1)- Corrections.
2)- Topic of the Post.
3)- History of US.
4)- Our Media on US talent.
5)- Boston Tea Party.
6)- My Slate.
7)- Swami Vivekananda at US.
8)- Kavignar Kannadasan.
9)- Pudhu Kavidhai.
10)- My Favourite Movie.
1)- CORRECTIONS:-
Here is the latest as under, from the Reader reg.No.of Time Zones in US- Neither 6 nor 9 but 11!
Good point about timezones. Normally people do not think about US territories when discussing the timezones spanned by the USA. In fact your first link on timezones "http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/usa/ " says that there are 6 timezones spanned by the USA. If you are particular about including territories, then it is neither 6 timezones nor 9 timezones either. If you include US territories, then there are 11 timezones spanned by the USA. The 11 timezones are: UTC-12 — Baker Island and Howland Island UTC-11 (SST) — American Samoa and Midway Atoll UTC-10 (HAST) — Hawaii and most of the Aleutian Islands UTC-09 (AKST) — most of the state of Alaska UTC-08 (PST) — the states on the Pacific coast plus Nevada UTC-07 (MST) — the states that include the Rocky Mountains UTC-06 (CST) — Gulf Coast, Tennessee Valley, and Great Plains UTC-05 (EST) — the states on the Atlantic coast, the eastern two thirds of the Ohio Valley and Palmer Station UTC-04 (AST) — Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands UTC+10 (ChST) — Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands UTC+12 — Wake Island, McMurdo Station, and Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station UTC = Coordinated Universal Time It is a time standard based on International Atomic Time (TAI) with leap seconds added at irregular intervals to compensate for the Earth's slowing rotation.Leap seconds are used to allow UTC to closely track UT1, which is mean solar time at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.
Thanks to the Reader for the same.
2)- TOPIC OF THE POST:-
All along, we had travelled in & around Boston where we had seen only the uncongested & the cleaner side of Boston! As the coin has two sides, this Great City also has the other side which reminds us any Indian Town----- Yes, the name is also tallying----- Downtown!
Just to understand the Areas covered under Downtown, Click the Link below!
You will find there itself the two sides!
http://www.google.com/search?q=downtown+boston&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7
Want to go around the Downtown? Just try this another Link where you will find 100s of Images, few of them superb enough to fetch Awards in Photo-contests!
Looking for Congested Areas?
Come down to Quinchi Market where you will find the Images similar to our Market Areas in India!That's all, there ends the Similarity!
Markets in India are prone to the Art of Bargaining especially in the Zone of Vegetables & Domestic Goods. Here also, we can find Vendors displaying Placards of Rates bargainable but no Pick & Choose!Further Bargain always possible at the closing time of these Mobile Shops, however!
Click the link below for viewing Images of both sides!
http://www.google.com/images?q=downtown+boston&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=WUiVTN2xE8L6lweu_4WpCg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=5&ved=0CFUQsAQwBA&biw=1618&bih=712
Now is the time to go thro' the Slide show below where few snaps covering this Market are included.Forget not, to read the Captions!
When I said- The Art of Bargaining, three incidents, Real ofcourse, come to my mind.
To narrate the incidents, accompany me please now to Chittaranjan Railway Colony where
I settled & worked at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for 38 years, >60% of my actual life until retirement!
i)- Simplest but strange Bargain:- Tamil Girl, just newly-wed & settled for தனி குடித்தனம், not yet fully conversant even with Hindi, leave alone Bengali, was enthusiastic with her Skill of Bargain to try with a Street Vegetable Vendor in front of her Rly. Qrs.
She- ' सब्जी किलो कैसे है?------- Not knowing the vegetables by name but by pointing out by hand )
Vendor- ' ढेड रुपिया माजी! ' ----- Re 1.50!
She- ' नहीं,अढाई रुपिया देगा! ----- Thinking smart that अढाई means Re 1.50 & ढेड means 2.50!
Vendor got puzzled to see that she bargains for paying Re 1 more for vegetable worth Re 1.50 only.
By that time, another Tamil Lady conversant with Hindi intervened & made her to understand that by bargaining, she indeed insists on paying Re 1 more only & not less!
