BEYOND BORDERS JANUARY 2018

BEYOND 

BORDERS 

A CCCI FAMILY INITIATIVE 

ISSUE NO. 15/18 | JANUARY | 2018 

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 

THE LONG 

ROMANCE! 

INTERVIEW 

POETRY 

SHORT STORIES 

PHILOSOPHY 

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY 

PICTURE GALLERY 

THEME OF THE MONTH 

MIRACLES 

OF LIFE

MIRACLE 

OUR LIFE 

IN

CONTENTS 

Patron Council 

J Rajmohan Pillai 

Tim Eynon 

Ingird Sciberas 

Jenny Wang 

Barbara Vadiveloo 

Chief Editor & Publisher 

Sujil Chandra Bose 

Editorial Board 

Sowmya Ramkumar 

Vaishali Thaker 

Lali Nair 

Sub Editor 

Pallavi Manoj 

Photography 

Enjo Mathew 


Partners 

Bigg Push 

B>Fresh 

Activus Club 

Readers Club 

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BEYOND BORDERS 

Copyrights reserved by 


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+91 98951 44272 

The long Romance - Interview 


What they said 

Kavitha K Nair 

Sound of Silence 

Anupama Blaser 

Miracle 

Sheeba Mohan 

The Miracle called life 

Kriss Venugopal 

Miracle of my life 

Amarnath Pallath 

Truth of life 


My best friend 

Meghana Narayanan 

A mother's prayer 

Arshi Khan 

My life 

Maya Pradeep 

Love, pray & miracle 

Sowmya Ramkumar 

Miracle 

Priyadarshini Deepak 

My Miracle 

Sarah Correia 

Life, a miracle of joy 

Anuradha Sharma 

Painting 

Sarah D'costa 

Star Forecast 

Shubha Jain Javaria 

JANUARY | 2018 



INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAG

ISSUE 15 | JANUARY 2018 



E D I T O R ' S S C R I B B L E 

Miracles happen everyday, change your perception of what a miracle is and you'll see 

them all around you. 

- Jon Bon Jovi 

Faith and religious books talk more about the miracles or the divine power of the almighty to perform 

miracles, but how will the almighty perform them without the help of his people, his sounding boards or 

his arms of action? I admit certain of my readers would certainly want to burn me for these 

blasphemous words, but having lived an eventful life and virtually being on the edge several times, I am 

compelled to believe in the power of miracles for sure, but those that happen because of the power 

within us, thanks to the most powerful part of us, our mind! 

Once we start believing in ourselves, our needs, wants and aspirations, it is the level of intensity of our 

desire that would decide the success of its conversion. If you rewind your life a bit and take a list of 10 

situations where things have occurred in your life, to others dismay, you would realize that every human 

being has had a tryst with his own set of miracles. These miracles happen because of the beautiful 

people around us and the colorful existence that believes and acknowledges our instincts and responds 

to what we throw at it. Every meeting is hence a miracle, every moment is. 

Let us continue to believe in us, others and let us watch miracles happen, one after the other. 

Sujil Chandra Bose.

BY SARAH D'COSTA

L I T E R A T U R E | I N T E R V I E W 

THE LONG ROMANCE! 

S U J I L C H A N D R A B O S E 

PARIS LONG 

SUJA 

GRADY LONG 

&

They are different in many ways, one a second generation Indian born to devout parents, the other 

part of a American traditionally music family. Yes for Suja Paris Long, a healthcare professional 

and Grady Long, a musician, it was indeed a long and winding romance. What makes their 

association special; let us hear it from the true ambassadors of BEYOND BORDERS. 

The moment I decided Grady was for me: 

When I met Grady I didn't expect to see him again. We met and went on for 2-3 group outings and 

then he left. I remember a couple of days later hearing a song that we had listened to together and 

breaking into tears. This was very odd for me since I had never before felt so emotional over a guy I 

just met. I was very much determined to have an arranged marriage so I made sure to never let 

myself feel an attachment to any man. So imagine my surprise when the tears came rolling down. I 

remember chastising myself and thinking "You are being silly. Why are your crying over a complete 

stranger". It was then that I realized why I was crying. This was the most amazing man I have ever met 

and will probably ever meet and now I will never see him again. The thought was so overwhelming 

that I knew I could not just let him go. 

What makes us click: 

We are truly best friends and our love of the arts keep us connected more than anyone else I know. 

We love so much the same music and movies and can talk for hours about all the intricacies. We both 

explore each other's interests and support what the other enjoys doing. 

What are our future plans: 

Our plan has always been to spend as much time together as a family. Most all of our plans revolve 

around setting up a type of lifestyle where we can work together and not be separated if at all 

possible. Our ultimate goal is to get a sustainable type of living out in the country. 

How is India welcoming us: 

The minute we arrived at the airport someone came up to Grady and asked if he could get a selfie. 

We were so surprised. Since then we have had multiple people recognize us and yet be very 

courteous and respectful. Overall we are enjoying our stay and meeting so many lovely people. India 

has welcomed us with open arms! 

