Sheik Zayed mosque

Last weekend when Ihad a chance to attend the NCCN regional conference and stay at the exclusive Armed forces officers club ,AbuDhabi city ,the first thing I noticed was its proximity to the Grand mosque or Sheik Zayed mosque one of the the worlds largest .

In fact whenever I drove into Abudhabi or returned to AlAin the mosque loomed like a mystical castle attracting me to visit its splendour but I kept putting it off, but this day I was determined to do so and I did ,and it turned out to be one the best experiences in my life .

It was half a kilometre from the club and I decided to walk it ,

none accompanied me as my friends turned me down opting instead for a nap in thier rooms at the end of the day in the conference hall ,

the sun was still up at 4pm and as I crossed the bridge ,flyover and roundabout I was the only person on the road could see the speeding cars below in the road leading away from Abudhabi

the mosque loomed in front becoming bigger and bigger as I approached .

It shimmered in the sun and its golden turrets glowed against the burnished sky ,

reaching its marbled corridors I could forget the warm walk as it was cool and pleasant .

Shiek Zayeds memorial

( where he is buried adjacent to the mosque )

was a hallowed place and one could see through the chinks a mullah deep in prayers ,incense perfuming the atmosphere .

H.H.Shiek Zayed was a charismatic and much liked ruler and is known too all and respected as the father of the Uited Arab Emirates .

I then ventured into the mosque itself entering into the cavernous marbled courtyard the size of a couple of football fields

The corridors had pillars filled with floral motifs ,

One was reminded of the Taj Mahal which should have been in the back of the mind of the designers .

The world largest carpet adorned the floor of the cental hall and huge chandeliers lighted the room as the devout prayed in the altar .

One had total freedom to enter the mosque regardless of religion.

The visit was a spiritual and wholesome experience for me and I walked back with satisfaction that my long due visit was more than what I thought would be .

The picture below shows an Airforce plane in the armed forces officers club and in the background one can see the fading silhoutte of the grand mosque ,

let the forces of violence in us humans be smothered by the all supreme .

some facts on the mosque from weikipedia :

Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the sixth largest mosque in the world.[1][2][3] It is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and the first President of the United Arab Emirates, who is also buried there. The mosque was officially opened in the Islamic month of Ramadan in 2007.
Although it is illegal for non-Muslims to enter mosques in the United Arab Emirates, this mosque will be an exception. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority announced that tours of the mosques will be given to both Muslims and non-Muslims beginning in mid-March 2008 in order to promote cultural and religious understanding.[4]



The design of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque has been inspired by Mughal and Moorish mosque architecture, the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca being direct influences. The dome layout and floorplan of the mosque was inspired by the Badshahi Mosque and the architecture was inspired by both Mughal and Moorish design, particularly the Badshahi Mosque and the Hassan II Mosque. Its archways are quintessentially Moorish and its minarets classically Arab. The design of the mosque can be best described as a fusion of Arab, Mughal and Moorish architecture.


The Mosque is large enough to accommodate 40,000 worshippers. The main prayer hall can accommodate up to 9,000 worshippers. Two rooms next to the main prayer hall, with a 1,500-capacity each, are for the exclusive use of women.
There are four minarets on the four corners of the mosque which rise about 115 m (380 ft) in height. There are 57 domes covering the outside yard and the main building as well. The domes are decorated with white marble and the interior decoration is made of marble. The courtyard is paved with floral marble designs and measures about 17,000 m2 (180,000 sq ft).


The Sheikh Zayed Mosque made some world records:
The carpet laid out on the vast expanse is the “World's Largest Carpet” made by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi.[5] This carpet measures 5,627 m2 (60,570 sq ft), and was made by around 1,200 weavers, 20 technicians, and 30 workers. The weight of this carpet is 47 tons – 35 tons of wool, and 12 tons of cotton. There are 2,268,000 knots within the carpet.
This mosque also holds the largest chandelier. There are seven imported chandeliers from Germany and are copper and gold-plated. The largest chandelier has a 10 m (33 ft) diameter and a 15 m (49 ft) height.[6]
Both of these records were previously held by the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman.

