It's shocking ! Indian techie kills five family membersin US

Yet another case of dreams going bust at the time of economic recession. A 40 year old Indian Software engineer hailing from the Nilgiris in South India went on an apparent murder suicide spree in the heart of silicon valley shooting dead his two school going children and three relatives. His wife who also recievd multiple bullet injuries is the only survivor, albeit in a critical condition.

We dont know whether this attack is related to the downturn/loss of job crime syndrome that has been affecting quite a few Indian techies in the US but nevertheless it pains me to see such intelligent and capable people ending their lives and those of their loved ones because their capability for tolerance is diminishing.The era of competition, globalisation and market economy has ushered in conspicuous spending as a result of which more and more people prefer to live in debt just so that they can achieve their heart's desire.So when the economy goes bust and they find themselves in a soup, they dont know of anyway to come out ofit other than to end their lives and those of their loved ones.This is a tragic testament of the manner in which society and it's people are changing, not for the good mind you, but for the worse!
Johnson

Power of the subconscious mind

ESP - Extra Sensory Perception
We are all intuitive. Some of us know about it and acknowledge it and some of us don't. The universe and our subconscious mind have all the answers to intriguing questions of life. If you correctly zone in to your intuitive flow of knowledge, the true and genuine empowerment follows because you do not have to rely on the information provided by others.

How does one develop the intuitive faculties?
1) By Raising the vibration of our body
2) By regular practice of meditation
3) By certain Yogic techniques
4) By self-hypnosis and hypnotherapy
5) Breath-work and Pranayama
6) Being attentive to your inner voice
7) Proper introduction to metaphysical world by an expert
8) Knowing that you know.
9) Releasing unpleasant past-life cell memories.
10) Letting go the fear of knowing the unknown
11) Believing in one's own self.

You can begin by some of the simple exercises.

1) Stop wearing your watch. If you need to know what time of the day it is consult your subconscious mind first. You may err in the beginning but gradually, you will be able to tell the time with fairly good accuracy..
2) When you go to sleep tell your sub-conscious mind to wake you up at a certain time.
3) You can also leave a request with the subconscious mind to give certain information in form of dream. However you will have to infer this information with your sub-conscious mind.

Artists, musicians, designers in fact any one who are operating out of their subconscious mind and right brain are by and large more intuitive. Start using your creative faculties, seek alternative solution and answers in daily activities and you will very soon realize how intuitive you are.

Dr. Neeta Yuvraj

EXISTENCE!

You are not accidental. Existence needs you.
Without you something will be missing in existence and nobody can replace it. Thats what gives you dignity, that the whole existence will miss you.
The stars and sun and moon, the trees and birds and earth - everything in the universe will feel a small place is vacant which cannot be filled by anybody except you.
This gives you a tremendous joy, a fulfillment that you are related to existence, and existence cares for you. Once you are clean and clear, you can see tremendous love falling on you from all dimensions.
By: Osho

check this out..its interesting.....

http://www.trinity.edu/~mkearl/death.html


I dont know why it didnt come out as a hyperlink..??!
anyway interesting reading....

quotes!

Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision.
Ayn Rand
This is one of my favourite quotes...
whats yours...???

FIRAAQ- quest/seperation

As decided Aasra volunteers met and watched the movie FIRAAQ.I know this movie has been reviewed by expert Mr. J....
But I feel comepelled to write my own impressions...
The movie written and directed by Nandita Das is a fine example in film making and story telling.
All the actors have given fine performances.The pain and helplessness of the marginalised and the utter indifference present in certain strata of society is brought out with intensity. Oh! I loved Deepti Naval and Naseeruddin Shah for their brilliant potrayals of a troubled, tortured ,and supressed housewife and a sublime,aging musician respectively.The little boy Mohsin/Mohan who learns to lie and survive in a sick communally divided society keeps haunting me with his innocent eyes.
I have to mention Shahana Gosvami who gave a very realistic performance as Munira,the auto rickshawala`s wife, who learns the most important lesson of her life.
Paresh Rawal as the vulgar, cheating,sly man, is what I call perfect casting.
The aftermath of a political game which resulted in the killing of thousands of innocent people is captured on celluliod with elan.
The dialogues are like little knives that twist into your heart.The story line is gripping and keeps you wondering about the characters long after the movie is over.
A great movie! Thanks J for organising it!

How to????

