Flying Horses Carousel

My video of a "Flying Horses Carousel" at Besant Nagar, Chennai, India. July 2015.

Viralimalai Clicks

Viralimalai is around 25km from Trichy, Tamil Nadu. This place has a Shanmuganathar temple situated on a small hill covered with dense woody orchids. Peacocks were said to be found in large number in these orchids. I visited this place in March of this year to photograph our national bird. I didn't spot any peacocks. All might be on a summer vacation. :-)

Instead of peacocks, I found a honey-bee colony outside the temple. And while descending the steps, happened to see a mother monkey carrying its just born baby, and climbing onto a tree branch, and settled down. I photographed, hope you like it.

Wishful - A Short Story

Shruti, seated comfortably in the back seat of a City-Honda car, was on her way to school. Palani, the driver, was steering the car at an optimum speed.

Shruti was in the habit of talking her thoughts out loud. Not always, but now and then. Was is it to boost her confidence? Or to practice her pronunciation? Or was it a trait of perfect planner? Only God knows.

Palani and everyone, were used to these self-talks of Shruti...and here it went on like this....

"I need to return the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban book to Rani. Did I place the physics notes back in my school bag, otherwise Chandrika miss will think that I am giving an excuse of not doing the homework. Which, by the way, I have actually completed it. Let me check...... Yes, it is there. I need to work hard, next year I will be in 7th standard."

Shruti called her driver, "Palani!"

Thats the cue for Palani to listen and respond.

"Yes, Shruti baby" (that's how everyone addresses Shruti.)

Shruti continued, "Today, while returning home we need to drop by Nuts and Spices shop near Madhya Kailash to purchase Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk chocolates."

Palani responded, "Yes, Shruti baby"

Again Shruti was on Self-talk mode.

"At least three boxes. Two for my classmates and one box for my teachers. I have asked my parents for a  bicycle, and a collection of Sudha Murthy books for my birthday tomorrow."

Palani resumes his concentration back on his driving.

Shruti continued her monologue. "Rani said that every year on her birthday, their parents would take leave and spend the entire day with her. How lovely? God! Please grant me a wish. And my wish is, on my birthday my parents should be beside me the whole day."

She let out a sigh of despair and continued, "Throughout my life, more than my parents, I would have spoken a lot to: Palani, on my way to school and back home, in the car; my nanny, Jayanthi - she takes care of me very well; Rani - my only best friend; and to my grandparents over phone on Sundays."

"I wish mom and dad would spend more time with me. Who are always busy not only during weekdays, but also on weekends meeting/inviting friends our home or attending parties. I wish, I too had been born into a normal middle class family like Rani. How lucky she is?"

Suddenly the car's wheels screeched. The car took a steep turn, slided sidewards a little leaving black tyre marks on the greyish road, and halted. All of these happened in a fraction of seconds.

After a break, now Shruti's inner conversation continued...

"Its all dark. I am trying to open my eyes, but I am not able to. I don't know why? Finally I was able to half open my eyes and could see blurred vision. Suddenly I saw my parents beside me happily celebrating my birthday. Wait! When did I come of the car? Where am I? Am I conscious or dreaming? Its so confusing?"

"With a sharp pain in my elbow, I fully opened my eyes and found my parents for REAL sitting on my either side, so near and close to me. The moment they realized that I opened my eyes, my mother partly hugged me, because I was lying on a bed. Then my father came near and kissed me on my forehead and composedly said, "Happy Birthday Dear Baby".

"Whoopee! Today is my birthday!!!"

"Later I realized that I was in a hospital. It was cold. Mom told me that some lunatic two wheeler guy suddenly came in front of our car. Palani meticulously and quickly turned the car's steering in other direction. The car is safe, the lunatic guy is safe. When the car took a steep turn, I completely fell to one-side, my elbow got hit to the inside of the car door, and I lost consciousness."

"It's a minor fracture. Dad told me that it will take 5-7 days for the bones to set. In the meantime, I get to bond and spend more time with my parents.

My dad showed me his iPhone which now displayed a snap of my new bicycle parked at my home. In the afternoon, I asked my mom to read me a chapter from the latest Sudha Murthy's book. Rani came along with her dad and wished me.Though it was a hospital, in the evening I had the cake cutting. My dad made arrangements and distributed sweets and chocolates to the entire hospital. Grandparents wished me over phone. My teachers too called and wished me."

"Most importantly, my parents, all day stayed with me. Thanks God! My wish is now fulfilled" :-)

Image source - www.weheartit.com/entry/25834617

A Treat for your Eyes :-) Part III

This is the last installment of "Treat for your Eyes" photography. These snaps have been clicked during January-March of this year at my hometown, Trichy. 

Hope you will like it.

My Photography: Chennai - August 23, 2015

This particular article has a slide show which presents my photography in a video-like format. This slide show has 13 photographs. The last photograph is that of Editor Lenin. It was a honor and pleasure to photograph him, a great human being, who is an editor, writer and director of films.If you click on the slideshow, it will maximize to fullscreen with scroll options.Location: Chennai - Kotturpuram, Marina Beach, and Kodambakkam. Hope you like these photographs :-) Date: August 23, 2015.

A Treat for your Eyes :-) Part II

These are second set of six photographs of birds clicked during January-March, 2015 at my hometown, Trichy. The birds were amazing and beautiful. 

The photographs which I have provided below include Blue-faced Malkoha, Jacobin Cuckoo, Olive Winged Bulbul, Asian Female Koel, Asian Male Koel, and Indian Roller. :-)

Chameleon has Time to "Stand and Stare" at Nature :-)

Is the Crocodile playing the "Statue Game"?

In my childhood days, I was very much found of Zoo. Even now I am, but now grown-up-friends prefer some other place to hangout. 

It was a different world altogether. All the animals will be chilling out: eating, sleeping and gossiping among themselves. When people eagerly come to see them, they give them a big-star's casual look, raising their one eye-brow, like "Hey! What's Up!" and return to their important round-table-discussions, completely ignoring the viewers. If the animal was alone, they will return to their deep thoughts. Especially, the chimpanzees! Just imagine them with a thinking pose. 

Birds, monkeys, deers, snakes, and so on. All the animals and birds were generally active. But when I used to visit the crocodiles, the situation was not the same. They were like, completely still with their mouth wide-open. I used to stare at them without blinking to catch at least a slightest glimpse of them moving or turning their heads left or right. For God's sake! Were they playing the "Statue Game" with the viewers? Below is one such "Statue Game" moment photographed by me. Look  closely! Is it laughing? Aha-huh-huh-huh :-)

Sometimes I used to wonder: Are the Zoo officials showcasing stuffed crocodiles instead of real ones? For those who have the same question, here I present a video below which captures the "Pre-Statue-Game" moments. Watch the complete video, this animal says something in the end. Or is it my imagination? :-)

Fact: Crocodiles don't sweat, so to keep themselves cool they open their mouths. This process is called "Mouth Gaping".

Videographed: MMPrabhu
April 2015

Source: www.livescience.com

Birds Feeding Young Ones

Majestic! White Tiger

A Twinkle in the Eye - What does it mean?

In the above picture, there is this twinkle on the Gharial's right eye, top right corner. By the way, its natural lighting. The same Gharial in the second (below) photograph gives us one of the comic-villains' smile. :-) Look. Isn't it?

I searched and found out that one of the meanings of "A twinkle in your eye" was: a happy expression in your eye. Being aware of the meaning, when I looked at these two pictures again, I was little confused. Though it posed nicely, Was the animal truly happy to see me? or Was it eyeing me as an option for a grand lunch? Look at the second picture again! You get the same feeling. Right?

But through further reading, I came to know that Gharials do not kill and eat humans. And they are also popularly known as Gavials, and the fish-eating crocodiles. Phew! I am relieved. Don't you get it? The Gharial was indeed happy to see me; and the smile was a very friendly one. :-)

Place: Guindy National Park, Chennai

Month/Year of Photography: April 2015

A Treat for your Eyes :-)

"A Treat for your Eyes :-) " is a set of snaps carefully chosen from my archive of photographs. Emphasis is on quality and clarity. Please see it on full screen mode. Zoom it if required to check out the details and colors.

Birds: 1. Seagull 2.Red-vented Bulbul 3.Yellow-billed Babbler 4.Rufous Treepie 5.Rosy Starling 6.Oriental magpie Robin

Night Heron reminds me of Alfred Hitchcock's Birds!

Flower Sticks Tricks - A Splendid Performance by Christian

In May 2015, I happened to visit Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India to attend a three-week yoga class. There I happened to meet a participant called Christian. He was from Germany. Occasionally we spoke.

One day after the session, all were relaxing. I was walking towards my stay area, and saw Christian practising "Flower Sticks Tricks". It was a splendid experience watching him juggling the sticks. I wanted to record it, so I asked him the permission to film him. He agreed, and then I began rolling my MotoG mobile camera. :-)

On the last day of our class, I went to Christian to say goodbye, and exchanged contact details. I remembered about the video, asked him if I can post it on my blog, and share it with my friends. Christian happily agreed.

Check out the video (edited one) below for your viewing.

I would like to thank Christian, and wish him a great blissful life.

