Positive News : XXXVLIX

Tributes flood in for ‘inspirational’ Cathie Sabin OBE

‘Inspirational’, ‘Thoughtful’, ‘A national tennis treasure’ – the tennis world came together yesterday to pay tribute to the the incredible contribution of former LTA President and Councillor, Cathie Sabin OBE to our sport. Cathie’s infectious positive attitude and ability to engage with people from all walks of life meant she had a unique impact on the lives of many within the sport and helped shape tennis in Britain as we know it.

Read more …

Good News: Five Positive Stories Spreading Smiles Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

 With surging coronavirus cases worldwide and stay-at-home orders in place to stem the novel coronavirus, some positive news can have an encouraging effect mood.

Read more …

 

Letter from the Editor: Coronavirus can’t keep good people down, and we’re here with the uplifting stories

Portage high school student Ashleigh Hoag holds a poster she painted. She has now painted four posters to hang in the front window to share positivity with her neighbors during the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo courtesy of Jodi Hoag)Photo courtesy of Jodi Hoag

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More Good News: Man Travels World for Good News, Essential Workers Tribute Video

Dillon Hill of Sacramento earned international attention in 2018 when he dropped out of UC Davis to help his childhood friend Chris Betancourt complete a bucket list.

Read more …

200 Indian Singers Create an Anthem to Honour Frontline Heroes Fighting COVID-19

“One Nation One Voice is not just an anthem but a movement that reflects the current emotions of the people.”

200 Indian Singers Create an Anthem to Honour Frontline Heroes Fighting COVID-19

Fable : Combatting ego

The great Zen Master, Bankei, was renowned for his talks. People of all sects and ranks came to listen to him because he spoke from his heart. Bankei was much-respected and his preaching was embraced by all.

Bankei’s popularity angered a priest of another sect whose followers left to listen to Bankei. The priest wondered what it was that made Bankei gain so many supporters, especially when Bankei did not even quote from any scholarly references! The more the priest thought about it, the more it enraged him. Vowing to end the matter conclusively with a debate, the priest stormed to the temple where Bankei lectured.

Upon reaching the temple, the priest called out to Bankei.

“Hey Zen Master!” the priest shouted. “You think you have a hold on these people because they come listen to you. They obey you because they respect you,” he claimed. “But me, I don’t respect you!” the priest declared. “Can you make me obey you?” he demanded of Bankei.

Bankei was amused by the priest’s anger. He retorted, “In order to have this discussion, you must come up here beside me.”

The proud priest made his way through the crowd to Bankei’s seat.

“Come to my left so I can see you better,” Bankei told the priest.

The priest walked over to Bankei’s left side.

“No, that’s no good,” stated Bankei. “It would be better for you to be on my right.”

The priest once again made his way to the Zen Master’s right side.

Bankei smiled and said, “You see, you are doing as I say now, which makes me believe that you are a good-natured and benevolent person.”

The priest was ashamed of his outrageous behavior and sat down to listen to Bankei talk.

Interpretation

Most of the time, it is our ego that stops us from learning. If we overcome this, we shall urely be on the path to growth and a holistic life.

Positive News : Edition XLVIII

 Group – Mission Feed Hungry – Mira Bhayandar 

 

Corona Warriors HELP for Poor and Daily wage earner

15may2020_coronawarrier

The Corona virus pandemic does not differentiate according to skin colour, religion or gender. Corona affects us all.

Click here to read more…

Five Best Stories Of The Day Amid The Coronavirus Crisis

15may20205storiesWith surging coronavirus cases worldwide and stay-at-home orders in place to stem the novel coronavirus, some positive news can have an encouraging effect.

Click here to read more…

Good news: Global Medical Relief Fund to host Pop-Up Food Pantry in which anyone can partake

14may2020foodpantryA Pop-Up Food Pantry will be hosted by the Global Medical Relief Fund on Wednesday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Click here to read more …

Patient, amusing, inspirational… teachers are aceing lockdown

14may2020teachersThe Upside weekly newsletter celebrates the teachers who have made a difference to our lives in lockdown

Teachers have shifted to remote teaching during the coronavirus lockdown with admirable self-assurance.

Click here to read more …

Inspirational story of blind Pakistani girl who’s stormed to Britain’s Got Talent

14may2020blindpakgirlLONDON: A 14-year-old British Pakistani girl who lost sight at the age of 10 has become a huge sensation in ITV’s famous hit show – Britain’s Got Talent – hoping to make it to the final of the popular show.

Click here to read more …

12 inspirational quotes from literature that capture a mother’s love

This Mother’s Day, we take a look at literary quotes that reaffirms a mother’s love for her child.

14may2020mothersquotes

 

Click here to read more …

World Athletics Day: Awe-inspiring stories of para athletes

14may2020para_athletes

This World Athletics Day, we bring you stories of five para athletes who used their grit and determination to be an inspiration to others around them

Click here to read more…

Fable.. All Questions Answered…..

buddhaimage

A man approached the Buddha and asked, “Venerable Sir, how come my mind constantly wanders and yours does not? How come I indulge in gossip and back-biting and you don’t? How come I don’t have patience or compassion for others, while you have? I am filled with such questions. Please guide me.”

