Issue No 91 March 2009

Editorial

The salubrious weather of March should normally be an occasion to use the outdoors, smell the spring flowers (albeit a very short spring )and generally mingle around in an atmosphere of bonhomie. Instead, for much of the month, the Yamuna thoroughfares were deserted and once in a while a lone pedestrian could be seen hanging his head morosely, as though the burden of carrying the world on his shoulder was weighing him down. The reason is not far off. It is the omnipotent examination fever. The annual ritual of preparing and appearing for the exams is an all encompassing activity, making men and women built of sterner stuff collapse under the strain. The children appearing in the exams have not only to cope with the lessons, but also the combined expectations of family and friends. It’s a tall order for such young minds and therefore, they are a little callous. This makes the parents all the more stressed out! Therein lies the problem. The results of the examinations play such a crucial role in the destiny of the children that one cannot be faulted for such unsocial behaviour.

The unfinished work of the basketball court, which will also double up as cricket pitch or soccer, is now complete. The children who use this area are quite satisfied with the results. The court markings may leave you a little aghast, though. This is one place they can play in with gay abandon, without getting castigated for breach of peace. One hopes they will be less inclined to play soccer and cricket between the blocks or in the badminton court.

The TT table has been repaired and placed under the Club House. Because of easy accessibility, a number of people, both young and not so young have taken a fancy to the game. Looking at the number of people waiting in the wings to get a game, we may have to buy another table to relieve the tedium.

There was a nip in the air on the 11th morning, which prompted me to think that people would step out a tad late to let in the Holi spirit. How wrong was I ? No sooner had dawn arrived and the sun made its sneak peek from behind the Ashoka trees, than one could see small kids armed with what looked like bazookas and Kalashnikovs, training their water filled weapons at unsuspecting victims. That was the trigger for the older kids and adults to step out. Soon, the badminton court was awash in myriad colours. Some girls were seen in the terrace sending water balloons as missiles at the boys assembled in the badminton court. I could only identify them as the guy with the yellow ears or the girl with the blue nose, from the cosy confines of my home. After a while of revelry, the kids made their exit. I thought that the very interesting one day cricket match on TV between India and New Zealand was proving to be too much of a temptation and everybody had retired home to watch Sehwag display his pyrotechnics. I was again caught on the wrong foot as I got summons relayed to me by my wife, that I was required in the lawn. I tore myself reluctantly away from the TV screen and made my way to the lawn. Lo and behold, the whole colony seemed to be assembled there, ready to pounce on anybody who remotely did not look like the apparition of the devil. I saw Harishankar training the garden hose at all the people who were looking dry as cinder. After giving him a deft dodge I went in, only to be doused by a pail of water thrown at me by Prema and Janani. Radha, Meera, Bhavani, Poornima, Sudha, Sujata, Netra, Murali and Vinod, amongst others, took turns in messing me up. My carefully combed hair, meant to hide the bald patches, turned out to be an exercise in futility. Thankfully, due to the action taken by the Yamuna Stores, many were using non-toxic, organic colours. Sujata treated people to some gujia suspected to be laced with bhang. It turned out to be a cruel joke. After running out of fresh victims, everybody settled down for a round of Antakshari. Srikant captured all the action on camera and it has been posted in the Yamuna blog.

The Lok Sabha elections are due next month. This time, by virtue of several million young, first time voters deciding the fate of the politicians, we may see a new breed of politicians as many parties are fielding younger and better qualified candidates. Our political class has hitherto been insufferably arrogant, flagrantly self serving and utterly derelict in fulfilling its most basic duties and responsibilities to those who have voted it into existence. As politicians are expected to come calling to Yamuna near the time of the elections, please keep your list of demands ready. Let’s see if the new political class give us a semblance of governance, instead of always dipping their hand in the till. It had been lacklustre campaigning until Varun Gandhi ignited the debate with his vitriolic outburst against a minority community. A court censure and possible ban from contesting elections cannot be ruled out. That these words should come out of the mild mannered Gandhi has surprised many. The fact is, prejudicial quicksand lurks in every prided gene pool and Nehru’s great grandson is no exception. He has just stuffed both his feet in the mouth.

