Cuvânt și iubire

Signal de Botrange este, după 1919, cel mai înalt vârf din Belgia, situat la 694 de metri altitudine. Se află pe platoul Hautes Fagnes din masivul Ardeni, în provincia Liege. Poziţia i-a adus un climat aspru, înregistrat de către o staţie meteorologică. Punctul culminant al Belgiei este, prin urmare, şi cel mai înalt punct din regiunea valonă, Ardeni şi Benelux, depăşind Weisser Stein (693 m), coliba Michel (674 m) şi coliba Fraiture (652 m). În 1923, cu ajutorul unei movile mari de pământ, se atinge în mod artificial, dar simbolic, înălţimea maximă de 700 de metri. Iar în 1934 se construieşte un turn din piatră care ajunge la 718 m. Signal de Botrange a găzduit o perioadă lungă de timp o staţie meteorologică. După 1999 ea a fost înlocuită de o staţie automată a Institutului Regal de Meteorologie din Belgia, instalată la Mont Rigi (staţie ştiinţifică Hautes-Fagnes a Institutului din Liege), situată între signal de Botrange şi coliba Michel.

Astfel s-au observat cel mai frecvent vânturi puternice în centrul Belgiei, de exemplu. Temperaturile medii şi cele extreme sunt adesea mai scăzute la Botrange decât în orice alt loc din regiune: temperatura minimă înregistrată fiind de  -25,6°C, iar la signal de -30,1°C. În timpul iernii, se poate observa o medie de trei luni în care temperatura medie rămâne sub 0 ° C, precipitaţiile sunt de asemenea mai frecvente, peste 200 de zile cu precipitaţii pe an. Temperaturile maxime din timpul verii nu depăsesc decât în cazuri excepţionale 30°C. Numărul zilelor cu îngheţ este de peste 130 pe an, iar numărul zilelor cu zăpadă depăşeşte 35. Grosimea maximă a zăpezii, înregistrată pe 9 februarie 1935 a fost de 115 cm. Îngheţul şi zăpada pot fi observate de la finele lunii septembrie şi până la mijlocul lunii martie.

Cel mai înalt vârf al Belgiei deţine numeroase surse de apă curgătoare, cum ar fi râurile ardene, aparţinând toate bazinului Meuse: Helle, Roer, Schwarzbach la nord (dar care curg spre est), Bayehon la sud, şi Trôt Marets la vest. După cum sugerează şi numele acestor râuri, chiar dacă signal de Botrange nu a fost o frontieră de stat, acesta marchează o frontieră lingvistică în regiune, între limbile romanice la vest şi cele germanice la est.

Signal de Botrange a devenit cel mai înalt punct al Belgiei abia în 1919, atunci când Valonia şi localităţile din Est au fost ataşate la Belgia, în urma Tratatului de la Versailles. Anterior cabana Michel deţinea întâietatea. În ciuda poziţiei sale remarcabile, Botrange nu a fost niciodată frontieră de stat, aceasta fiind stabilită pe cursul apei Helle la nord, Rouge la sud şi pe vârful Michel. Locul a făcut succesiv parte din colonia romană Civitas Agrippinensium, iar apoi a fost inima domeniului carolingian. În cele din urmă a fost integrat în Prusia, Germania şi Belgia.

 

Tatiana Scurtu-Munteanu

Asociatia Romanilor-Canadieni din Ontario (ORCA-Ontario Romanian Canadian Association) va invita pe 7 iulie, intre orele 10-21, în parcul ”Ignacy Jan Paderewski”,  9700 Hwy 27, Vaughan, Ontario la cea mai mare petrecere în aer liber a românilor din Toronto!

Fie că veniți pentru a gusta din delicioasele preparate tradiționale, să ascultați muzică românească de calitate,  să participați la competiția de fotbal, sau sa va vizitati prietenii din Toronto –  vă garantăm o zi plină de voie bună.

Cei mici se vor bucura de teatrul de păpuși, tinerii se vor distra pe muzică ”live” și cu Dj și vor aplauda la scenă deschisă domnișoarele aspirante la titlul de ”Miss Romanian Festival Toronto 2012”.

Un tânăr se va bucura  de ”ORCA Student Grant” – un fond în valoare de 3,000 de dolari al cărui menire este să ajute studenţii români din Ontario din punct de vedere financiar. De asemenea este o modalitate de a-i recompensa pe aceştia pentru rezultate şcolare excepţionale precum şi activităţi extra-curriculare.

Finalul zilei va fi încununat de concertul special LIVE  în care Gabriel Cotabiță va încânta  publicul cu binecunoscutele sale medolii.

Ontario  Romanian Canadian Association  împreună cu Octavian Radu de la ”Royal LePage, va oferi șansa celor prezenti de a câștiga o excursie de 4 zile la Las Vegas pentru 2 persoane, dar și multe alte premii in valoare totala de peste 10.000 dolari canadieni !

Participați la concursul organizat de ORCA – Ontario Romanian Canadian Association pe Facebook și veniți la Festivalul de vară al românilor din Toronto .

Informații actualizate veți gasi pe pagina ORCA de pe Facebook la adresa: https://www.facebook.com/2012orca dar și pe website-ul ORCA www.2012orca.org.

Prețul unui bilet pentru adulți: 20$; pentru copii și seniori: 10$; iar pentru copii sub 10 ani intrarea este liberă.

Biletele pot fi achiziționate de pe http://www.cumparabilet.com/.

Pentru toti prietenii nostri din USA care doresc sa participle ,  avem posibilitatea sa le oferim  informatii despre cazare la hotelurile din zona cu reducere oferita catre ORCA.

Vă așteptăm să vă înregistrați pentru a fi la curent cu ultimele noutăți despre eveniment.

Un eveniment organizat de ORCA – Ontario Romanian Canadian Association.

