BEYOND BORDERS JUN 17

BEYOND
BORDERS
A CCCI FAMILY INITIATIVE
JUNE | 2017
A N I N T E R N A T I O N A L O N L I N E M A G A Z I N E
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CONTENTS
ARTICLES
Patron Council
J Rajmohan Pillai
Tim Eynon
Ingird Sciberas
Jenny Wang
Barbara Vadiveloo
Chief Editor & Publisher
Sujil Chandra Bose
Editorial Board
Rajshekher Garikapati
Kris Iyer
Laxmi Menon
Anil George
Ken Brian
Vigil Bose
Sub Editor
Pallavi Manoj
Senses of wonder - Children
Dr. J Rajmohan Pillai
The best place to settle
Anita Dorairaj
Learn to behave like a chid
Ankita Chaturvedi
Child is father of man
Biju R S
Yoga makes me happy
Shefali Dolly Godya
Celebrate the child in you
Kavitha K Nair
Gift of love
Kris Iyer
Decision of her life
Dr. Liza Raj
Paintings
Priya Dillipkumar
Reshma Thomas
Deepa Chandran Ram
Gautam Das
Photographs
Shezeen Anwer
Shaji S Panicker
Sujil Chandra Bose
Photography
Enjo Mathew
Lal TD
Partners
Worldon HD TV
M Business Center
LB Styling
Kolam Restaurant
Collins George
Readers Club
Fostering healthy Chakras in kids
Vaishali Thaker
On a rainy night
Chaithanysre Lenin
No door to earth
Allie Ast
Be children again
Dr. Ruchi Chopra
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JUNE | 2017
BEYOND
BORDERS
A CCCI FAMILY INITIATIVE

E D I T O R ' S N O T E
Keep me away from the
wisdom which does not cry,
the philosophy which does
not laugh and the greatness
which does not bow before
children.
- Khalil Gibran
History has recorded from time
to time, the umbilical connect
between a mother and a child.
Very little, quite unfair I must
say, is written about a father
and child in the same length.
Men traverse through several
phases in a lifetime. From a son,
to a friend to an employee or
entrepreneur to a bread winner
to a socialite, to husband and
father - a million roles he has to
play with equal elan and often
not knowing where one begins
and the other ends.
Amidst this journey, perhaps the
best, at least to someone like
me who became a father a bit
late in life, is that of being a
father - that too to a girl child. A
man who found life outside
home for a good part of his life
before the birth of my bundle of
bountiful joy, today I come
home leaving everything to see
the light in her eyes.
Somewhere in the backyard, I
know that someday she will no
longer sit on my lap or hug me
before she goes to school, but I
know that these moments I
celebrate today will last enough
for me to remain in this frame
as much as time will take me.
ISSUE 08 | JUNE 2017
BEYOND
BORDERS
My life, I am sure, will come
around a full curve, when I see
my child grow into a fine human
being. For those who have not
experienced the pleasure of
being a parent, I can only say -
this is the best part of a life.
Sujil Chandra Bose

Painting by
Priya Dillipkumar
CELEBRATE
CHILDREN

F E A T U R E | C E L E B R A T E C H I L D R E N
SENSES OF WONDER:
CHILDREN
D R . J R A J M O H A N P I L L A I
Jesus told his disciples, ‘unless you change and become like little children, you
will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’ This makes sense if we think of the
‘kingdom of heaven’ as a place not in the hereafter, but potentially in the
world now.
Heaven is the state of wonder and natural well-being which children exist in –
and through being in their company, we can re-enter that kingdom.
Children need reasons to be sad while we need reasons to be happy.
The real question we need to ask ourselves is who should be the life coach..
WE or the Child. Celebrate Parenthood as a Spiritual Path Walk at their pace
and be mindful with them.
Celebrate the children’s fresh, intense vision. Imagine how the world looks
through their eyes. Let them ‘teach’ you the marvels of the world around you.
Be as open and curious as they are, not taking anything you know for granted.
Allow yourself to step outside your mental world of worries and
responsibilities.
In short CELEBRATE CHILDREN. Encourage their sense of wonder.
Dr. Rajmohan Pillai is a multi-faceted personality. He is the Chairman of the Multi Billion Transnational
conglomerate, Beta Group. A former Malaysian open Veteran's Champion in Lawn Tennis, He is also a philanthropist
and spiritualist besides being the author of 2 best sellers, Wasted Death and Daiwathinte Naatakam
N O M A D I C | 2 4

CELEBRATE CHILDREN
Shaji S Panicker, Qatar

CCCI WORLD COUNCIL
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Dr J Rajmohan Pillai
Chairman - World Council
Barbara Vadiveloo
Director
Ingrid Sciberras
Director
Tim Eynon
Director
Jenny Wang
Director
Sujil Chandra Bose
Secretary General
Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce (CCCI) is a global network of Businesses and Businessmen, promoting
ethical and Fair practices in Businesses and public life. Being set up simultaneously in over 20 countries, CCCI
intends to create a new stream of thought through it members. A stream of togetherness built on Overall
development of the members through a range of programs that aim to enhance their skills set, social
skills while encouraging the family and fraternity to come together in a sphere of art, literature and social
development.
BEYOND BORDERS, a BIGG PUSH initiative has officially become part of the CCCI Family Initiative. BB through
this merger has become the mouthpiece of CCCI, making it accessible to a larger community.

