Thanksgiving Day at Pacific Grove....CA

We thank others in the list like  Teachers,...our Doctors,parents in law,Son in law,daughter in law, may be brother in law,, sister in law ,the examiners who corrected our Answer Books,the employer who provided you wherewithal to live and many others But it is surprisingly obvious to see the wife does not thank her husband or vice versa.Probably Hindu Marriage Act Provisions  treat the wife and husband as a single entity without requiring individual separation of thought,life and survival and perhaps expression of Thanks between them...

We desire to have a family re union every year....and during Thanksgiving day.

After picnic to Lake Tahoe last week,we stayed  back at Fremont .CA In an emergency sent a message to daughter Chitra at Santa  CA Clara as under.

We go to Pacific grove this evening... return tomorrow....

My tab..Nebilong. .1 remaining..others Glycomet GP2...Amma"s tablet..GPS 850..and clopilet A 75 for both also found short...They are in the black bag at your house  or in plastic boxes above..See how we can get them...May be we may meet tomorrow...

She could not join us..

Pacific Drive is one of the famous scenic drives in the world.We pass through majestic Del Monte Forest and along the dramatic Pacific Coast.

We left by car around 7 PM ..reached by 8 30 ....Self,wife Brindha,son Rajesh ,d in law Shwetha Narayanan,granddaughters Dhwani and Jahnvi...

After checking into cottage Seebreeze no 121, got hot Pitza from Papa Jones from a nearby place...Next morning got up early,prepared  coffee using the machine went to the lounge by 8 am  for having murfin,cake,coffee,banana being complimentary breakfast provided.

It was nice passing through 17 mile Drive seeing various places of interest.

Monterey California journey was through the abodes and colourful gardens of historic nature where one could see and enjoy beauty of land and sea which made  it destination for fishermen scientists,artists and writers.It was an enjoyable journey through one of the most scenic drives in the world..The 17 Mile Drive comprised sight of Del Monte Forest and other dramatic Pacific Coast.

Some of the important places.

Shepherd's Knoll

The inn and links at Spanish Bay

The Restless Sea

China Rock

Bird Rock

Spyglass Hill Golf Course

The ghost tree

Crocker Grove,

Pebble Besch

Monarch Butterfly gardens,

and others..

The tall trees  around   200 years old and many different.Eucalyptus trees were covering the whole Area and colourful beaches. The sand was white ,the tidal waves  raising to over 20ft a common sight. The temperature was around 5 degrees centigrade.It was nice watching groups of butterflies travelling  between flowers causing  pollinaton and helping  vegetatable growth.

We had lunch at Carmel Bakery and sight of various shops...

That was the trip enjoyed..

Photos are uploaded separately..

Friends seen through Medical Insurance list..

Before the BSc results of Bangalore university were published in June1967,I had seen a two line advertisement in Deccan Herald ,a newspaper stating Representatives required for an International Pharmaceutical firm.In response to my application I was called for interview at West End Hotel,Bangalore .

..Mr J.S.Mehta and his newly married wife were impressed with my Hand...... Writing,Expression and Personality and was called for Final Interview at BOMBAY and selected as a Representative.It was nice touring various places in South India,meeting people,Medical Shops,Doctors, and marketing the products uttering white lie now and then.During one of my visits to Bangalore where old and aged parents were living with other siblings,my mother was asking if I could avoid this to traveling job and get a job stationed in Bangalore.So my desire for another job made me approach other employers like Banks,apply for Income Tax Inspectors exam,I AS,etc....It was one of my colleagues who conveyed existence of vacancies in Bank of India BANGALORE where I submitted my application for post of an Assistant.I was called for a
written test .Probably I cleared all problems in Arithmetic and wrote an essay in impeccable language with good  handwriting.I was selected...In the Interview committee consisting the Manager,Nadkarni and the Accountant,G.Thyagarajan I was asked a few questions including my desire in Bank.I answered I desire to retire as General Manager....

Later my colleagues used to say that one of the interviewers had a daughter studying in school for whom he was searching a good match and probably selected me for that post also.Luck didnot favour me in getting Double Designations..