Parteneri media: ziarul ”Acasa”- Toronto, Canada si Asociatia Jurnalistilor Romani din SUA si Canada (NARPA-North American Romanian Press Association) 

“După luxurianta exprimare a fantasticului, cînd ani la rînd penelul maestrului Costel Butoi a explorat teritoriile neumblate ale fiinţelor extraterestre, recentele sale pînze părăsesc modernismul straniu şi propun o întoarcere la clasicism. Aşa cum se întorc primăvara păsările în cuiburi noi, maestrul se întoarce la dulcele stil clasic, cu un gen de reaşezare în fiinţa sa artistică şi spirituală. Din cele aproape 50 de lucrări realizate în ultimul timp, parte din ele reprezintă reproduceri după marii maeştri, Luchian şi Grigorescu. Prin pictură, am creat pînă nu demult o lume fantastică, ce mi s-a revelat. Picturile mele sunt asemenea viselor transpuse pe pînză. Cînd pictez, intru în transă. Am avut o perioadă cînd foloseam nişte pigmenţi care s-au dovedit foarte toxici şi care m-au îmbolnăvit. La atingerea lor, îmi intrau în piele. Am renunţat la ei, dar am rămas cu o sensibilitate la substanţele chimice conţinute de uleiurile şi de culorile pe care le folosesc. Sînt mult mai atent la lucrul cu ele acum şi fac pauze atunci cînd obosesc. Am avut o perioadă cînd am folosit şi pigmenţi naturali, obţinuţi de mine din plante şi din fructe, dar aceştia nu sînt la fel de intenşi precum cei necesari picturii în ulei“,  mărturiseşte pictorul.

Promovând o ruptură totală cu fiinţele fantasticului, maestrul Costel Butoi redă universului său pictural o nouă şi veche dimensiune axiologică, cea a stilului clasic, în care domină formele echilibrate ale realului. Fără regret, face din nou pasul spre nobleţea limbajului pictural, cu meritul de a produce o spectaculoasă şi necesară revigorare, punînd în valoare forul estetic al lucrărilor, prin spiritul lor pur, prin ingenuitate expresivă, prin patosul trăirilor, prin fineţea nuanţelor şi a temelor de mare complexitate. Invitaţie la bucurie şi repaos spiritual, caruselul expresiv al picturilor implică valori de culoare, de lumină şi de umbră, sugerînd concentrarea intelectuală, experienţa artistică specială, dar şi efortul practic de atelier. Lucrările marchează treapta de sus a creaţiei sale, dar şi desăvîrşirea miraculoasă. Prestaţia sa este întotdeauna  de excepţie, în faţa publicului obişnuit cu competiţia. Toate pînzele trăiesc, în toate este un suflet, aer, lumină, cer, anotimp şi o tinereţe…ceva curat şi proaspăt în fiecare bob de culoare. Şi pentru toate acestea maestrul bate la poarta cetăţii metafizice a inspiraţiei.

Costel Butoi s-a născut pe 17 ianuarie 1955, în comuna Dragoteşti, judeţul Dolj. În 1974 a absolvit Liceul de Muzică şi Arte Plastice Craiova, în 1979 a absolvit Institutul de Arte Plastice „Ion Andreescu” din Cluj. Pictează de la vîrsta de 14 ani şi a realizat mii de lucrări, multe dintre ele au trecut graniţa şi se află în colecţii de stat şi private din ţară şi din străinătate: Egipt, Filipine, Franţa, Belgia, Suedia, Anglia, Germania, S. U. A., Japonia. Din 1990 devine membru al Uniunii Artiştilor Plastici din România. Participă cu lucrări la expoziţii colective: Bucureşti (1990-2008); Roma (1991); Belgia (1991); Bruxelles (1991); Lisabona (1992); Istanbul (1992); Luxemburg (1993); Paris (1994, 1998); Wiesbaden (1994); Indiana (1997); Leipzig (1998). Are numeroase expoziţii personale în galeriile de artă româneşti şi europene.

Dacă pînă acum şi-a proiectat sinele în ipostaze cvasificţionale, furişîndu-se din gardă, tocmai spre a-şi proteja lăuntrul atît de delicat în faţa valurilor cotidiene, Costel Butoi renunţă la gesticulaţia şocantă a psihologiei de extraterestru, revenind la ideea reinstaurării frumuseţii romantice a lumii – un romantism măsurat, în mantaua unei afectivităţi asumate public, care clamează coerenţa profundă a existenţei sale prin artă. Efectuînd o rebotezare, o scufundare în sinele său, pentru a mărturisi iarăşi valorile lumii, Costel Butoi reuşeşte din plin renaşterea orizontului de magie pentru public. Deschise, receptive şi valoroase, recentele pînze se integrează cu propria potenţialitate în opera artistică a vremii, trasînd cu ştiinţă şi talent zona în care pictura maestrului dobîndeşte nobleţe şi căutare.”

Maria Diana Popescu 

Fortificaţiile din Bellinzone

Elveţia nu este o ţară foarte mare, dar una dintre cele mai bogate din lume. Se învecinează cu Franţa, Germania, Italia, Austria şi Liechtenstein şi oferă cele mai uluitoare privelişti ale Alpilor. Aici există o mulţime de atracţii provocate de om şi de frumuseţile naturii, Alpii ocupând cea mai mare parte a teritoriului ţării.

Lacul Toma – de unde izvorăşte Rinul

Lacul Toma din pasul Oberalp este locul din care ia naştere fluviul Rin, una dintre căile fluviale cele mai circulate din Europa. Acesta se află în centrul
unei zone protejate, la 2344 m altitudine. Pasul se poate străbate timp de o oră şi jumătate pe un drum bătătorit, care permite accesul până la lacul de la poalele Piz Badus. Pe malurile sale şi de-a lungul traseelor se întind pajişti cu plante de camp: smirdari, margarete şi iarbă de bumbac, locul fiind înscris în inventarul federal al peisajelor şi monumentelor naturale de importanţă naţională cu apă potabilă. Tot aici debutează şi traseul Rinului pentru ciclism.