Painting by Reshma Thomas

THOUGHTS
THE BEST PLACE
TO SETTLE
ANITA DORAIRAJ
I was in a typical conversation with my husband, when
we were discussing the pros and cons and
consequences of settling back in India after 10 years of
being in USA and this close to being a US citizen. It
didn’t really seem much of a huge decision for us
before the move. But after 10 years of living in our
home land, we revisit our decisions and thought
process and how our perceptions change.
After the talk, I ask myself, “Which is the best place to
settle?”
And my heart relentlessly wanders back to my
childhood days and adult life. Where would I prefer to
settle? Is it the safe secluded colony in an island where
I grew up from being a child to a teenager? Or the small
city that taught me the harsh realities of life and
moulded me to a mature lady? Or is it the life in a
foreign country where I had to fend for myself and
learn to get up on my own and become stronger than I
could ever imagine? Or is it the beautiful life after
marriage where I met some of the best hearted people
in my life? It’s hard to choose as I have memories
lingering in my mind, both bad and good that I relate to
the places. And then I think to myself; it’s a wonderful
journey I have been through. Learning the lessons from
the bad experience and finding immense joy in the
goodness that came my way.
What actually does a person look for in the best place
to settle? Good life, good people and steady life; in
short happiness. Ah! Happiness that we search in
others but fail to see within ourselves. For inside us
lies our true sense of being happy. And then I realise
this is so true. I felt happy in certain places with certain
people because my heart seemed satisfied at that
moment and wanted nothing more.
So next time someone asks me, which is the best place
to settle? I smile to myself and say it’s your heart.
Settle in your heart to accept what life throws at you
and bounce to energy and take your life as it comes.
For it is YOU and only you, who has to experience all
the opportunities given to you and still be strong and
smart to surround yourself with happiness. Now that’s
the place I want to settle!
I settle in the grave when I die; but I choose to settle in
my heart when I live.

THOUGHTS
LEARN TO BEHAVE
LIKE A CHILD
ANKITA CHATURVEDI
When most of us are annoyed over someone we usually try to end the
conversation by saying ‘don’t behave like a kid, okay’!
Actually, I think, it should be the other way round and we all should start
behaving like kids and trust me life will become much simpler and peaceful.
It’s all about the attitude and the way we look at the life, the more serious we
become towards it, more serious situations we face.
Not very long ago, I think couple of weeks before writing this experience I
went to a birthday party of a little bundle of joy who was turning one (a
friend’s son). Thankfully, for a change it was a no alcohol and sheesha
gathering. I could just smell the freshness there – a toddlers mischievous
laugh while playing, few kids shaking their leg on the music played at the
party and a baby sitting on her mother’s lap and looking at everyone with her
big wide eyes.
It is super cool, I think these kids enjoy more than us (adults) in the parties or
the gatherings. They make the most of it when it comes to socializing – they
play around freely, eat without any guilt of putting on weight and notice
everyone without being judged. In true sense they are the real heroes to get
inspired from to live life to the fullest.
Children are the best expressers on the planet, they can make friends easily,
they can fight easily and they can forgive also very easily. In the party, I
noticed a little girl pushing two kids in the play area and fighting with them.
Before I could enter to stop the chaos amongst them they started playing
together. They were hugging each-other with big smiles on their faces. Had it
been a fight between adults they would have created a big scene in the party
but despite being so small these kids possess bigger hearts than us. Forgiving
was so easy for them but why it is so difficult for us, this thought didn’t leave
me for a second since then.
I couldn’t sleep several nights thinking about the weird fact that how we so
called mature adults behave at times and make our lives so complicated. I
asked myself why we (adults) just use the maturity in us for making money or
a mark in our careers. Why we are not able to bring that freshness instead of
fakeness in our personalities? Why we become so mechanical in life? And why
can’t we just smile without any reason like these kids do?
I kept pondering over it for days and realised it’s only us who stops that child
within us to be happy, joyful and chirpy. It’s our ego that stops us to let go or
forgive, it’s our attitude that don’t allow us to be kind and happy in life, it’s
our own set of beliefs (build up upon years and experience) that creates
hindrances in expressing ourselves openly.
After a lot of introspection within myself I decided to take that initiative to
bring back that silly yet simple person in me who can behave like a child at
times.

