Helsinki, the beautiful capital of Finland

Helsinki, the beautiful capital of Finland

Helsinki, beautiful capital of Finland located on the shore of Gulf of Finland, an arm of Baltic Ocean, with a population of 1.5 million is famous for its feel of nature and urban life in the northern most metro city of Europe.

It carries a history of 8000 years. When snow started melting and land mass started opening up, human started living on the land. Swiss came for giving them religion but rumed them for 700 years from 11th to 18th century. Thereafter ruled by Russia untill 1970. Defeated twice by Russia in World War II but their uplifted spirit made them free in 1970 following words of Lenin (all are free here) seriously.

75% people follow Catholic Church and few follow orthodox. People pay 1.1% of civic tax to the church voluntarily. Tax deducted from their salary goes to the Church.

Secondary, bachelor and post graduation education for foreigners are free (some seats) as the church pay their fees. Boys and girls tested and interviewed overseas live, work and study here. Food, stay and transport are availed at 50% concessions by them.

Wall to wall roads, block design buildings and a clean city catches once eyes. Stockmann, the biggest mall of the city has 11 stories. It is said that if an article you don't get in Stockmann, it means you don't need it. Everything is available here but at higher price compare to USA.

As the country made of thousands of sweet water lakes, fish is the main food of the people. However, rand e'er meat is considered delicacy. With varieties of fruits, the sweet dishes are superb. Hot Chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and fresh stroberry presented nicely will tempt you though finished dinner. The breakfast table is full of varieties of fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals, juices, yogut, mushrooms, eggs, meat, many varieties of tea, coffee kaavi, just enjoy the morning with Fin foods.

January and February are freezing months. The sea and lakes turn into ice. Entire population enjoy cross country, skiing and other snow games. Day lights long hours here in summer. If temperature reach to 30 degree Celsius in Summer, people worry about heat wave and climate change!

People drink lot of liquors. Thousands of varieties of whiskey, vodka, jin, rum, brandies, calvados (brandey made from apple), shampaions and sparkling wines, sherry, and beer. You can find bottles in 4.5 L packing. They consume more beers than other alcohol.

They earn from Forest produces, Nokia (now Microsoft), sheep building, manufracturing snow cutters and Angry Birds games.

Life is expensive. 100 sqm apartment on sea side will cost 0.8 million euros.

Finland Art festival is going on this fortnight. There was consort yesterday in a stadium full will 80000 spectators. Youth from all corners of the country came and enjoyed.

People small in number with big land mass prefer to stay in silo but when interact, are pleasant, helpful and lovely in nature.

Don't miss visiting Helsinki, the beautiful capital of Finland.

Punamchand
Helsinki
23.08.2014

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My First Day in Primary School

My First Day in Primary School

14 June 1965, Monday. My father was smoking hukka and mother was working inside the house. I was playing alone in the small courtyard in front of our house. I digged two small pits and then making a drain between them and pour water to see it goes to the other side.

Suddenly, I saw my friend Raman in new cloths, tika on forehead and wearing a black cap holding finger of his father Pashabhai going towards his house. Hey Raman, where are you coming from? From School, his father replied. He has been enrolled in a primary school.

I looked at my father and demanded my enrolment in the school. But the response was cool. I started crying and forcing him for my enrolment. Finally he called Naranbhai, a distant relative living 3rd house away from us to go with me for enrolment.

Thursday being considered good for education, Naranbhai and I went to Rajpur School No.2. I reached to my dreamland. We were discussing, how should my name to be registered. Generally, it is to be written Punambhai Khemabhai. But I had a special feeling for myself. I said it should be different and sound well. Finally, we concluded with name Punamchand Khemchand.

But admission denied day as my 5 years age yet to be completed on 30 July. We again went next day and requested the principal that I am very eager to study. Finally, I was allowed to sit in a class of Teacher Menaben without registration.

I was happy entering into the class. A picture of monkey holding balance and two cats sitting besides was painted above the blackboard. I was sitting in the first row. Menaben started taking attendance. She was calling names and pupils one after another saying 'Jai Hind' to mark attendance. I was eagerly waiting for my name, and getting ready to say Jai Hind. But I couldn't as my name was not there in the register. Every day I used to wait for calling of my name but ending up in unhappy mood. At last on 28 July 1965, I heard Punamchand Khemchand. It was a call of my favourite teacher Menaben. The whole of my existence cheered. I replied 'Jai Hind' loudly. The spirit of Nationalism given by my parents started singing.

