Part 2

Those who missed Part 1 here it is https://t.co/myV2RhzsxJ 1/n

We were all revering Cows and other animals much before all these 'Activists' cropped up. Respecting the environment, the trees and animals are a way of life for Hindus

On the eve of Maattu Pongal, here are a few personal Cow Remembrances 1/n

I was all of 4 when we moved to Vadakara. School was still a year away. We lived in a House named 'Kottaram' (Palace), which had a long backyard. Beyond that was a small house where a Brahmin Family Resided. Mami had a cow. 2/n

Around 2.30 pm, she will call "Konthe" (Colloquial for Kuzhanthai or Child), and that was the sign for me to run across pulling up my half trouser.

A Half Wall separated the houses and I would climb up to watch the guy who milched their cow. 3/n

Once he milched, I will get my quota of a very small glass of raw milk. She never ever took the milk inside without giving me my share fondly. Once I drink it, I played with the calf and then ran back home 4/n

We moved back to Palakkad when I was 9. Grandfathers Agraharam house was 20 kms away and I was a frequent visitor

Thatha and Paatti maintained 3 Cows

The Big Red, Elder Karumi (Blacky) and the Younger Karumi 5/n

Indian Society has indeed changed a lot post 1980s.

The joint family has broken to nuclear families, whose first inclination is on self preservation, as they dont have the support offered by the joint family in the event of any difficulties. 1/n

Added to this, both the parents are working to make a good living, and they have limited the children to at best one or maximum two.

The family doesnt have time for anything other than their day to day activities and social media interactions. 2/n

They do not get involved in civic problems nor to they have active participation in nation building.

They feel their role is limited to paying taxes, even that they do grudgingly, and then question everyone without taking an iota of self responsibility. 3/n

The motto of life is to get ahead in any way, damn its impact on the society.

Hence, garbages are thrown out, plastic is used indiscriminately, bribes are paid to get things moving, waste is prevalent 4/n

and the kids are pushed to his limit so that they undercut their classmates and come ahead in the rat race. Is it any wonder that a kid, who was brought up in this environment, and who is of voting age now, gives a damn about the society and the country?. 5/n

Leaders must inspire. It is essential that a leader performs exceptionally well at a personal level. But that alone is inadequate. He should create synergy and lift his team to a higher plane. 1/n

Take Modi. He ticks all the boxes. Not easy to take a Country of 1.38 Billion people with you

On the Cricket Field Virat Kohli performs exceptionally well at a personal level. But does he inspire his team to perform at a higher level? I have serious doubts. 2/n

Rahul Gandhi neither performs at any level not does he create synergy and lift Congressmen. They are resigned to their fate all the time.

I had an exceptional Regional Manager who was brilliant in his work, and guided and motivated us. One would die for him. 3/n

I was once taking classes in 8th floor when I overheard a conversation between two of my students. One was chiding the other for showing undue respect to me. 4/n

Second student told him that "If Sir asked me to jump from this floor, I shall do so unhesitatingly, knowing that he would not ask me if he had not taken enough precautions in the first place".

It was one of the greatest moment of my life as a Teacher 5/n

Prahlada the Asura was then emperor of all the three worlds, conquered by the power of his integrity.

As it always happens, Indra becomes jealous of Prahlada’s power and feels shaky – there is the threat of losing his throne to someone like the mighty Asura. 1/n

For the throne of Indra belonged to the man who had the highest character, who performed the most difficult austerities.

Indra assumes the form of a Brahmin and goes to Prahlada and serves him as a disciple, with the desire to learn from him the secret of his success. 2/n

Prahlada tells him his success comes from his following the noble teachings of wise men. However, Indra still continues to serve Prahlada and eventually the Asura emperor, pleased with the devotion shown and the service rendered, asks his disciple to ask for a boon, 3/n

not knowing he is Indra. Initially Indra refuses politely, saying that all his desires have been fulfilled.
But when Prahlada insists, he asks: “If you are pleased with me, Emperor, please give me your character, your integrity.” 4/n

Prahlada is shaken by the request, but he grants the boon since he had offered it: after all, that is what a man of integrity does.

Indra accepts the boon and goes away.
Soon Prahlada sees a dazzlingly lustrous being emerging from his body and leaving him. 5/n

I furnished a list of items to a newly wed couple (South Indian) who are setting up their home in B'lore. This list is indicative & should serve as a ready reckoner just so that they wont have to scratch their head thinking what is needed. Additions/deletions will be there 1/n

Sofa Set - 2+1+1 - Go for Wooden one with Cushion. They last longer and the cushion can be changed later. The rexine stuffed sofas look great but dont last more than 3 years. Most of the time they use very cheap wood inside, as they are covered. 2/n

A glass topped wooden teapoy that matches with the sofa set.