Minele de sare – istoria aurului alb

De-a lungul secolelor sarea a fost legată de bogăţie şi putere. Zăcămintele de sare descoperite la Bex în secolul al XV-lea sunt exploatate şi astăzi. Minele pot fi vizitate, iar muzeul prezintă tehnici de extragere a sării din 1684 până astăzi. Între 200 şi 60 de milioane de ani înaintea erei noastre, marea acoperea actuala vale a Rhonului. Zăcămintele de sare de la Bex, în cantonul Vaud, provin din sarea marină. 10.000 de tone de sare sunt extrase anual din aceste mine, care cuprind un labirint de 50 de km de tuneluri. Un trenuleţ îi ia pe vizitatori şi îi duce în inima muntelui, până la un restaurant situat la 400 m sub pământ.

Brânza elveţiană

Brânza cu multe găuri mari, este cunoscută mult dincolo de frontierele sale. În străinătate, Emmental este adesea numită simplu “brânză elveţiană”. Valea râului Emme din cantonul Berna oferă un peisaj deluros, agreabil, unde oamenii sunt ataşaţi de tradiţii. Producţia de brânză Emmental datează din secolul al XIII-lea. Aceasta este fabricată din lapte crud netratat. Fabrica de brânză a fost înfiinţată în 1989 şi atrage anual 300.000 de vizitatori, unde pot fi văzute patru clădiri din perioade diferite, din 1741, 1900, 1954 şi 1989. În aceasta din urmă, laptele este transormat în brânză cu ajutorul tehnologiilor moderne.

Biserica eliptică din Mogno

Mogno este un cătun de pe valea Maggia, situat la 1180 de metri altitudine. În primăvara anului 1986 o avalanşă a distrus duzina de case şi biserica din sat. Cea de astăzi a fost construită de celebrul arhitect Mario Botta în 1990 şi poartă hramul Sf. Ioan Botezătorul. Acest edificiu controversat şi îndrăzneţ, ai cărui pereţi sunt realizaţi din straturi alternative de marmură şi granit în culori de alb şi negru, ce lasă imprsia unei table de şah, este acum considerat o bijuterie arhitectonică, bine cunoscută dincolo de graniţele ţării. Biserica, cu o capacitate de aproximativ 15 persoane, are o formă eliptică, nu are nicio fereastră şi este iluminată de lumina care intră prin acoperişul înclinat, de sticlă.

Parcul Naţional al Elveţiei

Natura domneşte pe 170 de km2 în parcul naţional elveţian din Engadine. Cu 80 de km de trasee pentru drumeţii, creat în 1914, parcul este cel  mai vechi din Alpi. Graţie regulilor stricte de protecţie a naturii, fiind interzisă părăsirea traseelor, se pot observa nenumărate animale sălbatice. Centrul vizitatorilor de le Zernez oferă expoziţii permanente în domeniul ştiinţelor naturii.
Activităţile educaţionale destinate tinerilor au ca scop aducerea acestora cât mai aproape de natură.

Fortificaţiile din Bellinzone

Aceste castele sunt cele mai mportante dovezi de arhitectură militară medievală în spaţiul alpin. Cu zidurile sale, turnuri, metereze şi porţi acestea nu încetează să-i uimească pe vizitatori. Castelgrande, Castello Montebello şi Castello Sasso Corbaro deţineau odată rolul de apărare, iar astăzi sunt simbol al oraşului. Prima lor atestare scrisă este din anul 590. Pentru vechii romani, Bellinzone a fost parte dintr-o linie foarte importantă de apărare. Cel mai vechi castel este construit în secolul al XIII-lea şi este numit Castelgrande sau Castello di San Michele. Două turnuri, Torre Nera (28 metri) şi Torre Bianca (27 metri), domină vechiul oraş Bellinzone. Castelgrande găzduieşte Muzeul de Arheologie şi Muzeul de Arte Frumoase. Aceste arhitecturi sunt printre cele mai bine conservate ale epocii şi sunt înscrise în patrimoniul mondial al UNESCO.

Morile subterane din Col-des-Roches

Este practic imposibil să se utilizeze forţa apei în cazul fluxurilor râurilor care curg încet la suprafaţă. Acesta este motivul pentru care locuitorii din valea Locle au început exploatarea apelor subterane, construind mori în peşterile Col-des-Roches. Ne putem doar imagina în ce condiţii au fost construite acestea acum 400 de ani. Singura moară din Europa amenajată într-o peşteră a fost restaurată de voluntari şi redeschisă astazi vizitatorilor. Un muzeu dedicat funcţionării acestor maşinării epocale prezintă exloatarea energiei hidraulice şi a particularităţilor sale.

Tatiana Scurtu-Munteanu,
Galaţi, România

The Grandeur of Red Fort, Delhi Diary

***

Rodica Anca

DELHI DIARY

 

18 November 2003. To Shiva

 

We read a wonderful book: Poems to Shiva – hymns of Tamil Saint Poets. We like them so much! I will copy some, which I will try to translate after we arrive home, to see just how beautiful they are. But I can not abstain from transcribing one now:

Bhiksatana: „The Beggar”, witten by Appar

He came to us singing songs in varied rhythms,

And took us by force.

He shot the arrows of his eyes at us;

With speeches that stir up passion

He skillfully seduced us, made us sick with love.

The skull-bearer god has mounted his swift bull;

Wearing a skin, his body covered with white ash,

A sacred thread adorning his form,

Come, see the Master as he goes riding where all can see him.

The Lord of Amattur is a handsome man, indeed!

The white bull he rides is in no way inferior

To rolling chariots, horses and elephants.

The dark-throaty one with the fiery red form,

The god whom the Himalayan gods praise,

Owns no wealth, yet is a rich man.

The Lord of Amattur, who wears a tiger skin,

And a garland of cool blossoms,

And rides surrounded by his demons,

Is a handsome man, indeed! 

