It is sinking in.... Dad is no more!

#289

As I posted on my Facebook page, Father, Dr TM BALASUBRAMANIAN, passed away on 15th AUG 2017. Coincidentally his father, my grandfather passed away on 25.1.95 and was cremated on Republic day the day after. The end was painless and swift. I saw inner peace in his face. While I was strong and composed while pouring the "AGNI" on his chest and fire engulfing his body in minutes, 8 hours later that night, when I was going through old pictures of his life, something gave in and I cried a lot a good 24 hours post his departure.  Anand and I immersed his ashes at Cauvery river at Trichy.  I posted the announcement of his departure in today HINDU (TN Edition)

The 10th to 13th day ceremonies are being held as indicated above to complete the Athmaa get its blissful resting. 

I am already beginning to feel the change that I need to adapt and wonder how being a son with father around absolves /relieves you of many types of ritual you need to undertake to fulfil human obligations, more so if you are the eldest.

I am amazed at the support we as family got from our relatives, friends, CECRI colleagues, well wishers for all logistics support for his last journey as well as consolation and emotional support that has been pouring in. Touching to hear people/relatives who have marriages in their family in coming days, putting aside preparation for a joyous event and participating in the grieving. Some folks even ready to accompany on Dad's last journey only to be firmly refused to participate by our family priest. in view of health/oncoming marriage a happy event soon. Goes to show if you want to see how popular a man was, watch his funeral procession. Thank you everyone. 

The family deeply thanks the medical services of Doctors who treated him as well as the Nurse whom we hired to take care of his needs over the last 6 weeks. The girl did a superb job in meeting the medical needs and make his last days a bit more comfortable than normally possible for a terminal illness patient.

Dad a life well lived! Mother may have some tough time to be all alone after 55 years of living her life adapting to father's needs and now has to charter her own path. I / we the children, have given her the choice to work her path as she sees fit and would support all the decisions she takes. 

Regards

Karthik

18/7/17 1145am. 

DUNKIRK ! Plastic!!! Sir Curtly et all!

#288 13/8/17 1945 hrs

Housekeeping:-

1) Dad Update:- Doctors at Karaikudi have advised us that Dad is not in a medically fit position to be shifted to Bangalore! The Respiratory monitoring and physical fatigue of transfer even with doctor's care in an ICU on wheels are of Moderate risk. Lalitha and I would wok a plan to be there at Karaikudi at regular frequency to work support systems to Mom. Please keep him in your prayers as they work wonders! Thanks. 

2) Today after watching #DUNKIRK at IMAX @Mantri Mall, we ( Shravan and I) took the metro on the home journey. My first visit on Bangalore metro. I was very impressed with cleanliness as well as it gave me different bird view of Bangalore city skyline. Awesome work!!

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So It was movie time, after 6 movies in 27 years, I have now decided that with grown up Kids (!!!) around, I need to accept invite to watch movies with them. Yes, English movies are only exception and so it will be one great movie a year!! 2016 was JACK REACHER-2 ( I didnt watch 1) and 2017 today was #DUNKIRK. An awesome movie on British courage, Resilience to evacuate 330,000 allied soldiers from shores of Dunkirk from German onslaught. Christopher Nolan was worked wonders. More so the movie is magic in an INOX environment with amazing visual effect and surround sound around you. My bet is that the movie will bag a couple of Academy awards. I also posted my thoughts on the movie and how it connects to my safety profession yesterday. 

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I was listening to the BBC Podcast on 50 things that changed the modern economy and today it was about Plastic. 110 years since Bakelite ( Phenol + Formaldehyde) resin was synthesises and plastic plays a huge role in our life! I cant think of an item where there is no plastic!! Wonder how far ahead it would go?? 
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I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Sir Richie Richardson as Match referee in India Vs Sri Lanka Score card. (Rarely follow game check score once in 2 days or so, I dont know today's state of match now) So I Googled as usual and it was delight to see Richie, Curtly and Andy Roberts are knighted for their services to Cricket. 11 West Indian players have received the Honor! I wonder how I missed this news in 2014! Great effort by them! Ambrose for me is always remembered by 7/1 spell! Roberts in his Fiery Perth 1975 Spell!!

OK World take it easy, take care, stay safe, GOD BLESS
Karthik.

Et Tu Google! Babubhai prevailed! What a son??!!! Images!!!

#287 12th Aug 2017 08am
Housekeeping:-
1) Hyderabad airport has introduced kerbside Express Security check in the first of its kind, in the country. I had experience it yesterday. Just get out of car walk through two scan for boarding pass ( airline staff) in to sec check at gate. You dont even get to see airline counters. All over in 45 seconds. Yes, you should have done web check in and no check in baggage. The challenge is with many business travellers this fast line can become slow. Also pathetic are the display boards and electric plug points. I didnt find my gate to board even 40 min to departure so walked around to find gate as well as without any electric devices charging point in 4000 SQ FT of space. Makes me more feel,nothing like Bangalore airport......
2) Dunkirk is getting awesome review, I might work a plan to Sunday with Son to watch it. I might relax my norms to watch a movie to one a year. (It is 6 in 28 years so far hahah) Jack Reacher, never go back was last year. Lot of my Twitter followers suggested watching it in IMAX so we might make it to Mantri Mall and keep it post lunch event Sunday perhaps! (While Radhu Lalitha do shopping hopping!!) 

