Our US Visit for the 6th time.

                                            To day 21st May2018 in USA- 2.34 p.m.Monday
                                                     22nd May2018,12.07a.m.---in India.
                         Twenty five days have been rolled over since we arrived USA.on 26 th of April we  had boarded Air India Flight to Delhi and from there by Air India connecting flight, we  landed in Dallas Air port in Washington on 27 th, Friday morning at 7.30 A.M.
                  My daughter-in law  Sangeetha  came to the Airport to pick up us as my son Sarthi has gone to office.She welcomed us and took us to their home ,that they have bought few months ago.
 It is a big  individual house with big three bedrooms,surrounded by spacious open space with lot of gigantic trees and greenaries.
             We were very glad and liked the house very  much.My son and our grand children  came in the evening and expressed their happiness on seeing us . We took out all the sweets n other eatables,Dresses and some other items we brought from India.  My grand children ,Sangeetha n Sarathi  tasted some  sweets  n enjoyed them.
          After sometime we had our dinner ,went to sleep.This time we had jet log for more days than previous trips.
   After 4 days we had come to our normal lifestyle. One of our   daily routine is' walking " to some distance around the lake i n the park  very near to our house.
           By the time we enter in to the house , all the four members of the family would have gone to their work places. .
           We both would take bath, pray to God, n then would have our lunch , that was cooked by  Sangeetha. Some times  I will   cook  food for us ., special dishes for them, they will come n eat in the evening. We would chat for sometime in the night.  before go to to bed.
 Sarathi n Sangeetha     surprised me by gifting  a beautiful watch.I liked it very much n thanked them  for the useful gift.for MOTHER'S DAY.13-5-2018.
              On Fridays we all used to watch a Movie in the T.V.
    Then I usually see our Tamil Sun T.V.serials in YOU TUBE.!
    One day we went to a  famous Murugan Temple near by our house.One day We had been to a  Birthday  party of  my son's family friend's son.We spent a whole day ,enjoyed n had fun there.
          Yesterday morning we all went to Shiva Vishnu Temple n had  not only good Dharshan but also good food. they are selling.
          After worshiping God we bought sambar sadam,puliodarai.and thayir sadam and finshed our lunch with that prasadams.
          In the evening Sangeetha took me to a Pedicure parlor, to  beautify my toes.It was a new experience for me and I got some relaxation fer that I have to say thanks to Sangeetha.

   To day Monday 21st May2018. As usual I and L.R.G.K.we had started to walk to the Park.  No time we had crossed the  next  street  ,he could not walk. He was going bending one side , ,so I slowly held his hand and brought him to the front of the house. Suddenly he slipped my hand n fell down on the street.
          I was helpless. I could not get him up.No  fly nor a crow near by .For got the phone that Sangeetha had given me to call her at the time of emergency.
         Twenty minutes had gone.I beleived somebodywho goes in car might come to our help. I lost my hope .
 At that time,thank God, a gentleman in the opposite house came out to take  his car to go some where.
" Excuse me'I called him. Immediately he  came towards  my husband, pick him up with one hand  n  brought  him in to the house and made him sit on the sofa comfortably. so kind of him, he brought his shoes walking stick etc to the house from out side.
    I thanked him a lot for his timely help. He said  ok with a smile  n left out.

             At that time my son phoned and asked for our status. I explained the whole story . He scolded me for not calling for help. next a call from my  d-i-l  with the same complaint. I said some excuses for it .
 They came in the evening ,inquired about the incident , gave  him some medicines with some useful advice.to him.This episode was over for today.
             May 22nd : Sarathi  is working  from the home.
I cooked Methi sambar, n ladyfingers   kariamadu,  thali vadm, for lunch, before afternoon nap I have written this  messages.
              In the evening I walked  from our house in Olive wood ct to Pine crest ct end nearly  3///4 of a kilo meter..
           Last Sunday 28 th of April, we  went to Arundel Mills . It accommodates  many retail shops. more over memorial sales was going on . we can get lot of things from dress ,household articles ,shoes to house keeping tools ,considerably at the lowest price.
   We spent the whole day. Sangeetha purchased dresses n other things.  she bought a handbag for me also.
 Then we had our dinner in a  Italian Restaurent named Olive Green Park.We returned home at 11.30 P.M.
  Monday was also a holiday as people celebrate it as Memorial Day.