From that day onward, the light of God growing for its destined path.

Punamchand

21.08.2014

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Egovernance Ranking

Egovernance Ranking

United Nation's agency give ranking of the countries in the area of e-Governance. India is ranked 110 (Population 124 crore). S.Korea (Population 5 crore) is ranked 4th and Estonia (Population 15 lakh) 15th.

They compare the countries on three major parameters; online services, IT infrastructure and human capital (literacy level).

It is not a right comparison of a huge country like India with small district size country like Estonia.

There is an urgent need within the country to rank States and Districts of India so that all the stake holders know their position and compete to improve their ranks. This will improve country's international rank.

Not only in IT, the system of rankings of Districts and States may be introduced in all fields in which India got ranked internationally. An Apex organisation may be created to do the job every year.

A suggestion to consider.

Regards,
Punamchand
18.8.2014

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Miracle Happens

Miracle Happens

Today is Janmashtami, Birthday of Bhagvan Shree Krishna. I wish to share one story of my parents of the year 1954.

It was a deadly decade (1944-54) of poverty for my parents. Mother was a great Bhakta worshipping Kanaiya days and nights. His grandfather was a Guru of Ramanandi Vaishnav Gaadi of Kanpir Gambhu. His father told her to remember God in time of hardships. Father, non doer of regular worshipping developed love for Lord Krishna in the company of my mother. His heart was calling Shamliyalal, shamaliyalal. God was the only shelter for them as no body helped those days.

It was pious month of Savan, 1954 AD, Friday afternoon. Varundev was pleasantly showering rains. As per annual practice Mahabharat Pathan was performed every day at our house. Mother was on fast. My parents were sitting in varanda remembering their Shamaliyalal Lord Krishna. "O my Lord, Come and help and bring out us from this pains of poor life, where children are dieing in want of medicines."

Suddenly a tall sadhu wearing white cloths came to the door. Bachcha kise yaad kar raha hai? Their doors were always open for Sadhus, baggers even in days of hardships. They welcomed the Sadhu. He asked for a cup of tea which was served immediately with love. He drank whole glass of tea in a fraction of a second though it was hot. Bachcha kya dega? My father had a habit to offer cloth to Sadhus. He told him to stay for a while so that he brings a cloth for him. Bachcha nahi milega, Sadhu told. But my father rushed to Ambalal shop at Kamdar medan to get it. The shop was closed as it was off day of Friday. He returned and regretted. But suddenly remembered an unused khadi towel in the house. He offered it to him with love. Bachcha tere achche din aa gaye, the Sadhu gave ashirvad and left.

Suddenly my father realised that he was not an ordinary Sadhu normally he meets. He just ran towards the way out, but the Sadhu disappeared in seconds. My father searched for him for hours but he couldn't meet him again. Their Lord Kannaiya Shamaliyalal came, drank tea, accepted a cloth, showered blessings and went.

With in few days of the event, the mill closed for a decade, suddenly started. Laxmiji entered into the house. My father won first election uncontested. Mother gave birth of my elder brother. He was named Kanaiyo. Hard work in life continued but poverty gone. Achchhe din started.

My parents remembered that visit of their Lord throughout their life till their last breath in April and May of 2001.

His blessings has changed our life, we believe.

Punamchand

17.8.14

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Brahmin and Democracy

Brahmin and Democracy

Many of you know the tales of Panchtantra.

Once, there lived a pious Brahmin in a small village, by the name of Mitra Sharma. He used to perform religious rituals. On one occasion, he was rewarded with a goat for his services by a wealthy man. He happily slung the goat over his shoulder and began the journey towards his home. On the way, three cheats (Thugs) saw the Brahmin taking the goat.

All of them were lazy and wanted to cheat the Brahmin so that they could take away the goat. They said,” This goat will make a delicious meal for all of us. Let's somehow get it”. They discussed the matter amongst themselves and devised a plan to get the goat by befooling the Brahmin. After deciding the plan, they got separated from one another and took different hiding positions at three different places on the way of the Brahmin.