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
May 24, 2015
Videography - M.M.Prabhu

Slicked-back-hair or Spikey : Black-rumped Flameback Woodpecker - II

               

 

Place: Malaikovil, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India
Month/Year: March 2015

In the first snap, the Black-rumped Flameback Woodpecker posed with its red-hair nicely combed backwards. The moment it heard a call from its other fellow woodpeckers, it became curious and immediately turned its head in that direction forgetting that there was a photoshoot still in progress.

Just kidding! But I was amazed at the control the bird had over its hairstyle. One moment slicked-back-hair, and next moment spikey. :-)

White-throated Kingfisher

Place: Pillaiyaarpatti, Tamil Nadu, India

Pillaiyaarpatti, Tamil Nadu has a well-known Karpaka Vinayakar (lord Ganesha) temple. Me and my family visited this place in March 2015. After having a pleasant darshan we came out of the temple. There was a big pond very close to the temple. I saw a Kingfisher flying to-and-fro trying to catch a fish from the temple pond. I clicked few snaps with my camera. I am sharing with you this particular snap (above picture), which showcases the bird in good lighting.

Pillaiyaarpatti is two-and-half hour drive from Trichy, Tamil Nadu. 

A Coppersmith Barbet Nests in a Bamboo Stick

One evening on the terrace of my home in Trichy I saw a small colorful bird landing and halting on one of the dried bamboo sticks mounted on my neighbor's terrace. The other dried bamboo stick was little farther. A rope was tied between these two bamboo sticks, so that wet-washed clothes could be hung on the rope, and clipped to dry.

I noticed that the bird initially stood on the dried bamboo stick for awhile and then went inside to take rest, and called it a day. The next day around the same time, I happened to see the bird again at the same spot. Soon I realized that the dried bamboo stick was the nest to this wonderful bird. 

Seeing this bird closer was such a feast for my eyes. Though I clicked couple of pictures of this bird, the idea of filming occurred to me only later. The following day I patiently waited with my camera in video mode. The bird was gracious enough to come and help me in filming it. 

I googled "small colorful bird" and found out the name of this bird, and that was Coppersmith Barbet. The bird's call is similar to a coppersmith striking a metal with a hammer, thats how the bird would have got its name. 

Enjoy watching the video below. The video is followed by a couple of photographs of the same bird which I clicked. The first photograph is where the bird is peeking out of its nest. May be it is having a balcony view. I should say I was lucky to click the second photograph with two birds in one frame; one was halting on a branch, and the other was in the air. :-)

Filmed and Photographed : March 2015

Place : Malaikovil, Trichy

Reviewed by M Karthikeyan

Eurasian Golden Oriole

Photographed - March 2015
Place - Malaikovil, Trichy, Tamil Nadu

This bird was very rarely seen. In a span of two months, I spotted it only twice. Eurasian Golden Oriole. :-) 

"We'll be in Touch!" - A Short Story

Security Alert 

Robert, the Chief Executive Officer of SR Corp, was contesting in the State elections. Various survey results showed Robert and Prabhanjan as potential candidates for Chief Minister’s role. Previously Robert was on the elite committee advising the past two Chief Ministers on State administrations.

As a part of the ongoing-election-campaign Robert was busy discussing important points with 15 executives in the board room on the third floor of SR Corp tower building. 11:00 hours. All the executives were hurriedly preparing scripts and content that would aid Robert in the “Final Debate” event that evening.

While Robert was busy in the board room on the third floor, Rudhra slowly slipped into the CEO cabin on the fifth floor of the same building.

Suddenly Robert’s digi-watch flashed “Security Alert - Someone has entered your cabin”. Immediately after the message, the digi-watch switched to live-cam mode. Robert saw Rudhra in the digi-watch’s live-video.

Rudhra works as PA for Robert. She is a gorgeous woman in her thirties. Short hair, bob-cut. Green eyes. She was wearing a perfectly fitted black full-sleeve-pinstripe pantsuit. Her left hand had a bracelet design black LED wrist watch with second numbers blinking in white. That day her task as Robert's PA was to meet the State-TV’s program head. She was to check the security arrangements at the State-TV’s studio for Robert. Instead, she was conducting a thorough search of Robert’s cabin.

In few moments, two security guards rushed in to the CEO’s cabin and took Rudhra into their custody. The guards with the help of a rope fastened her to a chair. Utmost she could turn her head left to right, that too with some difficulty. Once Robert stepped in, the security guards left the cabin and stationed themselves outside that cabin’s door.

Though being caught red-handedly, Rudhra was super composed and calm.

Meeting Invite 

Few months back. One evening. 16:50 hours.

In CEO’s cabin there was this square-shaped-two door glass window. It can be bolted from inside. Near the left corner of the closed glass window there was this flower pot with money plant. Strange nomenclature. The tender and budding leaves were refreshing, adding decorative natural look to the cabin. There was a water jug beside the flower pot.

Except the entrance door and the glass window, the room was filled with numerous transparent cupboards. All had large volumes of books. Binded, reddish brown leather covered ones with titles engraved in gold. Year books, classics, encyclopedias, reference books and so on. Rudhra got a glimpse of these books and understood that it was a rare collection. She was seated in a front of a well furnished table. On the other side of the table was a executive chair. Rudhra was waiting for the CEO, Robert.

The dusk light coming through the big square-shaped glass window was a natural uplift to the otherwise dull and bookish cabin. There was something odd about the room. She found out that it did not have any security cameras and it was very cold in there.

She received a 17:00 hours meeting invite on that day at 10:00 hours only. Such a short notice, it should be an urgent and important one. Because meeting with a CEO will be planned much in advance.

The door opened there came in the CEO.

“Hello Rudhra. How are you?” The voice was more like a command. Sounded like Sean Connery.

Putting a board welcoming smile, she replied, “I am good.” Rudhra might have thought that its better not to end the reply with a sir or boss. Simple yet effective. It also gives a feeling of superiority.

“Today morning after the board meeting, I was having a word with your operations head. I required a resource to help me in my election campaigning. Thats when he recommended you.”

Rudhra responded immediately, “I would be very glad to accompany you on your state election mission.” Her prompt reply seemed as though she was eagerly waiting for this moment to happen.

“I am planning to contest in the coming elections. I would like to recruit you as my PA. Would you be interested?”

She said, “Yes”.

Later she scribbled few points with her pen in her big screen smart phone. Looked at it for few seconds, then she said, “ Could I ask you couple of questions?”

“Yes, please.”

“What do you want to achieve by becoming the Chief Minister of the State?”

“I believe the State has become more competent with the help of technology, and the people behind it. My strategies would be emphasizing more on improving their lives and safe guarding the green cover.”

“How are you planning to attract the target population?”

“My prime focus is to see that every household will have a free home robot by 2080. This is what I am considering the most important element to win this election.”

These discussions went on a daily basis for many months.  The two member team over a period of time grew to 15 members. The team was effective in pooling funds. It created interests in industrialists, political leaders and other key decision makers of the State.

Code-of-Conduct  

Coming back to the CEO's Cabin. The security alert situation.

Robert’s eyes were fixed on Rudhra.

Rudhra smiled.

She initiated the conversation, “What are you thinking Robert?”

Robert responded, “I am reasoning. Trying to find the motive behind your today’s code-of-conduct.What were you searching in my cabin?”

“I know you are secretly working on something. Was curious to know. Why knowing something is a crime?”

“What made you think I was working on something?”

“I know you abide by rules. When I saw you working late and writing on a book. I became suspicious. Why would a CEO despite having a PA and 15 executives would write something on a book? Book? Especially when you are in this digital age? So somewhere I guessed you wanted something off-the-record, and not to be saved on digital memory. And you do not want to share it. So you were hiding something important from us. Am I right?”

Robert, “Absolutely.”

Robert continued, “Let me explain you in detail. With my SR Corp, we have successfully tested home robots. They are perfect and ready to be deployed. But I am not getting required approvals from the Government. They think it is a costly affair. I tried all my powerful contacts, but no use. My investors have seen the home robots, they are pretty impressed. So the ultimate solution I could think of is to contest in the coming elections, and become the Government. See then it is easy for me to approve this plan and deploy these robots in every household.”

Rudhra, “You are doing all these to sell your company products and not for the people?”

Robert, “You’re are mistaken. People are my ultimate objective. You see they are very stubborn and non-decisive. They need to be controlled and supervised. Once I deploy all home robots in their homes, after couple of months, these user-friendly robots will transform into a life threatening machines.”

Rudhra, “How?”

Robert continues, “You know I am one of the best programmers and have won numerous awards for my contribution to the field of Artificial Intelligence. The default firmware installed in the SR Corp's home robots are programmed to take care of:

• home cleaning
• checking electricity, water and gas utilization. If provided with banking details the robots will also pay the utility bills
• receiving calls and taking messages
• reminding important calender events
• checking refrigerator and ordering groceries
• receiving e-mails and sending acknowledgements
• on request it will also cook basic food stuff such as breads-toast and noodles
• provide home security- automatic lock systems
• playing video/audio content according to households’ preferences on television/audio systems... ”

Rudhra interrupts, “You are bragging too much about your company products. These things I can even find it in your company's product brochures.”

Robert taking out a binded book from one of the glass cupboards, “Excuse me, I was carried away by our company's promotional content. So, the next firmware update codes will replace the default codes in the home robots. The updated program which I am writing in this binded book will transform them into bossy robots.”

Rudhra, “What are these bossy machines are capable of?”

