jagannath Website On The Web While casually clicking through a few weblogs, I came across Gaurav's DotNetLover . He had mentioned about his friend's effort in bringing together a world-class website on Lord Puri Jagannath and host it over here . I just thought I would like to share a few words on the website here: The webmaster says that it is his first Oriya website. I would hence appreciate him for his truly great devotion to the Lord and avid interest to bring out a very good informative website for the benefit of Lord's devotees across the globe. The author has also tried to provide good details about the various festivals, temple timings, deities and history of the temple. I would also like to suggest the author to compile more info on the following topics: Transportation facilities from different places in India (like metropolitan cities in India, to start with) to Puri. The current year's temple calendar of various festivals. I would say, thi...

Shruti planning to mesmerize us again ... Yesterday whilst casually chatting with Prathiba , I actually expressed my anguish on two points, which are enumerated below. As the post goes, this slowly gets transitioned as a little testimonial for the revered blogger, a prolific writer, a ferocious go-getter on goal-targets. A long lack of updates to My Tides and Tidings . I call it shortly as MTT and I have told this to her too. The reason why I gave this name was it should be similar to ATT (or AT &T), which is a premiere communications provider in United States. I admit that her calendar slots are currently too full with her aspirations towards a post graduate management education (MBA). I used to tell about interesting discussion tidbits in CodeProject Lounge and Soapbox . Whilst the technical discussions are extremely superb and excellent and that no one can ever debate on it, sometimes, a few discussions on Soapbox can be a bit embarrasing or intimidating. I admit that the for...

Thiruvannamalai Deepam Live Telecast A few hours ago, we also discussed in brief about a website that has been setup to serve Thiruvannamalai Devotees on the occasion of Bharani Deepam and Maha Deepam. The permalink of the post is here . I just came to know that Doordarshan Podhigai channel is live telecasting the function on DD-1 Regional and Podhigai channels. The live telecast is scheduled at 1705 hours Indian Time, which is just a few minutes from now. Stay tuned to your televisions to catch up the live telecast. Source Courtesy: WebIndia123

Melmalayanoor Sri Angala Parameswari Temple Kumbabhishekam in the month of January Today while travelling from Tambaram to Saidapet , I came across an advertisement near Kamarajapuram. Since it was a quick journey and a brief halt at the bus stop, I could just capture the main info and sharing it with readers. Perhaps if any other reader has more info, please feel free to share them as comments for the benefit of other readers. Function: Melmalayanoor Sri Angala Parameswari Temple Kumbabhishekam When: The month of January. I guess, I observed it as January 18 to 21. They had also mentioned about a contact person at Velacherry Main Road, Rajakilpakkam, who can be contacted regarding participation in the function.

[Testimonial] A Knowledgeable MBA Project Guide -- Ravikumar Just thought I would add a few words thanking Ravikumar (associated with my Alagappa University study center based in Anna Nagar Leo Matriculation School ). I was actually searching for a good guide under which I had to signup and complete the assignment. Chennai is known for notorious unscrupulous guys who actually sell projects for a good booty. I was just trying to ensure not to tread on that route. It was at this time, when I contacted my study center, a reference about Ravikumar was given. The following are some of the good things. A good long run planning. It takes four months for the entire project to complete right from the choice of topic and other business arrangements. Periodic review and consultations Nominal Charges for the same. I have also referred my friend Varalakshmi now to him. Just thought I would also write a quick and little testimonial for the benefit of other interested and needy students.

Thiruvannamalai MahaDeepam and Bharani Deepam Today The much celebrated festival of Thirukkarthigai Month (Thiruvannamalai Maha Deepam and Bharani Deepam) is celebrated with great fervour today by millions of devotees of Lord Arunachaleswarar at Thiruvannamalai today. The Thiruvannamalai Police Department has also launched a website on this topic for the service of devotees enumerating on the following topics: About the Festival The Programme Accomodation Details Transportation Guidelines Traffic Diversions Logistics Arrangement including temporary parking stands for different types of vehicles Emergency Arrangements like Hospital, Ambulance etc Quick Rules of Thumb ("Do's and Dont's") You can check out the website here . For the benefit of devotees right from the comfort of thier mobile, the following contact numbers are available from the police department regarding the above points. +9199789671011 +919789671012 +919789671013 +919789671014 +919789671015 The cops, th...

