Volume XIV / Issue 3 October 2002 PANCHADIK The Newsletter of THE KONKANI ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA www.kaoca.org From the President s Desk: Its over! Just last year, this commitee took over the ominous task of heading KAOCA. We were so busy and had so much fun that the time just flew by! We started the year with the goal to organize more events, to introduce more varied entertainment, and to encourage participation. We were able to meet most of these aims, despite the difficult year. Although the economy doesn t seem to show signs of recovery, KAOCA has had a lot of pluses. We see a lot more enthusiasm amongst KAOCA members to participate and attend the events. The interest level to participate has been tremendous and we have actually had to turn away some of the folks because of too may requests. Though we would like to have everyone to participate, sometimes time constraints have made it impossible to satisfy everyone. We hope that there wont be any ill will, as we have tried to remain impartial to one and all. I want to thank my committee members who have done such a wonderful job. Just taking a glimpse of last year, KAOCA began the year with a ski trip. Despite the early morning start and heavy snow, the trip was memorable. The KAOCA crowd was very enthusiastic and had wonderful time bonding with each other and skiing the slopes of the Sierra. The Yugadi function had the theme of India through the Ages, and we witnessed an absolutely wonderful performance from all the kids. As the children sang the national anthem, it brought tears to many eyes. The picnic was a hit with a variety of games, a clown, jumpoline for kids and the candy machine. Looking back, the committee members have put in tremendous effort to organize each event, and as we come to the end of our term, suddenly the realization dawns that there will be no more meetings, planning events etc. In the last year, the committee members have been able to focus on our mission for KAOCA, despite, members having to relocate to other parts of the country, layoffs, etc. We want to also thanks Shrikalapachi and Mohanmam for their tireless contribution towards planning and coordinating events, as also all the volunteers and participants for their unflagging enthusiasm that has proved to be an inspiration to us all in the committee. I want to thank the KOCA members of giving me and the committee the opportunity to further our message and our dream. We hope that we have been able to meet all expectations and hope to continue being able to be of service to the community and the incoming KAOCA committee. In the same breath, I cordially welcome the new President Veena Kamath and her committee. We want to make the diwali event memorable and would like to invite you all to make night unforgettable. Let the New Year be joyous and prosperous for all! Happy Diwali!, Anand Ubhayaker Thanks to the 2001-2002 KAOCA Committee Members! Basanthi Bhat, Vidya Hemmad, Manohar Kamath, Amar and Amitha Pai, Rajesh and Shilpa Nayak, Dilip Nayak, Nilesh Savkur, Naren and Vasudha Chittar, Sumanth Padbidri, Aseem Hemmad, Kiran Kumar Nayak, and Priya Rao
NASA Images Discover Ancient Bridge between India and SriLanka Space images taken by NASA reveal a mysterious ancient bridge in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. The recently discovered bridge currently named as Adam s Bridge is made of chain of shoals, c.18 mi (30 km) long. The bridge s unique curvature and composition by age reveals that it is man made. The legends as well as Archeological studies reveal that the first signs of human inhabitants in Sri Lanka date back to the a primitive age, about 1,750,000 years ago and the bridge s age is also almost equivalent. This information is a crucial aspect for an insight into the mysterious legend called Ramayana, which was supposed to have taken place in tredha yuga (more than 1,700,000 years ago). In this epic, there is a mentioning about a bridge, which was built between Rameshwaram (India) and Srilankan coast under the supervision of a dynamic and invincible figure called Rama who is supposed to be the incarnation of the supreme. A Letter From India Being the Editor of Panchkadayi, the foremost Konkani Magazine of Manipal, India, it was like birds of a feather flocking together for me in participating in the Picnic arranged by the Konkani Association of California at the Bay area of San Francisco on the 23 rd of August, 2002. Was it predestined or my good luck? It was not a mere Picnic, it was of course a bringing together of 200 Konkani people with a purpose of unity, deserving applause and congragulations. It was a full days programme of fun, frolic, food, entertainment, all fanciful and fantastic. If by God s grace I am visiting USA (of course it s accomplishment is attributed to my son) my participation in the KAOCA programme was made possible by the dynamic young lady, Mrs. Basanthi Bhat (Kaoca Committee Member) and her affable husband, Mr. Vivek Bhat, making the Picnic a landmark in my memories. With Best Wishes and Regards, B. Shantharama Baliga, Editor Panchkadayi This information may not be of much importance to the archeologists who are interested in exploring the origins of man, but it is sure to open the spiritual gates of the people of the world to have come to know an ancient history linked to the Indian mythology. Visit www.indolink.com/religion/r091702-130924.php KAOCA Balance Sheet Summer 2002 FROM THE EDITOR... Namaskaru, Hope all of you had an enjoyable and relaxing summer. The