Research in any field of knowledge must serve a purpose. We are aware that scientific explorations through research therefore have some prerequisites. In this episode, I talk about the Four os that are essential to be deliberated upon before undertaking a journey in research.

Sardar Bhagat Singh remains an inspiration to millions of young men for the supreme sacrifice that he made for India's Freedom from British Rule in 1931. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Chandrasekhar Azad smilingly adorned the gallows out of the love that they had for their country. The British were so terrified of the young patriots that they did not even hand over their dead bodies to the next of kin fearing that their corpses will inspire millions. They were so very wrong in that assumption. The ashes of these patriots that the British cast in the waters of the Sutlej cruised into the blood of millions more, eventually leading to independence from British Rule.

This is the story of Bhagat Singh.

This is the story of three selfless Army wives who spend their time nursing and literally mothering terminal cancer patients. After meeting them, I believe that angels are there on Earth, especially in cancer wards.

This story is from my personal experience and your comments are welcome.

Stay blessed. Stay safe.  

Pedangi was a army mule that had an illustrious life of valour and courage during her 39 years of service in the India Army. This is her story.

The sacrifices of over nine thousand American soldiers on the Omaha beach in Normandy earned the beach a new name - Democracy's Beach. Rightfully, a grateful America and France honour their memories even today. In the same war, over 87000 Indian troops made the supreme sacrifice in Italy, West Asia and Far East. Ironically, these gallant men are neither remembered as heroes in their own soil nor celebrated elsewhere. Apart from their sacrifices, India as a Colony of the British Empire paid nearly two billion USD in war time expenses to Britain.

This episode is in memory of those great sons of India.  

The story of Miles Scott, a five year old with leukaemia and the way City of San Francisco went out of its way to fulfill his dream is a story that I would like to narrate ad infinitum. It is a story that speaks of the courage of a five year old to live his dream and the compassion of a city that made the dream possible. This story is dedicated to the parents of Miles Scott and the memory of the brave "Bat Kid who saved Gotham city".  

This is a reading from the entry in my blog www.musings-alittleabouteverything.blogspot.com that I made in November 2013.  

William Garrow was collector of Coimbatore district in early 19th century. When he was on a tour of Bhavani, Goddes Vedanayaki herself saved his life from certain death. William Garrow remained dedicated to the Goddess and presented a palanquin made of ivory to the temple.

His experience at the Sangemewara temple at Bhavani tells us that  Bhakthi is not just about rituals and practices. It is about faith that transcends cultures.

There are a number of reasons why Khalil Gibran appeals to people from all walks of life. He was born a Maronite, but was drawn to the philosophy of Islam, Christianity and other religions too. In particular, Sufi philosophy held a great influence over him and it will be appropriate to even class him as a Sufi. Like Rumi, he discovered the essence of all religions in that he expounded the beauty of love of God by stressing upon the essential unity of the soul with God. We may not need to listen to no more upon his deep spiritual understanding than in understanding of what he spoke of Love.

In this second episode, I recite Gibran's philosophy on love. 

Khalil Gibran (1883-1931) remains one of the most popular and widely read philosopher of our times. Among his dozens of writings, the Prophet is the jewel for it expounds his philosophy in simple and lucid words which can be understood by any soul thirsting for answers to fundamental concepts of life.

Passages selected for reading in these episodes are drawn from publicly available material on the internet. 

The story of the struggle for India's independence from British Rule is recorded in some of the most well documented pages of history. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi became icons for the inspiration for freedom all over the world.  Under the stewardship of such great leaders, the sacrifices made by thousands of other Indian's must also be written or understood by generations to come. Such transcription of their stories serve two purposes: one, the retelling of their stories is the homage that we pay for their sacrifice. Two, the lessons learnt their selfless service and sacrifice will assist in shaping the character of this great nation.

In the episodes commencing with this story of Veer Savarkar, I intend narrating the stories of some illustrious sons of India.