BEYOND BORDERS NOV 17

BEYOND
BORDERS
A CCCI FAMILY INITIATIVE
ISSUE NO. 13/17 | NOVEMBER| 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
FAMILY
BEYOND HOME
THEME OF THE MONTH
POETRY
SHORT STORIES
PHILOSOPHY
ART & PHOTOGRAPHY
PICTURE GALLERY

FAMILY
HOME
BEYOND

CONTENTS
ARTICLES
Patron Council
J Rajmohan Pillai
Tim Eynon
Ingird Sciberas
Jenny Wang
Barbara Vadiveloo
Chief Editor & Publisher
Sujil Chandra Bose
Editorial Board
Sowmya Ramkumar
Shezeen Anwer
Vaishali Thaker
Ashok Thiruvengadam
Sub Editor
Pallavi Manoj
Photography
Enjo Mathew
Sujil Chandra Bose
Partners
Beta Group
Beta Intelligence
B>Fresh
Activus Club
Readers Club
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What people said
Kavitha K Nair
Family Beyond Home
Amarnath Pallath
To be a miracle
Rachel Elizabeth Deyis
On humans and animals
Chitra Sarada Nair
The family we feel is ours
Dr. J Rajmohan Pillai
Band of bonding
Geetanjali Sivakumar
Unanswered questions
Kriss Venugopal
Soul sisters decoded
Sowmya Ramkumar
On my way back home
Sudha Kumar
Universal brotherhood
Dr. Vidya Ganapati
Milly
Meghana Narayanan
Beyond Home
Anita Dorairaj
Born from Stardust
Geethu Sivakumar
Astrology Corner
Shubha Jain Zavaria
Painting
Mittu Gopalan
Photographs
Sreedhar Sree
NOVEMBER | 2017
BEYOND
BORDERS
A CCCI FAMILY INITIATIVE

ISSUE 13 | NOVEMBER 2017
BEYOND
BORDERS
E D I T O R ' S S C R I B B L E
The garden of love is green without limit and yields many fruits other than sorrow or joy.
Love is beyond either condition: without spring, without autumn, it is always fresh.
- Rumi
She was born whitie. She was born in my favorite aunt's barn and was taken care of so well by my aunt
who had tears in her eyes when she bid goodbye to the small life curled into a cardboard box.
In a day we rechristened her Sweetie. She was the cutest thing I had ever set my eyes on and became a
darling of all of us soon. She had a different yet unique connection with all the members of my family.
Each one treated her differently. Though we did not bother or knew how to train her to fetch things
like a newspaper, she on her own managed to do a few things that was quite a fascinating experience
for all of us. Usually a late sleeper, I was more than often woken up by her loving hug at the behest of
my mother who would ask her to fetch me.
She used to lie there in the middle of us, looking at us, listening to us talk, watching television with us.
In many ways, I have felt that she was more human than all of us. When she barked the life out of my
mom one evening, it took us a while to realize that she was trying to warn her of the snake that was
curled up a few feet away. When she left us, she took a bit of all of us with us. She was more than
family for us. Before she passed, she taught us what is unconditional love.
Sujil Chandra Bose

BY
PAINTING
GOPALAN
MITTU
SYDNEY

FAMILY BEYOND HOME
WHAT PEOPLE SAID!
KAVITHA K NAIR, DUBAI
Shipra Bharadwaj, a yoga trainer from Dubai
Family beyond home is like a breath of fresh mountain air that
relieves and revives you, enriches and empowers you. Honest
advisers, best critics, they are everything you need and more.
Every once in a while you go to the mountains to feel alive and
breathe in their freshness, for new perpectives on old things,
strength for breaking barriers and norms and doing all this for
them in return as well. Pure love is given for pure love recieved.
They are your world outside of your home.
For Amrina Kazi, “Family beyond home is family indeed as
relationships are not limited to boundaries"
Here is what Sithara Sethumadhavan has to say . For me family
isn't just home, or related by blood. Sometimes I feel family at a
friend's house when I bond over a cup of tea. I feel family when I
help a mommy watch her little one while she runs an errand. I
feel like I am family, when I am just dancing with my girlfriends.
Family is about belonginess, feeling loved and wanted. That can
happen anywhere, you just need to have your soul and heart to
accept it.
Reshmi Hareesh Nair, Kuwait says :- Just a few good friends
around makes my life fun filled and exciting. Having them
around with whom I can be myself. I dont think twice before i
speak to them ‘coz I know they take me as I am... Some I meet
once a year or so, yet very close to heart... Some I converse very
rarely and yet hear me more precisely...and some I haven’t even
met... and yet very close buddies... they are always beside
me....and makes my family beyond home!
Priji Biju, an Engineer in Dubai says Family away from home is
made with a strange bonding experience and it becomes sweeter
when that constitutes of our close pals from college days.The
extended families have become so much integrated that little
kids find it difficult to diffentiate between their biological
relatives and family friends..Everyone becomes uncles and
aunts and cousins for them. Expat life truly redefines the
boundaries of a Family, thereby creating a beautiful home away
from home.
Bindu K Nair a Home Maker in Dubai feels as an expat living in
the UAE, away from home & family, my new friends & neighbors
have always truly proved to be my Family Beyond Home.
A wonderful relationship irrespective of religions, culture,
language, etc our Family Beyond Home is here to stay.