The Buddha replied, “Your questions are good, however it appears to me that in twenty four hours you will die.”

The man was shocked to hear this. He immediately got up, ready to leave.

The Buddha asked, “What happened? You came with such enthusiasm and now you seemly utterly dismayed.”

The man said, “Sir, my mother told me that your words are true and are to be held in high regard. Please let me go so that I may meet my family members, friends and others for the last time before I die.”

The Buddha said, “But there are still twenty four hours. Sit, we will talk more.”

The man said, “Sir, please excuse me. I must meet my loved ones before I die.”

So he left and went home. He met his mother and started crying. The word spread. His friends came; other relatives came; neighbors came. Everyone was crying with him. Time flew.

He was busy either crying or counting the hours. When only three hours were left, he got into bed and lay down. Although death had not yet arrived, he was already kind of dead.

When only an hour was left, the Buddha walked in and said to him, “Why are you lying down with closed eyes? Death is still an hour away. That’s a lot of time. Get up, let us talk.”

He replied, “Sir, what is there now to talk about? Please let me die peacefully.”

The Buddha said, “There is still time. Our talk will get over before then.”

“Okay, Sir. Say what you have to say.”

The Buddha asked, “In the past twenty four hours, did your mind wander and think about inconsequential things?”

“How could I think of meaningless things? I was constantly focused on death.”

“In the past twenty four hours, did you think or speak ill of anyone?”

“How could I do that? I was all the time preoccupied with death.”

“In the past twenty four hours, were you mean or hurtful towards anyone?”

“Sir, how can you even ask that? I was only thinking of death, nothing else mattered.”

Finally the Buddha said, “Do not worry. This was a way of teaching you. The truth is we are dying each moment, not just in twenty four hours. No one knows when their time will be up, yet we are inevitably racing towards death. Understanding this truth can be very liberating. All the questions you asked me have been spontaneously answered because of the heightened awareness of death you experienced in these twenty four hours. The difference between you and me is that you were aware of death for a few hours, I am aware of it as a living reality each moment.

Interpretation : As it said in the tale itself, it is only when we realise death that come to us anytime that we begin to lead a complete life.

Positive News :: XLII

The world after COVID: the good news

7may2020_worldaftercoronaWhat happened to balanced budgets, austerity, tight money, cut-backs in public spending, restructuring, streamlining, debt? – the entire architecture of fiscal and financial orthodoxy?

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Looking for an inspirational story? 10 feel-good books to read right now

7may2020booksHave nothing to do? Read these inspirational books to pass the time and boost your mood.

https://www.today.com/shop/10-best-inspirational-books-2020-t180362

 

Readers Have Reported So Many Good Deeds, We Can Barely Keep Up; Here’s 10 to Get You Through the Day

7may2020goodnews

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Good News Sunday: Nothing like the Batmobile to turn heads

The Batmobile and several other cars wind through the Remington Pointe neighborhood in Volo Friday. The short parade of show cars drove through several neighborhoods.

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Smiley Relaunches Good News Website – Dedicated to Community Heroes 

Chinatown-Market-X-SmileySmiley, the good news brand powering positive propaganda since 1972, through good news stories, championing community heroes & charitable causes has launched its Good News website.

CEO Nicolas Loufrani spoke about this, “We believe that good news today is about those doing good in their local communities. That’s why our editorial focus has been on championing the everyday heroes who work or volunteer for charities and social enterprises. We believe their stories are not only uplifting but will engage more people to do like them.”

Smiley X Chinatown Market continues to set the benchmark for products that are creative and positive. (PRNewsfoto/The Smiley Company)

 

Read more…

Mumbai Start-Up Designs Hands-Free Sanitizing Station; Installs 1050 Across City

7may2020mumbaistartupsanitizer“The idea of normal is set to change now. Even after the lockdown is over, people will be more cautious about their hygiene. These pedal-operated stations will come handy even then.

Read more …

The Empty Boat :: A Zen fable

fableemptyyboat

A monk decides to meditate alone, away from his monastery.

He takes his boat out to the middle of the lake, moors it there, closes his eyes and begins his meditation.

After a few hours of undisturbed silence, he suddenly feels the bump of another boat colliding with his own.

With his eyes still closed, he senses his anger rising, and by the time he opens his eyes, he is ready to scream at the boatman who dared disturb his meditation.

But when he opens his eyes, he sees it’s an empty boat that had probably got untethered and floated to the middle of the lake.

At that moment, the monk achieves self-realization, and understands that the anger is within him; it merely needs the bump of an external object to provoke it out of him.

