From Your MD’s Desk: Thought for Today - Suvidha · Thought for Today ... 21 st August with Sri S...

Website: http://www.suvidha.co.in Phone: 91-080-26951000 / 212 Email : [email protected]

Thought for Today

Volume Number: 1-9 For Private Circulation Only Date: 15-09-2014

From Your MDs Desk: http://www.thoughtfortoday.org.uk/todays-thought/

Dear Suvidhites,

Preparations for the AGM are in full swing.

I invite all of you to attend the AGM in large numbers; many of you live outside Bangalore; if you are far away, please consider giving a proxy so that your views can be heard. There are many fora through which we are hearing the views of the membership. Many suggestions have been implemented. The participation of the residents in the affairs of Suvidha is considerable.

But there is one disturbing trend that I need to bring to the notice of our shareholders.

We have to be careful not to send off vituperative, deprecatory letters based on rumours. The 'Cutting the trees' at Suvidha is an example. No trees were cut; somebody wrote that there was a rumour that trees were being cut; others took this to be a fact; Relocation of some saplings was equalised to cutting trees; there was a long discussion of the unwise decision to have a lawn - where no lawn was planned!

My request is for the SH to ascertain facts; you can write to the concerned committee or to me directly. We will give you a prompt reply. If you have an issue with this, we can always discuss this.

Also, the forum 'oursuvidha' should not be a forum to spread rumours; it should not be used to deliberately whip up emotions and project the management as a group of bumbling idiots! Please note that unlike other companies, all of us are volunteers working very hard to effectively face our challenges. We need your understanding and support. Anything that vitiates the atmosphere at Suvidha must be avoided. Shareholders, management and the company are all the same; we are on one side of the net - the opposition is the challenges we have to face!!


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Let us all focus on selling shares for Phase 1a; this will help us surmount our challenges; and then we can focus on building up a corpus fund.

Surely, no management can do things that please all the 180 of us; some decisions do go against our individual wishes. The management has to balance many views; it also has to factor in the laws that govern company affairs. If a decision is not to ones' liking, one has to try and understand the other point of view. There has to be some give and take, if we have to survive. There is no place for narrow selfish interests and egos. Please remember that survival of Suvidha as a concept is at stake.

Regards Dr. K. Lakshman.

Know your Directors:

With a view to get to know our Directors better, we present here a graphic description of their background, tasks on hand and their vision for Suvidha. Dr. Vivek Kadambi is here to share with us his vision and aspirations. A founder director of Suvidha, Dr. Vivek Kadambi, is director/ partner in many Healthcare Companies and Firms including companies with partners in USA, China and Hong Kong. Dr. Kadambi is a practicing ophthalmic surgeon. He is Head of dept of Ophthalmology at The Bangalore Hospital and Honorary Ophthalmic surgeon at Sri Sathya Sai Hospital, Whitefield. He also practices Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) at Belle Sant Wellness Endocrinology Institute in Bangalore. Dr. Kadambi Completed Medical School and post graduation in Ophthalmology with a Gold Medal from University of Poona. He was sent by The Medical Council Of India to Russia for specialized training in Russian techniques. He was trained at the Fyodorov Institute of Eye Microsurgery, Moscow. He was awarded a Masters degree in Ophthalmology from Moscow University in 1991. Upon his return to India Dr. Kadambi joined the Bangalore Hospital as a promoter consultant. He introduced the first flying spot Excimer laser in the country and pioneered the techniques of Laser Refractive surgery such as PRK and LASIK. Dr. Kadambi propounded the Lin-Kadambi Hypothesis for Presbyopia reversal and was one of the Chief Clinical investigators for the Global Clinical trials for the procedure of LAPR (Laser presbyopia Reversal). He has been training surgeons all over the world in Laser eye surgery. He has proctored training workshops in Italy, Greece, Holland, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, China, Middle East, France and India. Holds a US patent for a medical device to measure accommodative power of the eye and for a device for contralateral eye fixation during surgery and has introduced Medical innovations such as positive power infusion device for Phacoemulsification.