FAMILY BEYOND HOME

LITERATURE | EXPERIENCES
FAMILY BEYOND HOME
AMARNATH PALLATH, CALICUT
A family is a place where your feet may leave, but your heart will always be.
Tarapur, Maharashtra is where one of the oldest Atomic Power plants is situated. As
part of the organisation I worked there. And was part of a team of 13 engineers to
manage a state of the art Oxygen Plant in 1992. This nerve centre supplied hospitals
with medical oxygen. As critical care to hospitals is important we were committed to
deliver. Thirteen people with complementary skills worked with interdependence. A
common purpose bound the team.
Away at work that operated the plant on 24X7 – 365 days, the thirteen people had
families comprising small children. We had a clubhouse where families got together
in the evenings to play indoor games. A monthly picnic was organized to nearby
places. Apart from celebrations, if someone fell ill others helped and supported.
In November, 2017, my wife and I joined a group of 32 people as we commenced a
yathra of nine days from Allahabad to Kashi & Bodh Gaya, by bus. The group
comprised an elderly lady of 81 years and a young boy of seven. The day commenced
with the breakfast cooked and supplied by the tour operator. Guide attached to the
group held the team together. Day one was introduction. Soon the bus became a
hub of activity with songs and knowledge sharing. The 81 year old lady sung a
bhajan! As the tour ended a whatsapp group was organized.
A team was built unknowingly within those 9 days of being together. This team at the
end had thirty-five members including the cooks. This was possible because the
families were set to a purpose driven yathra.
In management principles a team achieves happiness in a result oriented business
environment.
At Tarapur, those 13 created at the workplace, a family, beyond their homes.
In the Yathra of the 35 members, we connected for our purpose and became a family
beyond our respective homes. In parting there were no goodbye’s. I visualized
emotional charge in everyone's eyes.
In understanding differences and appreciating weaknesses, complementing and
supporting needs – that’s the role of a family. In a wider context, we need to build
families at Corporate and in other spheres where we come together and manage
common goals.
A family built on trust and love, forgiving and sharing becomes a habit.
That’s probably a best meaning of a TEAM.

LITERATURE | THOUGHTS
TO BE A MIRACLE
RACHEL ELIZABETH DEYIS, DUBAI
If I were to ask you whether the person walking beside you when you last crossed a
road was a man or a woman, would you be able to answer me?
Had the question been directed at myself, my answer would be a definite No. And it
wouldn’t surprise me to hear you agree with me either. It’s simply the way we are; as
humans our brains are forever nagging us about something to do with our messy,
complicated lives. We live in tiny solar systems of our own, orbited by family, friends
and acquaintances- but how often do we stop to consider the countless meteorites
that are forever whizzing through our airspaces? How often do we stop to consider
the significance our lives pose to all those strangers that are thinly veiled from us by
our own looming problems?
Me? I was as oblivious as the next person, until the day that veil was abruptly lifted.
It happened- like many things do- at the mall. I was making my way through a crowd
of raucous teenagers while furiously tapping away on my iPhone when I bumped into
something. Or rather something bumped into me. Looking down I saw a head of
curly black hair- the head belonged to a wide-eyed little girl clinging onto my leg for
dear life. Being in a hurry, I gently disengaged her arms from around my leg before
walking away. Two steps later, however, the soft wails of a child filled my ears,
making me reconsider my choice.
Now in situations like these we are often left with two options: to let someone else
be the Good Samaritan, or to be the Good Samaritan. My conscience convinced me
to choose the latter option and so a few minutes later I was clasping a child to my
hip while I frantically searched for the kid’s parents. I can only say that it was by
sheer coincidence that a few minutes later I stumbled across a panicked looking
woman passing by the fountain, yelling out her child’s name.
And till this day I haven’t forgotten how the woman’s watery eyes lit up with a
thousand unspoken emotions when she saw her child safe in my arms. Nor will I
forget how the bear-hug she pulled me into made me feel, if only for a moment, like
I was part of her family and not just another nameless face. That hug is the reason
why I’m urging you to look beyond your little borders and open your eyes and ears
and hearts to the forever changing crowd of individuals that make up our world.
Because when you do, you might hear the sobs of a little child and get the chance to
be someone else’s miracle- or more importantly, become a part of a family much
larger than you could ever imagine.

