SANTA CRUZ BASILICA

The majestic Santa Cruz Basilica in Fort Kochi is steeped in history. This Catholic church was built by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul 1V in 1558. It was spared by the Dutch conquerors who destroyed many Catholic buildings. Later the British demolished the structure and Bishop Dom Gomez Veriera commissioned a new building in 1887. The cathedral was consecrated in1902 and Santa Cruz was proclaimed a Basilica by Pope John Paul 11 in 1984.

This magnificent Basilica is one of the important tourist attractions in Kochi. Come, let us go around and enjoy the beauty, splendor and grandeur of this historical monument which is standing as a silent testimony for the greater glory of God.

(Kindly click on the photos for a larger view)

THEY ALSO EARN THEIR LIVELIHOOD!

There are thousands of people who earn a living in this world through their own initiative, enterprise, wit, and sheer hard work. They don’t have rich parents, education, capital, regular shops, government assistance and bank loan. They don’t have casual leave, sick leave and privilege leave. They don’t have life insurance, medical insurance and theft insurance.

They are not interested in strikes, lock outs and bandhs. They work practically every day without a break. They are not interested in politics. They don’t know who is the President of the country or the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister. Many of them live on platforms, cook on platforms, eat on platforms and sleep on platforms. If it rains, they will take shelter in the veranda of closed shops. Their children play on the platform and learn the tricks of their trade early in life to support themselves. They don’t have cooking gas, fridge, TV, air conditioners and beds. They don’t beg and steal. They are the first ones to be on the road every day to earn some money and the last ones to leave.

If you want to know about real pain , suffering and sickness, ask them; if you want to know about poverty, hunger and thirst, talk to them; if you want know about heat and cold, discuss with them. They face life in its raw elements and manage to survive daily against great odds. They take their trials and tribulations in their stride with stoic fortitude and courage. They are very tough mentally. They don’t complain about their circumstances in life; moan and groan about their pitiable condition. What have they done to deserve such pathetic lives?

Looking at them we are able to appreciate how lucky and privileged we are, how much comfort and luxury we have and how abundantly God has blessed us. Do we have all these comforts in life through our own merit or HIS mercy? How many well to do people have lost their houses, property and lives overnight due to psunami, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and life threatening diseases?

Instead of looking down on them, is it not our duty to do whatever we can to alleviate their sufferings? Is it not time to examine our conscience?

LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN!

ONASAMSAKAL ------- WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS ONAM! LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN!

SOUND OF MUSIC

Here are some sample musical instruments used in Kerala .. The sound is loud and ear shattering. But it has a lovely beat and pulsating rhythm. You can dance with gay abandon. No steps, no rules, nothing. These music instruments are played in public processions, festivities, political meetings, shop inaugurations etc. I understand that the name of this music is SINGARA MELAM meaning beautiful sound. Can you see the beauty in the sound?

TENSION

The moment U R in TENSION

U will lose your ATTENTION

Then U R in total CONFUSION

And U’ll feel IRRITATION

This may spoil your personal RELATION

Ultimately, U won’t get COOPERATION

And get things into COMPLICATION

Then U may raise CAUTION

And U have to take MEDICATION

Why not try understanding the SITUATION

And try to think about the SOLUTION

There is no other OPTION

Many problems can be solved by DISCUSSION

Which will work out better in your PROFESSION

This is a free SUGGESTION

It is only for your PROTECTION

If U understand my INTENTION

U will never get into TENSION

This is the CONCLUSION

Of this INTIMATION!!!

(This useful information was given to me by my friend GANESH working in the HR DEPARTMENT of Apollo Tyres Ltd.)

CARELESSNESS COSTS MONEY!

The other day I was getting late for my job. I was in a hurry. I went to the stand to pick up my projector. There was a cable going round the projector. This cable was attached to the spike. To the spike, my second son, Angelo, had connected his mobile for charging. I thought that I can take the projector without touching the cable. However, when I lifted the projector the cable was pulled and the spike came crashing down. To my horror the mobile which was connected to spike also fell down and it was badly damaged beyond repair.

Now a new mobile has to be bought and the inconvenience to my son. No doubt my son will be upset at my clumsiness. I could have easily disconnected the cable and lifted my projector. Then this calamity would not have happened and the needless expense of buying a new mobile could have been avoided. When will I learn?

SECOND HAND BOOKS!

When you want to sell your old books, the waste paper dealer will pay you by weight. When you want to buy a second hand book on the pavement you will have to pay 50% of the price of the book. In other words, if you want to sell a book which you bought for Rs.500 and the weight of the book is 500 grams the dealer will give you Rs3 @ Rs.6 per kilo. When you by this book second hand on the pavement you will have to pay 50% of the price i.e. Rs.250 These pavements sellers make fantastic profit. .

May be they have to bribe the police and the corporation officials whose duty is to keep the pavement free for the pedestrians to walk.