WORLD SAVINGS DAY

31st October is World Savings Day and it was first established in 1924.  It is a very important aspect of life and needs to be inculcated in children when they are very young.  Savings is a habit and a real good one to develop from childhood days.

The collection of coins in a small piggy bank was inculcated in me when I was young and I followed the same  practice when I became a father.  I have strongly advocated the "recurring deposit" system for all my clients during my early days of professional practice as "Chartered Accountant" in Chennai.  I have always followed the "Recurring Deposit" scheme and I used to include the monthly deposit as part of my expenses.  When the Recurring Deposit matures after the term (whether it is 12 months or 24 months) we will find that there is a substantial amount in our hands for meeting crucial and lumpsum payments.

The earnings are substantially higher nowadays and so are the expenses.  The expenses are increasing day by day and technological advancement has only led to much higher level of costs.  It is hence extremely important for all of us to get into savings habit and ensure that we do not spend all the money that we earn as we need to create a reserve for ourselves to meet major expenditure like Buying a House, Children's Education, Holidays, Rainy Days, Retirement, etc.

If we are used to a certain life style and standard of living it is extremely important to ensure that we are able to maintain the same till the end.  Savings is the only habit which will help us maintain the same lifestyle and standard of living.

Women are very good in Savings and I remember an old tamil song in which the lines that attracted me the most are "sertha panatha sikkana selavu seyya pakkuvama amma kayile koduthu podu chellakannu.  Avunga aara nooru aakuvanga chinna kannu".  This means give the money that you have earned to your mother as she knows how to make six into hundred.

Earn well and Save well to enjoy your life for ever.

T.P.Anand
Dubai, U.A.E.
30th October 2012

AAJITH SUPER SINGER JUNIOR 3

I predicted on 26th September 2012 that Aajith will get selected for finals.  He not only entered finals from wild card round but he stole the show in Finals.  Pragathi and Sukanya are very good singers and did extremely well too.  Gautham and Yazhini also performed well and overall it was a wonderful treat to watch these children.  It is indeed highly commendable that these children can sing the songs without having to refer to the lyrics.  They have the ability to put so much emotion into the songs and are able to sing with lot of modulation.  Above all they have the courage to perform in front of a large crowd wit:hout any inhibitions.

Aajith has come a long long way to win the Super Singer Junior 3 title and some of the wonderful songs that he performed are listed below:

Vandhe Mataram:


Anubhavam Pudhumai:


Aaromale:


Asku Lasku:


Vennilave Vennilave:


Mukkaala Mukkabala:


Hasili Fisili Rasamali:


Roja Roja:


Uyire Uyire:


Po nee Po:


Neeye Neeye:


I am convinced with the decision of the Audience and Judges that Aajith deserved to be given the title "Super Singer Junior 3".  He is truly awesome and unmatched in his versatility and stage performance.

We have found the SPB of the next generation.

T.P.Anand
Dubai, U.A.E.
28th October 2012

PROGRESSIVE CITIES

I love the walk along the Dubai Creek in the evening.  The cool breeze and sea water smell is really an enjoyable experience.  While I was walking along the creek I was thinking about the development of Dubai over the last few decades.  The abra (small motor boat with seating capacity of 20 persons) used to be the mode of transport for people in the olden days and it continues to serve as a transport between Diera and Bur Dubai.

Over the years the Government has developed other ways of crossing the creek - Shindagah tunnel, Makhtoum Bridge, Garhoud Bridge and Business Bay Crossing.  The creek actually adds to the beauty of the city and signifies progress.

Apart from Dubai there are several other cities which have a Creek or River in the middle and I found all those to be Progressive Cities like Dubai.

London is a very progressive city and the central part of London and great attraction is the River Thames.

New York is another progressive city which is bustling with activity all the 24 hours of the day.  The Hudson River adds to the beauty of the City and is a very important element of New York City.

I have visited both London and New York and admired the River that runs through the city.

Melbourne in Australia has been named the "Most Liveable City" in the world for the last two years and is a very progressive city too.  The Yarra River is a major attraction for Melbourne as the city extends along the Yarra River.