What are the barriers we have faced: 

Other than the common barriers of the opposite sex trying to get along we have had the added 

cultural barriers. Although initially my family was very resistant to an interracial marriage they have 

come to embrace the differences and marvel at the similarities. We have gotten our share of stares 

and awkward moments from Indians who consider it odd. There were many times we felt a bit 

ostracized but we never let it stop us from being what we are. Both of us have made compromises 

but thankfully we enjoy the act of cultivating a whole new culture of our own which is a mix of all the 

best of both. I am also so blessed to have a husband who loves the Indian culture! Sometimes I feel 

that I am the Anglo and he is the Indian! 

N O M A D I C | 2 4

ISSUE 15 | JANUARY 2018 



WATER 

SAVE 

LIFE SAVE

D I S C U S S I O N O N T H E M E M I R A C L E S O F L I F E 

WHAT THEY 

SAID 

C O M P I L E D B Y K A V I T H A K N A I R 

According to me a miracle is something that has slim chances of 

happening, therefore the miracle of my life is my birth. When someone 

hears about birth they get exultant and very joyful . I’m one of the few 

people in my family that was premature, it’s a funny thing cause I was 

actually meant to be born on the 25th of December ; yep on Christmas. 

Premature babies; if you didn’t know are very small, and the chances of it's 

survival is really slim, thus I would call it a miracle because I survived. Well 

obviously its been about 14 years and 2 months since my birthday but the 

story of my birth is still told, as if its an adventure or something. I’m happy 

to be the only child of my two stupendous parents as the spotlight is on me 

and I've no sibling to steal it from me. So yeah That’s that, my birth is my 

miracle, what's yours? 

Advaith Sangeeth, 14 (Dubai) 

In my 11 years till date in this world, I have seen many miracles and had 

experienced many. But, this one I'll remember my entire life. Guess what? 

Some thing which was unimaginable for me. It was last year I got facinated 

by this reading series of Harry Potter. And ever since I came to know about 

mugglels or non magic folks, I wanted to go to Hogwarts school of 

witchcraft and wizardry. Why? Because I wanted to be unique. I tought 

about hogwarts letters piling up in my post box. Ah! What a dream! 

Soon came ny birthday. And my friend had come over for a party. She told 

she got a secret letter for me and I got exited because it had the hogwarts 

stamp on it. Wait! Is hogwarts real? Not exactly but a small fake one was 

made for me. It had everything. Spell books, wands, and even the magic 

sport qudditch! It was like a dream and the next morning, I woke up to see 

My best friend cleaning the mess and yes, hogwarts was real! Actually, a 

homemade one! And moreover, her dad had allowed her to stay at my 

house till evening and we played chess, ludo, snake and ladders, Chinese 

checkers, bingo, hide and seek, running race, science lab, monopoly, 

domino's and many more. The best part was food. We had fried rice, 

potato wedges, burger, sprite,pizza,spegetti, cocholate sandwich,ice cream, 

lollipops, candies, toffix, icebreaker's and my most favorite: A North Indian 

buffet! Yummmmm. 

She got me many presents. A harry potter book, a amazing key chain, a 

cute puppy doll, a dork diaries book and lots of toffix and candies. A few 

minutes before she went home, I was in curiosity. I knew my friend very 

well. She was a really bad artist. But, how did she manage to draw a 

amazing background of hogwarts? When I asked her this, she said she 

drew it all by herself. It was a great miracle as she drawing amazingly is an 

event that happens once in a blue moon and it happen to be my birthday! 

Ananya Naik, 11yrs old, Dubai. 

N O M A D I C | 2 4


LITERATURE | THOUGHTS 

SOUND OF 

SILENCE 

ANUPAMA BLASER, COLOMBO 

There is so much of noise every where and we are in the middle of this circus 

which we have created. Ever wondered what does silence sound like? Yes no typo 

error, what is the sound of silence? I got a first hand experience of this recently. 

Sitting at the Indian ocean shore, with no wifi or connectivity, all i could do was 

look at the serene ocean. The silence was a music, of the waves lapping on the 

tide and coming to meet me on the shore. The tune of my heartbeat and 

breathing were creating a melody with these waves, and the energy was 

exuberant far more musical than all the noise which i have heard all my life. 

The absolute disconnect with the world was more magical and mystical in nature 

than i could have imagined. As i did not have an option to get on my smart phone 

for anything other than listen to music or take pictures, therefore the complete 

disconnect to me was a blessing in disguise. Many a times i have tried to 

discipline myself to not check my messages, or notifications but still some where 

i have always cheated and managed a peak into the outside world. But on this 

trip i had no choice, and the effort to check whether i had the signal or data 

connectivity lost its battle once i experienced the total silence. 

I felt as if the world had stopped and i was one with nature and for the first time 

i felt i was in Now. There was no thought which crossed my mind and i was in a 

meditative state without making any effort to meditate. This is when i realised 

the true sound of silence.


Nothing creates everything and in this nothing is what everything is. 

The sound of Silence is more intoxicating than any sound we will ever hear in our 

lives. My inner journey took a different turn with this, i experienced bliss as it is 

said in books and by many spiritual people. When there are no thoughts, no fear, 

no past, no future but just you and this moment. In my meditation i have come 

across this feeling many times, but to experience this state without any effort 

was the first for me. 

