The Bermuda Triangle

"How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven."  Genesis 28:17 In the Bible, Jacob built an altar in honour of the Almighty and it was called Bethel- a 'house of God'. Bethel Mar Thoma Church, Padi is one such house of God in Chennai in which believers gather, and incense, praise and prayers rise. It is a House of God in which all the members enjoy such a warm fellowship that gives us that Early Church vibes as we read in the Scriptures. It is a House of God that knows how to give and share the love of their Saviour.  The three of us were still in a trance as we landed in Chennai- on 30th April, 2021- particularly me, not willing to accept the way we came all of a sudden to a new place- and especially dejected after getting transferred once again during the pandemic. But I know now that through this transfer, God wanted us to understand His goodness and mercy once again- and be a living witness to how His plans are be...

The Schram Academy has become one with my very breath and being for the past 3 years. Ever since I joined in June 2021, I have been in awe of the school. More than a school, it is a haven to mould and mentor future global citizens with confidence and pride. Every year has been equal to a textbook each for me- about administration, team work, teaching strategies, and what not.  TSA gave me this huge opportunity in the midst of the uncertain times during May 2021- with the pandemic still raging out there. I had sent out emails to around 20 schools in a 10 kilometer radius from our parsonage in the Bethel Mar Thoma Church campus, where we got transferred to that month. One and only one school responded to my application and I attended two interviews online here before getting this job. While joining itself I told very clearly that I would most probably be in Chennai for three years only- now those three years passed by in a jiffy- and it is time for me to leave this school that has be...

I know you are in a better place now I am happy that you won the war of pain and suffering You are finally in safe, strong Hands Safer than any of us could have kept you here.  But I can't help but be selfish a bit And wish that you were with me some time more. That would be unfair to you though As you had to bear decades of endless pain.  You have left your indelible mark  On the lives of many We were blessed to feel that all the more After you left us that day.  But you influenced us, your family, the most And now I feel like a fish out of water, Knowing that something is missing inside Something is pulling at my heart.  I've never seen anyone die before Not other than in movies- And I never thought as I stayed there with you That afternoon it'll happen in front of my eyes.   But you went so peacefully, so gracefully A blessed end to such an eventful life- A life that loved, cared and shared A life that served and enjoyed every moment.  Tears wi...

Mimosa pudica or a Touch me not is a very special interactive plant- an eternal and universal fascination maybe many of us have- to touch it- and make it feel 'ashamed' and hide in itself- and watch it slowly regain its original structure. Even though the name says not to touch it- we always do, right?? Obviously, I'm no Botany expert like my Professor Dad- and cannot speak more about the Mimosa plant. I just want to bring an analogy here- something a Literature teacher can surely do- find comparisons and metaphors even if the author never even thought of it!!  It has been a very alarming trend in the recent times that people scarcely hold on to a job for long. Whether it is in the IT sector, banking or even Teaching- employees find it very difficult to comply to a higher authority- to accept if someone else gets promoted before them-or also find all the lame excuses in the world to avoid more work on their heads. Such people cannot tolerate last dates of submissions, mail...

Music is part and parcel of our Christian life. A church service hardly happens without singing and praising the Lord.  The Church Choir is a replica of the heavenly hosts of angels that sing up there 24x7 glorifying the Almighty. Today, a new Seraphim has joined the team.  Prof. Jacob Kurian- was a constant enough name in my home- as he was my dad's senior colleague in Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla, later Principal and also a family friend. My dad even stayed with his mother decades ago, during his bachelor life and early times in the college. His wife, Leelamma Miss was my Biology Teacher in Mar Thoma Residential School too. So Jacob Kurian Sir was someone we met saw frequently being in the same circle. I have listened to choirs he's conducted over the years also back then- in College, his home parish and the Thiruvalla Male Voices and Choral Society.  I was not that much of a solo singer, but I loved to sing in groups. But it was as a college student that I became more...

    The Church isn’t just a particular building or congregation but the spiritual fellowship of all who belong to Jesus Christ.                                                                   -  Billy Graham   If there was a replica of the Early Christians now in the 21 st century- according to me, that would be the members of the Trinity Mar Thoma Church, Kuriathy. Such is the oneness and the fellowship of this parish. Just one year of witnessing them gave us the opportunity to see into this beautiful House of God. The warmth of the people and their hospitality are so selfless and genuine. Their worship is real and authentic. They love to gather, cook toget...

Everyone talks about the American Dream- so many have it, sleep with it, eat with it and maybe even achieve it. It's a common dream for all people, all over the world, I'd say. For the Americans, as per an  authority in definitions- the Oxford English Dictionary, the American dream is “ the ideal that every citizen of the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative .” Another quote says,  “ The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement."  For all the non-Americans, it is that dream dreamt while wide awake to fly to that fascinating country on the other side of the world and live the 'rags to riches' story. People who are never satisfied, always complaining, unable to make it 'big', irked by the gutters and garbage and politics of his or her home cou...