I have never been to Melbourne and hope to visit soon.

Toronto is the largest city in Canada and is located on the banks of River Ontario and is fortunate to be intersected by three Rivers, viz., "Humber River", "Rouge River and "Don River".

Paris is the most sought after destination for tourists travelling to Europe.  It is another progressive city in the world as is also the largest city in France.  Paris is located on the north bending arc of "River Seine".

Rome is another progressive city which is also a very well sought after tourist destination.  Rome is on the banks of "Tiber River".

Moscow is a beautiful city with lot of architectural wonders like the Red Square.  Moscow is on the banks of the "River Moskva".  The rivers runs right across the city and there are 49 bridges over the river in the city.

These progressive cities have used the River/Creek very effectively and made it as the most important and integral part of the City Development.  I hail from Chennai in India and we have two beautiful rivers running through the city, viz., Cooum River and Adyar River but both the rivers are totally neglected and have become large open drainage for the City.

I wish they beautify these two rivers and bring further progress and prosperity to my dear Chennai.



T.P.Anand
Dubai, U.A.E.

21st October 2012

FELIX FELL

Felix fell from a height of 39,045 metres.  I do not know if this is a Jump or a Fall.  Whatever that was but it was a truly awesome record to create.  Felix Baumgartner has now made the world record of making the highest and fastest jump in history.  He took off in a helium baloon to an altitude of 39,045 metres and made the jump to mother earth and during the descend to earth he reached a top speed of 1,342 Km per hour.

This Austrian is a daredevil jumper and has already done several jumps from high altitudes but what he did on 14th October 2012 is truly the deadliest and more daring feat of all.  By this feat he has broken both the speed and altitude record that was set by Joe Kittinger almost 50 years ago.

Felix faced problems just before the jump and the worst came when he was into the jump as he started spinning in thin air of the stratosphere and as the atmosphere thickened he managed to stop the spin and then had a smooth fall until he was ready to open the parachute.  Being a former paratrooper this Austrian did not have any difficulty once the parachute opened.

By creating this world record Felix has not only showed and demonstrated something new but he has opened the eyes of space scientists to a new concept that the Astronauts could wear the spacesuit which was tested by Felix in the future.

This jump is financed by Red Bull and is named as "Red Bull Stratos" which took five years for planning and the team that has tirelessly worked on this project included 300 people.  Watch the fun on the Guardian Video which has captured the entire action over eight minutes.
                 
                   
This truly an amazing achievement and only shows how fast the technology has been growing in the last couple of decades.  "Nothing is Impossible" and looks like we are going to witness some unimaginable fantastic feats in the future as this Felix Fall will be the beginning of a flow of achievements which will continue to flow like a "Waterfall".

T.P.Anand
Dubai, U.A.E.
17th October 2012

SRIVAARI DARSANAM

Tirupathi is my native place and I visit the temple in Tirumala as often as possible.  My elders used to say that the visit to the temple will happen only when the lord wishes.  Any amount of planning and arrangements is not enough unless the lord calls us to visit the temple.  The successful trip to the temple is possible only if there is Lord Venkateswara's blessing and approval.  I have made several trips without any planning or thinking.  It has happened all of a sudden.  I have also gone to the temple and returned back to Chennai without having the darshan of the lord.

Myself and my wife are in the queue.  We have been standing in the queue for a long time and suddenly the queue started moving fast.  We were quite happy and excited about the quick movement in the queue.  We came near the main entrance of the temple and I told my wife in another 30 minutes we will finish the darshan and can be out of the temple.  We then moved towards the Dwajasthambam and in a short while we were near the main sannadhi.

As we are nearer to the Perumal Sannadhi there is a talk that the queue system will be stopped for few hours as they are going to close the temple.  I was praying in my mind that I should get the darshan in this batch so that I do not have to continue another few hours of waiting.

When we approached the perumal sannadhi i realised that only me and my wife were inside the Sannadhi and the queue has been stopped behind us.  We have now entered the Sannadhi and find that the view is completely blocked as they have closed the door.  My heart is pounding and I do not know what to do and look at my wife and she says let us wait.  One of the TTD employees appears in front of me and says wait for five minutes we will open the door and you can have darshan of the Lord.