Robert, “According to the laws and regulations which I decide as the Chief Minister, these robots will ensure that the households are abiding by it.  With these robots in place, I can get a instant reports on households’ energy utilization; Internet utilization and browsing history; behavioral aspects including preferences with respect to food, music, and movie.”

Rudhra again interrupts, “A complete report on every household. I understand. Later on what?”

Robert, “Next is to control the people.”

Rudhra, “How?”

Robert, “These robots have inbuilt laser-guns.”

Rudhra, “So cruel. But why do you want to control and rule the people?”

Robert, “I have carefully devised this master plan to preserve and increase nature's greenery for this State, later on for our country and finally for the world.”

Rudhra, “Oh! I am surprised and shocked. You are in love with the mother nature! But is this the right way to achieve your environmental master plan enslaving humans?”

Robert, “Have you not read the recent reports on our environment. The green cover over the past five decades have drastically declined. Not even once there was an increasing trend. The State and the world requires a very strict Government and administration to rule the mankind and bring back a significant green cover.”

Rudhra, “Do you think people will allow a robot to supervise them?”

Robert, “Not immediately but eventually. People are afraid of immediate change. The home robots will slowly start controlling the households life. Individuals get so much used to these robots and its smartness that without them they begin to feel deprived and handicapped. After the firmware update, if people are not abiding to my rules, then at home-robot's gun-point they will. “

Rudhra, “I appreciate your concerns for nature, but I am afraid the way you are trying to achieve is not a human friendly one.”

Robert, “Let me worry about it. I am getting late.”

Rudhra, “By the way, you have shared all your plans with me. Don’t you fear of me exposing your master plan to the opposition party, and especially the people of this State?”

Robert, “I am sure that you cannot even step out this cabin. And I am planning to wipe out your identity from the government database. So practically you do not exist. No identity means no life. Later the new Government run by me will sentence you to life imprisonment.”

Rudhra raising her left eye-brow replies, “Not bad.”

Robert concluded, “I am in the middle of something. I will deal with you tonight.”

Rudhra, “Wish you all the best Robert. Be careful.”

Robert without giving much attention to Rudhra leaves the cabin.

At 15:00 hours Robert got into the electric-car and it vroom-ed.  On the way Robert sends an message to Prabhanjan, the opposition party candidate, “Wish you all the best Prabhanjan, see you soon".


First Time 

Digital clock. Two digit LEDs representing seconds was changing with each blink.

State TV’s office parking lot was full. Lot of demonstrators were standing in front of the State TV’s office building holding their respective preferred party flags. Robert's electric car first entered and later Prabhanjan's electric car entered the State TV's building.

Auditorium's seating capacity was more than 100. Except some seats in the studio for media people, all the other seats were already allocated to business heads, venture capitalists, leaders and key decision makers of the State. All the dignitaries in the studio were eagerly waiting to witness “The Final Debate” between Robert and Prabhanjan. The program was scheduled to be aired live on State TV at 16:00 hours.

Prime time television. Of course for high TRP ratings. Since the election campaign was about to end in couple of days, people paid much attention to this particular event. All were curious to see the two Chief Minister candidates on the same stage.

16:00 hours. The event began and took its center stage. State’s entire population was glued to television sets, smart-slates and laptops. The stage was brightly lit. Once the event started, the lights on the audiences dimmed almost to dark.

TV anchor, “Good evening viewers. Today what you are going to witness is one of the greatest moments. First time in the history of State politics a Robot is contesting in the elections.”

Immediately the studio cameras focused on Robert. The plastic surgery made Robert almost look like a human being. The still photography of Robert would look something like a wax statue of a six feet handsome tall man in suit at Madame Tussauds museum. But there was this clear-cut artificialness. People could easily notice that each physical movement of Robert was robotic. Let that be raising eyebrows, smiling, hand moment while explaining a point, and walking. Everything was robotic.

The TV anchor continued, “On behalf of the viewers, I welcome Robert of newly formed United Party, and Mr. Prabhanjan of People’s Party. I would ask both the Chief Minister candidates on the stage to stand beside their respective podiums.”

Robert and Prabhanjan each stood behind a wooden podium. Taking turns both individually spoke about their promising plans for the State’s prosperity and development. The TV anchor was meticulous in posing good questions and leading the conversation in the right direction.

Prabhanjan spoke about meeting the increasing power demand through nuclear and bio fuels. And emphasized more on recycling and high standard purification of waste water. The other topics covered by Prabhanjan included border security, complete pending road and rail projects, medicare, medicaid and general insurance.

Robert emphasized on free high bandwidth network and Internet connectivity access. Email services and cloud access at a nominal rate.  Increase in memory allocation to store digital content including identification proofs, important documents, personal and family pictures.

Both debated the existing policies and focused on issues such as the economy, health care and the role of government in making life better for the people.

Robert, “In the past few decades people would have seen the significant role played by robots in various fields. Industrial robots have been very much instrumental in manufacturing automobiles, rockets and power plant components. Where as research robots have helped the mankind in numerous explorations ranging from: checking the possibility of life on new planets; eradicating toxic substances in deep sea and safeguarding marine life; Now my dear people time has come for robots to serve the mankind in day-to-day life as well. If I am elected and come to power, I will deploy a home robot per household for free.”

The audiences in the studio applauded. Prabhanjan was internally appreciating Robert for effectively utilizing the power of the word “free”.

Robert continued, “Home robots will take care of your basic activities, so that you and your family can focus on more important things.”

TV anchor, "Prabhanjan, what is your take on Robert's home robots plan?"

Prabhanjan, “I agree with Robert that robots have played an important role in helping humans in difficult explorations. I would suggest to extend their, I mean robots' valuable service to more vital issues such as: Work with soldiers in strengthening State border protection; rescue hostage from terrorists; help fire-fighters to save lives; aid and save people in the event of nuclear power plant disasters; and most importantly they can be very useful in defusing bombs. These actions would be more helpful to the people of this State. And these things may prove reasonable to State’s budget. But, I politely disagree with Robert on the idea of installing one robot per household. Its a costly affair.”

Prabhanjan continued, “Robert spoke of robots being beneficial to humanity. I agree. But at the same time, I would like to bring it to the notice of our people that these very robotic technologies are the main culprits causing unemployment and taking millions of jobs from the people. We need to decide how far to allow these technological advancements into our life.”

People in the auditorium started applauding.

There after both Prabhanjan and Robert had a question-answer session with the audiences and media reporters in the studio. This was crucial because more clearly they speak and answer the questions, the more promising they look to the people of the State.

TV anchor, “That was really a wonderful opportunity to see these two Chief Minister candidates talk about their if-elected-future-plans. On a concluding note, I would like both to them to say few words and then ask the public to vote for their respective parties.”

Prabhanjan spoke, “I am confident of providing a righteous government to the people of this State. We have great plans for our State’s prosperity. Give us an opportunity. On the concluding note, I would like to quote Abraham Lincoln: Government of the people, by the people and for the people. The power of decision-making is in your hands today. Vote for People’s Party. Thank you.”  

People in the auditorium cheered for People’s Party.

It was Robert’s turn. All were very eager to listen. Prabhanjan was also keen. The auditorium became silent. All the people who were watching the live-event on mini and large screen leaned forward.

Robert voiced, “My dear people of this State the Robot word is actually originated from the Czech word “robota”, it means forced labor. For many decades the mankind has used robots to carry out difficult and repetitive tasks. But with current speed and accuracy, robots can help the people of this State to scale greater heights. All the previous governments were run by great leaders and politicians. I respect them a lot. All had a strong emotional head.”

Robert paused for couple of seconds, gaining power from its battery and looking into the camera voiced, “But people...... let me tell you that being emotional does not help in the longer run. What you need? Is a change. Not a emotional head but a motor-head with great intellectual abilities. Our artificial neural networks enables us to learn from experience.”

Robert continued, “On a concluding note, give me a chance to show you the people of this State how effective an autonomous robot will be in running a government successfully. Thanks to the worldwide developers and researchers who paved a path for conventional puppet robots to transform themselves into an autonomous robots. Thanks to the people of this State online and offline who have shown great interest in United Party. Vote for United Party. Let humans and robots unite. Let us show the rest of the world that this union always win. Thank you.”

State-TV through this event would have achieved a top TRP rating. On the other hand, both, Prabhanjan and Robert knew that appearing in live-events such as this is part of a successful political campaign.

The event ended.

Prabhanjan and Robert were descending the small stage steps. The hanging-remote controlled-cameras were still filming both the Chief Minister candidates.

While stepping down Robert’s eyes suddenly noticed someone in the studio. Robert slipped and was about to fall. Prabhanjan rushed ahead and grabbed Robert. The robot resumed its center of gravity and turned its head and looking at him voiced,“Thank you. Mr. Prabhanjan.”

“No problem Robert.”

The audience in the studio cheered and started shouting slogans. “Prabhanjan..Prabhanjan...Prabhanjan.”

Robert came down the steps and walked towards Rudhra in a floor-length red costume.

“What are you doing here?”

“Thought of giving you a surprise, Robert”

“But how that is possible?”

Rudhra seeing Prabhanjan approaching them replied to Robert,“Lets discuss it at our office.”

Rudhra shook hands with Prabhanjan and introduced herself as Robert's PA. Prabhanjan looked at Robert which was nodding its head in agreement to Rudhra's statement.

People started coming towards these candidates, may be for getting a selfie. Seeing the crowd, Prabhanjan, Robert and Rudhra decide to leave.