   From 30 th of May I have started to change my eating pattern . Morning one aAvacado.
small quantity of rice, cooked vegetables n curd. evening: A cup of coffee, cellary n sundal one dosa or some vegetables by 7.P.M.. I skip Dinner. This is my daily food pattern.
             31st of May: My Son Sarathy has gifted me a new LG5cell phone. I am very happy about .it.
 As usual on 2nd ,June  I went to lake side,  and began walking around the Green belt lake path . I liked n enjoyed the nature at its full. Walking path goes in between the lake at one side and 60 to 70 feet tall dense trees on the mount.on the other side. If we go one round along the lake it comes to 1.5. miles .
         As  I was walking, a lady who was going ahead of me , suddenly bend o the path , picked up something n put it in  a carry bag  that she had .Her pet dog was also going  along with her.  At 4 or five places she bent n collected like that.
         At one place she stopped  for sometime. Out of curiosity I went near n asked her what was she picking while walking along.
        Her answer gave me a quite surprise , It is the responsibility of each person ,coming n using this path to keep it clean also. But some of them make the ambiance dirty by throwing wastes on both sides of the path.So where ever I see chocolate papers and other thrown things ,I used to collect them
 and put them in dust bin on the way. As a resident of Green Belt  city it is one of my duty to keep  my surroundings clean .  I was stunned about her answer n appreciated her .
         On the other hand , when I thought of our people's attitude in India , it was just opposite. It is my wish that we should also change , love our living area, n  every one belonged to that area , make a resolution  to keep their surroundings flawless.
          Every day when I go for walking , I will get some surprise . Next day when I went outside it was slightly raining.  On  the way I saw a small Turtle ,peeping it,s head out. I saw a pelican in the middle of the Lilly pond on the lake.

                                  June 2018.
            3rd of June  we all went to' IKEA"one of the biggest Utility Mall in MD.
       4th of June'18 Anjana's Seemandam was held in India. Her Father in law  has sent some of the pictures taken on that Occasion. We were very glad at seeing those pictures.
        To day is Monday. Some what cloudy.  So I went for walking along the roadside.My legs were paining. so  I walked only 0.77 miles only.

       9-6-'18 :
            To day is  my mother-in-laws' anniversary. Sangeetha and me made a good food n placed before God .  we prayed for her blessings to us.
          To day is an important day for the people In USA. They are celebrating PRIDE PARADE festival to day.
          What is meant by Pride Parade?.
     We know that there are two sex ,Male n Female . But in between there is a gender, separated by conscience, man thinking himself as a woman n  vise versa .They are called Transgenders.
        Another type;  man n man loves each other  and live together as  husband and wife.
                                woman n woman loves and live together as husband n wife.- Lesbians.
        These sort of activities were prohibited in USA in the past .After  many agitations from these people , Federal Govt  has passed some laws , to recognize them  and for their well
being.
       Then they came to the lime light of the society. People started to recognize as they are also one among them. Started to respect them . To respect  n support them   this festival of Pride parade  is conducted every year. All the corporate companies ,Business people , including Govt. Departments participate in the parade. It goes on to two or three miles. The procession was awesome. Very colourful n can see  people dressed  themselves as per their
 aesthetics.
        I had the chance to view the PRIDE PARADE and enjoyed watching it.To accept n respect the transgenders , relationship with man n man, woman n woman  ,among the people in the society  is the main cause for this parade. They have all the freedom to live the life as per their wish.
             But according to Hindu culture these type of living together  was not encouraged by religious or social path of life.
          But slowly  transgenders fight for their rights acceptance by Indian Govt n respect  from the society they belong.  They have got some welfare benefits and employment opportunities in the Govt Sector through the Bylaws passed by Central n State Govt in favour of them.
            People also started to recognize their educational values ,and are employed  in some of the higher posts.  Now a days they live in groups .  In educational side also they are coming up .
           Same sexual marriage is not an easy factor  to accept  in our holy Hindu culture..However this practice is going on unknowingly in  our society.

     
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                  13-6-2018
                           To day is Yahvi's   Kindergarten graduation ceremony at her public school in Greenbelt. It Is Known as Green Belt Elementary School. The Function was celebrated as a great festival. There were four sections in K.G.class. Thatha .her parents , her brother Madhav and I  accompanied her to witness the function.
                      When we reached there,I was astonished to see a huge crowed of parents and friends followed their children to attend the function .
            It was a   spacious school auditorium with  a big stage. Starting bell was rung On that moment
 Elementary school Principal and KG. class teachers and the correspondent  had assembled on the stage.Following some music the KG students started to enter in to the auditorium one by one in a long queue like ants go in a long disciplined way to their mud hole. People seemed to be very happy ,laughing ,talking loudly  with each other ,making the the whole environment joyful.
             Suddenly an announcement came from the Principal to keep quite for singing  National Anthem.  After it was over, students were called off one by one section vise n were given graduation Certificate. I  could  see , proud of achievement on the face of each child as well as on the faces of their parents

 Now In  India also  Graduation ceremony for beginning classes like Pre-.K.G, L.K.G. n K.G. children in the  Private School is being celebrated to motivate the children to come to school for learning. At that time they  wear graduation dress n hood  like college students at the time of graduation ceremony.  The parents would take pictures of the precious moments to keep them as the Diamond memories of the past.

           
   

The Task behind getting the VISA to the U.S.A.

                            The  Task  Behind Getting The Visa To USA
             Our 10 years Visa  to U.S.A. expired in 2016. Now we have decided to get it . I talked about it with  my son ,from that moment he has started to work on it.
           He guided us  to go online process to get it done without the help of  the Travel Agency. .
 