I am standing on the left side of the Sannadhi and my wife is standing on the right side and we are both patiently waiting.  There is no one else in the Perumal Sannadhi.  After few minutes the door slowly opens and we are in front of Lord Venkateshwara.  What a surprise he is lying down in a sleeping posture.  Lord Venkateshwara opened his eyes and smiled at me and my wife.  We both are standing with our hands folded and we made namaskaram to the Lord.

In Tirumala Temple the Lord Venkateshwara is standing and giving darshan to the devotees.  I am wondering why he is lying down and smiling at me.  I then quickly realised that the temple is closed for few hours and the lord himself is taking rest.  We are truly blessed to be standing in front of Lord Venkateshwara and also extremely blessed and fortunate that we see him while he is resting and not giving darshan.  Having seen us both though he is resting and sleeping he opened his eyes and blessed us.

I was then thinking only in Srirangam the lord is in sleeping posture whereas in Tirupathi he is in standing posture.  Then I was thinking whether this is all happening for real in front of my own eyes.

At this moment I got up with a jolt and saw the clock it was 5.30 a.m. and I was lying in my bed in Dubai.

I have had several dreams in my life and this is the best dream I have seen so far.  My heart was filled with joy, happiness, fulfillment and an undesirable sense of satisfaction when I woke up today morning.

Sarvam Shree Krishnaarpanam.  God is Great.



T.P.Anand
Dubai, U.A.E.
15th October 2012

TP TOURS

TP Tours is a name coined by my second son Akshay Anand.  I am very fond of driving around the city to show my visitors and friends different parts of the city.

I enjoyed taking people around Singapore when I lived there and I was especially happy to go to Sentosa Island.  After I moved to Dubai I have been doing the same here.  I am especially happy to take my guests to "Palm Jumeira" which is a man made island in Dubai.  May be it is a coincidence or may be at the back of my mind I have an affinity towards islands.

Touring Dubai and other emirates in UAE can be an exciting and very interesting experience.  I do not waste even one weekend as I love to drive around and explore different parts of the country.

The following is the list of places that I have visited and I strongly recommend for one and all:

1. At the Top - 124th floor observatory in Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world
2. Musical Fountain at Dubai Mall - every half hour from 6 p.m. till 11 p.m. every day
3. Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall
4. Ice Rink in Dubai Mall
5. Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates
6. Ibn Batuta Mall - architecture from different parts of the world, viz., China, India, Egypt, Persia, Tunisia, Andalusia
7. Wafi Mall – there is a “Sound & Light” show at 9.30 p.m. which is very good and there is a beautiful Souk in the basement area which is worth touring
8. Bur Juman Center – one of the oldest malls in Dubai at the centre of the City
9. Festival City - Water Front and Ferrari Store
10. Diera City Centre
11. Mirdif City Centre
12. Outlet Mall – all leading brands have their outlets in this mall where you will get some amazing deals on Shoes, Bags, Clothes and Watches & Accessories
13. Dragon Mart - Chinese market for all products - 1.2 km long mall lined up with only chinese products
14. Desert Safari – most exciting ride on the dunes, sunset view, dinner at camp area with Belly Dance
15. Water Taxi Ride – you could go from the old city area Bur Dubai or Diera upto Dubai Marina
16. Wonder Bus Ride - from Burjuman Centre - both land and sea trip on the bus
17. Dubai Metro - longest driverless train service in the world – underground in the main business district and then you get into the elevated track to enjoy the picturesque beauty of Dubai
18. Jumeirah Open Beach - drive upto Burj Al Arab
19. Palm Jumeirah - mono rail ride and drive around the West Crescent and East Crescent Road
20. JBR Walk - Dubai Marina
21. Dubai Motor City - GoKarting both Indoor and Outdoor
22. Dubai Zoo on Jumeirah Beach Road
23. Dubai Museum in Bur Dubai
24. Dubai Dolphinarium in Creek Park - Magic Show, Sea Lion Show and Dolphin Show
25. Children's City in Creek Park
26. Car Showrooms on Sheikh Zayed Road
27. Drive on Hatta Road
28. Meena Bazaar – textile market – famous for Pakistani Dress Materials for ladies
29. Gold Souq – the one and only Gold Market in the world with hundreds of Jewelry Shops
30. Dhow Cruise on Dubai Creek – you could enjoy a quiet Dinner on the creek
31. Ras Al Khor – Bird Sanctuary
32. Meydan – Race Track for Horse Racing with a fantastic multi level viewing gallery
33. SkyDive in Dubai Marina
34. Global Village – Open from November to March – pavilions of over 40 countries
35. Ajman Beach
36. Sharjah Corniche
37. Sharjah Al Jazeera Park
38. Sharjah Aquarium and Marine Museum
39. Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi – fantasy world of Ferrari with some fantastic rides
40. Al Ain Zoo
41. Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain
42. Dibba and Musandam – day cruise – beautiful cruise along the coast of Oman

