My family and our times: 03/01/2012

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Spring from my Bed Room and Beyond in San Ramon

Tullips Sprout

The rolling hills in California have turned green-tops in Spring. It was an awesome good morning scene when I opened my eyes today. The picturesque scene in my bedroom window was simply stunning. At times brown, some times golden and some times mixed, these very hills present consistently changing views to the eyes. The nature unfurls immense use of colors at all the moments for us to enjoy it free of cost.

Appricot close up

Asian Apple with bumper offer

Pear tree

Cherry

The appricot fruit in full blossom

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Gobind joins 'Cub Scouts'

Gobind Joins 'Cub Scouts'

Gobind was very excited to have joined the Cub Scouts and became a very active member in the Live Oak Elementary School.

In one of the first get together on the Black Top, the boys did many activities and in the end, the leader asked them to collect the trash on the ground. Any body who will be able to collect more garbage will be awarded.

So every one of them was given a used polythene bag and asked to go in different corners. The guardians were also asked to help their wards. After ten minutes the competition was getting more and more stiff.

The Black Top on the school is normally very clean, so it was a challenge to find trash for the kids. They ran around again and again to collect every possible garbage piece on the ground. So frustrated, they started picking up grass to make their kitty bigger.

I was suddenly shocked when two of them ran towards a full size garbage can lying in a remote corner and simply started emptying already collected trash. They were able to transfer the same in their own allotted bags. This sent me into a spontaneous bout of laughter.

The teacher finally called out all the kids in a huddle and gave them a nice lecture. No one got any award though.

Friday, March 23, 2012

An Emerging Star in the Family

Jane Austen's EMMA

Jason Introducing his co-actors

TRF Theatre, run by the San Jose State University School of Music and Dance is located on Fifth Street in the downtown San Jose. We were invited to see the performance of Jason who was playing a prominent role in Jane Austen's EMMA directed by Dr Kathleen Normington, a faculty member of Department of TV, Radio, Theatre.

Jason Kapoor

This was the last show of the series played in March and we faced a house full of audience. Jason, a graduating senior was playing gentlemanly George Knightley true to his own character. To our good luck, we were discounted in the tickets being the part of the Jason's family. Incidentally this was also the final performance of Jason in the University. Here was Jason whom as a light weight toddler, I had carried him on my shoulder while horse riding on a trip to Mexico beach. The time flies and today Jason as a grown up was challenging and emerging. Let's see how he responds to the aspirations.

I want to make a point here that Jason is writing his own script by adopting a path of his own, never known to his family in generations. He had to bravely stand up to his own intellect to follow the Theatre rather to walk on easier path on the heap of amassed wealth of his Dad. We wish him all the best that he should succeed in his passion for Theatre in the pursuit of excellence.

Pammy among spellbound audience

The play was very well taken by the audience as the silence was broken many times by wave of laughter and at times with intermittent whole hearted claps. Jason delivery of dialogue was crisp, clear and communicative with matching gestures of a well seasoned artist. The music notes were awesome and songs were well presented on Piano. The love scene between Emma and George was applauded with thunderous claps. As per the culture we have been raised, I had to turn away my face at the peak of the scene.

As I talked to the Director Dr Kathlene, she was mouth full of praises for Jason who, as she said, had improved a lot since starting with her class. She was proud of the choice of the selection of Jason for this major role. We congratulated her for the stupendous performers by the whole lot of actors under her direction.

Delighted Jason with Harvinder, Pammy and me

EMMA played by Danielle was performed exceedingly well. Her father came all the way to our seats during the interval presuming that we are the parents of Jason. After Harvinder clarified that Jason was her brother's son, we introduced him to the Mom Pammy who was occupying a seat just behind our row. He was full of praise for Jason's acting & style, but was in sort of a jittery at the love scene though. He went back to camouflage himself by sitting in a remote corner so that Danielle may not get distracted by his presence. We realized our folly only later as we picked a selfish seat just in the front. I am sure poor Jason must have been turned away at times but overcame this well as his performance spoke itself.

Jason's Theatremania

The entire cast of EMMA performed extremely well befitting their allotted roles and deserve kudos. Each and every one of the actors must be congratulated for their overwhelming presentation.

I do not know much about the theatre performance professionally but I as an ordinary audience will give 5 stars.

Good luck, Jason!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Jania’s Girl Elephant 2012

What is this elafent dooing?