From then on, whenever he comes across someone who irritates him or provokes him to anger, he reminds himself, *“The other person is merely an empty boat. The anger is within me.”*

Take time for introspection & search for answer:

Interpretation

“Empty boat” is a famous & fabulous metaphor. The value is when when we understand all the anger is within us so we then know we can control it also.

 

 

Positive news XL

Roadside Mechanic rescued 1,180 injured Wild Animals

24april2020_mechanicPeera Ram was born into a family of marginal farmers in a border village of Western Rajasthan, with Gujarat on one side and Pakistan on the other.

During his childhood when he came with his parents to the farm, he saw peacocks, rabbits, deer and other wildlife creatures come to their fields from the dense forest.

He says that he still remembers how the animals would run around the fields, devour the crops and sometimes just rest there.

With a decade of experience Peera Ram saved the lives of rare species like the Chinkara, Blackbuck, Hanuman Langur, Indian Hare, Migratory Demoiselle Crane, Common Crane, Small Indian Civet, Peacock, and Desert Fox among others.

Read more…

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24april2020_cambridgeGestures of goodwill and kindness have been in full supply across the region.

Helping those in need, a show of thanks to key workers and appreciation to those going above and beyond in the community have demonstrated how the current crisis is also bringing society together.

We brought a round-up of donations, fundraising and acts of kindness last week, but want to shine a light on more stories of how people are making an impact across the region.

Read more …

These Inspiring Quotes Can Keep Us Positive During the Pandemic

They have the power to improve our mental well-being.

24april2020inspirationaInspirational phrases can always help to shift our energy and boost our mood. In times of crisis like we’re experiencing now, meaningful and memorable words of wisdom can have even more resonance, giving us a fresh perspective or insight when we are feeling stressed or fearful and need it most. Keep them by your bedside. Tape them to the mirror or desk, write them down, and look at a couple whenever you feel in need of a little mental, emotional, or spiritual inspiration. Here is a collection of positive and powerful quotes that speak to what we’re going through now.

Read more…

Rising Star Ai-Chan Carrier: “Encourage people to follow in your steps and be positive as you.”

24april2020_beingpositiveIf you post positive content and hang out with positive people, it will help other people to be more positive. And it will fight all of the negative in the world. That encourages people to follow in your steps and be positive as you. I had the pleasure to interview Ai-Chan Carrier. Ai-Chan Carrier, best […]

If you post positive content and hang out with positive people, it will help other people to be more positive. And it will fight all of the negative in the world. That encourages people to follow in your steps and be positive as you.

I had the pleasure to interview Ai-Chan Carrier.

Ai-Chan Carrier, best known for her roles on CBS’ “Training Day” and Disney’s “The Lion Guard,”

Read more…

Food, Water & Banks on Doorstep: Nagaland IAS Aces Social Distancing With 5 Steps

From doorstep delivery of fresh vegetables, providing banking services to activating a preventive strategy, here’s how the IAS officer is ensuring as much normalcy as possible amidst a lockdown in this Nagaland district near Indo-Myanmar border.

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Fable :: Yudhishtra and the Yagna

24april2020_yudhistraA Brahmin requested the Pandavas who were in forest on exile to retrieve the “Arani” (Wood to make fire) that had got entangled to the antlers of a deer. Pandavas went after the deer.

During the chase they were tired and thirsty Yudhisthira, the eldest of Pandavas asked his brother Nakula to fetch water from the nearby pond. Nakula left to fetch water. Time passed but Nakula did not return. Yudhisthira asked Sahadeva his other brother to go and enquire; he too did not come back. Then Yudhisthira sent Arjuna and Bhima one after the other and the same thing happened, nobody returned back. Yudhisthira became worried and decided to go and have a look himself. No sooner had he reached the lake inside the forest, he found all his brothers were lying dead.

Yudhisthira who was known for his patience decided to drink some water  before investigating further on his brothers, as he approached the lake, he heard a voice, “Wait Yudhisthira, this lake is mine, I have some questions to ask if you answer them you can drink the water. I am warning you that without answering my questions if you dared to drink, your fate too will be the same as your brothers. I told the same to your brothers but they ignored me and now they are dead.”

 

Yudhisthira immediately could grasp the situation and asked the voice to go ahead with those questions. Probably this was the first quiz on knowledge.

The question and answers were thus:

Q: Who makes the Sun rise? Who travel with him? Who leads him to set? In what is he firmly anchored?

A: It is Brahman, the Absolute Consciousness which makes the Sun rise. Devas’ travel with him. Dharma leads him to set and he is firmly anchored in Truth.

Q: How does one become learned? How does he become great and who helps him? O King! By what means one becomes intelligent?

A: One becomes learned by knowledge of scriptures; one achieves greatness by penance, gets help from his own intelligence and becomes intelligent by serving elders.

Q: When is a man who is alive considered to be dead?

A: When he does not share his wealth with guests, servants, animals and ancestors.

Q: What is faster than wind?

A: Mind.

Q: More numerous than grass?

A: Thoughts.

Q: What is more valuable than gold?

A: Knowledge.