           For this online Premium Service helps  the seeker ,how to apply for the foreign Visa.
             There are various types of Immigration Visas  to enter in to USA.     
            Green card for individuals with extraordinary abilities-EB-1,E.B.2,E.B.-3.
           2.Ex.Abilities Visa-- 0-1,
           3. Treaty/Investor Visa- E-1,E-2
           4..Intra company-L-1-Visa ,P-1, P-2, P-3.
           5. Artists, Athletes& cultural Visa.
           6.B-1,B-2---- Business and Tourism   Visa.
           7. F/M , Student Visa.
 
               We have applied for B-1 B-2, Visitors Visa. B-1,B-2  Visitors Visa is non immigrant visa for persons desiring to enter in to USA temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2)
              Applicants must complete a D-S-160 Form at the US Consulate with jurisdiction over their place  of  permenent residence, before a visa issued by the consulate.


                  1.Have  to get  CGI- Cash payment of US Visa Fees. form. . There will be CGI Reference No,Visa Tier (1-4) -1, US $ amount &320.
                   This advice slip must be used to make visa  fees at the prescribed bank.
                      Our Experience:  As per my son's  advice  I took the print out of the CGI form  duly, filled it up, to the AXIS BANK Alwar Thirunagar Branch , paid  for Visa Tier for 2 persons, INR. Amount Rs.21760 (($320) .
                Got our payment acknowledgement - Visa Fees and Visa Fees Receipt on 9-2-2018  I sent them to my son by email attachment for further processing .
       
                  2. To get ready with all the documents  required from the Applicant and one who  will give support to him in US ie  Sponsor.

                   3.By submitting our Visa fees acknowledgement and Visa fees Receipt,got  DS160 US Visa Application confirmation page stamped for two persons(for each one of us separately  at the Visa application  Center (VAC) through online process.
                 
                    4. As said earlier my son had sent all the documents required from  his side as the Sponsor  and the documents to be carried by  us ,along with a clear checklist by G.mail- zip file format.
                  5.I opened it with  WINZIP and took Printouts of the documents, which included the clear  check-list also.
                Check List :
                     Documents to carry by the Applicant for US Visa
              1. Original passport with a six month validity beyond expected arrival date  in USA.
           
              2.All old passports.
              3.D S 160 US Visa application confirmation page stamped at the Visa Application Center.
              4.Proof  of fee payment,which is a valid receipt.
              5. Printout of US Interview Appointment letter- the email confirmation
           
                  Supporting Documents from Sponsor:
                  Financial Documents:
                 1.Affidavit of Support form,1134
                 2.Letter of Invitation.
                 3.Letter to US consulate.
                 4.Bank Statements: Latest Two Bank Statements-
                 5.Bank account Verification letter.
                 6.2 recent pay stub copies
                7. 2015 n 2016 -W2 and Income tax returns.
                 8. Employment Verification letter.
                 Residency Status:
                  1.Copy of Certificate of Citizenship or Green card  copy .
 
                  My son sent the Interview Papers also. According to it we had Bio-Metric Interview on Friday, 9-3-2-18,in Visa Application Center at Nungambakkam.
                 Consular Appointment on Monday,12-3-2018 ,at 10.30.A.M at Chennai 600006   
           
                       We  got ready ourselves for the task to face on 9-3-'18.  Went to the   Visa Application Center at 8.30  A.M. though our  Interview time was fixed at 10,o'clock.
                       The staffs were kind enough  in guiding us  to the destination in a proper way.
              1. At first they verified our passport,VAF then sent us to the counter one by one  where, Bio- Metric details were collected.
              2.I stood in front of the  glass window, behind that was sitting a person who took a  photograph of me and my 10 finger prints  also.
                 It took 20 mts. to finish that task!.
                Like that my husband also finished his job successfully .
             Our next Interview was on 12 th March,18 at American Embassy in Mount road..
            Half of the processing was over.



                  Our experiences  on 12 th March '18 Interview  in American Embassy
 
                     Out of excitement ,my husband woke up at 4.00 A.M. after doing his daily pooja to God he woke me up at 5.30 A.M.
                 By Ola Cab we arrived at the Embassy at 8.30 A.M, where already there was a long queue for that day's Interview.we became some what nervous to see such a long queue.
               We enquired a security officer standing there, he said the the queue was, for  8.30 to 10.00 A.M .Interview, n asked for our time . I said our time was 10.30.A.M.
            Considering  our age group, he  had allowed us to sit in the security guard cabin till our time  comes.  Till that time we were watching the queue moving slowly at the interval of 15 mts,  curiously.
              My husband asked for the  wheel chair assistance, one of the staff,who were  there to assist the applicants ,came to his help. He brought a wheel chair ,made him seated, and crawled it  to the  main gate,where a person checked our passports and registered  our presence in his electronic gadgets.I followed   the wheel chair from behind.
                  Then wheel chair Asst. took him to a particular counter inside the office,where a questioning officer was sitting behind a glass window and communicated in mike..
                           He asked him to put the passport and Visa Application papers in a box . After verifying  them,asked his date of birth & some related questions ,said OK and asked him to go to the next counter nearby.
                    Like wise I had also had my interview in a separate  counter, I had been instructed  to go to the next counter for final interview.
                       My husband's  wheel chair Asst.took both of us to  a prescribed counter  for the final interview.
                      We both had attended the interview at the same time. One American  guy was standing behind the glass window,welcomed us, and made some enquiries.
         In the beginning the mike did not work. I told him in action and then it was set right.

