When Creativity Overshadows Devotion: A Thought on Ganpati Idols

Every year during Ganesh Chaturthi, I look forward to the arrival of Bappa. Streets light up with colors, pandals bloom with energy, and artisans pour their heart into sculpting idols. This year, I noticed something weird, an explosion of creativity in Ganpati idols. From flying poses to Bahubali avatar, from standing figures to experimental expressions, there seems to be a race in making Ganpati “different.”

But it left me wondering, do we really need to reinvent Him?

Ganpati, in his original form, is already the most endearing. His round belly, folded legs, calm expression, and the modak in his hand, this simplicity carries beauty beyond comparison. He is Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles, and at the same time the cutest deity who feels like family. When he sits on his singhasan or with his legs folded in peace, that is when he feels most present, most divine, most approachable.

Creativity has its place. Art evolves with time, and it is natural for artisans to explore new expressions. Yet, when it comes to God, the essence is not in novelty but in devotion. We welcome Him for just eleven days, in those few days, do we really want to be distracted by how “unique” His idol looks, or do we want to connect with His presence as He truly is?

Maybe it’s time we celebrate Him in the way He has always been: simple, beautiful, and divine in His original avatar.

Finding Joy Beyond Monday Blues

Monday blues were in full swing today. Deadlines waiting, tasks piling up, crowded trains, honking vehicles, and a restless mind. Today was no different. On my way to the office, I was consumed by stress and irritation worrying about the day ahead, annoyed at my team’s errors, and battling the chaos of a busy street.

As I was hurrying across a tricky road where vehicles rarely slow down, something unexpected happened. Two little street kids pointed towards me. At first, I didn’t understand. I walked a few steps ahead, then turned back and realized — they were asking for help to cross the road.

I immediately walked back, held their hands, and guided them across. What struck me in that moment was not just the children’s trust but also the line of vehicles that actually waited for us until we were safe. For once, the world seemed to pause so that two little kids could safely cross.

The stress of the morning melted into a quiet smile. That small act brought an instant happiness and dissolved all my stress. It reminded me that even on the busiest days, joy hides in simple moments of kindness. Sometimes, helping someone else is the best way to help ourselves.

Overheard: A Reminder to Be Kind

The other day, while going about my day, I overheard a snippet of conversation that left me speechless. It was a simple sentence, really: "She's lost her mind, she left her husband." But within those few words, there was a world of judgment. 

The woman being spoken of, whoever she was, became instantly defined by a single action. There was no curiosity about her reasons, no empathy for her situation. Just a harsh dismissal, a label slapped on without a moment's thought.

It's a chilling reminder of how quickly we can resort to judgment, especially when we lack context. We live in a world overflowing with information, yet often devoid of understanding. Social media feeds present curated snapshots of lives, not the messy complexities that lie beneath. A single choice, a life decision, becomes fodder for gossip and speculation.

But what if we stopped to consider the story behind the headline, the reasons behind the choices? Perhaps the woman who left her husband was escaping an abusive situation. Maybe she was finally prioritizing her own happiness after years of self-sacrifice. We don't know, and frankly, it's not our place to judge.

We all carry burdens, navigate challenges, and make choices based on our unique experiences. The next time we're tempted to jump to conclusions, let's take a deep breath and choose kindness instead. Let's practice empathy, even for those whose paths diverge from our own.

The world needs less judgment and more understanding. Let's be the change we wish to see, one kind thought, one open mind at a time.

Meet Tridha!!!

Tridha!!!

It's an e-commerce venture, into ethnic fashion exclusively for Women called “Tridha”. Tridha is carefully crafted thought wherein the Indian tradition which is deeply rooted within us goes in hand with the development of ourselves with technology & science. Tridha gives a unique combination with a blend of pure tradition and richness to every Indian woman.

The name Tridha is consciously chosen as the word Tridha means "Power of three goddesses". These three goddesses are Woman with powerful attire, attitude, strong mindset, and last but not the least beautiful soul……. a combination of three goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga. 

