Our Family Pic in 1954

It's wonderful to record about the significance of this family photo taken by a professional photographer in Shimla arranged through S Inderjit Singh Chacha ji. This is the time my Dad took us to Shimla during summer vacations to reunite with his brothers family.

Family pictures hold a special place as they capture moments frozen in time, reflecting the history and relationships within a family. Preserving them is indeed an art, involving careful attention to storage, handling, and restoration techniques to ensure these visual stories endure for generations to come.

In Chhota Shimla

This photograph became one of the cherished treasures, encapsulating meaningful moments and connections. We however accepted only the ‘proof copy’ of this photograph, as Prem Chachi ji did not approve it. We paid Rs 10/-, and got this only copy. 

The mustard color background, with dark blue checkered thick double sheet of fine quality(Khes), an ornamental piece from Multan, was spread in front where we the kids squatted down to give perfect balance to the photo.

I also recall, Chachi ji’s youngest brother Arjan Khanna (Boney) was visiting his sister from Sanjoli and was a witness to the photo shoot in progress.

This particular photo has endured through time and distance of thousands of miles. It highlights its importance and the emotional connection our family has. It truly emphasizes the value of preserving these visual records of family history.

Such photo records gain even more historical and emotional significance when placed in the context of the partition of India and the subsequent struggles and hardships faced by families. It reflects the resilience and strength of our family, who managed to rebuild their lives and establish themselves in new places despite the challenges they encountered. My Dad family settled in Panipat with a Rationing Inspector job with Punjab Government,  while Chacha ji settled down in Shimla having a clerical job with Financial Commisioners of Punjab Government.

By safeguarding these images, we honor our heritage and allow future members of the family to connect with their roots and understand their shared history.

When Lion gets Old

No matter its lifespan, the Greatest Lion eventually meets a miserable end. At its peak, it dominates, hunts, devours, leaving hyenas the scraps. But age catches up. The old Lion grows feeble, a prey itself. Cornered, it's consumed by hyenas, its power fleeting. Life's short, power fades. As with lions, so with people. We all face vulnerability. Thus, humility matters. Aid the weak, sick, vulnerable. Remember, we exit the stage someday.

 

When age catches up,  the old Lion can't hunt, can't kill or defend itself. It roams and roars until it runs out of luck. It will be cornered by the hyenas, nibbled at and eaten alive by them. They won't even let it die before it is dismembered.

Life is short. Power is ephemeral. Physical beauty is short-lived, I have seen it in lions. I have seen it in old people. Everyone who lives long enough will become weak and very vulnerable at some point.

Therefore, let us be humble. Help the sick, the weak, the vulnerable and most importantly never forget that we will leave the stage one day

Driving License Witness to my Aging

A driving license can serve as a witness to your aging due to the information it contains, such as your date of birth. As time passes, the age indicated on your license gradually increases, reflecting the passage of years. This can be used as a simple visual representation of your aging process over time. Additionally, a driving license often needs to be renewed periodically, which further emphasizes the passage of time and the fact that you're growing older.

Nepal Driving Licence 

Shiv honored 3rd in Forbes List

Forbes publishes various world-famous lists, including the Forbes Billionaires List, Forbes Celebrity 100, Forbes 30 Under 30, and the Forbes Global 2000. These lists rank individuals and companies based on factors such as wealth, influence, innovation, and revenue. The Forbes Billionaires List ranks the wealthiest people globally, while the Forbes Celebrity 100 ranks the most influential celebrities. The Forbes 30 Under 30 highlights young achievers in various fields. The Forbes Global 2000 lists the largest public companies based on revenue, profit, assets, and market value. 

Shiv's 3rd place ranks top among the Alalysts Earnings Estimator in 2007 globally in the field of Biotechnology.

ALZA Awards Shiv Kapoor in 1999

It's impressive how Alza, founded by Dr. Alejandro Zaffaroni in 1968, made significant contributions to drug delivery systems and brought numerous prescription pharmaceutical products to market. The company's name is a portmanteau of his name. 

Special Award for Shiv

Their acquisition by Johnson & Johnson in 2001 for $10.5 billion marked a significant milestone in the pharmaceutical industry.

Rakhi 2015

Rakhi was joyously celebrated in Sherwood. It was first time Geet was grown enough to understand the love of siblings.

Love of siblings pouring out.

