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Volume 1

A Family-Magazine from SevA dArShAn KuwAit

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Issue 3

15th June, 2011

For more information contact : Seva Darshan, Kuwait - INDEMB/KWT/ASSN/150 Sevadarshan@gmail.com

Sopanam E-Magazine - (For members circulation only)

Subashitam ""]tcm-]-Im-cmb ^en hrmx

]tcm-]-Im-cmb hln \Zymx ]tcm-]-Im-cmb Zpln Kmhx ]tcm-]-Im-cmanZw ico-cw''

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]tcm-]-Im-cn\p thn-bmWv hr- ImbvpXv. \Zn-I Hgp-Ip-Xpw ]tcm-]-Im-c-n\v Xs. ]ip- ]m Npc-p-Xpw ]tcm-]-Im-c-n\mWv. Atm \psS Cu ico-chpw ]tcm-]-Im-cn\m-bn-s hn\n-tbm-Kn-mw.

Amritha Vachanam

AayX hN\w

hnZym-`ymkw sImv a\p-jy D-tcm-cw DXn {]m]n-p-Ibpw Pohn-X-ns ]c-a-eyw t\Sp-I-bpamWv sNp--Xv. a\p-jys\ Pohn-X-ns Cu ]c-a-e-y-n-tev Fp-hm Xm-dm-pI F-XmWv hnZym-`ym-k-n-\w. Cu AXy-n-I-eyw t\Sp-h-\mbn a\p-jy\v At\Iw Xc-n-ep kZvKp-W- Bhiy-am-Wv. Cu kZvKp-W- s]v Dm-Ip--X-. AXn-\mbn {]bXv-\n--Ww. AXp-sImv Cu KpW- sNdpw apXse ioen-tXv Pohn-X-ns Bh-iy-am-Wv. Cu kZvKp-W- kam-P-Po-hn-X-n ]e-tm-gmbn ]cm-ain--s-Sp-pv. kXy-k--X-tbmsS Pohnp-I, a\-n BtcmSpw i{Xp-Xtbm shdptm shbvm-Xn-cn-pI, a\km-hmNmIaW kwip--cm-bn-cnp-I, kzbw \nb-{n-pI, temIw Xs Fs IpSpw_w F hnime a\-kvI-X-tbmsS Cu hnime am\h kaq-ls tkhn-m kzbw kanpI, Cu kaW-nepw kzmX sXp a\-n sImp-h-cmXn-cn-pI, XpS-nb KpW- hfsc Bh-iy-am-Wv. temI\- F DZm `mh-tmsS amXr-`q-ansb Fpw kvt\ln-p-hm-\pw, cmjv{S-ln-X-v apn hyn lnX- Fsm-n F hnip `mhw a\-n kqn-p-hm\pw cmjv{S-cq-]n-bmb Cuiz-cs ]qP-mbn Pohn-X-ns Hcp LS-Ihpw hy-am-n-qSm Fv Nnn-p-hm\pw Ign-b-Ww. kq Pohn-X-sbpw ]hn-{X-am-m-\mbn bXv\n-p hyn-I-fpsS kwL-SnX in-bn-eqsS am{Xsa cmjvS-ns sshin-jvSy- kwc-n--s]-Sp-Ibpw A`n-hr-n-s-Sp-Ibpw sNp-p-p. Cu ey kmZ-\n-\mbv P\-sf cmjv{S- `-cpw kz`m-h-ip-n-bp--h-cp-am-tXv A\n-hm-cy-am-Wv.

Sopanam - June 2011

Editorial
From time immemorial the world has identified the Indian civilization as people who pray to the nature. So inherently, we Indians consider Nature as divine. With the repeated invasions, the advent of the Industrial revolution and Commercialization, our nation has witnessed radical changes in our environment. The process of development that should have been done in harmony with the nature has often been taken forward with the least regard for the same. The after effects of the massive deforestation have been felt with the changes in the climate across the country. Lack of rains and scarcity of resources is becoming a part of our life in the country. The need of energy has seen the rapid expansion of power plants across the nation. These constructions are mostly done without taking into consideration the vast population living on the farm lands and forests. These actions have often lead to civil unrests in these places. The need to have community awareness programmes to educate the local people to protect nature are desperate measures needed to protect our environment. Natural resources need to be conserved because they cannot be replenished and need to be saved for future need. Resources are not to be misused and exploited. It is (humans) who are using the resources and also causing environmental problems. So its the duty of each and every individual in this world to protect Mother Nature. Negligence of each can cost immense problem on future generations. The key to success of our future generation reside with us. So the use of resources judiciously by every individual is very important. It is also important to have these lessons compulsorily taught at schools. As the saying goes, education begins at home. So, the parents and teachers play a major role in spreading this awareness in the society. Social activists and groups also have an important part to play. Humans are utterly dependent on nature. Humans are a part of nature. We cannot sustain ourselves without wildlife. We need to conserve them. Recent evidence illustrates how good we are at exploiting plants and animals, as well as the extent to which this capacity is threateningly out of control. The conservation of wildlife is not an option; it is a necessity; necessary for body, mind and spirit and also for economic and social development. Deforestation leads to climate change being experienced extensively in the world today. Long before ecology became the discussion topics at global meets, the ancient Indian heritage had already provided a spacious spiritual home for the environmental ethos. India has for centuries, provided ample importance and established principles and ways for living in harmony with Mother Nature. The spiritual ethos of the country is strongly intermingled with the moral daily life of the people of India. The Indians believe in the presence of God in all living and non living things. They pray to the nature and are forever indebted to it. The Vedic sacred literature has glorious references to nature. Earth is praised for its prosperity and its offering to mankind as vegetation. The Vedas proclaim Earth as mother and humans as her children. Our culture and way of life is built on the elements of the pancha bhoota that is Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Sky. Our scriptures teach us to treat nature as our mother. That puts us at par with everything in nature. Even our rituals are done in such a way so as not to disturb the harmony between us and the non living world. On this is based the Vedic vision of a world filled with the purity of the spiritual environment and the sanctity of morality. Such a world can only be sustained and the true meaning of Vasudeva Kudumbakam and Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu becomes a reality.

editorial Board

Krishna Kumar Paliath Manoj Nair Vibheesh Tikkodi Redhish Chandran Gayatri Raveendran

data Management
Ajaykumar Anjaneyam Rani B. Basker Sindhu Sanjith Aneesh Kumar. U Ajith Kumar. S Baburaj. M. P. Suresh Varickolil Roopesh R. Souparnika Reshmi Sudheer Sreenivasan C.P. Rajesh R. Nair Sunil Pookode Rajesh Prashanthi

Creative & design

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email : vbkuwait@gmail.com
Sopanam - June 2011

kmwkvImcnIw
Cultural

`mc-Xob ]mcn-n-XnI Zi-\-ns ka-Im-enI {]kn hn`ojv XntmSn

temIw Am-\-ns Ccp-fn Ign Ime-L--fn t]mepw DZm--amb kwkvm-c-m-epw, Zi-\-fmepw k--amb \mSmWv \psS `mc-Xw. `mc-Xob kwkvmcw k\m-X-\-am-Wv. k\m-X\w F hmns Aw \mi-c-ln-X-am-bXv Fm-Wv. Fpw \ne-\npXpw Fm-e-tpw Bh-iy-ap-Xv Fv hnh-. Bym-n-I-Xsb imkv{Xamn amnb a{-Zr-jvSm-fmb Ejo-iz-camcpsS Xmzn-I-Nn--bm-Wv, Zi-\-fmWv k\m-X-\-[s {]mz-en-n-p--Xv. k\m-X-\-[-ns AYhm sshZnI kwkvIr-XnbpsS ASnkvYm\ Xzw Bym-n-I-X-bm-Wv. ]mmXy Zi-\-, Nn-I, ZuXo-I -hm-Z-n am{Xw A[n-jvTX-am-Wv, Fm `mc-Xob Nnm-[m-c-I Fmw Xs Bym-n-I-X-bpsS aSn--n-emWv cq]w sImn-p--Xv. Bo-bhpw `uXo-I-hp-amb ka-{K- ]ptcm-KXn AXmWv k\m-X\ [w {]Zm\w sNp--Xv. sFln-I-hpw, ]camn-I-hp-amb kpJw \Ip--Xn-\mbn kam-Ps Xmn \np--Xn-s\-bmWv [w Fp ]d-bp--Xv. k\m-X\ [-ns {]amW {K- thZ--fmWv. thZ--sa ]Z-n\v Aw Adnhv Fm-Wv. \nc--camb km[\A\p-jvSm-\--fn-eqsS B kmm-XvImcw t\Snb Ejn-iz-cam Is-nb \nXy kXy--fmb Adn-hp-Im-fmWv thZ---fn-ep--Xv. thZ-- {][m-\-ambpw \mev kt-i--fmWv \Ip--Xv. EtKzZwm\-ns-bpw, bPpthZwI-n-s-bpw, kma-thZwB\-n-s-bpw, AY--thZwkwc--W-n-sbpw Adnhp-I \apv ]Ip \Ip-p. thZ--fpsS Ah-km\ `mK-amb thZm--amWv D]-\n-jp-I. Pohm-m-hpw, ]c-am-mhp Xn-ep _w, {]]--c-l-kyw, XpS-n-b-hsb Ipdnv {]Xn-]m-Zn-p D]-\n-j-p-I kIe Xz-m-\-n-sbpw ASnm-\-ambn \ne-sIm-p-p. {Im-Zin-I-fmb Ejn-izcam thZ--fn-se-bpw, D]\n-j-p-I-fn-sebpw AXyp-X Xz-Nn--I Zi-\ km[m-c-W-m-c\v a\-n-em-p--Xn\v thn Ah-Xcn-n--XmWv ]pcm-W-. [w, Aw, Imaw, tamw Fo ]pcp-jm IYm-k-lnXw Ah-X-cn-n-p `mc-Xob ]q-N-cn{X-amWv CXn-lm-k-. `mc-Xob [-ns Zi-\- temI kaw AhXcnn--s-Xv thZ-, D]-\n-j-p-I-, ]pcm-W-, CXn-lm-k- Fn-h-bn-eq-sS-bm-Wv. `mc-Xo-bsc kw_-n-s-Sp-tmfw Bym-n-IX PohnXm
4

