Thursday, December 08, 2005

God's Plan for Your Life

The Four Spiritual Laws: Nice site! It clearly mentioned the plan that God has for our lives.

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Psalm 139

A beautiful song written by King David from the Book of Psalms in the Holy Bible: God the Creator who is above all else! He knows everything! He knows your inside out, even before and when you were inside your mother's womb; and even when you are not aware, He takes care of you! Click here if you want to read the Bible

1 O LORD, thou hast searched me and known me!
2 Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up; thou discernest my thoughts from afar.
3 Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou dost beset me behind and before, and layest thy hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there thy hand shall lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, "Let only darkness cover me, and the light about me be night,"
12 even the darkness is not dark to thee, the night is bright as the day; for darkness is as light with thee.
13 For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful. Wonderful are thy works! Thou knowest me right well;
15 my frame was not hidden from thee, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.
16 Thy eyes beheld my unformed substance; in thy book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are thy thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. When I awake, I am still with thee.
19 O that thou wouldst slay the wicked, O God, and that men of blood would depart from me,
20 men who maliciously defy thee, who lift themselves up against thee for evil!
21 Do I not hate them that hate thee, O LORD? And do I not loathe them that rise up against thee?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!


[From The Holy Bible, RSV]

Friday, October 07, 2005

Five Days a Week

Starting next week, i.e w.e.f 10.10.05, saturday will be holiday for us. However, our daily office timing will increase by 45 minutes, 15 minutes early in the morning and 30 minutes late in the evening i.e 10:00 a.m to 5:45 p.m (We are expected to reach the office by quarter to ten). This is a good news for us. Though the working hours of saturday are distributed in the remaining five working days, the employees will now have more time to spend with their families or to do their personal work at home. Good news for my car too. Now I will have enough time to fix those irritating sounds on the front left door.

After a month!

I'm back in the office after four days of liasoning for the Saudi Arabia Monetary Authority (SAMA) vice-governor Dr.Muhammad Al-Jasser. He came to Mumbai to speak at the FICCI-IBA Conference. Today was his last day in Mumbai and this morning, I accompanied him to the Airport. He said that the flight journey will be around three and half hours.

Jus for fun I told him what I calculated from there. The time difference between Mumbai and Riyadh is two and half hours. His flight timing is 10:30 AM (IST) and assuming that he adjust his watch 2 1/2 hours early as they reach, he will reach Riyadh at 11:30 AM (Riyadh time). One hour journey after flying for three long hours!!!

From Mumbai it took 2 1/2 hours to reach Kolkata. From Kolkata, it took nearly 1 hour to reach my place, Aizawl. That adds up to around 3 and half hours. That means there is not much difference in the time taken to reach the easternmost corner of India from Mumbai and the time taken to reach Riyadh from mumbai.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Training at Hyderabad

I am presently attending a training programme at Institute of Development and Research in Banking Technology (IBRDT), Hyderabad on areas relating to System Administration (IT). Cool place, with knowledgeable faculty and hi tech facilities.
Will dwell more on this later.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Monster Monsoon!

It was dim and dull when the day got started. It was never bright anyway at any point of time during the day. Since morning I was busy with my bosses in making some estimations and I was totally unaware about what was happening outside. In the afternoon some of our staff approached me saying they wanted to leave early since train services were available only upto ghatkhopar. It was 4 pm. I looked outside, and it was partially dark, like 7:30 in the Mumbai evening.So, I told them to leave. I continued my work. However, one of the staff came back again saying that trains are not moving out from VT, and she had no place to stay. Shes going to central railway lines.

In Mumbai there are three local railway lines. Western lines, Central lines and Harbour lines. All the train started from the South. For central and harbour lines, trains started from victoria Terminus (VT) and for the western lines, train started from churchgate station. During monsoon, when the rain pours, the one that suffers the most is central lines.