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Dr. Kadambi was awarded the Retinal Foundation Oration award for excellence in academics (1996), Outstanding Young Person Award (2001) by Garden City Junior Chamber. He has Multiple publications in National Journals and text books and comprised the faculty at National and International Scientific Conferences he has pioneered many surgical techniques into India such as PRK, LASIK, LAPR, NPDS (for Glaucoma), Vascular reconstructive surgery (Temporal Artery) and Scleroplasty. In 2008, Dr. Kadambi Introduced the first Whole body Gamma-ray Stereotactic Radiotherapy System into India. In the course of his clinical practice, Dr. Kadambi along with his surgeon wife, Dr. Nilima, started the Indiranagar Home Health service in 1995 where he expanded his clinical practice to deal with domiciliary management of geriatric issues such as Osteoporosis, Parkinsonism, Alzheimers, Ischemic Heart disease, Renal Failure, and terminal diseases. He was awarded Fellowship in Endocrinology in 2009 and in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy & Longevity Medicine in 2010, by Fort Wayne Endocrinology, USA. An avid golfer and an accomplished singer-performer, he was judged the best entertainer in the zonal finals of the Karaoke World Championship is 2013. Dr. Kadambis wife, Dr. Nilima is a pediatric surgeon who moved from clinical practice to being a consultant in Healthcare Management. His daughter, Pooja is a biomedical engineer, who returned to India after acquiring a Masters degree in Engineering from University of Cincinnati, USA. His father retired as a General in the Indian Army after holding the post of Chief Controller R&DE in the DRDO organization and his mother, Vyjayanthi, is a retired school principal and social worker.

Event Highlights:

o 68th Independece Day was celebrated on 15th August, with pomp and gaiety at Suvidha. Our National Flag was unfurled by Sri Ardi Jayaram Shetty, First Permanent Resident of Suvidha. In his speech after hoisting the flag, Sri Shetty reviewed the Political, Social and Economic Developments of the country so far. And he was positive that our country will forge ahead in all the three areas in another 15 years time. National Anthem was sung with full chorus.

Sweets and Soft Drinks were served at the club house for the residents and staff. We are thankful to Maintenance Staff under the leadership of Sri Nagaraj and Sri Pavan for putting extra efforts to make this occasion a memorable one. Thanks to Sri David our SO for helping in Flag hoisting. Thanks to Garden & House Keeping Staff for making the place a neat and tidy one. Special thanks to Kitchen staff for a tasty Mysore Pak. Thanks to Suvidhites for making the occasion a grand one. Here is the link to photos.

https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6047691657626994961

o Bandstand Inauguration: On 17th August , Bandstand presented to Suvidha by Dr K S Shekar, was

formally inaugurated by Former Chief Justice of India Hon'ble Venkatachalaiah. The Bandstand is named as "Manjula Gaana Mantapa".


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After the inauguration, at Club House there was a melodious rendition of Kannada and Hindi songs by Smt. Suneetha, famous Kannada film playback singer. Thanks to Ms Vani and Dr Lakshman for sponsoring a nice lunch. Thanks to all the staff members of Suvidha in helping to make the function a grand success. Here is the link to photos taken on the occasion.


o Satsang: Mr. Nayak of cottage 167, arranged a Satsang at Banquet hall between 4.00 and 6.00pm on

21st August with Sri S M Rao a leading businessman and a Vedanta Scholar from Abu Dhabi (UAE) gave a discourse on KRISHNA. Many of the Suvidha residents and the devotees attended the Satsang. The Satsang was followed by Coffee/Tea and light refreshments.

o Ms. AANVII HEARING SOLUTIONS conducted an outreach programme on 31st August at Suvidha village and screened 17 residents for their hearing impairment and follow-up. Mr. Dev Ananth conducted a seminar which included very informative question and answer session with the residents. The company also sponsored a sumptuous lunch to all the participating members. Program photos can be seen at link below. https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6053920250576543425

o Ganesh Puja : For convenience of Residents and Weekenders, the

Suvidha Community Ganesh puja was organised on Sunday the 31st August by Suvidha Ladies Club. The function was well attended. On this occasion all the Suvidhites whose birthdays fall in the month of August, were felicitated and warm birthday wishes were passed on to them. View the photos taken on that day


o Onam Celebrations : On Sunday the 7th September the Suvidha Ladies Club organised a very

elaborate Onam Celebrations. Highlights are as under:

The ladies made elaborate arrangements to mark the Onam Celebration with traditional colourful floor decorations (Poovkolam) and a lamp in the center. Thanks are due to Mrs. Vani Lakshman, Mrs. Padma Sankar, Mrs. Aruna Vijayakumar and Mrs. Bhatathi Sastry for patiently working on this grand floral design.

