In Search of Peace CHAPTER - 5

CHAPTER - 5

They climbed and clambered the top of the hillock and from there they found that the sky with white cloud was almost kissing their feet. The hilly yellow flowers were dangling with the cold breezes. It was really an enjoyable scene. After taking rest throughout the whole previous night, they were in fresh mood. As usual, they were in search of trees with fruits so that they can satisfy their hunger. From the top of the hillock they came near a narrow path surrounded by a small keen-deep brook. After crossing the brook, they took the straight hilly road and found some strawberry trees. They plucked the fruits, wiped them of the dirt and consumed them hurriedly to appease their hunger. They drank water from the brook and began next course of journey.

In the late evening, they reached a colossal palace beautifully decorated with artworks at the exterior and at the gates. Upon knocking, they were ushered inside by the gateman, but they startled to see a big lion and quickly ran behind the gate. The gateman assured them that the lion wouldn’t harm them as it was chained. The gateman entered the palace and returned accompanied by a gentle looking person with calmness on his face. He was attired in a pale orange dress with a re ‘tilak’ on the forehead. He was of nearly six feet height, lanky and well-mannered person who with a very soft voice enquired,

“From where are you coming?”

Mind answered, “We, the pilgrims of the city of pride, are on the voyage of Celestial City to acquire heavenly wisdom and a religious life.”

“But, you could have done that staying in your hometown. Why do you need to travel to the Celestial City?” The person asked.

Min then narrated his ream and explained to him his mission of this journey which was supported by Godlover. They were discussing between themselves standing at an entry point of a parlour. They later came to know that the person who was enquiring them was a respected man in that locality which was called Pilgrims’ Point. He was the main monk and a knowledgeable person. His duty was to bless the pilgrims. He invited Mind and Godlover to listen to the religious discussions.

After getting satisfied, Knowledgeable signaled them to follow him though the parlour. They entered in a room where religious songs were played. The aroma of the room filled up with incense sticks at one corner and with continuously religious songs were so appealing that both of them got mesmerized for a while. When knowledgeable advised them to sit on the mat, they became attentive. Then, he summoned his three daughters who were introduced to Mind and Godlover. Upon introduction, it was known that Pride was the eldest, Passion the middle one and Chirpy was the youngest one. Proud was very beautiful with medium height and was dressed in a pale orange robe. After some pleasantries, she left the place. Passion was little dwarf and was attired in a red saree exposing her shoulders. She started questioning them the reason of their visiting this place, which place they belong, what is the mission of their journey? Although these discussions, Chirpy who was a fair complexion belle was enjoying the conversation an time to time, she was _______ as if sky was showing her bluish emerged from the closed container of clouds. Mind observed that all three were the daughters of Knowledgeable, still nature wise they were very different. Proud was very reticent, she questioned and waited for the answer and preferred to talk less. Passion was mostly interested to show off beauty and was more expert to reveal less, but expect more. The youngest one was friend of prattling and she questioned Mind and Godlover a lot and advised them to narrate the whole episode of the journey starting from the beginning.

Proud again approached them and scolded the sisters for questioning much. She politely informed Mind and Godlover to wash their hands and face so that lunch could be served.

Mind and Godlover obliged to adhere her advice.

They entered in a place where five small sized mats were laid down. Proud insisted them to sit.

Mind enquired about Knowledgeable. She said, “He has gone to the temple by the side of this palace to perform meditation. He will come and meet you people in the early evening.”

Mind replied, “You must be also doing meditation.”

“Yes, I do, but at early morning at 4.00 o’clock everyday,” Proud answered

“What about you two.”

“No, we don’t but we carry out puja everyday under the guidance of our father,” Passion replied this time.

“In fact, I learned meditation from my father at the age of ten. Since then I am practicing. And, it gives me total bliss. Immediately after meditation, I get so relaxed, as if I am in heaven,” Mind explained with a serious tone.

Passion laughed loudly only to get admonishment from her elder sister and immediately kept quiet. After a simple lunch consisting of rice, vegetables, fruits and some varieties of sweets, Mind and Godlover were feeling sleepy. Proud offered them a mattress in the adjoining room to relax. They relaxed and slept. Passion called Mind, “Get up, why are you sleeping so much, you won’t be in a position to sleep in night. Here night means sleeping hours start at 9 in the evening. “

“No problem, we will gossip with you. You are so nice in your looking as well as in behaviour that we will be uch obliged to get your company.”

“If I gossip with you, who will perform the routine work of the temple?”

“What are these works.”

“As per instructions of my father, I have to charge the flowers, wash the utensils in which we offer sweets to God, to charge the clothes of various idols. It takes atleast one hour. After completion, I call my father and then he lights the God, performs puja and again sits in the meditation like morning hours. If I ignore this work because of any reason, my father gets very upset.”

“OK, then you go and visit temple. We will wash our face and come there.” After an hour, they visited the temple which was full of idols of many Gods started from Laxmi to Shiva. Ushering inside the temple, they found Knowledgeable was in meditation. Passion simply signaled them to sit. Mind also sat for meditation. Godlover closed his eyes and started chanting some hymns. After two hours at 8.00 o’clock, the surrounding was completely dark. The different types of birds were returning back to their nests with chirping sound. The cold breeze of early winter made the atmosphere very pleasant. Mind and Godlover were thinking as if they were in the celestial city for which they undertook this journey. Knowledgeable opened his eyes, “I am observing your friend as an expert in meditation.” Godlover nodded. Mind came out from the stage of meditation and touched the feet of Knowledgeable. He blessed both of them.

All of them sat for dinner which were mostly fruits, sweets and milk.

“Can you manage with these or you want cereals?” Proud enquired.

Not at all. It is preferable to consume light food at night for good physique and peaceful mind. In fact, pungent foods being indigestive, uneasiness and disturbed mind. To get up early in the morning, I always consume fruits and milk in night as you have offered, “Mind replied. “All religious minded people will be alike in their nature,” Knowledgeable expressed his opinion.

In the next day morning, Mind and Godlover were getting ready to depart but Knowledgeable did not agree for the same. He then went to the temple with an advice to her daughter Proud to look after them. After morning breakfast, Mind concentrated on meditation whereas Godlover devoted his attention to stud some religious books. No sooner they finished their bath, Knowledgeable returned from the temple and sat with them. He started religious discussions with Mind and Godlover. He said, “Are you aware about conscious and unconscious stage of mind and how it affects one’s character and various traits?”

Mind feebly replied, “He is aware but he has no in-depth knowledge about this.” Godlover silently heard them.

“The human mind is divided mainly in two parts; the conscious and the unconscious. These are integral parts of every individual mind whether male or female. The difference between this two stages is that conscious mind deals with everything that is within the purview of our awareness whereas the unconscious mind deals with all those thoughts that the individual is unaware and the same is beyond his control. But this definitely influences his behaviour.”

“I am not very clear. Would you mind to explain it more in detail”?

“Look our body is a highly complex organism. There are numerous functions going on at all times in our bodies like seeing, hearing, digestion, respiration and different types of movements. Most of these functions are controlled by the unconscious mind. Some little efforts are required on the part of our consciousness for the smooth functioning of these bodily requirements.”

Mind interrupted, “How is it possible that an unconscious mind dictates us for this sensual activities of hearing, seeing, etc?”

“Perhaps, you are mistaken. The conscious mind has a tremendous role and its main function is the ability to think and analyze facts without any limitation. But, if everything is placed in charge of the unconscious mind, according to the divine plan of creation what is the role of the conscious mind? God has made us with us all blessings to have a conscious mind which is free to search the truth of life and its all activities. And to search the truth, is our greatest task. You have taken a mission to visit the Celestial City to embrace divine life. But, do you have any search mission behind this plan? Have you anytime analyzed the fact behind this purpose?”

“Yes, I am absolutely clear in mind that to follow religious path of life, I must get detracted from the worldly atmosphere.”

“No, that is not enough. The fact is that you are not able to search the truth by staying in the midst of your family members, neighbours and friends and so you contemplate to undertake this journey and are desirous to have the company of people who are not bothered and affected anymore by their sensual lust. So what is the truth? In other words, it is the reality of life. We must try to find out the secret of life, its purpose and goal to know what is right and what is wrong, what are all the pluses and minuses, what is the consequence of negative and positive thinking and then what is good for the individual as well as for society. You won’t find answers to these questions in any prescribed form in a book. You have only to pursue and search using the profundity of your mind. It is upto us to discover the truth. Knowledgeable of truth is so important that God has consigned our bodily affairs to the unconscious mind.”

Proud was listening to her father in between her household work being assisted by her two sisters. She politely insisted to take a lunch-break.

All of them went to the luncheon room to have a simple food of rice and different types of vegetables dishes followed by some sweets. After lunch, they laid down for a while. In the meantime, the sky was thickly covered with black clouds with a strong breeze blowing making the atmosphere a bit cold. They also relaxed some more time. The rain started with gusty mind when forced the girls to shut all the doors and the windows of the house. The chained lion roared which prompted Godlover little curious. But, soon he was assured by Passion not to be frightened because the beast was hungry and asking for food. Knowledgeable again started his unfinished religious preaching.

