Friday, 26 January 2024

Celebrating Republic Day at the PVRA (Gurgaon) Gettogether

The Light of Patriotism Shines Bright in his Eyes

When Mr Jagvir Singh, General Secretary of the Palam Vihar Residence Association called me up yesterday to remind me about the Republic Day Celebrations, I made up my mind to be there. Thankfully I decided to carry my camera to photograph the event today. It was heart-warming to look at the fervour and intensity of pride in each member present on the occasion. Everyone, the young and not so young was decked up for the occasion. Stoles in tricolours were offered to all those who were present. The flag was unfurled by Gen. R.K.Kalra (RETD), a veteran of the Kargil war. Also present were a large number of dignitaries, all residents of Palam Vihar.



And I stood with the stalwarts of the association

The Children were all decked up for the occasion

Gathered for the occasion, residents of Palam Vihar

All Smiles

Welcoming the Chief Guest






Unfurling the Flag

At the Flag Hoisting Ceremony

Fervour and Zeal writ large on his face









Tuesday, 16 January 2024

Analyzing Childhood, a Poem by Markus Natten

 

The poem, Childhood by Markus Natten describes three important stages that a child goes through while on the journey toward adulthood. The first stanza asks, ‘When did my childhood go?’ and the answer to this is that it was the moment in his life when he ‘realised that Hell and Heaven could not be found in Geography’. This is the reality phase in a growing child's life, an understanding about the difference between fact and fiction, fantasy and reality.

The second stage in the life of a child’s growth into maturity according to the second stanza lies in the realization about the fallibility and hypocrisy of adults. The child becomes aware of the fact that ‘adults [are] not all they [seem] to be’ because they don’t act what they preach. They talk about ‘love’ but do ‘not act so lovingly’.

The third stage in the child’s journey into maturity starts when he or she realizes that his or her ‘mind was really mine’ and that he or she is free to choose to use his or her mind the way he or she chooses to. This is the age of choice, the age of identity, a stage where one learns to make one’s own decisions and be responsible for the consequences.

The fourth stanza is different from the three preceding stanzas because it starts with the word ‘where’ a conjunction that introduces an idea of place, location, or position of an object, in this case, childhood. This is unlike the previous three stanzas that introduced the idea of time. That last stanza introduces a note of uncertainty, and doubt suggesting a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality for the golden moment in one’s life. He only knows that one can gain an impression or a glimpse of childhood in an ‘infant’s face’.

Sunday, 14 January 2024

A Farewell Song - A Poem

 In corridors, where footsteps once echoed,

A fruitful innings comes to an end, an ode

To ups and downs, we all shared together.

The time draws near for the farewell whisper.

 

We have seen you grow into future adults,

As we set off on a journey of possible success

We remember the days we spent in tribulation

And joy, a welcome gift of exhilaration!

 

We weaved an intricate tapestry of life

While we spent all those days of joy and strife.

Lectures, exams, and projects gave us grace

To appreciate the creation of a special space.

 

We learned from each other; a foundation laid

Upon a collaboration of stories of success made.

Through ups and downs we’ve stood together,

And in spirit and mind, we’ll continue further.

 

 

Each lesson learned, is a stepping stone laid,

In the mosaic of friendships, stories are made.

Through highs and lows, we have stood side by side,

Facing challenges with courage as our guide.

 

The classrooms echo with a whisper of goodbye,

As we spread our wings, ready to touch the sky.

But, remember, dear friends, this isn't the end,

It's a new beginning, another trip around life's bend.

 

Although, distances and time may us remove,

The laughter, tears; the defeat thereof approve.

During times of difficulties your memories with us

Will help you mount the stairs that lead to success.

 

Thus embrace the challenges you face in days

To come, trials and tasks won’t put you in a daze!

Fare you well on your onward journey of life’s maze,

May you come up with strength buoyed always!

Tuesday, 9 January 2024

The Church of the Epiphany Celebrates its 159th Year with Games and a Fellowship Lunch

The Church of the Epiphany, Gurgaon, celebrated its 159th year foundation day on the 7th of January, 2024, with games and a fellowship lunch. It was a fun-filled day with all sundry participating in various games, with a few spills and thrills.









Interestingly, the Garrison Church in Gurgaon was named The Church of the Epiphany because its foundation stone was laid one day after Epiphany Day, on January 7th, 1862.





















The spoon race ended gracefully while the Jalebi race had mouths watering and lips smacking over the strung-up delights. The three-legged race ended in a few graceful spills, while the lemons threatened to jump out of the spoons despite being cajoled and pampered!












It was, obviously, a day of great excitement and enthusiasm, especially amongst the children and the grownups. Winning a tournament seemed less important than the fellowship and spirit of camaraderie in the air. People were amenable to posing for the shutterbug, even if it meant running in slow motion so that their hair could 'flow' in the wind.

One cannot help but wonder how closely knit the congregation of the Church of The Epiphany continues to be despite all the distractions that the modern, technologically advanced world can throw at them. I pray that this fellowship continues in the years to come.




While church attendances all over the world continue to drop, it is heartening to note how the opposite is happening in our church. In fact, while youth attendance has dwindled to alarming levels in churches all over the world, at the Church of the Epiphany, it has remained more or less constant.