EDITORIAL
The
Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony threatened to get derailed by dark
clouds and drizzle. However, the rain stayed away and with light breeze wafting
across the badminton court, it was really pleasant. At the appointed hour there
were only a handful of people. The crowd soon swelled up and the flag was
hoisted by Dhruv and Samarth, the youngest children capable of pulling the
chord. The singing of the National Anthem was spontaneous and unanimous. This
was followed by singing of patriotic songs by Devyani, Adwita, Mani, Shaswat,
Tanvi, Sahana, Radhika and Sivashri who were trained by Subhada. Another round
of songs was sung by Shreeya, Shreeja, Aditi and Poorvaja under the tutelage of
Kalyani. After that the adults led by Gomathi, Bhavani, Seema, Radhika, Sudha,
Bharti, Jayashree, Poornima, Deepak, Ram, Murali sang with gusto and joie de vivre. The balloons filled by Mr. Nathani, Aditi and
Poorvaja decorated the badminton court. There was a minor scare, though, on the
eve of Independence Day as the flag of previous years was missing. Mr. P. K. K.
Nair stepped in and got somebody to head to Sadar Bazaar and get the flag. He
showed up in the morning with the flag and sundry other tricolour articles.
This was perhaps the Independence Day with the largest attendance ever and
everybody had a jolly good time. Bhavani proposed a kite flying competition but
there didn’t seem to be many takers. You may see the photos on the Yamuna Photo Album.
Most
people fall for the faux charms of the fairness creams peddled in the
marketplace. Recent clinical and empirical studies have shown that these creams
have such dangerous compounds in their composition that prolonged usage could
result in patchy skin, heart problems and even skin cancer. Our obsession with fairness as a yardstick
for attractiveness is what has driven cosmetic companies to up their ante to
promote their brand of fairness cream, in what can be described as a multi-crore
market. Woe betide, we may be seeing the demise of the dusky beauty or the
swarthy male equivalent, if the claims of the cosmetic companies were true.
Happily for us, that is not going to happen and we will continue to be blessed
with people of different hues.
The
handing over of fancy wheels to their spoilt brats by politicians and
businessmen has caused a lot of accidents on the roads. One unfortunate Yamuna
resident will live to tell the tale.. At three in the morning when most sane
people would be resting their tired limbs and catching up on their sleep, two
brothers, drunk to the gills, sped down the road in front of Yamuna as though
it was a Formula 1 racetrack. One of them was driving an Audi and other a
Toyota Freelander and they crashed into each other, lost control and one of the
offending vehicles careened into a parked car of a resident, pushing it into
the gutter in the process. The mangled mass will require serious money to make
it look like a car again. The hapless resident is at her wits end while the
brats get ready for their next expedition.
Janmashtami
or Gokulashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna - and celebrate it we did
at Yamuna, with all the enthusiasm of a child let loose at Disneyworld. The
choreographers, Radhika, Subadha and Netra worked tirelessly with the children
for several days to put up a fabulous show. We had record attendance, thanks to
the sequences being filmed by Sandhya Kumar and her crew who flew in from
Bombay for the event. It is so nice to know that even decades after leaving,
Yamuna ex-residents should have such a strong and nostalgic bond with the
colony to come back and make a film.
As
usual, the show started late. The more than half hour delay was a new low for
Yamuna. Not that it mattered, as the assembled crowd lapped it all up because
the show had all the elements of a being a super hit. The colourful costumes,
the professional choreographing, catchy music and great stage presence of the
kids made for a fine evening of entertainment. Nachiket’s opening act was
canned as he came down with a bout of laryngitis. Instead, the opening act
featured Sahana Iyer, Aaria Anirudh
Verma and Radhika Venkataraman celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna based on 'Govinda
jaya jaya Gopal jaya jaya' through Odissi dance composed and choreographed by
Radhika Samson to some inspiring music by a British rock band. This was
followed with another superb Odissi dance recital set to Pandit Ravishankar’s "Oh
Krishna, where are you," by the same trio. It was amazing how Radhika
Samson could mould these children to do complex classical dance in such a short
time. Another Radhika choreographed item, "Jai Radhe, Jai Krishna, Jai
Vrindavan" enacted by Sahana, Vanshika, Aditi, Bhavna, Anjali, Devyani,
Dhanya and Anushka had the audience cheering lustily.