LITERATURE | SHORT STORY
CHILD IS FATHER OF
THE MAN
BIJU R S, DUBAI
It was a tiring day. After all those meaningless debates and never-ending meetings that mostly resulted in
personal fights (though masqueraded as professional differences), getting back home was always a wonderful
sojourn into peace and tranquility for me. Or at least it once was. Life definitely does change as the kids grow
older, and today was just another one of those days that had subtly become a norm.
As I approached the front door I knew that something was happening inside. I could easily guess that the army of
8 year olds had once again invaded our house. Though I could hear some buzzing inside, almost as if a swarm of
bees were behind the door, nothing could have prepared me for the scene that I witnessed as the door opened.
It was as if a time machine had taken me all the way back to the days of the great war of Mahabharatha in
Kurukshetra..The welcome scene was scattered bodies of angry bids and pigs all over the corridor. Couldn’t make
out whether it was the angry birds or the pigs that had won the first battle, but to the kids it never mattered
anyways.
For a few moments, the sight that was in front of me left me paralyzed. What helped me escape this state of
shock was a feeble and concerned voice that was heard from the sofa. "Don’t worry dear, this is our home only,
please come in ". Scanning the battlefield, I saw my wife trying to immerse herself in a book thereby trying to
transcend her into a different world. Somehow her posture and the backdrop reminded me of Bheeshma in his
bed of arrows!!
" Pandavas & Kouravas are here " my wife answered to my questioning looks. I realized that she was hinting at
the gang of our younger son who had turned 8 this past December. I have noticed that of late his gang of friends
has been growing at lighting pace. Sometimes it gave us comfort to see that his social skills were developing fast
to have a gang of friends around him, but today was a different day as I was soon to realise.
"Where are they all now?” I couldn’t see anyone in the corridor or in the living room area. So my question was
more to see if they have stopped their war games. Maybe I sounded a bit like Jaydhradha in Mahabharatha who
was praying for the sun to set so that he would be saved from the arrows of Arjuna. But her answer killed all my
hopes in its buds. "No. they are still here, the battlefield has moved to bedroom."
I was more concerned now. I had to enter that bedroom to change my office attire and place my things before I
could finally sit down and regain my strength after an exhausting day. I slowly moved to bedroom with the
mindset of Abhimanyu in his epic journey to break the Chakravyuha. The moment I entered the bedroom a
sudarshana chakra whizzed past me. On second look I realised that it was one of those dangerous beyblades
with all the features of the sudarshana chakra, except that they cannot fly. But that only saves your neck but not
your feet. This chakra was launched by a little krishna whom I was seeing for the first time. May be a new recruit
to the army, I thought.
I looked around for my little one. He was on top of the bed fending off two little warriors simultaneously. One on
top of the bed itself and the other one attacking from a distance. All of them had pillows in lieu of swords. I saw
another reloading his toy gun. The moment he saw my head he became the little Arjuna who did not see
anything except the bird's eye while shooting his arrow. If only these kids had so much focus on their studies,
their Acharyas would have been proud of them, I told myself silently.
"Stop!!!!!" I roared with all my might more to save my head from the bullet than anything else. All the warriors
froze in their tracks for a few moments as if they heard the roar of Khadolkhacha in Kurukshetra.

Those few moments were sufficient for me to throw my suit into the wardrobe, bags onto the table, grab a few
pieces of clothing and jump out through the door. Unfortunately, I landed on top of some of the most dangerous
equipment ever to grace this battlefield, legos. Probably the only things that could compare to these
contraptions were the hidden mines left by armies after war. I wished to cry out in pain, but made a valiant
attempt to show a brave face in front of the kids and slowly limped back to the living room. After finally making it
out in one piece, I collapsed onto the couch beside my wife. While I was slumping onto the sofa near my beloved
wife, I heard her saying ' This is the result of your karma. When you were young you and your friends had given
lot of trouble to Arun's parents like this nah? This is just history repeating itself"
This is not the first time she is saying this in the last few years. It started the day when my elder son's teenage
friends came home to stay over. The video games and all other silly stuff they do throughout the night created
roars of laughter from the living room in the middle of the night. That day I had doubted if this sleepover means
keeping awake and laughing all the way through the night at the cost of headaches and panadols for the parents.
Each wave of laughter added one additional pillow on top of my head which was already in an ostrich posture.
But finally when I ran out of pillows, I got out of the bed fuming with anger and with a determination to teach the
teenagers a lesson. I ignored the pleas of my wife not to bother the kids and stormed into the living room.
However the storm just fizzled out into a tiny breeze by the time I reached them. The memories of one's
childhood come at the most inopportune moment and create havoc through nostalgic memories, which just
freezes the brain. It happened to me that night. So when I reached the gang of ten teenagers enjoying their stay
over, the only words that came out of my mouth was "How are you all? Hope you are having a great time."
Five minutes later, I was getting into my ostrich posture under the pillows again. That was the first time that my
wife reminded of my teenage deeds that according to her, was reaping me these rewards.
Arun's place was our den for several years. From Grade 10 till finishing Engineering that was a place where nearly
10 of us would assemble each day in the evening to play anything and everything termed as a game or sport
under the sun. From Olympics to world cup football and cricket to shuttle championships, all taking place in the
less than 2000 square feet terrace of that house. Since Arun had a younger brother who was only one year junior
to him, both of them had common friends and that too in large numbers. Any given day minimum ten of us
would have marked our attendance in that house. Once the sun sets the games would be taken indoors with
caroms, chess and cards taking over the rooms of the two brothers.
All this commotion and uproar of ours never seemed to bother Arun's mother who used to be in the house all
the time while we were there. She too was a working lady who was back from work by 4 PM by which time the
first gang of friends would already have occupied the house. I now sometimes wonder how she had put-up with
all those painful evenings during those years. His father was working in another city and hence comes home only
during the weekends. But he too had never raised any concerns on our frivolous deeds. Arun's mother
sometimes used to ask us if there was any exam around the corner for any of us and once uncle had told us in a
light-hearted way after hearing too much thumping sounds from the terrace. "Kids, this house is constructed by
taking housing loan, it will be your responsibility to rebuild it if it falls down one day!!" That was the closest he has
come ever of scolding us!!!
Decades later most of the members of that gang have become leading Engineers, Doctors and Bankers around
the world. All of them have climbed the steep stairs of life's success. Recently one day when I went back to my
home town I went and met that mother again. I asked her; whether both of them were having peace of mind in
the evenings now that there was no one to disturb them. Their sons had settled down in two different continents
and were handling very senior professional roles. Her answer was truly an eye opener to me. "The period when
you kids were here and making all those noises were really the happiest period of our lives. That noise was
definitely more soothing and comforting than any word of kindness and sympathy that we hear these days" She
continued as her eyes were getting wet. "The fact that you all come here even now though both our sons are not
here gives us so much happiness. These days we look forward to such occasional visit of our sons' friends and
the annual visit of our sons and their children. Such visits are truly the only blissful moments in our lonely life.”
It has been a few years since I saw that mother. I made a point in my mind that I will go and see her again in my
next visit to India.
."Are you mad at me dad?" Was the question from my little one who woke me up from those nostalgic memories.
He had send off the tired soldiers back to their barracks in other flats and was coming to gauge the mood of his
dad.