Prabhanjan said, "Bye Robert", and looking at Rudhra replied, "It was a pleasure meeting you Rudhra."

Rudhra, "We shall meet again, very soon. Take care Prabhanjan."


Screwed 

Back at CEO's Cabin at SR Corp Tower Building

The lift opened at fifth floor of the SR Corp tower building. Robert and Rudhra came out and started walking towards the CEO’s cabin.

The security guards were surprised to see Rudhra and were not able to believe their own eyes. Before they could turn and check the cabin, Robert fast approaching the security guards gained their attention. Robert loudly voiced, “You idiots are good for nothing." Before the security guards could interpret the meaning of the words and reply, Robert commanded, “Get out of my site.”

Robert entered the cabin. It was shocked. It was really confused to see Rudhra dressed in black pantsuit still being tied to the chair. Before Robert could turn, Rudhra in red-floor length costume entering the cabin strikes Robert from behind.

When Robert reboots and powers-up, it finds itself seated in its executive chair.

It scans both Rudhras, “How is this possible?”

Rudhra in red-floor length dress replies, “Hmmm...there are two possibilities. One we should be twins or your image-processing hardware is screwed.”

Robert continues reasoning, “But both the voices sound similar.”

Rudhra in red-floor length costume replies, “We should have also hacked your voice recognition chip-set.”

Robert questions, “How are you able to control me?”

Rudhra in red-floor length costume replies, “See its very easy to screw a machine which runs on binary codes “1“ and “0“. Don’t you remember back at the studio, you slipped and were about to fall?”

Robert, “Yes.”

Rudhra in black pantsuit freeing herself and removing the rope replies, “Exactly, we have screwed your balance sensor.”

Robert, “But how are you able to control me?”

Rudhra in red-floor-length dress, “We know your schedule in and out Robert. That is when you go into hibernation mode, and when you opt for a firmware update. In your latest firmware update, we did install a virus."

Rudhra in black pantsuit, “Poor Robert, don’t you have an effective anti-virus installed in you? See what happened.”

Robert thinks of reinstalling the previous version of itself from the recovery database.

Rudhra in black pantsuit, “Too late Robert. You don’t have a back-up. And all your memory backup and identity in storage area networks have been wiped out. You are now running on a inbuilt limited memory.”

Suddenly fire-alarm started beeping loudly all over the entire building. The security guards through the intercom started announcing, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please evacuate the building immediately. Emergency. Evacuate immediately.This is not a drill.”

Rudhra dressed in pantsuit asks, “Robert, Is your office building not fire-walled?“

Robert was puzzled. “What’s happening?”

Rudhra in red-floor length dress replies, “May be the smoke detector would have detected carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide.”

The inbuilt speakers becomes live in the CEO’s cabin. “Boss, please evacuate the building.”

Robert, “What happened? Is the building on fire?”

“No Boss, we have received an anonymous call saying that the building is going to explode.”

Robert immediately answers, “Ok. Everyone evacuate immediately.”

Robert thinks of getting up from its seat but was not able to. Robert was not stable, and voiced, “I am losing control and my visual is getting blurred.”

Rudhra in black pantsuit replies, “May be a System-Hang”

Rudhra in red-floor length dress responds,“You party too much Robert, see now you are having a hangover.“

Robert, “What will happen now?”

Rudhra in red-floor length dress says, “Eventually... Shut Down!”

Robert, “What?”

Rudhra in red-floor length dress replies, “Robert the electric car which drove us back, and now being parked in the basement is loaded with full of explosives. The bombs are also planted in the factory  as well to destroy all the home robots. I have set all the bombs to go off at 20:00 hours.”

Robert checked his mind clock. It was ticking. 19:59:50 hours.

Robert, “So Rudhra you searching for the binded book and getting caught in my cabin, all was an act?”

Rudhra in black pantsuit, “Sometimes you impress me. A smart robot indeed. Yes it was a well planned act to know your plans and video-audio-record it for sharing it on Youtube.”

Rudhra in red-floor length dress continued, “First time I am coming to your office, tell me Robert, what does SR stand for in SR Corp?”

Robert voices, “Its Smart Robots.”

19:59:59 hours.

Both Rudhras villainously look at Robert and yell, “Stupid Robots.” It echoed immediately followed by a big explosion. The time was 20:00 hours.


Could we Meet? 

Little while ago in Prabhanjan's Campaign Office

Prabhanjan's PA said, “You should have allowed Robert to fall. That would have resulted in a great damage to its electoral campaigning. Their party’s reputation would have dwindled. People would reconsider their voting options. Unwilling to rely on a robot with no control and flexibility over its functionality.”

Prabhanjan smiled at his PA.

“You always give a smile and surpass my question or point of view”, PA complained.

Prabhanjan immediately replied, “No. No. I would like to be frank. Its on a personal level and not for the record.”

“Robots are one of our greatest inventions. It has now reached to a level that their central processing unit believes that it can lead the human race into a new world of equal opportunity and prosperity. I appreciate it. But at the same time, we should be conscious enough to ensure that they don’t become a force that can dominate our lives. Once we lose our grip, they will seize it.”

PA was listening carefully to Prabhanjan’s reply.

Prabhanjan continued, “I see them as a good opponent not as our enemy. We need them to enhance and measure our progress. We should never allow it to fall or fail. At the same time, we should not allow it to dominate our already existing mechanical and digital life.“

PA nodded his head agreeing it as a fact.

Prabhanjan finally said, “Let innovation in the field of ‘artificial intelligence’ prosper for everyone’s good. Let them help us, not rule us. Let them compete and remind us every second that we are humans who have not let their own creation ruin their own race.”

Prabhanjan and his PA were about to get up and leave to their respective homes. Just then Prabhanjan’s smart-slate device gives a message alert. Prabhanjan opened it.

It read, “Could we meet at your campaign office at 20:00 hours? Its important.”

PA asked, “Who is it?”

Prabhanjan had a sparkle in his eyes and said, “Rudhra.”

Prabhanjan checked his watch, it was 19:55 hours. PA went down so that he could receive her and send her to Prabhanjan’s office cabin on fourth floor.


Final Communication 

20:00 hours. The exact time when the SR Corp tower building exploded, here at Prabhanjan’s campaign office Rudhra opened the door and stepped in. This Rudhra was dressed in a live-in jeans and a colorful t-shirt. Same hair-style and same voice. Super composed and clam. Prabhanjan stood up from his seat and welcomed her. She sat down comfortably on the sofa.

Rudhra, “Very nice of you to meet me at very short notice. Thanks.”

Prabhanjan, “No problem. You said its important.”

Rudhra opened her designer bag and took out a binded book, and a pen-drive containing recorded video-audio. She handed them over to Prabhanjan.

Prabhanjan receiving the binded book and the pen-drive, asks “What is it?”

Rudhra replied, “The binded book contains the classified codes to exert control over humankind. Complied by Robert. And a video-audio of Robert voicing its cruel plan. The video content is full HD.”

Prabhanjan was puzzled, “Control over humankind!!!”

Rudhra continued, “I know you have a very friendly feelings towards Robert, mankind’s greatest invention. But it was planning to enslave humankind. Once a robot attains a phase where it can think on its own, then please do remember Prabhanjan, that it possess a choose to help or to completely ignore the humans. Worst, it can also destroy the humans.”

Rudhra said, “Stephan Hawking said that the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of human race. He also said that the short term impact of artificial intelligence depends on who controls it, the long term impact depends on whether it can be controlled at all. Robert is full artificial intelligence.”

Prabhanjan was in complete silence listening to Rudhra and it was hard for him to digest what was happening.

Rudhra said, “In artificial intelligence, the intelligence is good, lets not encourage the artificialness in it. Until unless something is under our control it is good. But when something especially artificial intelligence goes out of our control, it may lead to catastrophic danger.”

Prabhanjan nodded his head in agreement.

Rudhra continued, “Just think when a robot becomes information rich about the people, it will be aware of what people would like and not. Their preference and where they concentrate. This power of knowing things will make it superior to human beings.“

Just then, Prabhanjan received a message in his smart-slate. When he opened it with a touch he noticed that it was from Robert. It read: “She is no-human!”

Few minutes back at SR Corp tower building, before the explosion, when Robert started to lose control over itself, it guessed that it is the end of it. So it sent the last command to its communication module to send an urgent message to Prabhanjan. Before it broke and SR Corp tower building collapsed, the message was sent with the help of Think-Text application. It took few minutes to reach Prabhanjan.

Prabhanjan’s forehead started sweating. Lifting his head slowly from the device’s screen, Prabhanjan looked at Rudhra.

Rudhra was again super composed and calm.

Prabhanjan clearing his throat spoke, “Can I ask you something? And I want you to be honest with me.”

Rudhra without much hesitation replied, “Sure. What do you want to know?”

“Are you a robot?”

“Nooo! Robots are existential threats. What made you think that I am one of those thinking machines?”

Prabhanjan could feel his heart beating rapidly and finally gathered courage to ask, “Are you a human being?”

Rudhra now looked at Prabhanjan’s eyes. She came forward as if to tell him a secret, and whispered, “No. I am not.”

Prabhanjan nodded his head as if he understood, and asked “What do you want from us?”

Rudhra, “We have been indirectly helping the mankind for many generations and will continue to do so." She repeated the question, “What we want?”, and replied herself, “We want humankind and the earth to prosper. Nice meeting you Prabhanjan. After two days, the election results will be out. Your party is going to win. Wish you all the best as the new Chief Minister of the State.”

