Facts on Thyroid

Here I am sharing few facts about Thyroid disease on the eve of INTERNATIONAL THYROID DAY. As well as my mom is also suffering from this disease and it turns very serious if not diagnosed in proper time.

THYROID DISEASE :

Thyroid is a most common disease among women and if not treated in time it can lead to severe health problems. It is very important to be aware of this friendly as well as deadly gland in our body.

1.What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland just below the Adam's apple. This gland plays a very important role in controlling the body's metabolism, that is, how the body functions. It does this by producing thyroid hormones (T4 and T3), chemicals that travel through the blood to every part of the body. Thyroid hormones tell the body how fast to work and use energy. The thyroid gland works like an air conditioner. If there are enough thyroid hormones in the blood, the gland stops making the hormones (just as an air conditioner cycles off when there is enough cool air in a house). When the body needs more thyroid hormones, the gland starts producing again. The pituitary gland works like a thermostat, telling the thyroid when to start and stop. The pituitary sends thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to the thyroid to tell the gland what to do. The thyroid gland might produce too much hormone (hyperthyroidism), making the body use energy faster than it should, or too little hormone (hypothyroidism), making the body use energy slower than it should. The gland may also become inflamed (thyroiditis) or enlarged (goiter), or develop one or more lumps (nodules).

2. What is hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism makes the body speed up. It occurs when there is too much thyroid hormone in the blood ("hyper" means "too much"). Hyperthyroidism is nearly 10 times more frequent in women than in men. The most common form of hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, is caused by problems with the immune system and tends to run in families.
Following are the symptoms of Hyperthyroidism :
- Fast heart rate
- Nervousness
- Increased perspiration
- Muscle weakness
- Trembling hands
- Weight loss
- Hair loss
- Skin changes
- Increased frequency of bowel movements
- Decreased menstrual flow and less frequent menstrual flow
- Goiter
- Eyes that seem to be popping out of their sockets.
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism rarely occur all at once. However, if you have more than one of these symptoms, and they continue for some time, you should see your doctor.

3. What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism causes the body to slow down. It occurs when there is too little thyroid hormone in the blood ("hypo" means "not enough"). Hypothyroidism affects more than 5 million people, many of whom don't know they have the disease. Women are more likely than men to have hypothyroidism. Also, one out of every 4,000 infants is born with the condition. If the problem is not corrected, the child will become mentally and physically retarded. Therefore, all newborns should be tested for the disease.
Following are the symptoms of hypothyroidism:
- Feeling slow or tired
- Feeling cold
- Drowsy during the day, even after sleeping all night
- Slow heart rate
- Poor memory
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muscle cramps
- Weight gain
- Husky voice
- Thinning hair
- Dry and coarse skin
- Feeling depressed
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Milky discharge from the breasts
- Infertility
- Goiter
Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism can occur normally with aging, so if you have one or two of them, there is probably no reason to worry. However, if you are concerned about any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor.

4. What is thyroiditis?

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland and the most common cause of hypothyroidism. When patients with thyroiditis have any symptoms, they are usually the symptoms of hypothyroidism. It is also common to have an enlarged thyroid that may shrink over time. The type of thyroiditis seen most often is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a painless disease of the immune system that runs in families. Hashimoto's thyroiditis affects about 5% of the adult population, increasing particularly in women as they age. Another form of thyroiditis affects women of childbearing age. Postpartum thyroiditis occurs in 5%-9% of women soon after giving birth and is usually a temporary condition. Viral and bacterial infections can also cause thyroiditis

5. What is a goiter?

A goiter is an abnormal swelling in the neck caused by an enlarged thyroid gland. It can become quite large. The problem occurs in at least 5% of the population. Worldwide, the most common cause of a goiter is lack of iodine, a chemical that the thyroid uses to produce its hormones. About 100 million people don't get enough iodine in their diets, but adding iodine to salt can solve the problem.Even with the right amount of iodine, the thyroid gland can swell, creating a goiter. This can occur in any type of thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer. Many goiters develop with normal thyroid hormone levels and do not require treatment.

6.Are all thyroid lumps (nodules) cancerous?

Thyroid lumps (also called nodules) are growths in or on the thyroid gland. They occur in 4%-7% of the population. More than 90% of these lumps are benign (not cancerous) and usually do not need to be removed. Thyroid cancer is more common in patients who have had radiation to the head or neck. A thyroid nodule might cause your voice to become hoarse, or it could make breathing or swallowing difficult. However, it usually produces no symptoms and is discovered incidentally by you or your physician.

7.How is thyroid disease discovered?

As with any disease, it is important that you watch for the early warning signs. Check if you think you might be having any of the symptoms of Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Consult your doctor if you think you are suffering from any of the symptoms. However, only your doctor can tell for sure whether or not you have thyroid disease. He or she can measure the amount of thyroid hormones in your blood, as well as look at the structure and function of your thyroid gland. If a nodule is found, your doctor can test whether or not it is cancerous.

If you have thyroid disease, your doctor can discuss which treatment is right for you. There are several types of treatment:
1) Radioactive iodine is used to shrink a thyroid gland that has become enlarged or is producing too much hormone. It may be used on patients with hyperthyroidism, a goiter, or some cases of cancer.
2) Surgery is normally used to remove a cancer and may also be used to remove a large goiter.
3) Thyroid hormone pills are a common treatment for hypothyroidism, for patients with a goiter, and for patients who have had thyroid surgery. The pills provide the body with the right amount of thyroid hormone.

May 25th is International Thyroid Day

May 25th is celebrated as International Thyroid Day.As well as the Indian Thyroid Society (ITS) has declared this Sunday(i.e.25th May) as ‘International Thyroid Day’.

This ailment afflicts one and all, especially more so in women. The fact remains that thyroid disorders, despite being common, continue to remain most under-diagnosed of all other disorders. Women form a large chunk of patients with thyroid disorders.

Take the case of Ruhana Begum, a 50-year old-housewife from Moula Ali, who had an extreme case of fatigue, mood swings and lack of sleep. Initially, doctors had assured her that the symptoms were due to menopause. But, with time, her voice started to go deep and rough. Gandhi hospital doctors later diagnosed the problem as Hyperthyroid. “Thyroid glands produce hormones that influence all the organ systems of the body throughout the life. Thyroid related ailments are common in pregnant and elderly women. The reason behind this is still under research,” says Dr. Vijay Sekhar Reddy, in-charge of Department of Endocrinology of Gandhi Hospital.

The symptoms associated with thyroid ailments are tiredness, depression, hair loss, weight gain, cramping, constipation, dry skin, heavy periods in women and even erectile dysfunction among men.

“Critical periods of life where risk of thyroid diseases increases are at birth, during pregnancy, after childbirth, during menopause and in the senior years,” Dr. Reddy adds.

“Eighty per cent of thyroid related ailments are due to Hypothyroidism or overactive thyroid. Pregnant and elderly women, older men, infants should undergo thyroid test,” says Apollo Hospital endocrinologist Dr. Ravi Mehrotra.

