Friday, 9 June 2017

Wonderful Trivandrum


Wonderful Trivandrum ...



Trivandrum, (or Thiruvananthapuram) the capital city of Kerala, near the southern tip of the Indian peninsular and facing the Arabian Sea, is a serene and calm city in God's own country.

A peaceful and calm city that used to be lush with greeneries still struggle to maintain the same status quo though urbanisation and high-rise constructions remains on the rise like every Indian city.
When compared to the fast life in congested metros like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai, Trivandrum life is quite relaxed, and peaceful. Lesser traffic, lesser pollution, and a smooth and peaceful life and all the required facilities and amenities are also available. When compared to metro cities this city has a reputation of being quite sleepy with slow life and city life mostly shuts down after 8:00PM and also the city life as a whole lacks the vibrancy of metro life, hence quite ideal for retirement life. 

Trivandrum hosts an IT park - Technopark which is a haven for software engineers. Technopark is the largest IT Park in Asia in terms of area. Techies from across the country come to work here apart from Keralaites. It is easy to commute to IT parks or anywhere with less traffic congestions, & much less polluted environment. The IT hub (Technopark) lies on the way to Kazhakoottam and is easily accessible by a bypass which runs parallel to the city. By travelling by that bypass road from Technopark it will take you to the city in no time avoiding all traffic congestions. It's an ideal place for IT destination when compared to many other metro cities where the IT parks are at a remote place, far far from the city. Top IT companies like Infosys, Oracle, TCS, UST, IBS, Nest, etc also have found space in Trivandrum, apart from around 200+ small IT firms in Technopark.

Other academic & research institutions and centers in Trivandrum include - Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, National Institute For Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Centre for Development Studies, Kerala Technical University, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Regional Cancer Centre, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, and the National Centre for Earth Science Studies,and also the Southern Air Command headquarters of the Indian Air Force, the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station and the upcoming Vizhinjam International Deepwater Motherport.

Apart from these Trivandrum boasts of having the world's richest temple - Padmanabhaswamy temple. Trivandrum is an educational hub with maximum number of schools & colleges in the state.

Anywhere you wanna travel within the city, is reachable in half an hour’s time unlike other cities & metros like Mumbai& Chennai where it may take hours to travel that too by commuting via several buses or suburban trains. The place has a moderate temperature all throughout the year and monsoons twice a year.

ISRO is set up here (in Thumpa, Trivandrum) as it is nearest to the magnetic equator which is the place geographically most ideal in the whole country. Thumpa Equatorial rocket launching station was set up in Nov'1963.

Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, is India's first deep-water container transhipment port.

People has a unique culture and are quite broad minded, welcoming, and open to arts, literature and movies from other regions and abroad. It's a place where people enjoy movies of different languages and embraces different cultures. Film festivals are held here where European, Arabic and Latin American movies are screened. 
Also there are centers in Trivandrum where foreign languages are taught – a Russian center, Allianz Francois (a French center) and Goethe Zentrum (a German center). In Allianz Francois and Goethe Zentrum, French & German movies are screened once in a while.


Some pointers for travellers and tourists coming here - only personal suggestions hence may not be the apt of the best for all:

Good theatres (Aries multiplex, New theatre, Sree Vyshakh, Dhanya-Remya, Padmanabha, Kalabhavan & so on), good hospitals and clinics (SUT, Cosmo, KIMS, Medical college, DDRC, RCC, Fatima clinic & so on), good eateries (CCD @Kowdiar, Ambrosia, Indian Coffee House, Entree, Steampot, Thakkaram, Zam-zam, MRA, @Palayam, Ajwa, Le Arabia, Al Saj @Kazhakoottam, Buhari & so on), good confectioneries (Supreme, Western, Ambrosia, MRA & so on), good hotels (Maurya, Windsor, & Park Rajadhani, SP Grand days, Hycinth, Residency tower, Hotel Chinnus, Moti Mahal & so on), nice gift shops (Style Plus, Paico, Narmada & so on) and hang out places (Museum, Kanakakkunnu palace, Veli etc) and nice tourist destinations in the city ranging from  mountains to beaches (Ponmudi, Thenmala, Arippa, Kallar, Meenmutty waterfalls, & beaches - Kovalam, Vizhinjam, Shankumugham, Chavara, Varkala & so on), and good resorts (Poovar, Estuary islands, Travancore heritage, Iso la di cocco & so on)...