Result-------- ? Obvious!
ii)- Problematic Bargain:-
There are certain words in Hindi like the above, giving totally different meanings, which caused one innocent & uneducated Tamil employee to lose his job 10 years prior to his actual date of retirement.
Chittaranjan Locomotive Works was the first & foremost Railway Plant built & inaugurated after Independence. It was the time to recruite people for the posts of various categories in the workshops for training & placement. Since the demand for labour was very high but time-bound, whoever was recruited from any part of the country was asked to fetch more persons for unskilled jobs or otherwise.Our Innocent, let us call him as I, happened to be one amongst, brought by his friends for recruitment.He was given adequate instructions reg. how to answer the Standard One-word questions asked in Hindi & to be answered in Hindi again by one word only since he was conversant with only one language, his Mother tongue, Tamil.
Here is the Scenario, my own imaginary but with Fact intact!
Recruiter:- नाम?
I :- Answered correctly.
Recruiter:- उमर?- Age?
I :- तीस!- Thirty!
Here was the blunder! Getting nervous, it seems that I repeated the memorised word as तीस in stead of बीस meant to be 20 with the result his age was recorded as 30 in Service records. It ultimately resulted in his getting retirement notice 10 years in advance. Belated efforts in correcting the wrong was not possible at all since it was not revocable without documentory evidence. I was told that Bargaining for correction was tried out but in vain.
iii)- Administrative Bargain:-
One Head of the Dept directed his Senior Official to fetch a Technical Directory from Durgapur nearby, for use in Design Office. The latter obliged him & got a quotation saying certain Rate for collection per Bearer! The Former, not happy with the Quote again directed the Latter to fetch the Rate for delivery by VPP. It was found to be Rs.5/- more than the rate per bearer.Then the Former directed the Latter to fetch the same per Bearer by saving Rs 5/- It was done that way only since The Boss was always right. But the point is that for collection per Bearer, one was deputed on duty with Pass & TA/DA was payable to him for a day!
இது எப்படி இருக்கு?
Then there was one Collective Bargaining which will be dealt with in Posts to follow!
3)- HISTORY OF US:- Continued.
The Smallest of the States, Alabama, alpkabetically the First also, was seen in the last Post- 21.
The Largest of them, Alaska, alphabetically the Second,is here now for which just click the Link below!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/national/usstatesterritoriesandpossessions/alaska/index.html
It is as big as 1/5th. of the rest of US & 2.5 times the 2nd Largest State, Texas.Its State Flag was designed by 13 year-old School boy namely Benny Benson who won it in a contest held in 1926. His design was adopted in 1959 when it became the 49th State of US.
Oil brings most revenue to the state.
Its Motto- North to the Future.
State Sport- Dog Mushing, it is a sports by tradition where a team of dogs is pulling a Sled!
Capital- Juneau.
State bird- Willow Plarmigan
State Flower- Forget-me-not.
4)- OUR MEDIA ON US TALENT
Just click the Link below for details.
http://www.dinakaran.com/bannerdetail.aspx?id=15537&id1=12
5)- BOSTON TEA PARTY:-
The Boston Tea Party is a landmark event in American history. It marked the turning point in the American struggle for freedom from British colonial rule.
Freedom fighters dressed as native Red Indians boarded an "Indiaman". A British merchant ship was carrying tea from India At Boston these freedom fighters threw out the entire cargo of tea chests into the sea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party- IS THE lINK THAT CAN GIVE
YOU THE HISTORY IN DETAIL BEHIND IT
6)- MY SLATE:- NOSTALGIC EXPERIENCE- by afriend of Thatha Patti Group!
1) I was using slate regularly even in 1992's while preparing for IETE Examination. At that time I was working as lecturer in Trivandrum Training centre. The slate I purchased and used is safe with me along with a few colour slate pencils in my tableside almirah bottom even today. The slate was very handy to make out drawings, write down equations while making self-preparations. I could get four increments on those days if passed IETE.
Today I received a mail from a lady member regarding her nostalgic experience regarding cork and mixture. I am happy many members like her, relish such postings from me.