“Any person who reaches 35 years should opt for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) blood test,” says Dr. Unnikrishnan of Indian Thyroid Society (ITS)
However, there are pitfalls too.

“There is a danger of indiscriminate tests. Thyroid ailments are not life threatening and they can be controlled by proper medication in a month or two,” Dr. Reddy informed.

Burmese villagers line roads waiting for aid

People waiting for outside aid along the road to Pyapon, a major Irrawaddy Delta town that is about 100 kilometers, or 62 miles, southwest of Yangon. (International Herald Tribune)

In village after village of the Irrawaddy Delta in southern Myanmar, people line the roads. They endure the sweltering morning sun, the afternoon monsoon rains and the storm-pregnant evening skies, under which their ghostly figures are illuminated by thunderbolts.

When an occasional car carrying donations approaches, children swarm toward it holding out their hands. Mothers hugging babies, too ashamed or shocked to ask for help, just stare into the eyes of any visitors. Fathers and grandmothers stand by, watching the scene with eyes filled with humiliation.

Every family has tales of horror to tell about Cyclone Nargis, which struck the delta on May 3. But for now, a powerful instinct for survival has driven these Burmese peasants to leave their once-fertile but now ruined rice paddies and migrate toward the nearest roads. Neither government nor international aid is coming quickly enough, if at all, to these roads. For many, the only hope of survival is aid being brought through by private donors.

"I don't know how the government is helping us," said Ko Htay Oo, 40, in Kunyangon, a delta town 50 kilometers, or 30 miles, south of Yangon, Myanmar's main city. "There are cars coming with private donations. Some get donations, some don't.
"I am no beggar, so I didn't eat anything in the past two days," he said, leaning against a roadside palm tree. "Besides, you shouldn't compete with kids for begged food."

On the roads going through the storm-hit area, the ruling military junta, which has driven Myanmar's people into squalor but keeps them docile with terror, has put up this sign: "Don't throw food on the roads. It ruins the people's good habits."

Of the nearly two dozen people interviewed this past weekend along the roads, all said they got little, if any, relief from their government. All said they did not expect any because they are not used to that kind of help from the junta. Few have heard about foreign aid flowing in. None have seen any.

The most visible government presence appeared in the form of the occasional police jeep.
With the roads, not the rice paddies, having become a source of food, villagers are building their lives along them with whatever they have left. Pigs are tied to roadside palm trees. Ducks swim in the nearby ditches. Roads are lined with the flimsy A-frame huts built with a few sticks of bamboo and "dani" leaves for roofing. One man found shelter in a large bamboo basket he had salvaged from the floodwater. Another lived in a tent built with a plastic Tiger Beer advertising banner that a truck driver had thrown to him.

The roads are littered with plastic garbage, from the packaging of donated food.

"I have no dish, no cup, no blanket, no pillow. I have received nothing from the government," said Daw San Mar Oo, 31, a farmer in the hamlet of Nyin Kone near Daedaya, a delta town southwest of Kunyangon. "I have nothing in my hands."
U Min Lwin, 37, said his family had received a government ration only twice in the three weeks since the storm, each time seven cups of rice.
Farther down the road, a 51-year-old woman who gave her name as Daw San said that she received potatoes and a small amount of beans from the government the other day but that she had no utensils for cooking.

The most helpless victims of Nargis, which sent monstrous walls of saltwater over the low-lying delta, were the poorest of Burmese farmers - those who rent rice paddies from landlords. Before the storm, they and their buffaloes, ducks and pigs had moved from field to field, living in huts beside their paddies.

In contrast to the obvious physical devastation of the Chinese earthquake, which left piles of concrete or natural debris behind, here in the Irrawaddy Delta's vast rice fields, after the sea water had subsided, it might appear to visitors that nothing had happened. But the survivors lining the roads tell a different story.

"My neighbors, their houses, their buffaloes - they are all gone," said Ma Aye Swe, 48. "They are gone with the water."
In their isolation, these farmers rely on news from static-filled radio broadcasts to link them to the outside world, and many appeared to have little notion of international aid or what a government could do for them at times of national disaster. Private aid runners say that when they hand out cakes of soap, some of the farmers do not even know what they are for.

The authorities are, in the wake of the storm, a source of intimidation.

In the hamlet of Thee Kone near Pyapon, a major delta town 100 kilometers southwest of Yangon, victims said that the village had received four tents from the government, each accommodating 20 people. Those families lucky enough to find space in government tents, built in a neat row on the side of the road, received 16 cups of rice in the past week.

"There are many other families who want to move into the tents, but there is not enough space," said a villager. "So people complain. They complain not to the government or to the village administrator, but to each other, arguing, 'why you are in the tent and I am not."

"People who can't get into the government tents are building our huts along the road, but police don't want to see us here anymore," he said, pointing to 15 roadside huts. "They said if we don't break our huts and disappear, they will shoot us. But as you can see, it's raining now. We are pleading to the police to give us one more day and we will be gone far, far from the road, as they wish."

With the government offering little help, private citizens from big cities like Yangon ply the roads with urgently needed supplies.

One of them was U Khin Mg Thein, a 47-year-old construction material salesman in Yangon, who was distributing 15 bags of rice to lines of villagers squatting on both sides of the road holding out bowls and bamboo hats in supplication.

"You just need to imagine and put myself in their shoes to realize what you should do," he said. "These are Burmese, my people. I am helping my people."

The government is not making it easy for those wishing to offer private charity. Police officers armed with rifles stopped cars at checkpoints. Foreigners without government permits to enter the disaster zone were turned back after their passports were copied. Those Burmese who are allowed to pass through were given a warning: any donation, a yellow handout notice said, must be distributed through government-controlled village leaders.

However grim the conditions, there was no report of outbreaks of disease among roadside people.

The storm survivors on the roads, not used to begging, simply accepted donations with a faint smile or no display of emotion. No looting or rioting was seen or reported. The most aggressive behavior displayed came from children, who stuck their hands into the windows of passing cars. Most just silently waited for any help to come their way.

In Pyapon, a commercial hub in the delta renowned for its "hpaya" grass mats, people maintained a semblance of traditional Burmese hospitality despite the disaster. When outside visitors asked for directions at dusk, a man offered them food and lodging at his home.
Pyapon is a trading center for rice, dried fish and fish paste and is the hometown of many rich Burmese tradesmen. But in this town, too, tales of horror were told over evening tea.

"Dead bodies floating down the Pyapon River are no longer strangers to us," said Daw Khin Kyi, a town resident. "Some of these bodies still wear gold necklaces and bracelets, so some people went out to collect them in the first few days. But now, after many days, nobody goes near. Fish are nibbling at the bodies."

Ma Ye Ye Tan, a 17-year-old girl from a hamlet down the river, survived the cyclone. She arrived at the home of a Pyapon relative, with virtually nothing on, shivering in monsoon rain.
She said that she did want to go back to her native village, now filled with death.

"After the cyclone came and went, we continued to hear people shouting in the darkness, but when village men went to search for them, they could find no one," she said.