I am staying at the western side of the City's suburb, so I used the western line. On hearing that news, I called up my friends asking about Western lines. It seems that the train stopped moving from Churchgate station. Talked to James too. He came to our office Main Building with Cherry, a friend from Hyderabad (She's originally from Shillong). He told me that he got information from his neighbour that his house is flooded and that his books, shoes, mattresses, etc. must be floating inside his house. The situation is bad everywhere. No mobile network, no train service, no place to stay, we're stuck in the South. Its gonna be a long evening.

Sunday, July 24, 2005

July 23

Was busy in the office the entire morning till the afternoon. Pu Rinawma called me up and told me that John will be waiting for us at Mizoram House, 'Sun Tower' to carry out some tasks relating to Mumbai Mizo Association (MMA). I called up Zira and Lawmtea. I informed them to be at Sun Tower at 4 PM. Awmawmi called me up around 2 PM saying shes having no class and shes coming over to the office. I was waiting for her in the office. After she reached, we went to SBI ATM and later to Sun Tower. lawmtea could not joined us since he had to go to Vashi to collect his parcel. Zira joined us there. After we were through with the task, we went to 'Hirapana' at Haji Ali and purchased a mobile for Awmawmi. Its Nokia 3220, brand new, with camera (both still and video) and voice recorder. After that we went to 'Crossroad' shopping mall at Haji Ali and we went home after half an hour.

Lian had invited group of friends for dinner and she called me too in the morning. As soon as we reached home. we went to Lian's place after informing her that Awmawmi was accompanying me. Pu Joshua and family, Khual, Mung and other friends were there. It was a delicious dinner. Pork, Naga style. Hot, oily, little spicy with fermented bamboo shoot.

I called up Mom and she told me that she took a Deccan Airlines flight ticket for August 5, 2005. Thats good news. She can travel with Marindiki upto Kolkata.

At night I practised a song for tomorrow's church service. the name of the song is "Ebenezar". Its a popular song in Mizoram. But in Mumbai we have to give extra effort to master such kind of songs. If we do well we may (possibly) sing it at the opening ceremony of Mizoram House on the 30th of this month. It will also depend upon how well I could teach and the response of the participants in the Church.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Weekend

Its midnight now. Its so late now that all the events of the day I was planning to write became yesterdays events...ha ha....in Mizo its called 'ka chanchin sawi tur zawng zawng a thing zo vek alawm - lo chhuang lum mai rawh u'

I'm about to retire to bed now. And there is no longer any sound from 'the birds and the bees'; only a distant sound of a watchman's stick hitting the ground as he took rounds in the colony..tap..tap..tap...Got a call from Awmawmi two hours back. She told me that they were having a party in the evening at the campus and she really enjoyed. We discussed about acquiring a laptop computer. She's coming to my office tomorrow. Mom also called me up. She decided to come to Mumbai. She said that Air Deccan is launching flight service between Aizawl and Kolkata starting from July 25, 2005 and is offering around Rs.1200 for economy class. Thats a really good offer. Asked her if she can come with my sister, Madiki, who is planning to go to Delhi to join Isaac- at least upto Kolkata. Seems like she tried their number during the day and she could not reached them. I was planning to call them after dinner, but it was already 11 pm. So I changed my mind. Maybe tomorrow I'll call them.

I called up Pu Rinawma in the evening. Seems like he was just reaching Mumbai from Mysore. We talked about ceremonial opening of Mizoram House in Mumbai. The long awaited Mizoram House is going to be opened by Mizoram Health & Family Welfare Minister Pu Tlanghmingthanga on July 30, 2005. this is going to be a dream come true for mizo Mumbaikars and the Cancer patients who came all the way from mizoram to TATA Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. To see thae condition of the House and to put some labels in the chairs etc. We might have to visit the venue today. He said he'll call me again to give me the necessary details.

In the evening after the office, on thursday, I went to Ding's quarter at Byculla. His wife Biak and daughter Lily, his sister Biakching and his cousin suanlal were there. His daughter Lily had really grown up. She's 14 months now. Ding showed me some of Lily's videos that he had created. His video output was really clean. Ding is a brilliant person. I joined them for dinner and left his house at around half past nine.