A\p-jvTm-\-am-Wv. CXv Zn\-N-cy-I-fn Ds-Sp ANmc-a-s{X. kn-Zm-\--a-b-amb Cuizc in-bmWv k-NcmNc--fnepw {_-ambn hym]nv Cu hnizw apgp-h \nd-p-\np--Xv. B {_-ns kmm-XvIm-cn-eqsS am{Xsa bYm-amb kpJw e`n-p-I-bp-pshv sshZnI [w DZvtLm-jn-p-p. a\p-jy-cn-epw. av Poh-Pm-e--fnepw IpSn-sIm-p-Xn-s\ "Pohm-mhv ' Fp k-N-cm-N-c--sfbpw \nb-{n-p insb "]c-am-mhv ' Fp hnfn--s-Sp-p. ]c-m-hns Awi Xs-bmWv Cu {]]ww apgp-h hnhn[ cq]n, `mh-n hym]nv InS-p-sX kXyw thZ Ah-X-cn-n-p-p. Cu auenI XXz-amWv `mc-Xob ]mc-n-XnI Zi-\-sf kp-jvShpw ka-Im-en-\-hp-amp--Xv. `mc-Xob Nnm-[m-c-{]-Imcw {]Ir-Xn-bpw, a\p-jy\pw c; Hm-Wv. Cu AssZzX k-ev]-n-eq-n-thWw `mcXob ]mc-n-XnI Zi-\--sf-p-dnv A]-{K-Yn-t-Xv. a\p-jy-\pw, a\p-tjy-Xc Poh-Pm-e--fpw, Ah-bpsS \ne\n-e-n\v B[m-c-amb {]m]-n-I-i-n-Ifpw AS-nb ] cn-n-Xn-bpsS ]cn-]m-e-\-n-\m-bp ka-{K-amb Adn-hpI-fm-Wv, BNmc ]-Xn-I-fm-Wv. A\p-jvSm-\--fm-Wv, Ejniz-cam Is-n-bn-p--Xv. a\p-jy\pw a\p-tjy-Xc Poh-Pm-e-fpw Fns\ kulm-Z-]-c-ambn kl-hn-W-sa-pw, {]IrXn hn`-h- Fns\ Icp-X-temsS D]-tbm-Kn---W-sa-pw, Bhmk hyh--Xsb Fns\ kwc-n--W-sa-p, \ne-\n-W-sa-p-ap Adn-hpI, I- Fmw-Xs B[n-Im-cn-I-ambn sshZnI kwkvIrXn hn`m-h\w sNp-p. BImiw, Pew, `qan, hmbp, An Fo ]-`q-XsImmWv a\p-jy-\-Sw Cu `qap-Js khpw krjvSn-n-cn-p--Xv. Cu ]-`q-X-sf \mbn ]cn-] m-en-m am{Xsa Cu `qapJv kpJ-I-c-amb A-cow \n\np-I-bp-p. {]]--Po-hnXw Bym-n-I-Xm-bp km[-\-bmbn Fns\ cq]m-c-s-Sp-m-samWv \psS ]qn-Iam Nnn-Xpw {]hn-Xpw. {]]--nse Hp-an hkvXp--sf-p-dn-p Adnhv EtKzZw ImgvN-sh-bvp-p. Cuiz-tcmap-J-amb Adn-hn-s\-bmWv m\w Fv ]d-bp--Xv. _mn-sbmw hnm-\-a-t{X. {]]--nse kIe hkvXp--sfbpw tZhm-Xm--I-hpw, Cuiz-cmw-i-hp-ambn `mc-Xo-b IXpw CXp-sIv-X-s-bm-Wv. Pew, hmbp, An, hre-XmZn-I.... k-N-cmNc--sfbpw tZh-X-ma-b-ambn IvsImp `mc-Xob ]mc-n-XnI Zi-\-n\v am{Xsa
Sopanam - June 2011

kmwkvImcnIw
Cultural
B[p-\nI temIw t\cn-Sp shp-hn-fn-Isf \nm-cWw sNm km[n-p-I-bp-p. {]]--Po-hn-X-n-\-bp I- Fs-s-bmWv, Ahsb Fns\ A\p-jvTn--sapw Ah-bvp ^e- FmsWpw bPp thZw \s hy-ambn ]Tn-n-p-p. Pohn-X-nse ss\an-j-I-amb B\w apX Hcp a\p-jym-bpv apgp-h A\p-`-hnv Xot B\w Fns\ Bn--sap ZpJw Fs\ \nhmcWw sNm-sap kma-thZw Znim-t_m[w \Ip-p. Cu {]]--n \mw A\p-`-hn Fm hkvXp-fpw hcpw Xe-ap-d-Iv D]-tbm-Kn-m Ignbpw hn[w Fns\ kwc-n-m-sapw AY-thZw shfn--ta-Ipp. shw, hmbp, `qan Fnh Zpcp-]-tbmKw sNp-hm\p--X adnv D]-tbm-Kn-m-\p--XmsW kwc-W kwkvImcamWv \psSXv. Fm-nepw Cuiz-cmwiw Zinp kwkvIr-Xnv Hpw aen-\-am-m-h-t\m, Zpcp-]-tbmKw sNmt\m km-a-. Cusbmcp Zi-\-ns ]p\-cp-c-W-amWv temIw apgp-h Fv Bh-iyw. BNmc A\p-jvSm-\--fn-eqsS {]Ir-Xn-bp-ambv XmZmyw {]m]n Pohn-X-co-Xn-bmWv `mcXo-b-cp-tS-Xv. \psS \nXy-I--sf-mw-Xs {]Ir-Xn-bp-ambv ka-ck-s]-Spn-bmWv A\p-jvSn--s-Sp--Xv. AXn\v ZrjvSm--amWv Xmsg-]-d-bp Nne BNm-c-, A\p-jvSm-\- -Xn\v thn kzmXn-Im-l-c-{I-a-amWv \mw ]np-S-tcXv Fv BNm-cyam Hm-s]-Sp-p-p. "Alnwtkm ]ctam [x' F Xz-n A[n-jvTn-XamWv Cu PohnX{Iaw b-`mhw bPvR `mh-n-emWv {]IrXn \s krjvS-n-cn-p-Xv. ]vshbv-en-eqsS XymK-n-eqsS Fns\ ktmj-I-c-ambn Pohnmw Fv k\m-X\ Xz- hnfw-_ cw sNp-p. \s \ne \np--Xn-\mbv At\Iw {] m]-nI LS-I- A\-kyqXw {]hnv sIn-cnp-p. Ahsb \ne-\np--Xn-\m-bn-mhWw \psS {]hn-I. bv-`m-h-tm-sS-sb-msX {]IrXn kao-]n-p Fm coXn-Ifpw Kpcp-X-c-amb `hn-jy-pI krjvSn-p-p. `qX-b-PvRw, Xom-S-\w, k-Im-hp-I, hrmcm-[\... Fn-s\ Fm BNmc A\p-jvSm-\-fpw {]Ir-Xn-bpsS \nen-\nn\v A\p-t]-Wnb-amb I--fm-Wv. ka-ImenI temIw ]cn-nXn taJ-e-bn t\cn-Sp {]Xn-k-n-I, shp-hn-fn-I \nc-h-[n-bm-Wv. BtKm-fXm-]-\w, ip-Pe `ue-`yw, h\-\-io-I-c-Ww, {]Ir-Xn-hn-`-fpsS A`m-hw, Du maw, Ime-hm hyXn-bm\w ssPh-ssh-hn-y--fpsS Akw-p-en-Xm-h-, hmbp aen\o-I-cWw... {]iv\--fpsS ]nI A\--am-Wv. `qan-bpsS \ne-\nv Xs Bi--bn-em-hp-p. Cu hnja kn-L-n kzm-X-bn-m-sX, NqjW at\m-`mhw Cm-sX, em`-sIm-Xn-bn-msX Icp-X-temsS thWw {]IrXn hn`-hsf D]-tbm-Kn-m. A-bmb `qan-bpsS kwc-Ww \psS Htcm-cp-cp-sSbpw IS-a-bm-Wv. `mc-Xob ]mc-n-XnI Zi-\-n A[n-jvTn-X-amb PohnX coXnbpw hnI-k\ k-ev]hpw ]p\-m-]n--s-tSXv Cu Ime-L--ns Bh-iy-IX-bm-Wv. kakvX Poh-Pm-e--fpsSbpw ta-n-\mbv ]cnnXn kulm-amb PohnXw \bn-m, Ejn-iz-cvam \bn ]mX-bn-eqsS... sshZnI [-n-eqsS \apv apt-dmw.

