Easter tells us that life is to be interpreted not simply in terms of things but in terms of ideals ~Charles M. Crowe
More links. www.justchangeindia.com/news.asp Been using ubuntu and kompozer – but sadly there seem to be some compatibility issues with IE. I say everyone should just switch to mozilla firefox. NOW!
I have a sore throat and have been croaking brokenly all morning. Finally, I’ve given up. Stopped trying. Stopped talking. Of course, Dilip’s enjoying his sunday afternoon nap and my phone is switched off. So apart from the laptop, there isnt really anyone to talk to…. Still, I have my hour of silence.
I’ve always wondered how Gandhi managed to stop talking for one WHOLE day every week. I didnt try that once…but didnt get past one hour. This time though, the silence is involuntary.
However, my hour of silence is only silence on MY part. Around me, things go on as usual. The faint sound of traffic on the main road, the occasional autorickshaw zooming past our house, the watertank next door which is forever overflowing and dripping water onto the banana trees below (incidently, the banana trees, (or are they banana plants?) have a huge bees nest on them. Never seen one like that before, with a lovely concentric circular kind of pattern). The wind is noisy too, and rushes at you as if its trying to push you back into the house. I fight my way to the varanda and listen to more sounds. Clothes flapping on the line, the kids from Kottarvayal, a village just down the road, and the sudden burst of crackers in celebration of the poojas.
I make my way to the kitchen to find something to sooth my aching throat. More sounds there. The gas stove, the water bubbling and boiling, the rasping knife as I peel some ginger. Armed with hot ginger and honey, I smile as I listen to Dilip’s deep breathing that is interrupted by the sudden contented snore.
It’s not so bad this time. My world seems to be making enough noise to cover up for my involuntary silence.
(Throat, I hope your not listening to this though – because still I want you back!!)
Finally, the wedding albums 
since i havent said anything about Gudalur where i live now, or accord/just change india/ stan & mari/ my work etc…here’s a little bit more
Do you know that
if EVERY indian buys atleast ONE hand-woven item of clothing in a year that would create enough demand for all the handloom weavers in the country.
So the next time you go shopping, THINK!
Happy Independence Day
TRIPTI’S WEDDING!!!!!!!!!!
More about this beautiful day soon.
or perhaps check out tarun’s blog after the Vellore recept
ion!:)
Sunset at Bissamcuttack is different every day! 
THE SEA OF SUNSET
THE SEA OF SUNSET
This is the land the sunset washes,
These are the banks of the Yellow Sea;
Where it rose, or whither it rushes,
These are the western mystery!
Night after night her purple traffic
Strews the landing with opal bales;
Merchantmen poise upon horizons,
Dip, and vanish with fairy sails.
Emily Dickinson, Nature XIII
My adopted family
I lived with JAM Oommen during my time in Orissa, and i couldnt have had a more wonderful family! The Christian Hospital, Bissamcuttack, is a 200 bedded mission hospital, in the Rayagada District of Orissa. Johnny heads the Community Health Department (and was my Boss!) and Mercy is the Principal of the School of Nursing. Ashu (Ashish Oommen John) is between 6th and 7th grade, and an expert bowler and hindi-movie-song teacher! Ofcourse, one cant talk about Johnny and not mention Malaria (rumours are that the f. anophelese tremble at his name etc hehe) No, I didnt get malaria – but i was extra cautious and used odomos and a big blue mosquito net soaked in deltamethryn!
This is what the Hospital looks like from the hills behind (photos courtesy: G Zaman, Sara & Tue) 
CHB was started over 50 yrs ago by Dr. Lis Madsen, a Danish Doctor and amazing person who began with a clinic on the church veranda. Today, CHB provides essential health care facilities in a state which has the HIGHEST death rate (9.8 per 1000 population), HIGHEST infant mortality rate (87 per 1000 live births), HIGHEST Maternal mortality rate (738 per 100,000 births) and about 50% of all malarial deaths in the country!
This part of Orissa is absolutely beautiful. Mitra (Madsen’s Institute for Tribal & Rural Advancement) which is the Community Health wing of CHB, works in 50 villages in the area and the sights and sounds are absolutely stunning. A team of committed staff work hard to fulfill the mitra dream of
HEALTH FOR ALL
EDUCATION FOR ALL
ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR ALL
& SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT FOR ALL
EDUCATION FOR ALL
ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR ALL
& SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT FOR ALL