James is still in Ahmedabad. Last night (i.e thursday) after I left Ding's place, I went to his place at Juhu for his guitar and my car which I left the previous night. On my way home I went to meet Lalthana (Mapuia) at Kamal Chhaya, Veera Desai Rd. He was having dinner there. Later, I went to his place at Andheri. He told me that his father, who is presently admitted at Escort Heart Hospital, Delhi is likely to undergo surgery. His father, Pu Sangthuama, is a nice person. He was at Mumbai last year for a brief period.

The previous night I stayed over at James' place at Juhu Geetanjali Apartments since he was having high fever and food poisoning. I went straight to office the next morning and he too left for Ahmedabad in the evening. Hope he's fine.

I also got a call from Arun. He is presently at Ooty. He told me that his father passed away on Monday (July 18). Thats a very sad news indeed. He also told me that his mother already passed away in 2000. I could feel the pain he passed through as he explained the situation to me. I remember when my father passed away in August 2002, the news reached me at night. His funeral was already over, when I heard about it. I went home in two days. Folks said that I was handling the situation nicely. I was maintaining composure greeting friends and relatives visiting our home. To tell the truth, that was the most shattering moment of my life. It would be such a joy if we can live together forever with the people who are really close to our heart. I prayed for Arun. May his dear father rest in peace.

Monday, July 18, 2005

July 18

Isaac called me up today. He reached Del on saturday, last week. He told me Madiki will also come down to Delhi. He's likely to go to S.A on october this year. Its nice to hear from him again after so many days. Gave him Awmawmi's Institute phone number. Wonder if he could get through.

Called up home. Mom went for committee, brother went for song practice. Talked to Aunt.

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Busy Weekend!

Its already half past two in the morning and I am still sitting in front of the window (windows 98!). Yesterday morning, I hurriedly left the house for office not knowing at all what doing things in such a hurried manner chould bring! When I reached the office, I tried my best to clear things on my table- any pending work, if any-as soon as possible. Because, right after lunch I had to attend a 2 hour lecture, and after that I wanted to leave straight for home. There were so much things to do for tomorrow. Monthly Newsletter of our Association has to come out tomorrow and, being one of the editors, I have to keep it ready in printed forms, at least 25 copies, by tomorrow morning. At tomorrow's Mizo church service I am supposed to lead the service and the Sunday school. I have to prepare myself by reading the Bible and the lesson book. I have to give Secretary's report too....More, wash my car,cooking, cleaning etc. etc...all time consuming things :)

The lecture was over and I was on the way to Churchgate station when in my mind I was allocating time for these activities. Then suddenly, something prompted me to check my bag for keys. Office drawer keys were there. I searched again. My house's door key was not there! That means I would not be able to enter my house, and worse I could end up spending the night at the house of some friends.If that is the case, I would not at all be in a position to accomplish these activities. And alas, tommorrow would be a disaster!!!

Without giving a second thought, I changed 'the course' and went straight toward VT Station. Awmawmi is keeping a key with her and I can take the key from her. But if shes not there..and she's likely to be not there because its weekend and she's very likely to go to movies to have a break from their hectic daily schedules...

When I reached, I saw her room mate and her friends. Awmawmi was not in the room. One of her friends went to look for her in the library-it was allready closed. Dining Hall (they called it DH) - shes not there...I was sure she went to movies...It was around 6..If I waited for 2/3 hours she might turned up, atleast to have dinner in the hostel DH. I was sitting at the hotel's visitors lounge and I started reading newspaper. After 20 minutes, she suddenly turned up. She didn't go to movies, but she went to Beauty Parlour in stead.I knew very well that I had little time to spare. But since I haven't explore their campus so far, we started doing that..meeting her new friends, boys and girls, mens hostel, girls hostel, basketball court, gym, classes, library, pmir building, etc...She also showed me Actress Karishma Kapoor's bungalow, which is just next to their campus. They shared the same boundary wall....not bad!

