RANDOM THOUGHTS

       AVANICA FURNITURE AND DECOR  Blog Readers might be wondering as to what AVANICA might mean or at my sudden interest in Furniture and Decor . AVANI in Indonesia means WOOD , and CA stands for CANADA . AVANICA  FURNITURE AND DECOR are an exclusive Indonesian Furniture Manufacturers who deal in Handcrafted Wooden Furniture and Decorative items . The wood could be Walnut , Teak , Tamarind or Oak which date their  origin to  South America . These FURNITURE items are imported from Indonesia and sold at showrooms in Canada . This is a Calgary based firm . Now , my connection with AVANICA FURNITURE AND DECOR is because of my Son In Law Kamesh , setting up a sales outlet of these products  in a Mall at Regina in Canada and my own recent presence here . This Grand showplace is just past its 2nd Month of operations , I have made just 2 visits to this place . The product range is very EYE Catching in the most  attractive natural colours . The additional feature of LIVE EDGE to the Dining Ta

       AIR CANADA ON SUPPORT  The Two Pictures above depict the actual State of Affairs of one of the Premier Airlines Operators ,  namely Air Canada . Air Canada and Lester Pearson Airport  of late have gained the dubious distinction of being among the worst Managed Airports and Airline Operators in the World  for some time now .  The first picture of Air Canada in the high sky was a GO TO  Airlines for my Travel from India to Canada and Back over the years .  Having used this Airline on quite a few occasions  ,  I have happy memories of the Splendid  Services provided by them . All this alas , is a story of the past . My recent experience with the Airlines and The Toronto Pearson International Airport was in total contrast to my earlier  experiences.  First things first , getting the Boarding Pass or  the Checking in -  Getting the  Luggage Tag after making the online payment for the same - making the necessary inputs into the many computers  kept for the same  -  Tagging your luggag

 AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV AT                     AJAX - TORONTO  It was indeed a proud moment to see the 75 th Independence Day Celebrations on the Net via YouTube and Elsewhere in India. The flag atop the houses of  my friends Shri  Raja and Shri   Vaigundaboopathy plus  the enthusiasm of my own 94 year old aunt waving the National Flag at her residence in Coimbatore was a sure sign of the NATIONAL SPIRIT being raised to a all new height all over the country . The entire Agrahaaram at Ravanasamudram with the National Flag fluttering atop each house was a sure pointer to the ushering in of a NEW AND VIBRANT INDIA .  Stationed as I am now at Ajax /  Toronto in Canada , it was indeed wonderful to see the same spirit permeating among the Large Indian Diaspora settled here . The prominently  illuminated splash of National Colours in Shops which cater to the Indian Diaspora and at Eateries plus the National Flag atop many houses was a welcome sign .  My Grandchildren were only too keen to kn

            AAVANI AVITTAM           YAJURVEDA  UPAKARMA     The Annual Yajurveda Upakarma , a very Sacred Day in the  Calender of our Sect fell this year on the 11 th of August . Even at the risk of being derided by many and to shed light on the importance of the day , this is the day when we change our POONAL OR SACRED THREAD . Being a long time resident of VKP and Agasthiarpatty,  the Papanasam Temple and Tambarabarani River Bank was the place where this was performed each year . This year though was special as I am now at  Toronto in Canada at my Sons place and with  my Grandchildren from both my Son and Daughter at my side . I will not pretend to know all the Mantraa s or the rituals associated with this elaborate event . Online reciting of the MANTRA in the VIDEO FORMAT came in very handy . The articulate VAADYAR and the TECHNOLOGY involved need to be thanked for making it so simple and easy to follow .  The presence of my Grandsons for adorning the POI POONAL was something speci

                     SPLASH PADS FOR KIDS  The weather and the freezing cold have always been a strong  deterrent for  anyone wanting to settle and make it a home in Canada. Inspite and despite this seemingly insurmountable challenge,  Canada attracts a large contingent of Immigrants from across other parts of the World which includes a large percentage from the hot heartland of the Indian Subcontinent.  The extended winter with the Temperatures in the negative and the Attendant Snowfall have the Canadians Celebrating the Annual Trysts with Sunshine each year during the Summer Vacations . Weekends are a time to rejoice and head to the nearest Resort or Waterfront . Age , Gender or their original Nationality are hardly a matter of any concern . Caravan laden with MotorBoats or Cycles is a common sight . For lack of an opportunity due to any reason ,  the SPLASH PADS are a busy place where the children have a whale of a time . The powerful splash and spray of water are  a sure attraction

                            IRUMBU PAALAM - IRON BRIDGE                                  OLD MEMORIES REVIVED  These  iconic pictures would have brought back many nostalgic memories of the pleasant days of the past .  Anyone  associated with Madura Coats , Ambas would have traversed this IRON BRIDGE or IRUMBU PALAM of close to  130 years vintage as it was then referred to any number of times . This picture perfect and scenic locale of the bridge with the Tambarabarani River snaking it's way  below is awe inspiring . The date 4 th August   1974 will always be etched in my mind . This was the day when me and  22 other fellow Apprentices joined the Ambas Weaving Unit on transfer from Madurai . There we were , the entire 22 of us on the riverbed in the evening on our very first day in VK Puram taking a bath and admiring the sheer beauty of the place .   Many among the 22 are members of this esteemed group and are in constant touch with each other .  Now , almost 48 years later , there

      STORY BOOK RAIL STATION  We have , all of us over the years , come across descriptions of RAIL STATIONS on Hilly Tracks .  We often fancy ourselves visiting these enchanting places . Ever so often , the actuals have many more things to enthrall than what is described in the books . The quaint little Rail Station at Ajax,  a suburb of Toronto is one such Station that comes to mind though with a difference . The mountainside being replaced by the ever busy 401 Expressway on  one side and the  quiet Ajax Town on the other side.  The sleepy but small and  neatly laid out Ajax Rail Station between the two has a storybook feel and look to it . Enid Blyton books of our schooldays is sure to come to mind .

                               INDIAN FOOD FESTIVAL                                            AT TORONTO  Toronto has a huge contingent of Immigrants who have settled here from the Sub Continent . The Indian Food Festival is held at The  Nathan Phillips Square , one of the Prime Location in Toronto . The Food on offer is sure to cater to the Taste Buds of every part of India . The Music and Dance Show in Hindi , Tamil , Malayalam , Telugu went a big way to entertain  the very large and youthful followers of Bolly , Koli , Sandal , Tolly and every other WOOD FOLLOWERS . The approach to the Festival from the UNION STATION on the Queens Street is an amazing experience with all the Skyscrapers around you and the ever Elegant and Majestic CN TOWERS Stealing the limelight .