FAMILY BEYOND HOME

EXPERIENCE
ON HUMANS AND
ANIMALS
CHITRA SARADA NAIR, MUMBAI
“Anaveettil” is my Dad’s family name, the house with the elephants. This traditional home did
house a couple of tuskers when my Dad was still a child. By the time my sister and I were born,
the glory of the family had dwindled by several notches. The elephants were long gone. The yield
from the paddy fields was hardly sufficient to feed the farm hands. Generations had moved out in
search of greener pastures, but Janaki kutti still remained.
Janaki kutti is my grand dad’s younger sister, who had allowed time and marriage to pass her by.
My grand dad often lamented that he had failed to find a suitable match for his beautiful but hotheaded
sister. Our maid Umayanthi has a different tale to narrate- the tale of a man with a
“kudumi”, and diamond studs in his ears. He had long fingers that could create rhythms of
passion on his “mridangam”. As was the custom, Kunjunni Bhagavathar had been sheltered in our
house, with its numerous rooms and court yards. Enamoured by Kunjunni’s handsome demeanour
and the irresistible charm of his drum beats, Janaki kutti had fallen…deeply and madly in love.
Kunjunni reciprocated, only to make a quiet exit at the end of the festival season. The heartbroken
Janaki kutti had withdrawn to a life of quiet solitude, in the innards of our giant home.
A few years hence, Unni kannan had been brought into our house as a baby elephant that had
just been orphaned. Janaki kutti immediately took on the role of “elephant mother”. She bathed
the hairy animal, scrubbing him with coconut husk and ash, even though his spiky hair made her
hands bleed. She fed him milk in an oversized milk bottle which had long been abandoned. She
squealed with delight whenever the little elephant playfully embraced her with his tiny black
trunk. She pushed him away laughingly, whenever he tried to roll over her playfully, crushing her
under his weight. As Unni kannan gained in years, the mahout started taking him for chores,
along with other elephants from the neighbourhood. Before he set out in the morning, Janaki
kutti would feed him a huge ball of rice and ghee, mixed lovingly with her tender hands. He
stubbornly refused to be fed by anyone else and refused to leave home until Janaki kutti had
planted a kiss on his extended trunk.
Bhaskaran Menon, the ”karyasthan” resembled a full-blown hurricane as he rushed into the
house with the terrible news .Unni kannan’s legs had got stuck in mud as he tried to wade across
the Kayamkulam lake along with his crony elephants. The wails of the desperate animal
reverberated across the murky waters. All attempts to extricate him failed and he fell into his
watery grave a few days hence, not before partaking of a last ball of rice from the hands of his
“elephant mom”.
Janaki kutti acted like a lost soul for many days after the tragic incident. She would rush out to
the front yard and gaze melancholically at the rope that once tethered her favourite one. The late
evening hours saw her waiting expectantly in the “poomukham”, for her Unni Kannan who would
never come back.
Once again, Janaki kutti had retreated to a life of quiet solitude.
Note: -
1.Kudumi: long hair tied in a knot at the back
2.Mridangam: A traditional percussion instrument
3.Karyasthan: Manager/Caretaker
4.Poomukham: Verandah or front room

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L I T E R A T U R E | T H O U G H T S
THE FAMILY WE
FEEL IS OURS
D R . J R A J M O H A N P I L L A I
The makers of family, however, are not simply inanimate objects, but the presence, habits, and
effects of spouses, children, parents, and companions. What makes family-territories different from
other territories is on the one hand the living in a temporalization of the space in love and affection,
and their connection with identity.
It is the connection with the identification process that makes us believe. That believes are the one
that makes a family.
Unfortunately, some family members are so psychotic that no matter how hard you try to forge a
healthy relationship, nothing will help. Some things are beyond your control. You owe it to yourself to
steer clear of people who are harmful to your health
Family, today, is a place for renegotiation and primary socialization, where people can relate to each
other not just on ties of blood but also on the basis of love-"finding solace from the hardships and
pressures.
The nuclear family moving away from traditional "joint family", is also the site for cultural and
generational conflicts particularly when linked with different ideas. Although, there is no one
monolith familial structural form and practice (because of local cultural and religious diversity) and
the institution of family in modern, global diaspora has experienced a series of changes (no longer
taken for granted), still the concept of family is "one's inner spiritual self, one's true identity" in a
strange world.
Most people in the same family ask why they were all strangers who shared the same family name. I
believe in fate and I believe that different people come into our lives who become our family. They
naturally develop affinities and understanding that make them more than family if not the real family.
So learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Look around you and find your real family.
Do not wait for the people with the same family name to behave the way you believe in Love and
relationships. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or around
you and you will realize the real.
Then every minute should be enjoyed and savored.
N O M A D I C | 2 4