Prabhanjan, "How are you so sure that I am going to win?"

Rudhra, "Don't you remember. Robert was about to fall, you grabbed and stabilized it."

Prabhanjan, "Yes."

Rudhra, "That video clip of you grabbing Robert and stabilizing it has gone viral. It is one of the top Twitter trends today. People's focus has shifted towards you."

She slowly started to diminish. She was again super composed and calm. Had a smile on her face. She finally disappeared.

Prabhanjan was awestruck.

A beep sound alerts Prabhanjan and recovers him from his shock. The smart-slate was scrolling a news alert: SR Corp Tower Collapsed - The Robots manufacturing unit is no more. Robert, a potential candidate for Chief Minister role and a very intelligent robot is no more.

Prabhanjan was again shocked.

Prabhanjan’s PA entered the room and looked at the flower pot with money plant on the table. He asked, “Prabhanjan, how did this flower pot came here? It was not here few minutes ago.”

Prabhanjan again coming out of the shock and turning towards the flower pot was again shocked. Was pondering about the plant's arrival. Then taking a full-deep breath replies, “Rudhra might have brought it along with her and kept it there.”

Prabhanjan’s PA,”What!!!!". It was Prabhanjan's PA's turn to get shocked.

PA, "But when did she come here? I was at the entrance, I did not see her coming.”

Shadow 

Couple of days later the State announced the new Chief Minister. It was Prabhanjan.

Prabhanjan and his PA were traveling in a electric car to attend the former’s oath-taking ceremony. All the roads were cleared for this particular electric car to travel. No-automobiles-on-road ban was in place for three hours. Prabhanjan's electric car vroomed.

Prabhanjan’s smart-slate gives a message alert. “Wish you all the best, Prabhanjan. We'll be in Touch.”

Prabhanjan’s PA, “Who is it?”

Prabhanjan gasps and replies, “Rudhra!”

Prabhanjan rolls the car's back seat window's glass down, and brings his head out to look at the sky. He is awestruck to find a big saucer shaped flying object exactly above their electric car. Even Prabhanjan's PA got a good view of it. The flying object was providing a moving circle shadow to the electric car. When Prabhanjan waved his hands at the unidentified flying object. It slowly disappeared. Prabhanjan pulled back his head inside the car and rolled up the car window's glass.

What Prabhanjan and his PA did not notice was that the flying object slightly appeared again. It was still following them and was providing a full-circle-shade to the electric car. :-)

                                                        ********* The End**********

Reviewed by: M. Karthikeyan

Image Sources:
1. Woman with a hat - www.aliexpress.com/item/Hand-Painted-Abstract-Hat-Woman-Portrait-Paintings-On-Canvas-3-Panel-Art-Modern-Oil-Picture-Living/2012584977.html
2. Limelight - lukeandjess.wordpress.com/2012/05/

White-breasted Waterhen

Photographed: March 11, 2015
Malaikovil, Trichy, Tamil Nadu

Black-rumped Flameback Woodpecker

Photographed in February 2015

This woodpecker has red markings on its head.

Drillers - This bird species utilize their pointed beak to drill and find insects hidden in the barks of a tree. Their long tongue help them to grab the hidden prey. They can peck (strike with its beak) up to approximately 20 times a second.

Vertical Walkers - They have zygodactyl feet. Each foot has four toes, two toes facing backward and other two facing forward. This unique structure of the feet, and their stiffened tail feathers help them to have a good grip and walk vertically up a tree trunk.

Headstrong - The air pockets in their skull prevents any damage to their brain from rapid head moment for drilling/hammering.

Sources for the Writeup:
www.softschools.com/facts/animals/woodpecker_facts/323/
www.birding.about.com/od/birdprofiles/a/15-Fun-Facts-About-Woodpeckers.htm
www.defenders.org/woodpeckers/basic-facts
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodpecker

The Elephant's Trunk Blessing - A Short Story

Vrooom..mmmm

“Don't be gone for too long”, Mythili told Rangarajan who was planning to go to Thiruvanaikaval temple. His plan was to attend the uchchikala pooja (afternoon prayer) to be performed by the priest dressed as Goddess Akilandeshwari.

Rangarajan's house was located in Kondayam Pettai Agraharam. When he came onto the veranda of his house and looked at the street, it was empty. The scorching sun made people to hide inside their homes. Rangarajan was a outlier.

Mythili, Rangarajan's wife was busy preparing lunch in the kitchen. Govindhan, the couple’s one-and-half year old kid was fast asleep in the bed fitted firmly with a mosquito net. Very caring parents indeed.

The time was around 11am, Rangarajan had nothing to do. After having his breakfast and a hot coffee, he read the daily newspaper from start-to-end, including advertisements ranging from houses-for-rent/sale to obituary if any. On a Sunday like this, he usually gets bored. So he thought of going to Thiruvanaikaval temple, Trichy which was approximately one kilometer from his house.

When he intimated his wife about his plan to visit the temple, the immediate reply from Mythili was “Don’t be late for lunch."

He took his shining TVS 50 (moped) and carefully brought it out of the house, on the steep-ramp between the four steps, onto the street. He felt proud the way he used the hand breaks tactically and his energy to safely bring the two-wheeler onto the street.

Rangarajan had a very lean body. Neatly shaven jaws and chin, hair oiled and neatly combed. He was dressed in white full-sleeve shirt, and was wearing his veshti (rectangular cloth wrapped around the waist covering the legs, and tucked at waist) in panchakacham style. Before his marriage, he tried to eat four-to-five times a day to gain weight and look hefty. Nothing worked, all his efforts of making himself look as a good match for Mythili went in vain.

Where as Mythili is very beautiful. She has her long hair neatly parted at the center, and plaited in an all so traditional South-Indian style. Mythili prefers to wear her saree in madisar style. Her daily routine includes: waking-up early morning, after taking bath and getting dressed, she lights-up the incense-perfumed sticks and offers prayers to Gods and Goddess nicely decorated with flowers in the prayer hall. Overall she is a wonderful homemaker. Rangarajan at times thinks that the house is on fire, when he finds the house fogged with the smoke emitted due to the burning of incense-perfumed sticks.

Mythili may look chubby, especially when compared with her husband. At times, Rangarajan has an opinion that if her wife pursued a career in sports she would have been a good athlete especially in boxing and running. Because when ever she tenderly punches him in the cheek, though she does it kiddingly it hurts Rangarajan a lot. He tries to hide his pain at that point of time, later he tries to relieve the pain by softly massaging his cheek. Whenever Mythili tickles his hip and runs, it is close to impossible for Rangarajan to chase her and return the revenge-tickle. In the chase, he always ends up gasping for breath, where as Mythili has the stamina for another couple of sprints.

Coming back to the streets, Rangarajan utilized his full strength to pull back the two wheeler and mounted it on its main stand. The entire exercise of bringing the two-wheeler out of the house and halting it on the street, would have burnt a good number of calories for Rangarajan. Sweat uncontrollably was trickling out of the pores on his forehead.

Igniting the two-wheeler's engine was a hell-lot-of-work for Rangarajan. Because, the pedal-start was not an easy task for his right foot’s pressure. Anyway he decided to pedal-start the vehicle. Its a very tiresome job, but he did not have any other option left.

Though there is this option, where in he has to turn the key on, get a good grip of the handlebar, and run along pushing the two-wheeler until its engine ignites. One day, midway from his office to home, the two-wheeler stopped. He tried pedal-start approach. The vehicle failed to start. Then he tried the option of running along pushing the two-wheeler until the engine ignited. In this approach, he pushed the two-wheeler ....it did not start...he pushed the vehicle little farther..it did not start...in this fashion he would have pushed the two-wheeler for approximately 100-200 meters. Yet the vehicle's engine did not give any signs of starting. During this push-stop-push feat, his shirt was completely drenched with sweat, he looked as though he had run a half-marathon race. Finally, he reached home..... by cycling the two-wheeler. :-)

Now for his temple visit, he was trying to pedal-start the two-wheeler. He raised the right-side pedal to the maximum height, and placed his right leg, and tried to balance his entire body’s weight on the pedal, and stood on the pedal. Ideally the pedal should have come down rapidly in semi-circle igniting the two-wheeler's engine. Instead Rangarajan was standing still on the pedal in the mid-air slightly bent with his two hands gripping the two-wheeler’s handle bar. He applied more force standing mid-air on the pedal, it did not come down.

With no success, he stepped down from the pedal. His consciousness immediately made him to look around to see if anyone has noticed his failed act of pedal-starting the two-wheeler, otherwise people would have bursted out laughing loud.

Rangarajan was at ease and said to himself, “Thank God... there was no one around.......”, he would not have finished this sentence when he turned towards his house to find Mythili standing and was trying to control her laughter, and finally bursted out laughing in a loud voice. It took her a while to control and compose herself. Now Rangarajan tilted his face down in embarrassment, later he looked up at Mythili, and he too had a little shy smile.

Mythili came down the steps and gestured him to move away from the two-wheeler and give her a way. Rangarajan gave space for her to try the pedal-start. She raised the pedal to the maximum height with her right leg, then she placed her right leg over the pedal, and placed her entire body’s weight on the pedal, and stood on it. This time, the pedal came down rapidly igniting the engine. Later she accelerated the engine for a little while simultaneously applying brakes so that two-wheeler does not go out of her hands. Once she confirmed that the engine has ignited enough, she handed over the two-wheeler to her husband.