Oz mum, daughter climb Mt Everest, achieve unique record

Nikki Bart, left, and her mother, Cheryl, stand a top Cho Oyu in Tibet after conquering the world's sixth highest mountain last year.
Two Sydney women - a mother and her daughter - have reached the top of Mount Everest, creating history as the first mother-daughter team to climb the world's tallest mountain.
Cheryl Bart and her 23-year-old daughter Nikki reached the peak at 9.05 am Australian time on Saturday after setting out on April 1, reported news.com.au.

Seven years after their first adventure in Nepal, Cheryl and Nikki Bart are heading back in an attempt to become the first mother-daughter team to conquer Mount Everest and scale the highest peaks on each of the Earth's continents.
They were now the first mother and daughter team to have climbed the tallest peak in each of the seven continents.

Cheryl Bart and her daughter Nikki endured bitingly cold temperatures and several delays to reach the 8850-metre peak. Delays were also caused by the ascent of the Beijing Olympic torch earlier this month amidst tight security. The pair had their communications gear temporarily confiscated because of that event.

The pair left Camp Four at about 10 pm Australian time on Friday for the final climb to the summit, and it took them a little over eleven hours to achieve the the landmark feat.
Reaching the top not only gives them an Everest record, but also gives them the record of completing what is every climbers' dream set.

The pair has already climbed to the top of Australia's Mount Kosciuszko (2228m), Antarctica's Vinson Massif (4897m), South America's Aconcagua (6962m), Africa's Kiliminjaro (5895m), North America's McKinley-Denali (6195m) and Europe's Elbrus (5642m).

National Bird Day: January 5, 2008

This information I found out while surfing internet and I was not aware of such day which is dedicated to birds.I found out interesting and happy to share with others who love birds.

In order to draw attention to the exploitation of other countries’ native birds by the pet industry in the United States and to call on activists to take action on behalf of captive birds, National Bird Day (January 5) has been instituted by two United States organizations: Born Free USA United with Animal Protection Institute (the union of two recently united animal protection groups) and the Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC). These organizations seek as well to educate the public about the difficulty of being a good caretaker of pet birds, the damage done to wild bird populations by the pet industry, and the importance of keeping birds wild. This week, to mark National Bird Day, Advocacy for Animals presents an article, written by bird expert Monica Engebretson of Born Free USA, on the effects of captivity on exotic birds.

Wild at Heart :

Whether captive bred or wild caught, birds are not domesticated animals. Domestic animals are animals that have been bred for hundreds of years to live in the care of humans and are distinct from their wild ancestors. Birds commonly kept as pets are no different than their wild relatives—they are the native species of other countries.
Those who acquire birds as companion animals soon discover that parrots, including lovebirds, budgies (parakeets), and cockatiels, are noisy and messy, and they can be destructive. Vocalizing (squawking, chirping, talking) is an important part of any parrot’s social communication; birds eat continually throughout the day, dropping and discarding bits of food everywhere; birds are instinctively programmed to chew and shred wood, whether it is a perch, toy, picture frame, or furniture. Birds will also chew electrical cords, paper, and curtains.
Parrots are also extremely intelligent and social—they have been compared to human toddlers in the needs of their emotional and social lives, but, unlike children, they never grow up. Birds are meant to fly and to be with other birds. Confinement in cages can lead to neurotic behavior, excessive screaming, feather plucking, self-mutilation and other destructive habits. As a result, very few people are capable of caring for the special needs of exotic birds or comprehend the seriousness of the commitment for the birds’ life span—20 to 70 years or more depending on species. Each year thousands of birds are sold into the pet trade to individuals who are under the mistaken impression that a bird will make a “cool” pet. Eventually, whether due to frustration, disinterest, or concern, many people attempt to rid themselves of the responsibility of caring for their birds. Unfortunately, few of these birds will find a loving home, and most will spend their days isolated and confined to their cages. Others will bounce from home to home as “owners” tire of them, and some may be abandoned at local shelters and birds rescues, or set free to fend for themselves.

How Many Caged Birds?
According to a 1998 article printed in the Journal of the American Veterinarian Medical Association deemed the most extensive demographic study of pet birds conducted to that date, the US pet bird population has been estimated between 35 million and 40 million. While this estimate of “pet” birds is lower than estimates for companion dogs and cats, the population of dogs and cats has remained relatively stable over time while “pet” bird populations have skyrocketed in recent years. According to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), there were 60.8 million cats in 1990 and 66.15 million in 1996, with dogs numbering 52.1 million and 58.2 million respectively. According to the same industry document, there were 11.6 million “pet” birds in 1990, and by 1996 there were 40 million—a 244.8% increase!
The growing problem of unwanted exotic birds is very much a hidden crisis because most humane societies do not accept birds, and unlike abandoned cats and dogs, abandoned birds generally do not roam the streets as strays or establish feral colonies.

Captive Breeding:
One of the most common assertions made by breeders is that captive breeding is necessary to keep parrots from becoming endangered. Breeding parrots in captivity is not going to save the species in the wild. Most birds are bred outside of an official conservation program, as such the vast majority of birds bred in captivity are bred for purely commercial purposes. Captive breeding fails to address the leading causes of wild bird population decline: habitat loss, pollution, and the pet trade. Moreover, captive release programs are nonexistent for most species and are largely unsuccessful in practice.
Breeding contributes to overpopulation since it results in breeding more baby birds for the pet trade. Breeding facilities often resemble nothing more than warehouses of birds for production purposes. Breeder birds are routinely placed with a mate in small cages with nothing more than water, food, and a nest box.
A misconception perpetuated by the bird industry is that only “baby birds” will bond with people. This is untrue. Building a nurturing relationship with a parrot begins when the bird learns to trust—no matter what his or her age. The main reason that the pet industry encourages hand-weaning is that taking “baby birds” from their parents encourages them to produce more young. Keeping young parrots with their parents slows production and is less profitable for breeders.
Many breeders and stores will sell unweaned baby birds, claiming that finishing the weaning process by the purchaser will “guarantee” a hand-tame bird. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that many birds who have not successfully completed weaning may not learn to eat on their own and can actually starve to death. Many baby birds die or suffer from physical injuries such as burned or punctured crops (stomachs) and infections from inexperienced hand-feeders. Unweaned chicks are sold because hand-feeding is labor intensive; it is far more profitable to sell the chicks quickly despite the risks to the young bird.

Homeless Birds :
Since finding a qualified caretaker can be difficult and many bird rescues are overburdened with an influx of unwanted birds, those wishing to give up their birds are encouraged to consider other alternatives before making a final decision. Avian behaviorist or specialist, local bird club or avian rescues can be helpful in providing educational materials, advice, and referrals on bird care, housing, diet, behavior, and veterinary services. Sometimes a change in environment, diet, or behavior modification can make all the difference in creating a happier living situation for a bird and his or her caretaker.
If the reality is that care can no longer be provided, it is imperative that the bird is placed in a stable, responsible, and loving home. A hasty decision can result in the bird ending up in the wrong hands, or being bounced from home to home, or being neglected, abused, or abandoned.
If you must find a new home for a bird:
Do not place an ad in the newspaper or on the Internet. There are many unscrupulous people who look to buy or adopt free birds so they can turn around and sell them.
Write an agreement for the adopter to sign. If for any reason they don’t live up to their obligation, include a provision that the bird will be returned to you.
Never place a bird with a breeder or anyone who wants to breed birds. Ask for the assistance of an avian adoption service, local bird club, or avian rescue organization.