“People frequently live in an utter state of frustration. This stage cannot make them capable to find the truth. In fact, even great people also pass through this phase. Everyone is a seeker by birth, but everyone lives his life without knowing what the real purpose of life is. They lead lives aimlessly. This only develops the state of confusion. They speak and write but without any defined clarity. They live lives fraught with full of contradictions. They always yell and always hawker for something without finding the truth behind that something. On the contradictory, a tension-free mind is one that can function with positivity despite contradiction. For example, people work without job satisfaction. People chase money, but without experiencing the inner satisfaction. People believe that to enjoy the life one must adopt the magic wind of enjoyment without knowing what the life is and what the real enjoyment is. It is nothing but a paradoxical situation and everyone is living in this state of self-contradiction.”

“I am overwhelmed with the teachings of yours and privileged to have your company. Your these preaching will definitely make us courageous to overcome the obstacles in our ensuing journey, of course, with your permission.”

Who am I to give permission? I only take pleasure to distribute the knowledge and wisdom for the welfare of the human beings. With my teachings, if your knowledge increases, that is my satisfaction and service to the mankind.

Mind woke up as usual at 4.00 o’clock next day morning and upon completing his rituals focused his attention in meditation. Godlover joined him after half an hours. One they finished, Passion brought breakfast mostly of varieties of fruits and milk and requested them to eat. She was draped in a colourful saree with hairs spread throughout her back which made her more sensual and the same was augmented because of her blue eyes with broad face and vivacious countenance. Godlover noticed this which she also could make out. She blushed like a morning blossom flower being feigned with the first ray of the sunlight. She again requested them to start their breakfast and quickly disappeared.

“She is very gorgeous. Though she belongs to a very pious family, sometimes her behavious and demenour make me little suspicious otherday. I saw she was almost swallowing you mostly and also your words as if the honeybee is taking the ambrosia of honey from the flower seed. I also observed that whenever you are meditating with bare body, she watches you with an oblique eye. I can swear that her other two sisters are totally different. They attire completely and they seldom find any time to gossip with us except the time when his father is busy in preaching religious discourse,” Godlover told all these to Mind. He heard with rapt attention and informed. “I feel, you are getting perturbed much. Don’t provoke yourself to include any thoughts which may only bring your despondency. In journey, you will come in contact with very many characters, obstacles, peculiarly, hindrance and even sexual inducement and all these are to be ignored by your mental stamina and strength. I know that Passion’s behaviour is not that in the line with religious strictness, but sometimes some people are not able to curb their sensual desires. Her dress code, her watching and way of giggling only reflects her adolescence stage and I am sure that she will be able to change all these under her father’s guidance.”
“I know that your wisdom and knowledge are more powerful than me. Still I feel before something happens let us flee from here.”

“What will happen.”

“Supper she involves herself in any sexual posture with you, there will be scandal and his father will blame us because we belong to male fraternity. As usual in any scandal, men become mostly accused even though the fault entirely lies with the opposite sex.”

“I don’t think you are completely incorrect. Now, I am in a bit of confused stage of mind. I ignored your plea last time and entered into the market to purchase happiness and the end result was evident.”

“Another one aspect that you are very good looking, thin, lanky and your face glows whenever you utter sermons, religious discourses. My friend, frankly speaking, any female will be easily attracted to you. There is a proverb ‘iron cuts iron’ and so is the case with yours. The loveable nature supplemented by amicable behaviour of yours easily attract people including opposite sex. So again, I repeat, let us disappear from this place quietly.

Mind accepted but he was not interested to do so without taking the blessing of Knowledgeable. Further, he was so inflamed with the power of his religious knowledge, he ultimately decided to take his permission and then leave. Godlover also nodded.

That was fourth day. Mind was bit puzzled and woke up little early. Godlover was fast asleep. Because of some reason, he was morose and he remembered her wife and sons which he almost forgot since leaving the city of Pride. Godlover consoled him and proceeded for completing the morning rituals. When he came back, he found that Mind was preparing himself for the meditation and went to the temple. Godlover did not follow.

Temple was in the country yard of the palatial building. Everyday at 5.00 o’clock, Proud opened its doors and used to complete the cleaning and changing he flowers. His father then performed puja and other religious ceremonies. Seeing the door of the temple closed, Mind decided to sit in one corner area to do meditation. With folded hands, closed eyes and in a particular straight posture which he does always, he was concentrating on meditation. After a few minutes, he felt the touch of a soft hand on his bare shoulder. Slowly the touch was intensified and it was almost a hug from the backside. He opened his eyes and saw Passion and to his utter surprise, he found that she was kissing her cheeks. He got nervous because he left the fragrance of sexual life, long back. Suddenly, he was entangled with the bodily lust which was not only desirable but also scandalous and that too in front of a temple. Further, he found that Passion was completely nude and the saree was lying in a small heap at certain distance.

Mind very politely requested her to wear the saree immediately.

She refused, “Why? You don’t like my body. Am I not beautiful? Don’t delay, just touch me. I am burning out. Before someone comes, you touch me, hug me and do whatever you like.”

Mind scolded her this time and ordered her to wear saree. He also observed her tight shaped body with good bosom and since he was not at all prepared for these happenings, he started sobbing. While hearing , Passion wore her saree and started trembling and then quickly disappeared in the washroom. Proud came to open the gate of the temple and saw Mind was sitting in one corner with a dejected and sullen face.

“What happen? Why are you so gloomy in the morning hours?”

“Nothing, just some foreign particles entered my eyes and created a sensation.”

Mind too disappeared fast. Godlover just finished his mediation.

“You are very correct. She came to the temple at wee hours. I was meditating. She started al her lustful activities and also shed her cloth. I somehow managed not to be caught by Proud. It could have been a shameful incidence. If her father knows, he will kill her,” Mind informed.

“Let us quickly finish our breakfast and detach all our feelings of this place right now and disappear,” Godlover replied.

By the time they finished their breakfast, their father came and enquired the reason of abrupt leaving.

Mind explained, “Sir, if we stay here for long time, our mission to reach Celestial City will be delayed. Moreover, we will again visit as and when needed. Who can forget your hospitality and wisdom?”

All of them with bit of tears bid adieu them. Mind mumbled religious songs which was gleefully watched by Godlover.

He continued, “Though I am not that older then you, but still I am addressing you as my child. Don’t indulge in this activity now itself. Complete your study and religious knowledge under your father’s guidance. Then, if you don’t want to follow the step of your elder sister not to become a monk, you can lead a worldly life and still can be a devotee to God. There are numerous instances of people who continue family lives with complete devotion to religious activities. They are not ______ any monk. I have been observing your passionate behaviour ever since I visit here. No one can fool me because by leading a complete religious life for the past ten years now I can presage anything which is going to happen in near future. Somehow, I was knowing that you will follow me today in this place and hamper my meditation but I could not be able to make out that you would take this much perverted path to satiate your lust. Precisely, that is the reason I am giving you a befitting sermon that do not be provoked by your bodily lust. Please concentrate all your attention on divine issues because you will get enough time to perform mandate activities.

TO BE CONTID......

In Search of Peace - Chapter-4

CHAPTER - 4

The evening was damn pleasant. Mind and Godlover were roaming in the pasture and plucked some flowers for their fragrance. While walking on the pasture, Mind again started religious discussions.

“Our mission is to reach Celestial City to have the blessings of religious monks, listen to their teachings, to be in touch with religious people and ultimately get accustomed to divine life. What next?”

“I have not thought in that direction. I only know that whatever life you lead, I will follow you during my remaining life. By now, I make you my Guru,” Godlover said.

“I am not your Guru, but a friend only. Since I have studied many religious books, engaged myself in worship of God and performed puja in the houses of City of Pride, people admire and consider me as a religious person.”

“But, have you thought what our lives would be after getting to Celestial City and receiving divine knowledge there.”

“Yes, I do have some plans and I will reveal the same to you after reaching there.”

Mounibaba called them from the hut and asked them to come for meditation. They came to the hut and immediately started meditation as per Mounibaba’s guidance, though it was not a new thing for them.

They took some fruits and milk as dinner and arranged their mats to sleep. Mind woke up suddenly hearing a shrill noise. He could not understand and sounded Godlover to get up. They both followed the noise and found a door which was ajar. They went spellbound when they peeped through the door. Mounibaba had put a female’s head in a wooden pillar duly chained from all corner and standing with a sword to behead her. Godlover was behind Mind who was about to enquire, but he resisted. They also saw that the room was dark and at one end there was a brass lamp lighted with white cotton soaked in oil, full of skulls and bottle of wine. They also found that Mounibaba had arranged other ingredients like fruits, sweets, red flowers and sindoor to perform a puja. They simply came back and heard the shrill noise again as ahhh.. ahh…. ahh…. Mind informed Godlover that Mounibaba killed the female.

“Why is he doing this?” Godlover asked Mind

“We are at a wrong place. He will do the same thing with us too. These people are known as tantric. They perform pujas with human skulls and wine and get empowered with evil powers. They slain living and dead and use their skulls for their pujas. They keep wine in the skulls and drink it through the skulls during their puja. Actually they get the power of evil spirits by performing this type of heinous crimes under the name of puja,” Mind explained to Godlover without making him afraid.