Pre Dawn to Post Dusk Fasting Yesterday (November 20) had been quite an interesting day. It had started to drizzle and then slowly catch up speed in raining in the morning. To escape being drenched I just thought I would start up a bit early to work. Towards this, I was planning to start a bit early and reached work at around eight o clock in the morning. I just thought I would have a quick bite breakfast. But since due to current austerities for Sabarimala being followed and due to other 'busy schedules' , I just forgot it. Somehow managed till 1400 hours (Lunch). There were some important persons to meet as visitors, which filled the Lunch session. With other schedules occupying the schedules, when the clock struck 2300 hours, the hunger helpline got activated by my mind too. When I actually took my food for November 20, the calendar indicated it was November 21, 2007 01:10:23. So all through the entire day, just but liquid food kept going.

Sharana Gosham in Vijay TV From today (19th November 2007), Vijay TV is telecasting a Sabarimala Exclusive programme sometime around 1900 hours  (7 PM) every day. Remember that it is easier to remember too. From 19th at 1900 hours. The programme is called " Pallikattu Sabarimalaikku ". But I am sure that quite a few of us would just be returning home and hence if some one could represent this issue to Vijay TV or contact them regarding the same and request for a retelecast or a secondary telecast sometime during the mornings, it would be great. But for those who could watch, don't miss it. Keep tuned your channels to Vijay TV in the evenings around 1900 hours. Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!!

Pallavaram-based Tourists Operate Sabarimala Trips Today whilst commuting to office, I saw an advertisement on Sabarimala Trips by a Pallavaram based tourist company. Since the bus was travelling a bit fast, I just could capture the contact phone number and approximate dates of journey. They seem to be organizing Sabarimala tours during the Mandala Pooja and Makara Jyothi festival with a lot of buses/vans etc. I think the name was 'Gurunath Travels' and the contact number is +919841640279. Interested pilgrims check out with them to plan thier Sabarimala pilgrimage.

Sri Ayyappan Malar Poojai on 27th December 2008 Sri Devi Karumari Amman Tourists is organizing Sri Ayyappan Malar Poojai on 27th December 2007 at 1900 hours. They are inviting everyone to participate in the function and to get the blessings of the Lord Sri Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa. Address of the Travel Company: Sri Devi Karumari Amman Tourist, Old No. 11/New No. 29, Ramasamy Street, T. Nagar, Chennai -- 600 017. Telephone: +914442070962/+919381201643

20 Day North India Pilgrimage by Sri Devi Karumari Amman Tourists Sri Devi Karumari Amman Tourists have planned for a 23 day North India which includes food and with video coach delux bus. This pilgrimage would start by April 2008. The organizers have stipulated a tariff of INR 7500 per head for this pilgrimage. Interested pilgrims can contact the travel office for tour plan details and booking. Address: Sri Devi Karumari Amman Tourists, Old No. 11/New No. 29, Ramasamy Street, T. Nagar, Chennai -- 600 017. Telephone: +914442070962/+919381201643 The travel organizers are also giving 36-55 seat new deluxe bus/ Tata Sumo, Van. They also give 27 seat mini buses for rent.

We've all faced it—a crumpled, limp, ink-blotched rupee note that looks like it's been through a monsoon and a lunchbox. The first instinct? Slip it to someone else and hope they don't notice. Wait. There's a cleaner way—morally and literally. Before passing on what feels like an economic fossil, consider taking that note to your local bank. As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, all commercial banks are obligated to accept soiled or mutilated currency —without hesitation, without charge, and with full face value. Tried and Tested I’ve redeemed notes at Axis Bank, Velachery, with zero fuss—they were polite and helpful. Once, at Axis Bank, Madipakkam, a teller was a bit theatrically puzzled by my request. Some silent gesturing, a gentle reminder of RBI rules, and voilà—the note was accepted. Let’s stop circulating weary notes like unwanted invitations. If the rupee has done its duty, let it rest in RBI’s vaults—not someone else’s pocket.

Sabarimala Mandala Pooja Makara Jyothi Bus Tour Programmes by Sri Devi Karumari Amman Tourists I just got a brochure of the different tour programmes that has been planned by Sri Devi Karamari Amman Tourists towards the Mandala Pooja and Makara Jyothi festivals at Sabarimala. I would like to share the same here for the benefit of other devotees as well. 6th December 2007 to 10th December 2007 (5 days INR 1000): Madurai, Chinthalakarai, Thiruchendoor, Kutralam, Erumeli, Pampa, Sannidhanam, Kumuli, Pazhani, Samayapuram, Chennai 11th December 2007 to 15th December 2007 (5 days INR 1000) Chidambaram, Vaitheeswaran Koil, Kumbakonam, Suriyanar Koil, Thirunallar, Pillayarpatti, Kutralam, Erumeli, Pampa, Sannidhanam, Kumuli, Pazhani, Chennai 16th December 2007 to 19th December 2007 (4 days INR 950) [Express] Thiruchi, Kumuli, Erumeli, Pampa, Sannidhanam, Guruvayoor (via), Pazhani, Chennai 20th December 2007 to 23rd December 2007 (4 days INR 950) [Express] Bhavani, Guruvayoor, Erumeli, Pampa, S...