Sanctuaries and Rescues :
There are currently over 90 self-described bird rescues or sanctuaries in the United States, many of which have come into existence in just the last few years. Some of these facilities are non-profit organizations, while others are merely caring individuals who have opened their homes to unwanted birds. Due to the large number of birds in need, most rescues or sanctuaries are unable to accept every bird they are offered. However, be wary of rescue organizations that will not accept smaller birds. They may simply be looking to acquire larger birds to sell or adopt out at higher fees. Before giving a bird to any rescue, check them out thoroughly. A true rescue organization does not profit from animals that have been rescued nor do they contribute to the overpopulation problem by breeding more birds for the pet market.

To Learn More goto:

National Bird Day

WWF, the Global Conservation Organization

WWF, with its familiar panda logo, is known worldwide for its wide-ranging conservation efforts. Generally known simply by its initials, the Switzerland-based organization is called the World Wide Fund for Nature in some countries and the World Wildlife Fund in North America. Its mission statement signals the scope of its commitment:
To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:

• conserving the world’s biological diversity
• ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
• promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
  

Ever since it was founded in 1961, WWF has included both conservationists and businessmen, knowing that to be successful in its mission it would need public support, well-managed action, and solid scientific data. WWF also recognizes that effective efforts involve cooperation between non-governmental agencies, local governments, and local populations. From the outset, WWF has worked closely with the World Conservation Union (IUCN), and these days, it maintains a diverse range of partnerships, from talking to Baka Pygmy tribes in Central African rainforests to face-to-face discussions with world leaders and representatives of the United Nations, World Bank, and European Commission.

Over its 45 years of existence WWF has raised many millions of dollars, funding thousands of conservation initiatives around the globe. These include efforts focued on individual species, freshwater, forests, and marine issues as well as climate change. Equally important are its efforts to provide a safe and sustainable habitat for the world’s peoples, both urban and rural, including clean water, clean air, healthful food, and rewarding recreation areas.

Today WWF is active in more than 100 countries and has millions of supporters. Its more than 90 offices are focused on national and regional action. In addition to specific local issues, WWF is addressing such global issues as climate change, sustainable development, safe agricultural practices, and responsible international trade.

Images: Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) at Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire); Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) at Wolong Nature Reserve, Sichuan province, China.– ©WWF-Canon/Martin Harvey; ©WWF-Canon/Bernard de Wetter. WWF logo: ®WWF Registered Trademark. Panda Symbol © 1986 WWF.

Bisshya kobi Kobiguru Robindronath

Today is 25th Baishakh, Rabindranath Tagore's birthday according to the Bengali calendar.So I thought of writing this article.

I don’t remember when I first heard about Kobiguru. As far as I could recall, I heard a song when I was very young in some Bengali drama -

‘ami kaan pete roi o amar apon hridoy gohon dare, baare baare .. kaan pete roikon gopon bashir kanna haashir gopon kotha shuni baarebaare baare.. kaan pete roi’

…I had no idea what it meant at that time but some amazingly mystical tunes left me intrigued. Kobiguru became an inseparable part of my household but I have to admit that my knowledge and understanding of Rabindranath are very limited. So how much, if at all, do we or our next generation know about Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore or do we even need to? Perhaps we don’t, if I was brought up under the influence of the western media and culture, dance to the hip-hop techno music, quite happy to be ignorant towards our wealthy Bengali culture - I probably do not need to.

Rabindranath Tagore is the most eminent modern Bengali writer to have appeared on the whole literary scene. He wrote his first poem when he was just 7 years of age while looking outside through the window in a rainy day, ‘Jol Pore, Pata Nore’ in 1868. Rabindranath was born on May 7, 1861 (25th Baishakh, 1268 – Bengali Year) in Jorasanko, Calcutta. He was one of the fourteen children and came from a cultural and wealthy family. During his sixty years of literary life, Tagore contributed to Indian and Bangladeshi literature with over one thousand poems, nearly two dozen plays and playlets, eight novels and several short stories, more than two thousand and eight hundred songs of which he wrote both the words and music.

Kobiguru never liked his school - due to the wealthy family background, his early education was through private tutors. Subsequently, he studied at several institutions and even went to England to study law in University College London, however, did not complete any degree program. Apparently, he was recalled back home by his father in 1880, possibly because his letters to his family indicated his attraction (which was mutual) to English girls. He also admitted that he didn’t like the English weather very much.

Rabindranath is known primarily for his poetry and music, but he also distinguished himself in another area and that is modern painting. He produced over 2,500 paintings over a decade and in 1930, "through a series of exhibition in Paris, London, Berlin, Moscow and New York, the world discovered the poet Rabindranath as an important modern painter."

Rabindranath became the first Asiatic recipient of Nobel Prize in literature in 1913 for his world class literary contribution for translating ‘Gitanjali’ into English just one year after it’s publication. In ‘Gitanjali ’, a collection of mystical-devotional poetry, “Tagore tried to find inner calm and explored the themes of divine and human love”. Much of Tagore's ideology comes from the teaching of the Upanishads and from his own beliefs that God can be found through personal purity and service to others. “

Almost all of his work prior to that time had been written in his native tongue of Bengali. He decided to do this just to have something to do, with no expectation at all that his first time translation efforts would be any good. Tagore was due to sail from Calcutta, but on the night before his departure he was suddenly taken ill and the doctors forbade an immediate voyage. He was disappointed at this unforeseen cancellation of his voyage and sought consolation and strength by retiring to Shelidah on the banks of his beloved river Padma. It was here that he began to translate, for the first time, some of his ‘Gitanjali’ songs into English.

“…It was the month of Chaitra (March-April), the air was thick with the fragrance of mango-blossoms and all hours of the day were delirious with the songs of birds. When a child is full of vigour, he does not think of his mother. It is only when he is tired that he wants to nestle in her lap. That was exactly my position. …… So I took up the poems of Gitanjali and set myself to translate them one by one….”

After spending a few days in Santiniketan he sailed for London from Bombay on 27 May 1912 accompanied by his son Rathindranath and the latter's wife, Pratima. Fortunately the sea was calm and he had enough rest and leisure to continue his translations of the Gitanjali songs in small exercise books. Arriving in London, while travelling in the Underground from Charing Cross to Russell Square, Rathindranath left behind the brief-case containing the ‘Gitanjali’ exercise book in the compartment and realised his mistake on the following morning when his father asked for it. Fortunately, the brief-case was recovered at the Lost Property Office.