Of course my desires to join Msc Mathematics at BANGALORE or appear for IAS etc did not materialise further.However ,after joining Bank of India,I got calls from Income Tax Dept and SBM for appointment.Having joined Bank and became a friend of many it was decided to continue in Bank,get promoted ,get married and lead a peaceful life. I got promoted to Officer's cadre in 1975 along with G.Narayanan,S.Viswanathan,S.Rajagopal and Jayanth Padukone.Despite possessing qualifications like BSc,LLB,CAIIB and serving 32 years as Officer,I could not reach the top.Of course I served as in charge of Branches for 10 of them and was in Inspection and Audit for a long term.During my appearing for  interviews over ten times till retirement
for Senior Grade ,it was my experience in many of the Interview committees the persons who interviewed were my Juniors or who had worked under me.It was nice none of them favored me and got me undeserving promotion although I had answered all their questions.

Now after retirement it was during last year a Medical Insurance was made applicable to retirees.This year the Insurance Company extended more Domiciliary treatments provided you pay higher premium.Many of the retirees opted for the same as it covers Diabetes Hypertension, Cataract Operations etc.In these days more money is spent by senior citizen in buying medicines or having  diagnostic / Lab tests, Regular checkup than money spent for food or clothing .I too opted for the Insurance...I found a list of persons around 25000 who opted this....of course many of them have other Insurance policies also.

In the list I was happy to see the names of a few of them who have worked with me,who know me and who also avail Medical Insurance like me.Many of them have reached top posts in Bank ..but join me in the Insurance matter.I give below names of a few colleagues,friends,etc.

Seshasayee.Rangarajan.

Sundaresan

N.Narayanan

V Kannan

A.R.Kuppuswamy

K.Mohan

G Narayanan,

T.N.Sarangapani

A.R.Kuppuswamy

R.S Rajaraman,

Ravindran Nair,

Thondikulam Seshadri,

Krishnakumaran Nair,

S Kannappan

K.Sarvothama.

Joseph Raj.

Rukmani.Ramani

and others.

It was a very happy moment for me to see so many of my friends,colleagues,etc in a list showing people who insure and survive..

Wishing happy health to all,lesser hospitalization and full settlement of claims  made  for  absolute need......

Note.....
..
In USA medical costs are very high and unless you have cover for it life is difficult here When we come to USA on visit,we bring medicines as prescribed for 6 months as otherwise we or our children cannot afford the cost here.

Medicines are cheaper in INDIA...

Jack of all trades ...master of none.....

We are   back  Josephites  enjoying lives for decades,

, Assembled in Bengaluru   remembering our happy days,

Beneath the   St Jospephs College our alma      mater ,

Flourishing     as   academic   institution for ever.

Welcome all guests, friends   and classmates,

Amidst   the   thunderous   voice   by clapping hands,

We       Shall   remember our happy days at College,

Respect our teachers who taught us lead golden age.

Small and maiden group at   Bengaluru   the city capital,

Galaxy of    Scientists  , Jurists and legal luminaries and all,

Cement our love and join our   friendship   well,

Planted, grown and produced at   St  Josephs halls.

Happy were the   hours   spent in College rooms,

Labs ,  Library , parades and function days.

Blessed we were in college days and holidays,

Teaching and advising by learned Lecturers.

Happy and contended   were   all at St  Jospephs,

Climbed the ladder of success in all our lives,

Regard and respect the college and teachers,

Remember St Josephs   as stepping stones to our success.

Names of   St Josephs   great men   remind us ,

Elias Dsouza   along the   reverend   father Mathais,

Srinivasan,Bala,Sundaresan and Prof GG of  Maths,

Bala of English  Chetty  of Chenistry  and Rao of Social Sciences..

Blessed we   are and respect our teachers lives,

Taught us learn many a   thing   in life,

Amid   lessons of Geometry,    Calculus , Astronomy and  sciences,

Nuclear   Physics, languages of English, Tamil and Hindi as   needs,..

  These are lines of   your  St Joseph friend,

Who enjoyed the college days   till   the end,

Learned a few things in all trades,

And became a master of    none .

 

Time zone changes....I got my morning coffee an hour late....