year is finally drawing to a close and it is time to reflect on all our accomplishments and shortcomings and make new resolutions. This will be the last newsletter for the year and I thank all the people who have taken the effort to contribute articles to this year s editions. I hope all of you will continue to take interest in making this newsletter a success. Working on this newsletter has been an enjoyable experience for me and I have learned a lot during my time as the editor. I wish you all a Very Happy Diwali and hope to see you all at the Diwali function....vidya Hemmad Balance b/f 6573.17 RECEIPTS Membership/Admissions (Picnic) 3181.56 Bingo Tickets/Pictures 87.00 Total Receipts 3268.56 EXPENSES Website Expenses(2001) 500.00 CPA(2001) 100.00 Sub Total 600.00 Picnic Food 1461.38 Printing & Mailing 391.01 Entertainment 469.54 Misc. 289.79 Paypal 27.84 Sub Total 2639.56 Total Expenses 3239.56 Balance c/f 6602.17
BACKACHES by Vidya Hemmad P.T. Back problems are one of the most common ailments in our society. Four out of five people have had severe back pain at least once in their lives. The majority of sciatica and lowerback problems are related to stress, poor posture, accidents, or weak abdominal muscles. Back muscle or ligament strains are possible causes as well, so it is extremely important to keep your spine and back muscles strong and flexible. Tips on Avoiding Back Strain and Injury To avoid strain and injury to your back it is important to replace bad postural habits and to use correct body mechanics while performing daily activities. The suggestions listed below will help ease back pain and avoid back strain and injury. Whenever you remain in a relaxed position, be it standing, sitting or lying, overstretching can occur. Sitting - Always sit on a straight back chair which supports both your upper and lower back. The height of the seat should be low enough so that you can rest your feet on the floor and the seat of the chair should be firm. Do not sit for long periods at a time. Sitting is when our backs are most vulnerable - you should always try and sit with a slight hollow in the small of your back. If this is difficult, put a small cushion or a rolled up towel (lumbar roll) behind you. Driving - While driving, move your seat close to the wheel so that your knees are slightly higher than your hips. Car seats often give poor support to your back. Try to sit fairly close to the steering wheel and have your hips higher than your knees (you may need to sit on a pillow or cushion to raise your hips). Again, a small cushion or rolled up towel in the small of your back can help. Standing - While standing ensure that your weight is evenly distributed on both legs. Try to avoid increasing the arch of your back. Keep your stomach tucked in and tilt your pelvis back. Sleeping Lie on your back with your knees bent and support them with a pillow. Lie on your side with both knees bent, the knee on top should be slightly in front of the lower knee and should be supported with a pillow. Sleeping on your stomach should be avoided since it accentuates the arch of your back and strains the muscles. While getting up from the sleeping position, turn onto your side and push your body up with your hands while you lower your feet to the floor. Raise your body up slowly with your hands while you place your weight on your feet. Here are some exercises to help you keep your back strong. IMPORTANT : Consult a physician before starting any exercise program, especially if your back is sore or if you have suffered any injury. If you have a sore back, it is important to start the exercise program slowly and to do only as many exercises, as pain will allow. Always synchronize your breathing. Exhale on exertion. Don t do any fast or jerky movements. You can strain a muscle or a joint. Don t tense up one body part while exercising another. Take care of the back when lifting or moving heavy objects. Always bend from the knees and straighten up from the squatting position when lifting an object. Don t bend forward with your knees straight. Keep them slightly bent. Before you start exercising you should do the following: 1. Choose a firm surface to exercise on e.g.-floor with an exercise mat, or a plinth. 2. Remove all restrictive clothing. Wear comfortable non-binding clothing. 3. Do proper stretching exercises to loosen and warm up the muscles of the back and legs. E.g.: Back stretches, hamstring stretches, calf stretches, and quadriceps stretches. 1. Dead Bug- 1) Lie on your back with legs bent at knees, and arms at your side. 2) Raise right arm and opposite leg (left) till knee almost touches your chest and right arm is in line with your head. 3) Lower leg and arm to starting position. 4) Repeat with other arm and leg. Duration: 2minutes, or 30 times. 2. Bridge- 1) Lie on your back with legs bent at knees, feet on the mat and arms on your side. 2) Lift your pelvis up so that only your head and shoulders are on the floor. 3) Hold this position for 30 seconds. 4) Bring pelvis down to starting position. Duration: 30 times 3. Partial Curl- 1) Lie on your back with legs bent at knees, cross arms over chest. 2) Raise head and shoulders off the floor, bringing chin towards knees. 3) Hold position for 5 secs, and return to starting position 4) Duration: 10 times. 5) Repeat exercise in the same starting position, except, curl left shoulder towards the right knee. 6) Hold for 5 secs and return to starting position. 7) Repeat exercise, curling left shoulder to right knee. Duration: 10 times on each side.