Tagore and his ‘Gitanjali’ took the western writers and critics by storm. Among some of the great admirers were painter Sir William Rothenstein, poet and sculpture Ezra Pound, poetess May Sinclair, poet Ernest Rhys, Alice Meynell, Henry Nevinson, Charles Trevelyan, Fox-Strangway and Irish Poet W. B. Yeats who later recorded his feelings in the beautiful introduction for the first limited edition of ‘Gitanjali’ published by the India Society of London.
Not all the criticism was favourable, however; some were in fact downright hostile, often becoming mixed up in racial overtones and biases. For example, The Times, Los Angeles, complained that young modern writers in Europe and America had been discouraged by the award of the Prize "to a Hindu poet whose name few people can pronounce, with whose work fewer in America are familiar, and whose claim for that high distinction still fewer will recognize".
Tagore was awarded the knighthood in 1915, but he surrendered it in 1919 as a protest against the Massacre of Amritsar, where British troops killed some 400 Indian demonstrators protesting colonial laws.

In the field of music, Tagore’s background was classical Indian. However, as a composer he introduced a rich variety of form and content, enriched by Bangla folk music, such as the Baul and Bhatiyali. He is credited for both the words and music for over 2500 songs, popularly known as Rabindro Sangeet. This also includes the national anthems of both India (Jana Gano Mano Adhinayako) and Bangladesh (Amar Shonar Bangla), a unique accomplishment, indeed. The tune of ‘Amar Shonar Bangla’ reflects his admiration towards Baul songs and Lalon Shah as this is also the tune of well known Lalon geeti, ‘Ami Kothay Paabo Taare, Amar Moner Manush Jere’.

In 1940 Oxford University arranged a special ceremony in Santiniketan to honour the poet with Doctorate Of Literature. Tagore passed away on 7th August, 1941.

Few useful links and references, some of which was used here:

1.http://www.calcuttaweb.com/tagore/tagore.htm

2.http://www.virtualbangladesh.com/biography/tagore.html

3.http://alochona.hypermart.net/newsletter/2001/may/Tagore.htm

4.http://www.schoolofwisdom.com/tagore-einstein.html

5.http://www.journeymart.com/breakfree/India/shantiniketan/

6.http://www.santiniketan.net/

7. http://www.cs.brockport.edu/~smitra/sadhaka.html

8.Rabindranath Tagore ‘Amar Chelbala’ - Rabindra rachnavali’, Calcutta (1940)

9. Krishna Kripalani, ‘Rabindranath Tagore: A Biography, Visva-Bharati, Calcutta (1980).

Kobi Pronam - Subha hok .. Subha hok .. Tomar Shubha Jonmodin

Meet the goldfish that bends it like Beckham!

Comet, the goldfish is surely on track to become the smartest fish in the world, for it can perform a range of unbelievable aquatic activities.
Comet can dunk a basketball, score a goal at football and limbo under a bar.
The two-year-old fish can also swim through a tube and collect hoops, slalom around a series of poles and push a rugby ball over a set of posts.
Comet has gained this amazing ability after the positive reinforcement training by owner Dr Dean Pomerleau.
The wonder fish's technique is the same as those used to train dolphins, according to Dr Pomerleau.
This involves rewarding the fish with food when it successfully completes a task.
Dr Pomerleau insisted there was nothing devious about his claim, saying anyone can teach their pet to perform similar tricks.
"There is mounting evidence that fish are more intelligent than people give them credit for," the Telegraph quoted him, as saying.
"With the correct tools and the basic promise of a food reward, fish can very quickly learn complex tricks - like the limbo, slalom or playing fetch.
"Now people in the market for a dog might want to consider a fish instead," he added. (ANI)

Link between 'Akshaya Tritiya' and 'Jainism'

Akshaya tritiya or Akshaya Trutiya Festival is a very well known festival and popular festival of Jain peoples of India. Akshya tritiya festival is celebrate on the third month of the vaishakha (Vaishakha sud teez or 3). or we can say it as Akshaya tritiya festival falls on the third day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakh on each year.
The Bhagwan Rishabdev performed the Parana (completion of an austerity) on the day of akshya tritiya after fasting for one year continuously. Many people perform the austerity of Varsity complete the austerity on this day by taking sugar cane juice in the cool shadow of Shatrunjay. Akshaya tritiya festival is observed in April month in each year. On the day of Akshya tritiya sugar-cane juice is mostly offered to those person who have observed various types of fasts and vartas through out the year.
On the day of the relatives of the participants go to a nearby shop of sugarcane crusher, wash the press with boiled water and collect the juice in earthen pots. They bring the juice to the temple and offer to the participant’s 108 small cups full of this juice. After observing this ritual the participants normally take a vow that for the rest of their lives they will not drink unboiled water. Akshaya tritiya festival is celebrated on the day of April 30 in 2006.

The Golden Day

Hindus believe in the theory of “mahurats” or auspicious timings in every step in life - be it to begin a new venture or making an important purchase. Akshaya Tritiya is one such momentous occasion, which is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Vedic Calendar. It is believed, any meaningful activity started on this day would be fruitful.
Once a YearAkshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May), when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year.
Holy DayAkshaya Tritiya, also known as “Akha Teej”, is traditionally the birthday of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. People conduct special Pujas on this day, bathe in holy rivers, make a charity, offer barley in a sacred fire, and worship Lord Ganesha & Devi Lakshmi on this day.
The Golden LinkThe word “Akshaya” means imperishable or eternal - that which never diminishes. Initiations made or valuables bought on this day are considered to bring success or good fortune. Buying gold is a popular activity on Akshaya Tritiya, as it is the ultimate symbol of wealth and prosperity. Gold and gold jewelry bought and worn on this day signify never diminishing good fortune. Indians celebrate weddings, begin new business ventures, and even plan long journeys on this day.
Myths & LegendsThe day also marks the beginning of the “SatyaYug” or the Golden Age - the first of the four Yugas. In the “Puranas”, the holy Hindu scriptures, there is a story that says that on this day of Akshay Tritiya Vedavyas along with Lord Ganesha started writing the great epic Mahabharata. Ganga Devi or Mother Ganges also descended to earth on this day.
Bright BirthsIt is also believed that people born during this time shine bright in life. Many luminaries were born during this period: Basaveshwara born on May 4, Ramanujacharya and Adi Shankaracharya on May 6, Swami Chinmayananda on May 8 and Lord Buddha on May 16.

