Issue No 86 October 2008

Editorial

The gloom and doom scenario that is enveloping our lives due to the collapse of the financial markets in the US, the mayhem in the bourses globally, the sundry terrorist strikes and the assault on Christians hasn’t, however, quite dampened the spirits in Yamuna, where the Navaratri or the Navrathra festival as it is known in these parts made quite a splash. One could see several women in fine silks and matching accoutrements trooping in and out of homes laden with profferings. The golu (decorative arrangements of idols on steps with special themes) was set up in some homes in keeping with the cultural heritage. While some of the golu’s in recent times have turned out to be unappetisingly vapid, an eclectic arrangement done by Shanti, Nitya and Ramya of G-004 was very interesting. I dropped in uninvited to take pictures for posting on the Yamuna blog. The pictures actually do not do much justice to the actual arrangement, which was quite outstanding. The golu at C-005, took the honours in terms of sheer size, with the arrangement occupying half the drawing room. It’s good to see people putting in the effort and keeping the tradition alive.

The dandiya held on Vijayadashami day was a cracking success. As usual, women turned out in specially tailored colourful lehngas. The music for much of the evening was the traditional dandia and garba music from Gujarat. Towards the end, we resorted to contemporary Hindi pop to enable the gathering to let their hair down. There was a lot of enthusiasm and participation this year with the young and not so young not having any qualms about taking to the floor. Deepa Anand of H-005 w as declared the best dancer by the Judge. It was an opportunity for many of the new comers to Yamuna to meet and interact with other residents. The food stalls seemed to do well. The Zutshis came to the rescue with their egg roll stall which was hastily set up since the usual “Aunty’s Rrolls”, caterers could not make it. Govil’s’ laid out the puri-chole and Balaji, the dosa vada stall. They all chipped in with Rs. 200 each and the rest of the expense was borne by the Society.

Social graces and civility have been given short shrift in today’s age. Delhi’ites, are paragons of sociability and are generous hosts in their homes, -and plying you with food and drinks until you burst from the gills. The ’pehle aap’ syndrome in our homes towards guests swiftly gets transformed to ‘pehle main’ when we confront strangers on the street. We give no quarter to other vehicles on the road and if we don’t get our way, will swiftly resort to rendering of choice epithets and may even come to blows. How do you explain this schizophrenic behaviour? Why cannot humans apply the good side of their personality on all occasions and circumstances? Believe it; it will do you a lot of good. Try to make at least one person happy per day and your health will improve. I have often spotted people waiting endlessly to cross the road but the traffic doesn’t yield. Why can’t we stop briefly and let somebody cross the road?. That is enough; you have done the good deed for the day. It doesn’t necessarily have to cost money. It could mean passing a compliment or words of encouragement.

An object of one person’s misery turns out to be another person’s passion, as the following events would reveal. Swords were drawn when the Ashoka tree that stood as sentinel near the Club House adjoining H-001 and overlooking C&D Blocks ,was being hacked. Apparently, the tree was home to several birds, ants and other fauna of varied description. Since the branches of the tree overhung the open area behind D-001, leaves, black ants, dropped eggs and leftover carcass from bird feed would constantly fall in the enclosure, causing a great deal of annoyance and discomfiture to the resident of the said apartment. Besides, the tree had grown so tall that it was vulnerable to get toppled in gale force winds, which could cause serious damage to life and property .To date, Until now we have had three trees toppling over, in the Park. However, since they were far removed from the residences, they were not a cause of concern. There is also the concern that deep spreading roots could pose a danger to the foundations of the building. On the other side of the divide were residents of C&D Blocks who took umbrage at the removal of green cover. The conservationists had their own valid reasons, not the least, concerning the legality of uprooting a live tree. I am sure a middle ground could have been found without vitiating the atmosphere. This issue needs to be debated in a more conducive environment. We should not push the conservation argument beyond reasonable limits, if the tree is severely afflicted by termites and hollowed out, or if the trees are perilously close to the walls and the roots are burrowing into the building foundation, or if the tree has grown too large, blocking natural light and posing a threat from a stability standpoint. Pruning, if the tree is healthy, is the best bet. The jury is out on this. Please respond with your views on the Yamuna blog.

The screening of the movie Singh Is Kinng, on the 25th October in the Park, drew a motley crowd. The film’s light hearted banter is targeted at a juvenile audience. The sensory overload, replete with comical fight sequences was a bit too much of ennui for some. The assembled crowd vanished as soon as the movie got over, leaving the place for only four families to partake in the ‘Potluck dinner’.

After several years we are planning to have another quiz competition. Teams will consist of a working adult, a student of senior class student and a student from a junior class. The questions framed will be such that each of the participants will get to answer questions. The best team and the runner-up team will be given prizes at the Annual Day function. The q Quiz competition will be on Saturday, the 8th of November, at the badminton court. The quizmaster will be our inveterate quizzer, Sumathi, of H-107. Please come in large numbers, either to participate or cheer the participants. There will be questions posed to the audience if the participants fail to answer a question.
The global liquidity crunch has not spared the Yamuna Co-operative store. They need good Samaritans to shore up their finances. Any individual who can loan
Rs. 2, 500 or more will be returned the money or goods equivalent to that value by June, 2009. Or if you do not have a predilection for lending, you could do your good turn by shopping there -, after all, you have an equity stake in the store.