Jania also answers below:

This is a girl elephant with wrinkles and lipstick on her face, has a nostrils in her trunk, big ear and girl like eyes, nail polished, waiting for another to give company to eat red leave behind at Sherwood Ct

Gobind Jania walking back from Live Oak Elementary

Gobind carrying his Cello and school bag accompanied by sis Jania after the school.

Monday, March 19, 2012

‘R’ Family from Stamford Ct

Ravi-Reena having fun at Sherwood Ct

'R' Family, I call them so because the name of each of them starts with letter 'R'. When Shiv was picked up by the Citi Bank after his MBA from University of Chicago, he joined the Equity Research Group as a Vice President in Stamford, Ct. He hardly knew any one in this new place in 2002. So I told him to visit the local Gurdwara to seek Waheguru's blessings and socialize there to search for some friends. So it was at the Norwalk Gurdwara on one Sunday, he met Ravi who instantly became his close friend. So the 'R's became not only very close but also a part of our extended family.

I remember Ravi and Reena - a very warm couple who hosted us through out our stay of three years in Stamford Ct. Our visits became quiet frequent when Waheguru blessed us Gobind. Shiv and Shilpy always talked high of this 'R' family. And whenever little Raveena and Ravteg visited our place, the whole place rejoiced with activities and fun.

The 'R' family introduced us to the whole Indian Community. Very soon Shiv and Shilpy were having gala time moving along with Reena's immediate family who happen to live near by in the New York Tri-state area. They arranged many music sittings among friends and Shiv enjoyed them the most. We found them very friendly, decent and polished.

Shiv moved to San Francisco, Harvinder and me were left to wrap up the establishment at Stamford after selling the house and closing the escrow etc, The 'R's continued to look after us in the absence of Shiv-Shilpy. When we came back from a memorable road trip to Boston, Montreal and then further to Qubec, we were very warmly greeted on our return. We finally parked our car at their house and took a flight back to San Francisco leaving the final burden on them. They managed very well to hand over the car to the movers as planned.

So naturally when they visited us after a gap of long ten years, the reunion as expected was a momentous celebration
.

17-Miles Drive, Monterey

The 17-Mile Drive runs inland past Spanish Bay, then adjacent to beaches and up into the coastal hills, providing scenic viewpoints. There are numerous turnouts along the road to stop, take pictures, or get out and stroll along the ocean or among the trees. The road provides vistas of golf courses including Spyglass Hill, Cypress Point and Pebble Beach.

17-Miles Drive, Monterey

Chief among the scenic attractions is the Lone Cypress Tree, a salt pruned Monterey cypress (macrocarpa) tree which is the official symbol of Pebble Beach and a frequent fixture of television broadcasts from this area.

At the famous Lone Cypress tree, Monterey

Sherwood Ct

At Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco

View of famous Alcatraz, San Francisco

Golden Gate, San Francisco

Sherwood Ct

Enjoying the Livermore Winneries

Raveena, the singing sensation, performing her own composition of lyrics written by herself.

Enjoying the Livermore Winneries

Monday, March 12, 2012

Mr Kapoor - The Teacher

As Gobind & Jania are growing fast, it is becoming more and more difficult to handle them. They will get any thing done by lovingly saying Dada Ji, Dada Ji. Due to my sensitive relation and my utter weakness towards them, G&J are hesitant listeners and we find it really hard to discipline them.

Today I told them that I was no more 'Dada Ji' but a teacher. To my utter surprise, G&J were mysteriously disciplined with the ghost of teacher taking over my body. I was suddenly being addressed as Mr Kapoor. It made me hilarious. And the next half an hour, it was a heaven in the house.

I decided to coach them how to write beautifully. My mother Mrs Savitri Devi had also taken over the responsibility of teaching both me and my sister. She is the one who inculcated in us to write legibly and beautifully. She will often narrate a story from Mahatma Gandhi's childhood. She told us that as per Mahatma Gandhi, he was a very bright in his studies though but had a big weakness that he could not write it beautifully. Mahatma Gandhi realized this very late in his life when it was not possible to correct his style and curves of the words so as to look beautiful. He would often tell parents that they should make all efforts to first teach the kids the art of drawing before teaching the alpha-bets, as it will be impossible to change and improve their writings later on. So work hard when teaching young so that the kids do not not repent in their lives later as did Mahatma Gandhi.