When was in my early 20s I saw the dead body of a close relative hanging from the ceiling fan.It was a suicide.That image does not go out of my head.Its like a movie playing in my mind. I can fully empathise with the family of the victim.The trauma that the family goes through is really tremendous.Everyone feels gulity. I know I did and blamed myself for not seeing the symptoms.
Recently we have been reading about suicides everyday. Young kids, Housewives and also Senior citizens.
I been trying in my own capacity to make pple discuss about suicide, about depression and about why pple take the extreme step.But Ive found that pple love to play the blame game.Generally pple are angry at the victim coz he/she brought SHAME to the family.
They hate to talk about it because they are afraid of the spirit of the deceased.
These ideas are so deeply ingrained in their minds that it becomes difficult to break the myths that they so religiously believe in.
What can Aasra volunteers do to initiate dialogue and make pple start talking about this grave problem? this problem of indifference?

Chemical "locha"!!!!!!

This term was first used in the movie Lage Raho Munnabhai and I had always wondered about it but never found the time to read it up and understand what happpens inside of our brains and how the chemical locha happens.
but recently I was looking for an explanation and found one which is quite interesting and easy to understand without much medical jargon.

Depression and depressive illnesses are classified as mood disorders in the medical field, including everything from Major Depression to Dysthymia. They have a number of symptoms that affect people socially, occupationally, educationally, interpersonally, etc. How does one become depressed? Basically, here's how it works: the nerves in our brain don't touch each other, but rather pass messages from one to the next through chemicals called neurotransmitters. We need just the right amount of this chemical between the nerves to pass the exact same message to the next nerve. If there isn’t enough of that chemical, the message doesn't get passed along correctly and in this case, depression or a depressive illness can result. When it comes to depressive disorders the chemicals most frequently out of balance are serotonin and norepinephrine.
A person living with depression does not always have the same thoughts as a healthy person. This chemical imbalance can lead to the person not understanding the options available to help them relieve their suffering. Many people who suffer from depression report feeling as though they've lost the ability to imagine a happy future, or remember a happy past. Often they don't realize they're suffering from a treatable illness, and seeking help may not even enter their mind. Emotions and even physical pain can become unbearable. They don't want to die, but it's the only way they feel their pain will end. It is a truly irrational choice. Suffering from depression is involuntary, just like cancer or diabetes, but it is a treatable illness that can be managed
( TAKEN FROM SAVE.ORG)

another suicide, this time a film director

Film director Raj Aditya hangs self in hotel

Sat, Mar 21 02:41 PM

Hyderabad, March 21 (IANS) Film director Raj Aditya was Saturday found dead in a city hotel, sending shock waves in the Telugu film industry. The police said it appeared to be a case of suicide.

The body of Aditya, 38, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a hotel room in Secunderabad.

He is believed to have taken the extreme step Friday night. The cause of the suicide is not known.

'Mallee Malle', a film directed by Aditya and starring newcomers Skandha and Kalyani in the lead roles, was released Saturday. He had written the story and screenplay for the film.

He began his career in Telugu films by directing 'Ishtam', produced by Usha Kiran Movies. He shot into fame with the direction of another Telugu film 'Pourudu' starring Sumanth and Kajal.

Aditya, whose real name is Rajakumaran Thambi, was the son of Malayalam film producer and director Sreekumaran Thambi. Born in Kerala, Aditya grew up in Chennai and worked under director Priyadarshan for four years.

Aditya, who acted as a child artist in some Malayalam films, also worked as an assistant to several eminent directors in Bollywood before launching his career as a director in Telugu films.
Indo Asian News Service

On Nandita Das's 'Firaaq'-

'Firaaq' is a must -see for everyone who believes in humane values and wants to make a difference in the polarised society of today. 'Firaaq' is a moving and heartfelt document about the discredited, the displaced and the disinherited. And it has an extremely well balanced view point!

Everyone must make an attempt to see this movie if only to experience what the hapless marginalised communities of Gujarat experienced as an aftermath of the riots.

Friends- just go and watch this movie.. there certainly is no better this week..and will not be for a long time!