         He verified our passports , and put forward some questions to my husband, like, Where was he employed ,has he his own house ?,own savings? Who will pay for your trip n look after you there?like that.I answered for one or two questions as he could not hear properly.

          Looking at me he asked " how many months you want to stay in USA,n Who will look after you?".I said  my son Partha sarathi ,A consultant Software Engineer ,living in Maryland ,will look after us.To my interest,I added that I have a special child,has to be taken care of, so we would return in a few months.
          That officer was pleased with my volunteered information.
           Suddenly my husband exclaimed " we want 10 years Visa . With a smile on his face , the officer said ,"Don't worry. Its default.  We will issue 10 years Visa only for  an applicant of a tourist Visa"
             After sometime ,a lady appeared  behind the glass window and said "Your Interview is over,every thing is done. You can go. You will get the passports in 3 or 4 days.by  premium courier"
         The wheel chair assistant brought him back  and dropped him outside of the   US consulate.
                  With  a great relief  we came home by catching a Ola Cab.
          We are waiting for the courier post for  our Visa Passports from 13th of  March '18.
   
                        To my great surprise , the  passport package has been delivered to us on  15-3-'18  by Blue Dart Courier Service,for which we have paid Rs.1000 (two passports) as the service charges.
                  At once, I opened the cover and searched for the current Visa page  and satisfied to learn that 10 years Visa have been given  for both of us. 
                   I thanked my son Partha krishnan in US for guiding us  to work out in a proper manner to get our US Visa without approaching the travel agency for the things to be done.
                      The highlight of my experience in this task is as such. when we were sitting in the  security police cabin, an old retired army man had come  n seated by the side of us. He pitied  us for coming  over there for  the Interview in person n said ,"you could have skipped this Interview ,by dropping the Visa Application Forms in the" Drop Box",If you  would have applied for it before the expiration of the Visa date. " .I confessed that I don't  know about it. In  return I asked him why didn't  he do like that".With a big laugh he said," To my fate, I forgot to see the expiration date" Is it not the  best joke of the event..
                   
                   This is my  interesting experiences I  went  through in getting B1/B2 ,Tourist Visa to USA.

                            Narrated   by ;JayaKrishnan.


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My Unforeseen Visit to USA For The Fourth Time