While I wanted to purchase slate and asked whether it will be in stationary shops or small shops, my colleague intimated better in small shops. A good slate with frame cost me Rs 15-00 about 20 years back. Let me go in to interesting information about slate.
When I was sent to Mulavana variam to study after Vidyarambahm, I with other two or three children were asked to sit in Varandha and to write on spreaded sand in front of us. When I was able to write somewhat better it was time for school admission and I was admitted to school. I had my first slate when I started 1st class itself. I could recollect my carrying slate, pencil, Mazhi thandu( A tender plant on pressing oozing water) for cleaning and a Malayalam book. These were put in a bag. I am not sure whether it was LG Peruunkaya sanchi. On those days Perunkaya sanchi was very common and especially with Brahmins. An iyer with his papers, food pack in Peunkaya sanchi with umbrella was a common scene. I could recollect every day my father taking one more perunkaya sanchi to bring provisional items on his return from work
I had a teacher by name karthyayani amma who taught me Para, Pana.. easy letters to start with.
1.1 Slate sizes
Slate used to be oblong in size about 14 inches in length and 7 inches in breadth. It is a type of rock like marble, granite and Cudappah. Slate rock was mostly available in Andhra. The rock is cut in to thin slabs and made to size. The plain surface is obtained by polishing either side. Slate used to be of about 3 mm-5mm thick. Slates more thick was sturdy and used to cost more. Invariably this sized slate slab had a wooden framing. It was very convenient to hold on the frames and write. Slightly smaller and bigger from the said sizes were too available.
1.2 Mazhi thundu
After writing for erasing either water or a cleaning bit cloath had to be used or the plant Mazhi thundu. Mazhi thundu was more convenient , but its availability was a problem.
1.3 Examination
While studying up to 4th class examination was Semi oral. Questions will be asked by teacher and repeated. The student has to answer in slate . After writing the answer, teacher will see each and every student, award marks with chalk piece on the other side of the slate. Student should not use chalk or erase the other side.
After the exam the marks will be totalled and put by teacher with in a round. Total marks gained out of 50 will be indicated.
Since our parents will be eager to see the marks , one furlong away we used to take the slate out of the bag and hold. It was interesting for us to show the marks to those asking the queries about exam walking in the roads.
2. Slate during Bsc. Study
Though bringing of slate to school was limited up to 4th class and all writing in notebooks from 5th class, slate was used in the house for study to write down things by most . Slates were freely available in shops till 1964's when I completed my college education in Kerala. I do recollect the working out of so many theorems and problems in my slate during my college days. Paper was scarce and costly and not affordable also for rough works. The slate helped me to gain 100% in subsidiary Mathematics.
3. Slate pencil and slate blacking
Normal slate pencil used to be grey in colour and slate used to be black or blackish grey in colour. On aging reading would become difficult in the slate. As a remedy it was a common method to rub the slate with black charcoal stick, and then wash. Slate will have a new appearance like a repainted house.
Colour slate pencils started appearing. It gave more clarity but was not sturdy. It was more costly also. Normally for 5 Paise we could get one pencil on those days.
4. Cleaning the frame
frame on aging use to get faded. So once a fortnight at least it was a practice to clean the frame, washing with Sun light soap. It used to give a better appearance. On those days one three soaps were common- Sunlight, Life Buoy and Lux and local washing soaps. Today sunlight soap has disappeared from the field.
5. Breaking of slate
Since it is thin stone polished, the breaking of slate was common. Since the frame is there it used to with stand small fallings. But 60% of students used to have broken slates at some parts. Affordability of purchasing new slate was a problem. Once the frame has damaged the survival of slate was limited.
However it was a practice for parents to purchase new slate on reopening of school. Being small children most of the parents used to give new books, new slate, and a new shirt and nikker on school opening. If any student not having a new shirt and nikker, he was looked strange. I do recollect sitting late evening to get my shirt stitched from the tailor, since he used to keep my items in last priority.( He knew mostly he will get payment late from my father).
6. Metal slates
In about 1955- 60's there was the appearance of Metal slates. In this case a thin metal sheet is framed and the sheet was given a colour. The sheet had a rough surface. This slate had the advantage of no breaking. But the disadvantage was after a few months erasing was felt not much effective. The slates lost market.