 

***

 

28 Nov. Kurukshetra

Yesterday we were at Kurukshetra, 3 and a half hours away. Satiavrat came and took us to nearly eight o’clock, by car. I did not ever expect to like it so much that trip! The road was perfect, all with over 100 miles, across beautiful houses, new, clean. Not to say about the landscape. Eucalyptuses, like poplars, on one hand and the other, the highway with no bump, three lanes per direction, in the middle bougainvilleas, oleanders and roses all in bloom! Cars and general traffic, full of picturesque. Trucks overloaded with various rags, tractors carrying overfull trailers of all sorts of packages bags, hay, sacks and what they may have had there, carts drawn by a horse buffalo or ox, motor-scooter-taxis, motorcycles with at least three persons and a large bag, stylish cars and others more worn out, coaches, buses, jeeps extra, cyclists, rickshaws, etc. All the way on one side and on the other, dhabas for repairing vehicles, tea rooms with plastic chairs very brightly colored and tinsel remaining probably from Diwali, last fashion petrol stations with at least 10 pumps each, and with toilets, modern or older, what more, as if I wouldn’t believe to my eyes: very clean! India is no longer that of 20 years ago, with empty plains and piles of garbage. I liked it!

As you get into Kurukshetra, a statue of Krishna, painted of course, right in the intersection. Make a left on next to him, and after 50 meters, an arc across the street carry on it, like Brandemburg Gate, a Chariot with Krishna and Arjuna in respective battle. More about 2 miles across, the King, I do not remember the name now (Dasarata, but do not know how to spell), farther a statue of a modern character. This on our route to the University, which does not compare to that of Delhi. Modern buildings, with large, clean windows. Well, University of Delhi, where we are, was built by the English, and was the Palace vice-king until 8o years ago, but since then, nothing new or even upgraded. Professor S. remained at his job and we went along with another teacher there, to see the city.

We went first to the Temple built near two banyan trees, where, they sustain, Lord Krishna revealed Bhagavad Gita. I had to know how it’s called the Temple, but knows G, that he spoke with the guy who was accompanying us, while I agitated to do pictures. Anyway, the guy said that they are the same trees from about five thousand or so years ago, and although they were old and protected with nets on top of crowns, as if I wouldn’t believe it. He presented us also to a very intelligent, cult and talkative swami, after that I managed to make them to leave. In the meantime i made a picture of a mendicant monk, which will come out it will be thunder!!! I gave him 10 rs. I bought a bottom and a pot stick for chapati, a spoon and a wonderful wooden spatula, not to use them, I bring them home for being so beautiful. I bought more a Shivalingam and a support of incenses of glazed clay representing the serpent Shesha, used by the gods, to beat a pot stick in a kind of cosmic churn the primordial ocean, out of which they extracted “amrita”-ambrosia, the food of immortality of the body and spirit, and butter milk!

We went to the canteen, Guest House there, where we ate very well and not too chilli, about 4-5 dishes of vegetables with rice, fruits, chapati with I not know what greens through them, tea. Very good everything. There was also a Minister, it seems to me of finances, who ate also then. I carried out, I got hidden after Satiavrat’s car and I finally pulled a cigarette, that I was cracking.

After that, we all went and have seen Birla Temple, which has etched in marble plate, embedded in the wall around the lobby, all text Bhagavad Gita. A rather large Hanuman, dressed in red, who tears up his chest to show us that he has there a picture of Rama, receives us pathetic at entrance. They had also a globe of marble carved with continents, mountains and seas, which seemed very old, but no one else besides me gave it any attention. In another yard, a chariot (I don’t know what word to use, can be cabriolet or car combat) cool. I pictured it and a I have it also in a folder.

I forgot to say that before the meal we went also to the Museum of Archeology and not only, that I saw it in a hurry because the director kept us a lot of conversing, but I liked him. He was full of passion and imbued of respect for the plain of Kurukshetra, which, he said, lightened and made him better. He was from Orissa, as well as the other teacher, and he was unable to separate any more from that place (or the place didn’t allow him to leave), where even the Buddha, said he, came to preach twice. (Orissa, to 2,000 km in the South, o Lord, how great is India!)

Returning afternoon, I saw square lake, with porticoes around, where, say they, Brahma had created the world.(!). A little too small for that, I think, but rather large, about 4-6 stadiums in one place. Temples everywhere, pink-bonbon, but also some white.

With that, it made almost 4 pm. Come on also at the Museum of “Sciences from Vedic time”, and the Panorama of the Battle of Kurukshetra. To “Sciences”, these guys didn’t really have left me to look, but good luck with S’s “urgency” that he went twice, and until they expected him to come, I peeked with the around. Magnets, hourglasses, a map of the sky on a glass balloon, an alembic from two pots and a tube from scorched earth, solar eclipse, textile industry, etc. etc. I would have liked to stay longer to research.

We went upstairs where all around is a immense diorama (or how would they call it), with scenes of battle. 4 m high, I think, and continued in the bottom, horizontally, with mannequins in three dimensions, some alive, some dead, sand, vultures which peck the dead, so to say, in full dress. You rotate as wheel and find explanations for all you see on the wall. Satyavrat was very proud of the achievement. Good, really, for primary school children, but what I do intrude, a whimsical hag! Their bravo that they did it, though they could use their money better! (Look at me how I give me value!)

And with that we went to Delhi, where we ended up in the dark at 7. The lad came – he seemingly said that is called Akeelesh, from (Achilles?) – as promised. I liked him. He is 24 years, drives since five years across India, where Satyavrat carries him.

 