Without a word I just hugged him and kept him close to my chest for a long time. True, the children will grow up
fast and charge forward to face the world and it will be these hugs that keep our heart warm in solitude.
Seeing that I was not mad at him for his deeds of the day, he moved on to find the next challenge...
“A dad who is there to encourage all naughty deeds of the kids " said a voice from the sofa. The tone was of love,
affection and happiness.
I moved on to my Whatsapp group of childhood friends where those silly jokes still crack you up and keep the
child in you going stronger and stronger without ever growing beyond teens..
My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky;
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
...........................
The Child is the father of the Man. - William Wordsworth
HOLISTIC LIFE | THOUGHTS
YOGA MAKES ME
HAPPY
SHEFALI DOLLY GODYA
Yoga and meditation for children maybe a new
concept , but it's natural for children as is
jumping or running . Their imitating nature
helps them to do all the fun animal poses
effortlessly.
Why did I take up teaching kids Yoga ?
We spend most of our childhood and youth
inside classroom walls competing and
comparing with our peers ! Sadly the
mainstream education system rarely provides
us with tools on how to stay on our own path
and move at our own pace, in short stay
healthy and happy. Through Yoga, dozens of
children I have been teaching have learnt
important life lessons, making it fun alongside.
They have beautifully mastered the Art of
being absorbed in the ONE thing they are
doing NOW !
Having taught kids yoga for 3 years now I am
convinced of its benefit for children with
Autism too. Helping them to accept their
unique personality and behaviors. Like they
rightly say "If every 8 year old practice
meditation and yoga, violence will be
eliminated from the world within one
generation !!

NOTICE
BOARD!
COVER PHOTOGRAPH
Sujil Chandra Bose
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NEW BEGINNINGS
CCCI LAUNCHES B>FRESH
B>FRESH is an urban green initiative launched by CCCI
to promote organic food culture in the towns and cities
where access to organically produced vegetables and
fruits are limited.
The program intends to run promotions, newsletters,
audio and video guidance and webinars by experts who
have researched on the subject extensively. The
campaigns led by these experts will create a new urban
audience who would be inspired to hear the stories of
how people have converted their Terraces and
backyards into farms without disturbing their
environment or comforts.
CCCI, being the global body is it, with a program that
intends to run millions of miles across the world, will be
the first of the Green orchestra it plans to promote - in
the process, securing the planet with more greenery,
more vegetation, clean environment, pure air aided by
sufficient energy and water to support the population
that currently finds huge shortages in towns and cities
across the globe. The effort will also see substantial
reduction in carbon emissions, a major scourge that
threatens life in modern times.
A CCCI Official Release
International Secretariat

The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in
the eyes of others only a green thing that stands
in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and
deformity... and some scarce see nature at all.
But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature
is imagination itself.
- William Blake
JUNE | 2017
BEYOND
BORDERS
A CCCI FAMILY INITIATIVE

LITERATURE | THOUGHTS
CELEBRATE THE CHILD IN YOU
By KAVITHA K NAIR, Dubai.
"whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven. " Bible
" The child-like innocence means making no judgement about oneself, not
evaluating yourself." Sri Sri Ravishankar.
Be that bundle of joy like a child Research study shows children smile 300
to 400 times per day, where as adults laugh less than 20 times in a day. Ever
wondered what keeps children smiling most of the time. Because they keep
life simple and carefree, and avoid complications. Its as simple as it sounds.
We should keep wondering like a child and keep that enthusiasm alive even
for the silliest of pleasures and stay young and happy. Are we running
around seeking happiness in the material possessions ? It is high time that
we realize that these things can only guarentee us momentary pleasure.
Lets keep that inner child in us alive and live life to the fullest.
Keep listening to the whisper of that inner child and just SMILE
"You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you
stop laughing "– Michael Pritchard.

