Sights and Insights

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

A Secret Retreat

1) Not famous like the Angel or Victoria falls
Or of far-famed Niagara from lofty heights
Not many know its name, and none recall
In far interior woods, the path not straight--
We ventured to search for the gushing sight
Of silvery sheets of foaming delight.

2) We went through crooked winding ways
Gigantic trees with wide-spread branches made it dim
Whither we go--a dark mysterious place
Not a soul seen, the surroundings grim
Through groves of silver oak and sandal wood
We smelled faint fragrance as we moved.

                              3)         Abundant spicy creepers seen
                                          Of cloves,pepper and herbs so sweet
                                          In mid noon, nightly darkness seen
                                          No sound of bird or beast, no pricking heat
As if in subterranean worlds we lost
No trace of gurgling water but dark jungle vast..

4)    A rugged path with twists and turns so hard
   Rough rocking jolts-- a risky ride
   We can't go back , we dared forward
     " Don't move onward " some strangers cried
   Too rough to scale--this thorny pathless wood
   Better go back--leave it for good.

                             5)        Still doubting we moved with defiant will
                                        Like ghosts through darker worlds in search of prey
                                        An abysmal ravine choked with shrubs and thistle
Made us pause in stony silence and stay---
Not to turn back with a sense of defeat
Let us explore whatever comes or danger greet.

   6)    Through rocky boulders steep we made our way.
Holding the stumps of twisted shrubs and trees
Tightening our foothold along the slippery clay
      Bearing the brunt of stinging thorns and weeds
                                        To sink to the bottom-most ravine with care
                                        A distant rumble of stream we heard somewhere.

7)    Some merry sounds and shouts our gaze did draw
   Our goal so near -- we sighed with relief
   A cluster of black rocky flats we saw;
   Like chains of swelling pearls from lofty cliffs
   Behold the leaping spouts of water there!
   From unknown heights with vibrant mirth somewhere.

      8)       The ice-cool swirling torrent touched our feet
This unexplored haven not so easily found
                                      Amidst green cover of wild trees this sweet retreat
                                      After laborious search through bushy uneven ground
                                      Far from the reach of common grassy plain
                                      With meandering paths this rocky terrain.

      9)       As pure as Pierian spring within these forests deep
                                    A surprising picturesque waterfall
                                      A precious gem of Nature amidst mountains steep
                                      The surge of freedom untrammeled by artificial walls
                                      We made our way onward with rapturous delight
                                      No flashing lens can catch this charming sight!

                    10)    In saintly silence of the moon-lit night
                                     A mystic murmur echoes with cheerful beams
                                     What spirits or angels revel with fluttering delight!
                                     What aerial bodies perfume those silver streams!
                                     An awesome sight for common mortals to guess
   The charms of gloomy night in such a lonely place.

   ******************************

   August 26th 2013.            Gutala Somaseshu

References:
       a) Angel Waterfalls -- The world's highest waterfall located in Venezuela.
      Its height is 3,212 ft. (979 meters)
b) Victoria Waterfalls -- Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe
      Its height is 355 ft.(108 meters)
      c) Niagara Waterfalls-- Located between the Canadian Province of Ontario and
       New York State. Its height is 167 feet (51 meters)
      d) Pierian Spring    --- The famous water spring in Thessaly, said to be the abode                                                        of the sacred Muses, goddesses of Knowledge.