Through Tridha I wish to portray these powerful and ethnic souls in you that can bring a change in yourself in the Society which is modern yet having a traditional soul.

In day to day life, you and I have developed qualities of positivity, independence, and self-confidence. Being self-assured and self-reliant, you are naturally inclined towards operating your own business or accepting opportunities where your love of freedom is not curtailed.

Tridha will not only, have an e-commerce platform for ethnic wear but will also celebrate every moment of the day with these three powers from where Tridha originated.

We have a long way to go with your support and with your support will slowly venture into new things for surprises.

Do like the Tridha page on Facebook and Instagram to find the best of you. Also, share your favorite post on your news feed and to your friends.

From your own Tridha Girl to another Tridha Girl.

Facebook: @tridhaethnicmumbai

Instagram: @tridhaethnic

#beingtridha #youaremytridhagirl #tridhawoman #tridhaethnic #tridha #tridhagirl

Don't be a Drag, be a Queen

It is an unfortunate fact that even now, in our country, the birth of a boy is cause for elation while the arrival of a girl leads to disappointment. However, times are gradually changing and an increasing number of people are warming up to the idea of having a girl child.

I have seen a drastic change in my own village Sateli, a small village in Sawantwadi which was once upon a time male dominated. Today, more than half of the population of this village is of girls. People here are educating them, supporting them and seeing them equal to boys.

Lets wait and watch substantial steps they take to commemorate the birth of the girl and how this gives a new birth to this village.

16500 Raincoats Distribution Ceremony for Mumbai Police

It was a great privilege and an honour to have the experience and opportunity to host a Mumbai Police event held on 10th June, 2016 at Police Club, Near Azad Maidan, Fort.

The event was called "Distribution Ceremony of 16500 Raincoats for the Mumbai Police"

The purpose behind giving away these raincoats was to shield police personnel from the upcoming monsoons so that they can perform their duties with ease and continue to protect citizens.

The event was chaired by Mumbai Police Commissioner Shri Dattatray Padsalgikar & Joint Commissioner Shri Anup Kumar Singh.

As a small token of appreciation for their persistent services and saluting the true spirit of Mumbai traffic police, Bollywood Actress and Life OK Savadhan India TV anchor Divya Dutta, and CXOs of Dr. Fixit from the house of Pidilite Industries, Central Bank of India, Exim Bank, Union Bank of India, Standard Chartered and Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank joined hands and presented 16500 raincoats to the Mumbai Police Officers.

Giving is Happiness: Aniruddha's Bank for the Blind for Visually Challenged Children .

Aniruddha's Bank for the Blind (ABB) is an organization dedicated to the service of the visually challenged. Functioning like a 'bank', it stores knowledge in the form of audio CDs that record the academic syllabus of educational and technical institutions and makes these CD's available free of cost to visually challenged students.

It is a joint activity/project of the `Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation’, ‘Aniruddha Samarpan Pathak’ and ‘Shree Aniruddha Aadesh Pathak’, committed towards offering service to the visually challenged. These entity are non-profit Organizations incorporated in Mumbai, India. 

This project was initiated in July 2004 under the guidance of Dr. Aniruddha Dhairyadhar Joshi, a successful consulting Rheumatologist, M.D., the Project began work in Mumbai and then over the last 8 years, has spread its service network to 19 Indian states providing recorded audio material in 11 Indian languages. It has even been extending its hand of support to beneficiaries in Pakistan,(Springfield School Karachi). It initially began with cassettes and over a period of time, has switched to CDs keeping in mind the durability, the better sound quality and their compactness that enables easy storage.

States Covered

West Zone  : Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan

East Zone  : West Bengal

North Zone : Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana,[5] Uttar Pradesh, Punjab

South Zone : Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry,[6] Tamil Nadu

Central Zone : Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh

Languages Covered

Material for students covered in Marathi, Gujarati, English, Sanskrit, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Punjabi languages.

Beneficiaries

Cds are provided to

• Students of schools
• Colleges
• Universities (post graduate)
• Vocational courses
• Banking
• Public service examination etc.