Q: More desirable than wealth?

A: Health.

Q: Most desired form of happiness?

A: Contentment.

Q: What is the greatest deed?

A: Non-violence.

Q: What measures a man?

A: Conduct.

Q: What is forgiveness?

A: Tolerating the worst of enemies.

Q: What is mercy?

A: Wishing happiness to all.

Q: What is simplicity?

A: Equanimity (The quality of being composed and steady, especially under stress or pressure).

Q: What is the only thing man can conquer?

A: His own mind.

Q: What when renounced makes one agreeable?

A: Pride.

Q: What when renounced makes one wealthy?

A: Desire.

Q: Who is man’s most dreaded enemy?

A: Anger.

Q: What is the worst disease?

A: Greed.

Q: What is charity?

A: Helping the helpless.

Q: What is the most amazing thing about the world?

A: Everyday creatures die, yet the rest live as if immortal.

Q: How does one know the true path?

A: Not through arguments-they never reach conclusions, not from teachers,-they only give opinions, to know the true path, one must, in silence and solitude, reflect on one’s own life.

The Yama, the owner of the voice was impressed and asked Yudhisthira, “I shall let one of your brothers alive, and who shall it be?”

Without hesitation Yudhisthira answered, “Nakula.”

“Why him? He is your step brother?” said the voice.

Yudhisthira calmly replied, “My father had two wives, me the son of Kunti, still alive, surely a son of Madri, should be alive.”

Yama was happy with his son Yudhisthira; he restored all the four Pandavas to life.

This episode is found in the Aranya Parva of the epic, the Mahabharata.

Interpretation :

Many of the questions that we often struggle with are answered in this fable. We could definitely learn our lessons through these.

Positive News : Edition XXXIX

Moved by Video, Kerala Man Rescues 14 Indian Students Stuck in Rome Without Food

17aprilkeraladogooder

“We had no place to go to because of the lockdown situation. I don’t know who told the EUnnathi group about us but they are like angels to us. I owe so much to Shyam.”

Read more…

Anand Mahindra Gives Enterprising Haryana Cobbler a Brand New ‘Hospital’!

17april2020_cobbler“This man should be teaching at the Indian Institute of Management” is what one of India’s most high profile industrialists tweeted about Narsi Ram!

Read more …

This cop travelled 420 km on his bike to deliver medicines to a cancer patient amid coronavirus lockdown

17april2020_copcancerKumaraswamy, a head constable in Bengaluru, travelled to Dharwad despite the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, to help a cancer patient.

Read more …

Coronavirus: How Islampur, a small Maharashtra town, fought against Covid-19

17april2020maharastravillagecovidfreeThe town once had over two dozen novel coronavirus cases but is now on the verge of becoming Covid-19 free.

Read more …

Coronavirus positive: good news round-up – a glimpse of normality returning

17apr2020coronagoodnewsA daily compendium of positive coronavirus news stories from around the world, published every weekday at 12.30

Read more …

Inspiring Stories From Seattle’s Restaurants

17april2020_seattleCheck out these heartwarming tales of some hard-working culinary crews doing what they do best: Feeding people, of course, but these folks are going way beyond what’s expected with a generous helping of compassion for those who are struggling during the COVID-19 crisis.

Read more …

Fable : JRD Tata and the lesson that changed a man’s life

jrdtata

JRD Tata had a friend who used to say that he misplaces and loses his pen very often. He will use only very cheap pens so that he need not worry about losing them.

But he was worried about his carelessness habit.

JRD suggested to him to buy the costliest pen he could afford and see what happens.

He did that and bought a 22 carat gold Cross pen.

After nearly six months JRD met him and asked him if he continues to misplace his pen.

His friend said that he is very careful about his costly pen and he is surprised how he has changed!

JRD explained to him that the value of the pen made the difference and there was nothing wrong with him as a person!

Interpretation

This is what happens in our life. We are careful with things we value the most in our life.

– If we value our health, we will be careful of what and how we eat;

– If we value our friends, we will treat them with respect;

– If we value money, we will be careful while spending;

– If we value time, we will not waste it;

– If we value relationship, we will not break it.

Carelessness is a trait in all of us. But we know when to be careful!

Carelessness only shows what we don’t value.

*Learn the power of value. It will change the way you look at things in life*.

Positive News : Edition XXXV

Pune Trio’s Rs 5 Spit Pouch Could Curb TB, Swine Flu & Save Railways Rs 100 Crore!

This pouch turns your spit into a semi-solid biodegradable waste within ten seconds, to avoid your germs from spreading, while converting your spit into a fertiliser that can enhance plant growth.

Read more…

 

Exclusive: Despite Mom’s Appeal, Indian Doctor Stays Back to Save Lives in China

“He not only saved lives through treatment in quarantine camps, but he also offered up his own stored food to people in urgent need.” #CoronavirusPandemic

Read more …

Kerala man offers to convert his house into isolation ward for coronavirus suspects

KOTTAYAM: At a time when people are apprehensive about getting infected with Covid-19, an individual has come forward to offer his house to be converted into an isolation ward for Covid-19 suspects.

