RANDOM THOUGHTS

         DRAVIDA UNDHAR  - ONE  BEFORE 23 April I have had a great time while watching both  parts of the iconic movie DHURANDHAR which is set in the suburb of Lyari in Karachi -  Pakistan . The movie has gone on to become the all time highest grossing Box Office hit of film  made in India .  The recent scenario playing out at VADAPALANI ,  a suburb of Chennai in India where assembly elections are due prompts me to bring to the notice of ADITYA DHAR AND YAMI GAUTAM who are the original story tellers of the Movie Dhurandhar that there is an absolute unheard of Goldmine just waiting to be mined here in our own India .  The iconic Lyari Arch with the symbolic Falcon Bird  Atop in the original Dhurandhar can be replaced here with the equally iconic AVM Arch at Vadapalani . Instead of the male Hamza Ali Mazari we have a female here who goes by the name of Prema Captaini . How Chanakya , Singham ( this of course is not thei...

YOU ARE JUST AS OLD AS YOU LIKE TO BELIEVE Age 70 , 75  + or thereabouts is a rather difficult place to be in . Nothing can be more apt than the Tamil " ingeyum illai , angeyum illai "  இங்கேயும் இல்லை , அங்கேயும் இல்லை  "or the Hindi " dhobi kaa kutta ( kutkaa ) naa ghar kaa naa ghat kaa "  धोबी का कुत्ता ना  घर का ना  घाट का somehow seem to sum up the feeling .  The years of toil to make both ends meet and the efforts taken to bring up the family to its present state of comfort would have  started to take its toll on your health and your general well being  . The health related niggles will be conspicuous only by their absence . It is hard for one to realize that unless one is in a very specialized field of excellence , the chances of employment are almost next to Nil  . The fact that the final bell toll which seem closer each passing day , seem to add on  to the misery . There have been occasions when i have had to manage the hou...

       The Best Coffee Shreemati Ever Had              It was already late by the time they got to the Egmore station . The big clock on Platform No 1 showed the time as 3.50 . They were to catch the 20605 Chennai Egmore/Tiruchendur Express on their way to Kumbakonam to spend time with their Daughter as there was a long weekend ahead. The Scheduled Departure time was 16.00 Hours . Shree and Shreemati's departure from their Home at Vadapalani itself had started on a wrong note. She wanted to travel by Cab , while he insisted on using the Metro as it would be a faster mode and cost much less . They soon found their coach and settled in their seats .No sooner had they done this,Shreemati pointed to the Book Stall opposite their window and asked Shree to get her some books to read during their travel . Shree hardly had any option .Only a few minutes remained , he rushed to the stall , bought the books and huffed and puffed his w...

           CALGARY AND TRIP BACK HOME  The 170 kms trip from Drumheller to Calgary was smooth as was the Airbnb accomodation booked . Eateries offering our Indian Food were plenty . Madras Cafe Chain  for South Indian Food whose owner originally hailed from Sivakasi and Paranthewale offering North Indian Food almost next door to our place of stay was indeed a bonus .  The sunny weather outside was a big relief but the warnings of heavy snowing for the next two Days was a dampener as we had planned a visit to Banff which is reportedly one of the most Scenic and beautiful places in Canada .                              CALGARY TOWER  Our plans for Calgary included a visit to the famous Murugan and Karumariamman Temples there  .                  Calgary Murugan Temple            Calgary K...

        SPLENDID DAY  AT  DRUMHELLER   We were at Sure Stay Hotel and registered ourselves at Drumheller by 6.00 pm . We had covered the 670 KMS in 8 hours with a number of PIT stops for Food and  you know what . The Hoodoo Mountain Ranges is a place which attract a lot of footfalls at Drumheller. Mother Nature has sculpted exquisite figurines over centuries of blowing over of the wind across the place and the sedimentary nature of the mountain face . The whole place is scientifically believed to have been under the sea at one time long years back . Climbing the dunes had its own thrill and we all enjoyed the visit and had a grand time at the Hoodoo Range .                  HOODOO MOUNTAIN RANGES  STAR MINE SUSPENSION BRIDGE  The Star Mine SUSPENSION BRIDGE is a special attraction here at Drumheller. The place used to be a mining hub for Coal at one time . The bridge was used for transpor...

     ALBERTA VISIT - ONE - PRECURSOR  We are now at Regina in the Saskatchewan Province of Canada with our Daughter, SIL and our Grand Kids . Winter as you know are harsh in these parts with not much of outdoor activities during these four plus months .  The near four Months of Freezing Temperatures finally begin to make way for warmer climates  with Temperatures in the Positive range from early April or thereabouts .  This is a much looked forward to event and a celebratory time with Schools closing for 10 Days to mark the event and allow the kids and their parents to feel the Sun and stretch their legs . Parents use this School Holiday to take out their Kids for outings during these times . Anoo , Kamesh , Aarna and Arya decided to explore the interesting places in the neighbouring province of Alberta . Drumheller , a small place with many tourist attractions like the Mountain Ranges, STAR MINE Suspension Bridge , Willow Creek Hoodoos , Royal Tyrell ...