Overall statistics

Booktionary Publishing House announces free publication of 8 Exponent Group of Journals

Exponent Group of Journals is a ready documentation meant to update us in thought, theory and practical application of knowledge. These journals endeavors to stand true to the word Exponent, which means a person who possesses and demonstrates a particular skill at a very high level or standard. It will contain updated, special and general knowledge in that particular field that is essential for the progress of every individual. The Journals will be available on the website www.exponentjournals.com.

In all there are 8 Journals i.e. Exponent Group of Journals for: 

1. MBA 
2. Professional Medicine 
3. Health & Health Services 
4. Chartered Accountancy 
5. Shares & Stock Market 
6. General Engineering 
7. Information Technology
8. Electronics

After completing 3 successful years now, Booktionary Publishing House has decided to make these Journals available to the readers absolutely free of cost in association with Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation.

The knowledge-seeking fraternity may avail this opportunity to cultivate an increasingly pragmatic and practical approach and keep themselves updated.

Kolhapur Medical and Healthcare Camp: Epitomizing compassion towards mankind

Kolhapur Medical Camp: Added meaning to my life experiences

Kolhapur Medical & Healthcare Camp:One of the largest #relief and #rehabilitation camp for poor and #rural masses

Kolhapur Medical & Health Camp: An excellent example of Management, Coordination and Resource Optimisation

Recently i was a part of a noble activity called "Kolhapur Medical and Health Camp 2016" organised by Aniruddha Rehabilitation Center & Dilasa Medical Trust. This is held every year in the month of February. Hats off to Dr. Aniruddha Dhairyadhar Joshi who initiated this project 10 years ago. This project stands an excellent example of ‪#‎management‬, ‪#‎coordination‬ and ‪#‎resource‬ optimisation.

Am so glad I got to experience this amazing activity. Sharing some interesting facts about the camp.

1. Kolhapur is the richest district in Maharshtra but few kilometers inside n poverty and lack of development hits you.
2. The camp is held at Pendakhale around 50 kms from Kolhapur and covers 100s of villages around.
3. Day 2 involves volunteers going around the villages distributing Hygiene material like Water Purifying liquid. Anti scabies and lice lotions, Dental Powders, washing powders, combs, nail cutters, old but wearable clothes, new 9 yard sarees for Grannies, sweaters and toys
4. Day 3 involved students from 137 schools coming to Pendakhale Camp for medical check up including eye n dental. They are provided with two sets of uniforms made from yarn spun by Aniruddha followers, a pair of foot wear, note books, candles, general tonic, class wise sports kit to name a few. Students are provided transportation for coming and going from the Camp.
• Couple of accompanying teachers I enquirer with gave this feedback-
• School dropout rate has gone down.
• Hygiene levels have gone up. Infact kids are now teaching their parents about cleanliness.
• Girl students post puberty who used to drop out due to lack of proper cloths n girls toilets has been stopped.
• Students are aspiring to grow. One of the earlier camp student last year participated as Doctor in last year's camp.
• Hemoglobin levels have gone up over the years.
5. Apart from Students the camp is open to all and has extensive OPDs and a Surgical Room as well as Pathology n Pharmacy. Dental and Opthalmalogy OPDs work beyond the scheduled hours.
6. Serious and major ailment afflicted villagers are referred to hospitals and followed by local volunteers.
7. Everyone coming to the camp is offered a simple but nutritious full meal of rice, daal, sabji n halwa. Many of the villagers walk tens of kms just to eat this meal. Everyone is served in stainless steel thalis to make them feel valued.
8. Whilst the direct beneficiaries are the villagers and students the camp serves to bring up the volunteers in sensitivity levels, awareness of what actually lies beyond the cities as well as giving an opportunity to serve for the cause.
9. Whilst the local volunteers work around the year for this camp in terms of replenishment of hygiene material, census data etc, volunteers from all over India come once a year for 3 days. This year we saw around 40 volunteers coming from middle-east for this.
10. The best feedback was given by women in one of the villages I visited for distribution. They said alcoholism is on decline, treatment given by men to their women folk has improved, infighting amongst brothers and families has reduced.