LITERATURE | SHORT STORY
BAND OF BONDING
GEETANJALI SIVAKUMAR, HYDERABAD
Minu stood in her balcony and looked at the beautiful moon that was round and yellow. It was
Rakshabandhan the next day. There was a lot of hustle bustle and festivity in the street. The vendors
were selling rakhis, Pople thronged the sweet shops and there seemed to be a lot of happiness
everywhere. It was now almost a decade that she had celebrated this beautiful festival. The reason
being her marriage. It was a marriage of disapproval and the whole family was against it. Her brother
Nishanth, ten years elder to her loved her a lot. Rakshabandhan was a day when he would shower her
with gifts. Today, he was the one who hated her the most. She had chosen to live a life of her choice,
but it broke her heart for having shattered the dreams of her parents and her bhaiyya.
She gazed at the photo of her brother in the Newspaper. He was the Managing Director of a huge firm
and had moved into her city. His office was close to her home. Her mind was like overcast clouds and
ready for a down pour any time. She wanted to see him. She asked herself whether she should visit
him and apologise. She could tie the rakhi on his wrist like old days. She decided that she would visit
him. She scurried down the stairs and bought a beautiful rakhi for him.
Back home, she kept gazing at the rakhi. It was beautiful. She dreamt of him. Her brother was happy
to see her. He hugged her close and they both drenched in the ocean of emotions. She was woken up
by her son Arjun who took the rakhi from her hand asked her, "Mamma who did you buy the rakhi
for?" Minu smiled. “For your mamu!” “Mamu who is he?” queried the curious 7 year old. Fondly ruffling
his hair she tod him, “I will tell you tomorrow. Now you may go and play”. She then carefully placed
the rakhi in her cabinet. She was excited.
Next morning she woke up early. She was ecsastic at the thought of meeting her brother. Humming,
she draped in a sari.
She found his office without any difficulty. She was flabbergasted to see the huge firm and her face
beamed with pride at the thought of her brother being top guy there. She went to the reception and
introduced herself. The pretty bubbly receptionist was warm and asked her to wait. She sat there in
the visitor's room, eagerly waiting to see her brother. She had a hundred butterflies in her belly.
Nishanth almost jumped off his seat when he heard the name. He couldnt believe his ears. He got up
to peek through the blinds. He could see her, his only sister.
He felt a pain in his throat and tears rolled down his cheeks. A few minutes later, he buzzed the
receptionist and sent the message. He was busy and couldnt see visitors now, the bubbly girl was
apologetic. Minu was blinded with tears as she hurried out. As she opened the door of her home, she
could hear the wails of chinnu, the young daughter of her maid Shantha bhai. Shantha bhai was
beating her mercilessly. Minu pulled the child aside and yelled at Shantha, “kya kar rahi ho ? bachi ko
kyon maar rahi ho?(Why are beating the girl?) Shantha bhai replied "kya kahun memsahib, subah se
yeh ladki muje pagal karela hai isko rakhi chahiya. Kaun sa bhai hi iski jo haath.. dikhakhe bandhne
ko bol raha hi?" Oh itni si baath. The child was asking for a rakhi and her mother refused to buy one
as the child had no brothers to gift it to.
Without thinking, Minu took out the rakhi from her bag and gave it to the child. The little girl was
overjoyed. Minu felt a tear drop leaving her eye. The rakhi in her hand, the girl went to Arjun and tied
it around his wrist. Shantha bhai yelled “aye ladki kya kar rahi hi" (Hey girl what are you doing?) Minu
was overwhelmed. She went to the children and hugged them close. She touched the rakhi on her
son's arm. This was a true band of bonding.
After a decade she was once again celebrating the beautiful festival of Rakshabandhan.

UNANSWERED
PHILOSOPHY | EXPERIENCES
QUESTIONS
By KRISS VENUGOPAL, Dubai
Some people become a part of your life and remain close to your heart as family forever.
When I write these lines, he would be somewhere in heaven looking and mockingly smiling
as usual.
At an inexpressible difficult juncture in life, I met a person who mocked at me saying:
"You are big people; you won’t even remember people like us..."
Little did we know then, that we would be integral part of each other's lives, more than
friends - a brother, or something more than that? Years of closeness as a family, he was
there with us, day in and day out. He was a big brother and it so ended up being a lovable
relationship. We celebrated festivities and fights together. We happily shared what we had
and time seemed to melt away.
October of 2016, Big brother had not been keeping well on and off as there were pressure
variations, till that afternoon when I got a call.
"Big Bro just collapsed at the work site and is taken to NMC Hospital”
I rushed to the hospital, where before slipping into a comatose stage, he expressed his fear
of death. 43 years was never an age to die and we tried to give him the best medical
attention possible. Those ten days, he did not speak to us, but we did, knowing he could
hear us.
On October 19,2016 his pulse dropped, the ICU alerts were sounded, The medical staff
were running, emergency lights blinking and there was nothing more anyone could do. He
breathed his last leaving a void in our hearts. Tears could never stop flowing from our
hearts till date.
It was when we took his mortal remains to India, we realized, he had been estranged from
his family for over 9 years. Three sweet children were deprived of their father for reasons
unknown. That was his family, which he stayed away from. Till date I could never
understand whose mistake it was, as we knew only a big brother who knew only to love and
care even at worse situations. What makes us realize less of the value of a family? I know I
will never get anymore answers from him. But....
How I wish there were more Bawarchis, like the protagonist of the erstwhile Hrishikesh
Mukherjee movie, in this world. Would I be ever able to do something like that to
someone... someday....? Unanswered questions... Leaves me numb and silent...