Places nearby and outside Trivandrum which can be reached in a half day's journey include the placid lagoons, and inward lakes - Ashttamudi kaayal (lagoon), Mundrothuruthu - isles of mangroves, awesome wild destination like Gavi, and Vagamon etc...


The calm, and peaceful life blended with greeneries & natural beauty, with the needed modern facilities and amenities makes this a paradise city...




Yeh jo desh hai mera, swadesh hai mera,
Tujhe Hai Pukara....
Yeh Woh Bandhan Hai Jo Kabhi Toot Nahin Sakta
Mitti Ki Hai Jo Khushboo, Tu Kaise Bhulayega
Tu Chahe Kahin Jayeh, Tu Laut Ke Aayega
Nayee-Nayee Raho Mein, Dabi-Dabi Aaho Mein
Khoyeh-Khoyeh Dil Se Tere Koi Yeh Kahega

Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera, Swades Hai Tera
Tujhe Hai Pukara....
Yeh Woh Bandhan Hai Jo Kabhi Toot Nahin Sakta
Tujhse Zindagi Hai Yeh Kah Rahi
Sab To Pa Liya, Ab Hai Kya Kami
Yun To Sare Sukh Hai Barse, Par Door Tu Hai Apne Ghar Se
Aa Laut Chal Tu Ab Deewane, Jahan Koi To Tujhe Apna Mane
Aawaz De Tujhe Bulane, Wohi Des.


Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera, Swades Hai Tera
Tujhe Hai Pukara....
Yeh Woh Bandhan Hai Jo Kabhi Toot Nahin Sakta
Yeh Pal…


- Suveen Jacob Abraham. 

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Tuesday, 30 May 2017

The pursuit of Happiness...


The pursuit of happiness is a never-ending game, a wild goose chase... Happy days never comes, but rather one needs to find happiness in each and every day, in each and every little aspect of life. In fact happiness is a choice...

For a little child there are lot of aspects which brings forth happiness - be it the toys he plays with, going for a walk with parents, watching the birds, flowers, the butterflies, the raindrops, the sunshine, seeing a cat walking on the fence wall and so on... But as we grow up, though we live in the same world, the same world which once made us appreciate the beauty and derive happiness from little things in life, may no longer make us feel so... The little child within us always prefers to remain happy, but the journey of life makes us transform to the new being, with lot of changes. Our choices, our priorities, our perspectives... the change is in our inner world which eventually mirrors our outer world.

Happiness is not money, riches, wealth, assets or anything that you possess...

Neither the grades, certificates, degrees or awards you have obtained...

Nor the designation at work, the rewards or accolades, or your position in social circle or family circle...

Happiness is being contended with what you have, and with the life you lead and the satisfaction that you derive from your life (both professional and personal).

Happiness is not the wealth and riches you possess or the fat bank balance, and all the luxuries and comfort you have. But it is the bliss of happiness felt by your heart even when you have nothing.

When a dream comes true or our wishes are fulfilled, we might be on cloud nine but life being a tough journey, and life itself being a struggle, those 'dream come moments' would be quite rare. 

The basic rule in life to have a dream come true is to focus and work hard for it. There is no substitute for hard work and only hard work, pain and sufferings will help you reap the fruits of labour. During childbirth the mother passes through several pains to bring forth a new life into this world. A seed dies in the soil to sprout into a new plant. 

In nature and in universe nothing happens by chance, but everything is deliberate and comes through struggle, pain and hardships. There are not many coincidences.