Read more ,,,

 

 

 

Celebrities flock to Instagram Live to entertain fans during coronavirus social distancing

While some famous faces have used the platform to read books or play music for fans, some have caused controversy while on Instagram Live.

Read more ..

10 ways to help others during the coronavirus outbreak

Stories of people emptying supermarket shelves and duelling over loo roll paint a bleak image of humanity during the Covid-19 outbreak. But beyond the sensational stories, most people want to pull together and help. As social distancing becomes the norm, here are 10 tips to boost solidarity

Read more …

 

Zen Fable : Life is always uncertain

There once lived a samurai who was plagued by a large and clever rat who had the run of the house. This annoyed the samurai to no end so he went to the village to buy a cat. A street vender sold him a cat that he said would catch the rat, and indeed the cat looked trim and fit. But the rat was even quicker than the cat and after a week with no success the samurai returned the cat. This time the vender pulled out a large and grizzled cat and guaranteed that no rat could escape this master mouser. The rat knew enough to stay clear of this tough alley cat, but when the cat slept, the rat ran about. Half the day the rat would hide, but the other half he again had run of the place. The samurai brought the cat back to the vender who shook his head in despair saying he had given the samurai his best cat and there was nothing more he could do. Returning home with his money, the samurai happened upon a monk and sought his advise. After hearing the samurai’s story the monk offered him the services of the cat that lived in the temple. The cat was old and fat and he scarcely seemed to notice when he was carried away by the doubtful samurai. For two weeks the cat did little more than sleep all day and night. The samurai wanted to give the cat back to the temple but the monk insisted he keep him a while longer assuring him the rat’s days were close to an end. The rat became accustomed to the presence of the lazy old cat and was soon up to his old tricks even, on occasion, brazenly dancing around the old cat as he slept. Then one day, as the rat went about his business without any concern, he passed close by the cat who swiftly struck out his paw and pinned the rat to the floor. The rat died instantly.

Source: The Thirty-Six Strategies of Ancient China

Interpretation: Everything is uncertain in life. We need to accept this and move on in the journey of our lives.

Positive News : Edition XXXIV

Updated every minute, 17-year-old whiz kid’s coronavirus site used by millions

13march2020_whizkid

A self-taught computer maven from Seattle, Avi Schiffmann uses web scraping technology to accurately report on developing pandemic, while fighting misinformation and panic

Read more …

One Meeting Inspired Duo To Create Amazing Organic Products From Over 8000 Farmers

12march2020_organic“Our vision is to make good food and a holistic lifestyle easy for people. We want to develop and nurture a sense of purpose which is greener and more sustainable,” says Akshay, the co-founder.

Read more. …

The Good News Report: This woman’s heartwarming message for other mums is truly inspiring

12march2020-momDropping every Sunday, The Good News Report brings you nothing but positive news about wonderful people, to uplift and inspire you.

If you were to simply scroll through your news app and take a glance at the front pages of the country’s newspapers, you wouldn’t be blamed for wanting to avoid the real world for the rest of the month: everything seems pretty bleak, to say the least.

Read more. …

Daughter of Indore sewage worker stuns everyone, she earns ₹1 crore scholarship for her PhD

12march2020_sewageworkerIn a competitive world, every aspiring mind has a different story to tell and behind every aspirant’s success, there is an interesting backstory which we are unheard of and Rohini Ghavri’s story is well and truly inspiring.

Read more …

Breaking Barriers: Shafali Verma’s success is an inspiration for all young girls

Shafali Verma of India plays a shot during the ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup match between India and Sri LankaIndia’s 16-year-old woman cricketer Shafali Verma has shot to the top of ICC’s T20 batting rankings after a series of match winning performances at the ongoing T20 World Cup in Australia. In fact, she is now only the second Indian after Mithali Raj to top the women’s T20 batting rankings. Verma is the third highest scorer at the World Cup and has hit more sixes than anyone in the tournament so far.

Read more …

Fearing death : Fable

13march2020_death

One day a young man asked his Master, “I fear death. How can I get rid of this fear?”

“Tell me,” the old man answered, “When you borrow a few coins, are you afraid to give them later back?”

“Of course not,” the student answered with surprise, “but what does this have to do with my fear?”

The teacher picked up a small piece of soil from the ground and continued, “You have received your body in debt with required return. And every bite of bread eaten by you, every sip of water drank by you increases that debt. You are made from dust on which you walk and the ground is your main creditor, constantly reminding you of this debt. It is pulling you down towards it. In the end, the ground will swallow you whole, without any remains.”

The old man threw the soil into the air, after attaining its fall, he finished, “No matter how high you rise, how long you are in the flight, you will still need to fall down. That is given. And to cope with the fear of this fall is very easy – stop thinking about yourself as the master of your body. Face the thought that you are just a tenant. And because you don’t know the length of your rent, remember that it can end at any second. We are all debtors, and our debts will certainly be recovered, no matter if we are afraid of it or not. So is there a point of being afraid?”