Zqh-\w
""kap-{Z-h-kt\ tZho ]X kvX\ ate hnjvWp ]Xv\o \a-kvXp`yw ]mZ-kv]iw a-kzta'' ]mZ-kv]iw t]mepw an--Wsa Fv {]mn-p-h-cmWv `mc-Xo-b. "D] k] amXcw `qan ' A-bmb `qansb B{i-bn-pI tkhn-pI F-XmWv Cu sshZnI kp`m-jnXw Hm-s-Sp-p--Xv. ""KwtKN bapt\ ssNh tKmZ-hcn kc-kzXn \tZ knp Ithcn Pte-kvan kn[n Ipcp'' F k\m\a{w \mw \Zn-Isf F{X-am{Xw ]hn-{Xhpw, ]pWy-hp-ambn Icp-Xp F-Xn-\p sXfn-hm-Wv. kqcy-\-a-kvmcw {]]--n\v k DuPhpw {]Zm\wsNbpp khnXm-hmb kqcys\ `K-h-\mbn Zin-vsImv I-i-npw, ico-c--a-t\m-_-e-n\p thn-bp tbmK k{-Zmbw. kzmXn-Im-lmcw kXz, ctPm, Xtam KpW {][m-\-amWv {]Ir-Xnbpw AXn Pohn-p a\p-jy\pw kmb KpWw {]m]n-pSopanam - June 2011

Spiritualism

ArmnId

Why do we worship tulsi?

incomplete without the tulsi leaf - hence the worship of tulsi. She also symbolises Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Those who wish to be righteous and have a happy family life worship the tulsi. Tulsi is married to the Lord with all pomp and show as in any wedding. This is because according to another legend, the Lord blessed her to be His consort. Satyabhama once weighed Lord Krishna against all her legendary wealth. The scales did not balance till a single tulsi leaf was placed along with the wealth on the scale by Rukmini with devotion. Thus the tulsi played the vital role of demonstrating to the world that even a small object offered with devotion means more to the Lord than all the wealth in the world. The tulsi leaf has great medicinal value and is used to cure various ailments, including the common cold. It Relieves stress / adaptogen, Bolsters immunity, Enhances stamina, Promotes healthy metabolism, and a natural immuno-modulator. It is a strong belief that those who plant tulsi in there houses never get ill, as it is very lovable to lord Krishna. Scientific reason is that tulsi contains such a chemical composition that no mosquitoes and flies can come near it because of its peculiar odor and hence prevents entry of these creatures in house.

Tulsi also known as Holy Basil and scientifically known as Ocimum tenuiflorum is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition. Tulsi is a venerated plant and many Hindus worship it in the morning and evening. Tulsi has great spiritual, environmental and medicinal values in our day to day life. Many families have the tulsi planted in a specially built structure, known as Tulsitara and a small earthen oil lamp is lighted near it. In Sanskrit, tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi means: that which is incomparable (in its qualities). For Indians it is one of the most sacred plants. In fact it is known to be the only thing used in worship, which, once used, can be washed and reused in pooja - as it is regarded so self-purifying. As one story goes, Tulsi was the devoted wife of Shankhachuda, a celestial being. She believed that Lord Krishna tricked her into sinning. So she cursed Him to become a stone (shaaligraama). Seeing her devotion and adhered to righteousness, the Lord blessed her saying that she would become the worshipped plant, tulasi that would adorn His head and all offerings would be
6

Every home should plant and protect the sacred Tulsi as it is a vital part of our life. Lets prevent this holy plant from extinction. It is a part and parcel of the Vedic Culture and any offering without Tulsi is incomplete.

"Yanmule sarvatirhaani Yannagre sarvadevataa Yanmadhye sarvavedaascha tulasi taam namaamyaham"

Sopanam - June 2011

hnZr`rmkw
Education
CRADLING A CHARACTER-RICH GENERATION
Padma Maniyan Once the bedrock of timeless wisdom and inimitable teacher to the world, modern India is witnessing a mushrooming of a bevy of international schools across large and mid-sized metros, providing education based on the Western models, either American or British. Without exception, these private schools cater to the elitist of Indians and come with a hefty price tag. What is worse is the value system and culture promoted by these schools is a far cry from the harmonious and balanced way of life exemplified and recommended by enlightened sons of Mother India. The End of Education is Character should be the central focus of the educational system which nurtures the students body, mind and soul, and recognizes the spiritual component of the human experience, existence and aspiration. This holistic approach to integral education trades purely in the currency of selfless love. Such an experimental and experiential education, based on universal human values, is the need of the hour. Schools should believe in offering real education that involves the student, and does not merely thrust information. Real education flows from the heart and is termed as 'Educare'. There is a lot of difference between 'education' and 'educare'! Educare is the basis and foundation for all types of education. Educare is the adhara (support) and education is the adheya (supported). All the texts we read teach only education to us. But, this is totally inadequate. We must pursue educare along with education. As my Guru says, education is for life and not for living. It is in this connection, that as a part of a schools everyday schedule, silent sitting and light meditation are necessarily to be practiced by students and teachers. Doing this, not only helps them improve their power of concentration, it also brings about total transformation. Schools needs to be committed to making learning a handson experience, full of fun and creativity, which will make learning a joyful experience, with the school improving and innovating various learning styles continually. It is through experience than just memorization of facts and figures that learning becomes effective. When students learn by doing everything on their own, it not only bestows on them practical experience but also provides them opportunities for creative work. Once learning becomes fun, the experience remains with them for a long time. If a school is successfully able to mould the students character, it is because of its triangular approach to establish pupil excellence, wherein the teacher and the parents monitor the child while the teachers train the parents. In this manner, a teacher-parent-student relationship is maintained which is critical for the students growth. Community partners including experienced people from various institutions and walks of life are to be invited to guide students in their academic performance. The teachers should offer advice and tips to students on the effective learning techniques, question paper pattern, and so on. Students can be counseled regularly to identify their personal problems and solutions are to be provided. Resourceful and knowledgeable parents should be encouraged to come forward whenever needed to guide in various areas including personality development, exam preparation, etc. "We should believe that the school is not an isolated institution. It is a part of the society. As such, it has a responsibility towards the society that stretches beyond mere education and development of children. It should be a role model and should lead the society by its very own example. Service and Sacrifice of hundreds is what will make the school an ideal place of learning. To sum up, my Guru says that the end of education is character. An educational institutions goal is to transform a student into a promising young citizen of tomorrow, filled with human values.

Sopanam - June 2011

hoWw
Views

THE TIMELY NEED OF A GURU

process. Sixty years after Independence we have still not been able to move away from the disastrous educational policies thrust upon us by the invaders of our country Bharat today has many Gurus who are involved in the path of developing the society in the ways of our Vedic life. These Gurus help our society and its people to lift them spiritually. Their ways and teachings bring peace to millions of people who reach out to these Gurus as a way of attaining mental peace from their stressful daily life. The Guru is not simply a person who teaches his pupils. But his influence is so great that his pupils, followers and in many instances, society on whole has been able to transform morally and culturally. The Guru is a person who has no attachments in life. He is one who has perfected himself and by examples leads from the front. What Bharat lacks today is a Guru who can lead the nation. A Selfless Guru who can unite the whole nation and its people and lead a civilization forward. A guru who teaches his followers what our motherland means. Bharath needs a guru who can install a spirit of patriotism in the minds of the bharateeyans and take the nation forward. A guru who can bring all sections of the society together forgetting all superficial distinctions of language, province, caste, community, party or sect. They should all gather as children of the motherland and toil towards spreading its greatness and universal message all over. The absence of such a guru is felt today when mass movements all over the country are supporting social crusaders like Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev. Bharath needs a Guru who will lead us forward with a sense of nationalism combined with the inherent spiritual character of the nation.

Ajaykumar Anjaneyam

Bharat is the land of many sampradayas and beliefs. For centuries our country has lived in harmony with the various cultures and religions across the country. Seldom have we seen heightened tensions between communities due to refusal to be inclusive and accept everyones beliefs as his own perrogative. The concept of a Guru is unparallel in this world. There would not even be close translation in the English language for this. The Guru is not simply a teacher who is educated in a single or multiple strings in the wide canvas of education. The teacher simply delivers what knowledge they have gained from their education down to the student. Whereas in the Indian culture, Guru is a person, who completes your very existence. The Guru makes you responsible for your own growth. The guru sharpens your behavior and takes away all the crude characters that are in you. The Guru helps you develop a quest for knowledge getting better in life. The Guru requires your trust. Your Guru shows you your way in life and prepares you for that journey. So while the teacher teaches you, Guru constructs you. In the present education system, any person who has the means and finds can start an educational institution. The money that flows in appointments and admissions is the only criteria that underline these business establishments. How can we expect Gurus to teach in this environment and how can we expect exceptional Gurus of tomorrow to be evolved from such a system? Systems are meant to evolve. Our educational system is also in an evolving

Sopanam - June 2011

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Views

Green INDIA Making our planet more habitable.