The onset of winter has already been announced by some. The early morning nip is scarcely colder than an AC room in summer, but our folks in Yamuna trotted around the peripheral road, on their morning constitutional, in balaclavas! December and January could turn out to be a lot more trying.

Srikanth Murthy of C-003 is planning a slide show of archival pictures of events in Yamuna. If residents have any old photos/videos of events in Yamuna, or interesting photographs of individuals in the colony, please hand them over to Srikant who will make a copy of the same and return it to you.

As usual there were no guesses for picking the winner of the illumination competition. G&H seems to have taken squatting rights on that title! For a change, however, nobody seems to be quibbling over the choice this year, other than residents of C&D. They had a vocal supporter in Anand Sundaresan of H-308, who noticed a blooper in one of the peacock illustrations of G&H Blocks, which apparently had two tails- one spread out and the other in resting position. whoHe also felt that C&D had done enough to pip the favourites. C&D came up with very original and unique concepts to embellish their creations. Ganesha made with plantain leaves, or another depiction of the elephant god with vegetables, or the pruned tree branch, to serve as a lamp holder and a whole sequence of Ganeshas in various activities was superb. No wonder they ran a very close second to the eventual winner. What set G&H apart were the excellent drawing skills, splendid colour combinations and outstanding execution in portraying the peacock in various drawings. The use of sequins in embellishing the drawings was unique and made the illustrations stand out. A&B made a valiant effort to keep up with the favourites, with their theme depicting a dance form and the various stages and accoutrements. The use of bricks, assembled in formation for lighting up diyas was unique and attractive. However, what put paid to their plans was the choice of colours and the execution, which lacked the finesse of G&H blocks. E&F had some interesting pieces, but overall they were found wanting in ammunition to pose a challenge to the others. What is good about these contests is the commitment, team work and bonhomie shown by residents to come up with superb creations. The standards have been improving and everybody realises that they have to come up with unique concepts to stand a chance. Such displays are unparalleled in any housing complex and needs Press coverage. We may be the harbingers of a trend! It is said that one family in Calcutta started Durga puja displays about 150 years ago and now it is a phenomenon. We may become part of historic lore, to be featured in Discovery channel. Somebody needs to chronicle this. Hopefully, I am doing my part. Ramabadhran of E-202 has taken a lot of photographs which will appear in the Yamuna blog. The jury did an outstanding job. Please raise a toast for Radha, Jyothi, Latha and Jayashree.

The AGM and Annual Day are upon us. We need participation from all in the activities of the colony. In order to defray the expenses of the Annual Day we need everybody’s support in securing ads. Since the time is short, please expedite. For the contributory dinner on the Annual Day, residents are requested to buy their dinner coupons, @ Rs. 125 per head, for buffet dinner in the Badminton court. In view of the unprecedented rush expected, due to KK’s performance, please buy the coupons well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Please note that in view of KK’s concert there is an expectation of outside visitors. It has hence been decided that only Yamuna residents will be allowed free entry. For other visitors, Donor cards can be bought from the office and gate for Rs. 500 which will allow entry of two adults and two children below 12 years.

Please provide the required information to the Society Office for the new Yamuna Directory immediately,lest you find your name missing.

OBITUARY

Mrs. Kalpagam, mother of Mr. Ganesan Sundaresan of D-002, and Mr. G. Umapathy of D-104 breathed her last on the 4th of October. The residents of Yamuna convey their deepest sympathies to the bereaved families.

Snippets

Mr. Kishore Nathani, an ex Army officer and explosives expert has quit the forces and joined Urban Mass Transit Company, belonging to ILFS. He has moved into A-301, from Hyderabad, with his wife Radhika, son, Bhaskar and daughter, Kashish. Radhika is a housewife, Bhaskar studies in Kalka Public school and Kashish, studies in Kendriya Vidyalaya. The family seems to have got integrated with the activities in Yamuna, as they were active participants in the illumination competition. They can be reached on 9717322799. We welcome them to the Yamuna family.

Healthfile

What's flaxseed all about?
Vitamins, phytonutrients, proteins and fibre – that’s flaxseed for you, a powerhouse of nutrition that belies its insignificant appearance. Flaxseed helps fight inflammatory diseases like arthritis. Its rich supply of Omega-3 fatty acids manage cholesterol levels and give protection against cancer and diabetes. The seeds also reduce the discomfiting symptoms of PMS and menopause.

How should I eat it?
You have to acquire a taste for it. Take the easy way out, include flaxseed powder in gravies or in chapatti dough and you won’t even notice it. If you’re OK with the taste, sprinkle it over salads or have it with cereal and milk. Flaxseeds go rancid easily, so store them in your refrigerator.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - NOVEMBER 2008

2.11.08

9.30 am SPORTS DAY on the lawn for all age groups

8.11.08

6.30 pm Quiz - Badminton court

9.11.08

10.00 am AGM in the quadrangle opposite the office

15.11.08

4.30 pm Annual Day (pl await program details)

22.11.08

6.00 pm Movie show in the park. (Title to be announced later)

DEEPAVALI AT YAMUNA !

(Photos: Ramabadhran)

Want to see more pictures? Click on the Yamuna Happenings link.