11 January 2004. Mother and Daughter

Last night we were at the restaurant. Oberoi. Leela and Shama came and took and and treated us with all sorts of Indian goodies. I think they gave thousands of rupees. What to do, they wanted, I would have preferred to stay at home to order dinner downstairs and talk. As about talking, we talked also there. Sharma was married, she had divorced two months ago, that they didn’t understand each other. But, as I already said, a divorcee woman here’s as stigmatized. They told us about this in great secret. Leela, his mom, it’s full of life, as it was also 20 years ago. Short, even more than I am, full of energy, much joyful to see us again. Sharma is a little higher than she, plump and pretty. She has something, I don’t know what kind of glue, of come here, which makes her very enjoyable. I found out about Neeru, her older sister, married in California, with an Indian too, with whom she has a two years old daughter, after that Leela’s maddened. She is sorry that Shivji didn’t reach to see and take her in his arms. Leela told how she played with children and gathered around her, but if her husband entered the room, without speaking with anyone, only standing and looking at them. All children went to him. He died on 1^st July 1999. Was killed. He had been at the Bank, was pursued and even at few houses from his home, on day, at 11.30, was robbed and hit in the head. He died in hospital three days later, without having to revert any more. Of course, that the police never discovered until today who murdered him. And, funny thing, the exact same story, the same day and at the same time, was in another part of town, with a known of theirs, who had 2 lacks (200,000) in his bag, removed from the Bank, also in front of his home. Someone threatened him with the gun, he told him to take the money but do not shoot him, took the money and shot him. Neither his assassin was discovered. Leela was sad, but she re-conciliated with the situation now, that life must go on, she said. Her luck and power are now the two daughters. At first she was angry with everyone, but slowly, the wound has closed, though it’s still painful, and she sees after the two girls. It goes every year in California, at Neeru, Shama stays with her, so she is doing with her pain somewhat. And what a fine man was Shivji! And great personality in the field of law. Dinner last night was, I believe, also in his memory, and to prove to us that they manage. At return we boarded at us and I’m sorry that I didn’t treat them with Romanian brandy, because I understood from Nana that they would have wanted to take also win to the table, but if we didn’t want…

15 Jan. Eminescu Seminar

Today I was at University with G at the Eminescu seminary, organized also in occasion of turning 25 years of teaching the Romanian language in India. All students have arrived, plus a few guests of theirs. More an accountant and a radio-singer, writer and humanitarian activist called Satish Solanki. He came at us the day before yesterday asking G to write him some expressions in Romanian, such as:” God is one “. And others, that he have them written in different languages and he said that he wanted to make an exhibition of all. And had enough! A strange figure, with a striped head little cap, frail body but, if he didn’t exaggerated, with great soul. I neither know from where to take him, nor where to put him. 10% of his income, which I don’t think is particularly big, he puts for charity: mental handicapped children, blind ones, to whom he goes every day to sing them, to cut their nails, to keep company. He helps the girls to comb, let them know if they have been properly dressed, before going to some courses. He is married and has two children. He has learned on the spot the anthem of Romania (first stanza, that even we do not know any more!), and “Lioară Lioară”, two verses (all the same). You had to hear how it sounded … That he has put in melodies strong Indian accents, that they didn’t seemed any more Romanian music, but were neither disagreeable. Today he came and sang them in the class, better than the students of G. About which I have to admit that they have worked hard to understand the words in carols sung by Hrushca! Could be recognize only a word or two, but I’ve realized how much have striven. I promised them to go after hours to help the to understand and pronounce the words correctly, because at melodies they are doing very well, in the style of “avaramu”. More strange is that one of them, Muslim by religion, sang a carol (also from the respective box sent to from the library) and the word he pronounced most correctly was “Precesta”/Holy Mary. I think that if he had known what he’s singing there they would skin him! Others have said poems by Eminescu, Chitranjan was the presenter and gave a speech in English, with a few phrases in Romanian at first (but what claim to have any, barely two months and a half – of which there were three weeks vacation and holidays – have started to learn!), about Kālidāsa and Eminescu, a parallel between Shakuntala and Calin. He’s the best, more tenacious and most serious of all. He wants to come with scholarship in Romania, struggles, that he is child of poor people and wouldn’t have with what to pay the plane even in two lives!

Vibha, head of the Department, came, too, when she heard that it is question of treat (I am wrong, it was her duty to take part and also the students had invited her, hoping that she will not come – otherwise, they wanted to invite even Geoana!). I told a girl, Seema, to give her the bouquet they had given to G, in order to pacify her, and she did it, after I told her that I still heave the roses she had gave to me on Sunday. It tickled the little belly of chief lady, you see. But still she spread snot, saying that the accent must fall on the struggle for freedom in contemporary literature, not on old works, which now no longer have much interest, such as Sanskrit religious writings! See from where the descendent of Lenin jumped! Communist up to the nail tips, what more! Come to the great fight, brothers fighters for freedom! fight the great freedom fighters, brothers! What has this with the Prefecture, I do not understand! That just is not the Chair of political sciences! But leave her, with propaganda, and let return to the students, who had put hand to hand and had served some refreshments and a cake on which they wrote “Mihai Eminescu’s Anniversary” (I don’t know if I spelled well). Also, a banner that reads like this “25 years of Romanian teaching in Delhi, the silver jubilee, Dr George Anca” and do not know what more, but G asked it and we have it at home, as souvenir! why, but he asked and we G, home of remembrance! They had also a CD-ROM sent from home, quiet tasteless and without any comment or sound.

 

23 Jan. Gayatri

Meaning of Gayatri. “OM Bhu, (or Bhooh), OM Bhuvah, OM Suvah, OM Mahah, OM Janah, OM Tapah, OM Sayam.

OM Tat Savitur Varenyem, Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi, Dheeyo Yo Nah Prachodayaat”

OM means THAT: The Absolute Sun of Immeasurably Light (consciousness) that trigger our impulses (mind).

This Mantra is clearly divided into two parts: the first part contains the seven Vyahrities, the second, the mantra itself. In Sanskrit mantra has 24 syllables. It is composed at a pace that is called “Gayatri Meter”

The seven Vyahrities. These seven steps form the first part of the mantra, and represent seven invocations. ii. They invoke the seven layers of this universe, that is Creation. This universe is composed as a song, say the Vedas with the help of the seven musical notes (Sapta Swaras). For instance, we see a stone, trees, animals, birds, humans. All these exist, but not in the same way. The existence of each is placed at a different level. The stone exists only at physical level. There is only the physical stone. A tree there is a physical but in the same time, there are biological, biological world other than being simple physics. A tree exists physically but, at the same time, exists also biologically, the biological world being other than that simple physical. Thus, the life of a tree is held in two plans: in the material, as with the stone, but also in the vital plane, called the feeling, while while the stone exists only on the material plane. This lowest level, or Physical Plane, is called “Bhoo” or \”to exist, to be” in Sanskrit. The plants are living in the the Vital World, with Prana (the principle of Life), in the second plane, called “Bhuvah Loka” or Vital Plane. Both plants and animals are living. But the animals have a higher level of being. The animals think, while the plants live only in vegetative plane of life. The animals move, but this is not the real difference. It consists in differentiation at level of the Consciousness, or Mental Plane. Plants are lower than animals in this plane. These rates or planes in the ranks of Consciousness are called Vyahriti. Thus, all seven Vyaahrities are various degrees of Consciousness: 1. Bhooh-the physical plane, 2. Bhuvah-vital plan, 3. Suvah – mental plane 4. Mahah-intellectual plane 5. Janah-super mental plane. 6. Tapah-spiritual plane, 7. Satyam – the divine plane, The Plane of Absolute Reality, which is Brahma or the Universal Mind. or Brahma.