This was followed by a traditional Onam Sadhya with a variety of festival dishes served on plantain leaves. The special lunch was well attended by the enthusiastic residents along with their relatives. Dr. Mohan Rao and the canteen staff deserve a big hand for the tasty items and thoughtful table arrangements. The lunch was a great success!

o Visit of M/s Carepro,Japan: The representatives of M/S Carepro, Japan, supported by JETRO (Japan External Trade Organisation which comes under Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industries, Japan visited SUVIDHA on 09-09-2014. M/S Carepro has come out with an innovative device and a business model of self check-up for ailments like diabetes, blood pressure and many more at very low cost. They gave a presentation on their innovative business models.

o Movie Time Again: It is an English movie this time. The Day Of The Jackal". It was screened on Saturday the 13th September at 6.30 pm, in our fully equipped Banquet Hall which now has a new


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projector, a wide screen, a matching sound system and ,not to forget, the new comfortable furniture. Thanks to all the generous donor shareholders who made this possible.

Suvidha On The Move :

During the month a numbers of events of interest to our shareholders have taken place. The following are

some follow up actions taken.

o Marketing Brochure: Dr. Ashoka Gurudas, Director on Suvidha Board, has taken keen interest and brought out a very informative and colourful Marketing Brochure which provides all the essential information that a prospective buyer would need.

o Suvidha Ladies Club initiated functioning of the Beauty parlour and the

Library on 31st August. The response to these new facilities is very encouraging. Further, the following information is being provided for the would be users of these facilities:

Dr. Iris and Mr. Veeranna Chigateri, major donors to Library may be seen in the photo on inauguration day.

Library will be kept open Tuesdays between 11A.M and1P.M. and on Saturdays between 4 and 5 PM.

Beauty Parlour will be kept open for LADIES on Tuesdays and Sundays from 10 A.M. to 1P.M.

Parlour timings for MEN will be notified in due course. More photos taken on the occasion may be seen at the following link --- https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6053920250576543425

o Service Request System: Suvidha has introduced a complaint / service request booklet with counter

foil facility. This booklet is simple and well designed to suit the needs of elderly residents. One can register their service request pertaining to different nature of repair work to be carried out. Your request could be categorized according to Civil Work; Electrical Work, Plumbing work or Landscaping. The office will receive this duly filled request form and acknowledge in the counterfoil that is provided. The concerned officer will receive the service request form in due course. It is also envisaged to review the progress made with respect to these service requests on 20thof every month by the higher authority which includes the Resident Director.


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o Open House: On Sunday the 7th September, during the interactive discussions with the residents. MD elaborated on the following topics and initiated the discussion:

Progress of Phase 1a : Staff Quarters: MD updated the House about the progress that has been made with respect to Phase 1 A. He also confirmed about the first booking for a twin block. With this initial deposit, the company is ready to proceed with the ground breaking ceremony on 26th. September which happens to be an auspicious day according to the Hindu Colander. There may be an formal inauguration ceremony on Saturday the 27th during the AGM. The ground clearing work is in progress. The contractor has to sign on the dotted lines and initiate the project and complete 12 shells within the prescribed time.

MD declared the completion of the Staff Quarters project and is ready for an formal inauguration on the AGM Day.

Land scape Issues: MD clarified the reasons for the present unpleasant state of greenery of Suvidha. He further detailed the measures as well as the plans to restore the past glory before the AGM by the landscape committee. He then initiated the discussion on the subject.

MD requested a feedback on the present mode of open house communication to shareholders. As the house expressed satisfaction over the present method it was decided to continue as at present.

Canteen Matters : Sri. Jayaram shetty was critical about the quality of the food that is served by the canteen. MD clarified and informed the new initiatives that have been taken by the Kitchen committee. He also elaborated the introduction of new facilities which included a better ambience of the eating place, better seating facility and a better food warming facility etc.

Other issues like completion of the Club house and a Hospital facility was discussed by the house. MD clarified that the present financial condition does not permit to initiate these two white elephant projects. House was enthused to receive Mr and Mrs. Ramamurthy as new resident couple.

Suvidha Family News : o On 4th September 2014, Mrs and Mrs. Ramamurthy have moved into

their cottage # 166 as permanent residents. We welcome and wish

them a very happy and peaceful stay in Suvidha.

Mr. E S Ramamurthy had a distinguished career in Industry spanning

more than three decades. He was functioning as the CEO of the Electronics Division of BHEL in

Bangalore. He had a high profile in the field of renewable energy occupying senior positions under the

Govt. of India and as a UN Expert. This brought him into contact with remote rural communities and

their needs. He quit his career at its peak to involve himself in the socially productive cause of providing

quality education for the deprived. He started a program in 2002 by the name Sikshana, aimed at

improving the standard of education. The program has been making significant progress and presently

covers more than 1000 schools with 150,000 kids in four States.