As  usual  I  had  conversed with my son Sarathi, from USA   over the phone and  it went around many matters about our family.In the midst, I had told our inability to go over there as the whole family and incidentally I dropped a word that rather I could go alone  to see my  grand children,especially my grand daughter Yahvi, I have not seen her since her birth.
           My husband who was sitting by my side, suddenly agreed to my words and asked  me to fix it with Sarathi. He continued saying,that he would look after all the household duties including my elder son's needs  and   other duties pertaining to our house there. He was confident about him  but   worrying  about my travelling alone.
            Following  this conversation, after two days, my son sent an email on 30th of March 2014, asking me to send  all the details about my passport and visa  docs . I  had replied to it  by the next email on that day itself.
            To my  grate surprise, he  sent an email on 4th of  April,2014, saying that he had purchased  round the tour tickets  for me  to USA via  Kuwait Airways, and the tickets have been confirmed  for my travel on 23rd of April 2014  to New York in USA,where his family is living now.
             I have never thought that he would take that quick decision and fixed  the deal.   But i have to  agree that is  the character of my loving son Sarathi. He cares  and give respect for others' feelings.
            I was very much moved and very happy to my son's and my daughter-in-law Sangeetha's  invitation to their  home  in New York.
           On the other side  i was very much worried about leaving  my husband to take care of my elder son Balu and other household duties all alone by  himself. But my husband was good enough to  encourage and give his consent  to me to proceed  to  US.
 Then started my itinerary for the travel.Going to abroad means, it is a  custom to take some Indian commodities  whether it i s needed for them or not  , given to the relatives  or friends as a token of  love, some  home made needs, dresses for my self wear, clothes for my lovely grand kids and of course  small gifts to my son and my d-in-law,our south Indian sweets  were to be purchased and dumped in to my travel bags. My husband & Balu  came with me patiently for shopping these items. The day of my travel was nearing.
         Our Sambandi Sri.Rajagopal also came to our help. Leaving all his duties he came from Theni to  send off me. He helped a lot   in arranging the goods neatly  in my travel  boxes. My  thanks to him. He had also  brought some goods  to be given to her daughter  and her children.
          We were all  very much excited on the eve of my journey  that is on 22nd of April 2014.  I  had to be at  the  Airport  on the early morning of 23rd of April ,4 hrs, prior for the departure. After saying my prayers to God for my safe journey, I took leave of my husband , Balu and Theni mama, though  they all had come with me to the airport to send  me off. we came to the airport at 1 A.M.on 23rd of April.
          As  per rules , I went inside the airport  while they stayed outside the lounge . At that time   check in  process was  going on for the United Arab  Emirates ' passengers. I was told at 3,o' clock  only ,the counters of Kuwait Airways would be open for check in. I told  the matter to my  husband, but he  said  that they would wait  until my  check -in was over  and seeing me  going to the terminal gate. So it happened that  both the side had to wait for nearly 3 hrs.
          As I had  requested  for the wheel chair assistance,  One of the assistant from Kuwait Airways came to my help, accompanied  me to the counter, made the verification of my flight docs and getting my boarding passes to US ,easier. At last I got my boarding pass, one up to Kuwait and another one from there to J.F.K, New York, and my  luggage for check in.
         Then  I told my husband that I have got the boarding pass and I  have been moving to the terminal gate. Then only they were relieved from their tension and departed saying "good bye " to me.
          My flight took off  late by 20 mins  to the scheduled  time and   arrival to Kuwait also delayed by 20 mins. My connecting flight  to US was to take off at 10 A.M.as per the local time. I became worried. But airport  assistants were very good and one of them took me by wheel chair to the gate 10 mins before " it's take  off " . I thanked him a lot . One more thing I have to add here is he did not ask even a rupee for his service unlike our Indian airport assistants.    I had  paid  rs.100 for the person who assisted me  to get wheel chair assistance in India while going over to US. The Flight journey was good by Kuwait Airways. The crew people were kind and polite and served good Hindu Vegetarian food  as per  request,from time to time.
         To  my interest  I list some of the items I ate  during the travel.
  Breakfast: Poha Uppuma, bread with butter, a small dosa, tea ,coffee or juice-any one. If you need you can                  ask for another cup.
  Meals: Green rice, Paneer Korma, Dhal vegetable salad bread with butter, some dessert with   some drink                  like coffee,tea or orange juice
 Likewise  I had been served one breakfast and two meals i the flight while travelling from Kuwait to New York.
          This time I enjoyed my travel . To my luck, four or five lady passengers were south Indians. When we were waiting for the flight in Chennai, one lady  asked me "Are you going to Kuwait Or America". I answered " I am going to New York  in America, to visit  my younger Son's family and to stay with them for few months." One said "I am going to New Jersey to see my daughter and her family". Like that our conversations were continued and we became closer during our journey. We talked about some interesting subjects during the travel.
           In between a hostess supplied an immigration form and requested us to fill it up completely with due information. I had  filled it up in 10 mins, as I had previous experience and helped  two of the ladies to fill up ,as they were  coming for the first time and new to this procedure.
           Though I was quite good to the atmosphere, my body began to realize its tiredness.My back and knees were hurting. During those times I simply would get up and walk on the narrow passage for few mins and return back to my seat. Some times I had a small nap as i did not get sleep in the flight. I have been counting  the travel time  to reach the destination point. At 3.00 P.M we were requested  that every one should put on their seat belt and should not wander here and there, as  the flight would reach it's destination  in an hour.
           After a  long journey of nearly one day ,our Flight arrived and landed on J.F.K.Airport In New York at 4.00 P.M as per scheduled time. Now i was relaxed  and was very happy without any trouble   that i had reached my son'place . My heart was filled with joy  that i was going to meet my son   and his family after along time.
       Here also I  have  got wheel chair assistance, so that all the paraphernalia  at Immigration and  at customs had been finished in some mins, after picking  my luggage, I came out of the airport to see my son, full of eagerness in my eyes. On seeing my son Sarathi came upon jumping  towards me, joyfully,caught my hands and greeted me and  gave me a warm welcome. My heart was brimmed with joy. At the same time a question  dotted in my mind,reading my thoughts, he said Sangeetha had gone to pick my grand children from school and she would come straight to our home and we could  meet them . Then i became calm .
           We had reached his home  in Brooklyn in half an hour. When I descended from the car, Sangeetha my d-in-law, running towards me screaming "Amma, how are you? After 4 years a i am seeing you, saying, hugged me and invited me in to their home. She introduced me to my grand son Madhav Ojas, without hesitation, he ran to me, hugging me, asking  me" How are you Paatti? Why did you not bring Thatha and Big Appa(my elder son Balu)?" Then asked  the next question " did you  bring Laddu for me? Amma told me that you would bring lot of Laddus". I said Yes  I will give you lot off sweets and toys once i opened the box.
            Ojas is very cute and talks politely and very intelligent  for his age.I love him very much. Princess of our house my grand daughter, on seeing me, smiled gently from a distance. She is very cute.
        Thus i joined my son and his family and going to enjoy myself with them for a few months. I will  mingle  and participate in my grand children's activities in my coming days.
 Still I have one more responsibility before finishing. I need to inform about my safe arrival to son's place to my husband in India. He would be very much worried about my reach here. Readily my son dialed the number and gave it to me to talk to Appa, saying my safe arrival.  I talked to him that I had reached US safely.
           Then I had distributed what all i had brought for my son and his family, and I had my dinner. I had not have that much jet-lag. I have been talking with my son Sarathi and Sangeetha and went to bed at 12 pm peacefully.
         This is the narration of my travel experiences for the 4th time to USA, that too travelling oversees alone for the very first time.