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I always believed that Man and Woman are created different by god and comparing them is sheer nonsense. So I am not amused when the Google Engineer, James Damore, said what he said and stupidly Google fired him. As I tweeted, Ask a Woman pee from 30 feet on to a wall, she can't!! Similarly ask a man to hold a litre of coke in to his Dick, he can't. The diverse ability they bring in is  what makes world a pleasurable place to live. Comparing and matching one to other to skill sets is sheer nonsense. I believe Google lost the free opinion work space and succumbed to political correctness platform that is beginning to kill the world. If world ends,it will be definitely due to the stupid political correctness stand that it is taking rather foolishly!!
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While I am a Die hard, Anti BJP, Anti Hindu Thugs and Anti Saffron Scoundrels Brigade, I am not a Congress, AAP supporter as people assume I am to be! ( Of course, Mrs Gandhi Influenced my thinking a lot). I am extremely happy that Babubhai (Ahmed Patel as is known in Bharuch where I lived 85-96) won the Rajya Sabha elections. As Hindu editorial and Cartoon portrayed, BJP has excreta on its face in its attempt to bully harass Congress MPs. DK Shivakumar role in this to come to party's rescue despire personal harassment can't be ignored. But would BJP Pigs learn their lesson?? I doubt? Brainless Bastards they are!!!! Also crucial is the role played by Appuchi with election commission in nullifying the Congoon thugs votes!! hahahh!!!! BJP can't have one at its ranks to work such magic!! 

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It was heart wrenching to read a news item that Son came back from USA to Bombay, finds mother a skeleton and has not contacted her for 15 months.! Mom has been dead for weeks in a locked in House!! Where is world getting in to?? What /where are emotional bonds? Is the current generation focused so much on success, I, ME, Myself?? I agree that these are Outliers of an event that gets attention ( News is more about what goes wrong rather than what gets done right,!!) still?????

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I leave you with some of images that caught my imagination this week that came from my whatsapp group!! hahahah!!!

Take it easy, take care, stay safe, God bless
Karthik.

Vengayaam Bugger, God needs Recommendation !! Indigo 11 years ,அடப்பாவி கூகுளே

#286Housekeeping:-1) I was away to Karaikudi last week. Dad is kind of on and off! The good news is we found a great medically trained nurse to serve him, hopefully the girl stays! With Anand, his wife, Kids, Mom all falling sick (Dengue etc) the decision to shift him or not to Bangalore has been pushed back for some time. What worries me is the absolute lack of medical, test facilities, or Doctor on call to attend such situation at Karaikudi. I would keep you posted. I am amazed at power of prayers.

2) Amazing, the resort I stay in outskirts of Hyderabad, has a wonderful Ayaapaa Temple. As a guy who is not wired to follow the strict norms to go Sabarimala, I am amazed the temple is stone throw distance, shows If thing has to happen, it will happen! I visit the temple twice a day..... With less than 10 people visiting temple, it is all serene, calm, quiet!!

3) Hahahhahhah! Radhu on my video whatsapp call with her yesterday, says I look like a Tamil film VILLAN!! Why? because of Kumkum on my forehead??? Wonder where she got impression I am sure she has seen 0 Tamil movies !! ehhehehehehheh

hahhahahah!!! We are a banana republic proved, VENGAYAAM (Onion in Tamil) the most corrupt, scandalous politician has been voted to office of VP. I have met his name sake from his village during my travel in  Gujarat who knows him for 30 years and was reeling off stunning episodes of this screwball. But then India has been going to dogs in the last 3 years so no big surprise that the shit has hit the fan!! Our consolation is we are better of Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan!!!! I am sure end game is near!!! This news that South Asia will be uninhabitable by 2100 confirms it!! With the kind of sins, greed, loot and not thinking of next generations after us, I think INDIA deserves the end!!
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Even God requires help push from the powers be!! During my visit to Karaikudi, I visited the Vaidyanatha Swamy, Thayaal Nayaki, Sivan temple. This temple is situated next to Ganesh temple which is 115 years old. I recollect the construction began in late 1960s and stopped for unknown reason for next 20+ years. We use to play cricket there!! When, R Venkatraman, became president, the  Nagarathars/ Chettiars approached him for resolution and he intervened and temple was completed in 1991 and now in to its 26th year !! Strange is it not that god needs recommendation in India, what is hope for common man like you and me????????? 