Smt. Meenakshi Ramamurthy, a product of Madras University, had been a home maker in the initial

stages. She was instrumental in starting Sikshana through seed funding of the program from her own

resources. She is an ardent Sai devotee.


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Picture Gallery:

A picture says a thousand words. So goes the common saying. Hereunder, we have presented the major events in this year in pictures to transport you to that very event with just one click. So relax and enjoy !!!

Recent Events:

o Ganesh Puja Library Beauty Palor - 31-08-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6053920250576543425

o Bandstand Inauguration - 17-08-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6048464450147649377

o 68th Independence Day 2014 15-08-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6047691657626994961

Archives:

o Suvidha Vanamahotsava 2014 10-08-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6045854550653105985

o Musical program "Baar Baar Dekho" 2-08-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6046887354098837889

o Marketing initiative for Suvidha's Phase-1A 2-08-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6046889931783647761

o Living Will and Organ Donation 29-06-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6034403211395729665

o Veena Recital & Art Appreciation Program 15-06-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6025077471979169665

o Nutrition for Senior Citizens 01-06-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6019891682683628625

o Photography Workshop at Suvidha - 25-05-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/6018309312138203793?authkey=CMmP-eWG7_adoAE

o Pre-Ugadi celebrations @ Suvidha - 30-03-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/5996914717033107585

o Suhana Safar 23-03-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/5996433669207714097

o Suvidha Ladies Club Inauguration - 08-03-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/5988361819971361393

o Republic Day at Suvidha - 26-01-2014 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/5987501747808024849

o New Year Bash at Suvidha - 31-12-2013 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/5966379167825094545

o Independence Day at Suvidha - 15-08-2013 https://plus.google.com/photos/117291397490350207875/albums/5912532340407574321


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All in the lighter vein: ..Jokes you will love to share . From ajokeaday.com .

o SSSSeems an elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%. The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased you can hear again." To which the gentleman said, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will five times!"

o OOOOne night a police officer was staking out a particularly rowdy bar for possible DUI violations. At closing time, he saw a fellow tumble out of the bar, trip on the curb, and try his keys in five different cars before he found his. Then he sat in the front seat fumbling around with his keys for several minutes. Everyone else left the bar and drove off. Finally he started his engine and began to pull away. The police officer was waiting for him. He stopped the driver, read him his rights and administered the Breath Analyzer Test. The results showed a reading of 0.0. The puzzled officer demanded to know how that could be. The driver replied, "Tonight I'm the designated decoy.

o WWWWhile Bill waited at the airport to board his plane, he noticed a computer scale that would give your weight and a fortune. He dropped a quarter in the slot and the computer screen displayed: You weigh 195 pounds, you are married and youre on your way to San Diego. Bill stood there dumbfounded.

Another man put in a quarter and the computer read: You weigh 184 pounds, youre divorced, and youre on your way to Chicago. Bill said to the man, Are you divorced and on our way to Chicago? Yes. replied the man. Bill was amazed. Then he rushed to the mens room, changed his clothes and put on dark glasses. He went to the machine again. The computer read: You still weigh 195 pounds, youre still married, and you just missed your plane to San Diego.

o WWWWhile getting a checkup, a man tells his doctor that he thinks his wife is losing her hearing. The doctor says, "You should do a simple test. Stand about 15 feet behind your wife and say 'honey?. Move 3 feet closer and do it again. Keep moving 3 feet closer until she finally responds." Remember how close you were when she gives you an answer. That will help me know how bad her hearing loss is. About a month later the same guy is at the doctor again and the doctor asks, "Well, did you do that experiment with your wife's hearing? The man says "yes". "How close did you get before she answered?" "Well, by the time I got about 3 feet away she just turned around and said "For the FIFTH TIME...WHAT???"


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Talent Corner: Under this banner we plan to introduce to our readers, the contributions of our Suvidha family members who have developed substantial special skill sets as hobbies. Hope you will all enjoy such presentation. We welcome all such talented members to participate in this endeavour.

o Paintings: Dr. Narayanan R, a popular gynecologist and a resident of

Cottage No. 107 at SUVIDHA, will be introducing us to the fantasies of flora / fauna around the Village through his intricate miniature paintings.

LOBSTER CLAW

Commonly called Lobster claw or Hanging heliconia, its botanical name is Heliconia rostrata. It is a familiar and popular plant with beautiful bracts which are red with greenish yellow edges. Each bract resembles a lobster's claw, hence the common name. The mature plant normally starts to flower in the summer. The flowers last a long time and make an excellent cut flower, staying fresh for several days to several months.