Children feel older not when they have their birthday, but when they move to the next class after the examinations. Nursery children go to primary school, which most often requires a change of school. Primary children move to middle school and so on. Children who undergo these transitions really feel grown up and acquire new tastes and habits, in terms of the food they eat, the clothes they wear, the games they play etc. Call it peer pressure or by any other name but it is all too evident. April will be the month when this happens and will prove expensive for parents. They will have to pay for books for the new class, new uniforms and fees for the new session et al.

The movie, Luck by Chance, which was being screened in the badminton court on the 28th, had to be moved under the club house when it started drizzling. However, it soon turned out to be a downpour along with what appeared to be gale force winds. When it became apparent that we could not continue any more even in the partial shelter under the Club house the screening was stopped. The movie will now be screened in the badminton court on the first Saturday of April. The pot luck dinner also turned out to be damp squib on account of the downpour.

The “Earth Day”, lights out advisory was only partially implemented by residents. Several homes did not seem too cognisant of the need to turn of the lights between 8.30p.m. and 9.30 p.m.. I have reasonable cause to believe that it was more successful in other parts of the city.

SNIPPETS

It’s hard to imagine that a girl who until not too long ago was seen in pigtails and school uniform, could be the mother of a baby girl. Pallavi of B 306, who over the passage of time has become a comely young woman, delivered a bonny girl on the 1st of March. Both mother and child are fine. She is fortunate to have her mother and father two floors below to do some baby sitting.

Anjali, daughter of Renu Garg of H-305 could not have asked for a better birthday. On the 15th, the lawn was bedecked with balloons of all hues. Anybody who could qualify as a kid, was invited. If you could extend that definition, it included some adults too. There was the latest and more elaborate version of the Jumping Jenny installed, which seemed to be very popular with the children.

Much of the same happened for Ananya Verma’s(C-106) birthday. Ananya’s mother, Lavanya had arranged a fancy dress party on the 22nd in the rear lawn of C block. Masks and other accoutrements, role play etc, marked the high point of the birthday.

Studying to be a doctor is perhaps the most onerous task. So, when you are being conferred the degree, it is a relief from the tedium of studies and also a sense of achievement. Aditi of C-004 did not want this to go unsung. She implored mom Gita to buy new saris for the Convocation and head to Bangalore for the D- day. The proud and dutiful mother did just that. Now Aditi has the licence to pull the plug or not depending on which side of the euthanasia debate she is on.

Fit and Fine

What is Superbrain Yoga?

This technique partially cleans the energy centres needed for the brain to function efficiently, allowing the energy centres to absorb, digest & distribute prana to different parts of the body .

Significance of the ear:

Dr Paul Nogier, a neurologist, rediscovered that the ear corresponds to an inverted foetus curled in the womb. The earlobe corresponds to the head. Acupressure energy points for the brain, eyes, forehead, mouth, ovary, parotid, temple, and testes congregate around the ear area affected by pressure from the exercise. In addition, the finger tips used in the exercise have energy points for the brain as well as pineal and pituitary glands. Superbrain Yoga partially cleans and energizes the energy centres needed for the brain to function efficiently. It allows the body’s energy centres to absorb, digest and distribute prana to different parts. The right ear lobe corresponds to the left brain and vice-versa. When the right ear lobe is gently squeezed with the left thumb and left index finger, with the thumb outside, it produces energy connection which causes the left brain and pituitary gland to become activated. The same result occurs for the right brain and pineal gland when the left ear lobe is gently squeezed the same way.

Correct Finger Position:

The correct finger position must be used for a higher pranic energy level in the brain and more powerful effects, generally.

Correct Arm Position:

The right arm must be outside, and the left arm inside for the brain to be energized and activated.

Facing The Correct Direction:

For children, teens and adults, it is advisable to face east for better results. It activates the upper energy centres and facilitates the moving up of energies from lower to higher energy centres. Older people may face north as it energises their energy centres, especially the lower ones. Practice under the guidance of a certified Superbrain Yoga practitioner for better results. (Times of India)

Want a demo? Watch this video on your p.c., sent to us by Mahesh (A-303), appropriately titled ‘Thopukaranam Rediscovered’!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSwhpF9iJSs

Quiz Time!

This is a quiz for people who know everything! These are not trick questions. They are straight questions with straight answers. (Answers in the next issue of the Chronicle)

1. Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.