Interpretation :: We all will indeed die someday. This is a truth we must accept. The moment we understand and accept it, we could lead a complete and holistic life.

 

 

 

 

Positive News : Edition XXXIII

Women’s day special: This mother of two is the only police officer in Telangana to be part of UN mission

Padma, 37, is now also a part of the present batch of officers who are in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Republic of South Sudan.

Padma is the only police officer from Telangana this year to partake in a UN mission (Image sourced from Padma Palle)

Read more..

At 10 years old, boy who spent two years growing his hair, donates it to make wigs for kids with cancer

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” – Barbara De Angelis

 

Read more,,,

In 22 Years, Prema Has Helped Over 5 Lakh Women Become Organic Farmers, Mentors

As a mother of two, 24-year-old Rajshree from Andur village in Osmanabad, Maharashtra, was at her wit’s end. Her children, aged 3 and 5, were falling sick almost routinely every two or three weeks. The nature of the ailments was common, and the parents were incurring heavy medical expenditure.

Read more …

 

Chennai Couple Develop New Tech, Turn 150 Tons of Plastic Waste Into Low-Cost Fuel

The eco-friendly fuel alternative made from plastic can be used can be used to fuel generators, industrial boilers, and furnaces, among others.

https://www.thebetterindia.com/200794/chennai-innovation-technology-plastic-to-fuel-alternative-low-cost-green/?fbclid=IwAR3W5a8RnBngT_ST93SQuwKmahqu6RKkODDQ6EMkRhtLr_b89tMV2DqB7mQ

The dwarf of anger

There is a story in the Mahabharata. Once Sri Krishna and the five Pandava brothers went hunting in the forest. By the time they had finished the hunt, the sun had gone down and night was about to fall. They realized that they couldn’t return to the kingdom that day and decided to spend the night in the forest. A cave was found and it was agreed that each person would stand guard for two hours while the others slept.

The youngest brother, Sahadeva, was given the first watch. He sat down at the entrance of the cave, holding all his weapons aloft and the others went to sleep inside. After an hour and half, Sahadeva suddenly noticed a dwarf coming towards him from the forest. “Stop!” said Sahadeva.

“Who are you? Where are you going?” The dwarf said, ” You can see that I am a tiny dwarf. I want to fight you. “Sahadeva thought, ” Here is a foot-and-a-half tall dwarf and here I am, a six-footer. I will win with no difficulty at all. “Therefore, for the sake of entertainment, he agreed to fight the dwarf. However, this was no ordinary dwarf. He defeated Sahadeva, tied him up with a rope, left him on the ground and went away.

A little later, Nakula woke up. He went out and found Sahadeva missing. He called out to him and a faint voice replied, “I am here.” Nakula found him in the state in which the dwarf had left him. ” Who did this to you?” he asked. Sahadeva could not bring himself to say that he had lost to a small dwarf, so he replied, “I just felt like tying myself up and resting on the ground.” Nakula said, “Okay, go and sleep inside now, I will keep watch. “Towards the end of Nakula’s two hours, again the dwarf appeared and the same sequence was repeated. Next was Arjuna’s turn. He also found Nakula lying on the ground tied up with a rope. All the brothers faced the same situation, including Bhima and Yudhishthira.

Finally, Krishna came out and found Yudhishthira on the ground. Now, Yudhishthira was one who always spoke the truth. He told Krishna the whole story.

“I don’t understand what happened,” he said. “When my watch was just about to finish, this tiny dwarf appeared from nowhere and said ‘I want to wrestle you. ‘ When we started wrestling, something strange happened. The more I fought, the bigger the dwarf became until he was a huge giant and I was like a child before him. He easily caught hold of me, threw me on the ground and tied me up. I am unable to understand what kind of a dwarf he was. “Krishna smiled and said, ” Never mind. Go and rest. Now that I am awake, I will see to him.

Just as dawn was about to break, Krishna saw the dwarf walking towards him. When the fellow was right before him, Krishna asked, “What brings you here?” The dwarf replied, “The same desire with which I came to your five friends and defeated them. I want to wrestle and fight you. ”

Krishna prepared himself and the two started wrestling. Soon, the dwarf began to increase in size. Krishna understood the matter. He threw down his weapons, sat down quietly on the ground and said to the dwarf, “You can hit me.” At this, the dwarf began to reduce in size. Krishna simply watched him. Finally, when he became tiny, Krishna tied him up in his peetambari (Krishna’s customary yellow wrap), and sat down.