L I T E R A T U R E | S H O R T S T O R Y
SOUL SISTERS,
DECODED
S O W M Y A R A M K U M A R , A H M E D A B A D
I was in cloud nine for we locked into each other oh so perfectly, Prashanth standing tall at 5.10” dusky
and gifted with a lass killing smile also had a well settled life in Singapore. Ask a known acquaintance what
owing a private condo and an Audi in Singapore at 31 means! A traditional dancer and a finance
professional I was beauty with brains too! We met at a banker’s conference and were sitting at the
Woodlands creek a week later discussing my relocation plans post wedding. I felt ever so strongly for this
man when he confided that he had lost both his parents in a road kill recently.
After the formal opposition and convincing scenes wedding happened and I did not even realise I had a
world beyond us until my work routine stated a month later. The frequency of flowers and chocolates had
reduced hinting me reality had set in. My new job was bearable at the best, not being showered with
options this was the best I could get. Work was manageable but for my robot like boss, Linda. She was of
European descent and in her early forties .An unapproachable snow queen with Himalayan expectations
so to say.
I was enjoying the work, dinner date routine and Prashanth travelled a lot lately. The first hint was
dropped when he stammered to have bought and forgotten the dress that I found in his travel bag. It
took me not over three months to figure out an elderly woman was funding his lifestyle and I was his
emotional release, a mere living breathing entertainment. He challenged me that with a dependent pass
cancellable at his will I was not left with an option but to accept the fact and be happy with this life.
Running between my crumbling dreamland and a reality worth avoiding I has become almost
emotionless and on a fine rainy afternoon I broke down. I heard sharp thuds at the door when I sat
sobbing in the closet and was sure to lose my job when I opened to face Linda. It was the most
embarrassing coffee I ever had, trying not to cry while explaining my state to her. To this day I can’t put a
finger on what made the so called snow queen become my only pillar of strength over the next six
months, starting with arranging my employment pass in less than a month and later seeing to that I was
strong enough to win over the toxic relationship that was strangling me.
A year later, here I was waiting to be awarded for the best performance at the national level dance
contest.
When an acquaintance pointed at Linda and asked “Is she your Friend ?”
“No” I cut back sharply “Family”, I smiled.
Linda, our snow Queen just managed a giggle, an expression worth capturing in her case!
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
ON MY WAY BACK
HOME
S U D H A K U M A R , S Y D N E Y
Running, running as fast as my little legs could carry me. Bare feet scratching and scraping as it pushed
against the earth raising brown dust. Too hard to see through the chalky haze enveloping me. Suddenly
am in the bazaar meandering and squeezing through tall bodies, the rich fragrance of cinnamon and
nutmeg hitting my nose, the clay and metal pots with intricate patterns arranged in rows and columns,
my feet slow down just a tad…my eyes darting from side to side, my breath coming and going in puffs,
and on its own volition my arm neatly swipes a pot off its stand.
Tucking it under my shirt my feet pick up the speed running, panting, running…I hear him bellowing ‘He
you!’ and screaming “Yallah! Come here!” I keep running, past the sacks of spices, the fresh produce, this
way and that, and the bellows become faint and a smile creeps into my face, ear to ear, as I quickly thro
a glance back! Yesss! And then I hear the muezzin. Prayer time.
Away from the crowded bazaar I spring into the courtyard of my home “Ummmmmiiii”. I hold the pot ou
with an outstretched hand. She freezes. A frown forming on her forehead… lips pursed, hands on hips,
feet apart. My heart is thudding, hand still outstretched and the smile still stuck on my face.. and she as
“What is that?” “It’s for you” I say.
“What- is- that?” “I found it…Umiii” She looks at me a long few seconds. I look away. “Tomorrow you will
return it to where you found it.” “But…” She looks at me with that look, again. “No more. Go eat.”
Dinner done, Abba gets ready for our nightly adventure. Tonight it is ‘Aladdin’s Lamp’. I snuggle into the
crook of his arm Abba telling me the story. I dream with my eyes open, and then drift away slipping into
slumber, breathing deep and quiet. And then a scream.. commotion .. muffled noises .. I wake up .. my
Umiii grabbing me into her bosom… fear in the pit of my stomach, and I see stars! Our ceiling was gone
And then another gigantic jolt! I look around, puffed out, sweating, heart thudding, the same fear at the
pit of my stomach, unable to move, on a bed, covered with a doona, soft light, my eyes dart across the
ceiling, my tongue stuck to my palate, my iphone alarm going off, tears streaming down the sides of my
face… followed by racking sobs. I walk to the kitchen, John is already there, my lunch box packed. My bo
of oats cooking in the microwave. I look at John, his slightly stooped stance and his salt and pepper hair,
as he turns around and in a soft voice “Good Morning Amir! Big day today!”. Marg from the living room
sipping her tea “Yes! big day Amir” with the warmest smile. I sit down with my brekkie.
“Are you nervous?” asks John, surprised.
“A bit” I say.
Marg reaches out and squeezes my hand, John gives me a good pat, and with a wink says “It’s your day
son! Soak it up, live it up.” I get up and gather my world into my arms for the first time. My big day.
Graduation. “And the Dux of the College for the year 2017 is, Amir Abou-Asali’. The hall breaks out in a
thunderous applause!
Three faces smile their biggest smiles with tears streaming down. Tears for what should have been, wha
may have been, and what is. If one gets far enough away, one is on his way back home.
N O M A D I C | 2 4

UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD
| THOUGHTS
LITERATURE
DR. VIDYA GANAPATHY
Living in a country far away from my place of birth,surrounded by family in all my
growing up years,has expanded the definition of family for me.Never a believer in '
Blood is thicker than water', I have now come to believe in" Vasudev
Kutumbakam'..universal brotherhood.
-when hubby is away, and I'm a harried mom at the supermarket, hauling a trolley of
grocery and two sleepy kids.An elderly lady gives a kind, ' I've been there, done that
too' smile.That reminds me of mom's smile, encourages me to move on, even stop and
smile at the lady at the counter, knowing she's far away from family too,and still has a
cheerful face and a hello for so many shoppers.
- too tired to cook dinner after a hard day's work, I stop at the restaurant near
home.The usher makes sure I get a quiet corner, where my kids can make some noise
without getting angry stares from other diners.
-the waiter gets my daughter's favourite dish, a specially prepared non-spicy
version.Who but family will put in a little extra effort to put a smile on my face?
-a group of friends meet , and we just share a morning of small- talk and some hot,
home made food, isn't that exactly what family time feels like?
- I meet her the first time at a party, and we realise that all those years ago, we were
both born not just in the same city,back home, but at the same nursing home, in the
same year,a few months apart.Its a small world indeed, this world of universal
brotherhood.
These are some of the several random moments which have brought a warm glow to
my heart- the same glow which comes when a ' family 'member does you a small
kindness, even just sends a warm hug and prayers across the seas.
That's how I've grown to love this adopted country of mine, even to the point of
missing it when I'm in my home country.

MILLY
LITERATURE | SHORT STORY
MEGHANA NARAYANAN. BANGALORE
Milly’s eyes were about to shut when she heard the loud ringing of the bell. Her class had
ended, but she couldn’t stay awake as she was having bad dreams of late. She picked up her
crutches and started walking slowly outside, where she saw a number of her classmates who
had lined up for a running race. Milly, who had been a star school athlete, lined up with the
others, forgetting her disability. Raj, the biggest school bully shouted at her: “Hey, one-leg, you
really want to race with us all”? Milly’s heart sank. She was about to reply when her crutches
were knocked off her arms as Raj threw her to the ground. Milly picked her up her crutches
while hot tears streamed down her dirt covered face. A flood of the bad memories of the last
few months swept her mind.
“Dad, where are you taking me?” Milly asked quietly, as she woke up the morning of her 11th
birthday. “Where else do you think? I’m taking you to the city as you wanted!” her father
replied enthusiastically as he handed her a teddy bear. Milly loved her father deeply - he would
always do things to make her happy.
Somewhere midway through the journey, the bus lost control and crashed onto a truck, and
was destroyed completely. Seven people had died that day, including her father, and Milly’s left
leg could never bear her weight again - essentially she was crippled. Milly always blamed
herself for her father’s death. If she hadn’t want to go to the city, none of this would have
happened.
Milly reached home and flung into her bed crying. She woke up as she heard her mother who
had returned from work. Milly quickly wiped her tears away. “Milly, i have to tell you
something. This will be burdensome news, but you need to know this” her mother said,
quietly.
“What could be worse than my situation now?” thought Milly. Her mother avoided eye contact
and said in a low voice- “Milly, I’m very sorry but you have to drop out of school. We need food
and a roof over our head every day, and I am unable to afford your school”. Milly shuffled to
her room and flung herself on her bed, and stared at the ceiling - her life might as well have
ended. The next day on her way to school, probably her last month there, she saw a huge
crowd of people gathered around at the stadium.
She asked one of the people there - “What’s going on?”
The man replied” It’s a swimming race, they say the winner will get an award of 5 lakh rupees”.
Five lakhs! With that much money, Milly could continue going to school, and it would also help
her mother at home. Milly could not miss the opportunity,and she immediately went to the
sign-up desk to participate. The competition day arrived. Milly braced herself at at the startup
line, not bothering to look at the other swimmers. She saw Raj who shouted at her - “One-leg?
What are you doing here - you’re useless”.
Milly ignored him. When the whistle was blown, she felt the audience’s disbelieving eyes and
whispers all around her. Milly sprinted into the water, swimming as fast as she could. She
swam not only for her mother, but for her father, who never lost hope in her. She swam for
every disabled person who was treated badly. She swam for every person who was bullied and
for every person who was not believed in. She would prove to every person who had ever
judged her, that even a disabled person could do anything.
Milly reached the finish line where she saw a crowd of shocked people. Raj looked away from
her, ashamed. She saw her mother standing in tears, proud of her daughter. Her mother ran
toward her and gave a life-crushing hug. She had done it. She had proved to the world that no
matter how you are in life, if you are determined, you can achieve anything.
She had also proved that equality is judgemental - a person considered not equal in one
respect, is equal, if not better than others at something else. She had proved the true
meaning of equality - and that is for every human being to treat another equally, without any
judgement of the other person.