Akshaya TritiiyA

Akshaya TritiiyA

Akshaya Tritiya day is the very auspicious day - there's no inauspiciousness to be found today so even checking muhurthas is considered unnecessary, so auspicious it is. Whatever one does for devotees, and for Krsna that person will get more benefit and it is eternal benefit and never lost. He said one story of a brahmana: there was a brahmana who had a very good wife and was poor. Whatever little money he got would get spent somehow. Also he did not have children. So under the strong request of his wife he went to Vasishta muni to know the reason for his suffering. Vasishta muni told him that in his previous life he was very rich and also had many children. But he was very stingy, he was not even spending for his own children. This is the reason for his being poor, also without children. Then that brahmana asked Vasishta muni why he got a good wife. So that Muni replied that somehow with some reason, he observed that the vrata of Vaishaka month for the last 5 days. So he got a good wife and also the brahmana birth. Then the muni advised him to follow at least the last 7 days left of Vaishaka month, with devotion to Lord Krishna.
Since that brahmana observed the vrata of Vaishaka month for that at least the left out 7 days, he got sons, he became rich, ultimately he got Love of Godhead and went back to the spiritual world!
It is important to hear such a story/pastimes as this so that at least by hearing this, we engage ourselves in the service of Guru, the Vaishnavas and Krsna. Thus becoming inspired to always render service the devotee is always the beneficiary of such interaction with the Vaishnavas, one's Guru and Lord Sri Krishna.
Akshaya tritiiyaa: (from the Calendar of the Madhwa Vaishnavas) The third day in the bright fortnight of vaishaakha is the day of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Parashurama. The icon is decorated with an axe, to depict Him in a heroic pose.
This coincides with the anniversary of passing of Sri Vijayadhvaja Tiirtha, the sixth piiThaadhipati in the lineage of Sri Pejawar Mutt. He is famous for his commentary upon the Srimad Bhaagavata epic. He lived in the 15th century and his vrindavana (samadhi) is in Kanva Tiirtha. There is also a pipal tree by the side of the vrindavana under which he is believed to have written his commentary.
During the tenure of Sri Pejawar MaTha a special festival is arranged in Sri Krishna Mutt on this day and the akshaya paatra given by Sri Madhva is offered a special puuja. This akshaya patra is said to have been given by the Sun god, it is the same pot that mother Draupadi used to cook in. It is said that from the time of turning it upwards for use on a day the pot will provide unlimited amounts of foodstuffs for the satisfaction of the Lord. There is a story in this connection wherein the angry sage Durvasas came to Draupadi demanding foods:

On the Pandavas return to Hastinapur they resided in the palace created for them by the demon Maya Danava. Mayasura built this palace out of gratitude to Krsna for saving him in the forest fire in the Khandava Forest where he was hiding when Agni devoured it. He also presented Bhima with a magnificent fighting club. After the Rajasurya sacrifice was performed, Duryodhana, being always envious of the Pandavas, came to the mansion created by Maya Danava's illusions. Bewildered by illusions of many kinds, Duryodhana mistook the solid floor for water and lifted the end of his garment to walk forward on what he thought was shallow water but it was solid floor, and after a few more steps he fell into waist deep water mistaking it for a solid floor. Proud Duryodhana, who was wearing his crown and a costly necklace was very angry, but when he fell into the water everyone laughed, especially Draupadi and Bhima. Yudhisthira tried to check the laughing of all the women in the palace, by raising his hand and his glances. Lord Krsna however, encouraged it by the suggestive gestures of His eyebrows. Humiliated and swearing revenge, Duryodhana turned his face downwards and went back to Hastinapura. The Kurus then made a conspiracy to trick Yudhisthira into a gambling match by which the Kauravas (Kurus) could cheat the Pandavas out of everything with the dice made from Sakuni's bones. During the match Yudhisthira lost his kingdom, wealth, jewelry, clothing and finally even gambled and lost his wife. When Dussasana went to fetch the chaste Draupadi, she said she couldn't come to the assembly as she was undergoing her monthly period, and was only dressed in one piece of cloth (a simple 'sari'). Draupadi had a beautiful bunch of hair which was sanctified at the ceremonial Rajasurya Yajna, but Dussasana defiled that sacred lady and grabbed her by her hair just to insult her. When he started to pull off her sari just to make her naked, Draupadi, realizing that she had no hope of help from her husbands as they too had been lost, by Yudhisthira being tricked into upholding mundane moralistic codes and now had no free will to act (though Bhima was transcendentally situated from such sentimental codes his brothers tried to make him restrained to follow Yudhisthira's mood and etiquette). Draupadi then cent per cent, completely surrendered to Krsna, and to the amazement of the assembly, as much 'sari' as Dussasana took from her body, as much again replaced it. Lord Krsna, though protecting his surrendered devotee, decided that for their sinful behaviour the Kurus would be inevitably killed at the Battle of Kuruksetra and all of their wives would too loosen their hair in public, but this time as widows. When the Pandavas were exiled to the forest for twelve years after a second gambling match, the Kurus made a clause, that after the completion of twelve years the Pandavas had then to spend one year incognito, thus making thirteen years all told. If, during the final year the Pandavas's whereabouts were discovered, they again had to spend another twelve years in the forest. Because the Pandavas were concerned how to feed the 'brahmanas' who accompanied them to the forest, Srimati Draupadi Devi was given a pot by the sun god called by Aksayapatra. This pot would never be empty until Draupadi had taken her meal and turned the pot upside down. Then it would produce no more for that day. Once Draupadi had finished cooking and had just taken her meal when the Muni Durvasas arrived with many of his disciples. The angry sage Durvasas and his disciples had secretly been asked to go there by the Kauravas who knew that by this time Draupadi would have taken her meal, and if she was unable to offer them anything to eat, she would incur the wrath of Durvasa. Durvasas and his disciples went to the river to bathe and freshen up before taking their meal. Draupadi, full of anxiety, prayed to Lord Krsna to help her. Lord Sri Krsna then told Draupadi that if there was a morsel of food left He would be satisfied if that were offered by Draupadi, His pure devotee with love to Him. Seeing a fragment of spinach stuck to the side of the pot, Krsna asked for it, Draupadi offered it to Krsna, and simply by eating that morsel of foodstuffs, all of Durvasas' men and Durvasa himself became completely full and satisfied, and out of embarrassment slipped away and didn't come to demand a meal from Draupadi as the sinful Duryodhana had arranged for them to do.

Mother's Day Celebrations Around The World

Mother's Day have been recognized in special ways for thousands of years. It's celebrated in over 40 countries around the world! The exact date and the way this event is celebrated, however, varies from country to country since Ancient Greece. Here is a glimpse of today's Mother's Day celebrations as done worldwide. Know about the different ways in which this heartwarming occasion is celebrated in different countries of the world.

Mother's day at the United Kingdom...
Mother's Day is more popularly known as Mothering Sunday, the origins of the holiday date back to centuries when it was considered important for churchgoers to visit their home or "mother" church once a year. During Lent, the practice became quiet popular, and in a society where children were often sent off to work in other villages at a very young age, it quickly became a time for family reunions and celebrations that were fondly cherished. A special cake, might also be brought along to provide a festive touch. Later, Mothering Sunday became a day when children and domestic servants were allowed a day off to see their families. Celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, Mothering Sunday remains a time to pay mothers their due rewards for all their love and encouragement with flowers, candies, cards, and other tokens of appreciation.