We have heard "Silence is golden" in the context of speaking less and let the 

other person talk in a conversation. or not making a fool of oneself by speaking 

too much. To me Silence is Music and this is what i will like to rephrase as when 

we find ourselves, we don't need to challenge ourselves to listen to people who 

we have no interest in. Yes we learn from people, but then what is it that i want 

to learn from someone is the most important question. With so many people 

making their voices heard and numerous discussions which we all do on daily 

basis, yet no one understanding each other. This is the price we are paying by 

creating so many noises, who is actually listening? 

I was once very angry at an incident and wanted to write a stinker mail to the 

concerned person, but was advised by my colleague to not write a mail but talk it 

out. Reason, once its written there will be a ripple effect but if spoken, people 

forget. Strange is this not? If i want to say things to you then its better to say 

them than write them. But i wanted to give a warning to the person for not doing 

the job as expected and wanted no repetition of the same mistake again. So my 

question, we create so much noise every minute of our lives, who really listens to 

us? 

There is a meditation i teach, 'still your mind', and in this meditation the only 

effect i ask the person to remove is the noise and thoughts. Let the clutter go 

away for the mind to be still. Once we achieve this still state its easy for us to be 

objective and logical in our thinking. A fresh mind thinks faster than an 

overloaded mind. 

To maintain even an hour of silence, disconnecting from the world for 60 minutes 

everyday, one will see how the brain wiring will change over time. Many people 

cannot meditate, they have a mind block or are hyper active and its a belief for 

many therefore instead of forcing them to meditate i usually ask them to 

disconnect themselves from the world for 60 minutes. What is it one going to do, 

read a book? think about their work strategy? think of a new technology? what is 

the question many ask and all i tell them is Nothing ! do nothing. 

Imagine to do nothing for 60 minutes. No work, no computer , no phone, no 

music, no thoughts ..... simple plain nothing. How many can actually attain this 60 

minutes of bliss? 

Think about it, Silence calls us and we don't hear it in this clutter.


LITERATURE | THOUGHTS 

MIRACLE 

SHEEBA MOHAN, UAE 

With the advancement of technology and invention of Facebook, WhatsApp and 

other social media apps in today’s world everybody, everywhere seems to be busy 

with their own schedules, which has largely affected human interaction and 

quality of work life balance. 

Mantra to experience the miracles and magic of life is simple. 

Everything around us is a miracle. Miracles happen around us on an everyday 

basis. All we need to do is, open our minds and hearts to recognize them. Life is a 

journey into the world of miracles. Avery morning, pause for a few seconds, 

breathe deeply a couple of times and simply start reflecting on the miracles 

around. When we focus more on the miracles in our lives, every moment becomes 

happier and meaningful. You naturally get to feel great appreciation and 

gratitude for your life, knowing that you are blessed with so many miracles all day 

through. 

Firstly, the greatest way to enjoy the miracle of life is by spreading love. Love is 

not only romance or physical. It is much greater than that, it is what makes us 

happy, sing, dance and makes us human. Love is the most amazing thing in our 

lives. It makes life worth living. The size of our homes, bank balances, the beauty 

of spouse, our car size all this becomes insignificant, when we face the miracle of 

love. Love leads to other miracles such as kindness. Through the miracle of our 

love, we can indeed transform the world. A hug, a loving touch or just a smile can 

cause the miracle of healing others. 

Few simple things we can all do daily to enjoy miracles of lives by taking the time 

to stop and appreciate who you are and what you've achieved and perhaps 

learned through a few mistakes, stumbles and losses. You can enhance 

everything about you. Self-acknowledgment and appreciation are what give you 

the insights and awareness to move forward toward higher goals and 

accomplishments. Together, we can all make this an even more beautiful and 

miraculous world than it already is. So, from today onwards, appreciate and 

acknowledge everything around you and in you. Look for ways of spreading your 

love through compassion and making a practical difference to those around you. 

Your journey to see the world as a miracle has just begun. See everything around 

you as the miracle and try to bring in positivity to your life. Life will never be the 

same again, which means our lives are filled with opportunities to look upon 

every experience and every condition in our life with new eyes, choose a new 

vision, a new path to happiness.


MIRACLE CALLED LIFE 

| EXPERIENCES 

PHILOSOPHY 

By KRISS VENUGOPAL, Dubai 

“There are only two ways to live your life. 

One is as though nothing is a miracle. 

The other is as though everything is a miracle.” 

― Albert Einstein 

Is that a thought from a scientific mind or a profound thinker in Einstein which made him 

say these words. I believ, it was the thinker in him. More than miracles in my life … life itself 

is a miracle for me. A child paying in the park today, in a few years from now would be in 

the same park with his love, and then with his family and soon with a walking stick. The 

nature which is around him is seeing the miracle in his life… day in and day out. What more 

can be a miracle when you realize that every moment can be transformed into a miraculous 

one with a smile? From birth to death, every moment is sure a miracle. 