2. What famous North American landmark is constantly moving backward?

3. Of all vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons. All other vegetables must be replanted every year. What are the only two perennial vegetables?

4. What fruit has its seeds on the outside?

5. In many liquor stores, you can buy pear brandy, with a real pear inside the bottle. The pear is whole and ripe, and the bottle is genuine; it hasn't been cut in any way. How did the pear get inside the bottle?

6. Only three words in standard English begin with the letters " dw" and they are all common words. Name two of them.

7. There are 14 punctuation marks in English grammar. Can you name at least half of them?

8. Name the only vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh.

9. Name 6 or more things that you can wear on your feet beginning with the letter "S."

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - APRIL 2009

4.4.09 7.00 pm onwards Movie show in the Badminton
Court followed by Potluck Dinner

12.4.09 10.00 am onwards General Body Meeting in the
Community Hall

HOLI MILAN - 2009 !

To enjoy more of Srikanth's pictures, click on:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/yamunahappenings/HoliPhotos?feat=directlink

YAMUNA'S TREES

Cape Honeysuckle

Scientific Name: Bignonia capensis, Family: Bignoniaceae

Bignonia capensis or Cape honeysuckle is an ornamental garden plant commonly used for screening and decorative purposes. It can also be trimmed to form a hedge. It is often planted specifically to attract birds and butterflies.. It s a loose rambling, tropical, evergreen shrub with mild climbing tendencies. It has compound leaves up to 6 inches long , 2 inches wide, with 7 or 9 shiny leaflets, up to 1 inch long . It is ideal for sandy, stony soils where little else grows. It is close to carefree as far as maintenance is concerned. The Cape Honeysuckle has spectacular bright orange flowers. It blooms all year, however the flowers are more abundant in autumn or spring.

They attract sunbirds and hummingbirds.I actually caught a couple of sunbirds (with great difficulty) on camera and have included a picture of the bird on the plant.

It is not a native of India and originated in South Africa, Mozambique. It has high heat tolerance and needs full sun to light shade. Its watering needs are low and once established needs a good soaking every month in summer.

It can be propagated by seeds cuttings any time. The powdered bark of this attractive garden plant is used as a traditional medicine to relieve pain and sleeplessness.

(Shanthi Chandrashekaran)

Issue No 90 February 2009

Editorial

The winter was a pale shadow of the season we have come to welcome or dread, depending on which side of the climate preference you may belong to. Like the summer we left behind last year, which was the mildest on record, the winter this year did not make us scurry for our furrys.. The problem with short and mild winters is the fear as to what’s in store for us in April or May. Already the sparse winter rains have depleted the water table. If it is followed up by a hot and dry summer, our cup of woes will run full. Please, therefore, conserve water to see us through another summer.

The staff in Yamuna has been functioning pretty much in their own lackadaisical style with their tasks well over before noon, leaving the afternoon for snoozing or other personal pursuits. The man at the helm of the staff pile, who is supposed to monitor their working, is like a loose cannon himself, assuming authority of unmitigated proportion without any corresponding responsibility. All this is going to be put to an end soon with Mahesh Eswaran preparing a detailed duty roster for each individual, to be monitored by Block representatives. With this, the hitherto neglected areas like the terraces, basements, meter rooms, the tiny tots park, and others will sport a spruced look. We must congratulate Mahesh for taking on this task in right earnestness.

The Society is seriously contemplating installing CCTV cameras in multiple locations, to bolster our security. Hopefully with this addition, the petty thefts and unsolicited callers at our doorstep, trying to sell sundry products or services will come to an end. Srinivas (A-108) is working on a plan to get uniform and attractive number plates to be affixed on the doors of every Flat. This should prevent visitors ringing the bell at the wrong doors, which has become quite a nuisance of late.

The basement has become a vast treasure trove of the unwelcome kind. Abandoned motorcycles, scooters and bicycles that probably have not seen the outdoors in years are gathering dust and making the place dirty. In an effort to set this right and make this area useful for other activities, residents are requested to approach the office and give details of the vehicles belonging to them which are parked in the basement. It is proposed to levy a parking charge for these vehicles. The custody of any vehicle that remains unclaimed will be given to the Police who will remove the same from the premises.

