From the monthly archives: April 2009
I was trying to come up with something to top
last year’s birthday message (if any of you want a reminder of what that was)
and then I realized, I don’t have to top the message because you do. Every day is one where I talk to you and get recharged in the morning because of the passion you put into every action. So this year, I’m keeping it sweet and simple because I don’t think that the message you get across needs to be complicated.
Thank you for everything that you do! Always!
We love you!
Statistically speaking, 353,015 people are born each day in the world. That means that of all the people who share your birthday, 7,413,315 of them are your age or younger. A few notable people born on April 15 are Leonardo DaVinci, Guru Nanak Dev (who founded Sikhism), Kim Il Sung (the first dictator of North Korea), and Emma Watson (who played Hermione in Harry Potter).
So what makes you so special?
First, your family. “Special” is a very subjective term, and it is the people around you who make you special. From birth, it is your family who considers you most special. We watched as you grew from a crying baby into a wonderful woman. We have, and always will, love you. Well, most of the time anyways 
.
Second, the things that you do. The subjectivity of the word “special” means you have to show the world that it should consider you to be special. The choices you make shape who you are, and the world will judge you by those choices. It is what you do that puts you on that list of births on April 15 on Wikipedia.
Know that you have a large group of people to support you. Do something notable. Have a merry birthday, Dipti.
~Veer
It is not possible to sustain human life without violence. To live we need to eat food, which is derived from life. However, as Jains we try to minimize violence in the choices that we make everyday; foods we eat, the products we buy, actions we take, etc.
“Human beings are blessed with advanced developed thinking as compared to animals, therefore we are responsible for achieving oneness and harmony among all living beings including the environment, through compassionate living and disciplined behavior.” Pravin K. Shah, Jain Way of Life and Ethical living and Environment, Jain Ethics.
A few days ago, Nilam and Neev were visiting Suresh Fua, and Jyoti Fui. When Nilam and Neev got to there, Suresh fua was in the process of cutting down a few large branches of tree that had been hanging over the house. Although it was sad to cut down such a large portion of a tree, but it had to be done because the overhanging branches were dangerous. A few days earlier, Suresh fua attempted this monstrous task on his own, but then quickly realized that he needed professional help. Good thinking! Neev was amazed by all the tree climbing, ropes and knots tying, and how they brought the branches down after cutting them. Neev decided to stay back with Jyoti fui to watch the action while Nilam went out to get some groceries. He has been talking about the whole process non-stop since that day.
I heard this story second hand from Nilam, so I may not have all the facts right, Jyoti fui, please correct me if I missed something.
As the portions of branches were being cut and brought down, Jyoti Fui noticed that there were two squirrels on one of the branches. So she asked the tree cutter to shu-away the squirrels before he cuts those branches. One of the squirrels came down after a few taps on the branch with some tool, but the second one seemed to be frozen in place and didn’t seem to want to move. But after a little more effort she too hopped down and ran away. The tree cutter cut that branch and brought it down. They noticed that there were three little baby squirrels inside a large hole down the center of the branch. Suresh fua and Jyoti fui carefully removed the little babies from the hole, and put them in a small cardboard box. They put some khichadi inside the box for them to eat and put the box back on the tree near the branch that was cut. Jyoti fui said that she noticed that the original squirrels came back for the babies later on that night and took the babies away.
True that it is impossible to carry on our way of life without causing violence. Nevertheless we must be thoughtful and filter all our thoughts and actions through the basic principles of Ahimsa, Aparigraha and Anekantvad, to minimize the impact of our existence on other living beings and our environment. Jyoti Fui and Suresh Fua, you have provided a beautiful example of most basic principles in action. You guys are a living example of the Jain way of life in America, thank you for being an inspiration.
I love you!
Dearest Ashish,
Ashish, I admire and respect you for your incredible values
and the simple things you do in everyday life with so much sincerity.
You have this amazing ability to create fun and excitement in any task we do.
Your simplicity, honesty and enthusiasm fills my life with colors of love.
I am glad to be your soulmate on this road of life. I love you Ashish….
Loads of luv, luck and laughter to fill your life with smiles and success.
Nilam
Wnated to wish Happy Anniversary to a couple who is very busy lately raising two kids and may not even have time to look at this!!!!!!!
Wish you a very happy and long married life together to Vishal and Dipti.
Hello Medavo’ers,
We have been blessed to have had so many new little ones in our family over the past few years. While all of our mini medavo’ers are uniquely precious, two have been especially enigmatic (at least externally). Anand and Umed Maru have entertained us with their charm and laughter over the last year. While we have enjoyed our time together, many of us are still unable to tell them apart!
Well the time has come for all of us to learn how (and for those of you who claim to know already, to prove it!). Let me introduce you to The Babu Game:
Babu Game is a simple game to help you learn how to tell the babus apart. You will see pictures of babus and have to guess which one he is. The greatest Babu experts in the land will float to the top in our top 10 ranking.
You can access the game here: http://babugame.maru.us
Remember, you must register an account before you start playing. Send any bugs or issues to me. Enjoy!!
PS – BIG thanks to the parents, Sheela and Duncan for taking care of uploading so many beautiful pictures and also adding tips for some of the pics.
Apparently, the American Medical Association has weighed in on the new
economic stimulus package..
The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to
make any rash moves.
The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the
Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.
The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.
Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted. Pathologists yelled,
“Over my dead body!” while the Pediatricians said, ‘Oh, Grow up!’
The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the
Radiologists could see right through it.
Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.
The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic
Surgeons said, “This puts a whole new face on the matter.”
The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were
pissed off at the whole idea.
The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the
Cardiologists didn’t have the heart to say no.
In the ‘end’, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to
the Congress in Washington .
Declan Galbraith – a young child singer singing a very meaningful song
In the times of rising terrorism across the world, we need to question ourselves? “Tell me why?”
peace!
Wanted to wish a Happy Birthday to Hansbhai and wish you million more coming your way in real as well as Jain sense. You are always inspiration to us.
Love,
Bai, Mahendra and Nalini