The next day morning, Mounibaba ate breakfast with Mind and Godlover. He was preaching them about the life, its missions, how to overcome stresses in life, how to be a good human being and lastly advised them to stay in this hut for some more time to acquire knowledge of spiritual force. Godlover was suspecting very much his actions. He was bit nervous.

Mind then started, “Mounibaba, why there are so many quarrels and bickering in this world? Why do people kill one another to satiate their lust? For example, some do so to acquire wealth of others, some other repeat this process to take revenge and a few more take lives of other persons under the name of performing puja.”
Mounibaba replied, “Oh, my friend you are mixing two things. I am advising you to lead a life under an ideal condition. But, when you are in the company of devils and do not devote to God, it is next to impossible to lead a balanced life unless you decide to come out from the polluted environment. In this type of hatred situation, you cannot take the religious path. You see, in your case, you got so frustrated with the heterogeneous life style of your neighbours in the city of Pride, you decided to come out of it. In short, you decide to embrace divinity.”

Mind observed that while delivered this disclosure, he did not show any annoyance, anxiety and his gesture was calm.

Mind again started, “Then, what is your logic behind people when forced others to immolate their lives for the sake of puja.”

Suddenly, Mounibaba enraged, “Why are you asking irrelevant things?”

“I am narrating the fact. Yesterday, I saw that you slain a female and used her blooded head with wine for your delirious puja.”

“How you know! This is complete fallacy. You have seen a bad dream out of your tiredness. You take more rest. In the meantime, I organize lunch for you.”

Godlover warned Mind not to enrage him, otherwise the same would be the fate for them. Mind nodded. Both of them went to complete their rituals. Then, they started puja. Mounibaba called them and offered a lunch of rice, fresh vegetables and curd like the previous day. Immediately after the lunch, he called both of them in the pasture. Mind could smell out that something was wrong. He took one hand of Godlover and started running. But, this crooked tantric threw a black snare after running behind them. He put them in the snare and tied one end of the same with a hook in the tree near his hut. Then, he descended towards the mountainous path. The evening past and the night time’s darkness engulfed the environment. Godlover as usual got terribly afraid. Mind again consoled him. At the dawn, when they were totally exhausted, they found that someone was passing through the other end of the pasture. Since the pasture was totally empty, the shouting of Mind and Godlover were heard by the person passing. He approached to the snare and Mind could manage to trace him as Margdarshak.

“Who has made your condition like this? What wrong thing, you have done!”

Mind said, “Sir, as usual we have lost our path near a diversion and someone guided us to this hut and this Mounibaba is a tantric and perform puja with human skull and wine.”

“You are correct. They perform all heinous crimes like looting, murder and ransom. These so called tantric are notorious people in their early lives. When they are caught under laws, they fled away with the help of authorities at top. At subsequent stage they convert themselves to baba, sadhu or priest. But, they continue their activities sitting in a desert place. This fellow is one of them,” Margadarshak informed.

“I do not know; one Mr. Grace has brought me here.”

“Oh my God, This Grace is an agent of this Mounibaba. These so called self proclaimed religious teachers keep contact with authorities through agents to serve their purpose. Grace, who is normally a sweet talker allures the pilgrims to show this hut to take rest.”

“Grace was not talking with us pleasantly. In fact, he was bit rough in his talks.”

“That is because from your countenance, he could make it out that you people are pilgrims but penniless. Grace usually came in contact with rich pilgrims and then discourse with them very secretly so as to bring them to this hut. Mounibaba snatches all the ornaments and cash from them after feeding them for a day or two. Ultimately, he killed them to complete his delirious crime known as tantric puja. In fact, in the back side of the hut through a closed secret door, he keeps on stacking on the skulls and throws the other parts of these innocent pilgrims from the top of the pasture to down below in the ditch which is 5000 to 6000 feet.”

“Why is he doing so?” Godlover inquired.

“There are certain types of people in this great world. They always take the pleasure in doing all evil deeds. Throughout their whole lives, they perform the same. To make you and common people mesmerize, they take different roles so that you cannot identify them so easily. Of course, there are good people like you who really want to follow peace, harmony, friendly behavior, good company and probably because of that this whole world is balanced and still survived,” Margdarshak smilingly patted the shoulder of Godlover.

Then he rebuked Mind and said, “I have given a parchment and why are you not using the same in your distress. If you don’t do so, you will delay your charismatic goal to reach Celestial City.”

Mind folded his hands, “Sir, I apologize. It won’t happen again.”

“This is second time, you are not obeying my advice. Since, you have done so much so good works upto your life of these forty years, I am giving you another chance to visit Celestial City.”

Mardarshak then blessed them and showed the correct route so that they could start the journey again. They passed through a mountainous path, crossed small hillocks and after continuous journey, they reached near a big city market. They were exhausted and sat near a corner at the entry of the market and after some time, slept with a bit snoring. People watched them while coming out from the market and thought as lazorous beggars. Some even gave a few coins out of their magnamity. When evening was nearing, the lights glew and surroundings, were glistering with illumination. Upon scrutiny, they understood the name of the market as “One Stop Lust” and everything starting from clothes, crockery, furnitures, mechanical and electrical equipments, lawyers, bridegrooms, scientists, philosophers and doctors were available there.

Mind got curious and decided to enter the market, but Godlover warned him not to undertake the venture.

Then, Mind said, “Why are you extra cautious? We won’t get this type of opportunity to visit a market where every commodities are available under one roof.”

He shot book, “Every mission of ours land us in danger and ultimately we are getting beatings or some humiliations. Why is it so? Without doing any harm to anyone, if we have to succumb these humiliations, then I am afraid to reach our desired destination.”

“Why?”

“Because, in this way, we will be so exhausted physically, if not mentally, that desirousness of achieving some goal will be completely destroyed. Physical weakness may jeopardize the strength of survival.”

“It is correct. But, do you think it is easy to achieve some goal or to that extent any mission without any hurdles. Momentarily, our path will be full of thrones, but with our courage, conviction and faith on God, we have to overcome these obstacles, face humiliations so as to obtain Moksha.”

“I do accept your connotation. But, suppose in some places of our this journey if we are not able to digest the torture and we collapse, then how to fulfill the mission.”

“What do you suggest then?”

“In earlier incidence, we have entered a wrong hut and were about to be killed. Now, if we enter the market, I am non-committal how people will react. Either way, people are already considering us beggars because they throw coins to us. Hereafter, in some places of the market, if they think us as intruders or thieves, think of the consequences.”

Mind kept quiet but only stared at Godlover to understand his inner feelings. He knew that Godlover was right. He also felt that God is there but one cannot expect that in all the troubles mostly when the same is invited knowingly, He would extend His help.

Seeing the condition of Mind’s ambiguity, Godlover pushed his friend towards the entry of the market.

They found that some of the shops were well decorated with neon lights, cloths were displayed with ladies idols and monstrous looking securities at the entrance.

“Why these females are confined in showcases,” Godlover.

“My friend, they are breathless females, they are simply idols draped with beautiful dresses to invite the attention of human beings to induce their materialistic urge for good cloths and lavish style of leaving. This must be a rich city and market is very posh,” Mind explained.

“Let us go out of here, otherwise we may be in further trouble.”

“Why? We are not doing any misdeeds. If someone doubts, we will simply tell them that we are pilgrims, and we are going to Celestial City and in between our journey, we see this market and so we enter to purchase a precious item.”

“What is this precious item?”

“Happiness. In such a big market when they keep so much so commodities, living beings and non living beings, they must be selling happiness too.”

“I don’t know what you are telling.”

They were overwhelmed with the decorative and glittering views of various shops, merchandises and establishments of the market. For a while, they were spellbound. From the market comprising mostly posh shops, they entered an open place where they found people bargaining for various commodities. Mind observed that some shopkeepers were obliging their customers, but few were declining with lewd comments.

Out of enthusiasm, Mind asked a typical shop owner “Is it possible to purchase happiness?”

“What is that?” The particular shopkeeper retorted.

Against his explanation, he declined to offer. Mind enquired this commodity because as for him this happiness is also one type of commodity, from another shopkeeper. He got a thrashing reply from the second shopkeeper. Not only that, he summoned one person to keep a watch on the activities of Mind and Godlover. Of course, they were not known about this behind their back. They moved freely in the market. Some people were looking to them with a bit curiosity because of their countenance, dress and care free attitude. Suddenly Mind got almost a blow on his back. He turned back and Godlover also stopped.

“We find that you two are loitering here for quite sometimes. Where from you are? What is your motive and what is your purpose of visiting this place?” Two gigantic odd looking black persons started interrogating. Godlover was damn afraid, but Mind calmly answered.

“We are pilgrims. My name is Mind and my bosom who stands behind me is Godlover. We were residents of city of Pride. We became frustrated with the quarrelsome, jealous lifestyles of our neighbours and so we decided to leave the city and the people so as to get religious path. In the mid of our journey, we found this market and entered to observe the style of living of people in this city.”

“But, why are you interested to know this lifestyle when you are frustrated with the lifestyle of city of Pride? One of them rudely shot back.