I joined them for dinner there in the DH. I met Siam and Dominic (Manipur Naga), both from MSW...They were new to Mumbai. So we invited them to come to my house after dinner. Dominic has important appointment the next day, so he declined. Siam joined us. When we eventually reached home, it was already late. And I knew I had to sit late. But, I am happy that, thanks to my sister, I could again enter my home sweet home!

Saturday, July 02, 2005

Solo!

Its early in the morning now. I am reading some materials for tomorrow's meeting. Since my sister Awmawmi moved to TISS' hostel last sunday, I am alone in the house again, just like my early days (of working) in Mumbai. James, Valtea and I went to TISS to drop her after the church service. The hostel allotted to her was Lady Hostel no.1. It was a multi seater. So, she's having five room mates. And the beds were all two tiers.She got the upper bed, right in the middle of the room. The hostel was just beside the institute's library and is not far from the class. An ideal place for a scholar.She called me up several times since then. Tonight, she called up again and she's coming tomorrow to collect some of her belongings.

The day we dropped her to the hostel, I too went to our training institute and stayed the night there instead of going home . The next day onward I was having three days training on Research Methodologes.I stayed three nights there. The training was useful and the food was good. It was a cool break from daily hectic life. Now, I am back in the office.

Today, I met James.I heard from him that his brother valtea got hostel admission at Hyderabad Central university (HCU).It was good news. valtea had recently cleared entrance examination for MA in Philosophy at HCU. James, on hearing that good news, made a strong statement. If he is not getting hostel admission there, he should come back to Mumbai and study here. But, fortunately Valtea got his hostel admission too. Bad news for James:) Staying all alone at home once again.

Friday, June 24, 2005

Mumbai Monsoon!

When I woke up, it was raining heavily. It rained even before I slept last night. It must be raining the entire night. The long awaited monsoon had finally arrived; and more, it came with a force and within no time it already left impacts in the mind of Mumbaikers. After four days of rains, four people already lost their lives! Yesterday, landslide caused by heavy rains at Konkan Nagar, Jogeshwari took two lives. The other two were killed by collapsing of wall at Marol-Maroshi and a tree fell near Gateway of India. Not only that water started invading the 'civilization' and started disrupting normal lives. Photos in today's paper, Times of India (page 2) was intereting. A man watching TV inside his house with ankle deep of water covering the floor, a cyclist at Andheri sub way with with water level upto his waist, quarter-foot high of water flooding inside a school and a restaurant, and Super star Amitabh Bachan at the street of Kurla, supposedly finding some amusements in the flood (water not shown). This is just the beginning. In few days, we can expect hue and cry over pot holes in the newspapers, cancelling and delaying of train services (more in the central railway lines because of heavy water loggings), etc.

I dressed up, took my umbrella, and left for office. I'm a little worried about my shoes. Whether they are Lee Cooper or Red Tape or Bata, leather shoes do not really last long in the rains, especially in places like Mumbai. A pair of shoe was already spoiled on the first pour. Here, in Mumbai one can safely say when it rains, it pours. I think I should go and ask for decent 'monsoon rain friendly' shoe from Bata Store.

Monsoon must have brought some good news, too. When I reached the office the staffs were looking quite chheerful. I was wondering whether Maharastra Board class-x results came out early (it is supposed to come out only in the evening today, but people can get information early, too. For instance, if they know someone from the board, the results will be known by them in the morning. Each institute has to give out the result in the evening only after they are ready with the certificates and marksheets). Their kids must have performed really well. I did not ask them, however, since I had things to clear up in the morning. It was when I was on my way to the lounge (for lunch) only that I found out that I was wrong. I notice one circular on the wall. They were happy not because of any other reasons. It was because of Nomenclature!

Their posts have been renamed. Junior clerks will now be called Assistants; Clerks who already worked 9 years will be called Senior Assistants; those who were holding Assistant post earlier will be called Special Assistants......and this is more interesting....typists will now be called Word Processing Assistants! So, at the end of the day, they all became Assistants! It is a wonder what a name could do.