My Bollywood Shooting Experience This past summer I went to India to visit my family. When I was leaving from America, I had asked my uncle in Bombay if he could arrange for me to see a film shooting. I especially like Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor. I was hoping I would be able to attend a shooting of a film of theirs. When I reached Bombay, I was told that it was almost impossible to get to see a Hrithik Roshan shooting, as he is a mega star. I was disappointed, but I said I would be satisfied watching any shooting. One day, when I was least expecting it my Nalini Pachi told me that she had arranged for me to go see a shooting and it wasn t just any shooting, it was a Hrithik Roshan shooting along with Kareena Kapoor! I was extremely excited. The aunt s neighbor was an ex- film star and his nephew had connections with Hrithik. We went to the studio and the people there greeted us warmly and like royalty. We walked into the studio, and it was scorching because of all the lights and the people. I was surprised how everything was so dull and bare compared to how glamorous it looks in the movies. Finally, Kareena Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan came out. Kareena was wearing a plain bright yellow sari and she looked ravishing. Hrithik Roshan looked amazing also. They shot the same thing over and over again, a small piece of a scene. Abhishek Bachan was also on the set. He didn t have much of a role in the scene I was watching. I was surprised to see Kareena actually doing her own makeup and hair, as was Hrithik. I expected to see people rushing everywhere to satisfy them, however this was not true. My visions of Bollywood were squashed. After the shooting was over, I got to take a picture with the stars. Hrithik Roshan was very nice to talk to, and he had a very pleasant personality. Kareena and Abhishek were not as nice. Ten Years Away from India,that was Enough Ten and a half years ago, my parents moved from their native India to the United States. I grew up there never really considering India. Why should I? India was just a place on the other side of the globe where we went for Christmas vacations which ended in my missing school. Where my whole family resided. Where it was hot and dry. I grew up in my house all the way till fifth grade until my dad announced we were moving. At first I thought he was joking. Then reality sunk in. Three months passed before we were sitting on the plane. We arrived at twelve o clock at night. It is so dirty in India with people littering everywhere as if they ve never seen trash cans before. So many poor people. The noisy Bundhs and the violence in Gujarat. It took me five months to realise how great India really is. It was on Independence Day when I came to realise the value of India. As usual, my school was having the celebration. My friends and I were asked to do a short dance on the song Vande Mataram. The last scene was when that sudden shock of understanding came. A girl dressed as Mother India with Hindus and Muslims like bowing before her. As we dancers were still in our positions, people with diyas came and began Aarti towards India. Flowers fell and as the last Vande Mataram came, I realized that India is my native land and will always be. This country is tied to all of us. Jai Hind! - Meghana Koushik Editor s Note: Meghana Koushik and her family moved back to India from the Bay Area in December 2001. My trip to India was complete, I had wanted to see the shooting so badly and I got my chance to. Even though it wasn t as glamorous and everything that I imagined, it was still worth while and an experience which I will remember forever. - Neha Hemmad
From the Pens of Aspiring Konkani Poets... Here to stay Feels good to smell the fresh air in the morning. Standing by the open high rise window. I am looking at my new four-door import waiting for me, on the colorful trees lined street below. I am here to stay. Morning, the old man wishes as he hands me the daily. Hello, smiles the cute little girl behind the cafe counter. And as I pick my bagels, cheese and cup of warm tea, She wishes me good day and hopes for pleasant weather. I am here to stay. Now, that s all I can say. There isn t any room for me in the trains back home. Cause the compartments are swelling day after day. There isn t any room for me on the streets back home. And they are full of dirt and rubbish anyway. I am here to stay. I was one of the few million struggling & desperate. The headhunter keeps reminding me of the past tense. Now I am one of the lucky few in this land that separates life from troubles, miseries and indigence. I am here to stay. Well, that s all I can say. And so what if I am too far away from my family. And so what if I have left broken ties behind. Never mind if I don t know who my neighbour is. Never mind if I haven t talked to anyone for a long time. I am happy this way. (Am I really?) But, I am here to stay. Now, it feels good just to stand behind the closed window. The TV channel has sent out a warning for a blizzard today. And I am looking down at the snow-clad streets below. Trying to find where my four-door is lying buried away. The winter is here to stay. Wordplay Besides