Subhada,
a talented musician with pedigree, got her wards Advita, Devyani, Shaswath,
Sahana Savarkar, Tanvi, Sivasree and Mani to sing a Meera bhajan, “Chakar rakho
ji”, followed by a Guruvayurappan song (“Thechi mandaram”) and ending with
another bhajan (“Nanda nandana radhe sham”). Subhada's training and the children's
talent made this mellifluous rendition very pleasing.
This
paved the way to Netra choreographed "Woh Kisna hai" featuring Aparna
Menon, Samiksha, Tanvi, Sahana, Anushka and Kiana followed by an adrenaline
pumping all time favourite "Govinda a la re" enacted by Aryan,
Shantanu,, Mani and Abhishek which had the audience clapping to the beat. The
grand finale was the dandia dance done by the adults featuring Meera, Bharti,
Seema, Bhavani, Anuradha Nair, Sudha, Gomathi, Deepak, Srikumar Madhu, Kunal
and Abhilash It was indeed refreshing to see adults volunteer to do a dance
number. It did not seem like they were making an effort as they were sporting a
smile whilst dancing. The joy was infectious.
The eternal
favourite, Samarth as Krishna, was hoisted on his dad's shoulder to break open
the dahi handi, but his efforts went in vain. Mr. Muscle (Deepak Varma), then
took on the task, but even after raining several blows on the clay handi with a
coconut, the pot held on with pride. Finally, it seemed prudent to remove the
shards from the cracks to prise open the pot, which yours truly did.
All
in all, it was an enjoyable evening of fun and entertainment. Ramanan, with the
assistance of Netra, Soumya, Medha and the children made a very interesting
floor decoration. Kasu's snacks corner had its busy moments. Mr. Thangathurai
and his wife Meenakshi distributed laddoos to the audience and Mrs. Govil
handed over a packet of eclairs to be distributed to the children. It was very
gratifying to see the support of Yamuna residents for the event.
We
have received a communication from the Office of the Chairman of the Wards
Committee, South Delhi Municipal Corporation stating that IGL will start the
gas pipeline work in Yamuna in October 2013. Hopefully, this will put to end
the speculation about if and whether we would get piped gas for cooking. This
communication has been put up on the Notice Board.
Onam
is celebrated in all Kerala households in the month of Chingam, when it marks
the homecoming of mythical King Mahabali who ruled Kerala in a benevolent and
just manner. This year, Thiruvonam falls on16th September, 2013. To usher in
the spirit of Onam, a feast is being organised on Saturday, 14th September, 2013
at either the badminton court or Community Hall from 7.30 pm. Residents are
requested to participate in making the pookolam. Those residents who are
interested in the feast are requested to buy the coupons from the Society office
for Rs. 225 per person latest by the 10th September, 2013.
Attendance in traditional attire would be desirable.
OBITUARY
Thangammal
(C-003), mother of Mr. B.M.S. Murthy, B.M. Krishnan and B.M. Sundaresan (all
members of Yamuna) left for her heavenly abode on 26th August, 2013 at the ripe
age of 101 years. She would have turned 102 in September, 2013. She was very
active for her age with a sharp intellect and was the boss of the house. Her
departure has left a void in the lives of all the family members and made
Yamuna poorer of sage counselling. Yamuna residents sincerely convey their
condolence to the bereaved family.