- dr. Sindhu Sudhish Environment has a different concept according to ancient Indian philosophy-a concept of wholeness with non-living and living components interdependent among themselves. Our sages emphasized and taught us to live in harmony with the nature and recognize that divinity prevails in all elements, including plants and animals. Western philosophy, on the other hand, treats man and nature as separate entities believing that the Earth is there for us to use, for our comfort, for our convenience. As a consequence we have taken from nature without knowing its limits. From the Vedic period environment was an integral part of our life. According to Vedas the universe consists of five basic elements. They are earth, water, air, fire and space, which are interconnected, interrelated and interdependent. Deterioration in one element affects the others .We believe that every species of plants and animal are made of these five essential elements and we should see a shadow of divinity in them. We should have a worshipful attitude towards all forms of life. Be it rivers, mountains, lakes, animals, the mineral world, as well as the stars and planets. In order to live harmony with them we should revere and respect them. But today people pollute destroy and exploit the Divine Mother Nature. Man is not something apart from nature. The Earth is not for humans only. It is for all life--life in its various forms and structures. Damage to the environment is one of the crucial problems that humankind is facing today. Modern industrial society doesnt have the reverence to the nature, and it results in the pollution and degradation of the Earth. Out of our greediness to earn more and more in the shortest possible time, we have polluted the oceans, made the air unbreathable and destroyed wildlife. Out of our arrogance and ignorance we have destroyed the environment. Our ancient scriptures forbade man from exploiting nature. It tells us that we should have a sense of gratitude
Sopanam - June 2011

towards nature even if we dont verbalize it. When we take something, we should thank, we should show our gratitude. If we take milk from the mothers breast, the mother is very happy to give her milk, in the same way as the Earth is happy to give its fruits as long as we take only what we need. When the baby is full, he or she stops sucking and doesnt go on sucking. Well, unfortunately we humans go on sucking the Earth. India always had a environmentally sensitive philosophy. No religion, perhaps, lays as much emphasis on environmental ethics as Hinduism. Ancient Indian scripture contain earliest messages for preservation of environment and ecological balance. At this point of time what we can do is that regenerates and rejuvenates basic values of Indian culture and propagates them. The earth and its bounties are sacred creations. Unless we revive a respect for their sanctity we have little chance of saving them. The current deplorable environmental crisis demands a spiritual response. A fundamental reorientation of human consciousness, accompanied by action that is born out of inner commitment, is very much needed. One of the measures that could help a great deal to fulfill this need is to regenerate and rejuvenate basic values of Indian culture and propagate them." The earth and its bounties are sacred creations. Unless we revere them and revive a respect for their sanctity, we have little chance of saving them.

hoWw
Views "Shape our Future Bright, Stop Child Labour". Education, not explotation!
"The way a twig is bent, a tree is inclined'. The importance of childhood in shaping a man's future cannot be expressed in better words. Child hood years are the most significant years in child development. A child's mind is very sensitive,absorbent and can be moulded easily. The lessons learnt and habits formed at this crucial stage of life help to form his character and determine his direction in life than all the educational training of after years. Like a plant just sprouted from the seed requires nuturing in the right manner in order to grow into a healthy tree bearing fruits and flowers; in the same way a child requires the care and proper grooming of his parents apart from proper food,water, leisure, freedom to become a good adult later. But its a pity that some unfortunate children all over the world are deprived of the basic necessities of life and are forced into child labour. This is one of the biggest evils in our society today. International Labour Organisation has recognised this problem and dedicated June 12 th as 'The World's day against Child Labor'. ILO launched this day in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labor and the actions and efforts needed to eliminate it. The theme for 2011 World Day against child labor is Children in Hazardous Work. According to the latest figures provided by ILO, out of the estimated 215 million child laborers in the world-115 million are involved in hazardous work. Many children throughout the world are engaged in work that deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure thus violating their basic rights. They are forced to work in hazardous conditions for example exposure to toxic chemicals, and extreme temperatures. Some anti-social elements exploit them for illicit activities like drug trafficking, prostitution or employ them forcefully in armed conflicts. Any child who is employed in full time commercial work to feed self and family and who is under the age specified by law in force is said to be doing Child labor. It is obligatory for all countries to set a minimum age for employment according to rules of ILO.The stipulated age for employment should not be below the age for finishing compulsory schooling i.e. not below 15 years of age. Developing countries are allowed to set the minimum age at 14 years in accordance with their socioeconomic circumstances. India has the highest number of child laborers in the world (under 14 years) and out of them 12.6 million are engaged in hazardous work. Poverty, parental illiteracy, social apathy, lack or poor access to education facilities, urbanization, migration from villages to cities are some of the reasons why we have to face this problem today. Poverty is one of the biggest reasons which compel parents to send their small kids to work. The negative circumstances created by urbanization are also to blame for this malady. Children
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can be made to work more for less pay and they are incapable of organizing themselves against exploitation by adults. We have a child labor policy in force in India. The main legislative measures are the Child Labor Prohibition and Regulation Act 1986 and the Factories Act 1948.But the problems still persists because of many loopholes in our law which some people exploit for their commercial advantage. Government agencies which are entrusted with implementation are also sometimes under staffed, underfunded, and officials are mostly corrupt or complacent. Child Labor is a deep rooted socio-economic problem. Not only is it dangerous to a childs physical, psychological , emotional, social and moral development needs but also deprives him/her of basic rights to education and freedom also. Childhood is a golden period in life. Whatever a child experiences at this stage of his/her life has far reaching consequences on his adult life. Children subjected to hard labor at such a tender age develop health problems, injuries at work place and also lose their innocence and self esteem. All this ultimately affects development of their personality and they may turn into anti-social elements in their adulthood. It is high time that we come together and do our bit to tackle this social evil and find out ways to eradicate it from our country.The future of any community is in the well being of its children because they are our future citizens. Development of our country rests in their hands in future. Wordsworth has aptly said child is the father of man. How can our nation develop when our children are underdeveloped? Child labor laws need to be strictly implemented at the central and state levels. Corruption and negligence in child labor offices and employee circles should be dealt with very strictly by the judiciary and the police force. Projects related with Human resource development especially those dedicated to child welfare must be given top priority by Government. There is an urgent need to create awareness and provide basic facilities for education in villages and remote areas accessible to one and all. A bright future for our kids without Child labor should be the aim to strive for. A strong and sustained global movement is needed only then can we hope to achieve our dream. There is no time for complacency now. We cannot allow our children to suffer any more from this malady. There are many organizations who work in the country towards the well being of children and for their upliftment. A selfless commitment is the need of the day to help brighten our future generation.
Sopanam - May 2011 June

rani B. Basker

[\Imcrw
Finance
An Apple a Day can not double your Money

But can keep the Doctor away...

INVEST WISELY.
There are no free lunches, no easy money. Yet people often become victim of double-your-money or earnlifetime-income schemes. Nothing comes free in this world, especially money. The universal truth is you need to earn your money by hard labour all the time and there are no shortcuts to double it in the shortest span of time. Therefore, even if your near and dear ones tell you he/ she will double, triple, quadruple your money within a few days/months, politely reply to them that it is not possible and what they are advocating is a pure 'get-richquick' type of scam.

redhish Chandran

with the hard earned money of the investors. How does one judge whether a scheme is genuine or a scam? It's simple. Check the interest rate being offered by banks, especially public sector banks like the State Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, and so on. Second, check the interest rate on the public provident fund (PPF). Therefore, anyone or any scheme that offers you more than this must be looked at very carefully and a thorough scrutiny must be done before investing one's hard-earned money. Unfortunately, this happens rarely, as most of the time the person approaching you with a high-returns scheme is either your close relative or a friend, whom you find difficult to say no. Remember, all scams, frauds that have happened in the past are known to have spread through the link of near and dear ones. The first rule on investments is that if you do not understand how the instrument works don't sink your funds into it. This applies to all schemes that promise 'guaranteed income' and 'fast and huge returns' within a short time. In financial investment terms all such schemes are huge risks. Another such a scam is the multi-level marketing (MLM) companies. As more and more people join the MLM scheme, a member hopes to recover the upfront charges and then earn sizable profit through binary income. However, history tells us that all such MLM companies have failed miserably and vanished with investors' money after running out of new recruits or investors (a new 'bakra'?). Most of the time, the person who recruited many others himself becomes a victim of the scheme. This has happened so many times before, that MLM operators have found it necessary to advertise in order
Sopanam - June 2011

Financial Investments offering double digit returns and real estate are the major contributors to this dream world. Latest of such scams are the Apple a Day property fraud which throws out the dubious nexus between the real-estate mafia, politicians and the Media. Lack of strict laws and advertisement regulations allow these fraudsters to publish imaginary stories on investments and run away
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[\Imcrw
Finance
to allay the fears of new recruits, often engaging sellable brand ambassadors in the popular media. This is the "Fake it, till you make it" system, that's common among MLM operators.

Remember the LIS scam?

Unfortunately, there is no legal provision in India to curb MLM schemes. Saying all these things doesnt mean that there are no ways to increase your wealth. Yes lot of options are available in the current market but the basic qualities you require is the power to control your greed and knowledge on how these option works. Illustrating some of the areas where you can invest for a considerably good return. 1. Bank Fixed Deposit (Bank FDs) - For investors with low risk appetite, best for 6-12 months investment period.It is important to plan your investment time frame while investing in this instrument because early withdrawals typically carry a penalty. It is advisable to keep a minimum of 10% of your total savings in FD. 2. Post Office Savings Schemes (POSS) - POSS are popular because they typically yield a higher return than bank FDs. The monthly income plan could suit you if you are a retired individual or have regular income needs. Besides the low (Government) risk, the fact that there is no tax deducted at source (TDS) in a POSS is amongst the key attractive features. 3. Company Fixed Deposits (FDs) - Option to maximise returns within a fixed-income portfolio. FDs are instruments used by companies to borrow from small investors. Typically FDs are open throughout the year. Invest in FDs only if you have surplus funds for more than 12 months. Select your investment period carefully as most FDs are not encashable prior to their maturity. nvestors should consciously (either though a credit rating or through an expert) select the companies they invest in. 4. Mutual Funds Start an SIP. It is a proven instrument for long term investments for steady returns.Choose the right fund for you with an experts help and decide on
Sopanam - June 2011

an amount which you could systematically invest on a long term. See mutual fund as a long term investment for your retirement. 5. Property investment (not buying apartments) Investment in land will never be a bad option. 6. Gold - This is one investment that always pays off. Thumbing rule for an average investor is not to invest all your money into one scheme. Calculate your risk potential and future requirements and equally invest in various schemes.

