FAREWELL BRO

KANNA (25.03.1973 - 20.05.2020)

ASATHOMA SAT GAMAYA

TAMASOMA JYOTHIR GAMAYA

MRITYOMA AMARDHAM GAMAYA

OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI

lead me to from the unreal to the real

from darkness (ignorance) to light (knowledge)

from death to immortality

oum....peace ...peace...peace

Arasanandan, to your friends you are Anand, to us family you are fondly known as Kanna, you have left a profound impression on all our lives.

The messages I read from family, friends and colleagues, two things that stand out about you is your cheerfulness and caring disposition.

To me you have always been the mischievous youngest cousin brother whom our grandmother adores most. Every time the "roti man" came in the evening, you always got priority, you always got away with helping yourself to Ammamma's "Hacks" sweets from her little drawer. 

You grew up to be a fine gentleman, very down to earth and viewed the world from a hands on perspective, a trait that led you to success in your career. 

You fell in love with this wonderful lady Sheela and introduced her into the family. Along came two handsome boys Ruben and Roshen thereafter. You have ensured that the boys inherited your values and I believe that it will bring them very far in life.  

For the last one year you have been struggling with your illness, but never once you showed the pain, always showing positivity, sparkling with life and exuberance. You never missed any family gathering despite your condition. The last I saw you was in February this year, when you came for the thanksgiving Pooja for Raviena and Dhivyaa at the Maha Mariamman Temple, KL. I still recall you saying that you will "beat it" and will get a cancer survivor tattoo soon. That was the kind of person you were. 

Alas the cycle of life was impatient on you, your energy was needed elsewhere, so this mortal body of yours had to perish. 

Though you are gone from this mortal world, your memory will always be with me and everyone who knew you.

GOODBYE BRO.

Ravi Varmman

0213

Subang Jaya

23062020  

MY DEAR AMMA

"NO MAN IS POOR WHO HAS A GODLY MOTHER"

Abraham Lincoln

AMMA and me then

I AM RICH

AMMA and me now.

Rudyard Kipling wrote, "God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers." How apt are these words, resonating the only purest form of love that still exist with the test of times. My AMMA is an extraordinary person, who lives a very colourful life:

A rebel with a cause, she fell in love with my Pappa, and went on to marry him despite tremendous objections from her family. Of course the family got together after that, well thanks to me, I was born and my grandmother couldn't resist carrying the adorable baby who was put on her feet. Well it was nothing short of a real life Indian movie.

A dedicated English teacher, who worked till the age of 58. I still remember her driving the Mazda Familia 800, travelling 15km to school every morning. Well not many Indian women teachers were driving then in the little town of Segamat. Today many of her former students still pay her a visit, which shows how she has impacted them.

A seasoned politician, nevertheless, a reluctant one too. At the time when the role of Indian women in politics was at its infancy, Amma was roped in, to play a significant role. At the heights of her political career, she was holding the position of Women's Chief of Malaysian Indian Congress, for the state of Johor and also helmed the post of National Deputy Chief of Women for the political party she belonged to. She was conferred the Medal of Order of the Defender of the Realm (PPN) by the King, for her service to the country. 

An accomplished poet, she renders poems both in English as well as Tamil. A poet indeed,  always sought after by her family and friends, to pen words in beautiful prose's. She is  my constant dictionary for words and phrases especially in Tamil. Have been my wish to compile her poems into a book.

And as a Mother she showers LOVE to us three siblings, and now the LOVE flows down to her grandchildren, and they in turn ever waiting for her sweet Payasam (Sweet Milk Dessert) which comes with lots of LOVE. 

A woman of substance, who paves and lives way ahead of her time. 

AMMA HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU.

To Greeja, Happy Mothers Day To You, for bringing Raviena to this world, the JOY of our life. You have imprinted your best on her, she has grown into a fine young woman. Your compassion and love brought Dhiyaa and Roshen to be part of our family. Giving is the greatest virtue, and you like Amma, share the same virtue. I am truly blessed.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE AMMA'S.

Ravi Varmman

0946

Subang Jaya

10052020

       

REMEMBERING THE FRONT LINERS ON WESAK DAY

The Buddha in My Garden (Today)

Once upon a time a rich businessman residing in the city of Savatti by the name of Tissathera was inflicted with the dreaded leprosy. He was a disciple of the Buddha and when the Budhha heard about this he went to see his disciple. Whilst there the Buddha nursed him, cleaned his wounds, as his other disciples helped him as well. They continued to take care of him until Tissathera died. Buddha and his disciples showed in action, what compassion was. Compassion and care cannot be selective it should be an innate human nature regardless of the circumstances.

Today we see millions of medical care givers worldwide, who are working relentlessly, managing the sick, inflicted with Covid-19 virus. They are sacrificing their own life’s in order to save humanity from even greater calamity. Together with all other front liners who are making every effort to ensure the pandemic is contained, I would therefore put all of you in the same pedestal as the Buddha and his disciples, for your sacrifices are selfless.

Today is WESAK, a day celebrated for the BIRTH, ENLIGHTENMENT and DEATH of the Buddha. Let us also put both of our palms together in unison to celebrate the front liners, especially the medical care personnel, to remember and thank them for their sacrifices.

Only if everyone else in the world have the same compassion as what the Buddha practiced, the world will definitely be a better place live.  

"There exists this stupendous beauty called compassion;and therefore, the world exists.”

- Kural 571, Thirukural by Thirivalluvar (31BCE)

Ravi Varmman

0241

Subang Jaya

07052020