Welcome to Quarter-Century Club! Happy 25 Vishnu

Dear Vishnu,

Today marks a very special day as we celebrate your 25th birthday! It’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. This year is even more special because we get to celebrate together after three long years.

From the moment you were born, you brought immense joy and love into our lives. Watching you grow from a curious child into a remarkable young man has been a privilege. Your determination, kindness, and passion for life continue to inspire everyone around you.

Remember the countless hours spent getting dragged along by Di, stealing some coins for a neighbourhood servant, getting emotionally blackmailed by Amma, crying your heart out saying you don’t want to go to boarding school (after watching Tare Zameen par) and most importantly the blabber about Honda Makiva – wondering where you even conjured up this name (Have posted this video towards the end), Looking back, amazed that you were able to create an audio content out of nothing and quite decent language for that age. Cannot forget after a nice treatment innocently asking if you can join me for an evening walk or asking if we can go to the beach (taking me on guilt trip).

Those were the days filled with laughter and endless curiosity. Somethings that stood out

Academic Achievements: Your dedication to your studies has always been commendable. Especially your uncanny ability to set expectations very low (to the extent, saying you may even flunk the exams and then getting highest marks in the school in some subjects (BTW! Did you meet the teacher who said she will jump off the terrace if you score highest?) From excelling in school to pursuing higher education, your hard work has paid off in so many ways. To appearing on the University BEST board and reserved to the extent you did not want to sign consent for use of your photograph on the promos. Being humble to the degree of fault?

Moment that would make any parent very Proud

Yes! I am talking about this banner

On a serious note! You have made us extremely proud at all steps and we thank the the Divine for this wonderful gift. Returning to India to meet me after 2 years to pursue your internship here to me personally was the Biggest Gift that I could ever ask for!

Welcome Back!!! Motherland and Mother calling

Over the years, you’ve faced challenges with resilience and grace. Your ability to overcome obstacles and emerge stronger is truly admirable. Landing up two opportunities as you you returned must have done a world of good to your already soaring confidence – a luxury to reject an offer is something not many aspirants can dream of in these days. You are worth tons of gold for anyone.

Today, we celebrate not just your birthday, but the incredible person you have become. As we celebrate this milestone, let’s cherish the memories we’ve created and look forward to the adventures that lie ahead.

As you step into this new chapter of your life, may you continue to pursue your dreams with the same passion and determination. May you find happiness in every moment and success in all your endeavors. Remember, no matter where life takes you, you will always have a home filled with love and support.

Here’s to you, Vishnu! May your 25th year be filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable experiences. Happy Birthday! May God and Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji’s blessings be upon you at every moment of your life ahead.

From all of us!!!

Don’t miss this folks!

Signing off with yet another one! He must be enjoying watch these

#AOLShivaratri 2014 – All about Expansion

This journey in Art of Living and walking to keep pace (or sprinting) with His Holiness Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has never ceased to Amaze me (I am sure many who have been here would feel the same)

From the Old Ashram which in those days was considered to huge enough to accommodate the entire AOL family, was not enough to take in a minuscule percentage of the Ever-growing One World Family, that it is today.

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Amphitheater in the Old Ashram

Then came the Vishalakshi Mantap and the Amphi Theater which we thought would definitely cater for ever expanding family atleast for 50 years, and Lo! It was rendered too small even for a weekend Satsang these days.

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Vishalakshi Mantap – The Temple of Meditation

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Amphitheater in Front of Vishalakshi Mantap

Action moved to the Yagyashala (which was further extended) and even that today appears to be like a One-Room Tenement accommodating 30 member family in a Metro.

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Yagyashala

And came up the Marquee Location in the Art of Living International Ashram, Gurupaduka Vanam last year. I was certain that it would be enough “for ever”

Gurupaduka Vanam – Eve of Shiva Ratri 2013

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Gurupaduka Vanam – Eve of Shiva Ratri 2013 – 260 Gram Devata Pujas

I ate the humble pie in exactly an year. From comfortable crowd that was accommodated last Shivaratri, every inch of the front stage and back stage was packed with sea of Humanity. Shivaratri 2014 saw record crowds participating in the Maha Rudrabhisheka – 75 countries, and every single state (29) of India was represented here. Presenting Shivaratri 2014 in 4 Collages below:

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Gurupaduka Vanam – Shiva Ratri 2014

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Gurupaduka Vanam – Shiva Ratri 2014 – Ashramites and Sevaks

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Gurupaduka Vanam – Shiva Ratri 2014 – Sea of Humanity

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Gurupaduka Vanam – Shiva Ratri 2014 – Speechless :-O

||Jai Gurudev||Om Namah Shivaya||Enhanced by Zemanta

Walking and Leading my Path

On my wife Aparna’s  _th birthday (I dare not fill that up) my thoughts on what makes her very special. Let me start with a few words about her. A great thing about her is her over-riding desire to just give , give and give. Amazing lady who simply loves doing for others giving her 100% Ask any of our friends and relatives for endorsement – I am sure she would get overwhelming votes to beat Pranabda if it were for Presidential Elections.

With our Children

I always know she is my greatest supporter yet not afraid to challenge me and help me grow into a better person. Her faith in our chosen path I feel far exceeds mine, many a times and in the path some giant leaps that we have taken together successfully as a couple would have never happened without her support, willingness and strength.

To our children, she is the best mom one can hope or even imagine to get. She has created a wonderful home out of this house, that we all look forward to come back and chill.

Today, on her _th birthday (no, I still don’t dare to fill that blank despite the good words written earlier), I want to honor Aparna for being my wife. She is my best friend and mate that I could ever get. The Divine as always knew that my destiny is with her and led me to Aparna. And most importantly boy! I am extremely elated that I listened to Him!

Here is how her birthday began – blessed by whom we adore, respect and follow. His Holiness Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji or the Art of Living Foundation

With HH Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji

Happy Birthday, Dearest Aparna and thanks for everything (and the delicious food that you always cook, I have to say this in anything that I write). We love you just the way you are! Wishing you a wonderful day which we surely would try to make. May this day which started on a great note, get better and better through the day and the year ahead.

Raising the toast on your Birthday – here we are… with Love

Me with the Birthday Girl

PS: The occasion sweetened due to the presence of Ashwin, Aparna (Addanki), Deepika, Bhanu akka and many senior Swamis and Teachers of AOL