Yet destiny also plays a pivotal role and hence always hard work may not enable a person to reap the fruits of the labour he intends or he deserves.

So, do the best of what is in our hands and leave the rest to God and wait for what turns up... whether good or bad be ready to face. Whatever it may be, it is well it is well with one's soul. 

If the good, be glad and thankful, and if not be bold and take it as a part of life and move on.. 

The experiences which life throws upon oneself would pave way to one's outlook be it on the positive side (of being optimistic, confident, being proud, contented, being confident etc); or on the negative side (of being pessimistic, regretful, with frustrations and disappointments). But no matter what, be prepared...

Always the key to happiness is to find joy in little things in life. Have no major expectations in life...

Have no anxiety or worries for your future, and no regrets of the past.

Life is like a rosebush, we have to appreciate the roses and ignore the thorns, and move on with life, trying to find happiness in all the little aspects of life.

There could be many less privileged who longs to live the life we live... hence be thankful to GOD always...

Happiness is adapting, appreciating being contended, being grateful, finding value, and above all happiness is to seek GOD always, admire HIS creations, and to be always thankful for all HIS countless & bountiful blessings. 



- Penned down by,
Suveen Jacob Abraham.




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Tuesday, 9 May 2017

DIVINE


                                                 DIVINE : 


LIFE OF JESUS:

JESUS – The Film


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FROM THE LIFE OF JESUS:

Jesus is baptized by John:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9_dr9njVzKM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mglIAIdU3ik

Jesus tempted by the devil:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w2a_L7gwuHQ

Jesus turns water into wine:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xaWI4-n0z_0

Jesus reads Isaiah's scrolls in synagogue:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=keV8lcwKJdQ

Teachings of Christ:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QDlvBINGrk0


Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V5NkepjlTxY


Jesus heals a paralysed man:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vyQ6aev6ELg


Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T7xNnBHM5Wg


Jesus heals a boy from evil spirit:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Shp4cseFSk


Sermon on the mount:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3ArbhruBJiY


Jesus teaches a Samaritan woman:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zF7ma1yoLNk


Peter declares Jesus to be the Christ:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zd7CuvXU9Wc


Jesus heals woman with haemorrhage:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iSoijT7tQlU


Jesus heals a demon possessed man:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iqnE3EY3BRI


Jesus walks on water:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e6VnZZOFkRU


Jesus heals a lame man on the Sabbath:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QhirAYf29VE


Jesus raises Jairus daughter:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z5dV2v1Cvu4


Jesus calms the tempest:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hj0cVBYKaEg


Jesus feeding the thousands:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UtrjViTgPHs


Jesus raises a widow's son:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TVttG3HeqGk


Jesus cleanses a leper:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OvaoIqiJElg

Jesus foretells his death & resurrection:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M_vVCibGHl4


The plot to kill Jesus:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iduSyZLfadM


The Last Supper:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=997ni1xcmKw


The Last Supper of Jesus:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y9qCsIPzNo


The Betrayal - Jesus at Gethsamane:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wY8hhoYeVTw


Jesus denied three times by Peter:
Jesus carries his cross:
Peter finds Jesus' tomb empty:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CoZYvT0d4iY

Jesus resurrected and appears to the disciples:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8pzYDDNKJbE

Jesus give great commission and ascends:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z28lq6TSbu0


Parables of Jesus:

1.) Parable of the sower: 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MRehBbBTxbQ


2.) Parable of labourers in vineyard:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mUBf5rRSyO0


3.) Parable of the prodigal son:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X_QCQ5i7NKs


4.) Parable of good Samaritan:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=53Pqw20xK10


5.) Parable of lost sheep:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9YZVp3GH-7o


6.) Parable of ten virgins:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mwCavwlkp0A


7.) Parable of Pharisees and tax collectors:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G4etY_Pidi8


8.) Parable of vineyard and tenants:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i7UWkHZhLC8


9.) Parable of the lamp:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bb0J39MPRyU


10.) Parable of wheat & tares, mustard seed and leaven:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kKz3C4jGL0c



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OTHER FACTS:


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PALM SUNDAY :

Palm Sunday across Europe:



THE PASSOVER - (Maundy Thursday):

The last supper:

The betrayal:



GOOD FRIDAY :

The crucifixion:

I was just a piece of dead wood : 

Crucifixion - Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow):



EASTER : 

Easter song:

Easter chorus: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today:

He Lives! (I Serve A Risen Saviour):

Easter: Celebrations Across Europe:



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Friday, 14 April 2017

I was just a piece of dead wood.