7. Polythene /Plastic framed slates
Slates with plastic and polythene frames too appeared in the market. These too could not make any popularity in the market. But these slates are available today.
8. Slate - use by others
Slate was a common item among merchants for their use . They use to make all calculations in the slate. Till 1990's all jewellery shops sales men had a slate with them. It was very handy for them to make calculations.
Along with astrologers always a good slate was there with them. It was the day of manual calculations. Though I studied astrology with manual calculations, today I find very difficult to do it, having soft ware and computer. Normally I take consultations while power is available.
Today in Chennai markets - I find wide use of slate in plastic frames. I am not sure about the slate material. They display the rate in slate above the items. In Koyempedu market it is a common scene.
9. Big slate to write Sanku chakram.
My son was admitted to 1st standard when I was in Tutucorin in 1976. I purchased and brought a good slate to him. He was not happy at the size. He started crying-" I want a big slate to write sankhu chakram". As normal my wife suspected I would have purchased a smaller one to save money!!. I was having a hand to mouth existence on those days with meagre salary.
Finally after searching all shops by her too we could get no bigger slate. Finally the teacher pacified him showing other smaller slates and he stopped crying. I felt a sigh of relief.
10. Magic slate
10 years back my grand son through daughter brought with him a magic slate. It was an indispensable item with him. ( Today too. Always he will be keeping the magic slate, write some thing or draw something at times. It should be by his side always. While he go to bed he make sure it is safely kept)
The fancy of the magic slate attracted my grand son through son. You can write with marker, simply move a slider, it will be erased. Occasional cleaning with a cloth bit to remove the ink. Having nowhere in Tambaram, my wife made a search at Spencer plaza, and got him a bigger one. The smile on the face of the kid could not match with anything.
Later I went through my credit card statement. The cost of magic slate was Rs1200-00.
11.Today scenario
I am not sure why the slate has disappeared practically from schools. Now a day only Books and pen. Any type of slate is used mostly by vegetable or provision merchants and that too for displays. Today a child may find difficult to write and erase in the Traditional slate.
No Jyotish too now a day use it. Local astrologers use pen and paper. You can see astrologers like Attukal Radha Krishnan with his latest laptop in Asianet TV during Anatham- Anjatham or Krishna kumar too with similar appearance in Soorya TV with sophisticated soft ware and just looking at the display answering your questions getting just date of birth and time from you.!!.
7)- SWAMI VIVEKANANDA AT US
Just click the Link below-
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Swami_Vivekananda-1893-09-signed.jpg
Swami Vivekananda's Speech in Chicago, Sept 11, 1893
Sisters and Brothers of America,
It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.
Swami Vivekananda - My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: "As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee."
The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: "Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me." Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.
8)- கவிஞர் கண்ணதாசன்:-
He is my favorite Poet. the bio-data of whom can be seen in the following Link!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kannadasan
His ever-greem Poem is-
9) புது கவிதை:-
பறவை ஒன்றை வரையத்துவங்கினேன்
வரைந்து முடிந்ததும்
அது பறந்து விட்டது
மீண்டும் ஒரு பறவையை
வரைந்தேன்
அதுவும் பறந்து விட்டது
நான் வரைந்து
கொண்டேயிருந்தேன்
அவைகள் பறந்து கொண்டேஇருந்தன
இறுதியாக மரம் ஒன்றை
வரைந்து முடித்தேன்
பறந்துபோன அத்தனை
பறவைகளும் வந்து
அமர்ந்து கொண்டன.
கவிஞர் தென்பன்டியன்
கோவை
10)- MY FAVORITE MOVIE-
" SHATTERED GLASS "
It was seen recently & found interesting from start to finish since it was a true story of a young journalist who fell from grace when it was found he had fabricated over half of his articles. The person is living even now in US!
You can see the contents of the Movie from the following Link.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0323944/
CONCLUSION
All the above contents are by Courtesy- Thatha Patti Group of Yahoo, unless
otherwise specified.
Meeting you all again with Post- 23 shortly,
Krishnan