Have you tried writing down in a piece of paper all the miracles in your life. Though initially 

it would be challenging, soon you would be penning a book full of miracles in and around 

your life. There would be many moments of miracle which would bring a smile to your 

heart. A baby cries and without any words to convey its hunger and the mother 

understands it. The child who smiles instantly with a hug from his close ones forgets the 

flowing tears down his cheeks. The thumping of the heart and the sparkling eyes when one 

meets his or her love. The efforts taken to take life forward and go beyond the limits known 

to oneself to make things happen. There would be a million things around us like a 

blooming flower, a ripening fruit, the busy chipmunks and soaring birds, which when 

looked closer be the miracle which enlivens life. How does a huge tree hide in the smallest 

of seeds? Simple words of care and hope bring life back to a desperate individual. Is it not a 

miracle for you? Impossible is never a word to be adopted in life as we are the living 

examples of humans who started off in caves and now soar in the skies and beyond. 

“Be realistic: Plan for a miracle” ― Osho 

I read recently that "Prayer" is when you talk to the Almighty and "Meditation" is when he 

talks to you. The miracle called "Life" unfurls itself after you understand this concept. Every 

time you look around, look for miracles - you will find everything is a miracle, even the 

incessant beating of the heart pumping blood throughout a person's life. Many learned will 

give you so many more examples to understand the miracle called life. You will understand 

there is no need to search for the miracles in life, but Life is the miracle… More than 

anything” YOU” are the miracle. 

The key to the miracle is just one feeling – “Gratitude”. Let the miracle work for you and 

keep you smiling.


MIRACLE OF MY 

PHILOSOPHY | EXPERIENCES 

LIFE 

AMARNATH PALLATH 

OMG!!! Death is imminent. Fear is natural. 

When I was told by the consulting neuro-physician about my death 14 years ago at Hinduja Hospital, 

fear enveloped for a few moments. Soon fear was overcome with hope zooming in. 

I encountered lord of death YAMA, who came in his full glory to take me away with him. I made a 

request to help me see world affairs for a few more years. He said he will come again soon. 

The five member group of doctors decided that they will work on steroid to deal with Transverse 

Miletus that had inflicted my nervous bundle within vertebra after a virus attack. Chances, they 

diagnosed for death was 99.999%. 

Doctors worked on technology and medical science. The mille ampere that was applied had to travel 

from my toes to brain in mille-seconds but was taking minutes. Hardly a chance! 

Frankly nothing was on my side. I with a background of specialty gases with impurity levels of p.p.m. 

(parts per million) range was not sure of 0.0001 chance I had for survival. I smiled at Dr. Ashok and 

requested to share half of that miniscule of chance possibility for me to pray. I prayed with others 

close to me - my wife children and friends. 

I had lost all senses of touch from the lower portion from stomach down to toes, stopped urinating 

and passing motions and looked at white ceiling of the 13th floor cubicle of hospital, waiting for 

YAMA’s visit! 

On the 22nd day, I witnessed a pigeon flying in to the window sill and flying away. Freedom for me 

was indicated in a different way. As my colleagues visited me in the evenings they expressed deep 

sorrow. I then knew for a person whose death was imminent more than sorrow freedom to smile was 

important. I changed my way of looking at life. I lost triggers that made me angry. I remembered what 

my old neighbor once said that power of mine was beyond me in thin air. Air we breathe. We may 

breathe in and out but cannot ensure the next breath. I was understanding life from a totally different 

perspective. I started appreciating pain. Pain – that makes people suffer and made smears and scars 

in minds. 

Yes, this was about the way death handled me. Later, I was chosen as Hope Ambassador and had 

written an article published in TM Association of USA. 

Over a period of time, with the gift of God and all those prayers I survived. 

And I am able to scribble about miracle of my life. Transverse Miletus that makes you paralyzed for 

life to death. 

“Death is not the greatest loss in life, it is what dies in us while we live” – Norman Cousins.

NOTICE 

BOARD! 

COVER PHOTOGRAPH 

Jack Simmons 

SCHOOLFRIENDS 

ARE YOU A 

WRITER, 

POET OR 

PAINTER? 

SEND YOUR WORK TO US AND 

IF THEY ARE REALLY GOOD 

ENOUGH, THEY WILL FIND 

THEIR DESERVED SPACE 

WITHIN OUR PAGES. 

MEGHANA NARAYANAN 

WINNER OF "SHORT STORY" CONTEST 

Beyond Borders is very happy to announce the 

winner of the Short story contest announced 

during our last Edition. The Story is being carried 

in our pages on this issue. Meghana is a student 

of Class 8 and lives in Bangalore. 

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TRUTH OF LIFE 

| POETRY 

LITERATURE 

SUJIL CHANDRA BOSE 

They asked me when i was young 

Do you have a garden at home? 

And I did say yes, while I had none 

But will truth bite me in the end? 

I didn't care a bit before the blurt 

What did I have instead? 

Thorny marshes and thoughtless 

People who bent their back 

to revel on the filth they made 

Yet I grew there to find my truth 

When I rode a bus, when the haves 

Rode fancy cars that sped past 

I told myself, one day I will 

Someday I will surprise myself 

With the same colors I see 

I pretended the best girl in my class 

Was in love with me, her eager 

Eyes sought my humble shade 

I enjoyed the comfort 

Another blatant lie smiled 

I had a way with the words 

But I never knew it was good 

For whatever I knew about me 

Was not so good 

Though I never believed 

Some are born with a golden spoon 

While some dont even know 

How a plate looks like 

As spate of fate runs 

So battered and blue around 

Here I am a thousand years later 

Behind the fancy wheels 

Lights and creams that shade me up 

Words flow out of emotions 

That are bought by the dime 

Yet life flows out 

Truth remains shut out 

One thing remains in the dark 

A miracle could make a lie 

Turn into truth everyone believe.