I was just a piece of dead wood.


I was just a piece of dead wood lying near a lake. I was lying all alone there, in the quiet and calm environment, with the shrubs and bushes around, listening to the chirping sound of birds and the croaking of frogs. One fine day I heard the hoofs of horses, and heavy footsteps of men walking around. As I looked up, I saw Roman soldiers clad in heavy armory walking around. One of the soldiers pointed at me, and few men walked towards me.


They touched me, and with their swords hit me. One of them took his sword out and with it's pointed tip tried to pierce me to see how hard I was. Another one commented that the wood is sturdy. A soldier among them, whose armory and head gear looked a bit different from others (might be a General) commanded that I be taken and kept on the wagon.

Soon some men arrived with ropes and they tied it around me. I was dragged to the horse wagon and they all lifted me up and placed me on the wagon.

As we rode on the wagon, I passed through the busy streets where people sold their goods, and passed by the synagogue, and was finally taken to a cabin where some carpenters worked. The soldiers showed me to a carpenter, and ordered that I be made into a cross. The carpenter bowed his head in obedience and acknowledgement.

He along with the other workers started working on me with saws and chisels. The cut off my branches, chopped me into two, and chiseled and finally made me into a cross and left me at the corner of their cabin. I was overwhelmed being in my new avatar.

After many hours passed by, I heard the footsteps of many soldiers and they came to me and carried me outside. Within a short while I reached an open arena. There was a huge building made of stones on one side and many men were standing right in front on the portico, and a huge agitated crowd was facing the building. Among the men standing in front was a dignified man in elegant clothing who looked like an emperor, surrounded by many Roman soldiers, and few other men. Right in the middle a stood man who was wearing a purple robe. He had a crown made of thorns placed on his head, and from his forehead blood was oozing out of the wounds caused by the thorns. He looked wearied, tired, & lethargic and seemed to have been beaten mercilessly by the Romans. His eyes bore an innocent look, and he looked at the people with love and compassion. There was another man beside him who looked like a thief whom I heard the people call as Barabbas. Right in front the building a huge crowd was gathered. They were agitated and were shouting. In the din, I could hardly hear anything distinct, and as I listened hard, I caught few words like "Away with HIM. Crucify HIM. He is not our King".

I saw the emperor (Pilate) reluctantly giving in to their demand, and finally washing his hands in a basin of water.

The soldiers brought down the man whom they called as Jesus towards me and they lay me on his shoulders. The entire weight of my wood was upon the shoulders of this innocent man. I could feel myself resting on his soft skin, as he walked ahead carrying me. I moved along through stony and congested streets with people crowded on either sides staring at us. Among the piercing glances of people, some were curious & inquisitive stares, some glances with compassion and sympathy, while some others were scornful ones. Among the people gathered, some were shouting, some lamenting. At times the soldiers used to whip him with their cord.

As he walked on carrying my heavy weight, he got so exhausted that he collapsed, and I fell down to the ground from off his shoulder with a thud. The soldiers beckoned a person from the crowd to carry me, and I was lifted up and kept on the shoulders of this new man. As I looked back, I could see Jesus walking with gentle strides, as he was too wearied and wounded by the brutal beating of the soldiers.

After walking a long while, we climbed up a small hill, which the people around called as Golgotha.

I was laid down on the ground, and the scorching sun was right above me. As I looked up from the ground, I saw the soldiers remove his robe, and was horrified to see the wounds and stripes on his back.