Cot - Instead of a Double Cot, suggest go for 2 Single Cots and join them together. This way one gets more space, and it is easy to clean under the Cots. 3/n

Go for matching orthopaedic mattresses. They support the back. Go for slightly harder ones

4 Pillows

At this stage guest cot is not required

2 Seater Dining Table with 2 Chairs should suffice and saves space

4 Plastic/ Deck Chairs that can be stacked 4/n

Refrigerator - Invest in at least a 270 litre - 300 litre as Fridge lasts long. Go for 2 door but ensure to buy one that has a smaller freezer. Frost Free with a higher Star Rating - 5 or above. Look for 7 years warranty for compressor. Buy a good brand 5/n

Real talk.

The right as spent years trying to paint @NancyPelosi & @HillaryClinton as extreme leftists who will take your guns, sterilize your sons, outlaw Christianity, and tax you at 80%.

Meanwhile...

The far left has tried to insist that they were both Republican-lite.

1/

Some on the far left call them war mongering neoliberal corporate owned whores.

That's on a good day, for both.

None of these charges, by either side, are remotely true of course. Not that this matters to the people putting this shit out there.

2/

The facts are these.

@HillaryClinton and @NancyPelosi have been fighting people, usually white men, for tnings their entire lives.

With little respite.

At times they have had to make impossible choices and compromises just to beo let in the door. Most women have.

3/

It must be easy to be some 26 yo white dude who has never had anyone tell him no his whole life to sit in judgement of women like them.

"How dare she..."

...do what was necessary to get a place at the table.

...do exactly what men have been doing w/o your disapproval.

4/

Let's face it, most men suck when it comes to issues that don't pertain directly to their own self interests. White men are even worse. We just are.

Most men especially suck when it comes to women's issues and I mean really suck.

How many left leaning men fell to #MeToo?

5/

#Bookmark this

|| Geography and Astronomy ||

of “EARTH” according to Indian ancient scriptures

I repeat “Untold Unsung now Unearthed”

RT and spread the knowledge.

Slightly long thread but you’d be amaze. Go through entire thread carefully.

It is hoped that you have not forgotten that Svayambhuva Manu had a son named Priyavrata. Priyavrata had ten sons. Their names were Agnidhra, Agnivahu, Vapushmana, Dyutimana, Medha, Medhatithi, Bhavya, Savana, Putra and Jyotishmana.

Medha, Agnivahu and Putra had no desire to rule. They were not interested in material pursuits and became hermits.

Priyavrata divided the earth amongst the remaining seven sons. Thus it was that the earth came to be divided into seven regions or dvipas.

Agnidhra ruled over Jambudvip, Medhatithi over Plakshadvip, Vapushman over Shalmalidvip, Jyotishman over Kushadvip, Dyutimana over Krounchadvip, Bhavya over Shakadvip & Savan over Pushkaradvip

Agnidhra, the ruler of Jambudvipa, had nine sons. Their names were Nabhi Kimpurusha, Hari, Ilavrita, Ramya, Hiranyavana, Kuru, Bhadrashva and Ketumala.

Agnidhra divided Jambudvipa into nine regions (varshas) and gave each of his sons a region to rule over.

I’ve just finished some research about the use of biosolids (human sewage sludge) as farm manure. The results will keep me awake at night.
¾ of biosolids in the UK are spread on farmland. The rules about what it can contain are not fit for purpose. Please read and share this 🧵

Biosolids typically contain a wide range of synthetic chemicals, including antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals, personal care products, microplastics and persistant organic pollutants, among them “forever chemicals”. Yet testing is restricted to a small number of contaminants.

Spreading them across the land means spreading them through the foodchain and the ecosystem. There’s plenty of evidence of uptake of many of these chemicals by crops, earthworms and other soil animals, and of large-scale antibiotic resistance developing among soil bacteria.

When soil is blown or washed off the land, these chemicals enter the air and water. Some seep into groundwater. We're likely to eat, drink and breathe them. It’s hard to say what the health thresholds are, or what the combined impact of this cocktail of synthetics might be.

Yet the issue has been wilfully neglected by governments. Regulation is negligible. Farmers in the UK are “responsible for knowing the levels of any potentially toxic elements” before spreading sludge. But how? With an on-farm lab that can test for 80,000 possible contaminants?

When I was 25, I worked as a legislative assistant in the Missouri General Assembly.

It was a dream job, honestly.

But that dream dissipated the day the #MoLeg decided to name Rush Limbaugh as an “honorable Missourian” and place his bust in the “Hall of Famous Missourians.”

1/

The Hall of Famous Missourians sits in the Missouri State Capitol.

There are busts of Mark Twain, Dred Scott, Josephine Baker, Harry Truman and other legends of history.

The day I learned Rush Limbaugh would join their ranks, I thought it was a joke.

2/

We received phone calls from constituents appalled that Missouri would honor a man who had become infamous that year for calling a college student a “slut.”

And who just that week had continued spreading the racist birtherism lie about our then-President, Barack Obama.

3/

What I learned that day is that it wasn’t *despite* his racism, but because of it that he received this award.

It’s because he created a universe where it was permissible to lynch with language America’s first black President.

4/

Several State Representatives and their staffers intended to protest the vote and the selection.

By the time we made it to the doors of the House Floor, we weren’t allowed in. It was Republicans only. The doors were locked and secured by the Highway Patrol.

5/