“I am trying to purchase happiness from this market because someone told me that everything is available here. With this extra happiness, I may be able to make my friends, well wishers, companions and other pilgrims more happy by distributing the same with them,” Mind again replied with smiling face.

“Bastard, I am seeing for the past ten minutes, you are jabbering. What do you think? Are we fools?

He then asked other fellow to chain both Mind and Godlover and tie them with a lamppost in the center of the market. Then they started beating them with a stick. Mind and Godlover started crying and after sometime fell down. A small congregation was seen. Some overlooked and some passed sympathetic comments and a few were protesting the activities of the two gigantic Negroes.

One of the black fellows justified their action by saying that these people are thieves. With bad intention, they have entered the market and so they need this punishment.

When Mind and Godlover regained their consciousness, they found themselves chained in an iron cage and were confined like monkeys.

Godlover sobbed and said, “I cautioned you in the beginning, but you turned a deaf ear to my request. Now, what is to be done?”

Mind for the first time cried and also repented because of his non-chalant behavior and not attending to the advice of his bosom.

Godlover felt pity and he consoled Mind this time, “Don’t worry; God will do something for us.”

“This great world which is the creation of God is full of jokers, evil persons side by side of kind hearted and good persons. Have you not seen that some persons were arguing with the black knaves about their tortures on us? Godlover, unless you taste the water, how do you know its taste. We have come to know various types of persons since we entered the market; who knows how tough will be our next phase of journey,” Mind said with little moroseness.

In the meantime, there was storm and the market place was almost scattered. The things flew here and there because of the storms. Then there was rain fall and intensity of the same was severe. People took shelter and some even dashed to their vehicles and speedily left the place. It then started raining heavily and the lights went off. It was totally dark. No one was able to see other.

Godlover whispered, “Use your triumph card means parchment which is given by Margdarshak.”

Mind prayed to God and opened the parchment and touched the same to the chain by which they were bound and they were free. Then they touched the same to the lock and the cage was opened. In the midst of the darkness and rain, they fled quietly so that no one came to know. Of course, in this process, they completely got drenched. After fifteen minutes of running, they reached a hillock and sat there. By the time, rain stopped and the sky was clean and bluish as usual. They felt hungry. Mind managed to keep some fruits with him given by Mounibaba. They shared the same and decided to pass the night on the hillock.

TO BE CONTD...........

In Search of Peace-Chapter 3

Chapter 3

They continuously travelled for three days. They ate fruits and drank water of bore wells on the way. When they reached near a hillock to cross, they were almost exhausted. Somehow, they clambered to reach the top of the hillock where they found a green pasture there. It was almost dark now. So, they decided to take rest and fell asleep. With a kick on their back, they woke up and found, in front of them, a person of gigantic appearance, Lucifer. They realized that the place where they rested was falling under the control of the gigantic person and it was known as Devil’s Land. Both Mind and Godlover pleaded to Lucifer to release them. The more they requested, the more Lucifer went stubborn. Then, he lifted both Mind and Godlover in his arms and put them in a dungeon and locked them in it. The dungeon was so dark that they were unable to see anything. They sat on the floor. Suddenly, Mind realized that some strange insect came and sat on his arm; he got bit scared. Godlover, who used to deal with different types of insects in his farm in his abode at city of Pride, recognized that it was a bat. He consoled Mind. Both then started praying to God and could not sleep the whole night mostly out of fear. Next day morning, Lucifer came to the dungeon and started thrashing them. The beating was so merciless that they fell down on the earth and went dumb and unconscious for some time. Though it was daytime, there was complete darkness there. When they came conscious, they felt severe pain in their body.

“In the beginning of the journey, if this is the condition met to us, how to complete the same as to reach Celestial City,” Godlover inquired.

“The proverb is very true – you have to repay the dues of your bad or good deeds in this life only. Some say that if you do evil deeds, you will bear the consequences in your next life. I feel, we must have done wrong doings, hurt our friends, well wishers and family members and so the consequences of the same are now faced by us. But, my friend, don’t worry. This is a temporary and passing phase in our lives. God must be taking our examination and testing our will power. Otherwise, after this type of beating, how we are surviving,” Mind encouraged Godlover.

“May be you are correct.”

He gave some fruits to Godlover which fortunately he saved from Lucifer’s eyes. Godlover ate them.

“What about you. I feel sorry for you. Like selfish I eat the total.”

“Not to be perturbed. If you are feeling alright, I will get some moral courage. Moreover, I am a devotee Brahmin and have the practice to stay in fasting for a couple of days.”

“Tell me one thing, why Lucifer is beating us so severely?”

“See, this world is full of treacherous, jealous, pride and evil people. Their percentage is nowadays very high and this period is known as a black period. Don’t you see every day there are rape, robbery, accidents, bickering, divorces, fighting between communities & families? Lucifer belongs to the same class. It is true that we have not done wrong things. We have not committed any crime. We have simply slept in his area. For this trifling cause, he punishes us so much. This is known as a demon’s thirst,” Mind calmly explained
“For the past two days sitting in this dungeon, I am hearing a huge sound of trumpets and clangors. There must be something odd at this place,” Godlover enquired.
“What you are hearing is the sound of devil enjoyment of Lucifer and his so called friends and vivid followers. These friends only know how to pamper their boss so as to get good food, drinks and women. These people enjoy their lives during night time. In the day time, they simply sleep. Their goons collect weekly bribe from businessmen, traders and builders. If anyone protests to their wishes, they simply kill them without any fear of law because they invite these high officials in their lavish parties. These officials who protect law and regulations are mostly in their clutch. Precisely, that is the reason they perform all misdeed but still move freely in the society,” Mind explained.

Next day morning, Lucifer opened the iron gate of the dungeon in intoxicated condition and mostly was not in a position to walk.

“You people are still alive even after yesterday’s merciless beating,” the monstrous evil laughed sarcastically.

Then he became suddenly enraged and again started beating, but most of the time he could not hit them. And in this process, he fell down. Despite the opportunity to flee away, Mind and Godlover simply stayed there out of tremendous fear. After sometimes, Lucifer stood up and spitted on their faces and then closed the gate of the dungeon.

Lucifer was relaxing with his wife in the night time on that day.

“These people are very stubborn. I have been beating them for the last two days. They are starving. I have not given them any food and water. To my surprise, they are still surviving. They must be some bishop or monks,” He told her wife Sibyl.

“She laughed and slowly punched on her husband’s head. Your body is big but brain is small. You have beaten them but it does not produce any desired effect. So, you take them to the top of the mountain and show them the heaps of the dead bodies lying in the ditch. Tell them that their fate will be the same very soon.”

“Big people by body like you must marry short heighted women with full of acumen like me, my darling.”

Both started laughing and embraced each other before fell asleep.

Mind and Godlover were sleeping soundly out of their tiredness and they could not hear when the iron gate was again opened. Lucifer dragged them to the top of the hillock. They were very much exhausted because of not having food and even water for the past three days. Lucifer showed them the vicious scenes of skeletons, of dead bodies, lying in heaps from the top of the hillock. They were damn afraid. They almost took it granted that Lucifer would kill them and throw them in the ditch. Contrarily, Lucifer brought them back to the dungeon and again started beating. Godlover could not tolerate beating any further and became unconscious. Mind because of tremendous will power tolerated and tried to save his face with his hands from the devil’s blows. Lucifer got tired, left them and by mistake went without locking the iron gate. Mind got up and searched for water. He could manage to get an broken earthen ware with a little bit of water which he sprinkled on the face of Godlover so that he could regain his consciousness. Somehow, he managed to sit on the floor with the help of Mind.

“I don’t know whether I will be able to travel any more. This fellow is beating us in a way a washerman washes clothes by striking repeatedly on the riverbank. The cloths have no pulse but we human beings have the same and it is really difficult to digest and that too in empty stomach. He again stretches himself on the floor and cries occasionally because of severe body and muscles pain,” Godlover started at him with a pale face.

“Don’t worry my bosom. I really care for you. I have also faced the same music like you, but somehow I have acquired a tolerance power and able to digest. If you are not able to walk, you can give your weightage on my shoulder and I will carry you,” Mind assured.

“You are a true friend who is in need and also in deed.”

“We are undergoing this journey with a common mission of achieving the grace of Almighty. Whatever may be the consequences, we should not lose our heart so that we can conquer the hardship.”

“You are really encouraging me by thought provoking words. Yes, I will travel with you ignoring my pains in the name of God. He will only guide and rescue us from all dangers.”

“Are they afraid?” Sibyl enquired.