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Awmawmi at TISS

Well, its a really good news for our family when my sister Awmawmi's result finally came out day before yesterday. She got admission in MA in social work (MSW) with specialisation in Psychiatric and Medical Social Work at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Deonar, Mumbai. And more, she got the hostel seat, too. It's all because of God's grace. My mother and brother called up from Aizawl to hear the good news. Wishes came from Marindiki, Nu Thai and Robert, too. Folks in Mumbai like Pu Rinawma, Pi Mawii, Pu Thuama , Pu David, James, Mapuia (Lalthan), etc. called up to wish her on her success. We thanked all of them for their prayer supports.


Now, about the Institute. TISS is one of India's premier educational institutions. It trains professionals in human resources (PMIR is considered one of the best human resources courses in India, considered by many as next to XLRI) and social work (social work course here is also considered as one of the tops, if not the top, in India), carries out research on social problems and social sciences, as well as publishes and disseminates this information for the benefit of society. It is also one of the few institutions in the country which undertakes field projects to demonstrate the workings of organised and systematic welfare measures. Many students who would like to have specialisation in such courses used to appear in the examinations (written& group discussion in the first stage and interview in the second stage) conducted every year. For 2005-07, intake of students are as follows:

MA in Personal Mangement and Industrial relation (PMIR) -31;
MSW (Psychiatric and Medical Social Work )-30;
MSW (Family and Child Welfare)- 28;
MSW (Criminology and Correctional Administration) -19;
Master of Hospital Administration (MHAHO)- 21 (15 are doctors);
Master of Health Administration (MHAHE)- 12 (8 are doctors)

The establishment of this prestigious institute dated back in the 1920s when an American missionary, Dr Clifford Manshardt, pioneered several urban community programmes in the chawls of Bombay near Nagpada. Sir Dorabji Tata supported his initiative and the idea of an institute for social work was born. In 1936, the Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work was established for professional training in social work, in the premises of the Nagpada Neighbourhood House (which was a diploma course). In 1944, it was renamed as Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

The present campus of the Institute, at Deonar in Mumbai, was opened on October 6, 1954, by the then prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. And In 1964 it was recognised as a deemed university by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Madiki & Isaac's Wedding (more photos)!!

More photos on Madiki & Isaac's Wedding.

Inside the Church


Exchange of Rings


Pastor's Prayer for the new couple


Autographs!!!!




The first Bouquet!


Both the Mothers of the Bride and the Groom

From L-> R:
Nu Thachhungi (Isaac's mom),Robert, Isaac, Madiki, Koky & Nu Zovi (Madiki's mom)

Madiki's Friends (including me)

From L-> R:
Back Row: Albert, David Tetea, Nunkima, F.Lalhmingliana, John LT Sanga, Maruata, Mavula, S-a, Jeremy
Front Row: Nunpuii, Madingi, Robert, Isaac, Madiki, Koky, Ramhluni (Mami) & baby,Sangi , Baby.

Isaac's Friends


Crowd- Bride's Relatives:


Isaac's & Madiki's Family & U Lawma- at Tourist Lodge:



Madiki & Isaac - Bethlehem Thar Church

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Madiki & Isaac's Wedding!!

May 6, 2005 (Friday) was my sister Madiki's Wedding Day. It took place at Bethlehem Thar Presbyterian Church, Aizawl. The reception took place at Tourist Lodge, Chaltlang, Aizawl. Her husband's name is Major Isaac VL Sailo. It was a wonderful event! Here are some of the photos (in thumbnails now, to reduct the space-will open in new windows)
Isaac & Madiki


Before The Alter


Cake Cutting!


Warm Welcome By Assam Rifles Band Party!



Unau (Bros&Sis)!


Family!


From L->R:
Back : My brother, Mahmangaiha; Me.
Front: My sister, Awmawmi; Isaac's brother, Robert; Isaac; Madiki; Madiki's friend, Koky; my mother, Zovi.

Friday, April 08, 2005

Quotes worth pondering!