 The frontage of the house where  My son Sarthi's family lives in Brooklyn,  in New York.

         
           

                       

                                 A  street with beautiful greenaries in Brooklyn city.

travelogue: MY HOUSE-MY PARADISE

travelogue: MY HOUSE-MY PARADISE:                                                                                                                           My House-My P...

MY HOUSE-MY PARADISE

                                                               


                                                          My House-My Paradise


                                            Myself,my husband L.R.G.K and my one year old son BalaMurali lived  in Mylapore after change of job ,taken by L.R.G.K.from Thulukkapatti in Virudhunagar district to    Madras in 1969.Our House was just opposite to Kapaleeswarar Temple and our portion was in the first floor When we found out that our son was mentally challanged child by birth,we had to think of his upbringing in a diciplined way .We could not get needed fecilities to  teach him his daily routine in day to day life. We struggled &suffered very much   with one bathroom and one toilet that too in the downstairs.

                                   One day  it striked us Why dont we have our ownhouse, there we can make our own fecilities according to our needs ,particularly to our son Balu.The spark of constructing a new and own house came in to our thought  because of our lovable first  special child Balu. We were ready to give anything  for his comfortable upbringing. When the thought  arose in L.R.G.K.'mind ,he started to put it into action.
     
                                He searched for a suitable place, that i s it shoud be nearer to his office, to be calm., easy access to other places, school,market place and nearby provision stores ect.First of all our son should be happy ,away from a noisy township to a calm environment.   we  bought a site  in Plot No.120, A..V.M.Avenue.Virugambakkam village
chennai 92 for constructing our own house.
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                         The foundation stone was laid  in November1973 after Boomi Pooja for the construction of a small single bed,indipendant house  with compound walls
    The project .hasbeen finished in April 1974. Our house has been named " Jai Nivas" .  We entered in to our dream house in an auspecious day in May 1974, after perfoming house warming ceremony , Ganapathi&Navagraha poojas as told by elders.


                      We had invited  close relatives and friends for the occasion  . My husband's sisters, Brothers in laws and their children,  my mother-in -law, from myside,my sister,her husband,my mother ,my  first younger brother and his wife,second younger brother and some close friends  came ,joined and enjoyed the function happily. They all made the function  a grand success..
         

                       Finally we have shifted our residence from  Mylapore to  Virugambakkam.From then onwards PlotNo.120,A.V.M. Avenue,Virugambakkam.Che.92 has become our permanent address.

                  At that time our colony was less populated,can see  houses situated here and there.I used to take Balu for walking in the evenings.  My husband's office  was  in nine miles distance from the house . He used to go to the office in the cycle and would return at seven or eight o' clock in the late evening.Till then  i have to take care of my son.
               
                  I  love nature in all its forms from my childhood. i like plants and flowers. I  l ike to watch  the sky  with glittering stars and the moon  in the night  .I like to watch the  peculier and innate habits of small animals and birds around our house. Iam very happy to say that  i  was able to enjoy all these small pleasures  in my life in my  new house.
           
                I have planted four coconut  saplings in each corner of my ground.  Banana trees namely Karpooravalli& Poovan  and even Nendran vazai  were also planted, and they yielded abundant fruits and we used to distribute the exess to our neighbours. Coconut trees grew  and they started to yield coconuts after five years. Like children  till now they are supporting us  by giving lot of fruits which we will sell to our neighbours for  meager costs.
           
            i cannot forget that we had a  big mango tree giving Rumani mangoes. I used to prepare mango picles ,and variety of thokku, mango rice with its unriped mangoes..We enjoyed  its yields  for more than 25 years. After that  it  has got trunk disease   and  slowly died in a month.

            I  put seed of japanese lemon in the backyard , it grew slowely. and blossomed with flowers and they turned in to small , orange colour and orange flavored  fruits .
    We can make tasty juice .  , rasam and tasty rise with that fruits.

                    In the frontyard i   have different types of  flower plants.   jasmine ,hibiscus of different colours, Nandiyavattai,and pink arali are some among them .  They give not only pleasure to me but the flowers are used in our daily pooja to our Deities.  I also have some medicinal herbs plants,which are uesd  to make  quick home medicines for
the children.

         
                     Though   i was happy about my house and other things , the incurable status of my first son,mentally challenged one,made me  depressed both in mind and body wise . As parents we have tried in sevaral ways but in vain.
             
              I  lost hope in life and led a meaningless life in this world.  At that time  like  drops of  life saving water   for a nomad in the desert, the benevolant God  ,blessed me with a male child after a lapse  of seven years. He was  born  in  1976.  He  was an Angel  sent by God to  getrid of our  sorrow. He has been the pupil of  my eye for ever.He  was named  Partha sarathi, and  we loved him very much.
             