Soon after, all the brothers woke up and came out of the cave. Seeing Krishna, they asked him, “Did someone come to see you while you stood guard?” Krishna replied, ” Ah yes, a tiny dwarf came. “The brothers asked, ” So what did you do with him? “Krishna replied, ” I did nothing. Here he is, tied up in my peetambari. “In surprise, the Pandavas asked, ” What is the meaning of this? When we fought him, he continued to become bigger and you have him tied up in your wrap! “Krishna now told them who the dwarf was. It was anger. He said, ” Anger assumed the form of a dwarf and fought you. The more you fought the anger before you, the anger within you also rose. This made the anger confronting you bigger and bigger until it became so huge that it completely overpowered you and tied you to the ground.” Yudhishthira said, ” The matter has become clear now. You were the only one who recognized him. When you did not express anger in turn, he became so small that he was insignificant. ”

This story signifies that negative qualities will always exist. If you try to remove them from your life, you will end up in a fight which you are bound to lose, as the more you struggle with negativities the stronger they become. Therefore, simply ignore them and focus on adopting positive qualities, tendencies, actions and behaviours in your life. The negativities will then go away on their own; they will become mute.

Interpretation:

We can only work on ourselves. The more we do this, the more wonderful ‘our’ world and ‘the’ world will be.

 

 

Positive News – Edition XXXI

Mohammed Ali Shihab IAS: An Inspiring Journey from Orphanage to UPSC

Mohammed Ali Shihab has emerged successful in the Civil Services Examination and has secured All India Rank 226th in 2011, going to a reputed campus still remains an unfulfilled experience. The 31-year-old from a remote village in Kerala’s Malappuram district, who grew up in an orphanage, has a story of grit and perseverance to tell.

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India’s cleanest city Indore aims to be most ”silent” as well

To curb this, discussions are being held with different communities so that these equipments are played within the approved sound and time limits,” he added.

Read more ..

Kerala Muslim Couple Conducts Adopted Daughter’s Wedding According To Hindu Rituals

The Muslim couple had adopted Rajeshwari after her father who worked at Abdulla’s farm passed away. As her mother also died when Rajeshwari was a child, she grew up with the couple’s three sons.

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IAS Officer Turns Crumbling Hospital Into Affordable & Green Health Centre!

Once plagued by bad service, the centre now provides the best healthcare in Mhow and sources 40% of its power from sun, saving thousands of rupees!

Read more…

Lingayat Mutt in Gadag appoints Muslim man as its head priest 

Rahimsab Mulla, who strongly believed in social justice and communal harmony, will be incepted as the new head of Murugharajendra Mutt of Asuti in Ron taluk on February 26.

Read more …

Fable *One Life, Many Masters*

One of the great Sufi Masters, Junnaid, was dying. His chief disciple came close to him and asked softly, ″Master, you are leaving us. One question has always been in our minds.  Who was your Master? This has been a great curiosity among all your disciples because we have never heard you talk about your Master. But we could never gather the courage to ask you.”

Junnaid opened his eyes and said, ″It will be very difficult for me to answer because I have learned from almost everybody. The whole existence has been my Master. I have learned from every event that has happened in my life. And I am grateful to all that has happened, because out of all that learning I have arrived.″

Junnaid said, ″Just to satisfy your curiosity I will give you three instances…

One:

I was very thirsty and I was going towards the river carrying my begging bowl, the only possession I had. When I reached the river a dog rushed, jumped into the river, started drinking.

I watched the dog for a moment and threw away my begging bowl. Because I saw it is useless. A dog could do without it. I also jumped into the river, drank as much water as I wanted. My whole body was cool because I had jumped into the river. I sat in the river for a few moments, thanked the dog, touched his feet with deep reverence because he had taught me a lesson.

I had dropped everything, all possessions, but there was a certain clinging to my begging bowl. It was a beautiful bowl, very beautifully carved, and I was always aware that somebody might steal it. Even in the night I used to put it under my head as a pillow so nobody could snatch it away. That was my last clinging. The dog helped. It was so clear: if a dog can manage without a begging bowl… I am a man, why can′t I manage? That dog was one of my Masters.

Two:

I lost my way in a forest and by the time I reached the nearest village that I could find, it was midnight. Everybody was fast asleep. I wandered all over the town to see if I could find somebody awake to give me shelter for the night, until finally I found one man. I asked him, ′It seems only two persons are awake in the town, you and I. Can you give me shelter for the night?′

The man said, ′I can see from your gown that you are a Sufi monk….′″

The word Sufi comes from suf; suf means wool, a woolen garment. The Sufis have used the woolen garment for centuries; hence they are called Sufis because of their garment.