The Yamuna Co-operative Stores is in dire straits. A steep fall in revenue coupled with dwindling stocks led to the fortunes of the stores taking a dive, so much so the creditors began assaulting the staff with weapons, for their dues. Witness to this tyranny, Ramabadhran (E-201), thought he could not let the store go to seed and decided to revamp the store. He, along with Harishankar (G 106), Srikanth (C-003), K.K. Mani (B- 201) and Deepak Verma (H-208), amongst others also decided to chip in financially to restructure the store. The matter of keeping in abeyance the payment of rental for one year or until the Stores starts generating surplus, whichever comes earlier, came up for discussions in the Managing Committee. The Committee after due deliberations unanimously OK’d the same, subject to the ratification by the General Body. The revamped store will bring in all the attributes of a modern retail outlet with state-of-the-art bar coding, billing and inventory management system. The store will be equipped with CCTV’s to prevent pilferage, which was quite rampant before. With adequate stocks, increased variety of items and good ambience, YCS will make shopping a pleasure. The store will also have a photocopier machine to meet the increased requirements of photocopying within the Apartments. It is hoped the glory days will be back soon. The residents need not go to the Alaknanda market, dodging traffic and inhaling pollutants to do their grocery purchases. The store will gradually add more product categories and coffee and tea vending machines to make it a pleasant hangout. We are all very grateful to Mr. Venkatachalam , Mr. Srinivasan and Mr. Seshan who put their heart and soul to run the stores against all odds. We will continue to count on their experience and advice in running the store in the future. Services of all residents will be called upon to support the store, in either manning or monetarily so that we can make it a fine example of cooperative endeavour. Cheenu is spending a good deal of time in the store, in this effort.

It’s going to be “lights out” between 8.30 pm and 9.30pm on the 28th of March. It is ‘Earth Day’ for the uninitiated. Not to be outrun of resources by the pace of development and metaphorically speaking, bite the hand that feeds, environmentalists around the world have got together to give this clarion call to save the Earth by this gesture. In order that residents are not unduly inconvenienced, we have decided to screen a movie on the lawns followed by pot luck dinner.

It was India’s day at the Oscars. Very few movies in the history of the Academy awards have won 8 Oscars. Slumdog Millionaire, takes its pride of place amongst the greatest of movies ever made. Of course, there will be many who will argue that better movies have been made in India which have not got a sniff at the Oscars. I could not agree with them more. But is this the time to quibble over such matters? I think not. Let us take pride of being on the global stage where a story on India starring Indian actors, Indian music director, Indian sound mixer and Indian story writer, have teamed together with a British producer and director, to produce a movie which has made the world sit up and take notice. The only previous time an Indian story made it big at the Oscars was when Gandhi directed by Richard Attenborough, another British producer and director, won an award. Slumdog was not the only Indian story that got the honours. A documentary film Smile Pinki, about an Indian girl with a cleft lip, also by a British film-maker, got the Oscar in that category. It must have been an extremely awe inspiring day for all the child artistes from both the movies who come from extremely poor backgrounds to be in LA as part of this extravaganza.

I have been asked to write about an issue that is causing a great deal of anguish to residents. The dalliance of teenagers in shady corners of the colony “koochie kooing,” is getting a little out of hand. From infrequent incidents, to bolder and frequent encounters, is upsetting the residents and can leave an indelible imprint on impressionable minds. This brazen display of affection is not what the residents can acquiesce to. These hormonal, angst-ridden teenage hearts need counselling, so that things don’t go out of hand.

C&D Block residents woke up one morning to find tea and coffee coming out of their taps. Realising they hadn’t done any particularly good deed to deserve this largesse; they put this burgundy and brown liquid to a flavour test. Lo behold, it was unadulterated sewage! Realising they hadn’t done anything particularly offensive to deserve this curse, they promptly reported the matter to the Society Office. Last heard, Managing Committee members visiting these Apartments were treated to what seemed to be noxious emissions emanating from the wrong end of the alimentary canal. It was a message loud and clear to get their act on the road and rectify the problem. Work is at hand, even though it is an onerous task, accessing the shaft and other nether regions, to plug the elusive leak.

For all those who are going through the wringer, parents and children alike, to get through the Board exams – good luck. Don’t chew off all your nails. Keep some for the results!