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o Photography: Our Winged Visitors is a sequel of beautiful and at times stunning pictures of the birds that visit our Suvidha Lake. Mr. Ashok Dey a senior resident of SUVIDHA has taken keen interest in photographing birds. We believe that as many as 54 different species of birds visit the lake during the season. In this sequel we present the birds as caught by his camera. Enjoy!

White-breasted Kingfisher

One wonders if the the rain gods have deserted SUVIDHA this year! It rains all around our Village but there has been hardly any precipitation on our lake. But like the rest of us, a few of our winged friends, who have made SUVIDHA their home, also visit the lake almost regularly. Among them is the White-breasted (aka White-throated) Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis). With a chocolate brown head, large red bill and brilliant turquoise-blue upper parts, it is a beautiful sight both in flight and while it waits patiently for the scanty food that the steadily depleting waters of our lake now offer.

Readers Corner :

How to be HAPPY in your old age

Courtesy: Dr. P.M. Chandrasekhara, Suvidha

Faith, Hope, Love, Awe, Gratitude you cannot feel any of those without connection GERORGE VAILANT - Director of Grant study.

Studies have yielded surprising insights into why some people are happier than the others. Landmark

twins research from the University of Minnesota, USA, found that roughly 50% of the difference in

happiness from one individual to another is genetically determined. We do not inherit particular traits that

makes us more or less optimistic; rather, our DNA is responsible for what researchers refer to as a

happiness set point. You can win the lottery and it might temporarily raise your happiness level. Likewise


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a death in the family brings you down, but you will drift back. Thus, you will always going through hills

and valleys in life, but your overall general attitude is your happiness set point. An additional 10% of the

difference in happiness levels is influenced by life circumstances and environmental factors than can shift

daily. For example; think about the boost you get when you are praised for a

job well done or how your mood sours when you are enduring dreary weather.

Because happiness is intangible and difficult to measure, these percentages

serve as rough guides, rather than hard-and-fast rules, and they are influenced

differently by each persons perception of happiness. The field of positive

psychology (the study of happiness) has found that unhappy people who are

more likely to sulk after a boss criticizes their work or find faults to seemingly

pleasant situation. After accounting for our inherited happiness quotient and life circumstances, this leaves

only about 40% of our individual differences within our personal sphere of influence. Changing ones

intentional activities may provide a happiness-boosting potential that is at least as large as, and probably

much larger than, changing ones circumstances. Recent research points to four key areas where

intentional change will reap the most benefit to our happiness - Family: Community: Work: Faith.

Family: One of the predictors for happiness in old age is being in good marriage and presence of a good

life partner, because people need to establish meaningful connections with other people in order to truly

feel joy. Giving and accepting love has to be a two-way street.

Community: The happiest people have close relationships at least a few people you can really count

on: ED DIENER .. Leading psychology researcher.

The community that you build around yourself primarily your friends can help to boost your happiness.

It is not enough to surround yourself with warm bodies, though, in order to reap true joy from friendships,

you must have trust and dependability. Studies show that all the happiest people have close relationships

at least a few people you can really count on. Further, note that meaningful friendships need to be

reciprocal and be a person whom others can count on. The happiest people tend to think of others, not

just themselves. Research has shown that both friends as well as the relatives as support systems provide

mood-boosting benefits. Friendship can be particularly rewarding for people who have drastically different

interests, compared to their family members. Unlike relatives, you can choose your friends, so you can

create a supportive community of like-minded people with similar passions. Thus, one feels that they are

wired to feel more relaxed and happier around supportive people. Psychological studies have found that

having a friend with you makes a hill look less steep and makes you less anxious about a stressful

situation.

Lonely people with no confidants tend to be unhappy. To-day, with an increased reliance on technology

and telecommuting, more people are isolated. Data from General Social Survey (GSS), which has tracked

Americans happiness levels since 1972, revealed that in 2004, one in four people will have no one to

discuss significant events with. Loneliness negatively impacts health and longevity, so its worthwhile to

nurture meaningful relationships. Alone I can say, but together we call talk, alone I can enjoy, but

together we can laugh,. So, one should shun ones lost and lonely attitude, mix, talk, and laugh with

others, and celebrate the beauty of life!

