An ode to an old friend - Scrabble

Scrabble is a beautiful game, specially for elderly people like me. With limited physical energy, I love to play scrabble every evening with my dear friend Puloma. All games make us more fit, energetic and cheerful and Scrabble helps to increase one's vocabulary and sharpens the brain. But like chess, it has some special benefits - in that, it forces us to make the most out of limited options. For the elderly, this is a useful skill to manage everyday life. In early 1970 I was introduced to scrabble by an elderly English lady, named Crystal Rodgers. She went by Mishy (probably a mispronounciation of Missy in India), and was a pioneer in setting up Animals Friends - a sanctuary for the care of hurt, injured, and in general uncared for animals - from dogs, horses, and cows to birds and monkeys. Anything that struggled to survive the crowded streets of the big cities of India. Her organization did great work in Delhi and Jaipur and today lives on in Bangalore as CUPA - Compasion Unlimited, Plus Action. When I met her first she was 80 plus, extremely energetic, active and optimistic. Never thought of retiring and whenever she wanted some quiet restful time, she came to our Delhi University house for a few days. We used to play scrabble every evening. Our young children had great fun to see us absorbed in scrabble. She was also a gifted medium and was able to connect wtih dear departed souls who would interact with us through planchette. After my husband's retirement, we came out from secure university campus life to join the main stream of city life. When my husband passed away and children went abroad to study and settle down, I started feeling little lonely. Every difficulty brings some new opportunity in life. Now I am as old as Mishy and every evening, my friend Puloma comes and we discuss current issues, politics and otherwise with a hot cup of herbal tea in our hand, and then get immersed in playing Scrabble. Before we start the game, my efficient helpers keep the scrabble board and the heavy print version of the Oxford dictionary ready at hand to resolve linguistic challenges. According to the weather, they decide to serve us hot or cold beverage to stimulate our brain power. We like to make the game more collaborative, not competitive. So we focus more on making new and big words. Like a good old friend, Scrabble has returned to my life and brings great cheer. For the last year and a half the world has been passing through a very difficult time. We cannot change the situation easily, but Scrabble has helped greatly in making the most of our limited opportunities for socializing, and in remaining stress free. I have many hobbies, but the evenings are reserved to welcome my dear old friend Scrabble.

What is Yoga?

Early in my youth, I realized that yoga is neither a ritual nor a religion. It is an art which transforms life in a very subtle and positive way. I did not know much about yoga. But one encounter with it, in my early young age changed my approach and I wanted to embrace yoga as a part of my life. One that has persuaded me to continue to practice it at the age of 82. In middle school, I came upon a chance to see the famous yoga guru Mr. Bishtu Ghose, who mentored Mr. Manotosh Roy, the first Indian or Asian to be awarded the Mr. Universe title (in 1952). The lecture demonstration was on the power of yoga. Even today I remember two of the events performed by a young girl, named Reba Rakshit, that left a deep imprint on my young mind forever.This young girl, wearing a headband, entered the stage and lay down on a platform with a wooden plank on her chest. Soon after, an elephant walked in and stood still on her chest for quite some time and then walked off the plank. She clamly stood up and greeted us all with a smiling face. The power of breath, not muscle was what sustained the weight of an elephant standing on a girl's chest. The second event showed the intense power of concentration. Looking at the reflection of a row of balloons hanging behind her in a mirror, she systematically shot them down, one by one. I was stunned by her amazing concentration and aim. Then her mentor Mr. Bishtu Ghose said this power can be gained by practicing yoga and breath control systematically. I was so impressed, that leaving everything behind, I wanted to join his team immediately. Though that didn't quite happen, my deep interest in Yoga was kindled at that moment and has never since dimmed through my life. Yoga means union - between the individual soul and the supreme soul. Individual souls can truly progress when they realizes the divine connection, and Yoga helps to have that realization through constant practice of all the eight limbs (astanga) of Yoga, not just postures. This eight fold path is comprised of 1.Yama(restraints), 2.Niyama(observances), 3.Asana(posture) 4.Pranayam(breath control), 5. Pratyahara(withdrawal of the senses) 6.Dharana(concentration),7.Dhyana(meditation) and 8. Samadhi(stateless contemplation). On the auspicious International Yoga Day of June 21, we bow down to all yoga gurus of the world, specially sage Patanjali, who is attributed as the author of "Yoga Sutras" somewhere between 500BCE and 400 CE. Yoga which started in India over 5000 years ago today has reached every corner of the world, and like a flower, provides the world with nectar to quench the thirst of many souls. The western world which is mainly oriented towards external actions has embraced yoga and has produced many great yogis who are living proof of the path of joy, and the power of internal actions to create health, happiness and purpose. Let us remain lovingly united with the whole world and with all life through the divine connection we all share - experienced through the eight fold path that is Yoga.