GIFT OF LOVE
PHILOSOPHY
By KRIS IYER, Dubai, UAE
O Henry's "Gift of the Magi" moved a million hearts since the time it was written in 1905, based on
the challenges Jim and Della faced gifting each other Secret Christmas Gifts. Words, deeds, actions
...Our everyday expressions of love affection care and more. Gifts are a way to express your
affection too ... be it a toy for your child, or a gift for your loved ones... or even a smile. Occasions to
gift are in plenty. The special anniversaries, birthdays, marriages or Valentine’s Day or mother’s day
or the innumerable days we have invented to make a day special. Is that the gift of love? I do ask
myself.
“The best gifts come from the heart, not the store.” - Sarah Dessen, Author of "Lock and Key"
The biblical account of the Three kings (Magi) and their gifts to baby Jesus, of Gold - as a gift given to
a person of Royal birth, Myrrh - as a gift given to a mortal as it was the oil used for embalming and
Frankincense - as a gift offered to the Gods, also talks about the age old tradition of gifting and its
significance. It does prove beyond doubt, that every gift we give is the fulfillment of an intention of
expressing our feeling and has its own significance.
Gifting is an art. You can gift only when you know three important facets – the person, the need and
your ability. Know the person well to gift him according to the need. If you are not able to choose
the perfect gift, telling the person that you were not in a position to get that perfect gift is best, as
there is no substitute for it. Substitutes are always not so perfect and end up being an insult to the
person whom you care for. So choose a gift befitting the person who receives it.
Smiles, a hug, a few words of appreciation are gifts too. It is not what we gift which matters but the
intention behind it which makes it special. A flower bouquet which would perish after a few hours of
gifting still leaves the fragrance of the flowers in our minds. A small gold pendant may be a gift
carried forward in the family with love and memories. A thoughtful and timely expression of love
would be more precious than a multi-million gift which you could hardly afford. I have read the oft
forwarded story of today being a gift of God and hence called "Present" – the priceless gift.
We are all gifted with a heart which knows the right thing to do...So the next time don’t ask your
mates or colleagues "... buddy... I want to gift something... any suggestions" but listen to your heart
and see the person with the eyes of your mind. You will know what to gift ... of course with a
precious smile of yours.
“Love is a gift. One that doesn't need to be returned just accepted.” ― Kelly Moran, Author

DECISION OF
SHORT STORY
HER LIFE
By Dr. Liza Raj, Kochi.
Life has many colors and I am sure one of the many are - Children. What makes them unique is
their innocence, resilience, inquisitiveness and most of all, love. The immeasurable love one can
experience having a pair of tiny feet puttering all around the house and asking questions would
melt the heart, often got Myra wanting to have her first baby even more. She felt her life would
be complete with just this one beautiful element. There was only one catch though- she was
single and felt no man was worthy enough to be trusted, but a baby she wanted for sure.
She walked across the street after office hours to sit on her favorite bench to watch little kids
play soccer every day. She was beautiful, successful and a go-getter but felt that emptiness
deep within. She knew very well that she was living a life without a purpose. Her longtime
partner Sherry was a great guy but she knew he wouldn’t be too pleased with her decision.
She was not too sure if she would want to go through it alone. It was a huge responsibility and
Myra felt that she was ready.
After the soccer match she was walking towards her car when she heard a huge scream, tyres
screech. She was aghast to see that she was a few inches away from a speeding car! Pale faced
and clearly shaken, she realized a tiny hand had reached out to her. A little girl holding on to
her mom, was trying to reach out to Myra, surprising her.
Shania, as her mother called out to her was screaming. She needed to talk to accident Aunty!
Shania ‘s mother was clearly embarrassed. She asked Myra if she was okay and needed any
assistance. Myra answered in the negative. Shania finally burst out , she said “Aunty! Are you
ok? You forgot to look to your right and left, before crossing the street, you must have been
busy on the Phone like Mommy!. Our teacher Miss Lily, has told us spe..h …ci…ficlly to be
always careful whilst crossing roads. Myra was teary eyed, shocked, and mushed up from inside
listening to this tiny wide eyed bundle of intelligence. She thanked them profusely, as she
made her way to the car. She had made her decision of her life. She wants to get a life into the
world, to complete her, to bring peace within her. ..
The wide eyed innocence looking with anticipation
their never ending queries to questions and revelations.
Their silly babble and sometimes the cool attitude
Makes everybody love them and show gratitude.
One of the marvels of life, is to see our own species survive,
Many I am sure would agree is the miracle of mankind.
Celebrate the children as we celebrate life
Celebrate the moments or else these would fly.