“They are. In all probabilities, they will commit suicide jumping from the hillock. Knowingly I have kept the dungeon gate open,” Lucifer assured his wife.
“You are a class one fool. They will not do so, I bet”
“Why?”
“So far my knowledge goes, the tall fellow, I think Mind has some divine power by which he is able to sustain the beating. The other fellow may collapse. However, be careful. Don’t wait much. Kill them tomorrow itself and throw their bodies in the ditch.”
Mind prayed to God continuously and chanted mantras to have some extra courage to overcome the persecution. He advocated Godlover to follow the same religious path because God alone could save them in this distress.
Mind opened the iron gate and reached the main gate which was locked through different types of locks. Out of frustration, they came back to be dungeon.
“What to do now? Tomorrow, this Lucifer will definitely throw us into the ditch making our mission incomplete,” Godlover said.
“Don’t worry, have faith in God. Take it as a passing phase,” Mind smilingly replied.
It was almost dawn. Godlover suddenly informed him to open the parchment and see what is inside. Mind opened and saw the inscription of a statue of God. Both again went to the main door and touched all the locks with the parchment. To his surprise, Mind was then able to open the lock one by one. When the big lock was about to be opened, there was a bit of sound while opening the main door. Somehow they were able to flee through the small opening of this door. Suddenly, Godlover fell down. Mind smehow dragged him and almost reached out of Lucifer’s territory. They saw him running behind them, but by the time he was about to catch them, they were on the other side of the hillock.
Godlover sat on the green pasture. Mind brought some raspberries and grapes. He had some but were feeling very weak and pleaded to Mind to wait. Seeing the condition of his health, Mind decided to energize by uttering religious discourse. Tell me Godlover, “Is there anyone who does not wish to be happy? For the past five days, we face inhuman torture for no fault for ours. May be this is our destiny. This is a phase for us to sorrow. Happiness and sorrow do not drop from the skies. Our mind is afflicted to the thoughts that only cause sorrow and happiness. If you visualize the whole tragedy of ours in devil’s land, out of thoughts of fear only cause our pain more as compared to the beatings. Since we are not accustomed to this sudden attack, it looks little odd, otherwise the beating was not that serious except the thoughts. The sad thoughts which hovers around our mind, make us unhappy and weak.”
“You are correct. Your wisdom is invigorating me, but I really feel exhausted,” Godlover informed submissively.
“Now, if you want to forget this incidence and be cheerful, you have to follow the mantra; even this shall pass. You imbibe this in your heart and then only you will be able to overcome all your pain caused due to the beating.”

Godlover stood up and they walked around half a kilometer and again he pleaded for rest. Mind obliged.
“I think you are exhausted because of the fearful incidence which is still haunting you,” Mind questioned with all politeness.
“May be.”
“My friend, pairs of opposites such as pleasures and pain, honour and insult, joy and sorrow are the sequential phases of one’s life which affects the body. They will come and they will go as long as your body exists. But you have to be courageous enough atleast mentally to overcome these phases. You have to be a firm believer that you are the absolute self with imperishable atman while pleasures and pains are fleeting. You have to always remember that these pains can not affect you. Then only you can beat these obstacles which is pervading your mind,” Mind preached. Godlover heard him with rapt attention and his tiredness was diminishing slowly.
Mind watched the changes and continued this type of religious discourses.
“There is no object that brings pain or pleasure. They are creations of your mind. Mind is the center of attraction of any feeling. Your thoughts are induced and give you sensation of tiredness, morose, pain, pleasure and joy. With the help of these thoughts be absorbed in your own eternal being, the truth absolute and so be always peaceful whatever may be the situation. Remember one thing, you are the supreme bliss. It is yourself that dwells in all. Whether, it is happiness or pain that appears in your life, is in fact just a glimpse of self-bliss or distress. It is your inner feeling, but because of your ignorance, you think it is obtained from objects of sense of pain or pleasures. Take the case of both our beatings by Lucifer. Similar amount of beatings have made you coward, tired whereas it has not affected me that much.”
“I am really energized by your teachings. Let me eat some fruits and you also eat. Then, we will again start our journey for Celestial City,” Godlover suggested.
“I am happy, you are recovering from your tiredness. My friend, as I told you everything is your thoughts and feelings which crowd your mind. Take the example of the sun’s reflection in water. Is it the real sun? No, it is merely an illusory appearance. So, the pain experience through your sense is not the real one, it is momentary and a passing phase. If you continue to think, you will be more distressed and will undergo more mental and physical affliction.”
Being influenced by the sermons and after eating different types of fruits available from a nearby farm, Godlover now prepared for the strenuous journey. At dusk, they reached a place with diversion. Initially, they were bit puzzled to decide which way to go. They stopped and looked here and there. They found a person who was crossing them.
Mind addressed him with folded hands,
“Would you be kind enough to guide us to the road to Celestial City?”
He stopped and enquired the reason of calling.

Mind explained that they are pilgrims and belong to city of pride. They left their place to abode in the Celestial City to obtain God’s grace and enjoy religious path for the balance period of their lives.
“Are you crazy people? I am a monk and travel almost the whole world. I know the places of seclusion where people live years together to enjoy severe, blissful and complete religious lives. But I have never heard about any place like Celestial City,” the monk retorted with little anger.
Mind also came to know that the monk is called as Mounibaba.
“Sir, I got the details of Celestial City from Margdarshak. As per his guidance, we somehow arrived at this place. Now, because of diversion, we are baffled and need your help,” Mind requested.
“It looks to me that you people are fools. However, if you like, you can follow me for some distance and I can show you the path which will take you to the place of a muse. You can enquire therein,” Mouni informed.
“This fellow looks to be arrogant and bit haughty,” Godlover slowly talked. Mind told him to keep quite. After walking throughout the night, they reached a green pasture at dawn which was full of rose gardens, variety of fruits like mangoes, jackfruits as well as grapes. They found a hut there in the midst of the garden. Mind knocked the door of the hut. A person in complete white dress appeared with a smiling face.
“What do you want my child?”
“We are pilgrims, bit tired and hungry. So we want to have some food and also like to take rest. By the way, do you have any idea, how to reach Celestial City from here?”
The person’s name was Grace. He laughed and advised them to eat some fruits first and then take rest. After having variety of fruits, both Mind and Godlover were bit relaxed and lied down on the mat. When the sun was almost on the mid horizon, Grace called them and advised them to take bath. When they completed their rituals, Grace offered them food consisting of rice, vegetables and curd. While they were eating their food, Grace informed that he was a shepherded and the custodian of this farm. He sold the fruits in the market to get his living and the rest of the time his only work is to serve God Mind looked to his face and was very satisfied to hear about his lifestyle. After lunch, Grace proposed for further rest which Mind and Godlover gleefully obliged.
to be cotnd............

