Feel The Environment

Dear Children,

Our trip took us to Rameswaram twice - once to collect the mud from the Sea shore to mix it with the water at Triveni Allahabad. The Second time was to collect the water at sangam – where the Ganga, Yamuna and the Saraswati meet – and perform the abhishekam at the shiva temple in Rameswaram. The experience of crossing the sea was different – the first and the second time.
It was awesome, the first time, as the waves crashed, the wind blew on our face as the train slowly made its way across the sea. It takes almost a quarter hour to reach the other side. However, the second time because we were traveling in AC coach, we could not feel the wind. It was as if we were watching a movie with no personal connection. Mahatma Gandhi did not make any mistake in traveling 3rd class. He could not have got the experience or felt as one with his countrymen if had not done that.
Do not give all physical comforts to your children. Bring them up tough that they can endure and master any situation; so that they can connect with the outside world, reach out to people and feel the environment.
People in Rameswaram are loving and affectionate. We enjoyed our stay there. The place is surrounded by sea water. On the land every house has a well that gives sweet water! In the middle of the sea there is a well created by lord Rama as he sent his arrow down to bring out sweet water for Sita to drink. We too had the opportunity to taste it. But the tsunami had made its mark... the water had turned slightly salty though not to the extend of the surrounding sea!