Powered by: Chakpak.com	Firaaq

if you need more persuasion, do read my revew of the film in

http://filmreviewsjohnsonthomas.blogspot.com/

Regarding 'Spate of Suicides' piece in DNA speak Up today 21st March issue

The Suicide graph has been rising steadily over the years. More and more people are opting for this extreme and irrevokable step as they feel they have reached a point of no-return in their lives.They are unable to face the people they loved, perceive themselves as having no support and are experiencing unbearable pain due to loneliness, aloneness and alienation.Only they know what they are going through. All of us who think the reasons are trivial say so because we are living different lives. We do not put ourselves in their shoes and experience their pain even for a little bit. What they need is understanding , caring and a whole lot of emotional support to let go off the suicidal pain and experience hope once again.. .

Any comments? Responses? please do write in

Johnson Thomas

Last 24 Hours Illustration

I thought this was interesting..
what do u think?

Suicide at Pune Vidya Bhavan

Did u all read that piece of news? Xth std gal..caught copying?
got to rush.... but pls post comments abt yr impressions of the case....

amazing!

This is a BLOG where we discuss abt coping skills...so .....here goes...
Today in the train, I was sitting near the compartment for handicaped pple..I saw Students with hearing impairment going to school and they were communicating to each other in sign language..I couldnt understand anything ...but their faces were highly animated and the language looked very interesting..It was a pleasure to watch them and I didnt realise that I had reached my destination. time flew so fast!
I find that human beings are the most adaptable and adjusting of all the species on this earth..we can endure all kind of physical difficulties..but when it comes to our mind...why do we become so weak? why cant we cope with mental trauma with all our intelligence?

Get to know why you are stressed out

Discover the 90/10 Principle.



It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations).

What is this principle?

10% of life is made up of what happens to you.

90% of life is decided by how you react.

What does this mean?

We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us.

We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic.

We have no control over this 10%.



The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.

How? ……….By your reaction.

You cannot control a red light. but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.

Let's use an example.

You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened.

What happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse.

You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus.

Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit.

After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home.

When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.

Why? …. Because of how you reacted in the morning.

Why did you have a bad day?

A) Did the coffee cause it?

B) Did your daughter cause it?

C) Did the policeman cause it?

D) Did you cause it?

The answer is "D".



You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.

Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "Its ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference?

Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.

Why?

Because of how you REACTED.

You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens.

The other 90% was determined by your reaction.



Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.

If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge.

Let the attack roll off like water on glass.

You don't have to let the negative comment affect you!

React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them?

WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive?

Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.

You are told you lost your job.

Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.

The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take outpour frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.

Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.



Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle.



The result?

Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.

It CAN change your life!!!

I can make it better!

I believe I can make it better.

I learned this as a new licensed practical nurse. I had gone back to school at 35 to become an LPN. For a full year, I went to school every day during the week and worked at a nursing home every other weekend. I missed a lot in that year: my children, my family and my life. I worked hard and graduated with a 3.8 GPA. Then I found my dream job at a local hospital.

ER called for help with a code blue that night. It was my first time doing CPR on a real person. He was a man in his 40's, a few years older than I was. He had just dropped at work.

Everything was done right. Bystanders started CPR immediately, the ambulance got there in good time, they arrived at our ER quickly, and we did everything possible. We tried very hard to bring that man back. His wife had arrived. This shouldn't be happening.

After what seemed like forever, the doctor "called the code" and pronounced the time of death. I thought, "Well, that didn't do any good. Why did I go through that year of school, so I could stand here and not help this man? How could I work so hard and still not be able to fix this?"
The doctor went to talk to the family. Staff went to take care of other patients. The ER nurse and I stayed in the room to get him ready for the family. CPR is a very messy procedure. It causes the body to "leak" from various orifices. "Would I want my last memory of my husband to be this?" I thought. Then we made it better.

The ER nurse and I cleaned him up. We covered him with a sheet so you couldn't see the tubes and wires. We washed his hands and placed them where she could hold them. We cleaned his face so she could kiss him without smelling vomit. We put a warm blanket over him so he wouldn't feel cold. We brought a chair. We gave her time and privacy so she could grieve.

That was the night I learned how to be a nurse. In that long year, I had learned the science, the mechanics, but that night I learned how to make it better.

I can't always save people -- people die -- but I can always make it better. I can hold a hand, cool a brow and offer a chair to an exhausted family member. I can make you laugh, rub your back, listen to your fears and ease your pain. I can help make your memories a little less sad and a little more memorable.

I can make things better outside of work, too. I can hold a door, smile at the clerk, let the trucker merge or give my fellow beachcomber a cool sand dollar. It's the little things that people remember. It's how we touch one another. It's how we make it better.

