Toastmasters: Building Bonds Beyond Boundaries

 In the spirit of camaraderie and cultural exchange, last year, I hosted an Iftar gathering at my home, bringing together friends from diverse backgrounds, faiths, and regions. The essence of Toastmasters goes far beyond just honing public speaking skills; it's about fostering connections and building bridges between individuals.

As the aroma of delicious dishes filled the air, laughter and conversation flowed freely among us. Despite our differences in faith and origin, we found common ground in our shared humanity and mutual respect. It was a celebration of unity amidst diversity, where each person felt welcomed and valued.

One of the most beautiful aspects of Toastmasters is its ability to create a sense of belonging and community. Through our shared experiences and shared stories, we discovered the richness of cultural diversity and the strength that comes from embracing it.

From the bustling streets of Andhra Pradesh to the serene corners of diverse faiths, our gathering was a testament to the power of connection and understanding. Toastmasters provided the platform for us to come together, learn from one another, and celebrate our differences.

As we broke our fast together, we also broke down barriers and stereotypes, paving the way for genuine friendships to blossom. Each conversation was an opportunity to learn, grow, and appreciate the beauty of our differences.

In the end, our Iftar gathering was more than just a meal; it was a symbol of unity, compassion, and inclusivity. It exemplified the core values of Toastmasters, reminding us that when we come together with an open heart and an open mind, we can truly inspire each other and create positive change in our communities.

Let us continue to embrace diversity and build bridges of friendship that transcend boundaries. Together, as members of the Toastmasters family, we can make a difference in the world, one connection at a time.

Art of Public Speaking: An Online Resource Guide

Public Speaking: An Online Resource Guide

They people who are consistently able to deliver excellent speeches don’t get that way by accident. It is because they practice often and never stop learning new techniques. Many have had to get past stumbling blocks like a fear of public speaking or a memory problem. These issues are much easier to correct than ever before since there are a lot of places online where you can find valuable tools and information. Use the resources on this page to help you create and deliver amazing speeches confidently.

Apps to Help With Public Speaking

The following applications are all available to download for home computers and mobile devices. All have easy-to-use interfaces and consistent quality as reported by their users. They are favorites among students and professionals alike and can be vital resources in helping to prepare you for a public speaking engagement.

Infonet Presenter — Infonet is an app that you can download from iTunes for about ten dollars and it has quickly become a favorite among iPad and iPhone users. The app helps you to create and display seamless presentations from your iOS device.

mPrompt — mPrompt, available on iTunes, is like having your own customized digital index cards. Essentially acting as a personal teleprompter, this app helps you stay on track while speaking.

QuoteBook — The QuoteBook app contains a database of literally thousands of quotes from hundreds of respected authors, great to pull from as needed for speeches and presentations.

Print & Share for Apple — This simple app can be a lifesaver in a pinch. It allows you to print your files on any printer from your mobile device in an instant in case you forgot your notes and don’t have time to go back for them.

Omni Outliner — The Omni Outliner is an app created for Apple platforms and operating systems. Outliner helps you to store and organize your ideas, facilitating a virtual brainstorming session that you can make sense of.

2Screens Presentation Expert — 2Screens is available for download from iTunes and allows you to view websites with an audience during a presentation. You can open multiple tabs and make notes on-screen.

Public Speaking Websites

There are plenty of sites that come up in an online search for help with public speaking. Unfortunately, many of them are ad-laden fluff that were most certainly not created by industry experts. The links in this section, however, lead only to reputable sites containing valuable information and useful advice gained from solid sources.

The Art of Public Speaking — From textbook publishers McGraw-Hill, this site was created in conjunction with the 8th edition of The Art of Public Speaking. You don’t need to have the book to benefit from the many tools and tips available on the site, but it can be purchased from several sellers on the web.

Public Speaking by Mind Tools — The public speaking page on Mind Tools’ website outlines some of the most valuable information about successful speech writing and delivery, and it’s all free to use.

American Rhetoric — American Rhetoric is an online collection of some of the most important speeches in American history from the Gettysburg address to Randy Pausch’s poignant “Last Lecture.” There are hundreds of resources from which to draw quotes and inspiration for creating your own amazing speeches.

The Allyn & Bacon Public Speaking Website — Textbook publishers Allyn & Bacon host this site comprised of six learning modules aimed at teaching the basic principles of successful speech creation and delivery. The site can be used with or without the related textbooks.

Public Speaking International Blog Public Speaking International’s blog is regularly updated with great information, tips and techniques. You’ll have access to videos, expert advice, and an interactive comments section.

