Happy World Book Day!

 

Today, 23rd April is World Book Day. World Book Day is a special event celebrated globally to promote the joys of reading and the value of books. It’s a day recognized by UNESCO to honour authors, books, and copyrights, encouraging everyone to access books and fostering a love for reading.

The date was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the deaths of several prominent authors, including William Shakespeare (23rd April 1564 – 23rd April 1616) and Miguel de Cervantes (29th September 1547 – 22nd April 1616). It’s also a symbolic date in the literary world, with several distinguished authors having been born in April.

On World Book Day, people in over 100 countries come together to celebrate literature’s power to connect us across time and cultures, to share knowledge, and to bridge generations. It’s a wonderful opportunity to pick up a new book, revisit an old favourite, or share a story with someone else.

We have a tradition in our family of gifting books to our children and grandchildren on the birthday (14th November) of my father, Sri N. Bhaskarachary Garu. To see several photographs of our family enjoying books you may Click On The Title Below:

  “Age does not matter or deter the magic and wonder of books”

HAPPY READING!

Where Have the Birds Gone, from Srilekha?

Where have the birds gone, from Srilekha?

Their wings, once vibrant, are now silent in flight,

The birdbaths, forlorn, yearn for their cheer,

And water bowls, untouched, gleam in the light.

I, too, am disappointed, my heart aching,

As dawn breaks, their melodies once sweet,

Perhaps they visit, a fleeting greeting,

A whispered “good morning” before retreat.

Yet the water remains untouched, unclaimed,

As if I’ve become a stranger to their song,

Am I a problem, a shadow they’ve disdained?

Or does Hyderabad hold secrets that prolong?

Perhaps the city’s pulse beats too fast,

Its concrete heart drowning out their tune,

Yet hope lingers, a fragile thread cast,

That someday, they’ll return, under the moon.

So I wait, at Srilekha, by the birdbaths’ edge,

With water rippling, an invitation extended,

Hoping the birds find solace, take the pledge,

To grace our home once more, their absence mended.

Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple Stamps Table Top/Wall Hanging Souvenir from INDIA POST!

This is a unique addition to our family’s Stamp Collection (starting from the 1930s!), a FRAMED Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple Stamps  Table Top/ Wall Hanging Souvenir! which I just received from ‘INDIA POST’.

In the attached photos you can also see the Ram Temple commemorative souvenir stamps sheet which was released by our Prime Minister on 18th January 2024.

As you can see, the components of the design of the stamps include the Ram Temple, the verse ‘Mangal Bhavan Amangal Hari’, the sun, the Saryu River and sculptures in and around the temple. The six commemorative stamps are those of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman, Jatayu, Kevatraj and Ma Shabri - all key figures and symbols associated with Lord Rama.

I am exceedingly happy to collect these historic and precious souvenirs!

An appeal as Lok Sabha Elections 2024 schedule is out!

 

In the midst of Lok Sabha's grand affair,

With schedules laid out, we're now aware.

Excitement brews within my kin and me,

To choose leaders of character, you see.

Our pictures attached, from the past, do impart,

Our joy as voters, is a cherished part.

Yet, some dates now cause concern and dismay,

For they may hinder the turnout's sway.

First, the second, fourth, and fifth schedules stand,

On Mondays and Fridays, as planned.

Long weekends beckon, tempting allure,

For some to shirk their duty secure.

Irresponsible acts could mar the scene,

As citizens opt for leisure serene.

Skipping the polls for rest or play,

Dims the beacon of democracy's ray.

The Chief Election Commissioner, wise and just,

With leaders, agencies, and common trust,

Urges all to heed the call,

To cast their vote, one and all.

Despite the pleas, the numbers still dwindle,

Especially in urban lands, where minds should kindle.

Education's grasp seems to slip away,

As many remain deaf and dumb to the election day.

But hope remains, a flickering flame,

That wisdom will guide, and all will acclaim.

Let's celebrate elections, with voices clear,

By casting our votes, the future we steer.

Wired whispers to smart symphonies…

 

From wired whispers to smart symphonies, we've spun,

A journey from dial tones to screens that outshine the sun.

Wired phones tethered us, bound by a cord,

Now smart devices wield a power unexplored.

In the palm of our hand, a universe unfolds,

Endless stories, connections, a tale to be told.

Yet in this progression, a dichotomy is spun,

The dance of advancement, shadows and sun.

Gone are the days of patience, a slower pace,

Now instant gratification, in this digital embrace.

But with the good, the bad intertwines,

Lost in screens, we miss the real-life signs.

Connections severed by virtual strings,

A paradoxical dance, where freedom sings.

Privacy lost in the web's intricate maze,

Yet knowledge blooms in the smartphone's blaze.

Wired to wireless, a seamless transition,

Yet the price we pay is an ethical admission.

In the dance of progress, let's find our way,

Balancing the bright and the shadows at play.

Giant Tiger Prawns! Exotic and Grand!

 

Amidst the whispers of the Bay's embrace,

Where River Godavari finds its grace,

Giant Tiger Prawns, a gift divine,

A feast from distant shores, a friend's design.

Raghu's hands, hold this treasure rare,

Not for sale, but meant for us to share.

From Yanam's heart, where waters blend,

Comes a taste of bonds that never end.

Invitation extended, an evening's delight,

To dine together under evening light.

Fried to perfection, or in curry's embrace,

Or any form that brings taste to grace.

In camaraderie, we shall eat with rice or bread,

With stories spun and laughter spread.

For in the sharing of this culinary delight,

Friendship's flavours find their height.

So let us gather, dear friend of mine,

To savour the prawns, to pour the wine.

In Raghu's gesture, a warmth you'll find,

A friendship banquet, one of a kind.

Revering and cherishing ‘Srilekha’

In Srilekha's embrace, our sacred dwelling,

A heritage spanning generations, compelling.

Named as Goddess Lakshmi's Letter, a blessing profound,

With grace from deities, a home where love is crowned.

Goddesses and Gods from diverse devotion,

A symphony of faith, a harmonious potion.

In Srilekha's halls, laughter takes flight,

A sanctuary of love, bathed in tranquil light.

Four generations' stories are etched on its walls,

Whispers of joy in every corridor it recalls.

From the threshold to corners, memories bloom,

A tapestry of life, Srilekha's sacred rooms.

On this Grihapravesham's anniversary glow,

Nostalgia swirls, like soft winds that blow.

Every room, every nook, a treasury of delight,

In Srilekha's haven, memories take flight.

Through the tapestry of our intertwined lives,

Srilekha, the keeper of cherished archives.

In its shelter, we've grown, we've become,

A legacy of love, brightly shining as the sun.

As we gather today, in reflection and prayer,

For happy times ahead, this moment we share.

May Srilekha's blessings echo through time,

For us and the generations, an eternal rhyme.