The creation of These seven levels of Creation are described as the Seven Steps to the Temple of God. These Seven Golden Steps have to be climbed by any creature, one by one, before arriving at The Highest. This means that before you get to the full Union with Brahma, which is the goal of the Brahma Vidya, meaning in life, everyone should be developed by completing each of the seven Locas.

The seven Vyaahritis refers likewise to the seven vibrations, as we see in in rainbow or the solar spectrum. All seven Lokas (Planes, Levels, Worlds) are part of the Brahma, which is like the white light that contains all seven visible colors in the solar spectrum. Also, the mantra OM contains all seven musical notes, which are all in Brahma, the creator of the universe.

Gayatri is a Mystical Formula that contains the essence of Vedic teaching. Gayatri refers to the universe as a living thing and we are learning how it can be studied. “You are the universe”, says, ” you are The Living Time (Ayu) or living period of the universe, thou art the Divine Path”, in this way addressing to the Universal Power within human body.

7 Satya Loka (The Divine Level) – Sahasrara Chakra, topping

6 Tapo Loka (Spiritual Level), Agna Chakra, between the eyebrows

5 Jano Loka (Super Mental Level) – Vishuddhi Chakra, at the base of the neck

4 Mahar Loka (Level of Intellect)-Anahata Chakra straight to the heart

3 Swah Loka (Mental Level) – Manipurana, opposite the navel Chakra

2 Bhuvar Loka (Vital Level) – Swadhistana Chakra, the sexual organs

1 Bhu Loka (Physical Layer)-Muladhara Chakra, next to coccis

The one who has created the universe has created also the Man after the same pattern. This pattern is based on the Structure expressed by Gayatri: The Law of the Seven. There are seven basic Vibrations produced in Akasha (Aether). From the beginning of Creation, Brahma, who is the Creator, existed as principle of the sound. This primordial sound is called “Pranava”, “OM”, Brahma. Gayatri is the symbol for the potency and forces contained in this Primordial Sound called “OM” (not as we use it but as it emanated from Creation as Universal Vibration). Pranava represents both the Universe and the Man, built on identical foundation. This first Cosmic Sound Vibration gave birth to seven tones. These seven vibrations (tones) were descended from Brahma on Earth like the seven steps of the ladder in the form of the seven Vyahrities. This Scale is the link between Man living on Earth, in the Material (physical) plane, with help of which he can rise to the spiritual heights of consciousness symbolized by the Interior Sun.

26 Jan. Republic Day

National day of India. Parade. Seen also by me at TV set in the canteen. I went since 9.30. There were more some 5 – 6 Chinese, or what were they, and the boys from the kitchen. Started with laying of a crown (not great!) to the Unknown Hero monument, which is located at the All India Gate, represented by a rifle with the pipe down, over which is put a soldier metallic cap, and four flames in the four corners. I liked it. Sober and suggestive. On the whole arch of India Gate are written names of heroes, I think of the last 54 years, since the Declaration of the Republic. Vajpayee kept 2 minutes of silence. And it was so quiet, that only the crows were heard! After that, he went to the floor of the Raj Path – the path of Kings – where also the President of India came together with that of Iran. Ours was tiny, black and with white locks, dressed in gray suit, Indian model. Of theirs, tall, with white skin, black turban, dressed in their costume – a sort of overcoat-toga, up to ground, gray beard. The President of India, stood on a kind of throne, higher than other armchairs, with high back, red. The rest, on the white armchairs. They had window panes around, that they feared terrorists. When the anthem was sang I raised standing (so I know that it is customary to them) and after me also the Chinese. I was touched, as I remembered it from 25 years ago, almost to give me the tears, that thus I get moved at solemn festivities. Then began a military parade. Every echelon, with its fanfare in front, with specific very beautiful clothes, recalling the old miniatures and paintings with rajahs and wars, all with turbans, with fans of various colors, made of starched veil. Yes, they were impressive. They had started from all parts of India, that you could make ethnology and typology watching them. That, in every echelon, all looked as if they were at least cousins if not even brothers. Mustached, haughty, tall, handsome. I think they have been selected, that surely they wouldn’t be all soldiers so vigorous, tall and stately! After the soldiers came the war machines: tanks, cannons, radars, helicopters, airplanes. Navies on air-cushions, and, especially, many kinds of rockets! It was also an echelon mounted on horses, other on camels. Now, I say, also the elephants will appear! No way! Nothing of the kind. At the end also the policemen from Delhi. Again very selected. “With you, for you” is their motto.

All that I wrote in the last nearly an hour, is lost because the light was taken and I didn’t save it! I try to rewrite, but I don’t know if I still have patience.