The man said, ″I can see you are a Sufi and I feel a little embarrassed to take you to my home. I am perfectly willing, but I must tell you who I am. I am a thief. Would you like to be a guest of a thief?″

For a moment Junnaid hesitated. The thief said, ″Look, it is better I told you. You seem hesitant. The thief is willing but the mystic seems to be hesitant to enter into the house of a thief, as if the mystic is weaker than the thief. In fact, I should be afraid of you–you may change me, you may transform my whole life! Inviting you means danger, but I am not afraid. You are welcome. Come to my home. Eat, drink, go to sleep, and stay as long as you want, because I live alone and my earning is enough. I can manage for two persons. And it will be really beautiful to chit-chat with you of great things. But you seem to be hesitant.″

Junnaid became aware that it was true. He asked to be forgiven. He touched the feet of the thief and he said, ″Yes, my rootedness in my own being is yet very weak. You are really a strong man and I would like to come to your home. And I would like to stay a little longer, not only for this night. I want to be stronger myself!″

The thief said, ″Come on!″ He fed the Sufi, gave him something to drink, helped him to prepare for sleep and he said, ″Now I will go. I have to do my own thing. I will come back early in the morning.″ Early in the morning the thief came back. Junnaid asked, ″Have you been successful?″

The thief said, ″No, not today, but I will see tomorrow.″

And this happened continuously, for thirty days: every night the thief went out, and every morning he came back empty-handed. But he was never sad, never frustrated–no sign of failure on his face, always happy –and he would say, ″It doesn′t matter. I tried my best. I could not find anything today again, but tomorrow I will try. And, God willing, it can happen tomorrow if it has not happened today.″

After one month Junnaid left, and for years he tried to realize the ultimate, and it was always a failure. But each time he decided to drop the whole project he remembered the thief, his smiling face and his saying ″God willing, what has not happened today may happen tomorrow.″

Junnaid said, ″I remembered the thief as one of my greatest Masters. Without him I would not be what I am.

Three:

I entered a small village. A little boy was carrying a lit candle, obviously going to the small temple of the town to put the candle there for the night.″

And Junnaid asked, ″Can you tell me from where the light comes? You have lighted the candle yourself so you must have seen. What is the source of light?″

The boy laughed and he said, ″Wait!″ And he blew out the candle in front of Junnaid. And he said, ″You have seen the light go. Can you tell me where it has gone? If you can tell me where it has gone I will tell you from where it has come, because it has gone to the same place. It has returned to the source.″

Junnaid said, ″I had met great philosophers but nobody had made such a beautiful statement: ′It has gone to its very source.′ Everything returns to its source finally. Moreover, the child made me aware of my own ignorance. I was trying to joke with the child, but the joke was on me. He showed me that asking foolish questions–′From where has the light come?′–is not intelligent. It comes from nowhere, from nothingness–and it goes back to nowhere, to nothingness.″

Junnaid said, ″I touched the feet of the child. The child was puzzled. He said, ′Why you are touching my feet?′ And I told him, ′You are my Master–you have shown me something. You have given me a great lesson, a great insight.′

″Since that time,″ Junnaid said, ″I have been meditating on nothingness and slowly, slowly I have entered into nothingness. And now the final moment has come when the candle will go out, the light will go out. And I know where I am going–to the same source.

I remember that child with gratefulness. I can still see him standing before me now, blowing out the candle.

No situation is without a lesson, no situation at all. All situations are with a meaning and intelligence. But we have to discover them. They may not always be on the surface.

*When we see life itself as our master, these lessons become more accessible*

Interpretation : We have teachers all around us. We only need to take the right lessons after observing them.

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Positive News : Edition XXX

14feb2020_brainsoilantidepressant-1140x560Antidepressant Microbes In Soil: How Soil Makes Your Brain Happy

Soil microbes have been found to have similar effects on the brain as prozac, without the negative side effects and potential for chemical dependency and withdrawal.

Read more by clicking here

India’s Niket Dalal becomes first blind athlete to finish Ironman 70.3 Triathlon

14feb2020_blindathlete

A speech therapist by profession, India’s Niket Dalal created history on Friday last week when he finished the Ironman Triathlon , thereby becoming the first

blind athlete to achieve the feat.

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Make humanity great again

14feb2020_marathonEddie Izzard undertakes Europe-wide marathon challenge to promote unity

The comedian’s bid to run 28 marathons in 28 days is in order to ‘make humanity great again’

Comedian Eddie Izzard is running 28 marathons around European capital cities in a month, in a bid to promote unity and shared humanity across the continent.

Read more here

His Wife Lost Her Memories to Alzheimer’s But He Never Stopped Caring

14feb2020_alzheimersIn 1955, Sukla Bhattacharjya waited for her husband Shiv to recover from an illness to marry him despite his insistence that she find other suitors. Four decades later, when she began losing her memory, he took care of her like few ever could. #CoupleGoals

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In A Unique Gesture, Kannada Actor Chetan Gifts Copies Of Constitution To Guests At His Wedding 

14feb2020_kannadaactorchetan
In what can be considered another very unique act, the duo took three vows – a personal vow, a social vow and an environmental vow.

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Fable : The frog who never gave up

14feb2020_fable

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, when two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep it was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. She fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as she could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at her to stop the pain and just die. She began jumping even harder and finally made it out. When she got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?” The frog explained to them that she was deaf – she thought they were encouraging her to jump out of the hole the entire time.

Interpretation : We need to know our body listens to our thoughts so the more positive thoughts we feed ourselves, the better we will be in all areas of life.

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