CELEBRATE
CHILDREN
BEYOND
BORDERS
A CCCI FAMILY INITIATIVE

y
Painting
Chandran Ram, Australia
Deepa
naivemusings@gmail.com

HOLISTIC LIFE
FOSTERING HEALTHY
CHAKRAS IN KIDS
By VAISHALI THAKER, Abu Dhabi
A. Chakra One: Womb to 1 year
a. Chakra One is the Muladhara Chakra
b. This Chakra is energized for grounding and all earthly experiences
1. Frequent touching, holding, carrying and nurturing
a. From the womb to the first year, the most assuring element is affection which assures the baby of the
support factor and trust that is cemented. Mothers should ground themselves during this time to be the root
support for the baby.
2. Healthy nourishment
a. As we know the energy provider is the mother for child, proteins would be highly recommended for
sustaining the required energy as this assists in activating the 1st Chakra.
B. Chakra Two: 6 to 18 months
a. Chakra 2 Swadhisthana chakra
b. This chakra is connected with the water element. It is also the chakra of desires, sexuality and creativity
3. Allow separation and attachment
a. The child develops interests in different experiences. The feel of things, the colors seen and the different
tastes, and the development of physical body paces up. This chakra also constitutes changes.
4. Support exploration through movement
a. We move from the element of earth to the element of water where stillness becomes movement.
C. Chakra Three: 18 months to 3 years
a. Chakra 3 Manipura chakra
b. Resonates with fire element and is related to the digestive system, consciousness and muscles
5. Successful toilet training
a. Manipura chakra is completely activated, igniting the consciousness and sense of controlling muscles
increases.
6. Appropriate discipline
a. Endorses assertiveness with self and will power that allow discipline to enter. The age of 18 months to 3
years, the parents must be aware of the fact that the child is ready to be trained
D. Chakra Four: 4 to 7 years
a. Anhanta the Chakra of love
b. One of the most beautiful chakra’s as it generates love when balanced
7. Explain and supporting relationships
a. This when the child learns picking up the trends from your relationships. This plays a significant role in
building the child’s future relationships. What they feel here at home starts creating an impression on their
subconscious minds.
8. Model empathy and moral behaviour
a. The parents must now talk to the child by taking time to give explanations to the questions rising in their
minds. There is a sense of vulnerability and its important to be very careful on how you make the child “feel” in
your conversations and behavior
E. Chakra Five: 7 to 12 years
a. Visudha chakra also known as throat chakra
b. This chakra is located in throat area, and is also a very important one at this age
9. Support communication
a. This is the time when the communication moves from just the knowledge of language to a knowledge of
understanding and analyzing. Sometimes it may be difficult for the child to express what he/she feels, be
patient and listen with attention.
10. Stimulate creativity
a. When creativity is explored, be appreciative of the efforts. It is important to let the child know that you are
proud, this enriches the confidence in being more creative and remain motivated.

L I T E R A T U R E | T H O U G H T S
ON A RAINY
NIGHT
C H A I T H A N Y A S R E L E N I N , P U N E
On this rainy night, I recall all those things I hold dear to me. With a scented candle lighted, and the scent of ginger lily
cascading throughout my evasive space, I recall. All the memories of bitter-sweet that relinquish in itself a sense of awe
and nostalgia.
I remember the days I spent with those whom I crossed paths with. Lovely conversations, laughter and adventures we
embarked on together. Of the paths that met, and then slipped away, and the paths that still remain in tact, a distant
endeavour. I remember the way in which love was a bond that held us all so dear. Where we looked into each others’ eyes
and saw the potential for growth together. We believed that it would work, but time slipped us away. But its okay. I recall
you, and I recall the tenderness I hold you with. Its a rainy night and the pitter-patter makes me rather succumbing to
emotions so raw, but with a disdain for feelings, I write. I protest against this disdain to admit you have a place in my
heart, as fondly as I’ve held you. All fouls aside that we committed to our separation. I still care, and I write not because I’m
lonely, but because these memories make me part of who I am today.
I remember the days spent in agony. Of days in which paranoia took over me, and I felt purposelessness seep through
me. And as I rushed through those days with a sense of urgency of an approaching opportunity of faith, one that will save
me from my distressed self. And sure enough it did come. In the form of laughter that we shared, and in the form of all
the things we did together to pass time. In such a short span of time, we’ve grown. Today I write in the darkness, and as
the cold cuddles me like a blanket, I try and shake it off to return to the sweet comfort I depended upon. I remember all
you did to shield me from distress, and to keep me alight. Today I write not because I want your warmth again, but
because I am thankful that you showed me how I could spread that love onto myself, when you’re gone. I don’t forget, but
as the memory becomes distant, I try and hold onto to it so dear, so I remember that I am capable of such love, in times of
adversity. If you need me to shield you again, I will be here. Only know that you will need to approach me, and I will never
know unless you do because you’re all smiles and I’d never know.
I remember how it was a frenzy. The countless polaroids that line my wall, that make it all harder to forget. They say you
capture an image in the form of a memory, and for me, those pictures mean so much more that they have a place on my
wall. I’m not going to forget because i see them everyday, and we’re all smiles and giggles. On this rainy night, they remain
intact, and when I look at them from afar, it still looks as though it was yesterday when we talked on for hours, and spilt
ice cream all over your car seat. We did all we could, and the moments we captured truly embodied our happiness. A
state of mind isn’t just a state of mind. I travel everyday, from my room to you through these pictures. They let me speak
to you, that I haven’t forgotten you, or our time together.
I remember that all of this has ended. I constantly remember. You are now away, distant. So am I. geography holds us
apart, and so does life. Words have torn our hearts into a hundred shreds and we decided to “leave”. Time just did its
thing; its taken away something so dear, so fragile. but so much so that leaving has become an illusion. I still have you
inside me, and I remember us. I remember us because leaving remains at the level of a grammatical sentiment, and
memories cannot be washed away. Maybe the rain is tearing on my behalf, but I’ve been running so far, in this journey
that’s hurling quickly at a pace I’m trying to keep up to. I run and run, to realize that we are only clouded by the same old
fears we escape. Of loss, rejection, and of drifting apart. Of broken hearts, old friendships gone stale, and settling down.
Of commitment, of a future and of discovery. I don’t know about you, but I remember. We were once in this together. But
I don’t know if you know, but I still understand we are together in this. The difference between you and me is that I
recognise that we still are, but we remain in silence as we do, but you don’t.
I haven’t just remembered. On this rainy night, I’ve lived it all once again.
N O M A D I C | 2 4