They followed Indian States ‘ allegorical carts. Each with what had representative as relief, industries, habits. That from Orissa, I think, had a large face of Buddha, followed by a temple of paperboard, very detailed and well made, in whose court prayed a few monks dressed in orange bedding. Others, from Goa, had a big boat which drew after it a still bigger fish, baskets with fish, dancers with nets, and after car, came about 6-7 large and beautifully colored fishes. Another car has a little mountain with sheep breeders and basket knitters. There were hoses, specific costumes, animals of flowers, monuments and dancers. (Mother, how enervated I got that I can no longer get into that atmosphere! Fucking bigili! -electric current, that is). After the cars of states followed those ministries. That from the energy had a pier over which the water flowed and all sorts of pillars and installations. That from the Metro – “Delhi Metro, mera Metro” as they sing it on the radio all the time, had an underground wagon with platform and travelers, and another on the flyover, little smaller than life-size. It followed, I think, that of railways, which also them had a train wagon, with carthwork, workers who dealt with it and head of station. This guy has snatched the applause. There were many others, but now they have flown from my head because of the interruption of current. I was getting ready to leave the TV – the Chinese had gone, I had remained alone, Pinku been liberated, Pinku swept besides me, my neck ached, I hadn’t smoked since about three ours, when, behold, the elephants! More than 10, certainly. And wore in their canopies, or how they have been saying, those 11 boys and 10 girls who were chosen this year to receive the Award of Merit. I was glad I hadn’t gone, it was not possible that they be not present to parade, most proper symbol of India, say I, as a non-Indian woman. After them, the orchestras of girls, boys from different high schools and universities, young social activists or otherwise, all volunteers. I didn’t stay anymore. When to go, I was asked by those from the kitchen, if we don’t want to eat there, that they have chicken. But the sleepy one didn’t want to descend, though I would have liked it, that I hadn’t eaten chicken since Nana was here, taken from the Tibetans, “the Manchurian chicken”. I came up, G at chess. I think he was beaten that he took on me and I didn’t insist to come also him. Before the pause of current, I had made the pasties with flavor of chicken, boiled the milk and washed the dishes. G slept until now, instead of washing on head! Upon evening is going to be too cold. Outside since some two ours haunts, that alarmed the parrots and meenas, which I hear screaming frightened, as from fire. Neither the monkeys appeared. Only one, erring, didn’t know how to jump more quickly the fence into the Grove, also by fear of helicopter. The Cyber Cafe was closed, it’s celebration, so I didn’t either to pissing place. Look, Mr. did awaken, bothered by my rattling and by helicopter. He went to wash. I go to lit a cigarette, that I am ostracized and I can not smoke when he is sleeping but outside or in the kitchen only! I do not want to impose my human rights, to not spoil the atmosphere.

I don’t think I rewrote everything I had written before, and neither of quality I am not content, but it should be a teaching on mind, not to forget again to save. But also this dull computer, it was also its duty, and may make it from time to time. Shame to it. Well does G when beats it at chess that humiliates it! Again the helicopter passed, I think it jumped over 20 tours, what would be it wanting? It flurried all the birds, animals and children, who are kept after him and run here and there in the yard. I read yesterday in the newspaper that they feared terrorists, not to ruin the National Day. But the Delhi Police is on duty, as we see and, especially, hear! Not to say that also the building shakes , and it has no more than 50 m high of flight. But also some good part has this helicopter, chased away the monkeys and I am not any more afraid to go out on the balcony! maimele and not shoo me less afraid to go out on the balcony! I hear it again!

27 March. Bell

Esha called in the morning and promised that will pass by here! Meanwhile Chitraranj came and I sent him in Janpath, after bell. I see that he is not returned, nearly four hours, I hope that nothing has happen on the way! Esha came, then, and said that she made two hours up to here! Esha is a very sentimental being and I am very closed to her. It was pleasant to recall the times of 20 years ago, girls, how were they and how well did they got along. Se told me that if I go back, to stay at her, she gives me a room and I do what I want! What to want I? I’m not coming back anymore. We promised to keep in touch on em. Her great pain is that Radha, who is same age with Nana, neither has a friend nor does plan to marry. And mine is likewise! But what do we know, the old ones, how goes on the life of youth now! I sent to Radha, the gray suit from Nana. Esha came with bacon. Which we ate now, after she left. I kept also for Chitraranj. Whether he would be eating meat, I don’t know. G ended, grace of God, the conference of tomorrow, I’ve passed it on floppy disk and I went to Bobby to multiply it. Now he went to sleep and left me at computer as much as I want. Only that I am with the care of that boy! Until he comes, I have not peace! Better I would have not sent him! He may have gone buy bus, although I gave him money for Scooter? (Since I didn’t eat any more meat, the bacon fallen hard on me! And I have not any more triferment!)

He came, finally, just after 8 pm! He brought me a bell that works, but gave on it 562 rs! Plus the transport coasted me 670! When I could get it the day before yesterday with 275! So it must for me!I shall! Let give the money to cats!

I spoke with Nana, a lot, an hour! I was worried that she didn’t know about us, she wanted to call us. Also I would have called her if also today the booths wouldn’t work. I’ve told her about the bag and the other stuff that I’ve picked up and she was excited. But, kind of sad, for she is alone. Apropos of also Esha said about Radha who stays and sweep the house or deals with the garden! When not at work.

We read through newspapers about the war, I hope God helps us get out of here and get home safely. It came a card from Vinod, whose mother died recently, one, two days. Mothers die… be mild their dust! Wait, here is burning, I don’t know how would be saying anything other than condolences. I call G now. Sunday comes around.

The water didn’t flow all day. Zero bathroom! Tomorrow we will go to Conference unwashed on heads! Mayby it will come overnight, if we have luck. If not, don’t!

 Translation by George Anca

 

De la debut şi pînă acum ne-a sufocat, pur şi simplu, piesa într-un singur act de la Teatrul Zambaccian. Actorii influenţi s-au luptat pentru a intra în graţiile regizorului, la fel ca şi împăratul Carol al V-lea, care se apleca să ia de pe jos pensula lui Tiţian, de dragul celebrului pictor. Drept urmare, „toată floarea cea vestită” a Poliţiei Capitalei, inclusiv doi medici renumiţi, „au dat cu subsemnaţii” la D.N.A.. Dacă te amesteci cu tărîţa, te mănîncă omizile. Ne place sau nu, comunismul ar putea avea muzeu în România, unde vor fi putea fi expuse obiecte specifice perioadei. Propusă de deputaţii U.N.P.R. Tudor Ciuhodaru şi Amet Aledin, iniţiativa legislativă a fost adoptată de Senatul României. Muzeul ar urma să fie subordonat Muzeului Culturii şi să funcţioneze într-o clădire pusă la dispoziţie de Primăria Bucureşti. „Chiar dacă nu a fost o perioadă de bun augur, nu avem dreptul să ne negăm istoria”, precizează expunerea de motive. Corect! Istoricii patrioţi şi de bună credinţă au recunoscut că, perioada cuprinsă între anii 1969 – 1980 a fost cea mai prosperă din istoria României. Comunismul nu a însemnat doar securişti, austeritate şi „turnătorie” (democraţia plusează mult aceste capitole), ci dezvoltarea economică şi modernizarea României. Este  parte a istoriei poporului român. Voi trăi şi ziua înfiinţării unui muzeu al capitalismului şi aştept cu nerăbdare comparaţiile, dar şi clipa cînd preşedinţii celebri, marionetele celor care au condus omenirea din umbră, vor ajunge statui din ceară, nu numai în Muzeul Madame Tussauds, ci şi la Bucureşti, şi voi face fotografii alături de ei. 