   After that, for the first time we have shiftetd our  residence to Royapettah ,  to  put my first son  in a special school to  give special education to him. At that time ,my second son Sarathi  was only seven months old. But Balu was not benifited by this arrangement any way.   So we returned to our house and stuckh with this house there after till now.


  Before  Sarathi's birth  my mother -in -law  passed away in the same year 1976. So when we returned to our home  , I had to be alone  with two children  in the house while  he  was away with his job.. So we planned . to  make partition  in the house and let a portion  for the rent. As per thought , we let out the side portion  for the tenant so that somebody   would be there for our help  . Besides that it also  gave some financial support also.

                  At that time  Sarathi  has started to go  for school  and we put him in L.K.G.Class.

                      He  studied his primary classes in Puthra school,near by our  house.  He has been a lovable child from the beginning.  He studied well in the class and didnot give any trouble both in school or in the house. From 4th standered  to 12thstandard,he studied in A.V.Meyyappan Metriculation  school.

                    As we felt the small main portion of the house  was not comfortable for the growing family ,we wanted to build the first floor   to meet our needs. The construction of the first floor  was completed in 1986,and we  have shifted to the first floor house with three bedrooms.  we are living here  from that time onwards.

                     
            After doing his 12th std. Sarathi joined   Computer Engineering Course in S.R.M.Engineering College. Myself  and my husband were very happy  when he came out  as a fullfledged  computer  engineering degree holder. Then only i realised  that  there is  a Supreme Power over us and guiding and helping us in our life.

               We let out the two portions for rent .During these years ,many tenents came ,lived and went out as per their convenience. i have met different types of characters by letting our house to them.
             

          Side by side small pet animals like cats and squirrels also live and roam around our house. Twice or thrice  cats delivered kitten  under our bureau in our bedroom .Sparrows used to build nests in the laufts and after some days i could hear the young ones' chirping when their mother bird  put the prey in to their mouth . I enjoyed these scenes often .But after putting  doors and closed the laufts  i coul d not see these  beatiful scenes.

             Many functions have been celebrated in course of time both in our house and in our tenants 'houses.  Our sons Upanayanam, L.R.G.K's Shashtiabthapoorthi,  Sarathi's marraiage reception,   L.R.G.K's 70th Birthday-Beemaradha santhi, Our chella peran 's  visit in 2011 for his 1st Aayush homam celebration with his parents Sarathi & Sangeetha are some of the  happy memorable  events that have been performed in this house.

                  To your surprise we have constructed  a small portion in the second floor  before two years, Including this we have  three portions to let out.

One surprising  incident  that i have to mention is , in 2011 three male babies were born to each one of our three tenants  in the gap of one are two months .I was very happy to see three newborn babies at a time .


                      Some bad  events also happened in  2011. My mother N.Rajam and my sister-in law Jayalakshmi ,  expired in  the lapse of 12 days. I felt very sorry for my  loving persons' demise .
                   

                  My history is my house's history. As  i grow old  she has also grow old. For the past few years  drainage problem  has been a menace during the rainy season.This year it was  unbearable.  we  thought  to renovate or  replace a new one  in this place.

             we discussed  about it with our affectionate son Sarathi. Without any hesitation  he agreed  to construct a new house for us  in this year itself. His wife Sangeetha ,my daughter-in - law   has also agreed for the proposal.  Both are jem of persons.  He found out an apt builder after a pain taking job.  My husband and myself  also will render our cooperation  for this great project.

           My first son BalaMurali is also living with us for the past six months as he is sick and weak.It gives mental peace for L.R.G.k.&me.
         

              The work for the new house will start after the Tamil New Years Day -Nandana Varudam  .
           
 So we are shifting our residence ,temporarily to  No.18,2nd main road,A.V.M. Avenue.virugambakkam.Chennai 92
       
                For the short period , my Motherhouse" JAINIVAS "  will take rest under the earth and will  rise up step by step and will reappear   as a  NEW  STRUCTURE- In A NEWFORM OF--"-JAINIVAS " in  her own place.


                       My      beautiful calm old lady ,my sweet home,  says a big Adieu  now to  us who are living and related to her  and will resurrect with  full of vigour&glow like a phoenix  fro m fire  .. Bye Bye now .
                                                           
                                                                    Jaya Krishnan
                                                                   11-4-2012
    Some outer view pictures of our old house at plot no.120,6th street A.V.M.Avenue.VIrugambakkam .
Chennai-92.                                                      

Main door with Thinnai.

veranda of side portion.

staircase leading to the first floor.

front view of our house.

comfortable seat for everybody.

our gate taken from inside.

first floor view.