L I T E R A T U R E | S H O R T S T O R Y
NO DOOR TO
EARTH
A L L I E A S T , S E A T T L E , U S A
She walks through this concrete jungle of a city, gum spots like dead bread crumbs, smooth black points a path. In her
city, people find nature in two trees and a patch of gasping grass, this return to Earth called a park.
The park is where she works. She is an orphan, dirt beneath her nails and under her skin, she is Daughter Chaos.
There’s lead in the water, mercury in the fish; money is the sponge that sucks fertility from the soil.
Whisperer is the word. When you drill seeds into ground, when you water with the blast of a hose, when you shout for
growth, Mother rebels. Care is a whisper. Love is a whisper. Learn me. Heal me. Hydrate me through your tender touch.
Know me. Promise you’ll stay, even when I wilt. Clean by spreading dust of my would-be life. Fertilize me. Create life from
death. I hear her yearn.
Her history of hurts.
But the ones cocooned in white drive without nodding. They deny. They fail to notice that their guts trail behind them,
there is a hole where the heart was.
Who deserves a narrative? The Last Man, or the Last Plant? You will always need to personify to identify. When you abuse
beyond redemption, when even dust doesn’t exist to abuse, what then? How will you live? What is life without growth?
There’s no song without Earth.
She avoids these thoughts while seeding. Mother is sensitive; Mother knows your intent. Mother remembers; Mother is
time immemorial. So, she seeds a harmonic dance with a blank mind. Seeds with feels.
Sometimes the city people blink her into their frames. Her soundless chant is a pulse, a frisson of life long forgotten. But
when the people turn to look again, they erase her. Without a fortress over her head, she is less. Scourge of society,
because she is the truth that reveals the lie.
She plants in a crouch, coaxing seeds into their homes, without tools, with touch, tilling until her hands and pockets are
empty. Her fluidity, rhythm, her misty feeling, tethered to one memory. To recall is to recount, to bring back. She brings
the stranger back in her head.
A random night, unmarked by ceremony, until his arrival. A man in the gray suit, whiteness leaking from his pores.
Around, no one else but those slipping between trip and sleep. He’d sat beside her, briefcase between them. No words.
He rolls up a sleeve; there are characters that read ru di wu men, no door to the Earth. He strips off his tie, hand-digs, and
buries. Nods, stands, and leaves.
No door to the Earth because Mother is open. She wants to hold, and she wants to be held.
Hope is openness without end.
N O M A D I C | 2 4