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L I T E R A T U R E | P O E T R Y
FAMILY BEYOND
HOME
A N I T A D O R A I R A J , T R I V A N D R U M
What’s a family? I ask to myself,
It’s all around you except yourself.
It starts with your mother,
Whose love is beyond yonder.
And then your father holds your hand,
To take your imagination to far away land.
Then comes your sibling older or younger,
They teach you so much beyond any border.
You go out of this small world,
Into the real world of people who make you bold.
If you are lucky,
You might find few who are not so finicky,
Now these are the ones you may want to hold on,
As they make your life worth living for years bygone.
They are there when you need a laugh from the heart,
They bring out the best in you; now that’s a special art.
In your deep sorrows you search for strength in vain,
You see their goodness even in your pain.
Parties and work pressure go hand in hand,
That’s when you would all think of starting a band.
Crazy days and sleepless nights,
Needless to say once in a while, we do have a fight.
No matter what the circumstance,
We never give up on each other in any chance.
I’m lucky to count each and every star,
All my friends who are near and far.
I thank them for spanking me and supporting me,
I thank God for testing me and showing me.
If not for them I wouldn’t be.
N O M A D I C | 2 4

L I T E R A T U R E | T H O U G H T S
BORN FROM
STARDUST
G E E T H U S I V A K U M A R , T R I V A N D R U M
Being a lonely person and having synced so much with being alone through thick and thin she loved
the togetherness with herself. But it had it's own deadly flaws. The hardest times could penetrate into
her heart so fiercely that the balance of life trembled. Experience and words attained by living on this
planet could not be attained by anything else.
The traditional Indian system concentrates on that concept where a family ensures every child is born
and brought up under proper guidance. But who really determines the right and wrong. She could
feel the clutches of family and rules of the society choking her, the creativity in her heart and erasing
all colours off her life.
But in every tough situation, how many families really manage to be there with each other inside?
Her chained wings were eager to break free. That was when she started knowing her real family.
Where she was born, which was all around her and every moment waiting to get the vibes and
respond.
The nature, universe.
She opened her heart and spoke like she never spoke to anyone. And there started the conspiracy.
Of letting her grow, let the wings expand and fly. She met people, talking to whom felt like meeting a
long lost friend again. Her longing for experiences flourished when it was colored with love. Breaking
free of the chains, the butterflies flew spreading glitters of happiness. But I wonder if she knew that
hardly anyone thought of the real value of relations or life, than all the falseness.
Sadly the rules of the society would eventually conquer every soul whose natural wings starts to fly
and colors start spreading around. In a society where the bonds from formal relations, social rules or
age will shame every bit of happiness that arise, she felt terribly scared when her wings longed to set
free but the brain kept sending warning signs of the terrible ending and misunderstanding.
Keeping her fluttering wings locked, she walked by the trees, under the shade of the sky which gives
her a feeling of godly bliss.
Whom else could she talk to as her real self, than nature, the real family who actually shaped every
cell in her.
N O M A D I C | 2 4