As soon as, the Brahmin arrived at a lonely place, one of the cheats came out of his hiding place and asked Brahmin in a shocking manner, “Sir, what are you doing? I don't understand why a pious man like you needs to carry a dog on his shoulders?" The Brahmin was surprised to hear such words. He screamed, “Can't you see? It's not a dog but a goat, you stupid fool". The cheat replied,” Sir, I beg your pardon. I told you what I saw. I am sorry, if you don’t believe it.” The Brahmin was annoyed at the discrepancy, but started his journey once again.

The Brahmin had barely walked a distance, when another cheat came out of his hiding place and asked the Brahmin, “Sir, why do you carry a dead calf on your shoulders? You seem to be a wise person. Such an act is pure stupidity on your part." The Brahmin yelled, "What? How can you mistake a living goat for a dead calf?" The second cheat replied, ""Sir, you seem to be highly mistaken in this regard. Either you don’t know how does goat look like or you are doing it knowingly. I just told you what I saw. Thank you". The second cheat went away smiling. The Brahmin got confused, but continued to walk further.

Again the Brahmin had covered a little distance when the third cheat met him. The third cheat asked laughingly, "Sir, why do you carry a donkey on your shoulders? It makes you a laughing stock”. Hearing the words of the third thug, the Brahmin became really worried. He started thinking, “Is it really not a goat? Is it some kind of a ghost?"

He thought that the animal he was carrying on his shoulders might really be some sort of a ghost, because it transformed itself from goat into a dog, from dog into a dead calf and from dead calf into a donkey. The Brahmin got frightened to such an extent that he hurled the goat on the roadside and ran away. The three tricksters laughed at the gullible Brahmin. They caught the goat and were happy to feast on it.

Moral: One should not be carried away by what others say.

In Bureaucracy, the kuthali centres of pressure groups sometimes spoil the career of fellow colleagues by branding them wrongly.

In World Democracy, if Brahmin is Voters, Goat is Power; then who the Cheats are???. Are money, mike and media; making the goat to dog to dead calf to donkey till the button is pressed in confusion of a Ghost? Literate or illiterate, the voters are driven away by the ...

Punamchand
3 March 2015

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Where do I find Happiness?

Where do I find happiness?

Ghatvale Baba was living in Haridwar near slums. There were community waste bins near his living place. But Babaji was happy living in his inner peacefulness. Many disciples come to his place to attend Satsang. Some of them were rich. They were upset with the slums and waste bins around.

One day, a rich disciple proposed shifting of the ashram to a better area, near the bank of the river Ganga. The disciples have already planned promises of collecting money for the purpose. 

Baba said, let us see the place first. All went to see the site. It was a beautiful site; peaceful and surrounded by nature's beauty of mountains, trees, and a flowing river. They were very happy. 

The rich man asked Babaji, Baba, do you like the place? 

Yes, it is beautiful indeed. Babaji remarked.

Can we move for buying it and shifting the ashram? the disciple further asked. 

It must be expensive. Where will the money come from? Babaji inquired. 

We have planned. Some of us will collect donations. The disciple explained. 

I shall tell you tomorrow, Babaji replied. 

They all returned to the original place. All went into sleep dreaming for better ashram near the bank of river Ganga.

That whole night, Babaji couldn't sleep. He was thinking. Am I unhappy here? Shall we be happy at the new place? Where the happiness come from? Finally he received the answer. 

Next day morning, everybody was looking cheerful, waiting for affirmative answer from the Baba for shifting of ashram to a new and beautiful place. 

Baba came to the mandap. He looked at the disciples and saw their cheerful moods and smiles on faces. 

After an opening prayer, the disciple requested for Baba's consent to buy land for the new Ashram, they visited yesterday.

We are not shifting the Ashram to the new place. Baba carefully announced his decision.

Little silence and then murmuring sound started in the crowd. Many faces except few became pale. 

Why Baba? Why? This place is small and dirty. When we do meditation, the noise and stink of the area breaks our concentration. We shall be happier at the new place. The rich started explaining.

If we are not feeling Happiness here then we shall not be Happy anywhere in the world because, Happiness is not in the place but it is the state of our mind. Baba replied.

Finally, the ashram remained there. People with richness of their cars came and gone but Ghatvale Baba remained peaceful and blissful in his inner happiness at the old Ashram.