Veermani Raju Sri Ayyappa Bhajan at Kamaraj Grounds, Chennai I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Sunderasn Siva for visiting our post on " Mandala Makara Brahmotsavam at Madippakkam Sri Ayyappa Temple " and sharing the following information thereto as comments: Event Type: Sri Ayyappa Bhajan by Veeramani Raju . Venue: Kamaraj Grounds, Teynampet (Near Gemini Flyover) Date: December 1st 2007 Contact Details: sundaresan_siva (at) yahoo.com He has also given his contact information for further details. The first quick information did not carry time. Going by the previous years' Bhajan, this should be same time between 1700 hours to 2200 hours. Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!!

Vasanth TV -- One More Entertainment and News Channel Just today whilst commuting to workplace I saw a couple of autorickshaws hosting the advertisement of Vasanth TV. Also, near Velacherry Checkpost, they have also put mammoth billboards towards the new Television channel that is being unveiled on January 14, 2008. This comes close to the heels when Tamil Nadu just saw the launch of Kalaignar TV sometime about a couple of months back. Vasanth TV is pioneered and headed by Vasanth and Co. group of company (headed by Vasanth Kumar), who are known for best retail home appliances shop across Tamil Nadu.

Special Ayyappa Bhajan at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan A/C Mini Hall Today while casually browsing through 'The Hindu', I came across the following event news clipping and I wanted to share the same with interested Ayyappa devotees. Event: Special Ayyappa Bhajan Date and Time: Today (11th November 2007) at 1600 hours (4 PM) Indian Time Venue: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan A/C Mini Hall Organizers: Bhaktha Swaraa Bhajan Mandali (Regd) Sponsor: Gopalarathnam & group Note: There were two footnotes regarding the event, which I would like to mention. Normally free events are mentioned as ' All are welcome ' but this has not been mentioned. Hence I am not sure of the entry being free or charged with a fee. However, I just recommend interested people can check out with either the Hall/Mandali in person or via a telephone call. Since the address was not mentioned in the event, I did a quick Internet Google search and found the address from here as outlined below: Bharatiya Vidya Bhav...

Mandala Makara Brahmotsavam at Madippakkam Sri Ayyappa Temple Today whilst visiting the Madippakkam Sri Ayyappa Temple to start the austerities towards the Sabarimala Pilgrimage, I also came to know of the Mandala Makara Brahmotsavam that they are planning to organize sometime between 17th November 2007 (Saturday Karthigai 1) to 26th November 2007 (Monday Karthigai 10). They have planned for special Abhishekams, Paraiyeduppu, Annadhanam, musical concerts and deity processions. The organizers have prepared a pamplet and requested everyone to participate in the Brahmotsavam to get the blessings of the Lord. I just thought of sharing the information in the pamplet with other readers too. Thanthiri Sri Sri Narayanan Bandarathil has kindly consented to supervise the Brahmatsavam celebrations. ************** During the Mandala - Makara Brahmotsavam, one can remit an amount of INR 300 towards Daily Poojas. The Programme Schedule is as follows: 05.30: Ganapathi Homam From 17th November 2007 to...

Most Hot Weather Conditions Prevailing in Chennai Normally during Diwali festival times, you can witness really pleasant showers and sometimes you would also have cyclonic storms that gets formed in Bay of Bengal resulting in heavy showers. But very interestingly this year, even after start of November, which marks the beginnering of North - East monsoon in Tamil Nadu, one can witness the following bad weather conditions: Acutely hot weather conditions like that in May Bad Climatic Transitions leading to frequent health downtime. Even myself I had been down with continuous common cold and fevers sometime during the third week of September to October. I think it is high time that the Government stopped the proliferation of concrete jungle menace and started to support programmes like Gramotsavam , which would cool down the atmosphere and make the world a better peaceful place for the people to live in.