After gaining control over the two-wheeler, Rangarajan comfortably sat on it and waved his left hand saying, "bye-bye", to his wife. The two-wheeler's engine vroomed, leaving behind the dust on the road to settle at its own pace.

Mythili still remembering her husband’s efforts to pedal-start the two-wheeler, again burst into a laughter, and went inside her house to continue her cooking for the lunch.

**************************************************

Semi-Circling the Elephant

Rangarajan’s two wheeler smoothly paved through the traffic and entered the main-temple-tower entrance and turned left. He parked his two-wheeler near the temple’s ratham (chariot). He left his sandals near his two-wheeler's main stand, and started walking towards the temple.

Post crossing the entrance mandapam, he was walking towards the next gopuram (tower), thats when his eyes caught the iron gates. It is the staying area for the temple’s elephant, where it relaxes and is taken care by its caretaker. Usually devotees coming to the temple little early would have seen through the iron gates an elephant and one of its leg being chained to a wooden bamboo immersed deep inside the earth’s clay.

Before we move further, there is a important thing people should know about Rangarajan. That is, he is very much afraid of elephants. In fact he is terrified. Whenever he sees an elephant, he keeps a extra-safe distance from the huge animal.

Whenever he finds himself walking in the vicinity of an elephant, he would be walking perpendicularly 10 feet (radius) away from the elephant’s standing point. His walking tracks roughly would resemble a semicircle line of foot steps with the elephant being at the center.

Given a chance, he would even walk farthest away from the elephant. Possible scenario would include Rangarajan side-walking with his back sliding on the temple wall till the end, and there after walking straight away from the elephant.

In temples devotees offer money or eatables to the elephant. The elephant on the instruction of the caretaker will bless a devotee by lifting its trunk up and slightly tapping the head of the devotee with its trunk. The elephant’s trunk blessing is religiously perceived as a boon. The elephant which receives money for the blessing service would give the collected sum to the caretaker and if it was food such as coconut or cabbage it consumes to gain energy. Rangarajan  because of his fear of elephants has never experienced the elephant’s trunk blessing.    

Today, the fear of elephants has surmounted. Because in the morning daily newspaper, he happened to read a news article that somewhere a temple elephant in Maharashtra, India went out of control chasing devotees and killing a woman and injuring many. With this thought he entered the third gopuram, thats where he happened to see the elephant standing gigantically, swinging its trunk up and down, and at times sidewards. Now and then the elephant was also flapping its big ears. The elephant caretaker was seated beside it with a long cane.

Now Rangarajan with some unknown-level of fear was semi-circling the elephant. He was hurrying forward avoiding an eye-contact with the elephant towards the left side of the temple's third entrance. The elephant was standing on the right side of the temple's third entrance. Somewhere while crossing the elephant, when he turned his head slightly towards right, his eyes abruptly met the elephant’s big eyes. It gave him a shiver and he immediately withdrew his gaze and increased his pace of walking.

Once he was away from the territory of the elephant, his mind was at ease. He was now thinking that there should be a system of announcements similar to weather forecasting in daily newspapers, intimating sensitive people like him about the temple’s elephant mode..which may run like this.."Taking into consideration the temple-planned procession today, the elephant’s mode is expected to be completely stable and alright...and it is completely safe for the devotees to visit the temple and offer prayers.”

At times, Rangarajan thinks that the elephant would have been offended as he was not taking its blessing. He feels as though the elephant’s eyes are always fixed on him waiting for an opportunity to take revenge on him. He also knows that elephant’s memory is very good. He believes that one day or the other the animal is going to grasp his hand with its huge trunk, swirl him in the air and throw him away.

Even the slightest 'cling'ing sound of the bracelet of bells tied on the elephant's neck terrifies Rangarajan.

Once inside the shrine, he prayed to Jambukeswarar, the lord Shiva’s idol which was surrounded by Kaveri river water. This place is considered to be one of the pancha bootham (fire, earth, space, air and water) temples. This temple represents lord Shiva as the water element. After offering prayer to lord Shiva, Rangarajan went to see Goddess Akhilandeshwari in her shrine. Around 12 clock, the archakar (priest) wearing Akilandeswari's saree and crown, carried water in a large copper/bronze pot placing it on his shoulder, and came out of the shrine moving towards the lord Shiva's shrine.

The story behind this ritual is that: Because of Lord Shiva’s curse, Goddess Akilandeswari was born on earth. To get rid of the curse, she forms the idol of Shiva lingam with water and then worships it. Impressed with her devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in person and relieved Akilandeswari of her curse.

Since the Goddess worshiped Shiva in this place, as a ritual, the archakar dresses himself as Goddess Akilandeswari and carries water in a large copper/bronze pot, and offers prayers to the Jambukeswarar, lord Shiva idol. After a while, the archakar comes back and offers prayers to the Akilandeswari's Idol as well.

After this uchikala pooja (afternoon prayer), Rangarajan walks out towards the temple's third entrance and tries to avoid an eye-contact with the elephant. Once he comes out of the temple, he drives his TVS 50, and reaches home safely.

After much struggle, without the help of Mythili, he drags his two wheeler onto the ramp and places the two-wheeler inside the house’s lounge.

**************************************************

Keeey.... Keey.. Key

When Rangarajan entered the house, suddenly he realized that his son Govindhan was awake. The kid was busy riding his imaginary two wheeler fast, and saw his father coming. So Rangarajan stopped for his son to drive past him. Instead, Govindhan halted his imaginary two wheeler giving time for his father to walk through the hall. Finally, Rangarajan walked through the imaginary zebra-crossing, and reached the hall safely and rested himself in his easy-chair. Later on Govindhan continued running his imaginary two-wheeler around the house.

Throughout his drive the kid was making the sound of engine dup..dup..dup....duuuuuuur...The thing which really irritates Rangarajan is when his son makes the loud sound of horns.... keeey... keey..key.

The kid driving the imaginary two-wheeler should have drawn the inspiration seeing his father every day driving the real two-wheeler.

During lunch Mythili and Rangarajan have to run behind Govindhan to feed him. Mythili during the chase carries a small bowl containing cooked rice nicely mixed with dal curry or curd to feed her son. As though the rice-bowl is a basketball and Govindhan's mouth is the basketball ring in which Mythili has to push the cooked rice to score a point.

Mythili sometimes asks Rangarajan to help her catch and feed food to their son. Its a very challenging task for Rangarajan to chase and catch Govindhan. By the time he corners and holds Govindhan tightly in his arms, Mythili pushes food in her son's mouth. While the kid is gulping the tasty food, Rangarajan holding his son in his arms would be gasping for breath and sweating a lot.

Rangarajan in his childhood days used to play badminton very well. His grip over the racket, his stamina and accuracy were always appreciated by his co-players. He was always the best one to partner with in doubles. Awesome were the moments when he quickly jumps in the air with both his legs bent backwards, with the whole body bent in semicircle shape hanging in the air for split of a second and then hitting the cock with such a rapid force. Sure the opponent would had a tough competition. It would be difficult for the opponent to judge the flying shuttlecock, and its speed, and give a reflexive hit.

Viewers in the badminton court used to cheer when Rangarajan quickly jumps into the air to form a semicircle shape to hit the feather-cock. The opponent starts to mind-calculate Rangarajan’s action and moves back to hit the feather-cock. At this moment Rangarajan, as a technique, slows his action and slightly taps the cock with the racket so that it falls near the net on the opponent’s side. The opponent realizing this unexpected hit, immediately stops moving back and tries to move forward, but it is too late, and finally misses to hit the feather-cock.

Rangarajan with his sports prowess, discussed earlier, was now aiming a mosquito wandering in his home. Irony of life.

                           

 


Without losing sight of the mosquito, he fetches his electric racket. At this time Mythili enters the room, seeing Rangarajan aiming to hit the mosquito, she halts as though she is witnessing an real-tension match. Rangarajan swings his electric-mosquito-racket in the air aiming the mosquito. All this scene is imagined by Rangarajan and Mythili in slow motion. When the racket hits the mosquito, the spark and sound of electric shock is echoed.

Rangarajan looks at Mythili with an accomplished look. She blissfully smiles acknowledging her husband's win. For Rangarajan it is a cloud nine situation.

All these mosquito-hunt actions where to safeguard Govindhan from sickness such as malaria. Though Govindhan sleeps inside a mosquito net fixed on the bed, Rangarajan and Mythili taking turns, follow this electric racket-mosquito killing routine as an extra precautionary step.

Before the birth of Govindhan, Rangarajan was looked after as a king by his wife. In the evenings, he used to lay relaxedly in his easy chair, and Mythili used to sit beside him with dried-palm-leaf-fan (manual fan) swinging it for her husband. When he begins to imagine himself as a king seated in a maharaja’s gold-diamond-rubee mounted chair, with two beautiful women standing beside his chair swinging the peacock-feather-fan for him... just then a tight smashing sound and severe pain in the left hand awakens Rangarajan from his being-a-king imagination. He finds a dead mosquito on his left arm. Mythili now with an accomplished smile of hitting the mosquito with the dried-palm-leaf-fan looks at her husband for a kingly reward for her mosquito-hit.