FAMILY BEYOND HOME

BY
PHOTOGRAPH
SREE
SREEDHAR
BEYOND BORDERS SHORT STORY CONTEST
We are happy to announce the 2nd Beyond Borders Story
Contest for School Children between the ages of 10 and 17. The
Theme of the contest will be "My DREAM". The best short story
will be published in the pages of Beyond Borders.
Children of CCCI Members, Council, Contributors, their friends
can all participate on the contest and is open to all nationalities.
All the stories should not exceed 500 words and shall be in
English. A suitable affidavit of ownership along with the
photograph, address of their school, parents shall be sent along
with the story to the following email.
Email: bigpushconsulting@gmail.com

BEYOND BORDERS | ASTROLOGY
WHAT YOUR STARS TELL | DECEMBER
SHUBHA JAIN JAVARIA
ARIES: . Long awaited dreams and execution of pending plans are something you can look forward to. On the
professional front, both business men and salaried people can be assured of a fruitful period. The Arians can expect an
increase in the flow of income. Students may feel some stress. On the relationship front, those already in a relationship
may find their family life can be at the back burner. Singles can expect the start of a new relationship
TAURUS: There are multiple things ahead on the road this month. Taureans are advised to go slow this month as the
planetary positions are not too favorable. Think twice and be alert before entering into a new project. Thinking of redoing
the interior of your house? Now is a good time. Possible matters of concern could be loans or health. December is
a mixed month as far as family is concerned. Financially, it is going to be a decent month.
GEMINI: It is the month where your hard work will yield. It is a wonderful and balanced period and is a good time to take
decisions and draw out your plans. Gemini can look forward to a month of new investments and new sources of income.
You will enjoy good health and are advised to maintain a healthy routine. Overall, December is an eccentric month for
the Gemini.
CANCER: Your confidence will boost and pending tasks will gradually start moving ahead. Chances are that certain
situations can get complicated. However, the second half of December is going to be comparatively more relaxed and
enjoyable. Cancerians are advised to take care of their health and also maintain strong financial planning and control.
Your profile can broaden and stars suggest a change in property or place. Now is a good time to pay off old debts.
LEO: There will be exposure to new education and the stars also indicate expansion of social circle. Consulting someone
in matters of financial planning can prove to be fruitful in the near future. Salaried people may get an appraisal at work
or there could be an increase in income. Chances of a new association or partnership are also high. All in all, Leos will
enjoy a great month.
VIRGO: Although it will seem hasty and sudden, you will be able to effectively balance and juggle with them. This month
may see family gatherings where important decisions could be taken. December is a good month to come to
conclusions. On a personal front, there could be new relations and socialization is indicated. For people with a job,
there could be a change in profile. Financially, this month is going to be good and personal life will be stable
LIBRA: December favors Librans with an influential time which proves to be perfect for execution. Salaried people
should take advantage of this period the most. They can expect 100% support from the family. Those in relationships will
find an increased understanding with their partner. Singles are most likely to find mates. Financially, this month is
favorable for Librans. They should focus on education and gaining knowledge.
SCORPIO: Stars forecast deals related to property. Sale of property is indicated. December sees Venus in the ascendant
which means that Scorpions can expect a month of Luxury and comfort. On a romantic front, romance will be at its
peak. Couples will enjoy a wonderful relationship. However, Scorpions need to balance out their finances and control
their expenses. .
SAGITTARIUS: Good news is that the second half of the month will be more relaxed and laid back. December is a good
month to plan investment and wealth. Although finances will be good, any important decisions should be postponed to
the second half, which is after 16th December. Since Sagittarians will have a stressful month, they are advised to manage
personal relationships effectively and not let family life go at backburner.
CAPRICORN: It will be a hectic month and will be full of family functions and travelling. This can in turn give way for
health expenses. Capricorns will be pleased to know that the second half of the month will be good and strong
developments at work are reflected. There will be a lot of opportunities coming by this month, so make sure you grab
them and use them to your advantage. Financial front will be good but investment should be done carefully.
AQUARIUS: Aquarians can look forward to a fantabulous December. Be it family, business or relationships, these
Aquarians are going to have a gala time. Pending work will materialize in this month and start pushing the work which is
in pipeline. There will be a pool of opportunities flowing in and financials will be excellent. Relationships will be
admirable and personal life will be great
PISCES: There are numerous changes on the path. You may face lack of confidence this month. But there is no reason to
worry. Give it time and things will eventually fall in place. Your social life will be at its best, with socializing and networking
giving great results. Though you will try to manage the family front, there could be a few complexities. However, it will
resolve soon.You will get hidden support from well-wishers. Health will be excellent and finances will be balanced.
An ace & inherited Vedic Astrology practitioner, Shubha Javaria has been into the art
of forecasting the future for the last 16 years for Individuals, Corporates & Financial
markets. She is well known for guiding the people in practical spin and believes in
empowering an individual by assessing future trends based on their Horoscope &
zodiac reading, so that one can have maximum benefit & strategies accordingly. She
has extended her guidance to many politicians, celebrities, entrepreneurs &
corporates.
Write to her for personal consultations at astroshubha11@gmail.com

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