As per Mahatma Gandhi autobiography, the excerpts of which are reproduced below:

"I do not know from where I got the notion that good handwriting was not a necessary part of education, but I retained it until I went to England. When later, especially in South Africa, I saw the beautiful handwriting of lawyers and young men born and educated in South Africa, I was ashamed of myself and repented of my neglect. I saw that bad handwriting should be regarded as a sign of an imperfect education. I tried later to improve mine, but it was too late. I could never repair the neglect of my youth. Let every young man and woman be warned by my example, and understand that good handwriting is a necessary part of education. I am now of opinion that children should first be taught the art of drawing before learning how to write. Let the child learn his letters by observation as he does different objects, such as flowers, birds, etc., and let him learn handwriting only after he has learnt to draw objects. He will then write a beautifully formed hand."

The above lesson has remained close to my heart and I have used the same principle on many kids in the family and extended families. To be frank the success rate has been phenomenal. So this time too, I should be able to emphasize on G in particular to write it slowly, making the right curves and keeping the size of the letters symmetrical. To my good luck, J being a natural artist, is placed in a better position, but has to learn with patience about the size and connectivity of the letters.

Bye Mr Kapoor!

March 15, 2012

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Liquor & Non-Vegetarion food

My grandmother Mrs Karam Devi turned widow at a very young age of 20. My uncle Mr Inderjit Singh was born posthumously. At this unripe age, she inherited huge assets in terms of real estate in Multan, Loyalpur and huge chunk of agricultural lands in Multan and Bahawalpur area.

My grandfather Mr Bhagwan Das had two daughters from his first wife, he was forced to marry second time so as to get a heir son to his enormous residential, commercial and agricultural properties at various places. So his older sisters Kishoree Bai and Yamuna Bai arranged a match from Shikarpur in Sindh and a young bride of 17 years from a poor family entered in a rich mansion in Aghapura Mohalla Multan. This Sindhi family was poor and into small-time business of necklace making from beeds. This family had one son and four daughters who are now settled in Udaipur, Rajasthan and were pleased to give away their daughter to a rich family whom they met Har-Ki-Pauri, Hardwar when both families were there for a pilgrimage. Mr Bhagwan Das was 42 at that time when the alliance took place. My grandmother was fair colored, healthy and tall.

My grandfather Mr Bhagwan Dass was taken to a renowned saint for getting his blessings for the birth of a heir son. The saint gave two apples to my grandmother Mrs Karam Devi. The saint also advised the family to refrain from liquor and meat. My grand father vowed not to touch liquor or meat. So the family, absolutely, does not consume liquor or eat non-vegetarian food till date since last four generations.

So as good luck prevailed, a son was born to the family and was named Vasdev perhaps influence of Sindhi culture. Mr Bhagwan Dass was overjoyed with the blessing of a son. And with pressure from his near and dear, he could not keep the promise of restraining himself from meat and liquor. After one of such parties, he felt sick and after short illness, Mr Bhagwan Das left for his heavenly abode in 1920. My uncle was born after the death of his father and was named Inderjit.

The entire descendants of Bhai Nand Lal Ji Goya a laureate poet of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, family were Sehajdharis and it is only during the 'Akali Lehar' in late 1920, both boys Vasdev and Inderjit adopted to practicing Sikhism and finally changed their names to Vasdev Singh and Inderjit Singh.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Mask designed and painted by Jania 2012

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Living Legends

On his 80th Birthday

Harvinder's Dad Mr Mohan Narain Singh Kapoor would be 85 on this Vaisakhi. Papa Ji, as he is affectionately addressed, had a long innings starting his career in 1946 as a temporary clerk in the personal office of Chief of the colonial Indian Army Chief, in the army barracks behind South Block, New Delhi. He was very proud of the fact that British General with whom he had worked also participated in World War II.

In mean time, he continued to hunt for a regular job in the Government of India, the only agency which offered jobs in immediate post Independence era. With multiple jobs offers available, initially he did a stint with Reserve Bank of India. Here he made a friend of his life named Mr O P Puri and along with him, joined the Western Railways.

He served the Western Railways for long 25 years and distinguished himself by reaching to the level of Divisional Accountant (equivalent to CA or CPA in private) and had postings at various towns of Gujarat, UP and Rajasthan. Finally he settled in Ajmer where he raised his four children Harvinder(Dari), Tejinder(Guddu), Jagjeet(Jaggi) and Charanjeet(Baggi).