The soldiers pushed him and made him lie down over me. They stretched his hands wide apart and on both his wrists, they pierced huge iron nails, which was driven on to my wood. Also his foot, they placed one over the other and pierced a nail there. 

The nails pierced through my wooden body. I could feel his warm flesh and blood on me. They lifted us up, and made us stand erect on the ground with the bottom part of me dug in the ground. As I stood up, I saw the huge crowd gathered there, the soldiers and centurion, and the city ahead down from the mount of Golgotha.

On me was clung the Son of GOD. His entire body weight suspended from atop me and was clinging on to me on three nails. I could feel the rhythm of his heart beating. He was in great pain, as his entire body was suspended in air, his body weight pulled down by gravity, but at the same time held on the wood by just three nails. The pain in the three wound where the nails were driven would be excruciating, as his body weight was pulling himself down. Blood oozed down from his wounds, from both hands, and foot, and also from the wounds on his back. The blood that dripped from his body, ran down my wooden surface and dripped down to the ground.

He was hungry, thirsty, half naked, in great pain and agony. He was mocked upon, humiliated, spat upon, slapped and whipped. He taught the people to love one another, and to show the other cheek to the one who slaps you on your face. However, he was beaten up, and slapped on both cheeks and he has no other cheek to offer.

There were two others who were crucified and were on our either sides.

Someone came forward with a writing on a wooden tablet, and a ladder was leaned against me, and he climbed up the ladder and nailed that tablet on top part of me, right above Jesus's head. I had no idea what was written, but after he got down someone else read it aloud and said that instead of writing "Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews", it should have been "Jesus of Nazareth, who claimed to be the king of Jews". He shook his head in dismay and said, "what I have written I have written", and made no attempt to change it. Among those who had gathered, many were in tears, and some women were weeping.

Jesus cried out that he was thirsty, and a soldier brought a spear with a sponge immersed in water mixed with hyssop, at the edge of spear and held it to his mouth and he drank a bit, but due to the bitter taste he drank no more.

Later he cried out from the cross with a loud voice "My Father, my Father, why have you forsaken me", and in an instant his head dropped down and I felt his body motionless on me. I could no longer feel his heart beating. He had let go of his spirit, and in an instant he was dead. The ground beneath me started trembling and everyone panicked and people started running helter skelter. The sun turned dark and darkness settled in across the entire land.

I saw the centurion staring at us in disbelief. He remarked, "Truly this was GOD's son", and with the spear in his hand, he pierced the side of Jesus and blood and water oozed out and trickled down my wood.

There was lot of commotion and after quite a while, many men arrived, and took the body of Jesus down from me and wrapped him in linen clothes and took him somewhere. 

I stood there on the mount of Golgotha, overlooking the great city, all alone with two other crosses on either sides. The bodies were removed as it was the Sabbath day the next day. Everyone left the place, and I along with the other two crosses were left alone on top of the mount, silhouetted against the horizon, too tired after witnessing the greatest event in the history of mankind - the great sacrifice of the son of GOD for the redemption of sins !!!

I was just a piece of dead wood, but by the blood of Jesus that washed me, I gained eternal significance, life  and value.

In ancient times, cross was a symbol of execution, just like the blades in guillotine, or the rope meant to hang convicts to death, or the electric chair, which are various types of capital punishments. But after the crucifixion of Christ, cross became a symbol of love, hope and faith. It symbolizes the great sacrifice of the Son of GOD, and is a hope for eternal life for those who put their trust in Jesus.



-Penned down by,
Suveen Jacob Abraham.


“I was just a piece of dead wood, but by the blood of Jesus that washed me, I gained eternal significance, life  and value.”



Please click on the below link:



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Thursday, 9 March 2017

Suveen's Photography: Part - II



Suveen's Photography: Part – II



Please click on the below link for my photographic stint – Part-II.



Suveenz_Photography_Part-II (My photography from 2016 onwards)



Thanks,
Suveen Jacob Abraham.




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