During  our recent visit to usa it was made compulsory that I get up by 7 AM daily ,wake up my spouse .She used to brush teeth and get me filter coffee  made within  five minutes.The addiction to coffee is so much that we never drink tea offered anywhere.In India especially in Chennai Sunlight used to be seen early and hence I used to get up by 6 AM ...make coffee and drink.

It was today the 6 th November,when I got up at 7 AM I was told the time clock should be rolled back by one hour on account of Time changes in various Time  zones in USA.Conseqently  time was one hour behind,I had to wait for one more hour to get my Coffee.It doesn't happen in India.It is a time saving measure implemented in USA and some other countries.....

See the notification.....

.

Back 1 hour

Nov 6, 2016 - Daylight Saving Time Ended

When local daylight time was about to reach
Sunday, November 6, 2016, 2:00:00 AM clocks were turned backward 1 hour to 
Sunday, November 6, 2016, 1:00:00 AM local standard time instead

Sunrise and sunset was about 1 hour earlier on Nov 6, 2016 than the day before. There was more light in the morning....

Also called  Fall Back  and  Winter Time...

.“Daylight Savings Time”

“Daylight Savings Time” is very commonly used, especially in Australia, Canada, and the United States. It's likely that the incorrect term “savings” entered is popular vocabulary because it's so often used in everyday contexts, like “savings account""in Banks ...
.

.Generalized Time Zones in United States

Time Zone Abbreviation & Name       
PT        Pacific Time            
MT       Mountain   Time        -
CT        Central Time        
ET        Eastern Time

Although many other countries in the world change their clocks twice a year, there is no daylight saving time (DST) in India. 

Non marriage or non remarriage certificate...???

While in service in my first year after graduation as a Representative in an American Pharmaceutical firm in Bombay and Area of Sales being South India,it was programmed by the employer that I return to Head Quarters after each Tour ...My stay in HQ used to be for a week ....and perhaps the employer had treated me as alive and present on duty throughout unless specifically requested,leave was granted .Consequently my monthly emoluments used to be credited to my Bank Account monthly and other Daily allowances used to be accounted by me from Advance received while leaving on tour.

It was later I joined a Public Sector Bank in Bangalore.In 1968..and worked at various places till superannuation on 30.6.2007.......
till reaching the age of sixty. In all these Branches,it was customary for any employee to sign the Attendance Register after entering the Branch premises.Perhaps this served as a document evidencing physical presence or existence of an employee for enabling the employer to pay his pay periodically.

After retirement it was found necessary to be physically present at the Branch where pension is paid for submitting Life Certificate in November every year.

During my stay in usa during November on previous years,I could talk to the Branch Manager over phone confirming I am alive informing about my arrival at the Branch in India in December...The Manager used to be kind enough to listen to my appeal and wait till December for 
stopping payment of pension.

In alighter vein, during one of my other years when I was present in Madras,the Branch staff requested me to sign a declaration stating I was married and not remarried during the year.Although it was perhaps applicable to family pensioners I had to sign where ever they asked me to sign.In order to confirm my declaration to the Branch,I took my spouse to the Branch next day...gave them an affidavit from her stating she got married to me in 1974.....and that her husband had not remarried any time after marrying her.

=========================================================

I copy a format of Life Certificate for Family Pensioners...

Certified that I have seen the Pensioner Mr./ Mrs. Miss____________________________ Son/ Daughter/Wife/Husband of____ ________________________________________________ holder of P.P.O No.____________________and he/she is alive on this date. Signature of Patwari/DTO/TO/Gazetted off. of HP/Bank Manager Date: (With Seal) RE-MARRIAGE/NON-RE-MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE (Only in case of Family Pensioners) I hereby declare that I have /have not re-married during the last one year. Signature/ Thumb impression of Pensioner 

Certified that I have seen the Pensioner Mr./ Mrs. Miss____________________________ Son/ Daughter/Wife/Husband of____ ________________________________________________ holder of P.P.O No.____________________and he/she is alive on this date

. Signature of Bank Manager Date: (With Seal)

RE-MARRIAGE/NON-RE
-MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE (Only in case of Family Pensioners) I hereby declare that I have /have not re-married during the last one year. Signature/ Thumb impression of Pensioner

+++++++++++++++++++++//////++++++++++++++++//////+++++++++++++

Probably for employees who retired under Bank's VRS scheme,they insist on a non re employment declaration every year which I sign and give them although may not be relevant.