Doar nu credeţi că în S.U.A. apare, aşa, din junglă, un personaj zîmbitor,  care joacă şotron cu statele lumii, cu finanţele, războiul, spînzurătoarea, cu împuşcatul şi linşatul preşedinţilor, fie ei şi dictatori.  Cei de la pupitrul lumii se orientează spre personaje charismatice, maleabile, cu priză la public, un fel de roboţi de rasă, manevraţi de telecomenzi diabolice. Evident, cu piesa de teatru din Zambaccian, cu plagiatul premierului şi cu invazia omizilor verzi, ni se distrage atenţia de la problemele de fond ale României. Asemenea întîmplării 1938, cînd, la radioul american, Orson Welles prezenta scenariul radiofonic „Războiul Lumilor”, panicînd mii de oameni, astăzi, în timp ce pungaşii continuă să prospere, iar românii trăiesc tot mai greu, televiziunile prezintă de două săptămîni gardul unei închisori şi invazia insectelor de tot felul, ştiind că subiectele provocă panică şi controverse. Ieri, căpuşele, ţînţarii uriaşi, acum omizile. Ce urmează? Ciorile, lăcustele, extratereştrii şi vaccinurile aferente, nu-i aşa?  

Scrie presa de specialitate că N.A.S.A. a descoperit un suc de fructe rare, care „şterge” ridurile în patru luni. Înainte de a fi folosit, credulii ar trebuie să-şi facă examen psihologic. Produsele din reclame conţin agenţi care ridează portofelul şi sănătatea. La fel s-a întîmplat cu proiectul U.E., promovat cu mare pompă de lăutarii occidentali. Conceput ca uniune a popoarelor membre care îşi pun unele resurse în comun, astăzi are faţa ridată şi tremură din toate încheieturile. Aportul cuplului „Merkozy” l-a transformat într-un plan de reconstrucţie a imperiului franco-german, pentru care restul ţărilor sînt egale doar în datorii externe, sărăcie, şomaj. Au trecut aproape patru ani de la prăbuşirea Lehman Brothers. În tot acest scenariu, zona euro a flirtat cu regizorii de pe Wall Street, iar F.M.I., cu paşi mărunţi şi siguri, a reuşit să sabordeze statele naive. Tot cu astfel de paşi, Casa Regală britanică visează o colonie în Transilvania, cum a procedat în trecut cu alte state „slabe”. Să nu ne lăsăm copleşiţi de prinţul care „promovează” România, cînd bucăţi din pămîntul românesc trec extrem de uşor în posesia colonizatorilor. Glorificarea regilor şi reginelor, a stăpînilor lacomi, a devenit bolnăvicioasă. Bogăţia Coroanei are la bază spolierea, timp de sute de ani, a coloniilor britanice. „Regina deţine un prosper imperiu imobiliar, ale cărui venituri, în 60 de ani, au crescut cu 9.200%.” Anglia  fost o naţiune dominantă, şi mai este. Vedeţi documentarele despre India, Africa de Sud, Australia, şi apoi, înghesuiţi-vă pe malurile Tamisei, ca să priviţi printre ulucile gardului, plutind pe valuri, vase împodobite cu aur, încărcate de clovni şi clovniţe! Nici cei mici nu mai sînt interesaţi de poveştile cu regi şi regine, cu animale preistorice, ci de cele cu nave şi lifturi spaţiale.

De cînd lumea şi pămîntul, aşa s-au petrecut lucrurile cu regii şi reginele, iar cea mai mare greşeală din istoria bătrînului continent a fost Uniunea! Însă, sistemele sociale apar şi dispar ciclic: sclavagism, feudalism, capitalism (democraţie), imperialism, comunism, aiurea, şi iar de la capăt, tot aiurea. Problema este că ele se derulează pe perioade mari de timp, de aceea unii nu înţeleg ce s-a întîmplat în propoziţia comunismului, de pildă. După lovitura de stat din 1989 am trecut de la comunism la sclavagismul liber-democrat. Sub umbrela N.A.T.O şi U.E., marşul forţat ne-a transferat în capitalismul sălbatic. N-am fost lăsaţi să ardem etapele naturale. Puterile lumii aveau nevoie să ne dăm lor în folosinţă. Forma de democraţie mascată a asigurat infrastructura politico-financiară, necesară ancorării în modelul imperiului modern. Aşa am devenit stat-sclav în Europa noastră, unde s-au dezvoltat  feude locale. Cursul istoriei nu mai poate fi schimbat. Poţi fi „liber” şi „democrat” în toate, dacă eşti corupt plin de bani şi de putere.

Ca să răspund la întrebarea „de cine rîd englezii”, păi, de toată lumea. Inclusiv de noi,  cumpărînd pe mai nimic bucăţi din trupul ţării. Acesta fiind şi visul fostului rege autohton: România să aparţină unei case de trîntori pompoşi. Vise plăcute! Au stat destul în genunchi strămoşii! Timpurile s-au schimbat, iar monarhia, vorba unui puşti în metrou: „băi, s-a fumat demult!” Monarhiile au fost şi sînt cele mai costisitoare, arogante şi leneşe sisteme sociale! Cît vor să mai adoarmă omenirea  cu povestea sîngelui albastru?

Maria Diana Popescu, Agero

www.agero-stuttgart.de