OBITUARY

Mrs. Lakshmi Ramamurthy, owner of A-010, left for her heavenly abode on Sunday the 1st of February in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.

The last days of the month also did not augur well for Mrs. Shoba Zutshi (mother of Jai Zutshi from C-006), who breathed her last after a prolonged illness on 26th February.

The residents of Yamuna convey their condolence to the bereaved families.

SNIPPETS

Under the benign influence of the stars, romance blossomed between the debonair Raj Nathan of A- 107 and Priyanka, which culminated in their wedding on 6th February at the Guruvayurappan Temple in Mayur Vihar. I was privileged to be present at the reception of the groom at the NDMC Barat Ghar at Kaka Nagar on 5th February. Normally NDMC Barat Ghars give an impression of unimaginative planning, shoddy workmanship and neglect, but the Kaka Nagar Barat Ghar, where the reception was held had the ambience of a 5- star hotel. The bride and the groom were at their radiant best. Priyanka, a Sindhi, will add to the cultural diversity of Yamuna. We wish Raj and Priyanka the same intensity of affection that brought them together, for the rest of their lives.

Seema Chari and Kunal Savarkar with their two lovely daughters – Tanvi (aged 7) and Sahana (aged 4) have moved into G-204. The kids attend DPS, East of Kailash (Classes I and Nursery respectively). Seema is a polyglot who speaks Italian, French, and Marathi apart from her mother tongue, Tamil. She runs Eloquenza (www.eloquenza.in) , a company that specializes in providing European language skills to organizations in India and abroad. Kunal straddles an unlikely combination of careers – one of an architect, Director in Archohm Consults (www.archohm.com , based in Kalkaji Extn), and two, of quizzing – he runs Quizcraft (www.quizcraft.in) – a company that conducts quizzes for schools, colleges and corporate clients across India. They can be reached at seema@eloquenza.in and kunal@archohm.com or 40523817. I am sure Yamuna will find enough occasions to use the skills of Seema and Kunal.

In a lateral move, which would not have troubled them a lot, Arjun Rao and his family made A-205 their new home. They were earlier residing in A-203. So, don’t go knocking on the wrong door!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - MARCH 2009

10.3.09/11.3.09

Holi Hai! Step out to get plastered, splashed or generally rangolied. No holds barred ! Organic, non-toxic colours will be sold at the Yamuna Stores from 2nd March onwards.

28.3.09

Screening of a movie on the lawn followed by potluck dinner. Title of movie to
be announced later.

YAMUNA'S TREES

'Neighbour's envy, owner's pride' is a saying one can rightfully apply to Yamuna's greenery. The profusion of trees, many of them belonging to the flowering variety provide shade and cool us during the long, hot summer, besides softening the all-pervasive concrete landscape.

But how many of us even know the names of our trees? Shanthi Chandrashekaran (H-107) certainly does. Starting this month, she will enrich our knowledge about a particular tree species that grows in our colony.

CALLIANDRA HAEMATOCEPHALA - PINK POWDER PUFF

(Photo courtesy: Sumathi Chandrashekaran)

We have 3 of these shrubs/ trees in Yamuna Apartments which are in bloom this month. Try spotting them.These are hospitable evergreens and are good for accent planting . They have bright pink flowers shaped like huge powder puffs. This is in contrast with rich green, graceful, compound leaves. The bright pink is actually the colour of their stamens . The shrub originated in South America. The shrub requires ample water and drainage.

STORE RESTORED !

Makeovers are not only for celebrities, our very own Yamuna Stores has benefited from one, too ! Walk into its shiny, new interior and you'll be hard put to recall its earlier, musty avatar. Some large doses of Vitamin-M, a lick of paint, trendy display racks and plenty of hard work have resulted in what you see below. The new store was inaugurated with due fanfare on 22nd February, 2009. (For a closer look, click on the pix.)

With many ambitious plans ahead, help of all sorts is required from residents, both monetary and otherwise. If you are at home during the day, for instance, can you spare a few hours every week to man the billing counter? The tech-challenged will be given adequate training to operate the computerised billing system (believe us, it's child's play!)

Information and updates on what's happening at the store will be posted on this website:

http://www.yamunastores.org/

You are also welcome to e-mail your ideas and suggestions to the store management at:

contributors@yamunastores.org