L I T E R A T U R E | S H O R T S T O R Y
BE CHILDREN
ONCE AGAIN
D R . R U C H I C H O P R A
Even a thought about childhood, brings back to mind those carefree days. Everything in the world was beauty and there
was nothing we could not achieve. Even though we were penniless, yet we were not worried about the next meal, next
day or even the next moment.
As we grow into adulthood, we forget to enjoy the “present” and remain engrossed in past or future. We keep searching
for happiness forgetting that happiness is not in people or situations, happiness is within us.
When I was in medical college, I remember one of our pediatrics teacher was teaching us about milestones in Child’s life.
Till today, I do not forget what he said. ‘Social smile is the earliest milestone to come, and unfortunately also the earliest
one to go’.
How true it is? As we gain degrees, we become more withdrawn, isolated and unhappy. We try to find happiness in
money, spouse, foreign trips, imported goods, luxuries and vices. Yet, happiness eludes us. On the contrary, kids will be
happy whether they live in a small one room apartment or a fancy bungalow. They will not segregate rich or poor, won’t
think about religion, and would be least bothered by someone’s skin color. They will just need their tummies full, and
people whom they love around them and no one in the world can make them unhappy.
A scene at school will be happy smiling faces, twinkle in the eyes and an unparalleled enthusiasm, while when we enter
adult zone, we will be greeted with frowns, drooped shoulders and an end of the world attitude. With hearts full of
innocence and goodness within them, they can see life from an angle even we adults cannot. When we as adults, let this
inner child die, we forget to see the great and wonderful life we have. A small incident from my son’s life taught me this.
A few years back, I was going through a tough time, personally as well as professionally. My little one was just 5 years old
then. I would come back from work with a heavy heart and engross myself in household chores. I thought I had hidden
my emotions really well. No one in my family noticed any change in my behavior. And for days, I kept sulking alone.
One evening, I came home early. My son was playing with his friend. I took both of them out for an ice-cream treat. His
friend did not want the flavor I had got and started throwing tantrum. My son calmly told him, “Do not trouble my mother.
She is not keeping well these days.”
For a moment, I was just stunned. I did not know what to say. I asked him, “What has happened to me? I am alright. Who
told you that I am not well?”
My son calmly answered me, that for the last few days whenever you come back from office, you are not happy. So, I
thought that you are not well.
I was so surprised by his answer. That little incident made me realize that we just need innocence and good heart to see
the world around us. We do not need degrees in psychology to understand the people we love. We just need innocence
and happiness in our hearts, to pick up good and bad vibes alike, how else could a little boy could judge me while the
adults in family could not.
I decided not to get bothered about things which I had no control over, and stay happy and calm. Let us revive the child
within each of us. Let us learn to laugh over nothing, to enjoy each day as it comes. Let us be children once again.
N O M A D I C | 2 4

L I T E R A T U R E | S H O R T S T O R Y
RADHA
S O W M Y A R A M K U M A R , A H M E D A B A D
Relocating to a European country was not the challenge for Seema; her company took care of almost
everything. They even helped her to the extent of getting her daughter Radha, a very cheerful and
happy 8 year old get placed at one of the best schools available in the vicinity.
She had been a single parent after a road kill claimed Sanjay and had been a tough and extremely
diligent one so to say. She felt sort of peace envelope herself in this less familiar surroundings, at least
one gets judged far less that way. The disturbing pattern emerged when Radha a very amicable and
bubbly child, started to immerse herself completely in either television shows or pattern sketching.
These activities might seem to fit seamlessly in the routine of an eight year old kid, but the
conversations had stopped altogether. The patterns that she drew were extremely symmetrical and
perfect, an apparent sign of extreme pressure on one’s mind, her friend at work opined upon a
casual coffee break discussion.
Radha would not budge to straight forward questioning and would dance her way around it, for the
July born cancer she was. Her grades did not fall so there were no calls from the school also. She was
silently craving for help and this fact Seema could clearly make out. On that sunny afternoon when
Seema went to pick Radha earlier from school for a road trip is the precise moment when all the
pieces of the puzzles fell into their places and it took a lot of effort to retain her calm.
Radha had been a people’s person at a very early age and was even reprimanded at times for being
extremely talkative. Radha was sitting alone in the last bench away from other children enveloped in
her own world and Seema was witnessing a very dull and pale child with empty eyes. Radha was not
this broken even when they had lost Sanjay two years back. Then everything dawned on her like tons
of dread crashed in at once, Radha was being judged by the other kids for her dusky skin tone.
Discussions with the school yielded nothing more than assurances of the matter being looked into,
for in a huge world with mammoth issues this seemed trivial. But for Radha her entire world had
splintered into a million particles, due to one strong emotions – Rejection!
Radha was extremely athletic and was identified for the running race. She ran with all might and was
leading Patrick the second best by a great deal. Suddenly the crowd gasped and Radha could see
Patrick meet a nasty fall from the corner of her eye. It was a great opportunity to prove herself,
Seema even felt guilty for being happy on Patrick’s fall for he bullied Radha a lot. The cheering tore
the skies when Radha turned back and without missing a beat helped Patrick up and completed the
race hand in hand with him.
Radha was made the special awardee for her Compassion and life had come a full circle for the Class
monitor and now the star of the Class, the extremely confident wonder kid Radha.
N O M A D I C | 2 4

Precious years. Childhood
A stable and nurturing childhood is essential for
the healthy psycho-emotional and spiritual
development of a human being. While we may
understand what is supposed to happen to us
physically, we must begin to better understand
what happens to children mentally, emotionally
and spiritually as a result of the families into
which they are born.
Iyanla Vanzant
Photography by
Shezeen Anwer
Abu Dhabi

And She lay there
And she lay there
Waiting to be ravished
Her eyes looking at him
The strong limbs
And the presence
Choking her senses
Her heart beating in a
Wanderous rhythm
Like never before
Painting by
Gautam Das
Kolkatta

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