Samayapuram Vs Mangadu This is a kind of similar comparison we had sometime back between Katpadi and Camp Road . The atmosphere and the geographical entrance position of Mangadu from the Poonamalee Highway took my memories somewhat straight to Samayapuram near Thiruchi. To reach Samayapuram, I remember there is a junction called Toll Gate where you also see the entrance arch of Samayapuram Mariamman temple. After entering it, you need to drive for a couple of minutes to reach the temple premises, look out for a parking area for your vehicle and then join the queue. Similarly, from the Poonamalee Express Way (NH4), you need to turn left at Kumananchavadi. And then drive for a couple of minutes to reach the Mangadu Kamakshi Amman temple. Both the temples are very ancient temples and are well served by a good frequency of buses. You can schedule your calendar for a convenient time to visit the temples to get the blessings of the Lordess.

Thanks a ton for the birthday wishes ... This day of 10th November, 2007 dawned out for me with phenomenal number of vibrant fun-filled birthday greetings brimming with love from diversified quarters. The spurt of greetings seeded right at 00:00 hours by Pradeep Felix. Though there were a few network hiccups, Airtel was gracious enough to alert me regarding all such missed and unreachable call attempts . Interestingly, in our community, we seldom attribute importance or significance to the date of birth birthdays. We focus on the Star Birthdays. But the overwhelmingamount of lovely birthday wishes seems to be moving this emphasis in a different way to make this day a memorable one. The spurt of birthday greetings from diversified quarters ranging from business-circle friends, close family friends to Sri Pathinettam Padi Saranam Ayyappa spanning and exhausting all available communication channels in the universe ranging from hearts, Voice over IP telephone lines, instant messaging syst...

The Tragic Prathiba -- II The atrocities against female employees working in ITES like BPOs seems to be back in full vigor, with the national cops in deep slumber. In a gruesome spine-chilling incident again a twenty-two year old BPO employee (Jyothi Chaudhury) was raped and murdered by a cab driver while she was on her duty on Friday night. She has actually resigned from the services and the journey which she hoped was the last journey to her office turned to be fatal last journey for her on the earth. Similar to Prathiba's incident , since the other pickups didn't turn up, Jyothi was driven alone by the cab driver and his accomplice to a secluded spot where she was made to satisfy thier bestial instincts, her face defaced with a stone and crushed to death. Check out the Economic Times narration here . A few of the questions have gone simply unnoticed or just 'buried' deep in this incident: Unlike the HP-employee (Prathiba Srikanth) incident which drew a good widesome ...

Sony has an innovative dream time machine with the model number ICF-C414. You can check out a sample attachment below: I just got to see this in the hotel room today. On quickly searching the internet I also got a nice manual someone has scanned and published. Please find it  below:   It is just around $25 from Amazon.com and I am sure this is a must for everyone. It has cool features like Alarm clock, slim look and FM/AM radio.

The Crowning Celebration Month -- Birthdays Galore Come November and it is always a celebration month at least in my friends circle. There is a heavy schedule in my Yahoo Calendar on the various birthday celebrations that keeps alerting. Let us join together to wish all the birthday babies " Very Many Happy Returns of the Day " I would also invite you to view the November Birthday Post of 2006 . Wish you many happy returns of the day!! November 3: Vinod Kumar Webmaster of Extreme Experts Srinivas Wudali [Colleague] November 7: Sathyanarayanan Technical Team of Ahobilam.com November 8: Umesh CTO of Exto Solutions November 9: Aravinthan Narayanan My Former Technical Lead and Our Revered Lookup Guru November 10: Vasudevan Deepak Kumar (This blogger) November 12: Sairam (A close friend in my home-neighborhood) November 13: Ramanakumar Jeyaraman [Colleague] Kaveri Lakshmanan [Currently at IBM Global Services, Bangalore] November 14: Celebrity Birthday (Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, th...

Just about the previous Friday (the one before Diwali ) had an interesting turn of events for me. I had someone to meet for a quick Lunch as she is flying to UK the Friday night. But just but two days before it, a set of white-collared hoodlums were busy disturbing my mental tranquility. They unnecessarily put forth solicitations for some junk get together or kind of lunch. I had to keep avoiding them in a very diplomatic way as always my stand used to be. They just used this stand since they had political power in the close proximity and hence were feeling a kind of superiority in them. Or rather they were feeling a kind of punch in thier ego. Nevertheless, I consider them useful in one way that they prove and help to be succinct salient testimony to our envy case study here in more ways than one. I had to adhere to my Todolist more since it helps to streamline my time management and performance. Thanks to the envy-creatures that they could create a mental doldrums only for a fe...