  • What good is running when you're on the wrong road. - German Proverb/Saying (on planning)
  • We fear what we don't understand. - Aesop (c.620-560 BC)
  • Opportunities come but do not linger.- Nepalese (on opportunity)
  • One who waits for chance, may wait a year.- Yoruba (West African (on opportunity)
  • Only a fool hates that which he knows nothing about. - unknown
  • Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. - Thomas Edison
  • Poverty breeds discontent. - unknown
  • Procrastination is the thief of time. - unknown
  • Proverbs are the daughters of experience. - Sierra Leone

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Hope Things will Change Tomorrow!

The fall in the level of all India poverty ratio is something to cheer about! But, to know that one-quarter of our population presently are still counted as poor is certainly not a thing to cheer about.

Business Standard on 6th April 2005 wrote:

Only one in four Indians poor

Poverty falls to 24.9% in 2003 from 26.1% in 1999-2000.

The all-India poverty ratio went down from 26.1 per cent in 1999-2000 to 24.9 per cent in 2003.

Rural and urban areas, however, continued to perform differently. While rural poverty went down from 27.1 per cent to 25.2 per cent, urban poverty went up marginally from 23.6 per cent to 23.95 per cent.
Share of poor
Percentage of people below the poverty line (%)

Rural Urban Total
1999-00* 27.1 23.6 26.1
2000-01 24.4 24.5 24.4
2001-02 28.6 24.4 27.6
2003# 25.2 23.95 24.9
* Large sample round
# January-December 2003

The two sets of figures, however, are not comparable. This is because the figures for 1999-2000 are based on a quinquennial large sample round, which is used officially to estimate poverty, while the others are thin sample rounds, not always used to calculate poverty figures.

The rough poverty figure calculations are based on scaled-up poverty lines. While the rural poverty line has been scaled up using the consumer price index for agriculture labourers, the consumer price index for industrial workers has been used to scale up the urban poverty line.

The all-India figures are based on the estimate that the rural population constitutes 74.8 per cent of the total population.

The average monthly per capita expenditure in 2003 in rural areas was Rs 554 compared with Rs 1,022 in urban areas.

The survey covered 150,000 people in rural areas and 62,000 in urban areas all over the country. The average household includes 5 and 4.5 persons in rural and urban areas, respectively.

Driving License

My brother called up in the morning. It was about my driving license.

I first learned that I had lost my driving license two weeks back when my car was towed away. It was an embarassing event. It was towed away from the parking area near our office. Reason: angular parking! A friend was with me to retrieve my car from the tarffic office, near VSNL crossing, Fort. When the traffic policeman asked me to produce my driving license. I gladly took out my wallet where I usually kept. I was about to show it to him when I realised that it was not at all the driving licence, but a telephone booklet!!I ended up paying some fines..that also with a little help from my friends.

Result: I travelled more by public transport. Saved money too. But, with a car around and being without a driving licence is something difficult to bear. So, I called up my brother who is at Aizawl, (since my driving license was issued at Aizawl) gave him my license number and requested him to make a duplicate copy. He said he'll try his best. But, things were not easy as it seems to be. He took longer than I expected. In between, I had to take out my car twice without driving license because of urgent matters. It was quite risky and it was difficult to feel easy while driving.But, I was more careful than ever. With no zooming past the orange light, etc. mine was a well-behaved driving.

So, this morning my brother called me up to tell me that he finally manage to get a duplicate copy. He told me that since they came out with new format, to make a duplicate copy in the old format would be difficult. He tried to persuade them, but in vain. So he asked them if he pay some amount...then, he got it done. Well, its something like...its all about money, honey. Whatever be the case, it looks like I'm going to drive peacefully once again!

The Beginning!

Well, here I am. And this is my first post. I'll try to update this as regularly as I can. Hello to all the faithful bloggers there!

My sister is with me while posting this. She's having her MA final Exam in Mumbai University these days. The next paper is tomorrow. I wish her all the best.

Its 2:30 in the morning and it's getting late. Maybe, I'll continue tomorrow.
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