Resources to Help With Fear of Public Speaking

All of the great material in the world won’t help much if you have a fear of public speaking. It can be quite overwhelming to face an audience, but the good news is that you can get over even the most crippling public speaking phobia with a little bit of help. The resources in this section are all very effective tools in helping anyone to become comfortable with speaking for an audience.

Speak Freaks — Speak Freaks is a website dedicated to helping people overcome their fear of public speaking with tips to boost confidence and deliver a solid presentation, and plenty of expert advice.

Mindbites Videos on Public Speaking Mindbites offers this free online video series with tutorials and advice on how to improve your public speaking skills and minimize fear and anxiety.

iTunes U: Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety — This UC Davis course is offered via a series of podcasts through iTunes U. These valuable and insightful lectures are free to download.

Speech You — Speech You is an innovative concept that allows users to upload videos of themselves delivering presentations and receive feedback from peers and experts. This is a great way to practice and lessen anxiety before giving a speech.

Vocaroo — Free to use, Vocaroo is a simple voice recorder for your computer or mobile device. This specialized tool can be quite effective in the fight against public speaking anxiety.

Additional Resources for Public Speakers

The following links will take you to even more valuable resources and tools to bolster your oral communication skills and to increase your confidence and effectiveness as a speaker. Each comes from a respected source and is easy to use. In addition, all are completely free to access.

Free Public Speaking Resources from Toastmasters — Toastmasters International offers several free resources on its site for creating and presenting excellent speeches There are articles, a Q & A section, and even a place where you can search for local meetups.

Six Minutes Public Speaking Site — Six Minutes is a community site inhabited by speakers and educators, complete with articles and tools to help anyone develop their public speaking skills. The overall goal is to help people create the most effective and impactful speeches possible.

101 YouTube Videos to Teach You The Art of Public Speaking –University Reviews Online has put together this collection of links to 101 high quality YouTube videos that will help guide you through the fundamental skills needed to succeed as a speaker.

Speech Topic Help, Advice, and Ideas — Here you’ll find more than 10,000 speech topics to help you get going when you aren’t even sure where to start. In addition, there’s advice from experienced speakers and helpful tips.

Keynote — Apple’s project management program has tools galore to help make your presentation smooth and stunning. With it, you can create professional looking slideshows and easily integrate any kind of media into your presentation.

Source :Wise Old Sayings

Understanding of Heart Attack (ACS & MI)

 Understanding of Heart Attack (ACS & MI) by  7activestudio

Courtesy 7active team

Things you must check before buying property

 

స్థలాలు లేదా ఇల్లు కొని లేదా అమ్మినప్పుడు #Brokers, #Banks నమ్మకంగా మన పక్కనే ఉండే వాళ్ళు చేసే మోసాలు. చాలా మంది తెలియక మోసపోతూ ఉంటారు వారికోసం ఇది. ( కొంత మంది మాత్రమే)

Brokers చేసే మోసాలు

1) #Brokers స్థలం కొనేటప్పుడు తప్పుడు వివరాలు ఇస్తారు. 100% వాళ్ళ మాటలు నమ్మవద్దు. సంపాదించడం చేతకాని వాళ్ళు ఇలాంటి తప్పుడు మాటలు చెప్పి సంపాదిస్తారు. ఎంగిలి మెతుకులు కోసం ఆశ పడే వారు ( కొంత మంది కి మాత్రమే)

2) 2% broker commission తీసుకుంటారు. బేరం మాట్లాడేటప్పుడు ఎక్కువ brokers వస్తారు. మనలని రెచ్చ కొట్టి ఎక్కువ రేట్ కి కొనే విధముగా చేస్తారు.

3)నిజ యజమానిని తీసుకురాకుండా నకిలీ వాళ్ళని తీసుకొచ్చి బేరం చేస్తారు.

4) ఆస్తి ఎవరి పేరు మీద ఉందొ తెలుసుకోవాలి అంటే #registration office లో #EC తెస్తే తెలుస్తుంది. 300 అవుతుంది EC కి.

5) కొనే ముందు original #sale #deed (Original document) లో ఉండే యజమాని photo చూడండి. అన్ని links documents history చూడాలి.

6) ఎట్టి పరిస్థితుల్లో #Sale agreement ( #contract) min 3months ఉండేలా చూడండి. మీ దగ్గర డబ్బు ఉన్న 3Months తక్కువ వెయ్యవద్దు. ఈరోజు ఏమి జరుగుతుందో తెలియదు. Agreement amount 5-10% కన్నా ఎక్కువ ఇవ్వవద్దు. #Agrement cancel చేస్తే తిరిగి ఇవ్వకుండా బాగా తిప్పుకుంటారు.