me, watching the birds fly in the sky. Nuances - I d rather ignore. Explaining all the reasons as to why I am being a bore. In no way, it s going to make me slow, wherever we may go. I ll still find my way across and down the square. Well, it s my same old way of troubling you. And I get it right every time. Besides me cursing the grid and the clue, and all those who started the same. But, what you fail to see is that you too indulge in the game. Whenever we hit the blues, it s strife you d rather choose. Still I ll find my way across and down the square. And it s your novel way of troubling me. And you do it right every time. Senior stories A man was telling his neighbor, I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it s state of the art. Really, answered the neighbor. What kind is it? Twelve thirty. Morris, an 82 year-old man went to the Doctor to get a physical. A few days later the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a gorgeous young lady on his arm. A couple of days later the doctor spoke to the man and said, You re really doing great, aren t you? Morris replied, Just doing what you said, Get a hot mamma and be cheerful. The Doctor said, I didn t say that. I said you ve got a heart murmur. Be careful. As a senior citizen was driving down the freeway, his car phone rang. Answering, he heard his wife s voice urgently warning him, Herman, I just heard on the news that there s a car going the wrong way on Interstate 280, please be careful! It s not just one car, said Herman. It s hundreds of them! An elderly gent was invited to his old friends home for dinner one evening. He was impressed by the way his buddy preceded every request to his wife with endearing terms Honey, My Love, Darling, Sweetheart, Pumpkin, etc. The couple had been married almost 70 years and, clearly, they were still very much in love. While the wife was in the kitchen, the man leaned over and said to his host, I think it s wonderful that, after all these years, you still call your wife those loving pet names. The old man hung his head. I have to tell you the truth, he said, I forgot her name about 10 years ago.
Bollywood Hungama KAOCA is proud to present Bollywood Hungama, a tribute to our own Bollywood and some of its great actors and actresses of yesteryear. As a popular radio shows blared, Bollywood produces hundreds of schmaltzy musicals every year. So far, the audience has been limited to India and the diaspora. But now Bollywood is making its mark on the world stage, with an Oscar nominee. A typical movie would have the protagonist, performing super heroic skills who will break into a dance sequence at least 5-6 times during the course of the movie. Over the years, Hindi cinema has evolved and there has been a noticeable change. The Hollywood influence has come in and Bollywood has been quick to adapt to the winds of change. Our show will take you through this amazing metamorphosis of the Hindi film industry. So, come with us down memory lane and let us see how Hindi Cinema has grown over the years and the influence it has had on us The one thing most people know about Bollywood movies is that they contain songs and dances. Since the first Indian talkie, Alam Ara, was released in 1931, song sequences have been the emotional high points of many Hindi films. And while Indian audiences can accept repetition in storylines, they will reject a film s music if it has no originality. Music is so central to the Indian film industry that playback singers are as respected as film stars, and prestigious directors have to be not only great cinema authors, but also masters of song picturization and choreography. Furthermore, an Indian movie can stand or fall at the box office on the merits of its music. For an Indian, Bollywood is a way of life, it is the cheapest form of entertainment and also an escape from the trials of mundane life into a fantasy world, where good always triumphs over bad and life is good with romance and flowers and lots of violence that defeats the baddies. Since the first Hindi film, a silent movie in the early 1900s, the Hindi film industry has gone from strength to strength. Hindi films have tried to portray the deepest emotions of the common man manifested in a few political statements in pre and post-independent India. Although Bollywood makes hundreds of movies every year, most of them forgettable, it has still given birth to legends. From the tragedy king, Dilip Kumar in the 50s to the brilliant showman, Raj Kapoor in the 60s, to Rajesh Khanna - the heart throb in the early 70s, to Amitabh Bacchan - the angry young man image of the 70s and 80s, to Amir Khan - the boy next door, to eternal favorite ShahRukh Khan and finally to Hrithik Roshan (just ask your sister or daughter if you don t know who this dude is), Bollywood has come a long way. Seasons of India Seasons of India being presented by Mohan & Shrikala Savkoor, will depict the seasons in the Hindu Calendar in a series of six musical scenarios. In each scenario, the significance of the season will be highlighted with the help of a musical item based on the Raga associated with that season. Over 35 artistes and supporters are working hard to ensure that you will be totally entertained!