Disclaimer: While we have made efforts to ensure the accuracy of our content (consisting of articles and information), neither Seva Darshan nor the author shall be held responsible for any losses/ incidents suffered by people accessing, using or is supplied with the content.

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`mcX Zi\w
Bharath Dharshan

Sahyadiri (the benevolent mountains)

Mahendro Malayah Sahyo devataatmaa himaalayah | dhyeyo raivatako vindhyo Girishchaaravalistathaa || 4 ||
These mountains of our country should always be remembered - Mahendra (In Orissa), Malaya Giri (in Mysore), Sahyadri (Western Coast), Himalaya, the abode of gods, Raivataka (Girnar in Gujarat), Vindhyachal (Central India) and Aravali (in Rajasthan). The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Mountains runs along the western side of India. It starts from the border of Gujarat and moves down ending up in Kanyakumari. It has a total area of 160000 kilometers. This biodiversity hotspot has over 5000 species of flowering plants, 139 different mammal species, 0ver 500 bird species. The UNESCO has included it in its list of World Heritage sites. The Sahyadiri starts from the north, goes through Goa, Karnataka and into Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Many famous hill station spots like Lonavala-Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani all come in the Sahyadiri ranges.

Krishna Kumar Paliath

The Nilgiri hills and Cardamom Hills are also famous for its tourist spots. The Sahyadiri Mountain ranges are also very connected to the Indian civilization spiritually and culturally. Anamudi is the highest peak of the Sahyadiri. The Sahyadiri feeds many of the rivers of India like the Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri. Their tributeries are the Tunga, Bhadra, Kallayi etc. The climate of South India is depended on the rainfall along the Western Ghats. The famous dams on the Sahyadiri are, the Parambikulam Dam in Kerala and the Linganmakki in Karnataka. The Idukki Dam supplies most of Keralas electricity. The Jog Falls is a listed natural wonder. The Ghats is home to many tribal families and is covered in dense forests. The British cleared large portions of this area for agricultures and plantations. Rare species of trees were felled for timber plantations. The increase in tourism projects has further led to pollution of many of these areas. The Sahyadiri mountain ranges are a symbol of the unity of our nation. It has withstood time and protected us. It has provided for us.

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Sopanam - June 2011

`mcX Zi\w
Bharath Dharshan

Veer Savarkar - Freedom fighter par excellence

R . Sundra Raman Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar, was born on 28th May, 1883 in Nashik District of Maharashtra. Savarkar was attracted to revolutionary thoughts right from his teenage days. He involved himself actively in the movement against the British - organising the first public bonfire of foreign clothes in Pune in the year 1905. After passing his BA examination in 1905, he went to London in 1906 to study Law. His activities against the British continued even there. Savarkar organized the days of the remembrance of National Heroes and celebration of festivals like Deepavali and Dasara. He also organized in India House (in London) the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the 1857 War of Independence against the British. He correctly identified the 1857 uprising as the First War of Indian Independence and his book on the same was proscribed even before its release. However, numerous copies were made available by the freedom fighters and the book was also translated into many Indian languages. Savarkar was arrested in London in March, 1910. He was charged with sedition and inciting to murder in India. Sri VVS Iyer met him in prison soon after and was told by Savarkar that the movement for the countrys freedom should continue. He also told Iyer that he was devising a plan to escape. Savarkars historic leap into the ocean off the coast of Marseilles, France on Friday, 8th July, 1910 is a watershed event in the history of our Freedom Movement. Savarkars greatness lies in the fact that he courted arrest to prove his bravery and leadership but once that was done, he made a laughing stock of the British Government in trying to escape. Savarkar was awarded the punishment of Transportation for Life in December, 1910 and again in January, 1911 for the second time, the only person in the history of the British Empire to have received it twice. In July, 1911 he was imprisoned in the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, Andamans where he was subjected to hard labour along with other revolutionaries. He did not lose heart and continued to inspire all those around him thru his poems and interactions despite experiencing tremendous hardships. Savarkar was finally shifted to the mainland in 1921 and was unconditionally released from internment in 1937.

Savarkar was a pioneer of Social Reforms. He declared that if freedom was won without achieving social reform, it would not last long. He called for discarding the age-old practice of untouchability. Savarkars relentless efforts evoked respect & admiration from various quarters. The construction of the Patitpavan Mandir in 1931 is a symbol of Savarkars lifelong commitment to Social Reforms. Veer Savarkar attained his heavenly abode in 1966 at the age of 83 but continues to remain a beacon light to all those working to resurrect the glory of Bharat. Veer Savarkar is admired by people across the broad political spectrum in India. A few of the accolades about Savarkar: Sri C Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), Independent Indias first and only Indian Governor General and one of the most respected political personalities of his time described Savarkar as a national hero and a symbol of courage, bravery and patriotism. Smt. Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India - Savarkar was a great figure of contemporary India and his name is a by-word for daring and patriotism. He was cast in a mould of a classic revolutionary and countless people drew inspiration from him. Sri MC Chagla, an eminent personality and a former Central Education Minister stated that Savarkar was a great patriot and an illustrious son of India. Port Blair Airport in the Andamans was renamed Veer Savarkar Airport in honour of this great son of Bharat in the year 2002, when Sri AB Vajpayee was the Prime Minister of India.
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Sopanam - June 2011

hmI
News Congratulations!

Write to Us
We sincerely request all the members of Sevadarshan and Baladarshan to actively contribute articles for the Sopanam E-magazine. We also invite your valuable suggestions so that we can improve further on our coming editions.

Sopanam congratulates all the students who have passed class X and XII board exams. We wish you success in your higher studies. May hard work and God's blessings help you reach heights.

Editorial Team
For Comments, Submissions & Subscriptions please write to

email : vbkuwait@gmail.com

Mathru Sangamam
Fahaheel: Mathru Darshan Fahaheel unit held a Mathru Sangamam for the mothers of the unit on 27th May 2011 Friday. Special celebrations and prayers were held for the well being of all the mothers and their families .. A discourse was give on the importance of the Mother in the Indian family.

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Sopanam - June 2011

hmI
News Kudumbasangamam

Salmiya: The Seva Darshan unit of Salmiya held a Kudumbasangamam at the Indian School Amman Branch on 26th May 2011 Friday. The well attended programmes had presentations by the children and parents. An update of all the organizations activities was also presented to the attendees.

One day camp

Abbasiya: A one day camp was held for the volunteers of the organization on 3rd June 2011 Friday. An update of all the activities of the organization in different areas was given. A medical talk was presented by Dr. Sankara Narayanan, Amiri Hospital, Kuwait. Over 60 participants attended the camp.

Sopanam - June 2011

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tkhm hymw
Seva Vrithandam

Swami Vivekananda Bala Ashramam

Swami Vivekananda Bala Ashramam is located in Adoor, Pathanamthta district. The Kendra hosts a number of children who have no one to look after them. The Kendra provides them a shelter and also send these children to school. The bala ashramam is located on the Adoor to Kayamkulam route near the Ari Ramakrishna Ashram. It is 20 meters from Chennampally junction. Address: Secretary Swamy Vivekananda Balasramam Ammakandakara Chennampally, Adoor P.O Pathanamthita Sidrict Kerala 691523

Thanal
Thanal is managed by te Nila Seva Samithu and is located in Mayannur, Trissur district. As you know there are several children who are in distress either by loss of parents or by many social & such other circumstance. With no one to take proper care of these young ones are leading a miserable life. We have a family, social & financial stability in our own society. But have you ever thought about children who have no one to take care of Have you ever thought of their needs, sorrows and sorry state of affairs? Have you ever accomplished a feeling of contentment by helping such deserving ones? While we convene several celebrations for ourselves, h ave you ever thought of these small ones? If your answer in No, we have an answer for you. Contact Thanal today!

"those who want to help mankind must take their own pleasure and pain, name and fame, and all sorts of interests, and make a bundle of them and throw them into the sea and then come to the Lord. this is what all the masters said and did.

The Secretary Nila Seva Samithi Mayannur, Trissure Dist., Kerala, India Pin-679105 Ph: +91 4884 285 855 Mob: +91 944 721 6144

"

Swami Vivekananda.
Sopanam - June 2011

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BtcmKrw
Health
VARICOSE VEINS OF LOWER LIMB
throbbing, muscle fatigue .Visible engorged veins .Swelling of feet and ankles .Itching over the veins If left untreated varicose veins develop complications which include .Bleeding when the varicose veins erode the skin .Dark pigmentation of skin (Dermatitis) .Varicose ulcer .Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) .Superficial vein thrombosis (Thrombophlebitis) HOW TO DIAGNOSE VARICOSE VEINS ? Diagnosis is made by clinical examination. To plan the correct modality of treatment, more tests are done. They include .Doppler ultrasound-This handheld device is used to map the veins and faulty valves .Duplex scanning -This is a detailed test which detects clots in deep veins .Magnetic resonance venography-This is done when the above mentioned tests are unclear TREATMENT Treatment is done for 1. Cosmetic reasons 2. Symptomatic patients Self care at home Elevate the leg(above the level of heart) as much as possible Wear compression stockings (such as TED stockings) in the morning before start walking around and before the limb gets swollen. If the pain worsens, remove the bandage and consult a doctor. You may have problem with the arterial supply to leg (which supplies oxygen) Try to lose weight, if you are overweight Avoid alcohol Treat conditions which causes straining(e.ga constipation, urinary retention, chronic cough) Avoid wearing tight clothing such as girdles, belts. Get plenty of exercise Avoid long sitting or standing The above mentioned measures ease your symptoms and keep the varicose veins from getting worse. The modalities aimed to cure the disease include Sclerotherapy where chemicals are injected in the vein to close it Laser treatment to destroy the vein(laser endovenous ablation) Radio frequency treatment to close off the vein Surgery to tie off or remove the vein
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dr. Sankara narayanan MBBS, MS(General surgery), MRCS (England) Amiri hospital, Kuwait