Rangarajan rubbing his hand faster to relieve pain, grinding his teeth gives a serious look at his wife. Mythili’s accomplishment smile now gradually turns into a sorry smile.

Things have changed for both husband and wife after Govindhan was born. Rangarajan and Mythili's love for each other will never ever dwindle, but they both now realize that their existence and happiness is in the well being of Govindhan, and nothing else.

Rangarajan who used to live relaxedly and imagine himself as a king, now has to be on toes running behind and safeguarding his son.

Day by day, Govindhan’s activities started becoming notorious (of course in a loveable fashion for Mythili). Most of the time, the victim was Rangarajan.

Whenever Govindhan falls and cries to gain attention, Mythili comes running to the rescue. She comforts Govindhan saying, “Don’t cry my dear, its your father’s fault we will punish him.” When Mythili punches Rangarajan in the hand kiddingly, Govindhan stops crying and starts laughing.

Knowing this method of making Govindhan laugh, all started implementing it. Meaning, whenever Govindhan cries, all including Rangarajan’s parents, and his in-laws would hit Rangarajan in his arm. Though getting hit kiddingly, Rangarajan's hand would be in great pain and swelled. Rangarajan would be standing in pain all-alone whereas all the other family members would be consoling Govindhan. Govindhan really cherishes the moments, when all eye Rangarajan as a culprit who should be severely punished for petty crimes.

Where as Mythili always has a good time with her son. Govindhan goes and hides behind her mother. Mythili though she knows that her son is hiding behind inside her long hanging saree, she acts as though Govindhan is lost and she is seriously looking for her son saying "Where is my kid? Did anyone seen my dear?". Govindhan really enjoys this hide and seek play. When Mythili pulls her saree and finds her son. Mother-son look at each other and have a nice-hearty loud mischief laugh.

Coming back to Rangarajan, it becomes very difficult for him to chase and catch Govindhan. His breath moves up and down. At the same time, Govindhan will be getting ready for the next sprint with a sneering Heee-heee smile on his face.

Govindhan is now one and half years old. Rangarajan and Mythili always enjoy appreciating every aspect of Govindhan. When they see their son now walking firmly or running fastly, an image of their son crawling and taking the first step quickly comes to their mind. For them it seemed as though all happened yesterday. Amazing and beautiful transformation, but all happened quickly.

Govindhan is quiet and sweet-loving little boy. But at times, Rangarajan and Mythili find it very frustrating when their son relieving himself from the holds of their hands suddenly starts running away from them.

Even as a toddler, Govindhan used to stumble forward-backward at times sideward very fast. Seeing their son taking tiny steps and balancing or about to slip will make Rangarajan and Mythili's heart beating rapidly with great concern. When the kid is about to fall, both the parents rush and lift-up their son. On the contrary, Govindhan would be having great kick learning to walk and run.

Govindhan enjoys running and is very happy to do it when ever he pleases. In Rangarajan's opinion Govindhan was more likeable when he was a toddler and crawling. Because it was easy to catch and control him. Apart from running, the other activities of Govindhan which irritates and bothers Rangarajan were:

(i) being stubborn of learning to climb stairs on his own

(ii) hiding his father's things and making him to search frequently

(iii) riding the imaginary bike running around the house mimicking loudly the sounds of engine (dup..dup..dup....duuuuuuur...) and the horn (keeey...keey...key) very frequently

(iv) at the time of sleep, Govindhan finds it intriguing to bring his toys and plays with it on the bed, sitting in between him and Mythili. Getting Govindhan to sleep is a stressful job for both of them. Govindhan brings all his toys and tries to build a fort of out it, disturbing his father's sleep

(v) Govindhan is very strong willed and until unless he gets what he wants, he will not quit, what he does is to cross his arms and gives weird looks at Rangarajan and Mythili showing that he is frustrated and angry with them and stomps off into the other room

(vi) whenever a toy vendor or balloon selling person crosses the street, Govindhan quickly runs and approaches the entrance of the house and gestures the vendor to halt. The result, the vendor gains confidence of selling his products with ease. It really frustrates Rangarajan, because after few minutes of purchasing toy/balloon Govindhan would have bursted the balloon or broken the toy into pieces. All money gone in vain.

But Mythili loves all the above mentioned things except running. Mythili has good mothering skills, Govindhan only listens to her. Rangarajan at times feels that his bonding with Govindhan is not as good as that of Mythili and Govindhan.

Its really annoying when Rangarajan sees Govindhan insisting, demanding or being stubborn.

Its hard for Rangarajan to ignore Govindhan’s immature behavior but he forces himself to like Govindhan. And continuously works on strengthening the bonding element between him and his son.

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The Elephant Roars

In the weekends, Mythili and Rangarajan usually try to visit Sri Rangam temple. On this particular Sunday morning, the couple decided to visit the Thiruvanaikaval temple, which was nearer to their house when compared to the Sri Rangam temple.

Rangarajan pedal-starts the two-wheeler, luckily the vehicle's engine gets ignited. Now the three of them get ready to settle on the two wheeler. With Govindhan half standing and half seated on the front edge of the two wheeler, with Rangarajan in the driver’s seat and Mythili seated behind him sidewards facing left-side of the vehicle, with both her legs comfortably rested on one of the footrests provided near the back wheel especially provided for the back seater. For support, she runs her right hand over her husband’s hip and gets a firm grip. This really tickles Rangarajan, but he tries to control.

TVS 50 was efficient enough to carry the two-and-quarter load. Rangarajan was driving very cautiously. Because sometimes, his son takes control over the handle and slightly deviates the vehicle from the actual path. Whereas Rangarajan overpowers his son’s control over the two-wheeler’s directions and brings it back onto the actual path. Mythili is unaware of the father-son’s fight over the control over the two-wheeler handlebar. She would be busy looking around shops and people in the streets. For Mythili it's a kind of outing and enjoys it thoroughly. She also takes pride in sitting behind Rangarajan and going for a ride.

Through out the drive, Govindhan mimics the automobile’s engine sound with frequent horns, as though Govindhan is driving the two wheeler, and Rangarajan and Mythili are mere passengers.

At home, when the vehicle is halted on its main stand, Rangarajan standing in a hiding place often notices that Govindhan invites his imaginary friends for a ride. The kid becomes the conductor giving imaginary-tickets, and collecting imaginary-money from the imaginary friends. Once done with the conductor job, the kid slowly climbs and stands on the space between handle and the seat. The kid now shoulders the role of a driver, and mimics again the sound of engine (dup..dup..dup....duuuuuuur...) and the horn (keeey...keey...key). Rangarajan opinions that the saddest part of this whole imaginary vehicle ride is that he never gets any imaginary-commission. Its a unfair, because it is his two wheeler and he is the owner. Rangarajan at times thinks to take the commission-issue to the imaginary two-wheeler-father-owner association. This is a nationwide issue for fathers which has to be sorted out.

The family reached the temple. All the three deposited their foot wears near the vendor selling flowers near the entrance of the temple.

Mythili holding Govindhan’s right hand with her left hand was very busy going around the temple. Rangarajan was busy keeping pace with the two. Though Rangarajan is a badminton player with sports prowess, he cannot keep pace with Mythili and Govindhan in walking and running respectively. Where as Govindhan was happily running along with her mother without showing any sign of tiredness. At times, Rangarajan thinks that Govindhan’s liking for a sprint or running is drawn from his mother, Mythili.

The family entered the Ardha mandapam. The line was crowded. After few minutes, Mythili and Rangarajan considering the entrance’s height, both stooped to enter the Lord Shiva’s shrine. The garland, lamps and the archakkar’s recitals caught Govindhan’s attention. The kid’s eyes was wide-open and was engaged. Meanwhile, Mythili and Rangarajan putting their hands together in namaskaram position offered prayers to the almighty. After offering prayers, the family came out of the room adjoining the shrine. Mythili applied the vibuthi (sacred ashes given by the priest) to Govindhan and Rangarajan’s foreheads.

After which, Mythili went on to offer prayers to other gods in the vicinity of the temple. Govindhan was running behind her with Rangarajan keeping pace with them. Mythili and Rangarajan, walked through the temple lounge halting for a short-while at each of the god’s shrine to offer prayers starting with Lord Subramani Swamy, Lord Sri Kalyana Sundarar, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Natarajar Swami, 63 Nayanmargal, Navagrahas, and Chandikeswarar shrine. Later both the couple stood for-a-while to look at the main temple's gopuram (tower of the main shrine). Both closed their eyes reciting mantras and offered prayers. When they opened their eyes both realized something missing.

Govindhan was not around. Its been while that husband and wife were immersed in the beauties of the God and Goddess idols and going around offering prayers that they forgot to keep an eye on their son, Govindhan.

The moment Mythili realized that Govindhan was missing she started panicking. When ever she panics or in fear, she starts yelling and scolding Rangarajan as being very careless and irresponsible. Both were running hither and thither inside the temple in search of their kid, calling 'Govindhan.. Govindhan' in chorus.

Even in the rush, she was praying to God to help her find Govindhan. Last few words of Mythili were little audible...and Rangarajan was able to hear it clearly...and those where .."If we find our child safe and healthy we will come to Tirupathi and offer my husband’s hair”. Even in those moments of despair, Rangarajan turned and looked at her with a surprise, and said to himself, “Why always me?”. When Rangarajan looked at her again, he realized that it was a serious prayer. Rangarajan’s mind was multi-tasking. On one side, his mind was giving him commands to search his son and on the other-side, he was imagining his scalp without hair, and looking ridiculous.

