Saturday, May 31, 2008

Baba Tiwari from Jabalpur

Baba Tiwari from Jabalpur

It was S-9 Sleeper Coach of Matsyagandha Express on 26th May 2008 coming to Bombay from Manglore. This is the story of Baba Tiwari,45, resident of village near Kachnar City, outskirts of Jabalpur. I met Baba on the train.

An year ago, as a part of his profession as Pandit, Baba was on his bike with his nephew on pillion and stopped by roadside to chat with one of his clients. Suddenly one young biker who was coming at great speed lost his control and had head on collision with Baba. Baba got direct hit and along with his nephew was thrown away. His nephew escaped harmless. Baba became unconscious and was profusely bleeding from nose. He had no injury on surface of his body. After four days he recovered from coma to discover that he had multiple fractures in facial bones and bit of skull fracture and also on left side ribs. His body was immobile. With treatment he has recovered to near normalcy with ortho-belt on the neck. Doctors in Jabalpur sent him to some specialists for further treatment but everybody said only God has saved and cured him so well.

Recently one of his clients recommended him to go to Manipal as he knew some Ortho Specialist. In Manipal Hospital after several tests Doctors came to conclusion that nature has taken its own course and no further intervention other than physiotherapy was essential. He laughed and called himself Miracle Baba Tiwari from Jabalpur.

I further asked him this critical incident in life can he explain in terms of our ancient philosophy and religion ? His answer was amazing.
He quoted one Sankrit Shoka to me. The meaning is as follows:

The number of years you are going to live, the education you will get, the wealth you will get and enjoy and sons you will have. (Aayu, Dhan, Shiksha aur Putr) These four things are printed in your DNA on 7th day when your Mother conceived you. So most of your life is predetermined by your past life and good deeds of your Parents and ancestors. One can improve upon it by good behaviour during one's life time.That is entirely under your control.

When I meet persons like Baba Tiwari and see their confidence and zest for life, I get motivated and inspired. What about you ? Have you met your Baba Tiwari recently ?

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Pranaam!

Recently in Dec 07 and Feb 08 I had chance to visit Jabalpur and Bhopal and surrounding areas. This happened after a gap of more than 25 years. I explored the same old areas with new eyes. As always looking for good things. Things I appreciated and admired.

The first thing that hits you as you roam around Bhopal is our friends from Sind. They landed in Bhopal after independence in dire straits. Today most of the retail business and otherwise is dominated by them. The professionals like lawyers are all from Sindh. More over I was pleasantly surprised to see that Speaker of Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha was also our Sindhi friend. This sent my mind thinking...........

The insecurity drives a person to work hard and be success. Our brothers from Sindh never read 'Who Moved My Cheese ?'. They actually practiced it. Then I think, Dr Spencer Johnson was inspired to write the book. My salute to our Sindhi Brothers who make me proud. More about this great community in my later blogs. Wait and Enjoy.

Next, we visited Jabalpur and saw the nature's marvel called Narmada flowing through Marble Rocks. Every Indian must visit this sight at least once. What is common in Jabalpur and Bhopal ? The answer is ' India Coffee House'.

We were amazed and pleasantly shocked to discover this paradise in Madhya Pradesh. They are a cooperative Society with majority of our friends from Gods Own Country. Malayalees. This Society runs half a dozen restaurants and two hotels in Jabalpur and Bhopal. Excellent smiling service. Great South Indian Veg and Non Veg food. Large portions and a small bill. Value for Money is India Coffee House. These joints are entirely managed by Malayalees and I did not see any other staff from Madhya Pradesh or any other Pradesh. They are successful. Expanding the business and making customers happy. And make them write blogs about it.

What do you think is the reason behind success of our friends from Sindh and Kerala ? Any Comments ?