Varicose veins are abnormal dilated, tortuous, elongated veins caused by persistent high pressure STRUCTURE OF LOWER LIMB VEINS There are two sets of veins in lower limb, superficial and deep. They are interconnected by small veins called perforators. The superficial veins are located beneath the skin, whereas the deep veins inside the muscles of leg. All of them have many unidirectional valves which allow blood to flow in one direction Varicose veins only. The valves in superficial and deep sets of veins allow blood to flow from leg to heart direction only, so that while standing there is no stasis of blood in legs. The valves in connecting veins (perforators) allow blood to flow from superficial to deep system and not vice verso. The purpose of lower limb veins is to carry impure blood from leg to heart. This should take place against gravity. While walking, calf muscle acts as a pump which drives the blood from the deep veins. This creates a negative pressure which sucks the blood from superficial veins. The back flow is prevented by valved perforators. WHAT CAUSES VARICOSE VEINS ? Varicose veins are caused by a number of factors which lead to increased blood flow in superficial veins, thereby increasing the pressure inside it especially while walking (ambulatory venous hypertension).The various causes are: Weakness of valves in veins, Inborn weakness in the walls of veins, Prolonged standing, Clot formation in deep veins (Deep vein thrombosis) which causes increased back- pressure in superficial veins, Pregnancy, Oral contraceptive pills, Pelvic tumors, Congenital causes, Obesity or distended belly WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS ? They include .Calf muscle pain, soreness, burning, aching,
Sopanam - June 2011

BtcmKrw
Health

Importance of Vegetarian Diet

ecologically to be vegetarian. There is nothing strange about being vegetarian. Although it is becoming more popular, either for moral or health reasons, a vegetarian diet still seems to have a strange stigma attached to it Definition of Vegetarian: Vegetarian, the belief in and practice of eating exclusively vegetable foods and abstaining from any form of animal food. To what extent this definition applies, in reality varies, what it refers to is a strict vegetarian or a vegan. Lactovegetarians include milk and other dairy products in their diet. Lacto-vegetarians eat milk, dairy products and eggs. Those who eat fish are not vegetarian. A vegan, excludes animal flesh (meat, poultry, fish and seafood), animal products (eggs, dairy and honey), and the wearing and use of animal products (eg. leather, silk, wool, lanolin, gelatin). The vegan diet consists totally of vegetables, vegetable oils, and seeds. Why the Wise Choose a Vegetarian Diet: Raw fruits and vegetables are the best suitable food for human beings available in nature. They have more PRANA (life force energy) in them. Plant food is a good source of dietary fiber. Generally a vegetarian diet is Sattvic , while all nonvegetarian diet are Rajasic or Tamasic in nature. Fruits, vegetables, grains and cereals are storehouse of SOLAR energy. The concept that non-vegetarian foods are more nutritious is a myth. In reality a balance vegetarian diet is high in food value since it contain all the main principal of food viz. proteins, fats, carbohydrate, vitamins and mineral as well as sufficient calories. The general belief that essential amino acids are only present in meat is not correct. The large amount of proteins in animal flesh can result in kidney disease and high blood urea. Meat deteriorates very fast; anything that rots quickly is harmful to health. Vegetarian food digests within 2 to 6 hrs. Generally, meat can take up to 36 hours for complete digestion. This is not good for health.

Anil Madathil

You are what you eat" is an age old adageand it is a fact that it is food that makes a man. The food we eat, its quality, quantity, its timing and combinations is proven time and again to be of utmost importance in Health as well as in Disease. There is a myth amongst people that consumption of meat would make them strong. It is also commonly believed that non-vegetarian food has more nutritive value. It is significant and embarrassing to note, that while in U.S.A. nearly 10 million people have adopted vegetarianism and more and more people in U.K., U.S.S.R., West Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Israel and Mexico are gradually turning to vegetarian diet not only on humanitarian grounds but more so on medical grounds, in India many vegetarians have started eating meat and eggs only on "wrong" beliefs of the supposedly good qualities of non-vegetarian diet. Hundreds of millions of people are vegetarian; more health professionals are discouraging the consumption of animal fats and red meats that have been shown to increase the chance of obesity, cancer and other diseases; and the Environmentalists who know that much of the limited resources, on Planet Earth, are wasted by converting them to meat. It takes 9,200 liters of water, 5.5kgs of grain, 35 pounds of topsoil and the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline to produce one pound of feedlot beef. 70% of grain production is fed to live stock. 5 million acres of rain forest are felled every year to create cattle pasture. Roughly 20% of all currently threatened and endangered species are harmed by livestock grazing Animal agriculture is a chief contributor to water pollution. Farm animals produce 10 times the waste produced by the human population. There are sound reasons for health, ethically, and

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Sopanam - June 2011

BtcmKrw
Health
Red meat contains a high amount of saturated fats that increases cholesterol levels. Meat production is less economic and less beneficial to the environment. To produce one pound of meat a large amount of grass, cereal and water is fed to the livestock. Meat eating animal have long, sharp pointed teeth. These are absent in humans because there is no need to tear the meat. The intestinal tract of carnivorous animal is only 3 times the body length, this is so that meat, which decays rapidly can pass out of the body quickly. Like other herbivorous animal , humans has an intestinal tract which 10 -12 times the body length. Meat eater often suffers from constipation because their diet does not contain enough fiber. Disease like ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer are found more often in people who eat meat. Carnivorous animal secrets more hydrochloric acid. This is used to break down the heavy proteins found in the meat, and they have proportionally larger liver than humans, which can neutralize more uric acid , which is by product of the digestion of meat., in high amount can cause disease like gout in humans. By comparison, humans are not as well designed to cope with a Non Vegetarian diet. Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a Vegetarian diet. "It is inconsistent with the way of living compassion to fatten oneself on the flesh of a fellow-creature." Thiru Kural

"Be Vegetarian, be Healthy

Sopanam - June 2011

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Mathru Dharshan

amXr Zi\w

`mc-X-ob kv{Xo k-ev]w

""cqt]jp evan a-tbjp [cn{Xn kXvIa-\mcn Ipe-[a-]Xv\n''

]c-am-m-hns ip kXy-kz-cq-]n-Wn-bmWv alm-evan. ]c-ta-iz-c-k--p-v A[njvTm\ tZh-X-bmb evan -Im-n, kuioeyw, awKfw ChbpsS Ccn-n-S-am-Wv. k ]qPybpw k-h-y-bp-amb alm-evan Fm PohPm-e--fp-sSbpw kwc--I-bp-am-Ip-p. hmv, _pn, hnm-\w, hnZym Ch-bpsS A[n-tZ-h-XbmWv kc-kzXn X]-kz-cq-]n-Wn-bpw, X]x ^es sImSp--h-fp-amb kc-kzXn a\p-jyv khm m\ {]Zm-bn-\n-bm-Ip-p. {_-tX-P-n\v A[n-jvTm\ tZh-X-bmb kmhn-{Xo-tZ-hnbpsS ]mZ-kv]iw sImv temIw ]cn-ip--am-bn-op. k-Xo-fpw tZho-km-nyw sImp-am-{Xta ]hn-{Xam-Ip-p-p. thZmw-K-pw Okv, X-im-kv{Xm-ZnIpw amXm-hmWv kmhn-{Xo-tZ-hn. ] {]Ir-Xn-I-fn Am-as tZhn-bmb cm[nI-tZhn ]-{]-am-W--fpsS A[n-tZ-h-Xbpw ]-{]mW kzcq-]n-Wn-bp-am-Ip-p. thZ-hn-[n-b-\p-k-cn [ym\-n-eqsS m\-Zr-jvSn-bn {]Xy--am-Ip--h-fmWv cm[n-Im-tZhn. tZhn-bpsS Awi-cq-]-n \nm-hn`-hn cq]-amWv k-nhpw B[mc `qXbpw kh kky-pw DXv]n-m-\hpw IcpWm aqnbpw am-io-e-bp-amb `qaotZ-hn. "{_mWvUw apgp-h ]pcp-j-t\mSv ebn-n-cn-p {]IrXn F kv{Xo`m-hw'. in-sb, {]Ir-Xn-sb, `qam-Xm-hns\ kv{Xobmbn BZ-cnp kwkvIm-cw. ChnsS kv{Xo in-bm-Wv, Fm Poh-Pme--fnepw \ndp \np in. a\-kns bmKm-n-bn kzbw `kvao-I-cn kXn-tZ-hn. ]cn-ip-n-bp-sS, XymK-n-s, kl-\-ns An-bn Pzme-bmbv sXfn-bp koX, \n-b-ZmVy-ns {]XnIm-c-n-bn Iuc-h-cpsS Al-m-cs \in-n-p {Zu]-Zn. {_-hm-Zn-\n-I-fmb KmKn ssat{X-bn-am... `mc-Xns kv{Xok-ev]w Fpw Icp-p--Xm-bn-cp-p. amXr, ]Xv\n, kplrZv `mh--fp kv{Xo temI-n Ghpw ]cn-]m-h-\-amb `mhw--am-Xr-`mhw. kln-m\pw an-m\pw kvt\ln-m\pw XyPn-m\pw Ign-bp amXmhv. kv{Xo-bpsS Ghpw ]cn-ip--amb `mhw. Bbncw BNmcyv Xpey-bmWv amXm-hv. FmWv a\p-kvarXn ]d-bp-Xv. {]mNo\ `mc-X-nse kv{XoIv Akq-bm-h-lamb m\-amWv kaq-l-n-epm-bn-cp--Xv. ]pcp-j-

- civan kp[o
""k-J-ezn-Z-ta-hmlw \m\y-ZkvXn- k-\m-X\w'' CsXmw Rm Xs-bm-Wv. Rms\m-gnsI k\m-X-\ambn bmsXm-n-. hncmSv kzcq-]-n\v tbmK-am-b-bpsS Acp-fn-m-Sv. \m\m-cq-]--fmbn nXn-sN-p in-Isfmw \nXy-bmb tZhn-bm-Ip-p. aqe-{]-Ir-Xn-bmb alm-hn-jvWp-hn \nv Zp, -e-van, kc-kz-Xn, kmhn{Xn, cm[ ]-tZ-hn-am Bh`-hn-p. ]cn-]qW {_-kz-cq-]n-Wn-bmb ZpKm-tZhn [a ]cn-] m-e-\bpw kXym-n-Ibpw BWv. _pn, Zb, Hm a, ss[cyw Fo-`m-h--tfm-Sp-Iq-Sn-b-hfpw ]c-am-m-hns khi-n-kz-cq-]n-Wn-bpamWv Zp.