KAOCA Diwali 2002 The KOACA committee invites you to join us for our annual Diwali function! Date: November 9th, 2002 Venue: Sunnyvale Temple, Sunnyvale Time: 4.00pm - 5.00pm Networking and Snacks Food: 5.00pm - 7.00 pm 7.00pm - 9.00pm Entertainment Dinner An evening snack and a buffet dinner will be served. Admission: (with RSVP by 31 October, 2002) $13 for adults $8 for children between 6 and 10. Children under 5 are free. (with RSVP ) Non-RSVP $16 PER PERSON regardless of age. Non-members $20 PER PERSON regardless of age Please RSVP your intention to attend by calling Vijay Ubhayaker @ 408-828-9110 or email at kaoca@hotmail.com by Thursday, October 31st. Late RSVPs will not be accepted. Note on RSVP (a) We sincerely request everyone to RSVP on time and only if you are certain that you will be able to attend. There is now a trend of informing your intention to attend and not coming to the event. The main aim of the RSVP is to help us estimate the number of attendees and enable us to make adequate arrangements in advance, especially for food and refreshments. Thank you for your cooperation. (b) The names of all who RSVP by October 31th, 2002 will be posted on www.kaoca.org. Please check to confirm that your name is included in this list. If your name does not appear on this list, you will be required to pay the non-rsvp rate. Admission Policy All attendees must pay for the event, except children 5 and under. No excuses will be accepted. Thank you for your cooperation. Diwali - The Festival of Lights Apart from being the most widely celebrated, Diwali is perhaps one the of the prettiest of all Indian festivals. The word Diwali comes from the word Dipawali and falls on the last day of the last month of lunar calendar. Diwali is celebrated for five days. The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal. Diwali is a time when every establishment is illuminated with Deeps - oil lamps and every heart is filled with joy. Delighted children set off fireworks in the spirit of festival. The five day celebration of Diwali begins with Dhanteras. Dhanteras is the day to worship Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. Indian culture has never considered wealth to be corruptive. According to the Indian culture a wealthy man is considered to be God s beloved child, he is rewarded for the good deeds done in past life. The second day is celebrated as Kali Chaudas, the day to worship Kali, the goddess of Strength; the day to abolish laziness and evil which create hell in our life and shine light on life. Physical strength used to harm others is called Ashakti or impious strength and that which is used for unselfish reasons is simply strength. The strength to protect others is referred as Kali, and if its used for God s work it is called Mahakali. In the Mahabharat (an ancient epic), Ved Vyas has given us vibrant examples of human life by skillfully portraying three diverse characters of Duryodhana, Karna and Arjun. Duryodhan the eldest of Kauravas, who used his strength only for selfish motives, Karna who had vowed to use his prowess in the service of the Kauravas and Arjun who dedicated all he had in God s work are examples of ashakti, kali and mahakali respectively. Another name by which this day is remembered is Narak Chaturdasi. The story goes that Narakasur, the ill famed king of Pragjyotishpur was creating havoc in the society by the excessive use of his powers. He was responsible for the imprisonment of 16000 young women. Lord Krishna had decided to destroy this evil dictator. Satyabhama (wife of lord Krishna) took up the challenge of rescuing the innocent women and Lord Krishna fully supported Satyabhama in her mission. This day is celebrated as freedom from the tyranny of the evil king. People free from atrocities of the evil ruler joyously celebrated the event by lighting lamps to illuminate the night sky. Adorned in new clothes they set out on the streets to express their happiness....anonymous
KAOCA Committee 2002 Wishes Everyone A Happy Diwali! Diwali Function - Saturday, November 9, 2002, at Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, Sunnyvale. Vidya Hemmad 330 Curtner Road Fremont, CA 94539