7) మీ సొంత మనుషులు, మీ స్నేహితులు చెప్పే మాటలు నమ్మవద్దు. వల్లే #commission కోసం కకృతి పడతారు.

8.) A, B brokers ఉన్నారు అనుకుందాం. A broker నీకు తెలుసు, వీడు B broker దగ్గరకి బేరం కోసం తీసుకొని వెళ్తాడు. యజమాని B broker కి agreement వేసాడు అని అబద్ధం చెపుతారు. స్థలం రేట్ 1Lakh అనుకుందాం, స్థలం యజమానికి తో ఈ brokers 1Lakh కన్నా ఎక్కువ వస్తే మేము తీసుకుంటాము అని deal చేసుకుంటారు. అప్పుడు B broker 1,10,000 కి కొనే వారి దగ్గర బేరం కుదుర్చుకుంటాడు.

9) ఎట్టి పరిస్థితుల్లో బేరం మాట్లాడే తప్పుడు నిజమైన యజమానితోనే మాట్లాడండి. ఈ brokers యజమాని busy గా ఉన్నాడు, వేరే దేశాలలో ఉన్నాడు అని అబద్దాలు చెపుతారు. కనీసం video call లో ఇన మాట్లాడండి. యజమాని ఏదయినా ID proof చూపించమనాలి.

10) మీరు కొనే స్థలం , వాటి డాకుమెంట్స్ #address నిజమో కాదో తెలుసుకోండి. ఎక్కడో ఉన్న స్థలం డాకుమెంట్స్ తో మంచి area లో ఉన్న స్థలం చూపించి మోసం చేస్తారు.

మీరు అనుకున్న స్థలం original స్థలాలు వేరుగా ఉంటాయి.

11) original స్థలం size, document స్థలం size లో తేడాలు ఉంటాయి.

#Documents required for Property

1) Main Owner Sale Deed document original, ఒరిజినల్ పేపర్స్ మీద stamp చూడాలి.

2) All Linked Documents

3) అన్ని డాకుమెంట్స్ లో కొనేవారు, అమ్మేవారు ఒక్కరు కాకపోతే అమ్మేవాడి Family tree certificate ( తండ్రి చనిపోతే పిల్లలు స్థలం ఆమ్మితె లేదా వరాసత్వముగా వచ్చే ఆస్తి ఐతే)

4) Documents front page లో ఏదయినా court seal, sign ఉంటే property మీద case ఉన్నది అని అర్థం.

5) EC - Encumbrance certificate (EC)

6) #Mother deed certificate

7) #RTC - Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops (For Agriculture Land)

8.) Survey Sketch

9) #Layout Approval

10) #Katha Certificate

11) #DC #Conversion certificate ( agriculture to Non-Agriculture land conversion)

12) #Property Tax Certificate

13) SC, ST సోదరులకు ప్రభుత్వామ్ ఉచితముగా స్థలాలు ఇచ్చినది. అటువంటి స్థలాలు కొన్న మళ్ళీ వారికే వెళ్తాయి, రిజిస్ట్రేషన్ చెల్లదు.

14) పేద వారికి ప్రభుత్వామ్ ఉచితముగా స్థలాలు ఇచ్చినది, అటువంటి స్థలాలు కొనకూడదు.

14) #apartments ఐతే plan approval, OC, CC ఉండాలి. 3Floors కి plan approval తీసుకొని 4 or 5 floors కడతారు. వాళ్ళు బ్యాంక్ వాడితో link పెట్టుకొని మీ లోన్ easy గా చేపిస్తారు resale అప్పుడు problem అవుతుంది.

15) మనతో మంచిగా నటిస్తూ మనం అనుకునే మాటలని brokers చెప్తూ #commission తీసుకుంటారు. వాళ్ళతో జాగ్రత్త.

16) స్థలం కాగితాల copy's ఎట్టి పరిస్థితులలో ఎవరికి ఇవ్వకండి. ఆ copy #paper ఇతరుల దగ్గర ఉండటం వల్ల మనకి చెడు చేసే అవకాశం ఎక్కువ.

17) ఇల్లు కట్టి ఉంటే #building #Plan #approval ఉండాలి.