SLIPPER THROWING

It all started with the Iraqi journalist and his missed target.
The great game of throwing shoes at hated targets sprung from this innocuous beginning
Former president Bush smartly ducked from the missile aimed at him and even had the presence of mind to comment on its size and its poor aim,
What happened to the journalist is still a speculation

Strangely this start spurred an exodus of flying darts of footwear on politicians especially in India as elections approached.
The voter found a release by flinging his slippers on the slippery politician
No pun intended

As different sizes flew several duckings happened

The stunned finance minister the sophisticated and suave Chidambaram looked a trifle surprised and shocked at this flying hate.

A teacher here a Sardar journalist there

Suddenly everyone itched to get their fingers on their footwear’s and throwing them with or without precision

Of course one feels sad of missed opportunities when one thinks of dead politicians ,
maybe the fever has caught up in heaven too ,no it would only be hell
( where else can the politician go )

Slipper companies smiled with satisfaction
the ways of destiny
they never expected the politician to rescue them from the throes of recession
were the cause for their comebacks
Slipper sales had to grow you see
One couldn’t get along with the one slipper and had to buy a new pair
And one had more to throw too

So the Batas, Caronas and Paragons had the last laugh

Psychologists termed the itch that comes with throwing slippers as
Acute slippero techo phobia classified under class II of psychiatric illnesses as per WHO classification
This as per definition is a phobia triggered generally by politicians or their like who actively stimulate in people the need for quick gratification of the hate impulse.
The pathophysiological mechanism is by reactivating an immediate neuroreflex phenomenon stimulating the amlogydia of the midbrain which in turn produces a suffusion of GABA release causing a volley of motor impulses that direct the hand to quickly clutch one slipper at a time to aim it and throw it all in a matter of nano seconds,
They also explain the phenomenon of lost aim as partially due to incoherent impulse pathways due to a hyper stimulation of emotional inputs whereby the neurons are overpowered by the excess inputs which produces a crashed circuit breaking phenomenon .
Intense stress releasing practices like yoga and meditation before the act cold give better results says research

But missed aims give politicians the opportunity to smile away their missiles

To rectify this grave demeanor a school has began in Kanpur which has tackled the issue with all seriousness deserved of it,
One undergoes intensive training from accredited Dronacharyas who train their students to throw slippers on target
Practicing is done on effigies and it is learnt that nowadays many excel in the art.
We are producing a generation capable of great slipper throwing

This of course had made the politician go for slipper guards
Similar to bullet proof glass to protect him
So these days he hides behind wired mazes to grin and groan at the public

And gathers more slippers than votes !

This has also made him think of serious recycling as most Indian politicians are ecologically aware and correct,
They have instructed their assistants to collect the slippers thrown at them and pair them according to size color and side and refurbish them and sell them with a new brand name
in this way even if they lose the elections they have an alternate income
This gives an idea of the ingenuity of the Indian politician who can turn any negative into a positive.


Word is around that slipper throwing could be requested for entry into the next Olympics as India has a strong chance of getting that elusive gold medal

To be a professional slipper thrower one needs skill along with hate

Scientists from the molecular physics laborotary in Bangaluru have calculated by using spectro photodynamic studies that the speed of slippers flung is directly proportional to the hate quotient and also the weight of the slipper using the minimal theory formulae .
Einstens E=mc 2 also explains its dynamics .

Aerodynamic designs with inbuilt navigational mechanics have attracted missile scientists to use satellites to direct the slippers to long distance targets, the way things are going intercontinental missiles are even thought about ,defence scientists are seriously thinking of developing state of the art slipper missiles in Sriharikota

The Oscars are planning to get into the field as they feel that this is an art that needs creative insight and an award is in the offing for the best
Rehaman and Rasool pookutty could have compettion now !

Reality shows are planning for millions in prize money and the whole country is agog in throwing slippers
These days one rarely finds slippers to walk around as most of them are only for throwing .
it is a common sight for people to walk into a footwear shop and stand in a long queue to get the right one
the sales people are helpful with their quick demonstrations

There are pricey ones and some branded ones too!

Advertisements and jingles have started appearing
One goes like this


Have fun it is no sin
Throw a shoe at who is who
Fling your slipper
And don’t you trip ..err


Models with gelled hairstyles throwing slippers are commonly seen in many channels
Slipper episode TV serials are a dime a dozen
Sob sequences of missed targets often appear where the whole family weeps on missed aims

Todays throw is often flashed at intervals in news channels
Experts appear to discuss good throws
Replays are repeated of great throws

Even romance has entered the scene as one heard of the best female thrower falling in love with the best male one
One can imagine what they would have done after marriage!