Now many parents who are retired and staying with children abroad say in USA,UK etc it becomes necessary for submission of life certificate in November every year.The employers have given the option to such pensioners staying abroad to submit the life certificate issued by any Indian Public Sector Banks and scan and mail the
same to pension paying Branch followed by hardcopy or original by post.Hope these Public Sector Banks do not levy any charges..even 100$....as it would be wiser to wait and go to pension paying Branch in December or later and get arrears of pension even if stopped for non submission of life certificate within stipulated time.

Just now I observed some Banks are offering digital life Certification provided the Pensioner calls at the Pension Paying Branch along with Aadhar Card and cellphone having service within India.May be I can utilise the said services after returning to INDIA...

May be it would not be surprising with the advancement of science and technology,microchips may get installed in human body transmitting and signaling existence or say an alternative to Life Certificate to the Pension or Annuity paying agencies or employers....

Pensioners please note......Thank you......

Journey from God's own country to Las Vegas ..

I was born  in Trichur, Kerala called God's own country in 1947.

God's own country....what is it ?

According to Hindu mythology, Kerala was created by Lord Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu by throwing his axe across the sea to create new land for his devotees to live peacefully. So, Kerala is God's own creation, hence it is called God's own country

May be it is a country with a large number of temples also...

Born in an orthodox Iyer Brahmin family, I used to be subjected to strict discipline in the matter of God,food,behaviour ,intake of vegetarian food,a teetotaller..etc Also it was not allowed in our house to know anything about playing cards,thinking about Race course or any forms of gambling .It  was after my marriage in 1974 by entry of new member my wife she laughed at us for being ignorant in playing cards.   ignorance is bliss..

           She taught us various terms in playing like trump,queen,king,ace,ass,claver,diamond,etc..about these symbols I had no occasion to know or use before marriage .Probably the Queen ,my spouse brought home all symbols and I possessed my eternal asset value ZERO...With a little knowledge gained playing Rummy,fool,,Trump,etc I became addicted to cheating during games by stealthily seeing others cards ,etc.However during any marriage occasion or others which I attended , my wife's uncles say more than nine and her only athais husband athimber and others who used to join together in playing cards and used to avoid me in their group knowing I was ignorant and had no monetary resources to offer in the gamblings.

Later while staying in Bangalore I have heard the famous Race course was near our school in Seshadripuram,although I never visited it. There used to be fast trains betwen Bangalore and Madras like Brindhavan Express enabling regular racegoers to shuttle between the two race courses The Guindy Race course in Chennai is also near Thiruvanmiyur where we reside after retirement but had no occasion to visit...

It was during our visit to USA this year we got occasion to visit Las Vegas Nevada State...We had accompanied our daughter who had some Medical Conference at Las Vegas and could stay in Venetian Palaazo for 4 days...our son in law took us around Las Vegas and enabled us realise what is heaven .

Our grand daughter Poorvi enjoyed Trick or treat on all days in three evenings collecting Halloween candies from children a custom for children in many countries where they travel in costumes from house to house asking for treats such as candy.She used to bring them in a bag to the suite where we were present and got company from her grandfather to arrange them ,play and spend time.

Main places we visited include Reef aquarium,High Roller,MGM ,,Trump Tower,Ceaser Palace ,Towers,Mirage,Monorail journeys,and others High Roller is 550 ft tall,520 ft diameter giant Ferris Wheel in Las Vegas..It was,a,sight of all bright casinos active throughout which we could pass through wherever we went.Among others treasure of trump also  was one...
Also there were fountains,Euffel Tower,Pyramids and places resembling New York which were attractions..

We could enjoy delicious and sumptuous South Indian and Mexican food at a few places......

After returning to Fremont I had privilege joining my other granddaughters Dhwani and Jahnvi and participating in HALLOWEEN parades at the school...

We came across avenues used by IBM for their events,Insight, Edge etc held in Las,Vegas.

IBM Insight is the conference to attend to gain vision into the newest innovation and industry trends in analytics, cloud, mobile, and the Internet of Things. 

So that is Las Vegas trip an immemorable one........