21

Sopanam - June 2011

amXr Zi\w

Mathru Dharshan

p. Ah-fnse in, `mh- Fmw ASn--a-s-ncn-p-p. kwkvmc NypXn-bn-te-p Nph-Sp-h-bv]ns Bcw-`w-Xs Ahn-sS-bm-Wv. Xs ss]XrIw Imp-kqn---Xn-eqsS Hcp kaq-l-ns ]ptcm-K-Xnv \nan-am-tI-h-fmWv kv{Xo. B[p-\n-IXbpw, bm{nI kwkvIr-Xn-bpw, ]Sv ]-en-p Cu Ime-L--n hfvhcp-Xv tIhew `uXoI \mKco-I-X-bm-Wv. ChnsS Bob kv]ian. hfcp Xe-ap-d-bpsS \nimt_m[w \n-bn-m \m\m-X-cn-ep kmt-XnI hnZy-I A\p-Zn\w Dun-X-ambn hnI-kn-p-p. ]t, \n`m-Ky-Icw Fp ]d-b-s, AXn\ pkrX-ambn [mnI Nn-I-tfm, aqey-tfm ]Iv Inm-Xns `mK-ambn a\x-km-nsb sRn-p Xc-n aen-a-k-am-hp-I-bmWv Npp-]m-SpI. {]hmk Pohn-Xhpw kv{Xosb Xs kwkvImc ]mc--cy-fn \nv Gsd-Zqcw ]pd-In-te-s-n-n-cn-p-p. Ccw kml-N-cy-n kvt\lw BZ-chv hnizmkw Fo KpW--tfmsSmw [moI Bob aqey-fpw kt-]cn a\p-jyw kaq-l-n \ne-\nt-Xp.v Cs-n cm-kn-b-amb in-I \s XIbntev \bnpw Xtam-Kp-W- \psS Xe-ap-dsb IogS-p--Xn\v apmbn kzmXn-I-amb kXvKp-W- IpnIpw IpSpw-mw-K- ]Iv \evIn Ahsc kz`mh sshinjTap, hyn-Nmc{Xap--h-cmn am-Ww. Cu kwkvmc {]{In-b-bn A-amp ]v hfsc hepXm-Wv. \mw Ahsc [moI ]m-h-eqsS \bn--Ww. \ mw \psS Ipn-Isf Fs\ hfpp? \mw FmWv Ahv ]Iv \Ip-Xv? F-Xns\ B{i-bn-mWv Ah-cpsS hf `mhn: \psS Krl-nse ssZ\w- Zn\ {] hr-n-I-fpsS BN-c-W-n-eq-se, Ia--fn-eq-sS, s]cp-am-n-eqsS \apv Ahv {]tNm-Z-\-amIw hgn-hn-f-m-hmw. kwm-cs apdp-sI-n-Sn-m\p Icpv kv{Xop-am-{Xam-Wp--Xv. alm-X-]-kzn-I-fpsS a\-\-n \nm-hn`-hn {ipXnbnepw kvarXn-bnepw \Ip m\-amWv kv{Xo Alnp--Xv. aqey-Nyp-Xn-bn-tep XI-cp `mc-X-ns kpcn-XXzw Hmtcm -`m-c-X-kv{Xo-bp-sSbpw ssII-fn-em-Wv. AXv kaqlw Xncn--dn-bp-tm AXn-eq-]cn hnhn[ `mh-nep Xs in Ah Xncn--dn-bp-tm Hcp k\m-X\ [m-[n-jvTn-X-amb `mcXw hopw ]nd-hn-sb-Sp-p-sav \ apv {]Xym-in-mw.
22

s\mw Xs Pohn-X-ns Fm L-fpw Ahpw {]m]y-am-bn-cp-p. kzbw-hcw sNp-hm\pw {_-Ncyw A\pjvTn-p-hm\pw kzX-{-cm-bn-cpp Ah. [a-ns ] mX-bn-eqsS Bo-b-X-tbbpw aqey--sfbpw ]ptcm-K-Xn-bnse-n-p--Xn kv{XobpsS ]v \nWm-b-I-am-bn-c-p. AXp-sIm-vXs `mc-Xob kwkvIm-chpw ]mc--cyhpw Ah-fpsS ssII-fn kpc-n-X-am-bn-cp-p. Ime L-fmbn amdn-b-tmgpw Ncn-{X-n kzw hynXzw Ipdn-p-h--h-cm-bn-cpp `mc-Xo-b-h-\n-X-I. Qmkn-bnse dmWn-e-n-`m-bvbn XpSn [oc {Xn-b-\mb inh-Pnp Pw \Inb PoPm `mn-eqsS aocm-`mbv bn Fn-\np-tmgpw cmjv-{S-i-nbpw Bo-b-i-nbpw kp`-{Z-am-bn-cp-p. kXn, ssiih hnhmlw apX-emb A\m-Nm-c-fpw _mly-i-n-I-fpsS IS-m-{I-a-Whpw kv{XobpsS hyn-Xzn\v a-ten-p. Ah-fpsS \ne-\n]p-t]mepw tNmZywsNs]Sp{X aqey-tim-jWw kw`-hn kaq-l-n kv{Xo Hcp D]-t`mK hkvXp-am-{X-ambn A[x-]-Xn-n-cn-pSopanam - June 2011

Mathru Dharshan

amXr Zi\w
Zqssc Atbm-[y-bn Fs [a-]Xv\n Dun-fbpw hj--fmbn Dd-m-Xn-cn-pv; Ah-fpsS ASp-tv sNpI. Dun-ftbm? `m-hns ey-km-^-ey-n\ pw At-l-ns Bbp-cm-tcm-Ky-pw thn {hXm\p-jvTm-\--tfmsS kpan-{X-bpsS IqsS kmtI-X-n Xma-kn-p. Dun-f-bpsS XymK-a-t\m-`m-h-sbpw Znhy-amb [ \njvT-tbbpw {iocm-at]mepw {]iw-knp t]mIp-p. Dunf e-a-W Z-Xn-Iv cv Ba--fmWpm-bn-cp--Xv. AwK-Z\pw N{-tI-Xp-hpw. Ahsc cpt]-cbpw bYm-{Iaw Xmcm-]-Yw, N{-Imw Fo cmPy-fpsS cmPm-am-cmbn e-va-W Ah-tcm-[n-p. [-]Xv\n F \ne-bn koX-tb-m Hcp ]Sn apn-et ev-aW `mcy-bmb Dun-f-bpsS m\sav \ymb-ambpw \mw Nnn-p-t]m-Ipw. Dunf A\p-`hn PohnXhyY, `Xr-hn-c-lw, Xt]m-a-b-amb Ime-t] w XpSn Hcp a\p-jy-kv{Xo-p-hp kIe ZpxJ-fpw A\p-`-hnpXo XymK-[-\bmWv Dun-f. a-bp-sSbpw XymK-n-sbpw Imn-cn-n-sbpw ]cym-bw... AXmWv cmam-b-W-nse Duan-f... {]hm-k-Po-hn-X-ns ko-X-In-S-bn, BIp-e-X-In-S-bn sshjy-a-n-S-bn, {]Xnk-n-In-S-bn... \-fn ]epw \psS IpSpw_hp-ambn thdnv Pohn-t Ah-m-hn-tj-j-apv hnc-l-n-s-bpw, ]cn-Xm-]-n-s-bpw, B[p-\n-Ih-c-W-n-sbpw D]-t`m-K-kw-kvm-c-n-sbpw \qem-am-e-I \mw Adn-bmsX \s ]nSn-ap-dp-p-tm ]epw \jvS-am-hp-Xv IpSpw_ _--fpsS Xo{hX-bpw, [mnI Pohn-X-ns k-bp-am-Wv. Ccw k`--fn Db Nnm-i-n-tb-sS, D-a-bmb kv{Xoc--ambn Pohn-m \s t{]cn-n-p DPze hyn-Xz-amWv Duan-f-bp-tS-Xv. ]c-kv]c kl-I-c-Ww, kvt\lw, hnp-hogvN at\m-`m-hw, kl-\-ioew Fm-n-ep-]cn i-amb [mnI ASn-d Pohn-X-n Imp-kq-nsImv Dun-f-sb-tmse, ]Xv\nbmbv ,kl-[n-n-bm-bv, Kml--Po-hn-Xn Zm-Xy-Po-hn-X-n kt-j-hpw, kam-[m-\hpw \ apv krjvSnmw AXp-hgn Da IpSpw_ Pohn-X-hpw, kmam-PnI Pohn-X-hpw, ssIh-cn-p-hm \apv km[n-p-Xm-Wv.
Sopanam - June 2011