BEST FRIEND 

| SHORT STORY 

LITERATURE 

MEGHANA NARAYANAN, BANGALORE 

The dictionary definition of a best friend - the closest friend. Some people have 

many best friends, some people have one best friend, some people have had a 

best friend for a long time, and some people have newly made best friends. 

I and my best friend, Manasi, go way back, so way back that I don’t even 

remember the first time we met. I remember the first time I had to go to 

school - I was crying , pleading not to leave my mother’s arms, pushing and 

pulling, and whining not to leave home. Manasi however told me to stay 

strong, and said it would be only for a few hours until I would return home. 

Manasi said it would be a new beginning, and that all beginnings are 

challenging. 

On entering a classroom for the first time, I was nervous. Looking around the 

room, I found children screaming and running around. What would I do here? I 

prefered sitting at home and playing with my stuffed toys. When I told Manasi 

this, she persuaded me to go and talk to the other children, and socialise. I 

followed her advice, and found there were a lot of children just like me, and 

kindergarten then passed happily. 

It was now time for real school. I had made plenty of friends back in 

kindergarten, and leaving them behind would not be easy. I felt worried - how 

could I ever make new friends in a new place? I went home, crying - Manasi 

was there again, and told me that things would be fine, just as it had been in 

kindergarten. At the end of my next day, a friendly looking girl approached me. 

We chatted briefly, and over the next few days, I made many new friends. With 

these new friends of mine , I became confident, and school eventually turned 

out to be a great experience. 

Manasi has been my true best friend all my life. Honestly, without this best 

friend of mine, I don’t know what I could have done. She has been there 

whenever I needed her - when I cried, she would tell me to wipe away the 

tears, and to get up and be strong. Manasi helped me discover talents of mine, 

ones that I never knew I had.. 

Now let me reveal my secret - Manasi, is a Sanskrit word meaning “with a 

sound mind - i.e. my conscience! “ . And my conscience is truly my best friend. 

Your first best friend is always you, and then come all your other real friends. 

Real people do help us, and are there to to help us in everything, but 

sometimes we should try and think of how to solve a problem ourselves. We 

must try and listen to what our conscience, and our own strong mind has to 

say first. We never know about how many answers to problems we can find in 

ourselves. We can be a best friend to ourselves, and then we can be the best 

friend to anyone else.


A MOTHER'S PRAYER 

| EXPERIENCE 

LITERATURE 

ARSHI KHAN, ABU DHABI 

Painful tears rolled down my cheeks not merely wetting my countenance but corroding the very 

essence of my being. Even a distant laughter or a mere smile seemed tormenting and torturous. 

Innumerable memories ran across my mind as I relived my motherhood from the start. That 

divine moment when I took my cherub in to my arms, the painful tears of labor converted in to 

tears of ecstasy. .my little boy crawled, walked and ran bringing inexplicable joy to our little 

world. 

Many an autumn n springs went by when that ominous call came from his school that my fifth 

grader was puking n complained of severe abdominal pain. His father rushed him to the hospital. 

Probably the doctor expected some minor food poisoning. After a day my champ was all eager to 

go school. At noon he came home with high fever and just fell asleep. We never knew that it was 

just the beginning of our worst nightmare. He woke up puking and we rushed him to the doctor, 

they put the drip and sent him back home but the night brought more trial as his temperature 

was not going down. This time we took him to another hospital, he was kept under observation. 

All tests done followed by an ultrasound as they expected a ruptured appendix but no worthwhile 

result. I came home from the hospital. Next morn I woke up some friends came to take me along 

my boy was shifted to another hospital. I was desperate to see my baby.my hubby was waiting 

thereto tell that he was in the I.C.U incessant tears poured out as I fell on the chair. A panel of 

doctors came, they had suggested urgent surgery coz they found severe liver abscess in the scan. 

After two tormenting hours, he came out still under anesthesia sleeping like a fresh born, he still 

had to be in the I.C.U for days on the dreaded bed. he was shifted to another room and stayed 

there for almost a fortnight. His hands swollen with pricking needles, unable to eat or walk. 

Finally, the day for his discharge came, an overexcited father texted all near n dear ones that our 

hero is back. I thanked heavens and slept .in the middle of the night again he began throwing up. 

we rushed to give him medicine. I screamed when I saw urine in his blood. this time I cursed all 

the unknown enemies though my hubby reprimanded me for losing faith. Our son was admitted 

again. I prostrated immediately with repentful tears for allowing my immense faith to quiver 

I know who holds the future and I know he holds my hand. 

So, as I face tomorrow with its problem large and small ill trust the lord of miracles gives to him 

my all. Today my healthy boy hops around, goes to school and every moment I thank the 

miraculous healer, the Almighty.


MY LIFE! 