18)Agreement రోజు, #Registration ముందు రోజు EC తీయండి. కొంత మంది వేరే వాళ్ళకి అమ్మి మన దగ్గర Agreement వేస్తారు. EC లో స్థల యజమాని ఎవరో , ఎప్పుడు కొన్నారు, ఎవరి దగ్గర కొన్నారు ఉంటాయి.

19) ఆ ల్యాండ్ పైన ఎమైనా విద్యుత్ lines ఉన్నాయా, ల్యాండ్ క్రింద ఎమైనా #underground #drainage ఉన్నదా. #Land govt ప్రజా అవసరాలకు తీసుకుంటున్న కోనకూడదు.

20) ఇప్పుడు Online Registration process ఉన్నది. 15Years back online లేదు ఆ time లో ఒకే property ని ఎక్కువ మంది పేరుతో రిజిస్టర్ చేశారు మోసం చేసి.

21) మీరే నెను కింద ఇచ్చిన గవర్నమెంట్ వెబ్ సైట్ లో స్వయంగా మీరే చూసి తెలుసుకోండి. మీరు కోనాలనుకున్న, లేదా కోనుకున్న స్థలం, ప్లాట్ భూమి ఎదైనా కావచ్చు. దానికి సంబంధిత ఈసి, అది ప్రబుత్వ స్థలమా పోరంబోకు స్థలమా పట్టా ఉన్న స్థలమా అనేవి ఇందులో పోందుపరచిఉంటాయి. మీ ప్లాట్, భూమి కి సంబంధిత రిజిస్ట్రేషన్ వివరాలు తెలుసుకోవచ్చు లింక్ డాక్యుమెంట్స్ తో సహా. మీ ప్లాట్ కోలతలు హద్దులు ఎవరి నుంచి ఎవరికి హక్కుగా సంక్రమించింది తదితర వివరాలు ప్రింటుతో సహా ఉచితంగా తిసుకోవచ్చు. మీరుకోనే భూమి, ప్లాట్ రిజిస్ట్రేషన్ విలువ ఎంత తదితర వివరాలకు సైతం ఈ వెబ్ సైట్ చాలా చాలా ఉపయోగం. మన రెండు తెలుగు రాష్ట్రాలకు సంబంధిత రిజిస్ట్రేషన్ సైట్స్.

http://registration.ap.gov.in/

http://registration.telangana.gov.in/

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**** #Loan తీసుకొనేఅప్పుడు బ్యాంక్ వాళ్ళు చేసే మోసాలు*****

1) ఎట్టి పరిస్థితుల్లోనూ Broker లేదా యజమాని Refer చేసిన బ్యాంక్ లో Loan తీసుకోవద్దు. వాళ్ళు బ్యాంక్ వాడికి కమిషన్ ఇచ్చి వాళ్ళకి అనుకూలంగా మార్చుకునే అవకాశం ఉన్నది. Agreement time period లో మీకు loan sanction కాకుండా చేసి agreement డబ్బులు brokers, bank, owner పంచుకుంటారు.

2) బ్యాంక్ Loan రావాలి అంటే పైన చెప్పిన documents compulsory ఉండాలి. అవి లేకుండా బ్యాంక్ loan ఇవ్వదు.

3) బ్యాంక్ loan 70% నుంచి 80% వరకు ఇస్తారు. అది కూడా మీరు Registration Document లో చూపించిన Property value లో. Property government value 5Lak అనుకోండి. Actual market price 30Lak అనుకోండి. మీకు loan 15Lak కావాలి అనుకోండి. అప్పుడు మీరు registration document లో 20L చూపించి Register చేసుకోవాలి. మీకు 20L లో 75% అంటే 15L బ్యాంక్ లోన్ ఇష్టది.

4) మీరు 20Lks registration document లో చూపిస్తే మీకు registration charges పెరుగుతాయి. స్థల యజమానికి TAX పడుతుంది. INDEX based Tax యజమాని Govt కి కట్టాలి. అందువల్ల యజమాని ఒప్పుకొడు.

5) బ్యాంక్ లోన్ ఇచ్చేటప్పుడు processing fee ఉంటది min 10,000. 1.5% loan amount లో #Insurance తీసుకోవాలి . కొన్ని Banks (#DHFL) 5% కన్నా ఎక్కువ insurance charge చేస్తాయి మనకి తెలియకుండా Enable చేస్తారు. Mortgage(తాకట్టు) registration బదులు 0.3% value లో #Revenue #stamp మీద లోన్ agreement వేస్తే సరిపోతుంది.