Veracity of vicious Disease-Malaria

All over the world, people are agog for the affliction of deadly diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart attacks, etc. No doubt these are life killers; but this article clearly demonstrates the veracity of the devastating mosquito-borne disease, namely Malaria. Everyone in the world starting from eminent doctors to charitable organizations tried their level best to eradicate this disease, but no one so far has succeeded to uproot the disease, and millions of people yet die of Malaria. Sometimes, they cannot resist the brunt of this disease and ultimately succumb to death. A proverb says, "There are thousand ways to skin a cat." In similar way, researches rephrase this for mosquitoes.
Malaria is a major public health problem in more than 90 countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. It has been a scourge for humankind for thousands of years and it remains one today. However, the real causes of malaria became known to the world only in the 19th century when Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran discovered malaria parasites while examining blood from soldiers. He found crescent-shaped bodies in almost the majority of soldiers suffering from fever and fatigue. But Ronals Ross, a British officer, was the first to establish that mosquitoes are the vectors of malaria parasites to the human body. First, let's clear up a common misconception. Mosquitoes don't cause malaria - they only transmit the disease. Malaria is caused by an organism whose life cycle is dependent on the mosquito. When a mosquito bites a person who has malaria, it ingests a small amount of that person's blood, which contains the malaria-causing protozoan plasmodia. The microorganism then continues its lifecycle within the gut of the mosquito. When the mosquito bites an uninfected person, the developed protozoan enters that new person through the mosquito's saliva, and a new case of malaria is born. While all malaria is serious, new world malarias tend to kill you less quickly, which allows more time for the disease to be diagnosed and treated. Nearly five decades ago, it was thought that we had conquered the war against this dreadful disease of Malaria. Many diagnostic approaches in the form of medicines like quinine, chloroquinine, etc., were tried to get rid of the malaria parasites. The medication primarily used to treat malaria is a form of quinine that's derived from the bark of the quinine tree which is found in South America by two Frenchmen. Later Americans discovered Chloroquinine as a better option to replace quinine. Many other drugs including the molecule dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, etc., invented by scientists remain ineffective to eliminate the malaria. Even modern drugs cannot do well to fight parasites; instead the parasites become immune to the drugs because of their fast generation time. In the same way DDT, the short form of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, also remains futile to prevent the mosquitoes' ever-increasing growth. Currently more than 515,000,000 people around the world are infected with malaria each year. Of these, between 1,000,000 and 3,000,000 people die from the disease each year. Malaria is one of the most prevalent and underfunded diseases in the world; it is only now beginning to receive the attention like other diseases that aren't nearly as costly in terms of human lives and suffering. When you understand the crucial role that mosquitoes play in the spread of this devastating disease, controlling and eliminating mosquitoes take on a new urgency, both in terms of the economic advantages posed by its elimination and the reduction in all-around human suffering. Dr Brian Foy of Colorado State University from his experiments asserts that the malaria parasite usually takes two weeks to grow in the mosquito body. When a female Anopheles takes a blood meal on a malaria-infected human body, it draws out parasites with it. After 10-18 days, the parasites are so grown in the mosquito body that they are available in the salivary gland of the mosquito. Such heavily infected female Anopheles mosquito further injects parasite into another human body through a bite, and this cycle goes on moving continuously. Initially, the malaria parasites grow and multiply in the human liver cells; and then evade the red blood cells to destroy them. Usual symptoms of malaria are fever and flu-like illnesses such as aches and tiredness, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
World Health Organization (WHO) / Malinda Gates Foundation's ContributionWHO, under the stewardship of Mrs Brundtland campaigned and implemented several clinical programmes to demolish the mosquito bred completely. The programmes consisted of actions like supply of better drugs and vaccines to the malaria victims through hospitals, opening diagnostic centres, conducting health awareness programmes among people, appeal for cleanliness of surroundings, etc. Apart from the above, the science of molecular biology and genetic engineering is put to use. Biologists even tried to sterile female mosquitoes and release them with male mosquitoes to prevent further spreading of malaria, but this could also not produce effective results in the end. In fact, the mosquito bred did not stop to increase. Ultimately, all the efforts of Mrs. Brundtland went in vain, as the malaria carrying mosquitoes went stronger even against the surefire insecticides invented. The legendary IT wizard Bill Gates and his charitable organization The Melinda Gates Foundation have started supporting the mosquito demolition activities around the world. They also spend billions of dollars for elimination of HIV-AIDS through introduction of various types of drugs, vaccines and implementation of various health programmes. They feel that such health programmes should also contain eradication of malaria, availing safe drinking water and maintaining the ecological balance for the wellbeing and development of society. This foundation is unique in its nature as it provides financial aid to researchers to undertake various clinical researches in order to win over this perennial problem. The fight against malaria achieves the first place in the list of their agenda. Their whole-hearted efforts produce innovative ideas and actions to free the humankind from the trap of Malaria.
Ways to Eliminate Malaria and Mosquito There are two ways to focus on the problem of malaria. The first one is to "'rain the swamps', or more specifically, to eliminate the habitats where mosquitoes could live and breed. The second approach, the one being currently used in Africa, is to treat infected patients and to work to develop a vaccine that will be effective against the disease. The geopolitical environment in Africa makes the elimination of breeding grounds a difficult and unwieldy task, which is why this alternate approach is being used. Dr Foy focuses on the transmitting time of parasite from one host to another to find a way out to kill the disease malaria from its primitive stage. He concluded with an idea from the observation of another vicious disease River Blindness and it is the medicines used in prevention of that disease. It occurred by parasite worms injected by tsetse fly generally found in the African continent. A drug named Ivermectin has been very successful in destroying the parasites of tsetse. The credit for this medicine goes to the magnanimity of The Carter Foundation, a charitable organization established by Mr Jimmy Carter. Today African countries who were predominantly suffering from this disease are able to conquer it because of a sustained campaign of free distribution of this drug throughout the region. Dr Foy realized that Ivermectin is powerful to destroy parasites of both malaria as well as river blindness. People take this drug by oral application, which is easily mixed with blood and is rendered toxic for tsetse. When the tsetse fly takes a blood meal on a person, it dies due to toxins available in the human blood absorbed from Ivermectin. Dr Foy suggests the same kind of drug and its application to cure as well as to prevent malaria.
Some Interesting Information about MosquitoesMosquitoes are annoying, but when you really start to study them, you can find out some surprisingly interesting things about them. The following is a roundup of some of the most uncommon bits of knowledge about a very common pest:Male mosquitoes don't bite people – only the females do. When a female mosquito needs blood to produce her eggs, humans are not her first choice for what is gruesomely called a 'blood meal' – most female mosquitoes would rather bite a cow, horse, or a small mammal such as a dog or squirrel. In addition, some mosquitoes only bite birds, reptiles or amphibians for their blood meal. Mosquitoes can fly at a speed of one mile per hour. Most mosquitoes live only about two to three weeks, although some species can live as long as six months. Males of the species generally live a shorter period of time than the females. Mosquitoes from salt marshes have been known to fly up to 40 miles from their breeding location in search of food. Diseases carried by mosquitoes include malaria, the West Nile Virus, dog heartworm, equine encephalitis, dengue and yellow fever. There is no evidence that mosquitoes can transmit the HIV virus or AIDS. As stated above, more than one million people die each year from mosquito-borne diseases just because of lack of knowledge and their carelessness towards primary precautions. That itchy, red mosquito bite is actually a localized allergic reaction to mosquito saliva. While researchers have some clues as to what attracts mosquitoes to humans, they still have not figured out exactly why mosquitoes seem to target some people more than others. The more carbon dioxide and lactic acid you produce, the more likely you are to attract a mosquito. Overweight people and very active or fidgety people produce more carbon dioxide and lactic acid. Mosquitoes usually prefer to bite women over men. They may not be gentlemen, but even mosquitoes prefer blondes, biting them more frequently than brunettes. Mosquitoes are very attracted to the smell of stinky feet and Limburger cheese. One study found that mosquitoes were more active during a full moon than during other parts of the lunar cycle. Dark clothing seems to attract.The most effective mosquito repellent is still DEET, which was developed more than 50 years ago. Yellow light bulbs do not repel mosquitoes – they just don't attract mosquitoes like brighter, hotter incandescent light does. Mosquitoes seldom bite when there is a light breeze blowing. That means that if you keep the air moving on your outside porch or deck, you might get fewer mosquito bites. Electronic bug zapper lights do not do a good job of killing mosquitoes, but they do an excellent job of killing the bugs that songbirds like to eat. Neither bats nor birds are especially effective at reducing mosquito populations, though both will eat mosquitoes from time to time if they come across them.
Common Precautionary Measure to Escape MalariaFrom the general observations, I have seen that people tend to be cautious about the animals and beasts that cause apparent harm, but not about the tiny insect like mosquito, which in fact, causes much more damages to our health. Being health-conscious people, we should follow the following tips:
Maintain cleanliness of surroundings, remove dirty water-pits where mosquitoes breed and develop usually;
Use mosquito vaporizer / liquids and sprinkle DDT at the places vulnerable to mosquito generation;
Hiding places for mosquitoes are generally untouched corners of house, bathrooms and toilets which should be cleaned and sprinkled with fragrant pesticide;
Mosquitoes are attracted to darkness and black colour and so we may opt for white coloured home / house furnishing items wherever practical and possible, for example, curtains on doors & windows, tapestry on sofa cover and also maintain a lustrous light around us at the night time;
Keep the doors and windows shut as soon as the sun sets, since the mosquitoes mostly enter the house during this time;
Cover your doors and windows with mosquito nets to close their entryways;
We may also take, in consultation with doctor, primary medicines as a precautionary step, especially when the monsoon is just gone away and the mosquito generation is very high. Malaria affects everyone irrespective of age and status quo of health. Though only a few mosquitoes are perpetrators, we should not be negligent towards the preventive measures as stated above. After all, prevention is better than cure.

EMBRACING THE CHANGE DURING VOLATILITY

Today’s world is full of fickle. There is no point to confide on consistency. Since the situational constraints are so pervasive that it is a volatile world and change management and theories support this system should not be construed as platitudes. People, who are optimistic and always in search of the opportunities even in scarcity, will embrace the change.

They will put their all manhood to that extent that even graves yawned and they will dig out all changes. The whole objective behind this approach is that they want to reap the benefits because of these changes. At present, the whole world is under the influence of economic turmoil and a gale of recession makes the condition tumultuous. So, it is prudent for anyone to seek changes rather than only resort to worries to the constant flux of socio-economic downtrend. This is very true particularly during attrition, lay off and job loss because financial crunch as faced by industries prompt them to advocate for above decisions. It is next to impossible to handle a situation arises out of losing a job. And this alone is the toughest change to manage and cope up with. Under these circumstances most of the people inhibit to accept the ground reality, curse their luck or accuse others for these predictable changes. These were imminent, but only thing they could not foresee in advance.

In this process, they get stressed and become worried. But, there are proactive people who boldly accept this change in their lives and they become inveterate to overcome these perplexities and engage themselves to trace out new opportunities. They ensure not wasting anytime but to make use of most of the changing and difficult times. They do not sink in the slough of indolence and strive very hard to search for any opportunity and to utilize the same in the right perspective.

When a job is lost or such a mishap looks imminent, it is quite natural that one get engrossed by severe grief and despondency. The cloud of fears smears on their faces as if they slither down the slope in their professional career. It is true that searching for a new job and get unlocked into the same on immediate basis is a daunting task because of the uncertainty and ambiguity of the current situation. But without bringing much despair, one has to embrace the change management scenario effectively and search for a job with a grit of determination and dedication. Some of the following manifestations may be helpful to summon some extra courage to dawdle in right direction.
Use discretionary power to change the career profile:
Generally, people stick to the same kind of job, role or even industry. But during changing time which is confronted with recession, you must widen your profile to help the search engine. For example, at present IT sector is undergoing a downturn, and every now and then, these industries are facing a jolt. So, if you are a victim and under the destination of job loss, then instead of trying for this sector alone, the searches must be little broader i.e. to seek employment opportunities in related fields say ITES, BPO, call centers. In some cases, there should be a reshuffle in the thought process and you must try for the openings in service industries, hospitality sectors; who knows this may increase the opportunities of employability quickly.