Visit the different parts of the Country and enjoy your forthcoming Eid Holidays.

T.P.Anand

Dubai, U.A.E.

12th October 2012

KJERAGBOLTEN

When you read the title you would have thought I made a mistake while typing. This is the name of a natural scenary in Norway. This stone is stuck in between two huge rocks and is in a place called Kjerag. In other words it is the "bolt" in Kjerag and hence known in Norway as "Kjeragbolten". This is the true "bolt in the blue".  People go to the top of the rock in Kjerag which is more than 1000 meters and jump down to the base. 

This is a tourist attraction and thousands of people visit this beautiful spot every year. You can reach this spot only after trecking for about 3 hours as that is the only way to reach this natural beauty. This boulder measure five cubic meters. The drop from the boulder is 735 meters. Would you dare to walk for three hours through the mountains and then stand on the boulder which has a 735 meter drop below? I can't even dream of standing there.

I recently saw the song in a Tamil Film "Ko" which has been picturised in this exotic location in Norway.  Watch this video where the scenic beauty of Kjerag is captured very nicely.

If you are planning for a short vacation during Eid Holidays may be a visit to Kjerag would be nice if you like hiking, trecking and adventure in general.

T.P.Anand
Dubai, U.A.E.
9th October 2012

P.SUSHEELA - NIGHTINGALE OF SOUTH INDIA

P.Susheela is one of the greatest female playback singers of all times.  She started her career as a play back singer in 1952 and received National Award for best female play back singer five times.  She is popularly known as the Melody Queen and is truly the Nightingale of South India.

You can listen to her songs at any time of the day and it will give you a soothing effect and the mind will relax.  Some of the greatest songs of P.Susheela which I like the most are:

1. Chittu kuruvi mutham koduthu
2. Kanna karumai nira kanna
3. Aalaya maniyin osaiyai naan kaetten
4. Paartha nyabagam illayo
5. Love birds love birds thaka thimi thaa
6. Kumari pennin ullathile
7. Athaan ennathaan
8. Marainthirunthu paarkum marumam enna
9. Ninaikka therintha maname unakku marakka theriyaatha
10. Maalai pozhuthin mayakkathile naan kanavu kanden thozhi
11. Unnai ondru kaetpaen unmai solla vendum
12. Unnai kaanatha kannum kannalla
13. Inbam pongum vennila veesuthe
14. Aayiram iravugal varuvathundu
15. Thedinen vanthathu
16. Naalai entha velai paarthu odi vaa nila
17. Amuthai pozhiyum nilave nee arugil
18. Aadalundan paadalai kettu rasippathile thaan sugam sugam
19. Kannan piranthaan
20. Muthaana muthallavo
21. Poo pookkum maatham thai maatham
22. Kalaimagal kai porule unnai gavanikka aal illaiyo
23. Solla solla inikkuthada muruga
24. Sonnathu nee thaana sol sol enn vuyire
25. Thamizhukkum amudhendru per
26. Malarndum malaraadha paadhi malar pola valarum
27. Yaarai than nambuvado pedai nenjam
28. Kadavul oru naal ulagai kaana
29. Kalyana naal paarka sollalaama
30. Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai
31. Naan pesa ninaippadellaam
32. Muthumani maala enna thottu thottu thaalaatta
33. Amaithiyaana nathiyinile odum

I have seen "Kanna karumai nira kanna" song several hundred times and I have seen tears filling my eyes each time I watched this song.