LITERATURE | EXPERIENCE 

DR. MAYA PRADEEP, BANGALORE 

Trinity is always associated with divine providence, be it the 3 wise men that came looking 

for Jesus Christ, or the Hindu trinity of Gods. On a bright Monday morning, rather a quiet day 

at the French fashion house where I worked, the desk phone rang .What I least expected to 

hear was that there were 3 men in the reception waiting for me. I told my receptionist that I 

am expecting no visitors and they may have come to the wrong place. She insisted that it was 

just me they were looking for - the girl whose name begins with M. I told her that it must be 

Manisha my colleague , they are looking for, but apparently Manisha had met them and they 

mentioned it was the other M they have come to meet. 

I was a bit perplexed but nevertheless walked downstairs to meet the strangers. No sooner 

they saw me, one of them exclaimed “ Hey, you are the girl we are looking for, the girl with 

the name that starts with M and has four letters. We have come here with a message for you 

from the Golden Temple of Amritsar”. This scared me more and I looked at them with 

scepticism and fear of being cheated. But soon I realized that there was an aura of serenity 

in the men, and began listening to them with keen interest. What came next was mind 

boggling and exciting ; They asked me to write 3 wishes on a paper and without seeing it they 

exactly told me what was written on it. Then they proclaimed “In 35 days you will move out of 

this job and your life is going to enter a new orbit of prosperity and success” 

No sooner they made the proclamation they left, with a request to make any contribution to 

the temple; and I did so in my capacity. Thirty five days after this incident, circumstances 

made me quit my job and I left to the USA for a short while. When I returned from the 

United States, I decided to become an entrepreneur and started a venture- there has been 

no looking back since then. The thought of the incident still give me goose bumps.I believe 

the 3 wise men were messengers of God sent to meet the ‘God’s Child’, and I always feel so 

blessed by the almighty. 

Today I am a successful entrepreneur and there are several other miracles that keep 

happening to me. One such small incident is during our tour of Istanbul. We were rushing to 

catch the metro and realized that we were one short of the seven tickets we need. If we had 

to go back to buy another ticket we would miss the cruise we had booked for the day. Lo and 

behold a beautiful girl in tunic tops and boots appears and hands me a ticket. She says, ‘you 

need this now’ and she disappeared. 

I believe that this world is a miracle and miracles happen to everyone every day; it is just for 

us to recognize it and be grateful for the miracles that happen to us.


LOVE, PRAY & 

LITERATURE | SHORT STORY 

MIRACLE 

SOWMYA RAMKUMAR, AHMEDABAD 

Kush and Anjali cannot put a finger even today on who proposed first but every soul around 

them could drench themselves in the all-encompassing warmth of love they manage to 

radiate. Anjali smiled at everyone, was a chatterbox and Kush felt like he got paid to talk 

less! Interesting contradictions, they had built a cosy nest in Kathmandu, Nepal and were 

absorbed in each other most of the time. There was a knot in every story and theirs came in 

the form of extended family and society. Kush could not care less for opinions but Anjali 

became the personification of a slowly drying twig yearning to engage in the most divine 

status, a mother. 

After a three year struggle of multiple needle pricks and nights slept on drenching the pillow 

with tears, that news was nothing sort of a miracle, but little did they know what awaited 

them in less than six months? Anjali was taken care no less than a queen, every whim 

considered an order by Kush. Anjali harboured the common fear that everything was too 

good to be true, but she could not have fathomed even in her wildest dreams the events that 

were waiting to unfold, a blow at a time. Anjali was taken into the best nursing home in the 

city and was awaiting her bundle of Joy and Kush worked more from the hospital room, 

glancing over Anjali for the slightest of the signs, first time parent you see! Kush was at the 

tiny eatery outside the hospital when the rubble hit his forehead and could not comprehend 

for a whole minute the horror that had unfolded. The damage was done before he could rush 

and the entire hospital was just a decapitated reminder now. A man defeated Kush lamented, 

the worst of the sounds that matched his were all over the place. Nature, with immeasurable 

patience sometimes chooses to retaliate! 

Hope was the only anchor Kush was holding for the first three days and even that started 

evaporating on the fourth. Strong men were being pulled out lifeless from the rubble and 

Anjali harbouring another life, stood not a chance. Kush, prone to logical thoughts wanted to 

believe in the goodness Anjali called wishful thinking. Kush broke down completely on day 

five and collapsed near the rubble, a man consumed by the flames of immeasurable loss. 

Every story cannot have a “they lived happily ever after!” 

“Then what happened grandpa?” the impatient kid queried! With a mischievous smile Kush 

said “I was shaken violently awake at the hospital tent only to cry in the loudest tone at the 

sight of Anjali holding up your dad from the opposite bed! You Grandma had come out of the 

hospital to take a walk and the quake hit. She had braved five days of hunger on the road 

side with only a broken pipeline for water, holding her most precious treasure!” 

“So now you know what’s the meaning of Miracle”, a crisp smile filled the room for Anjali 

Granny was her!