Mother's day at the United States of America...
It's said that Mother's Day was first suggested in the United Sates by Julia Ward Howe in 1872 as a day dedicated to peace after the Franco Prussian War. The holiday gained its popularity majorly due to the efforts of Anna M. Jarvis. Anna began a letter-writing campaign to garner support for a national Mother's Day holiday when her mother passed away in 1905, with the help of friends, Reaching out to influential leaders, including William Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, and John Wannamaker, Anna poured out a stream of solicitations for support of the idea. She believed, mothers deserved their own special day and that it would help strengthen family bonds. She persuaded her mother's church in West Virginia to celebrate Mother's Day on the second anniversary of her mother's death, the 2nd Sunday of May. By 1911 Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state, and flowers quickly became a lasting tradition to express love on the occasion. In 1914, Congress passed a resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, "a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our country." President Woodrow Wilson issued the first proclamation making it an official U.S. holiday.

Other countries that celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May include: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Japan, and Turkey.

Mother's day Celebrations in India...
Just as in the West, Indians too take Mothers Day as a time too reflect on the importance of mothers in their life. Mother's Day is the time to say a big thank you Ma. The Hindu people celebrate for ten days in October in a festival they call Durga Puja. Durga is the name of a goddess who protects the people from evil and is also popularly known as The universal Mother.. People send cards to their mums on Mothers Day. Invitations for a meal so that she can have a days rest from the kitchen and gifting out goodies on Mothers Day is also rampant.
Mother's day Celebrations in Spain...where the holiday is more religious, people respect and remember the Virgin Mary on December 8. Children also honor their own mothers on this day.

Mother's day Celebrations in New Zealand...
In New Zealand Mothers Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May. This is the same day on which US celebrates its Mothers Day. And as the idea of celebrating Mothers Day in New Zealand has come from US, the manner of celebrating Mothers Day in New Zealand is much the same as that in US. On Mothers Day people of New Zealand thank their mothers and recognize their esteemed efforts in bringing them up and caring for them. There is a big euphoria over the day and people celebrate the day by going out for picnics and dinners. Markets see a busy time as people make it a point to buy gifts for their mothers, grand mothers and friends and relatives who are mothers.

Mother's day Celebrations at Yugoslavia...
Mothers' Day is observed in December. The children sneak into their mother's bedroom and tie her up in bed. When she awakes she promises to give the children gifts that she has hidden in order to be untied.

Mother's day Celebrations in South Africa...

In South Africa, Mothers Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May. People of South Africa celebrate Mother's Day in its true spirit by acknowledging the importance of mothers in their lives and thanking them profusely for all their love and care. People also gift flowers and cards to their mother as an expression of their heartfelt feeling of gratitude and affection.

Mother's day Celebrations In Japan...
Young children draw pictures called "My Mother" and enter them into an exhibit. This exhibit of pictures then travels to many different countries around the world .

Mother's day Celebrations In Canada...
Mothers Day is a the most popular festival after Christmas and Valentines Day. Just as in USA, Mothers Day in Canada is celebrated in the second Sunday in the month of May. People pay tribute to their mothers on the day and thank them for their constant support and love. In Canada, cards and flowers are the most commonly used methods of expressing love for moms. It has been commercialized to a large extent with compelling advertising strategies in the technologically advanced country of Canada.

Mother's day Celebrations In Sweden...
they sell little plastic flowers before Mother's Day. They then use the money that they make from these flowers to send the mothers with many children on vacation.
Mother's day Celebrations in Mexico...Mother's Day, or Dia de las Madres, is May 10 in Mexico. It's a hugely popular occasion celebrated throughout the country, with special events sponsored by schools, churches, cities, and civic groups. The family tradition is for sons and daughters to come to their mother's house on the eve of Mother's Day (May 9). Festive Mother's Day masses, handmade gifts, flowers, cards, and children's' school presentations are also often part of the nationwide observance.

Other countries that celebrate Mother's Day on May 10 include: Bahrain, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.

Mother's day Celebrations in Ireland...
In Ireland, Mothers Day is not celebrated on same day as in US. Mothers Day celebrations in Ireland takes place on the fourth Sunday in the Christian fasting month of Lent. This corresponds to the day on which Mothers Day or Mothering Sunday is celebrated in UK, a close neighbor of Ireland. While in the US Mothers Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May. But just as in scores of other countries, people in Ireland honor their mothers on the occasion of Mothers Day for all their love and affection.

Other NationsSimilar holidays are commonplace throughout the world, including Argentina (2nd Sunday in Oct.), France (last Sunday in May), Lebanon (1st day of Spring), Norway (2nd Sunday in Feb.), South Africa (1st Sunday in May), Sweden (last Sunday in May), and Yugoslavia/Serbia (two weeks before Christmas).

The festival of Mothers Day is based on the emotions shared between mother and a child. However, the idea has been commercialized by marketers all over the world to convert the sentiments into profit. Rigorous advertising campaigns are launched days before the festival to lure people to go on a spending spree for the D day. Though this helps to promote Mothers Day and raise awareness about the day on the brighter side and lets all walk that extra line to keep the emotions and the noble idea behind the day alive and not just make it a day of formal exchange of gifts.

Jadi Rabi Thakur Haten Sector 5 er Karmi

PROSHNO

"...ma go amay chhuti dite bol,sokal theke code

korchhi je mela...

ekhon ami verir dhare bose korbo shudhu adda-adda

khela...

tumi bolchho ei office eli sobe,nahoy jeno satti holo

tai...

ekdin o national holiday chhara,amder ki chhuti dite

nai...

...ami to besh vabte pari mone,surji dube gechhe

nolboner pase...

aro sob office er chhelera ese vir jomabe verir dhare

bose...

andhar holo sector-5,kalo hoye elo verir jol...

auto-bus-e barchhe dekhi vir,klanto deho shanti te

chonchal...

...mone korona uthlo sanjher taara,mone koro na

sandhye holo jeno...

asar time fixed jodi hobe,ferar somoy fixed hobe na

keno??"

Mom's Message Board

Mother's Day is celebrated to honor all mothers and express gratitude for the hardships they bear in bringing up a child. Most countries including US, Australia, Canada and India celebrate Mothers Day on the second Sunday of May. Mother Day came into being due to the efforts made by Ms Julia Ward Howe and Ms Anna Jarvis. The Resolution for having a dedicated 'Mother's Day was signed by US President Woodrow Wilson on May 8, 1914. Since then people across the world have been celebrating Mothers Day with joy and devotion.

Here are few quotes on mom's which I found through searching internet.I liked them vry much ,I hope who reads these lines also like it :

->By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time

off. They are the great vacationless class. ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

->Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.

~Marion C. Garretty, quoted in A Little Spoonful of Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul

-> Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure

love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

->The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman

existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

->When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has

to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

-> Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they are

their own. ~Aristotle

->Who fed me from her gentle breastAnd hushed me in her arms to rest,And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?My Mother.~Anne Taylor

MESSAGES FOR OUR SWEET MOM's :-

Here goes my message for my mom...

"Mom you are my life, you are my heart. You are the best mom in the world.You are a special person and someone very sweet. I love when u call me 'Mamoni'. It takes a mom to be a mother it takes a friend to be mom. Rose are red, violets are blue, Happy Mothers Day to you."