Work: Work or work related occupation and mobility provides meaningful and purpose to your life and it is

very closely tied with happiness. Studies have shown that completely disabled people are less happy than

other people, largely because they are unable to work of any kind. The best way to increase your personal

happiness through your work is to find enjoyment in what you do. The key thing is to work in a way that your skills meet your passions. Further it has to create value in your life and value in the lives of others.

Faith: In the 21st century, when people seem to be more interested in money, pop culture and tech

gadgets than old fashioned values like spirituality and religion, it is refreshing to know that people can

relay on faith and spirituality to become a happier person. Part of the reason is that, you will need to be a

part of a community, and belonging to a like-minded group produces positive feelings. The whole point of


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spirituality is connection as it always involves people. Countless studies have shown that as a group,

religious people are happier than people who do not relay on their faith, likely because of their

interpersonal connections.

Hope, trust, forgiveness, awe- these emotions that lead happiness or wellbeing, but they are often

confused with religion rather than with mental health, For example Einstein ever darkened a synagogue

door, but he spent his entire life talking about awe, a belief in a power greater than yourself. While some

people interpret faith to mean trust, others identify faith with their belief systems. For those who equate

faith with religion, making a conscious effort to attend spiritual events can help people with fewer social

connections interact with a meaningful group of people who share similar values. A study has shown that

those who had a close relationship with members of their extended families were less likely to seek out

spiritual experiences, but those who were disconnected from friends and family became increasingly more

religious over time. Thus Faith provides comfort when you are deprived of close relatives. So, lasting

happiness and contentment can be ours if we look in the right places. Alone I can say but together we

can talk, alone I can enjoy, but together or we can celebrate, alone I can smile; but together we can

laugh. So one should shun ones lost and lonely attitude, mix, talk and laugh with others, and celebrate the beauty of life! Ref: Readers Digest 2014 June.

Shortcut to Happiness: It is a universal truth that man strives to experience happiness especially when

he reaches his sunset years. When we are aged or old, the search for happiness is the common goal that

of us seek and it never ends in a life time. We go through hankering after this wonderful human feeling,

enduring many hardships in the process. It is ironical then that most of us should go through life with little

success at being in this state of happiness. In trying to interpret the reason for the gap in the quest to

happiness and its actual attainment, several profound truths have emerged. The consensus by the

experts is that, Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you

turn your attention to other things, it comes and softly sits on your shoulder.

The key factor in achieving happiness, therefore, is to shed the obsession that that is in us to chase

happiness. The truth is that happiness can never be obtained this way. Rather, it must be understood that

happiness is the by-product that is generated when the process of living a good life is set in motion. In

this context, it is important to also understand that it is a thin line that separates living a good life from

living the good life living the good life is all about the happiness that there is in enjoying worldly and

material pleasure. While this kind of happiness is required to some extent, its preoccupation makes life

toxic and needs to be consciously curtailed. Chasing the good life, spending every waking hour of the day

in a selfish craving for it and compromising moral values for its attainment are to be avoided like the plague. For, living the good life can never bring real happiness.

It is a proved theory that when one material need is satisfied, another crops up and there is this nagging

feeling of permanent inadequacy. On the other hand, living a good life, which comes from following some

core values such as integrity, loyalty, and compassion, breeds lasting and real happiness. Happiness thus

is not a state to arrive at, rather it is a manner of traveling at our sunset years.

Johann Wolfgang, a German writer, lists these nine essentials as a shortcut to happiness. Health enough

to make work a pleasure, wealth enough to support your needs, strength enough to battle with difficulties

and overcome them; grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them; patience enough to toil until

some good is accomplished; charity enough to see some good in your neighbours; love enough to move

you to be useful and helpful to others; faith enough to make real the things of God and hope enough to

remove all anxious fears concerning the future.

Dorothy Victor: There are several simple ways to bounce back to life and feel happy and rich. Among

other, here are seven such strategies, one for each day of the week. It is a great idea to begin the week

with feeling of gratitude to experience lingering richness. Smiling wide, smiling in all circumstances is

another superb way to feeling opulent and happy. Smiling will give red colour to the cheeks, White colour

to the teeth, pink colour to the lips and silver colour to the eyes, a time tested inexpensive way to get a


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facelift and feel affluent. Making friends and cherishing wide circle of kinship is a life philosophy that is

worth it weight in gold. Filling the day with simple acts of kindness can elevate one to heights of happiness

that no amount of wealth can. Living grudge-free life is possible to those who know how to forgive and

this adds to the happiness. A strong faith is yet another wealth of happiness that can never run out.