MIRACLE 

LITERATURE | EXPERIENCE 

PRIYADARSHINI DEEPAK 

Each day is a miracle! When I wake up, when I breathe, when I feel, when I experience life, I 

realise I have woke up to a new dawn to start afresh. There is a joy felt within, when you 

know that you have one more chance to live. Doubt, fear and anxiety do creep in to push me 

down as I gear up. Then I close my eyes, stand with outstretched arms, and invoke the divine 

force. As I stand still in silence, I hear a whisper within: “Do not fear for I am with you. Go 

with confidence!” 

Until yesterday, my story was different. I used to wake up to a mundane world as I was 

running the rat race to keep up with everything as per social norms. One fine day without 

even me realizing, I walk past 4 decades of my life. Deep within, I used to hear a voice: “slow 

down a bit and breathe.” I ignored the voice and kept pushing for tomorrow. I had 

everything that equated to a successful life: great family, promising career, friends and 

wealth. Still I was unhappy inside. 

One day the voice within turned to be a shout that I couldn’t ignore. I took a complete U- 

turn, slowed down my life, stepped out from job to find myself. World found me stupid, but 

less could I care!. I neither had a sense of direction nor a plan, but I took the walk. 

Definitely, I had to fight through my doubts and darkness before the moment of clarity fell 

in place. 

Gradually, like a butterfly settling on your hand, life started to unfold its mysteries. Each day 

opened up to a new beginning, I started experiencing every moment as a gift and realising 

how much I had missed in life. I began to trust, release and let go of held up emotions and I 

started experiencing the joy that I longed. 

Each day I discover something new in me. Forgotten and hidden talents within surfaced. 

Today I am exploring myself through dance, music and more. The child in me is so awake, 

that I welcome each day with much enthusiasm and excitement. There is so much newness 

in a day waiting to be revealed, only if we are able to look with our inner eyes. Today, I 

count on each day to love, live and laugh more. Yes, at times to cry more, to feel everything a 

little deeper. When it is dusk, I sign off by reflecting in silence by sending love and gratitude, 

seeking forgiveness and sending pardon. 

Let’s take one day at a time. Each day has its own shade and the secret is to allow the day to 

paint its colour on your plans, aspirations and ambitions. And let the day unfold its mysteries 

and miracles to you. 

Ah! You call it a day, what a miraculous day.


MY MIRACLE 

| EXPERIENCE 

LITERATURE 

SARAH CORREIA 

Slow down!! That’s the best way to spot a miracle. They can be huge, they can be 

tiny and may even go unnoticed. Miracles happen every day, all you need to do is 

‘BELIEVE’, to see! 

I’ve been blessed abundantly to experience innumerable miracles in my life, but 

by far the most amazing and memorable one has been the birth of my first-born. 

Being able to conceive and carry a new life within your self is nature’s 

unbelievable miracle. Giving birth, again is natural, but it becomes extra special a 

miracle, when you deliver a pre term baby! 

My son was born to me when he was just 6 ½ months old. I was elated, my heart 

swelling with pride that I entered motherhood. But … the moment I set eyes on 

my new born I realized I need a miracle!!!! A ginormous one that too. This Oh so 

tiny 800 gm-weighing, body-full-of- tubes attached, medically- complicated infant 

was fighting to survive …. And that needed a miracle!!! As a young mother all I 

could do was watch helplessly tears streaming down my face, as the angels in 

white handled my baby and other tiny ones effortlessly with the gentlest smiles 

and efficiency. 

To me each strong and steady heart-beat of my baby, was a miracle. The brave, 

supportive and kind souls ensuring this baby’s survival, were miracles. The 

number of prayers by people known and unknown to us, were miracles…. And the 

days that followed I saw more miracles unfold, as my little ‘miracle baby’, fondly 

called by one and all was ready to come home to me. 55 days of enduring pain, 

experiencing tender loving care, receiving grace and mercy and holding on to 

faith, blessed me with my most precious bundle of joy. 

Miracles I understand result from unfailing faith in the divine….. and the hope 

that all will be well. A remarkable experience, which cannot be defined or 

explained. When the impossible happens, you call it a miracle. Miracles can 

happen to anyone, anywhere….. 

You can make it happen!!!! Just believe!!!


LIFE, A MIRACLE OF JOY 

| EXPERIENCE 

LITERATURE 

ANURADHA SHARMA 

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The 

other is as though everything is a miracle. – Albert Einstein. 

From the time of conception to the time that a child is born, the whole process is a 

miracle. The news of confirmation is a miracle. The happiness that a mom gets on 

being kicked by the foetus is something that is immeasurable. The wait seems so 

long. Finally the day comes when the parents get to see their bundle of joy. The 

mother goes through tormenting, excruciating pain- she cries, shouts, kicks or beats 

enduring the pain- but for what, only the baby. She forgets all the pain and is 

overwhelmed with happiness seeing her own flesh and blood. What a beauty! The 

tiny hands, cute pink feet, the lotus bud like eyes, all seems like magic. The fact that 

such a small human form can feel, breathe, express its hunger and anger is just 

mesmerising. People start telling the parents that the baby’s eyes look like the 

mothers and the nose is like that of the father, knowingly or unknowingly looking at 

the genetic aspects of the baby. 

Be it any animal, the mother looks at its new born so fondly and with such pride, that 

it is something one can’t express in a few words. 