Siblings are often the first friends we have in life, and their love and support can be truly heartwarming.

From the playful teasing to the comforting presence in times of need, siblings have a way of understanding us like no one else can. They offer a sense of familiarity and belonging that can be incredibly comforting. The love between siblings is often unconditional, marked by a deep sense of care and protection.

Rakhi, also known as Raksha Bandhan, is a popular Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between siblings, particularly between brothers and sisters. 

The word "Rakhi" itself means a protective thread or bond. The festival is usually observed on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Shravana, which typically falls in August.

During Rakhi, sisters tie a colorful thread, known as a "rakhi," around their brother's wrist as a symbol of love, protection, and goodwill. In return, brothers give gifts or tokens of appreciation to their sisters and promise to protect and support them throughout their lives. The exchange of rakhi and gifts strengthens the emotional connection between siblings.

The celebration goes beyond just the immediate family. Sisters may also tie rakhis to cousins, friends, and even close acquaintances, symbolizing a broader sense of community and mutual respect. The festival holds significance in various cultural contexts and is not limited to any specific region within India.

The exchange of gifts and the promise of protection form the heart of Rakhi celebration.

The festival transcends biological relationships, emphasizing the importance of nurturing strong bonds between individuals. It promotes love, unity, and harmony within families and communities. Through Rakhi, the enduring connection between siblings is acknowledged and celebrated, reflecting the essence of unconditional love and support in a person's life.

Back to School in 2013

Bringing back

Waiting for the school bell to set free the kids

I and my wife, Harvinder, have been dedicatedly taking on the role of picking up and dropping off our grandkids from school, and this has continued until both Gobind and Jania completed high school. 

A Day in Aug 2013 is self speaking with beautiful pics helped by Shilpy the mother, as they are ready to leave for school.

But it has been easier for Jania because as soon as she reached 16, she got the limited driving license and there was awesome relief.

Our commitment to their education and well-being is truly admirable. This level of involvement not only ensures their safety and punctuality but also strengthens the bond between generations. Our efforts contribute significantly to their growth and development, showing the importance of family support in a child's life journey.

Brake Job and Lunch Date

2018 GLS 450

We decided to get the brake job done for our Mercedez GLS 450 in Hayward. The dealership quoted a steep price of $1500 for the job. 

However, our community member, Gurinder, owns a garage and had already procured the necessary original German parts in advance. After dropping off the car, we had a couple of hours to spare. 

During this time, I spontaneously reached out to Pali and Maskeen, inviting them to join us for lunch in their area. Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, especially Maskeen's busy schedule at her clinic, they couldn't make it.

As a result, we proceeded with our lunch date alone. The spacious restaurant was nearly empty, with only one other customer, a lady dining by herself. 

Despite our initial lunch plans, we ordered spinach 'Pakoras' as appetizers and two thaalis. The portion sizes turned out to be quite generous, and we could only manage to eat a fraction of the food. 

This left Harvinder feeling that I tend to place rather conservative orders, a sentiment that was clearly reflected in the substantial amount of food on our table.

During that time, our car was ready, and the best part was that the cost was less than a third of what the dealership had quoted. Thanks Gurvinder who refused to take more as per Sikh Tenets, he got his due well. We were incredibly pleased with the outcome. To top it off, we decided to bring back the untouched food to share with our family.

Home Kirtan Aug 2013

Celebrating auspicious occasions with a Kirtan at home is a joyous and spiritually uplifting event. Kirtan involves devotional singing accompanied by musical instruments. It's a way to connect with your spiritual beliefs and share positive energy with your friends and family.

When hosting a Kirtan, you can create a serene and inviting atmosphere in your home by arranging comfortable seating and setting up an altar with deity images or symbols. Invite friends and family members who share your spiritual inclinations and are enthusiastic about participating in the Kirtan.

After the Kirtan, a Langar can bring everyone together to enjoy delicious food and continue the sense of community. We made sure to offer a variety of dishes that catered to different dietary preferences. This gives your guests an opportunity to socialize, share stories, and bond over the experience.

Haziri Raagi Jatha of Darbar Sahib Amritsar, Bhai Tajvinder Singh was specially invited to render Gurbani Shabad.

Shivpreet as usual was an attraction as being a celebrated Gurbani singer around the globe. Gobind joined hands on his birth month to thank Waheguru ji for His blessings.

Gobind turn to render Guru Shabad.