This is the first major change one must take in right spirit and distract his attention from the conventional and stereo type searching pattern. You must do introspection and also to ponder on the ground reality. You have to thoroughly examine your strength and passions and give concentrated thoughts on the outcome of the same. You have to identify which other role or industries you could put your strengths to use. At this point of time, you have to be very practical and also pragmatic. You have to probably frame a questionnaire for yourself asking whether you would like to change roles in the same industry or you would like to change the industry. Are you going to follow the pursuit of existing profession say in sales or you wanted to try your hand in some related profession like sales administration? Further, do you want to change the role say presently you are in HR and you lose the job and now would you like to take a role of a trainer in an HR consulting company? Once, one is able to fix up these issues then one can take the next step.

Knowledge base is to be widened
The most common pitfall is that people do not increase the knowledge base. When their present job is lost, people are so much mortified that most of the time, they feel sullen. Instead of that, they have to continuously search for openings in existing as well as in the new fields and for that matter, they have to acquire new knowledge. If not, it is possible to pursue university degree, one must enroll in the crash courses. Further, if you aspire to groom yourself for a new role of job opening, you have to know the nitty-gritty of that role. For example, you were in sales in an IT company, and now you want to change your role and plunge into marketing of engineering goods, you have to first know the details involved with the marketing function of engineering goods. Read and enrich your knowledge and information about this new trade, its pattern of functions, current market trend, skill required for this function. You need to speak to the professionals and experts who belong to this sector to increase your basic knowledge of this job function. By attending seminars, talks delivered by experts, you can gather more detailed information. You may also use internet for online learning. After completing these theoretical exercises, you need to acquire practical exposure of the trade before fully plunge to search jobs for this new role. Practical exposure is possible to obtain by assisting someone who is in the trade for a considerable period. To start with, you can opt for a small assignment on contract basis with a small company or with a consultancy firm. All these will make you agile and confident to appear for a job interview for a new role.

Accept change in rank
You may have to rat-tat to your sensualism and take bold steps to accept a job even in lower rank. During crucial period, one has to forego the vanity of the position and power. Suppose you were holding a post of manager and you lose the job because of market slump. And in this situation, if you get a job in your own field but in one rank below the position you were holding, it is very much wise and prudent on your part to accept the same. This is nothing to do with your ability but because of market slowdown, you are compelled to satiate with the lower rank of offering from the new employer. It is very true that many employees do not like to go down because of statusco symbol but it will be foolery on one’s part to refute the appointment since when market is squeezed, job offers also will be limited. So, by turning down this type of offer, you may develop severe despondency and sometimes this may cause enormous stress and health breakdown. It is best to be patient and do the work at hand well. Apparently, this change in position may seem disappointing and disdainful but it may open a new door for you to learn and build skills, increase information base and gain knowledge of the workings of the particular company and the industry as a whole. And when the market condition is improved upon and clouds of recession scattered hitherto inducing the fear psychology with menacing growl is over, who knows you may be elevated in the hierarchy because of your perseverance and hard work. But one thing is sure, in your new role and lesser position, you have to acclimatize yourself with your full energy and vigour so as to learn the product, company’s working pattern, system and culture to get the fruit when the time comes.

It is very much advisable during the current time of recession to get prepared for any unprecedented incidence, particularly, with regard to loss of employment. However, in case of job loss, one should accept and explore job opportunities even in the fields where he does not have good hands. For this, one should widen the knowledge about the functions of the new job. Or otherwise, he may stick to the same portfolio in some other company where he is offered a step below rank. He has to be courageous enough to adjust to this situation and wait for good times to come. So, one should be flexible; and should adjust sails according to direction of winds in the current situation of economic meltdown.

Belated Honeymoon induces demulcent love

Somu, who is a top executive of a multinational firm at Kolkata mumbles the above dialogue to his better half Sunayana, nickname Su. She resists “since you have not taken me for honeymoon after marriage, you try to find escape route. People who are delinquent, they only preach all types of excuses.”

Somu is workaholic and also pernickety. Every strategical decision of his sales department needs to be verified by him where he is working. His early morning leaving and late evening coming to house induces Su’s anger management. She is enraged, till today, to miss the honeymoon when they planned for the same to visit Darjeeling. Because of tremendous work pressure, Sonu had to reluctantly cancel the said trip at the last moment. Even after eight years of her marriage, she is unable to erase that feeling from her mind. Further, she becomes dreary when she is fed with the information of her bosom friend’s marriage and enjoying honeymoon immediately thereafter. It is not that she is avaricious for this particular ceremony, but she being a graduate in Philosophy, confers tremendous weightage for every work at its own time. Otherwise also, she is very methodical and stickler because of her born and brought up in the environment of United Kingdom. She is a tremendous believer of disciplined life of British and she send her only child of six years to her parents over there for study purpose.

Contrarily, Somu is extrovert, vivacious and somewhat materialistic. At this age of 40, he possesses posh flat at an up market place at Kolkata with an imported car. His main criterion is to earn money considerably so as to maintain the same standard of life even after retirement. He has seen the hardship of his parents and uncles and so he does not want to spoil time for trivial issues even at the cost of worriment of Su. But, now Somu realizes and wants to be benignant to take Su for a sight seeing visit to Darjeeling under the wrapper of belated honeymoon.

His surreptitious plan is licked to Su by one of his close colleagues. Su does not belief only to say “when I will board the flight, then only I will accept this as a fact.” Somu takes leaves for the entire week and both of them board a flight to Bagdogra. From there, they take a car to reach to Darjeeling. The car passes through greeneries, mountainous pass, and sharp bends. They enjoy the beauty of tea gardens at both the sides of the hilly roads. Seeing the depth of these valleys from the top, Su screams, “oh my god, if something happens to the car, what will be the outcome?”

“The graves will be yawning in the midst of this 6000 feet below to kiss both you and me.”, Somu replied.

After a drive of nearly 3 hours covering a distance of 90 Kms. they reach to Darjeeling to abode in a star hotel “Sinclairs Resort”. As soon as Su ushers in the room, she gets excited with the enchanting beauty of the city of Darjeeling at one side and the mountain Kanchanjhanga at the other side. Somu tries to coax and hug her but she just snubs him with a squint for his effrontery because the hotel bell boy follows them to dump the luggage in their room. After arranging the luggage sequentially in the cupboard, Su makes herself comfortable in evening attire and orders for a special Darjeeling pot tea. As per regular habit, Somu finishes his evening bath and then enjoys the warmth of hot tea. It is not as per the reputed world class flavour of Darjeeling tea. Su also advocates the same opinion.

“If we do not get the quality flavoured tea in Darjeeling, world class quality chocolates in Switzerland, what is the use of tasting those particular things in that particular place”, Su cried.

“This is the eternal truth and bliss of life, Madam.”

Su starts enjoying the scenic beauty of this place from the balcony of the hotel room without much fiddling. Suddenly, her face is hovered with cloud since the weather gets beclouded. The thick blackish all over the sky pours water in her enjoyment of taking the ambrosia of the Kanchanjhanga Mountain from the hotel room itself. Seeing her gloomy face, Somu cajoles her by planting a kiss on her forehead and force her to come out from the confinement of the room. From the outside, the hotel looks to be more as an ancient building encapsulated with architectural work and greeneries. The ambience of this hotel is appealing and so as their staff members who seem to be very deferential types. The only drawback which is observed by Somu that the hotel though belongs to three star category has not ameliorated enough to attract high profile overseas tourists. Moreover, the location of the hotel is in cul-de-sac so that unless you know, you may not be in a position to locate so easily.

Somu ambulates towards the main road leads to mall followed by Su. After a long stroll, both of them become little tired because they are not accustomed to walk through hilly roads. By the time, they decide to back to the hotel, drizzling starts and suddenly strong wind and thunder shower amazedly surrounds them. They run towards the direction of the hotel but fail to save them and get drenched completely.

Seeing the water clogged sari draped over her vivacious body, Somu’s excitement increases and he coddles her and this time Su accepts with mirth and hugs him. They enjoy the situational advantage because here no one is entering in their privacy.

After freshen up, they proceed to the dinning hall for a buffet dinner. They eat non-vegetarian dishes mainly fish fries because of their superb quality. In fact, they devour fish fry and then taste the mutton biryani to their satisfaction.

After a luscious dinner, they laze in the adjoining garden of the restaurant and enjoy the night of Darjeeling. By the time, the sky is again clear. After sometimes, they start yawning and they go to the room and fall asleep. Next day, they get up early. Su as usual start looking to the mountainous beauty of Darjeeling from the balcony. In the meantime, Somu finishes his morning rituals and makes a phone call to the room service for special tea. Without any utterances, they keep watching the evolving sun slowly like an effulgent round metallic dish, from their balcony.

Sue cries “what an eternal beauty! Is it possible to enjoy such beauty from our home at Kolkata?”