SNIPPETS
After
a long hiatus of nearly four years, D-001 finally has an occupant. Mr. Amit
Kumar Jain has moved into the flat. Mr. Jain is in multi product business with
factories in Assam. He grows aromatic grass and extracts citronella oil which keeps
mosquitoes and other pests at bay. He also has a silk weaving outfit for saris
and fabrics. His mother, Madhu Jain, is a designer of International fame. His wife,
Nikita Jain designs and sells costume jewellery. They have two daughters named
Swarashi and Prisha who are 7 years and 4 years old respectively. Interactions
with Mr. Jain have revealed that he is a very gregarious person. Due to his
business interests in Assam he would be shuttling between Gauhati and Delhi. He
plans to move his family to Delhi at the beginning of the next academic year.
He can be reached on 09864021892. This family will definitely add to the
cultural diversity of the colony.
*****************
Srilakshmi
Mani of B-201 has been selected as Head Girl of Birla Vidya Niketan. She must
have displayed tremendous all round talent to be chosen as the Head Girl, which
is an honour given to only one girl in the school. Coming on top of her superb
academic performance, Srilakshmi is sure to grow to great heights (pun
intended).
*****************
Mr.
Talwelkar and family of C-206 are relocating to Mumbai after a fairly lengthy
stint in Yamuna. Their children, Anish and Juilee, were enthusiastic
participants in eco-drives and cultural activities in the colony. We wish them
the very best in their new abode.
*****************
Abhirami
Prakasan of B-303, who has been hitting a million balls in pursuit of tennis
fame got her place under the sun when she won the Girls Under-14 IATA talent
series title organised by DLTA at the R. K. Stadium, a site of many Davis Cup
battles. It may not be Wimbledon yet, but it certainly paves the way for the
pinnacle of tennis glory.
MIRTH CORNER
‘Desi
English’ ranges from outrageous to endearingly funny expressions. Some
delightful examples:
Leave Applications:
Infosys , Bangalore : An employee applied for leave as follows:
'Since I have to go to village to sell my land along with my wife, please sanction me one-week leave.'
Oracle Bangalore: From an employee who was performing the 'mundan' ceremony of his 10 year old son: “As I want to shave my son's head , please leave me for two days..'
Another gem from CDAC: Leave letter from an employee who was performing his daughter's wedding: 'as I am marrying my daughter , please grant a week's leave..'
Leave Applications:
Infosys , Bangalore : An employee applied for leave as follows:
'Since I have to go to village to sell my land along with my wife, please sanction me one-week leave.'
Oracle Bangalore: From an employee who was performing the 'mundan' ceremony of his 10 year old son: “As I want to shave my son's head , please leave me for two days..'
Another gem from CDAC: Leave letter from an employee who was performing his daughter's wedding: 'as I am marrying my daughter , please grant a week's leave..'
From H.A.L. Administration Dept: 'As my mother-in-law has expired and I am only one responsible for it, please grant me 10 days leave.'
Another employee applied for half day leave as follows: 'Since I've to go to the cremation ground at 10 a.m. and I may not return, please grant me half day casual leave'
'I am suffering from fever, please declare one-day holiday.'
'My wife is suffering
from sickness and as I am her only husband at home I may be granted leave'.
A leave letter to the headmaster: 'As I am studying in this school I am suffering from headache. I request you to leave me today'
Another leave letter written to the headmaster: 'As my headache is paining please grant me leave for the day.'
Covering notes:
'I
am enclosed herewith...'
Another one: 'Dear Sir: with reference to the above, please refer to my below...'
Letter writing: 'I am well here and hope you are also in the same well.'
Job application: 'This has reference to your advertisement calling for a ' Typist and an Accountant - Male or Female'... As I am both for the past several years and I can handle both with good experience , I am applying for the post.
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS FOR SEPTEMBER, 2013
DATE
|
EVENT
|
TIME
|
VENUE
|
14.9.2013
|
POOKOLAM AND ONAM FEAST
|
7.30 PM
|
BADMINTON COURT
|
|
|
|
|
22.9.2013
|
AGM
|
9.30 AM
|
COMMUNITY HALL
|
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