Every milestone in the new-born’s life thereafter is an event which is recorded, 

photographed or celebrated. The rolling over, the crawling, walking, their first day at 

school, their aptitude, their liking, their graduation, their career, their wedding…. The 

list can go on. As the child grows the parents take utmost care in bringing up the 

child, providing the child with whatever support, be it physical or financial. 

I have had two miracles in my life –the two lights of my life. A commoner like me is 

spell- bound by my two creations. I just can’t imagine what Charles Darwin would 

have felt unwrapping the miracle so called evolution. To think that I am also a 

microcosmic part in the whole process of evolution is beyond my grasp. The miracle 

we know as life goes on adapting itself to the changes in the environment or at the 

genetic level, hence continuing the process of evolution, the circle of life. 

The sun rolling high in the sapphire sky keeps great and small on the endless round…


ACTIVUS CLUB OF BANGALORE


READERS CLUB OF ABU DHABI

OF CONTEST 

THEME 

VACATION I HAD 

BEST 



BEYOND BORDERS SHORT STORY CONTEST 

The 3rd Beyond Borders Story Contest for School Children 

between the ages of 10 and 17. The Theme of the contest will be 

"The best vacation I had". The best short story will be 

published in the pages of Beyond Borders. 

Children of CCCI Members, Council, Contributors, their friends 

can also participate on the contest which is open to all 

nationalities. 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


STAR FORECAST BY SHUBHA JAIN JAVARIA 

ARIES: Arians, be wary of problems. Handle them with a calm front and you should be good to go. You can expect a 

professional growth but don’t let it take control over family and emotional concerns. This month sees a jump in career 

prospects. Financial prosperity can be expected. On the relationship front, you will be happy. There is a possibility of 

falling in love at first sight. Health will be great this month. 

TAURUS:The bulls will emphasize on their professional objectives. Career goals will be achieved without much struggle. 

On the financial front, Taureans will gain high profits. Your love life will be full of zeal and enthusiasm. Married people 

can take a positive decision in terms of pregnancies. For those who are unmarried, you can expect the wedding bells to 

ring soon. You will be in the pink of health and fitness will be maintained. 

GEMINI: While doing great on the professional front, family matters might suffer a setback. You will be clear about your 

career and will focus on it. On the professional front, you can expect a promotion and you will excel at your job. Finances 

are great and you will make money. Your love life will be highly active throughout the month. Maintain a balance 

between your home life and your career ambitions. Pay attention to your health. 

CANCER: February will be full of enterprise and accomplishments for Cancerians. On the career front, possibility of 

getting a job of your wish is high. However, your finances may be under stress. Employ cost reduction techniques. On 

the relationship front, married people may suffer a setback with their partners. Singles may find romantic partners. 

Your health will be good. 

LEO: This month, things are not going to go according to your will. Do not worry too much and adapt yourself to 

situations. Career prospects will be good for Leos. However, you can expect delays in the financial front. Be wary before 

investing or purchasing. Married people can expect to be at peace with their spouse. Those, already in relationship can 

look forward to a permanent association. Singles are likely to find love amongst health professionals. 

VIRGO: Concentrate on family issues and emotional aspects. On a career front, in order attain your ambitions, it is 

important to keep a social grace. Finances will remain steady but you can increase your profits using your intellectual 

capabilities. Singles will have opportunities to get into romantic alliances. Health will be delicate this month. Take 

sufficient breaks to maintain your well-being. 

LIBRA: Focus on the emotional aspects. Family life will be full of fun and gatherings. Status quo will be maintained and 

less importance is given to career. Although stable at the moment, making money becomes tougher in the second half. 

Stars suggest that you will find romance in social gatherings, working places and holiday resorts. Health will be better 

this month and you will experience the benefits of spiritual health. 

SCORPIO: February is a time where you will achieve career success in addition to keeping family interests intact. 

Pending issues will start sorting themselves out. Financial health will be good this month. On the relationship front, love 

is all around. There are chances of a pregnancy. Singles will find intelligent and affectionate partner. Health will be 

below par and energy levels will be low. Take sufficient rest to overcome this. 

SAGITTARIUS: Personal happiness and finances will dominate the life. You will be extremely dynamic with your actions. 

Career-wise you’ll get good opportunities this month. February is going to be a financially sound month. Relationship 

with your partner can be strained. Singles however, can enjoy a month full of romantic surprises. February forecasts 

Sagittarians to be in the best of their health. 

CAPRICORN: Job seekers will be presented with ample opportunities. Financial status will be positive and investments 

will be profitable. Coming to the relationship front, love is not too active. Singles may find new partners but they will 

lack seriousness. Health will be wonderful this month and no serious problems are anticipated. 

AQUARIUS: For Aquarians, February is going to be a month full of determination. Whatever you want, you can make it 

happen. Career stars show heightened ambitions and passion. Financial stability will be maintained. Family relationships 

may undergo stress. Relations with spouse remain stable. Singles may get into a romantic alliance. Health will be stable 

with no serious problems. 

PISCES: February will be a very social month for you. Professional ambitions and issues need to be given priority. Career 

will be in focus this month and you will get support from your loved ones. Financially, it is going to be a great month. On 

the relationship front, the first half will be enjoyable. Health will be good and can be improved further 

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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