So dear friends bend down and pluck your slipper and throw it to where it belongs

You know where!


if not ,then go to Kanpur and learn

my dear kannan

The Ambassador car sped on its way the hot summer of Chennai beating on its tin roof .
Rajagopal sweated under his safari shirt , he took his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his brow.

A faint smile ironed out the furrows in his cheek ,
he looked at the rear view mirror of the car ,
not bad for someone approaching seventy five ,
he still looked agile and active though the few grey wisps adorning his forehead had lost their battle and given way to its advance into his scalp The thin line of grey over his lip gave him the dignified air ,
Mythili never liked it “ why don’t you shave it off ? It is so anemic it looks like an apology over your mouth, he smiled again
Mythili was always like that her touts were sharp but funny.

Great day to think of her of course
how many years was it since she left him alone in the world with a responsibility as homework?
Precisely thirty, hmmm time has passed indeed
Kannan his Kannan was just nine when it happened just four years after Kannan came home!
And now he was thirty nine
He would have changed of course two years since he last saw him
“Appa Iam coming home .”
he had called suddenly two days back
Rajagopal couldn’t believe his ears

Kannan was a different person after marriage.
Cant blame him people change with responsibilities but Kumudha Kannans wife too had a hand in it .
He had selected her for his Kannan ,going to Dindivanam to see her and fix the marriage, very good family, nice house well educated good looking , ideal for his boy and all had gone well for the first few years .

He had flown to Detroit where Kannan worked twice ,the first time the welcome was overwhelming ,but the second time when he stayed a few days more not wanting to leave his twin grandchildren ,Kumudha turned her colors like a chameleon,
her remarks were like sharp barbs and Kannan was tongue tied
Rajagopal knew when to return and he did that.
After that there was a long silence from Kannan just the occasional phone calls when he would mumble of being eternally busy and enquire on his health and sign off formally .
His lonely nights often went back to Kannan and Kannan.

It was dark that night, pitch dark when Kannan was found by him.
the night God had given him Kannan

The train was once again shunted to a dead end,
Goods train always deserved only so much.

Rajagopal had been a railway guard for years and this was in the sixties when steam engines populated the Indian Railways,
he would spend lonely nights in his last carriage as the train clicked and clacked, there was no electricity in the carriage those days and there was a lamp in it and also the huge guard’s lantern.

Every time he neared a non stopping station he would go out into the balustrade behind and wave his light to the chugging fiery behemoth far ahead as it forged past dark fields ,thick forests and ghat sections ,he would see approaching stations where a signal man would be waiting with a blazing torch of fire and a huge ring outstretched in his hands .the engine driver would throw the ring or key he carried onto the platform and when he reached the signal man he would pluck the ring out of him in precision ,
soon he in the last carriage would pass the signal man and wave him the lamp in his hand and then enter the darkness again .

The morning would see him lumber out exhausted to go home to his Mythili but with all this he liked his nights all the more after she left him for then he could think of her, gazing into the starry horizon which lit the dark sky like diamonds,
at times overpowering clouds would gather and the stars and to him his Mythili wouldfade away into the mysterious beyonds .

Hadn’t he brought up his Kannan all through this ?
how many years of his love and labor on his dear boy?

The boy who was his gift from the unforgettable night that day .

It was still dark but midnight had passed and the next day begun an hour before .
The train slowly sidled up the side rails ,
it was a kilometer from Jolarpet junction and he could see the lights ahead ,probably the down 29 ( Cochin express ) was late and that is why his train was sidled .
Goods train had the least priority ,
he was right , he could see the booming sound and see the bright light and the express thundered past him quickly .
It had begun to rain and the trickle slowly increased in intensity ,he heard a whimper under his bench in the cabin .
He was alarmed
Rats ?
He took his flashlight and shone it and he saw two soft wet eyes peering at him .
“ Hey who is that yaaru ? ,”

The little boy started crying , he was just four and a tiny one in a ragged trouser and a torn shirt
pathetic and innocent.
Like a lost kitten !

