Three sisters in Blue Mountains, Australia

The Three Sisters, an iconic rock formation in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, stands as one of nature’s wonders, both for its remarkable beauty and for the legend that surrounds it. Rising majestically above the Jamison Valley and close to the town of Katoomba, the Three Sisters—Meehni, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo—stand at heights of 922, 918, and 906 meters respectively. They offer a stunning spectacle as they overlook the lush valley, casting a sense of wonder that draws visitors from around the world.

The story of the Three Sisters is deeply rooted in Aboriginal Dreamtime legend, passed down through generations. According to the tale, the sisters were members of the Katoomba tribe who lived peacefully in the Jamison Valley. Each of the sisters fell in love with three brothers from the neighboring Nepean tribe. 

However, tribal law forbade marriages between their clans. The love between the sisters and the brothers grew strong, but the brothers, unwilling to accept the restrictions of the law, decided to defy it. They planned to take the sisters by force, resulting in a major battle between the two tribes. In a desperate bid to protect the three sisters, an elder from the Katoomba tribe used his powerful magic to turn the sisters into stone. Tragically, the elder was killed during the battle, leaving no one else with the knowledge or power to reverse the spell. As a result, the sisters remain immortalized in rock, standing side by side as a timeless reminder of love and loss.

As we both stood there, overlooking the Jamison Valley, with Harvinder offering her prayer, it must have felt like being part of something timeless. The words “Satnam Waheguru” seem fitting here, as they echo a shared gratitude and respect for the Creator’s wonders—connecting the wisdom of Sikh faith with the Indigenous Dreamtime beliefs. 

The Three Sisters, standing tall and proud, serve as a bridge between cultures, blending the beauty of the physical world with the rich stories of the spiritual.

The whole group, thanks to Navleen’s brother and his wife joining us and making the trip livelier. 

It’s wonderful to know that Harvinder’s cousin, Kuku Veer, along with his family, played such a pivotal role in making this visit to the Three Sisters possible. With the efforts and support of Kuku Veer, his beautiful wife Kuljit, their son Prabhleen, and his pretty wife Navleen made our trip enriched by family connections of Simar and Gagandeep, making the experience all the more memorable. Moments like these, shared with loved ones in such an extraordinary setting, truly make for unforgettable memories.

Visit to Sydney Gurdwara Sahib

California Vs Japan

California’s economic strength compared to Japan’s can be attributed to several factors that contribute to its high GDP per capita and productivity:

1. High-Tech Innovation Hub

• California is home to Silicon Valley, the global center of technological innovation. Companies like Apple, Google, Facebook, and Tesla are headquartered there, driving substantial economic output and high wages. This concentration of tech firms fosters a high level of productivity and innovation, contributing significantly to California’s GDP per capita.

2. Diverse Economic Sectors

• California’s economy is highly diversified, with strong sectors in technology, entertainment (Hollywood), agriculture, and tourism. This diversity provides resilience against economic downturns and allows for growth in various high-income industries. In contrast, Japan has a more manufacturing-focused economy, which, while strong, can be more sensitive to global market changes.

3. Higher Wages and Cost of Living

• California’s cost of living, especially in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, is one of the highest in the U.S. This is matched by high salaries, particularly in the tech and entertainment sectors. Higher incomes contribute to a higher GDP per capita, though they also reflect the high cost of living, which isn’t directly captured in GDP metrics.

4. Attractive Environment for Talent and Investment

• California attracts global talent and investment due to its culture of innovation, robust education system (with institutions like Stanford and UC Berkeley), and venture capital availability. This influx of skilled labor and funding fuels economic growth and pushes productivity levels up. Japan, while also technologically advanced, has a more homogenous workforce and stricter immigration policies, which can limit the inflow of international talent and investment.

5. Pro-Business Climate for Startups

• California’s regulatory environment, though challenging, offers a supportive ecosystem for startups, particularly in the tech and biotech sectors. The availability of venture capital and an entrepreneurial culture encourage new businesses, driving economic growth. Japan, meanwhile, has a more traditional corporate culture and relatively fewer startups, which can slow innovation and productivity growth.

6. Higher Labor Productivity and Automation

• Many sectors in California, especially technology and advanced manufacturing, benefit from high labor productivity and extensive automation. This enhances output per worker, boosting overall GDP. Japan has a high level of automation in industries like automotive manufacturing, but a larger portion of its economy is focused on sectors with lower productivity levels, such as retail and services.

7. Economic Challenges and Demographics

• Japan’s aging population and low birth rate are creating a demographic challenge, with fewer workers supporting a growing elderly population. This leads to slower economic growth and affects productivity per capita. In contrast, California has a relatively younger population, partly due to immigration, which helps maintain a strong labor force and a dynamic economy.

8. Agriculture and Natural Resources

• California is a major agricultural producer, providing a substantial amount of the U.S.’s fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The agricultural sector contributes to California’s GDP and provides economic stability. Japan, with limited arable land and resources, relies heavily on imports for food and raw materials, impacting its economic balance.

9. Tourism and Entertainment

• The entertainment industry, centered in Hollywood, and California’s natural attractions (like national parks and beaches) make tourism a significant contributor to California’s GDP. Japan also has a strong tourism industry, but California’s diverse climate and renowned tourist destinations draw large numbers of high-spending tourists, boosting the state’s economy.

In summary, California’s economic strength lies in its diverse and innovative sectors, high productivity, attraction of global talent, and a younger, dynamic workforce. Japan, while economically powerful, faces demographic challenges, a more conservative corporate environment, and a reliance on manufacturing that impacts its ability to match California’s GDP per capita despite having a higher overall GDP.

Geet- My Beautiful Badbar Girl in 2016

Geet - my pretty grand daughter

Badbar Girl, Badbar Girl

She is my beautiful Badbar Girl

In Badbar, where green trees grow

And vast fields stretch, row by row,

Out to meet the horizon’s line,

She’s always ready, anytime.

Badbar Girl, Badbar Girl

She is my beautiful Badbar Girl

Dreaming of her puppy, Zara, dear,

Who couldn’t stay with Tweety here.

Longing for those joyful days,

Where she can laugh and freely play.

Badbar Girl, Badbar Girl

She is my beautiful Badbar Girl

Riding the tractor, bright and red,

Through fields where harvest lies ahead.

Birds gather close, a happy crowd,

Chirping, swinging, joyful, proud.

Badbar Girl, Badbar Girl

She is my beautiful Badbar Girl

After a dip in the Tube-well’s pool,

She crunches radish, crisp and cool.

And soon she’s off with gleaming eyes,

For toys that bring her small surprise.

Badbar Girl, Badbar Girl

She is my beautiful Badbar Girl