Duanf
XymK-[-\bmb kv{Xoc-Xv\w
Znhy kXo-jv, Ipa-cIw cmam-bW IYm-]m-{X--fn A[n-I-amcpw {in--s-SmsX, Alamb {]m[m\yw sImSp-m-sX-t]mb Hcp IYm-] m-{X-amWv Duan-f. P\-I-a-lm-cm-Pmhns aqp-a--fn Hcp-h. koXm-tZ-hnsb XymK-ns aqn-tZ-hn-bmbpw ]mXn-{h-Xy-ns aIp-tSm-Zm-l-c-W-ambpw hmgvp-tm AXn-tesd XymKw kln--h-fmWv ev-aW ]Xv\n-bmb Duan-f-sbv ]d-b-Ww. {iocm-a h\-hm-k-n\p t]mIW-sav Cf-b--bmb ssItI-bn-bpsS \n_--n\v hgn A ]d-bp-tm, hmkvX-h-n e-aW Ipam-c h\-hm-k-n\v t]mtI-Xn-m-bn-cp-p. tPyjvTt\m-Sp AKm-[-amb `n-bmWv B A\p-Ps\ AXn\v t{]cn-n--Xv. cma t]mIp-tm koXbpw ]pd-s-Sp-p. cma F{X hne-n-bnpw koX ]nm-dp-n-. kv{Xok-lP-amb ]nSn-hm-inbpw AssI Bb B-lXy `oj-Wnbpw koX {]tbm-Kn-p. ]t Duan-ftbm! `Xr-[w Adnv {]hn-p. e-a-W t\c-s-s ]d-n-cp-p. tPyjvS-s\-bpw tPyjvT-n-b--tbbpw Imv cn-p Hcp [-`-Ss tPmen-bmWv X\ns-v. \o hm hnj-a-am-hpw... \ns t\mm-\n-\nv Ign-sv hcn-. AhnsS Duanf inYn-e-am-bn-smncn-p Iqp-Ip-Spw_ _-smcp \ amXrI Imn-sIm-Sp-p-p. h\-hm-k-n\v ]pd-s-Sp-tm ev-aW Ipam-c Dun-f-tbmSv bm{X-tN-Zn-p-I-t]mepw sNbvX-Xmbn {]kvXm-h-an-. Hcp ]t B ZpxJw ImW Fp-Xs Icp-Xn-bn-cn-mw. koXbvp ZpL-S-amb Im\-\-hm-knepw `m-hns Iqpm-bn-cp-p. kl-[nWn F Nmcn-Xmyw Dm-bn-cp-p. Ahn-sS-bmWv Duanf-bpsS ZpxJw AKm-[-am-p--Xv. B XymKw ]ca {][m-\am-p--Xv. ]Xn-\mev hjw Imn tPyjvTt\bpw tPyjvTntbbpw Imv Dd--sam-gnv, Imb tihpw a\x-t-ihpw A\p-`hn ev-a-Ws\ Hmp-sIv Am-e-a-{Xbpw Duanfbpw Dd-m-Xn-cp-p. \n{Zm-tZ-hn-Xs kv]in-m hcp kabw ev-a-W ]d-bp-am-bn-cp--t{X, Ap
23

Story

IY

Overcoming Obstacles
Anuradha Sundara raman

Dhirendra was a young man with an inquisitive mind who wished to travel to various places, while making his living at the same time. He passed many Kingdoms and villages, learning a lot along the way. One afternoon, he arrived at the busy marketplace of a scenic city, situated on the banks of a river. He noticed that a lot of people were engaged in a very serious discussion. On enquiry, he was told that they were searching for a new King. According to the law in that Kingdom, any young, ablebodied stranger could be made King, but he could rule only for 5 years, after which he would be taken and left on an island on the far side of the river. This island was covered with a thick forest full of wild beasts. There was no way to escape from there as the river was infested with crocodiles. This had been the practice in the Kingdom since a long time and many men had perished on the island. Dhirendra thought for some time and conveyed to the people gathered there that he was ready to accept the Kingship of the land. He was crowned with great fanfare. Three years passed quickly and the fourth year began. The previous Kings had been happy during the first three years but had become anxious, withdrawn and depressed during the last two. However, Dhirendra remained cheerful and composed. The end of his term arrived and he was taken by the people to a waiting boat. Citizens gathered near the banks of the river and wondered how he could be so cheerful. Kings before him had left screaming and with terrified expressions on their faces. Two soldiers began rowing him across the river. As they neared the island, an amazing sight met their eyes. Instead of the thick, dense forest they saw a beautiful, well-laid out

city. The soldiers looked at Dhirendra for an explanation. He explained to them that he had not just idled his time as King away, but had made several trips to the island during the early years. He had taken architects and engineers there, who cleared most of the forest and constructed a well planned city. He had spoken to some of his ministers and friends who agreed to move to the new city and they had already made arrangements for all of them to live together comfortably. They were in fact waiting to welcome him at the shore. Needless to say, the city prospered well in the following years and attracted many more people to it. We can gather the moral here that a wisely planned move can help cross any hurdle, however difficult. A wise man plans and acts carefully. Any obstacle in life need not be considered as the end of the road. God gives us a few years in this world, which with careful thought can be put to good use, just as the wise King did in this story. As Helen Keller said, When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. Man is the master of his own destiny. We have been provided with many resources by God. How we use them or waste them determines our future. If we work hard and sincerely, without lazing in good times, we can cross the river of life without worry, to a wonderful future.

Sopanam - June 2011

24

Bala Lokam

_metemIw

How to utilize your vacation fruitfully?

Sindhu Sanjith

In this busy, fast moving world, we all long for a few days away from the routine schedule and spend some time with our loved ones. As vacation in Kuwait schools is about to start, children would be happily looking forward to it and counting down days. Many children would have made plans as to how to spend their holidays. As vacation approaches, it creates nostalgia for the parents as many of us would remember our holidays when we were students. Who can forget those good old days? We were fortunate to hear mythological stories and life time experiences from our parents and grandparents. They have played a great role in shaping our lives. Are we able to pass them on to our children to the fullest? We often forget that our children miss out what we used to enjoy during our childhood days. As expatriates, most of the families here are nuclear families. The parents would be busy earning for the family and children would be over burdened with the pressure of studies, exams and school projects. In such a life style, the values of a joint family are always missed out. This vacation must be utilized to spend time with our loved ones. This is the only time children get to know the family bonds, our rich culture, heritage and the beauty of our mother land. Encourage them to actively participate in family functions and gatherings. This vacation time can be used in a very fruitful way so that the children would always remember. It should be utilized to the fullest to mould our children into human beings with good character and ethical values. This will help them in future to lead a successful life. Many of the new generation do not have a real time experience with the nature. The holidays can be utilized to acquaint with the nature. Let them get to know the soil they belong to. The children must be encouraged to plant some plants and trees so that they can know how flowers bloom and how the vegetables grow. This will inculcate a love towards nature. Teach them to keep their surroundings neat and clean. Make them aware of the hazards caused by disposing plastics in soil, the wrong and untidy disposal of garbage, the health hazards of deadly chemicals etc. Holidays can me made exciting by including activities like cycling, trekking, sight-seeing, visiting new places and exploring the vast diversities of our homeland. Watching
25

varieties of birds and animals, seeing the waterfalls, house boating etc would be a treat to the children as they will remember the joy filled days of vacation. Apart from these, there are much more to explore in our motherland. A visit to the temples, museums, historical places etc will give children some knowledge about our rich culture and heritage. Our children here are fortunate to experience the luxuries of life. But there are many less fortunate children, parents and old people in our home land. Let this vacation be dedicated for a noble cause by taking initiative to help the poor and the needy. This will develop a feeling of love and selfless service among children. We encourage the children of Bala Darshan to make a note of what they see and learn in their holidays and share this with your brothers and sisters in class. There would be many of us who may not be able to plan a vacation due to various commitments. The childrens holidays would be restricted to the four walls of their flat. Due to the scorching heat here, even outings will be difficult. In such cases the holidays can be used to explore the inborn talents of the children. Encourage them to read good books, biographies and improve their writing skills. Make them write short poems and stories. As there is less activity inside the flats, send them for summer classes, yoga and karate classes, painting classes dance and music classes etc. This should be done according the childs skills and should not turn out to be a burden. Many a children here are seen glued to the TV or the PC and end up being coach-potatoes. Such practices are not healthy and should be restricted. Indeed, academics cannot be forgotten. Those aspiring for higher studies should utilize the vacation time for coaching classes and also in acquiring information about the courses they want to pursue. The home works and school projects are not to be forgotten. May this vacation be filled with lots of fun and activities and leave behind sweet memories to cherish for a life time!! Being expatriates, vacation is the only time that children get to know their kin and to build an emotional attachment to the motherland. If the above points are considered while you plan a vacation, it will always have long lasting impact on the children. It will help them in achieving success in their personal lives as well as creating respect and patriotism to the motherland.

Sopanam - June 2011

Bala Lokam

_metemIw

Shreya Baladharshan - Fahaheel

Priya Prakash Baladharshan - Fahaheel

Arundhathi Madan Baladharshan - Fahaheel

Sakshi Sreenivas Baladharshan - Abbasiya

Pooja Baladharshan - Fahaheel

Sopanam - June 2011 26