6) Registration అప్పుడు #Bank #agent వచ్చి #check యజమానికి ఇచ్చి, అన్ని Original documents తీసుకొనిపోతారు. అందువల్ల వాటి Xerox తీసుకోండి.

7) పైన చెప్పిన process బ్యాంక్ లో చేసేది. అవి అవసరం లేదు మేము Loan ఇప్పిస్తాము , Sale agreement వేసుకొండి అని బ్యాంక్స్ చెపుతాను. 1Week లో Loan process complete అవుతుంది అని చెపుతారు. Agreement వేసుకొని వెళ్లిన తరువాత చుక్కలు చూపిస్తారు.

8) బ్యాంక్ లోన్ process min 20days పడుతుంది. బ్యాంక్ వెదవలు ( కొంత మందికి మాత్రమే) చెప్పే మాటలు నమ్మి sale agreement తక్కువ రోజుల్లో వేసుకోవద్దు. Min 3months agreement వేసుకోవాలి.

9) #personalLoan తీసుకుంటే Processing fee ఉంటది, #Insurance optional. ముందే Insurance వద్దు అని చెప్పాలి.

10) బ్యాంక్ Loan కి రెండు రకాల వడ్డీలు ఉంటాయి #fixed, #variable. #Fixed #interest ఐతే future లో వడ్డీ rates మారవు. Variable interest ఐతే వాళ్ళు ఇష్టం వచ్చినట్టు వడ్డీ rates మారుస్తూ ఉంటారు.

11) pre Closing charges, #pre #Closing ఎన్ని నెలలు తరువాత చెయ్య వచ్చు. #Parshial #closing #charges వంటి వివరాలు తెలుసుకోవాలి.

12) బ్యాంక్ వాళ్లు చెప్పిన ప్రతి మాటని #record చేసుకోండి. వాడు చెప్పిన దానిని #official mail నుంచి మీ mail కి పంపమని చెప్పండి.

13) ఇప్పుడు కొంత మంది #Bank వాళ్లే పెద్ద దొంగలు, వారితో జాగ్రత్త

14) బ్యాంక్ #EMI లో .. వడ్డీ + అసలు . ఉండాలి. కొన్ని దొంగ బ్యాంక్స్ వడ్డీ మాత్రమే తీసుకుంటాయి. #Principle మనం బ్యాంక్ కి వెళ్లి కట్టాలి. దొంగ rules ఇవి.

15) #Land కొంటె #Income #Tax #Exception క్రింద రాదు.

via- Forwarded Message

Which is better for investment, a virtual office space or a shop/office in a mall ? Where do I get better returns?

Do not invest in virtual spaces at all. ..

One of my friend (Manish)  have been looking at noida real estate for 10yrs now first as a house owner (flat) and then recently mostly in commercial. 

"My advice virtual space, lease guarantee is all a joke. I have seen so many reputed builders in noida having there cheque bounced etc etc just don’t trust any builder." -Manish

In virtual space, there is no registry at all. One space i.e actually 100sqft can be sold to 10 different people and you won’t even come to know about it.

Virtual space concept means let’s say there is a total of 10,000/- sqft then any “virtual space” of 100sqft or 50sqft you can buy. And when this entire space of 10,000/—sqft goes on lease you will get the rent portion of the amount of you have bought.

There are like so many problems and fraud which can be done in this.

1. Since no actual space you are buying, just “virtual”. The same 50sqft can be sold to 10 different people. You only have to trust the build the builder that he doesn’t sell it. And you cannot trust a builder at all period.
2. There is no guarantee that space will be leased out. I have seen primary IT parks in Noida not getting lease out and are empty mainly. So how can builder give a guarantee on returns.
3. So many more issues, the entire concept is flawed.

Why this concept works, for builders is because the ticket size is low. Smaller investment of 5lc, 10lc, etc and you know a space in a big IT part. This is the biggest catch and why small investors get stuck into this.

Also this is space where so much black money goes into. Brokers and other people like this a lot, invest money and sell in a small period and get returns. This is not at all for long term, this just short term and get your money out with quick return.

For an average investor a BIG NO NO. Stay away or else 5years you will be facing the same problem which house owner are facing today. NCLT, protests etc etc but no actual return.

As per me, if you have money

10–30lc: just don’t go into commercial. put in mutual fund and get normal 8% be happy! at least your money is safe.

30–50l; you can go for commercial shops. don’t think you will get ground floor at all. But in new under constructions you can get 1st or 2nd or 3rd floor etc. If location is good, you can get at-least rental income in future. Again only if you want to go into commercial. Or else MF is a good option. Peace of mind, you will get some return atleast. Most people underestimate this a lot!