Finally caring for health and physical well being is one habit that will bring happiness and peace. This seven-point formula is all that it takes to experience happiness.

Pulkit Sharma adds that every one wishes to be happy. But we have started confusing excitement with

happiness. The more you base your happiness on external feedbacks such as outstripping others,

admiration, material rewards possessions and impression management, the unhappier you become.

Ephemeral success can only create excitement. Excitement is like a drug you need a daily dose of it to

satisfy your craving. Else there is turmoil. Real success is what brings happiness instead of just

excitement. To achieve it, one needs to turn within and introspect deeply. Try to see that you have been

part of a socially and culturally constructed rat race. This has led to creation of a false self. There is no

escape from it until you consciously and fearlessly opt out. Once you take this crucial step, new

opportunities will unfold. Different people find value and bliss in different activities. Once you find your

area of liking devote yourself completely to it with one pointed attention. Find joy in the activity itself

rather than wanting the world to admire you for it. Real success always leads to real happiness, a state full

of bliss, peace and performance. This state is characterized by self reliance, renunciation of ego needs,

acceptance and expression of ones true Self.

Science for You: For several years scientists are experimenting with many

drugs and stimulants that work on certain specific areas of Brain and elevate the

mood. Oldest inhaling gas called Nitrous Oxide was experimented as party gas

or laughing gas since it was known to produce some sort of un-inhibition.

Several laboratories are evolving designer mood elevators, other newer

pharmacological agents. Further, several innovative invasive as well as non-

invasive approaches are underway to understand the mechanism of mood

elevation along with a feeling of satisfaction and happiness. Based on the newer in sight, various types of

ultrasound or magnetic waves are focused on certain areas of the brain to produce the desired effect or

what is called alpha state [Fig.].

The question is how to make it use the technology in a practical way. Recent research has shown that the

alpha brain wave is the most conductive for creative expression and for learning new skills at our age.

Thus, it will be wonderful if they are taught a technique for bringing their brain waves to alpha state. At

the same time, unfortunately, to-day many aged suffer from Alpha block leading to inability to get into the

alpha state. The brain is normally in the beta wave state and during deep meditation it reaches the delta

state. In other words, there are five brain wave states and can be picked up by conducting EEG or electro

encephalogram or simply the electrical activity of the brain. Beta (14 40 Hz) the waking consciousness

and reasoning wave; Alpha (7.5 14 Hz) the deep relaxation wave and the gateway to our subconscious

mind when it reaches closure to 7.5 Hz; Theta (4 to 7.5 Hz) the light meditation and sleep wave; Delta

(0.5 4 Hz) the deep sleep wave in the realm of the unconscious mind and the gateway to cosmic

consciousness; and the Gamma wave (above 40 Hz) which is a recent discovery associated with high level

information. In practice, when one is under stress or anxious to meet a deadline or meet a travel itinerary,

there is a greater demand on your time management. When you are responding to a stressful situation,

you are in a beta wave state and in that state of mind it is very difficult to be creative. So if you want to

be a creative or paint a picture you have to be at peace with yourself and the time frame.

Modern science acknowledges that everything in this universe is merely strings of vibrations. Everything

has an optimum range of vibrations including us. This rate is called resonance. When we are in

resonance, we are in balance. One research suggests that as our planet beats from 7.82 8 cycles per

second, 8 Hz is alpha brain wave rhythm in which we are completely in resonance with our planet. But the

problem comes during our waking hours with 14 to 40 Hz. Then how does open the doors to the alpha

state?


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Hans Berger discovered Alpha brain wave in 1929. As they were the first brain wave to be detected they were named after the first Greek alphabet Alpha {}. They are characterized by relaxed, effortless,

alertness that influences to have creativity, peak performance and learning skills. It is also known that it

acts as a bridge between the subconscious part of the mind {theta waves} and the conscious part of the

mind {beta waves}. Information, feelings, creativity and memories all reach out from our subconscious

mind for expression using the alpha waves as a bridge. When people are highly stressed, alpha block

occurs; where they have very little or no alpha waves at all. This can lead to a lot of repressed feelings

unfulfilled subconscious needs or locked away memories. These people are unable to relax and may

become extremely restless and start taping on their key board to register a list of complaints! So,

meditation is the answer to control their restlessness or anxiety about lack of application. Those who lack

of focus will have a lot of mental chatter and are physically restless and the meditation and other focusing

exercises that includes to listening to the personal choice of favorite rhyme or the rhythm helps. Human

beings typically hear sounds that are between frequencies of 20Hz to 20,000 Hz. But the brain waves

states are below the lower limit of our hearing. Physicist Wilhelm Dove discovered in 1839 which solved

this problem. He realised that, if you play two different frequencies in each ear, the differences is what is

registered by the brain. So, if you ply 410 Hz sound in one ear and 400 Hz in the other, the brain registers

this as an inaudible 10 Hz sound. This sound is called the binaural beat. Now, when you continuously hear

this, your brain begins to resonate with this and follow the beat which is called frequency following response. You slowly slip into the alpha brain wave state at 10 Hz.