Happiness is our basic character. It is eternal and remain with us always. Provided we look at it. If we are not happy at present, wherever we are, then definitely, there in virus in our mind. Get anti virus treatment through Satsang, understanding the purpose of life and be Happy. Happiness is already inbuilt in our system manufactured by the Almighty.

Happiness Bhavatu.

Punamchand
2 March 2015

NB:

Woman: I want Happiness.

Buddha: First remove 'I' - that's ego. Then remove 'want' - that's desire. See - now you are left only with happiness.

An AIS officer went to Buddha and asked, I want single malt!
Buddha: ....

Ha..ha..ha

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गागर में सागर (Gagar mein Sagar)

गागर में सागर (Gagar mein Sagar)

"If all the Upanishads and all the other scriptures happened all of a sudden to be reduced to ashes, and if only the first verse in the Ishopanishad were left in the memory of the Hindus, Hinduism would live for ever." - MK Gandhi

The Isha Upanishad, is reminding the reader that neither routine life and rituals are right nor are they wrong. They may be necessary to many, nevertheless, to prepare a person for emancipation, to show the path where cravings feel meaningless, and to produce a serene mind that longs for meaning and one that can discern highest knowledge. Max Muller

"The very first stanza of this matchless Upanishad is in itself a miniature philosophical textbook." Swami Chinmayanand

One of the smallest Upanishad with only 18 verses, but full of greatest messages (gagar mai sagar). With only one word, "vasudhaiva kutumbkam" Hinduism united all creatures on earth to bring peace and happiness. Similarly with one word, "ten tyakten bhunjitha" it removes greed from the mankind.

Gandhi propounded his principle of trusteeship from the first Hymn of the Isopanishad. (the wealthy people would be the trustees of his wealth that looked after the welfare of the people in general)

What is that first Hymn? You all know.

ॐ ईशा वास्यमिदँ सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् ।
तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ॥१॥

(Isavasyam idam sarvam yat kim ca jagatyam jagat, tena tyaktena bhunjitha, ma gridhah kasyasvid dhana)

(All- everything in the Universe is enveloped by the God (Isa). Therefore enjoy things by renunciation. Do not covet because it doesn't belong to you)

It is very easy to translate the hymn but very difficult to understand it's one word "ten tyakten bhunjitha". If followed, it has capacity to change the direction of our life.

We know enjoyment by covet/possession but enjoyment by renunciation is something unusual to believe and understand. 

Day before yesterday, I happen to meet two ministers of Gujarat cabinet. "I feel very happy if people eat at my house. If I eat alone I don't get pleasure but if people eat at my home, I get more happiness", One said. Another said, generally for eating we use word 'khai lyo' but when we say "jamo" the bhava improvise. It further improvise when we say it "prasad" but the best is "thakorji jamadya" (offering to God). 

The jatgaragni in all creatures is of "vaishvanar", when we offer food to any stomach, it is offering to the Vaishvanar/God. अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः ।
प्राणापान समायुक्तः पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधं ।। 
(Becoming the life-fire in the bodies of living beings mingling with the subtle breaths, I digest the four kinds of food.) Wonderful Country India is, where Guest is God, food(ann) is considered Dev (deity) and the fire in every stomach is "vaishvanar". Therefore giving food to the hungry person (भुखे को अन्न) before eating is considered the best service. Ten tyakten bhunjitha.

The money, wealth, designation, power, knowledge,...whatever we have is not for our pleasure but for giving happiness to others. We have been selected as trustees of that wealth so that we distribute them for others happiness.

Happiness is a state of being and not a consequence of possessing. So, enjoy everything without possessing anything.

Enjoy a flower without plucking it from the garden. No need to pluck it to own. Many came to possess the land but they went and land remained. Many sat on power chairs, they went and the chairs remained. 
If all land lords, rulers, people in power, capitalists, wealthy people, etc in the world follow the mantra, "ten tyakten bhunjitha", the earth will become heaven. Nobody will starve here and nobody die in unhappiness. And mother earth will be free from the fight of possession.

ॐ ईशा वास्यमिदँ सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् ।
तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ॥१॥

Enjoy by Renunciation. तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा (त्याग कर भोगो)।

Punamchand
1 March 2015

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