MY SWEET MOM

I hope u folk out there start writing few lines on ur mom on this auspicious day,& dedicate May 11 th to them "Who rocks the cradle rules the world"----

I will be looking forward for all ur messages....lets dedicate this message board to our moms...

Mother's Day In India

Mother's Day Celebration in India are slowly catching!
The concept of celebrating Mothers Day on the second Sunday of May is very new in India and it can be said that in a time span of less than a decade, Mothers Day has been a great success. In the presence of umpteenth number of existing festivals, it is a remarkable achievement for a foreign festival to make its presence felt in the vast and culturally diverse country like India.
Globalisation, to a great extent has helped to make this Western, or mainly American festival to make its presence felt in India. Besides interaction of Indians with the West is at an all time high. A lot many people have been in US or have their relatives staying there. Internet and satellite revolution has made information about other cultures more accessible than ever. But the reason behind the success of Mothers Day in India can be attributed to the emotions which are attached to the festival. Mothers are mothers everywhere, they are as much loved and respected in India as in any other part of the world. Perhaps Indians have always felt the need of such a day which is devoted solely to mothers. Mothers Day gives them all the opportunity to celebrate such a day.

Time to Reflect and Rejoice
Just as in the West, Indians too take Mothers Day as a time too reflect on the importance of mothers in their life. They take it is time to think about all the pains their mother took while they were sick, the hardships she went through in bringing them up and all the sacrifices she made so that they lead a better life. Mothers Day is the time to say a big thank you to mother for all this and for being a constant guiding force in our lives.
In India, people send cards to their mamas on Mothers Day. Make a meal for Mothers so that she can have a days rest from the kitchen. Tradition of giving gifts on Mothers Day is also rampant. The whole idea of celebrating Mothers Day is to thank mother, to make her feel important on the day and be happy about mothering caring children. Mothers should be pampered on the day by children and on the whole should be given a happy Mothers Day.

Celebrations in Metropolitan and Big Cities
Awareness about Mothers Day is much greater in metros and other big and happening cities than in smaller towns. Thanks to the booming card market, who keep reminding people about when is Mothers Day and how it must be celebrated.
In the capital city of Delhi, Mothers Day is celebrated in a big way and has been commericalised to a great extent. Big companies launch various women oriented products on the day and restaurants try to lure people with attractive advertisements. Media too creates a big hype about the day with special programmes and features.
Looking at the fast pace at which the excitement for Mothers Day is growing it will not be long when the Mothers Day will be noted as the national festival of India.

Tribute To Mother

On Mothers Day, pay your most humble tribute to Mother!

Mothers are everything for us when we are small...our lives revolve around her. For everything that we need we call mother. To protect us from all perceivable dangers we want her around us. To take us out we hold her arms. To kiss away our wounds we run to her. And for a warm hug and love we look for her. She is the focal point of our lives, the greatest human being in the world or should we say divinity on earth. On the special occasion of Mothers Day pay tribute to your mother - the greatest blessing of God on you.

On Mothers Day Thank your Mother
There is simply no way we can ever really thank mother for all she has done for us. She is the one who will be awake all night when we are sick. Praying to God to make us well and be ever ready to bear the pain that we may be experiencing. She is the one to wake up early in the morning to make the nicest tiffin and endure all our tantrums. Mothers are the ones who would forever complain that we are not eating enough or not eating right. They would cook all sorts of things so that we be strong and healthy. Mothers infact, worry more for our examinations than we must. They would take pains to complete our school projects leaving all other works behind while we play around with friends or just while away time watching movies.

On Mothers Day Apologise to your Mother
Mothers are the one on whom we put all the blame for our failures. We would not hesitate once to point her single faux pas though she would not miss even a slightest opportunity to praise us. Isn't it tough to imagine how she must have borne our temper tantrums when we were teenagers. And how hard we must have made her life by behaving so rude and difficult. And yet she was so astonishingly cool. It it easy for the kids to be so demanding from parents, specially mothers as we take her affection and care so much for granted. Most often to the extent of selfishness. Mothers Day is the right time to apologise for all the troubles that we gave to our moms, without even realising at most times how troublesome we must have been to her.

Celebrate Mothers Day with your Dear Mother
Mothers Day is the perfect day to celebrate the joys of having a mother. It is the time to make amends for not being able to spend quality time with her. So turn your wrongs right by making all efforts to give a perfect Mothers Day to your mother. Think about her likes and dislikes about gifts and idea on celebration and act accordingly. Strive to make Mothers Day absolutely hassle free for your mother and take the responsibilities on yourself for a day. Pamper her a little on this special day of hers just as she pampers you all the year round. Give her a warm hug and a big kiss as you wish her a Happy Mothers Day!

About Mothers Day

Contrary to popular belief, Mother's Day was not conceived and fine-tuned in the boardroom of Hallmark. The earliest tributes to mothers date back to the annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to Rhea, the mother of many deities, and to the offerings ancient Romans made to their Great Mother of Gods, Cybele. Christians celebrated this festival on the fourth Sunday in Lent in honor of Mary, mother of Christ. In England this holiday was expanded to include all mothers and was called Mothering Sunday.

In the United States, Mother's Day started nearly 150 years ago, when Anna Jarvis, an Appalachian homemaker, organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, a cause she believed would be best advocated by mothers. She called it "Mother's Work Day."

Fifteen years later, Julia Ward Howe, a Boston poet, pacifist, suffragist, and author of the lyrics to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," organized a day encouraging mothers to rally for peace, since she believed they bore the loss of human life more harshly than anyone else.

In 1905 when Anna Jarvis died, her daughter, also named Anna, began a campaign to memorialize the life work of her mother. Legend has it that young Anna remembered a Sunday school lesson that her mother gave in which she said, "I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother's day. There are many days for men, but none for mothers."

Anna began to lobby prominent businessmen like John Wannamaker, and politicians including Presidents Taft and Roosevelt to support her campaign to create a special day to honor mothers. At one of the first services organized to celebrate Anna's mother in 1908, at her church in West Virginia, Anna handed out her mother's favorite flower, the white carnation. Five years later, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling for officials of the federal government to wear white carnations on Mother's Day. In 1914 Anna's hard work paid off when Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother's Day as a national holiday.

At first, people observed Mother's Day by attending church, writing letters to their mothers, and eventually, by sending cards, presents, and flowers. With the increasing gift-giving activity associated with Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis became enraged. She believed that the day's sentiment was being sacrificed at the expense of greed and profit. In 1923 she filed a lawsuit to stop a Mother's Day festival, and was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a convention selling carnations for a war mother's group. Before her death in 1948, Jarvis is said to have confessed that she regretted ever starting the mother's day tradition.

Despite Jarvis's misgivings, Mother's Day has flourished in the United States. In fact, the second Sunday of May has become the most popular day of the year to dine out, and telephone lines record their highest traffic, as sons and daughters everywhere take advantage of this day to honor and to express appreciation of their mothers.