“Yaarupa inga epiddi ?,Rajagopal was softer this time .

Immmmimmmm weeping was his only answer
Pasikuda ? (hungry ? )
Ammam (Yes )
Sherry station varattum (ok let the station come)

Melavanthu paduthukko (come and lie down in the bench)

He gave him the banana he had and the boy relished it ,sniffling in between
“Veedu enga ? .”( where is your house ? )
“Jolarpetta .”
“Appa amma .”(father mother?)
“ Amma illa vera amma adikkum .”(no mother, have one mother who beats)
Rajagopal could guess it , he had a cruel stepmother
He knew later that Kanans mother had starved him for days and his drunken father would beat him black and blue the boy had run in the rain along the railway line in the pitch darkness and ended up in his carriage
Is this what they call destiny ?
It was of course destined that Kannan would become his son

It was also written that his Mythili would leave him shortly after Kannan came.
Myhtili had loved Kannan at first sight .

He had brought the little one home like a new pet he bought from the shop one day .

That night when he reached Jolarpet station ,he had asked Kanaran the malayalee porter what he should do with the boy ,they took him to the canteen and fed him later kanaran made him sleep till morning gave him a bath and gave him a new dress which he brought from his quarters nearby the dress of kanarans son fitted Kannan like a T .

Already he looked like the handsome boy he would become neat and shining and happy.
They asked him tell us son how do we reach your house
“No no I don’t want to go .”the weeping started again finally with the advise of the railway police inspector who took them in his jeep to the local police station they reported about the lost and found boy and went to his house ,
The inspector strictly reprimanded the tart of a woman who was Kannans stepmother when she started cursing the boy a soon as she saw him.
Rajagopal was really upset while the boy clung to his shirt and weeping that he wanted to come with him.
Varadachari the advocate who was his neighbor went with him the next time and they found the mother and father of Kannan at home Varadachar asked them whether they would give Kannan for adoption legally to Rajagopal as they were childless, the drunk immediately started shouting but the wily women saw money behind it and said she could think about it of course everything had a price .




Really does love have a price ?
you foolish woman , Rajagopal had thought then .

Days followed while they haggled over Kannan and dejected Rajagopal would come home tired ,
he would say Mythili it will never happen he will never become ours I know
Believe in God he will come to us you wait and see she would reply for by now she too had started loving the sweet boy,
And what she said came true .

Kannan was their son and he was like a prince in the house the darling of neighbors and the envy of all his friends.
It was a heavenly period for Rajagopal as he came home to see Kannan running to him and hugging him .
He was a bright boy and he stood first in school too .
Rajagopal would flush with pride as Kannans teachers would praise his cleverness.
Five years rolled by and Kannan was in his sixth standard when Mythili left them,
he never knew a fever could kill somebody but it did his Mythili !

And then it was him and his Kannan
Both for each other

A tear trickled down his cheek .

“Enna sir azuvaringa airport vandidichu .”
(what sir crying airport reached)
this from the taxi driver.

He wiped his face and smiled
“ Onnuilla pa santoshathila .’(out of happiness I cried)

Kanna come back my boy …..


Harimohan….

Aniyettan the Artiste

Aniyettan is how I call him though that sounds suspiciously like a malayalam film title !

I do so because he is the younger brother of my brother in law but elder to me by age !!

Having established the credentials let me tell you about Krishnan Unni fondly called as Mashh

( for master ) in and around Adakaputhur near Cherplassery ,palghat district .

Having lived for a long time in Delhi and later Mumbai he has settled down in the green environs and the home of Nallukettus ,Cherplassery district .

As you can obviously see Aniyettan is a painter and these are some of his wonderful creations ,

he had formally studied in Madras school of arts .

His creative pursuits extend to dance ,choreography ,music .temple arts and photography .

He is the local dance mashh briliiantly creating dance ballets and in great demand .

Above all he is a gentle ,cheerful ,handsome artiste with a great sense of humour .

Marketing is obviously not in his bag of talents for he isnt known beyond the niche he lives ,

marketing and talent always deems big sucess ,

of course this keeps escaping Aniyettan though he richly deserves it .

but he hardly misses it .......

The painting in the end is his mother Nessiaramma who is no more .