(essay by christine)from... this i belive .org
what do u think about this article?
can we make a difference ? can we be the change ? can u share your thoughts with us?

a simple question!!

ARE WE REALLY FREE TO DO AS WE PLEASE????
IS SUICIDE AN ACT OF FREE WILL??
IF NOT THEN HOW WILL U DEFINE IT?

TOLERANCE IS RESISTANCE TO LOVE

One of the traps that’s easy to fall into is filling your life with too many incompatibilities — people, places, objects, circumstances, and activities that just don’t mesh with the person you are on the inside.

When your external reality is out of sync with your inner self, your inner self will resist it. This creates the feeling of wanting to escape your circumstances. You may feel powerless to make big changes, but deep down you’ll still sense a strong desire to “get out” and leave parts of your reality behind. You’ll fantasize about quitting your job, moving out, or ending a relationship.

It’s easy to lose years of your life while surrounded by incompatible energies. This problem is so common that some people just consider it normal. They figure it’s normal to dread going to work or to feel disconnected from the people around them. This may be common, but it certainly isn’t a healthy situation.

When you look at the different parts of your life — your career, health, relationships, spiritual practice, daily habits, and finances — and ask, “Is this really me?” do you hear some no’s? How long have you been tolerating these incompatibilities? Why don’t you simply kick them out of your life, so you can replace them with something more compatible?

Some people think it’s a good thing to tolerate the parts of life they don’t like. That’s dumb. Tolerance isn’t acceptance. Tolerance is resistance. To be more specific, tolerance is resistance to love.

When you fill your life with energies you must tolerate, you prevent yourself from attracting what you really want. The more incompatibilities you tolerate in your life, the fewer compatibilities you’ll be able to attract and enjoy. Keep this up for a few years, and you’ll be drowning in a life that feels totally wrong for you.

What bothers you about your life? What are you tolerating right now? I’d like to challenge you to stop tolerating your life. Either fully accept it, and love it as it is. Or kick out the incompatible parts to create the space for a life you’re able to love and accept completely.
When you boot the incompatibilities from your life, you raise your energy and your consciousness because you’re no longer stuck in a state of resistance. Now you feel relief and freedom. This opens the door to attracting and experiencing what you truly want.

Many people, upon quitting an unfulfilling job or leaving a draining relationship, feel a sense of relief. There may be some anxiety and uncertainty about what to do next, but the feeling of relief is very strong. “Wow, I can breathe again! I’m glad that’s finally over! Time to move on to a new chapter of my life!” Relief feels like a heavy weight has been set down.

Some people think they can attract what they want while continuing to tolerate the negative elements from their lives. This is a mistake. Again, tolerance is resistance, and resistance keeps you stuck. When you resist what is, you can’t create and attract what you want. That resistance you feel acts like a delete key on all your best intentions.

( taken from an article written by steve pavlina)

how did u like this article????
please leave your comments

kala ghoda festival

Aasra volunteers at the Kala Ghoda Festival...
It was valentines day we hd other plans but ....we all landed up at THE KALA GHODA festival....to promote the cause that we at AASRA believe in ..
WE LISTEN WE CARE.
We distributed more than 3000 book marks with our phone no.and address. We also made numerous people aware about AASRA, AND THE SERVICES WE OFFER

Later we went for the Shankar Ehasan Loy concert and from there proceeded to a stumptious dinner at BADE MIYA..JAI HO!

workshop at marthoma school -govandi

AASRA volunteers conducted a workshop for Parents and Students of STD IX at MARTHOMA SCHOOL-GOVANDI , MUMBAI
the workshop was conducted in 2 shifts from ie.11am to 2pm and 3pm to 5 pm as per the convenience of the parents.

Marthoma school is situtated near the slums of Govandi Station. Its a small school struggling to upgrade its standard of education in any which way it can.
The headmistress is very co-operative and understanding and is completely devoted to helping the students and teachers to cope with LIFE in general and depression , despair and exam pressure in particular.
This workshop was the sixth one that we were ocnducting.
To say that the workshop was a success would be an understatement.
The parents and students left with the understanding that
1. communication is important to enhance realtionships.
2. life is worthwhile and education is an important tool to realise dreams.
3. young adults value their independence.
4. parents say many things in anger but do not really mean to hurt the children.
5. students have to lean to say THANK YOU to their parents
6. they could contact AASRA when they are in despair.