Mythili was looking around the main shrine premises for her son. Whereas Rangarajan started to run outside the main shrine.

Suddenly a fear crept in Rangarajan’s mind, he stopped for a while and started running as though he got an rough idea where his son could be found. He was fast approaching the place, where the elephant and its caretaker stood and sat respectively.

There was a little crowd near the elephant. When Rangarajan made his way into the little crowd and crept in. He was astonished and shocked to find Govindhan standing near the elephant’s front legs and holding the stick of the elephant caretaker.

Govindhan was controlling the crowd gesturing them to be patient and come one by one to offer money to the elephant and get the trunk-blessing. Seeing him was relief to Rangarajan, but he was fearing the elephant's mode-of-conduct.

At this time Mythili too guessed and fast approached the place where the elephant offers trunk-blessing. Now she found Rangarajan in the crowd. Looking at her husband's gaze firmly locked on to something, she realized that the something was none-other-than their own son. She now came and stood beside Rangarajan. Mythili’s face returned to a bliss. Parents have found their son.

Seeing Rangarajan and Mythili, Govindhan beckoned them to come forward. The couple went forward and bowed their heads clasping their hands in namaskaram posture to get the elephant’s trunk-blessing.

Rangarajan was overcoming his fear of elephant and was waiting for this blessing episode to get over soon. Rangarajan closed his eyes tightly. Time was passing by. Meanwhile, he was imagining that the elephant in the name of blessing, swinging its trunk fastly in the air and hitting him on his head, smashing him into the ground.

Time passed, he thought that the elephant is very kind to bless him with a touch so soft that he did not even realized it. In a thanking note he opened his eyes to find Govindhan and the elephant seriously looking at him. Rangarajan did not understand the reason behind those looks, when he side glanced at Mythili even she had the same look. It was a mysterious puzzle for Rangarajan.

Then Mythili with her right hand elbow-hit her husband in the ribs and told him to offer money. Then only Rangarajan realized the mistake that he has committed.

So he took a 10 rupee note and placed it in the elephant’s trunk. When Rangarajan felt the rough skin of the elephant, he immediately pulled back his hand dropping the rupee note, and simultaneously fearing that the elephant would catch his hand and with three swirls would through him up in the air, out of the temple.

When the elephant placed its trunk on his head, it was a different feeling, and altogether a new experience for Rangarajan.

When the elephant snuffed out its breath on Rangarajan's head, he wished the insects on the scalp, causing dandruff, seeing such a big elephant’s trunk and snuffing should get vanished in fear from his scalp. So that he could save some money on purchasing shampoo. :-)

Mythili took the cane from Govindhan and handed it to the elephant caretaker with a smile. With both her hands she lifted Govindhan close to her and hugged him. Both mother-son walked away from the crowd happily, Rangarajan slowly and calmly started walking behind them. Mythili realizing that she has been very hard on Rangarajan, immediately turned to look at Rangarajan. She turned and looked at Rangarajan. Rangarajan too was looking at her. Now even, Govindhan who was resting his head on his mother's shoulder lifted his head, turned and looked at Rangarajan.

Rangarajan’s face was so peaceful to look at mother-son’s happy faces that he was starting to feel blissful and happy. Suddenly, the elephant in a happy-mode roared. This ear piercing roar suddenly gave a shock to Rangarajan, who was standing close to the elephant with his back facing the animal. The blissfulness vanished from Rangarajan’s face and turned into fear-mode. Seeing this, mother-son burst into laughter. Rangarajan, jumping little far from the elephant now stood behind Mythili who holding Govindhan in her arms. Rangarajan had the embarrassing-shy smile on his face. All happily once again bowed their heads and offered prayer to the elephant.

The elephant gave its signature trumpet call, and flapped its ears with a smile on its big cheek. :-)

The temple bell rang. Rangarajan felt as though the clinging sound vanished the fear element in him, and brought harmony and peace to his mind. The dangerous image of the elephant now turned into a divine animal in Rangarajan's mind.

With the help of Govindhan, Rangarajan’s fear for elephants got vanished. Children sometimes just like that bring a transformation in their parents. It is a beautiful feeling altogether.

They all came out of the temple and took a happy-two-wheeler ride home. :-)

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Kick Started

Nowadays whenever Rangarajan visits the Thiruvanaikaval temple, he finds the elephant more friendly, and  looking at him with a giggle on its big cheek.

One day Rangarajan was seated on his easy-chair, and Mythili was seated on the ground beside the chair busy slicing vegetables for cooking dinner. Govindhan was riding his imaginary bike in the other room.

Rangarajan pondering over the temple episode said, "Mythili, the kid is very courageous. He was fearless when standing near the elephant. And even he was controlling the crowd waiting for the elephant’s trunk blessing.” Rangarajan continued, “Govindhan despite being a little kid, stood beside the elephant without any fear. I myself was very much afraid of elephants. We need to learn to be brave like our son. “

Mythili composedly replied, "I too should be credited for his bravery. After you go to office, whenever time permits I used to take Govindhan to the temple. Initially even he was afraid, I used to bring him in the front of the elephant and offer money to get the elephant’s trunk blessings. Over a period of time, the kid became fond of that elephant. Since I offer money regularly for the elephant, the elephant caretaker used to allow Govindhan near the elephant and play with his stick as well. Do you really think that an elephant caretaker will allow a kid so near the elephant ?"

With a wink in her eyes, Mythili said, "By the way, since you are afraid too I will also take you every day to the temple and make you get rid of your fear of elephants, what do you say?"

Mythili continued "Dear, there is nothing to be afraid of the elephants in the temples. Until unless they are well taken care of and not tortured, they are nice and peaceful animals. Our Tamil Nadu government annually takes all the temple elephants for a break from its daily temple routine for a rejuvenation camp. The camp's objective is to improve the health conditions of these elephants and provide complete rest to them. These elephants are put on special diet and given exercises in the morning and evenings. Hope every other government in India does this regularly."

Rangarajan remembering his reading about rejuvenation camps in the news papers nodded his head agreeing to Mythili's point of view.

On the same day in the night, Rangarajan was fast asleep, when he turned to his right on the bed and opened his eyes, he found Govindhan sleeping beside him instead of his mother. May be in sleep, Govindhan would have rolled up to him. Looking at his son’s loving face, Rangarajan cuddled his son close to him. Just when Rangarajan was enjoying the moment, suddenly Govindhan kicked Rangarajan's stomach with great force in sleep. Rangarajan suddenly yells and moves away from his son. The father-son’s bonding has just kick-started.

Rangarajan with pain in the stomach gives an annoying look at his son, just to find a blissful smile on his son’s face. At this point of time, coincidentally even the elephant in the temple which terrified Rangarajan previously also has a smile on its face. Govindhan is still fast asleep may be planning again to kick-start his imaginary two-wheeler in his dreams. :-)

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At this moment of you reading this short story, the Thiruvanaikaval's elephant called Akila which has participated in the rejuvenation camp held in the month of December for 48 days in Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, India has returned back to the temple to continue its service.

Elephant Akila undergoes a daily exercise routine which includes walking, pulling huge log of wood with a rope, lifting both its front legs and standing on its two back legs, grabbing its ears with its trunk and circling, the elephant is given a mouth organ to play music for an hour, this is a part of its breathing exercise. This physical exercises for the elephant are currently taken care by its caretakers Arjun and Krishnamoorthy. After these daily exercises, the elephant is given a bath with caretakers splashing water over the elephant. This is one of the routines, where the elephant is said to enjoy a lot.

The previous elephant which offered service to the Thiruvanaikaval temple, that is before Akila, was called as Santhi, was donated to the temple by Actor Sivaji Ganesan. Santhi elephant after serving the temple for 48 years breathed its last breath on July 15, 2010.

On December 06, 2011, the current elephant, Akila was brought to the temple from Assam at the age of 10 by Thirugoshtioor Swami Narayana Trust. Akila took one month to get used to the temple procession and daily exercises.

Readers when visiting the Thiruvanaikaval temple in Trichy can find Akila trunk-blessing devotees. Give it a try :-)

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Sources:

• Temple Tower - http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2012/02/jambukeswarar-temple-thiruvanaikaval.html
• TVS 50 - www.gaadi.com/twowheelers/model-Mileage-tvs_50_xl
• Elephant's eye photographed by Manikanda Prabhu
• Mosquito bat - www.dealsupto.com/electronics/mosquitto-bat-for-rs-99-one-day-deal-93743.html
• Badminton bat - www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/Badminton-racket/p/sm/1048967275.htm#1048967275
• Elephant clipart - http://www.cartooncliparts.com/picture/elephant-vector-drawing-cartoon-pixmac-clipart-37402901/000037402901
• Thinamani, New Year Special Edition, Trichy Publications 2015

News articles -

• www.ndtv.com/india-news/temple-elephant-goes-berserk-in-maharashtra-one-killed-722092
• www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/elephant-rejuvenation-camp-in-tamil-nadu-from-december-11/article6678455.ece
• www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pampered-at-camp-they-put-on-weight/article6846815.ece
• www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/curtains-down-on-elephant-rejuvenation-camp/article6828321.ece
• http://www.pbase.com/image/91968667
• http://indiandefence.com/threads/developments-in-india.35993/page-36

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