The other natural way of reaching the alpha state is by paying tributes, gratitude and appreciation instead

of constantly criticizing everything under the sun. Martin E P Selgman, founder of centre for Positive

psychology at the University of Pennsylvania has done extensive research on the physiological coherence

between emotions like gratitude and appreciation and the alpha brain wave state. The greater Good

Science Centre at the University of California has also launched large scale research projects based on

recent findings that gratitude builds a stronger immune system, lowers blood pressure, increases

happiness and basically makes lie more worthwhile. In other words in order to amplify your happiness

you need to be grateful SIMPLE. Where there is simplicity, there is strength. Unnecessary possessions are

considered burdens that consume ones time and energy. That is why those who have enough but not

much are the happiest people.[Largely based on gita Krishna rajs article happiness amplified Infinithoughts 3 : 2 2014].

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Speak Sweetly - Dada J P Vaswani

Courtesy: Dr. P.M. Chandrasekhara, Suvidha

We live in a world of hectic speed. My younger friends refer to their professional life as a rat race, where speed is the buzzword, and every one is in a tearing hurry. Under such conditions, they tell me, it is difficult to be gentle and sweet, at all times, to all people. More often than not, we are force to raise our voices and hurl words at our competitors, subordinates, colleagues and friends, they inform me with a tinge of regret and shame. Too true! I myself have seen people bickering over trifling matters.

Such behaviour is ignoble. Harsh words cause deeper wounds than sticks and stones. The poet-saint, Thiruvallur, tells us : Burnt flesh and skin heal sooner or later, but the wounds inflicted by a harsh tongue never, ever heal. Why should we be guilty of inflicting such wounds?, Therefore, let us resolve to speak gently, softly and sweetly.

Let me share with you these lines which I read somewhere: Speak gently! It is better far

To rule by love than fear: Speak gently! Let no harsh word mar

The good that we may do here.


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A king once put a question to the nobleman sitting in his darbar [court]: What is the sweetest thing on earth?. The king firmly said to his courtiers, I do not want a text book answer. Your answer should come from your own experience. One of the courtiers seated there answered The sweetest thing in this world is honey. The second courtier said, The sweetest thing is unrefined sugar-candy. The third person answered, The sweetest thing is sugar, The fourth answer was, Gulab Jamun. The fifth was, Ice cream. And many such answers were given. The king then posed a second question, Which is the bitterest thing in the world? Poison replied some one. The king immediately chided the person, Have you ever taken Poison? Have you ever experienced it effect? I said, the answer should come from your personal experience. A person who has taken poison cannot be alive. There were many answers such as bitter gourd, copper sulphate and so on. At last, one man gave an answer which pleased the king greatly. He said, Your majesty, the answer to both your questions is one and the same: it is human tongue. Man has a sweet tongue or a sharp tongue. A sweet tongue is soothing; it is like a balm. It is the sweet thing. A sharp tongue hurts and harms. It is the bitterest thing in the world. The king was very pleased with the answer and rewarded the man for the same. A woman met me. She was crying bitterly. I asked her, Sister, why are you crying?. She replied, so and so talked to me rudely. I am deeply hurt. Nothing can assuage that hurt. Why not? I consoled her. The tongue which has spoken harsh words, can also speak sweet, healing words. The same tongue can speak harsh words and hurt you; the same tongue can speak sweet, soothing words to heal you. That is why, the sweetest and the bitterest, the gentlest and harshest thing in this world is the tongue. Therefore, let us think at least twice of the words that come out of our lips. Remember, before a word leaves the mouth it has to pass through two fences. There is firstly the fence of these two sets of teeth. There is secondly the fence of the two lips. Before a word can pass through our mouth it has to pierce through these two fences. We must at least think twice of the words that come out of our lips. Let us be aware of every word that we utter.

Remember, of the spoken word you are a slave. Of the unspoken word you are a master.

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From Your MD’s Desk: Thought for Today - Suvidha · Thought for Today ... 21 st August with Sri S...

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