new beginnings. new year., originally uploaded by anitabora. Wishing all of you visiting JALS an absolutely gorgeous 2005. This beautiful sight I encountered in Hampi on Christmas Day has remained entrenched in my mind. With all the tragic events that followed, these are the moments that become even more precious. I do hope you like it. Love and peace for the new year to all of you…
Suman has started Tsunami Help India where one can publish any related information via email. Sulekha has also started a fund along with AID. This from BBC: The Indian government has announced plans for installing a tsunami early warning system in the wake of the Indian Ocean disaster. Google has this page with links on how you can help with relief. The World carries an audio report by Clark Boyd on how survivors of Asia’s tsunamis are using weblogs to help deal with the aftermath of the disaster. The audio transcript is here. Ramdhan is also collecting donations online. And according to this news report, India is not refusing foreign aid, but just asking other countries to wait a while till as the funds in the Indian kitty is yet to be utlised. This NBC5 article reports that officials in the Maldives said the very existence of their island nation is at risk after Sunday’s tsunami. Quote: “The country’s leading environmentalist said the Maldives are ‘the world’s lowest-lying country’ — with the average island only …
All in a day’s work!, originally uploaded by anitabora. The sun sets over Bangalore. A view from the terrace in my building. In the middle is the moon also vying for attention.
Flickering in the wind Originally uploaded by anitabora. Some nice words that struck a chord, in these hard times. A Little Step It’s a moonlit night, beside a lake Stars are shining bright, magic in the air People all around, smiles you see People that you love You’re not so sure its real, too good to be Just a lingering doubt, maybe This is all you’ve wanted your world to be A place where heaven ends, the earth begins You begin to wonder Cannot believe that all this time you’ve missed it There is so much beauty around that you’ve failed to see Then you walk away Wishing that you could take away all sorrow, all pain Make tomorrow a little better than today You couldn’t stand to watch, destruction of this place you’ve seen Broken hopes and shattered dreams Chaos, confusion Maybe it’s a dream, it could be true A paradise on earth You can make this world what you want it to be A place where heaven ends and the earth begins You …
According to the TOI today, around 24000 words have already been written about the tsunami tragedy and I probably shouldn’t add to the count. I have been at a loss for words. Switching on the television after coming back from a trip to Hampi on Sunday and watching the pictures and hearing the news headlines about the death and destruction, especially so close to home, was devastating. Ironically, standing amongst the ruins of Hampi, I wondered at the beauty of Mother nature, while elsewhere, she showed her enormous fury by destroying everything in her path. It’s heartening to see all the Chennai bloggers doing so much. I have been visiting most of them to get updates on news and accounts. Kiruba, Lazy Geek, Suman; Ravi Kumar and Prince Roy. A post from Madman: At times like these, I’m glad I’m an atheist. I’d find it very difficult to accept that a “God” would cause something like this.” It’s difficult really. How does one justify this kind of a scale of destruction? Some excerpts: Opinion Journal: …
And so I met another Bangalore blogger – Suman Kumar. A point he made emphatically was not being listed in my blogroll. Which I have fixed since then, Suman, if you’re reading this 🙂 In the middle of a gargantuan 7-course meal at Shiok, Suman gave us his fundas on topics as diverse as corporate blogging, the MMS scandal and how to make money via blog ads, since food apparently isn’t one of those things that turn him on! Adding to the party spirit was his pretty and charming wife Chitra (who contrary to Suman) was totally enjoying the delicious spread. It’s always such a pleasure to meet another foodie, especially if they’re women (who are usually known to eat in bites only!). Thanks, Madman for the yummy food. We had a really good time. While Arun got totally sloshed over the potent Long Island Ice Tea and kept excusing himself saying, “I’m not responsible for what I say, because I’m drunk”. Hmm, now isn’t that a nice excuse? And Suman and Chitra had their …