Singers like P.Susheela will live with us for several hundred years and their songs are priceless treasures.  Long live P.Susheela.

T.P.Anand
Dubai, U.A.E.
2nd October 2012

HANUMAN CHALISA

SRI HANUMAN CHALISA

Doha

Shri Guru Charan Saroj raj Nija manu Mukura sudhari

Baranau Raghuvar Bimal Jasu Jo Dayaku Phala Chari

Budheeheen Tanu Jannike Sumiro Pavan Kumara

Bal Buddhi Vidya Dehoo Mohee Harahu Kalesh Vikaar

Chaupaii

Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar // Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar

Ram doot atulit bal dhama // Anjani putra Pavan sut nama

Mahabir vikram Bajrangi // Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi

Kanchan varan viraj subesa // Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesha

Hath Vajra Aur Dhwaja Viraje // Kaandhe moonj janeu saaje

Sankar suvan kesri Nandan // Tej prataap maha jag vandan

Vidyavaan guni ati chatur // Ram kaj karibe ko aatur

Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya // Ram Lakhan Sita man Basiya

Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava // Vikat roop dhari lank jalava

Bhim roop dhari asur sanhare // Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare

Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye // Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye

Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai // Tum mama priya Bharat-hi-sam bhai

Sahas badan tumharo yash gave // As kahi Shripati kanth lagaave

Sankadhik Brahmaadi Muneesa // Narad Sarad sahit Aheesa

Yam Kuber Dikpaal Jahan te // Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te

Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha // Ram milaye rajpad deenha

Tumhro mantra Vibheeshan maana // Lankeshwar Bhaye Sab jag jana

Yug sahasra yojan par Bhanu // Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu

Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahee // Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahee

Durgam kaj jagat ke jete // Sugam anugraha tumhre tete

Ram duwaare tum rakhvare // Hot na agya binu paisare

Sab sukh lahai tumhari saran // Tum rakshak kahu ko darna

Aapan tej samharo aapai // Teenon lok hank te kanpai

Bhoot pisaach Nikat nahin aavai // Mahavir jab naam sunavai

Nase rog harae sab peera // Japat nirantar Hanumat beera

Sankat se Hanuman chhudavai // Man Kram Vachan dhyan jo lavai

Sab par Ram tapasvee raja // Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja

Aur manorath jo koi lavai // Soi amit jeevan phal pavai

Charon jug partap tumhara // Hai parsiddh jagat ujiyara

Sadhu Sant ke tum Rakhware // Asur nikandan Ram dulare

Ashta siddhi nav nidhi ke data // As var deen Janki mata

Ram rasayan tumhare pasa // Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa

Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai // Janam janam ke dukh bisraavai

Antkaal Raghuvar pur jayee // Jahan janam Hari Bhakt Kahayee

Aur Devta Chitt na dharahin // Hanumat sei sarv sukh karahin

Sankat kate mite sab peera // Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosain // Kripa Karahun Gurudev ki nayin

Jo shat bar path kare koi // Chhutahin bandi maha sukh hoi

Jo yeh padhe Hanuman Chalisa // Hoye siddhi saakhi Gaureesa

Tulsidas sada hari chera // Keejai Nath Hriday mahn dera

Doha

Pavan Tanay Sankat Harana Mangala Murati Roop

Ram Lakhan Sita Sahita Hriday Basahu Soor Bhoop

Siyavara ramachandra ki jaya // Pavanasuta hanumana ki jaya

Umapathi mahadev ki jaya // Bola re bhai saba Santana ki jaya

Chanting of Hanuman Chalisa everyday is very good for our overall progress in life.

T.P.Anand

Dubai, U.A.E.

1st October 2012