I was flying INDIGO Wednesday, AUG 4th marks 11 years of launching of INDIGO Airlines,!!! It has come a long way and is now my most preferred airline for my business travels. I recollect out of 100+ flights of mine, only a couple have been delayed by > 30 minutes that too at Bombay runway closure etc. I wish them great success. Of course, the caution in India is JET AIRWAYS was going great until 10+ years and then strike happened and things went downhill never to recover the top notch performance. 

ஹஹஹஹஹஹ டேய் பாவி பய கூகிள் !!!! The CEO is a TAMIL Guy! and this!! ehhehehehehhehehheheh! 

Until next week, take it easy, take care stay safe.

Karthik

6/8/17, 0820am, Bonthapally! 

Dad Update 28/7 Back home!

Thanks to all the prayers, After 12 days in Hospital ICU, Dad is back home Thursday evening. He is in much better shape and is conscious /aware  of things happening around most of the time. Lalitha and Children visited Karaikudi last week to take stock. I am off to Karaikudi, Sunday for three days, with Lalitha to take final decision on shifting him to Bangalore or way forward after consulting Anand, Veni, Gayathri who all would be assembling to work a plan.

The critical aspect is to prevent infection,bed soar which can prove deadly than cancer spreading. We are doing everything possible on that front. Anand and others did a great job over last 10 days. A Nurse is around 24*7 at home, to support him for all the support/care. 

Thanks once again all. I am sure prayers do wonder!! 

Regards
Karthik.
28/7/17 1700 Hrs
Bonthapally, HYD Rural. 

Dad Health update!

After 2 years remaining quiet, Secondaries have come back on Dad. The not so good news is spreading rather thick and fast for Dad over last 6 weeks. Anand who was back in Karaikudi for annual holidays felt something not right when dad not able to sit, move and talking a bit incoherent. He admitted him ICU at Karikudi hospital.

Our Urologist, who did the surgery for left kidney removal in 2015, has informed me, Monday, based on reports that Anand sent across that spread was always expected and he is too old to undertake chemotherapy. We would have to ensure clean living space and style and there are no bed soar or infections. Those would be hasten the end. As long as cancer spread is not in to liver, there are no quick end game. Of Course, pain is for him to bear and emotional trauma for people who serve him. 

Lalitha and kids may work a visit this weekend to see and judge for themselves my decision to move him here as facilities are better for good treatment and care. This would also be of emotional support to Mom as Anand would fly back in a couple of weeks. We may explore alternate medicine if it helps. I am open as always in life to anything. 

Please keep him in your prayers. I know it does wonders. Phone at Karaikudi is ringing non stop from relatives who have known the update. It is good to know that.

I will keep you updated. 

Karthik.
21/7/17
0730am, Bonthapally, Medak Dt. 

Kumbakonam school Fire, Macron3-0,ATM menace, World If!!!

#285
Housekeeping:-
1) Anand reached Karaikudi, Dad admitted in intensive care at local hospital this afternoon. While his vital signs /tests are all normal. We feel he needs attention and care which only a hospital can provide. Would keep folks updated. 
2) Radhu has formally taken over all Income Tax returns for the family, Aigaa, She makes all tax payable disappear like a magic!! If at my level she could do, imagine Millionaires etc how CA goons make tax disappear!! hhehehehheheh!!

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I saw a twitter post today on the Kumbakonam fire tragedy that happened this date (16th July 2004) in which 94 children were killed. I had covered the same in my BLOG POST in 2008 ( I write blog from 2005) Such Incident must never repeat anywhere!! If Jayalalitha should rot in hell (not that she might not for other sins) it is for this reason alone, for school was run without any license approvals and no one bothered. I reproduce the heart wrenching poem written by then President APJ Kalam on the tragedy.

Prayer for departed children of Kumbakonam

Oh dear little ones! Oh dear little ones!
For you, parents had glorious dreams !
And you were all immersed in your own dreams
Yet, Agni engulfed you and all of those dreams
Taking you to Almighty's divine presence
Usually, departed old parents are buried by sons
Whereas, Kumbakonam, saw a sad scene!
Crying parents burying their little ones!!
Oh Almighty! show Your grace on those little ones
And keep them all in Thy Holiest Presence!!
Oh Almighty! bless those parents wilting in grief
To have the strength to bear this great loss
May Thy compassion and grace pervade all souls
And bring down the pain and wipe away the tears
Oh Almighty! show Your grace on those little ones.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

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Once again, Emmanuel Macron has outsmarted Trump 3-0 now, game set and match! All 3 times over last 2 months when Macron met Trump, he has just towered over Trump! hahahh! I am pretty sure Macron has better plans for France and with a super majority in parliamentary elections, he would be able to work his way. I am optimistic. 

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If you go in to ATM to take cash,watch out, go with your cellphone, the man in Texas, was stuck inside for 3 hrs, no one took his note to rescue him seriously until a cop did!! !!! 

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Economist has come with a superb collection of articles this week on "WORLD IF" I would spend time going thro that!!

Ok world, take care

Regards

Karthik

16/7/17 1740 hrs.