Preparing, appearing and qualifying the exam for an Accountant in the Railways was extremely huriculean task. He came out successful and the whole family celebrated the occasion by performing an Akhand Path. He was very honest and above board and will not scum to the pressure of superiors for overlooking the irregularities for making extra money.

To supplement his meager salaried income and meet his growing family needs, he would rather do some side business. In Ajmer, he involved his family and kids to earn extra income through dairy and poultry farming, while in Delhi he had a roaring business of Loud Speaker renting systems and Electronic parts. Famous philanthropist as he developed, he learned this philosophy by offering free services for providing Loud Speakers to local Gurdwara and Temple. By engaging school going kids, he offered a wonderful opportunity for them to earn handsome pocket money. He had a strong following of young and enterprising kids.

With business in his brain and vein, he moved to San Francisco in 1975 on the basis of Immigration petition filed by his sister Mrs Satwant Khanna. It is a matter of honor to record that having served at plush job in Indian Railways including first class traveling perks, he had absolutely no problem to start afresh and even do a job of dish washing in a Restaurant on Fisherman's wharf in San Francisco.

With Children, Grand Children and Great grand Children on 80th Birthday

From there on, he moved on and on and pooled together with his two sons and raised an Empire well known in the Bay area.

Harvinder, me and Shiv joined them in USAin early 1991, he was extremely happy and contented to have his whole family together at one place. He had his golden period of his life traveling, driving, throwing and enjoying parties. He took a lot of interest in Gurdwaras functioning. He made huge contributions for Gurdwaras and was the main architect for establishing the Hayward Gurdwara in 1993 through Guru Granth Sahib Foundation where he remained the founding Chairman of the Trust for first five years.

In 1991, he suffered a setback when he had a mild heart attack. Brave person as he is, recouped very quickly and reverted to active life once again soon. He will keenly visit India during this period. He was 911 to the family and was always ready for any support needed for the family from trifle works to emergency cashier jobs at stores.

He was all through very healthy and looked younger to his age and continued so till after his 80th birthday. But to our ill luck, he had another heart attack and also a stroke which really felled this Lion of our family. He is presently under constant medical treatment and home nursing. He is able to walk up to the bath room, but needs physical assistance all the times for doing other chores.

He is mostly struck to his bed during the last five years. A wife of 58 years, Mrs Pritam Kaur Kapoor (Mommi Ji) has remained with him all through in rain or shine. She is a pillar of immense strength and serves him 24/7, at times feeding him, at times cajoling him, at times caressing him and at times giving him the medicines.

Jaggi has to do his hard jobs without any blemish. One day as we were leaving for a party and we had to give a ride to Jaggi. He was all ready to go and we were sitting in the car outside the car garage when he suddenly disappeared. After a while I saw Jaggi all re-dressed up and in unusually unironed shirt. I questioned him as I had never seen him like this before. He kept quite. Later on Mommi Ji told Harvinder that Jaggi had to change Papa Ji's clothes effected by accident and in the process spoiled his own. Now I understood his shirt was worn in a hurry so that we may not have to wait longer.

While Charanjit and Rashmi have looked after them earlier times, Jagjit and Pammy are presently at their beck and call, taking over their turn for the last one year or so.

With Jagjit, Pammy, Rashmi, Charanjit

Today Harvinder and me were here to see them. Both Mom and Dad were really delighted to

have us in their presence. To our good luck, Papa Ji was having a good day and mood today. He was communicative and responded very well to our anxious questions.

He told us that he checked from Jaggi's office last week that his pension amount was being credited in his accounts and up to date. He had earlier persisted to visit the office of Kapoor Enterprises Inc. personally and took his regular help Fernendo to drive him all the way.

He confirmed that he had no pain of any sorts thus making us believe that he was not physically suffering. He looks and feels week & fragile owing to his heart's low efficiency though.

It was a very nice day spent with the nobel souls. I wish and pray that they continue to spend jolly good time at this stage of their lives too as they have spent during the past 58 years of togetherness.

Harvinder mending her hair

Both of them listening to the Blog which I just completed.

Mommi Ji offering a cup of tea

Communication between the two is unparallel, as is evident from the amused looks

Both these heavenly bodies are a source of strength and blessings to all in the family.