                         
               

                                                                                    


                                                       


                                         
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Our Surprise Visit toLord Venkateswara Temple at Pittsburgh in Pennsilvania

                  My  husband L.R.G..K. had a long wish that he should visit and worship Lord Venkateswara  Temple in Pittsburgh  in Pennsilvania.  we missed that opportunity  twice or thrice, even though we passed through that place to Nayagara & Canada in 2006 &2010.. We  heard more about that temple .so  we were  very  anscious to visit that temple  before leaving USA ,in Sep2010.
                                  We had good faith in SV .however he would fulfill our longing wish .His  wish to worship SV  in  Pittsburgh has been  fulfilled  by a couple  named  Mr.Karthik& Mrs.Shilpa. who were residing behind our son's  Apt .in no.4,412Ridge Road,Greenbelt,Maryland.  This couple have a pretty girl baby of 1./1/2 years
called Keerthana.
                                     Surprisingly  one day Karthik told my son that  he was intending to visit  Pittsburgh Temple with his family, further he had added if he was willing he could also joined with them. But our son requested him  to take his parents instead of him , as he knew that we were very much interested to see that temple. . Our son came to us and asked us to be ready to go with them  the next day that was on 7th Aug.2010 .
                  "  What?A reward for eating sugarcane ? "   we were  very happy about it. On the next morning that was on Saturday 8th of Aug'10. We joined with Karthik's family in the travel  to  S.V.Temple in Pittsburgh. We started at    9.30.A.M..

our friends Shilpa, Karthik With  their daughter.Keerthana

                                 It was a wonderful experience to travel by car with  Karthik &his  family as he  drove the car steadily ,carefully and at safe speed through out the journey.  He drove the distance of  600miles  to &fro to the Temple  with out  making us tiresome in any way.while driving,  moreover he engaged us telling interesting stories, cracking jokes & sometimes   humming recent cine songs in his own style. I was astonished to observe  that little  three years old daughter was also very happily enjoying the trip.On the way we  halted at a restaurant  & had some snacks & drinks  .Then we continued our journey & reached the temple at 2.30 p.m.
                                  Usually the drive would be only  four hrs to the Hills from M.D,but due to heavy traffic jam it took five and half  hrs to reach the destination.
                                   Stop! some attention please! An important matter!. I would like to explain the history of how the temple came in  to existence in that PennHills.
       
                             The Hindus who were settled earlier in Pennsilvania wanted to have a traditional Hindu temple at their place to worship according to their customs &tradition.They wanted to  have a big premises to conduct t their cultural& religious functions in a grand manner.So they had formed a mission.
                       With that aim &interest Sri VenkateswaraTemple Organization was established on 7th Aug 1975. assistance  from Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam for construction of the temple was requested on Sep.11,1975, and the same was granted on the same day.After that  ground breaking was performed on June 1976 & Pratisthabana of the Lord's Idol on November!976. Daily worship  Is going on ever since.
                                   Sri Venkateswara Temple is situated in PennHills,an eastern suburb of Pittsburgh,PA, USA. It is one of the earliest traditional Hindu Temple in the United states.
                               SV. propagates ideals  for world peace,spiritual&personal health, harmony through Hindu Faith which is Sanathana Dharma.
                           Similar to Thirumala Thrupathi Deavasthanam, it is also situated on The PennHills,McCully Dr. PittsBurgh,PA,USA. We   cannot not say it is a big one but one of the oldest temple  in USA. The road to the temple is also goes round & round and has many bends&curves all along the Hills like Thirumala.

                            Just while we enter into the temple there is a big dining hall,adjacent to that there is a big vending stall.Different types of prasadams like Pulihorai,Sweet Pongal,curd rice ,Vada ,Muruku etc. are sold.Invariably each item costs 2$ only.On the other side, free prasadams are distributed freely to the devotees.
             We were directed to the free distribution Que,and we got variety of prasadms which were very tasty. we were very happy and assumed that we got the great blessings of the Lord SV. After filling our tummies we proceeded for Dharshan.
                     The large Dining Hall  leads to the ground floor of the Shrine.Lord Ganesha gives us a beautiful dharshan there. Few steps up,lead us to the main Sannadhi of Lord Venkateswara.
                      we came across another surprise. Since that day has been a" Devotees appreciation day" we need not pay  any charges for Archana or other Seva.. Our joy knew no bounds. Whole heartedly  we prayed to Him and performed Archanas. we sat in front of  Him peacefully  for nearly 2hrs ,without hearing any shrieking noise like jarugandi.jarugandi like Thirumala..
                     On the right side of the Main Deity  lies the Padmavathi  Thayar sannadhi and on the left for Andal Nachiyar. we worshiped them also &put some" Kannikai"in the big Hundi.
                                   After taking some rest we  prepared ourselves for the return journey.Around 5.30p.m we started our journey towards M.D.  Karthik drove the car steadily and we reached our home at 10 o.clock in the night.
                            we thanked Karthik  for having given us a wonderful opportunity  to our insatiable desire to   visit PIttsburgh Temple at PA. which is one of the famous temple in USA.

                        We & Karthik family had a very good dinner (Poori&masal) and other items prepared by my  daughter in law -Sangeetha . with that our trip to the holy place came to a happy ending.