50–1cr: you can get a shop in good location.

When buy commercial shops, make sure of these things

1. if its a market in society
1. then see how much is maintenance first. See if you can manage the costs if property doesn’t go on rent.
2. make sure its not restricted to one society. it should be open market.
3. see what is rent existing people are getting or in nearly place. generally in commercial priority rent is 5% average. So if you are getting rent of 20k per month means 1.2lc per year. So property value should be close to 60l. Make sure your buying property at good value. Don’t buy over-valued i.e buying property for 1cr and getting rent of 30k doesn’t make sense at all! 5% of property value should be annual rent. its a good indicator.
4. there should’t be things like centralized AC etc and there should be good visibility of shop.
2. if it’s in part
1. again, see maintenance costs. property doesn’t go on rent always. people leave. make sure u can manage
2. the builder should have 60% of the IT part on this name. i.e that portion is not sold small investor. big companies don’t deal with small investors only big builder. So if maximum portion is sold to small investors very less changes of big companies coming and success of IT park
3. if your buying in IT part, usually buy only if you have contact to get good brands to open shops. else don’t buy. In IT part small time people don’t open shops.

1cr+: see if you can buy plots (commercial plots) else buy shops only. plots is better but see if you can manage it.

In real estimate commercial is a good investment but there are many things to consider and manage....

-Manish Prakash

Let us Jump !!! while we st!ll have the strength!!!

Human Beings and frogs are the two creatures in nature who have tremendous power to adjust...

Put a frog in a vessel of water and start heating the water...

As the temperature of the water rises, the frog is able to adjust its body temperature accordingly...

The frog keeps on adjusting with increase in temperature...

Just when the water is about to reach boiling point, the frog is not able to adjust anymore...

At that point the frog decides to jump out...

The frog tries to jump but is unable to do so, because it lost all its strength in adjusting with the water temperature...

Very soon the frog dies. What killed the frog?

Many of us would say the boiling water...

But the truth is what killed the frog was its own inability to decide when it had to jump out...

We all need to adjust with people and situations, but we need to be sure when we need to adjust and when we need to confront / face...

There are times when we need to face the situation and take the appropriate action...

If we allow people to exploit us physically, mentally, emotionally or financially, they will continue to do so...

We have to decide when to jump...

Let us jump while we still have the strength 

A Tough Decision

A tough decision:    Work commitment or family responsibilities?

It was a usual Monday morning.The household chores on Sunday made Priya more tired and she closed her eyes for a short nap. There were more than 52 unread e-mails over the weekend which she had to attend in office. The pending files at her office desk were giving her nightmares. Priya would be travelling to New York next week, for the second time in this year to attend a training programme. 

It was then she received a phone call from her father in India. He had called to inform that her mother was unwell and she was hospitalised since last week. Her mother did not want to tell this to her as she knew that her daughter was already preoccupied with family and work responsibilities. But today she wanted to speak to her daughter as she was quite unwell and sad. 

Priya informed her father that she will call them in the evening and that she will be travelling soon for a training programme. Though she wanted to see her mother, Priya could make it possible only after a month. She informed him that she would transfer $5,000 to his account that evening to bear the expenses. Priya advised her father to appoint a full time maid and that she would bear the expenses. She told him to text her or call her in case of any emergencies and that her mobile would be reachable.

Priya returned from New York after a week and she could not attend any calls owing to her tight schedules and travel commitments. As usual, she logged on to her PC and she saw an e-mail from her mother which read as follows:

"Dear Daughter, 
By the time you receive this e-mail I will no longer be in this world as I have informed your father to send this mail after my departure. I know how much you love your mother and I surely understand your commitments. We have always taught you from childhood to be responsible towards your duty and we are happy that you have reached great heights in your career.

I have already deposited a good sum of money in an old age home for your father as he has to spend the rest of his life alone. They have agreed to take good care of him and his health. So please don't worry about him. Convey my special love and regards to my son-in-law and grand children. Also take care of your health. Do eat food on time.

With blessings and love, 
Your loving Mom."

Was Priya at a fault? She could not travel owing to her work commitments and family responsibilities. She could never foresee that such a mishap was lying ahead of her. Either could she postpone her work commitments and travel to India leaving her family and work. While children should be aware of their responsibilities towards their parents, parents should be reasonable in their expectations. It's a tough choice indeed...


source:TIO-Thursday Magazine