Somu replies “It is possible, but not so distinctly, because now, you are watching the sun from an elevated place of nearly 5000 feet.”

“I don’t understand all this logic, but these beauties have definitely enamoured me.”

Thereafter, they drink special tea and somehow the quality is not that bad like yesterday. Within another one hour, they usher into a car to visit five different places for sight seeing. They visit first to a ropeway only to find the same is under repairing because of recent land slide. Darjeeling city is placed in zigzag fashion and the toy train line is criss crossed in the same way. To their bad luck, they are not able to see the train in motion because of disruption of their services, again because of land slide.

Then they visit a tea garden / tea estate. All round the tea state, short heighted tea plants are only visible. From the top, if one looks, he will feel like standing on a green rock to watch green path. Su shows her extra courage to slide down a bit on the narrow make shift road in the tea estate. But, local supervisor admonished not to venture, because it is a risky proposition. Thereafter both they enquire about some nitty-gritty of tea producing, its manufacturing process, drying, blending and then forwarding the same to wholesalers to merchandize. Finishing this spot, they further move to the zoological park and the Himalaya Mountain Training Institute. The beauty of this zoo is that it is situated at an elevation of nearly 6000 feet.

Su arouses a bore by clapping her hands which the animal does not like. It changes its posture and flatly lies down fall asleep. They observe some different types of birds, leopards and dears. From there, they proceed to the mountain training institute. Basically, it is a museum. It shows various kinds of accessories, implements which are generally used to climb rocks and mountains. The institute also depicts the pictures of Tenging Norgaw, Sir Edmond Hillary who are all famous to conquer the irresistible Mount Everest.

Then they visit the mall for the second consecutive day to watch the qualities of cloths and other goods namely electronic gadgets. As usual, Su starts dickering after selecting some woolen cloths. From a distant place, Somu enjoys the haggling between Su and the seller. Ultimately, the shopkeeper surrenders uttering some unpleasant dialects in her own language which is beyond Su’s reach. But, she feels happy because she wins in the bargain.

“Why are you laughing”, Su enquires staring to Somu.
“Nothing”
“You male fools are damn weak in bargaining,” she murmurs. From mall, hotel is at a walking distance and so they bid adieu to the driver only to inform him to visit next day for further sight seeing.

At 4.00 A.M. in the morning, they make themselves ready to watch the rising sun from the peak of Tiger Hill. When they reach there, the place is already crowded. Somehow, Su manages to stand in the front now. The beauty of Kanchanjhanga is far away but distinctly clear from the height of 8000 feet. The sky is clear and the last phase of the night disappears and the sun start evolves. At 5 A.M., it appears slightly. Slowly and slowly, it becomes glowing and at 5.30 A.M. it emerges like a bright yellow round metallic dish. From all round the corner, only “click” sounds erupt. Somu is also busy in capturing all these scenic beauties in his Sony digital camera. Su is enchanted and speechless for a while.

From there, they visit Batasia loop, a circular toy train garden, of course the engine is standing silently. The narrow railways lines are surrounded by flowers, small trees and the place has its own beauty. Then they visit a Tibetian monastery to watch minutely how the Buddhist performs their daily religious activities. Many teenagers are found to take instructions from their seniors about the teachings of Buddhism.

After reaching to the hotel, Su feels discomfort and feverish. With a cup of tea, she manages to regain her vigour but not much of use. Somu suggests for calling a doctor but Su declines. They retire to bed with a plan to rise early in the next day morning to visit the Tiger Hills once again to observe vivacious beauty of diamond ring of the Sun. But, because of indisposition of Su, the sight seeing visit of the next day is postponed. Su is just confined to the bed throughout the day. Somu passes the day by scribbling his various thoughts and studying some scientific Journals.

Next day, that is fifth day of the trip, Su tries to come out from the shackles of indisposition but her procrastination does not yield any result. Somu calls now hotel reception and advises to send a doctor. After thorough examination, doctor suspects cold influenza fever but cautions not to venture out from hotel. By taking full rest supplemented by medicines, Su is all right on the sixth day and visits only to the mall just to get rid of four walls obtrusive environment of the hotel room. When they return after two hours of evening stroll, Su seems to be again agile and energetic. Then, they start discussing about the plan of return journey.

Somu questions, “Su, how do you like this belated honeymoon?”

“No comments”.

“Why?”

Seeing her reluctance, Somu further advocates, “I feel if we were coming before eight years just after the nuptial stage, we would have not been able to share the thoughts in current scenarios, because now we are more matured.”

“I am not able to digest.” Su retorts.

“Simple, after a passage of eight years of our lives, we are more seasoned and experienced of happiness and distress. Today, we are much more capable to visualize with our experience of conjugal life of past eight years. Was it possible at that time?” Somu further narrates.

“I know your volubility and I am also aware that once you start, you are indomitable, but ensure that it does not create my prolix”, Su answers.

“Neither I am giving any formidable array of alibis nor do I confute about your belief that every ceremony must be time oriented but I only like to emphasize that all these are human’s creation. One can very well enjoy the eternal and spiritual beauties and devotions at any time provided there is a strong desire to do so.” Somu stares to Su for her opinion.

“But, Su does not reply only to laugh.”

Seeing the mood, Somu tries to canoodle and embrace her and strongly put his lips on her and fondle each other as if they enjoy their honeymoon. Nearly one hour, they devour each other and Somu guzzles each and every organ of Su’s body. After sometime, they lay awake, savour their throbbing energy only to comprehend the fantasies of their wedding day.

Su starts to organize the suitcases and bags for their return journey and then proceed to dining hall. After a light dinner, they retire to bed so that they can get up early on the next day.

On the last day of the journey, they complete their morning rituals, finish breakfast and then usher in the waiting car to be dropped to the airport to catch the flight to Kolkata. After a journey of total three hours, they are back to their home with a sigh from Su’s mouth “yes, belated honeymoon is joyous provided the original one is in its place.”

Someone says correctly that “woman’s mind is the most mystic and imponderable”, Somu slouches into the bathroom gleefully.

Enhancing concentration power for professional success

Many people find it extremely difficult to keep concentration for a particular task for a reasonable period of time. It is the perennial problem being encountered in today’s business environment. Peer’s pressure, shortfall of target in terms of outstanding collection and sales volume, maintaining deadline are common syndrome which distract you easily from your focused attention and compel to whirl and swirl you from your concentration level. Ultimately, it leads to the summation of committing mistakes, not achieving the deadline, unable to fulfill the target and all these make your life parlous and pathetic. This distraction of concentration level engulfs you more and more as there is no magic wind to overcome this, unless you are self disciplined.

You should consider the followings as the best practices to enhance your concentration power.

Prioritize the list of works: Make a “To do list” with heading of priority, semi-priority and non-priority. Now, focus the attention on the task number one in the priority list and maintain the sequence. This list will help you to accomplish the job systematically and methodically. Non-priority task can be simply passed on to the lower rank with a clear cut understanding what is being sought for from them. If you have to attend a vital business meeting, a small note pad is essential to carry with you to jot down the central points. Depending on the urgency of these points, the priority list can be reshuffled. But, while changing the priority in the “to do list”, the focus should not be diluted to the sequential importance of the list of the tasks. Otherwise, again concentration will be diverted and divested in between too many priorities which will yield far less than desired productive output.
One at a time: In today’s business world, it is expected to carry out multi tasking. To keep pace with fast growth, it sometimes becomes inevitable. But, you may have to develop skill to concentrate only on one task at a time. Human brain is systematically wired to concentrate attention on a single issue at any given point of time; otherwise yield of the productive results will be naught.
Search of quiet place: It will be prudent on your part to have a secluded sitting arrangement to focus attention. The more it is focused; the power of the concentration will be intensified. Distraction of attention by phone calls, disturbance created by intruders, colleagues visiting your cabin at equal interval will definitely dilute your concentration level. To avoid all these hassles, you need a calm and quiet place to work with full concentration. This atmosphere will also help you to ruminate so as to delve to the work with the fullest concentration.
Clarity of the objectives: Many a time, it has been seen that people have not understood the objectives of the tasks being assigned to them. They pretend that they have the grasp of the task. Their procrastination will only drift them away from the concentration level required to be given for the task, since it is beyond their level of understanding. Under this scenario, you have to first “drill down” the task in three categories; for example, “most difficult”, “somewhat difficult” and “less difficult” categories. Then by adopting “fish bone analysis”, you have to concentrate to complete the task by attempting the toughest (the most difficult) one first and then for the others.

By this analytical method, you will be able to endeavour your concentration to the job and complete the same even though whose objective will not be that clear to you initially.

Take break: You have to take a break periodically because this is best suited to enhance the level of concentration. Primarily, it varies from person to person but as a customary guideline, three minutes break from every thirty minutes of work with concentration will not only enliven you but also enhance the gravity of the process. A stressed mind will diminish the level of concentration and once that is curtailed, then the decision for the task being envisaged from you, will be foolhardy.
Apart from above tips, maintaining good health with controlled diet supplemented by physical fitness, will zoom up your concentration level. The task of above tips is not so arduous and by regular practice and perseverance, the level of concentration will exuberate which will lead you to the professional success.