Friday, August 2, 2013

TSUNAMI FROM SNOWY HILLs

The plight of stranded pilgrims

The destructive floods

Ravaged surroundings in front of the kedarnath temple

The raging Ganges near Rishikesh

1) In large numbers the pilgrims struggled hard
An arduous climb to see their beloved Lord
The old borne in sedans--a sturdy task:
In unforeseen weather changing fast;
A warm sun now, and next a stormy blast;
The roaring river burst through rugged rocks.
2) Unmindful of weather, this ill-fated journey
No warning given-- all think of money:
The icy lakes leaped forth like monsters dread
From snowy mountains with hellish fury
Sparing none, not even a roof or tree
A huge expanse of muddy waters spread.
3) Like rolling pebbles, houses dragged by tide
In thousands pilgrims sank and cried
Like sinking ships in dreadful Charybdis
A huge avalanche of mud swallowed
Whole buses with pilgrims tumbled and bellowed
Drowned in gigantic mound of slush and debris.
4) Buried under the tidal blast in a flash
As all dwellings at once did crash
Whole families cut off by deadly waves
The temple echoed with loud piercing cries
All submerged under debris in a trice
Nothing remained and none to save.
5) Deprived of food and drink, frozen with cold
Wading through mire of sufferings untold
The pilgrims ran for their lives to hilly tops and cried
Losing all goods except their bodies bare
No help in sight to save them from rocky slides
From jaws of death engulfing everywhere.
6) Looted by vendors, the pilgrims wept
Hounded by deceit and cruel theft
Tottering through dead bodies they went
So many died famished with dry parched lips
None gave them water at least to sip
Others moved forth dying each and every moment.
7) Through rocks and pits they had to tread
Through vast desert of countless dead
No trivial clue to find their near and dear
In freezing cold begging for water and bread
Pierced by fangs of poverty they bled
No helping hand approached to wipe their tears.
8) Help came too slow to starving souls
Ill-planned confusion: no clear goal:
The choppers flew, too few to clear
The running pilgrims with languishing eyes
The weak and old pushed back by greedy guys
Thousands left behind with streaming tears.
9) In midst of this dire torrential doom
In dusky chambers of silent gloom
Dweller of Burial Ground, the mighty Lord
Unshaken dwelt in meditative mood
Steadfast Nature's powers withstood
In deep penance unperturbed by raging discord.
10) Who can uproot Thee, All-Pervading Lord?
Maker of million Spheres with Thy nod:
Thou, radiant Glow above this earthly cage!
Thy temple too withstood the rushing onslaught
Of rolling rocks in muddy deluge fraught.
Why Death razed so many before Thy gaze!
11) Though Death had taken a heavy toll
Untouched by her destructive role
Thou Lord of Kedar, stay in placid state
As pilgrims' bodies lie like faded flowers
Amidst the broken homes and fallen towers.
Can't You behold, Oh Lord! their wretched state!
12) The Sacred Bull before Thee Knelt so firm and calm
With faith profound in majestic form
None can explain Thy acts, a mystic maze:
This sacred place, now, turned a burial ground
A ghastly sight of corpses strewn around:
Protect thy devotees,this vast disaster assuage:
13) Why such dire punishment? What have they done?
A tremendous shock to thousands that none
Can withstand or relieve this stunning blow;
Deprived of wealth and losing all their near and dear
Poor survivors struggled with utmost shocking fear:
Oh Lord! Protect them now, Thy mercy show!
14) Is it Nature's response to pollution?
Men ruined rivers with devilish ambition
A heinous crime deprived of vision!
Murdering forests and harmless cliffs
Not sparing wild life with destructive grip
God's gifts with vile misdeeds undone!
15) Let us not doom ourselves with devilish greed
Exploiting Nature with selfish deeds:
Once Nature ruined, no redeeming cure:
Let us leave rivers,woods and mountains free
Let us maintain their status pure:
Feel for every creature and find divinity.
( Dedicated to the Lord Of Kedarnath with humble devotion)
******************************
August 1st 2013 Gutala Somaseshu
Reference: Charybdis-- In the Odyssey, a monster that
swallowed sailors travelling in ships. It is also
a whirlpool on the Sicilian side in the straits of Messina.
Note: Kedarnath is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Himalayan valley at a height of 11,755 ft. on the banks of the river Mandakini, a tributary of the Ganges. The great spiritual teacher Sri Adi Shankara renovated the temple in eighth century. He attained siddhi or final liberation here only. The construction of too many hydel projects, buildings and roads with so many tunnels and deforestation resulted in huge land slides and flooding of lakes,destroying so many lives and causing enormous damage to property and projects on the fateful day, June16th,2013.
Yet the temple remained in tact in midst of tons of debris and massive boulders. In the name of modernization these holy places only suitable for simple life and pious living are converted into busy crowded areas without any regulation and planned organisation. Only people should be allowed in limited numbers just to have Darshan and not to indulge in luxuries or treat this as a holiday trip.
We should bear in mind that in the name of development we have no right to disturb the serenity or meddle with ecological balance putting at stake so many lives including flora and fauna.
==============

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

MY VISIT TO TEMPLES IN U.S.

Sai Baba Temple, Kifer Road

During my stay in U.S.I had the opportunity of visiting some temples in the neighborhood. When I compared those religious centers with those in India, I did not find much difference except in matters like better organi zation,amenities and hygienic surroundings.For NRIs, these temples serve as places to recharge and sustain their interest in Indian tradition, culture and conventions.In spite of busy routine many people take off some time to visit temples to derive spiritual satisfaction and some relief from stress and strain. In many temples language classes, reciting hymns and Vedic mantras along with religious discourses and training programs are organized so that young people and children may learn about moral and ethical values that are not much taught in ordinary class rooms.Many people serve as volunteers and organize social service activities, festive celebrations bhajans and charity works.As these people are far away from their native land,they show more attention and care in participating in the activities of the temples.

I often used to go to Sai Baba Temple on Kaifer Road in Sunnyvale. which has been managed by Shirdi Sai Parivar since 2007.This non-profit volunteer-based organization is dedicated to spread of the teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba and motivating the members to involve themselves in cultivating devotion to God and contributing their mite in helping the poor and needy. Bhajans,religious programs,aarti and distribution of prasadam (Food offered to God) are done with devotion and discipline. Just six miles away from Sunnyvale, the same organization established another Sai Mandir with permanent constructed building in 2010. In both these temples religious rites and ceremonies are performed as done in Shirdi. Special poojas are done on Thursdays and festival days.Apart from religious programs, charitable works like disribution of food to the poor and conducting health camps are organized by the volunteers.The volunteers themselves will do worship and we do not find any priest employed to do this religious duty.

Idols of Satyanarayana Swamy

Another temple I visited two or three times is the "Milipitas Satyanarayana Swami Temple", quite near to Sai Baba Mandir. This temple was set up in the present building by VEDA(Vedic Education and Devotional Academy) in 2010.When I visited this temple,developmental works were going on. Now this temple is in full shape with sanctum and other rooms. Along with main presiding deity one can have darshan of other Hindu deities like Durga, Shiva, Vinayaka, Murugan, Hanuman and Saraswati.The priests in the temple are well-trained Vedic scholars and perform all kinds of ritual and poojas. On every full moonday Satyanarayana Vratham is performed by many devotees here.I had also the chance of listening to Swami China Jeeyar's lecture on the significance and spiritual implications behind idol worship. In this temple special classes are conducted to teach Pooja Vidhi (procedure of worshipping gods) and Vedic Suktas(hymns).

Baps Swaminarayan temple, milipitas

Inner Sanctum

One more temple with a wider range of activities is the BAPS(Bochanvasi Shree Akshar Purushothamtham Samstha)Swami Narayan Temple in Milipitas.As you probably know systematic management and discipline are seen here as in other Swami Narayan Temples elsewhere. The idols of Radha and Krishna, Durga,Balaji,Sita Rama,Hanuman,Shiva Parvathi, Guru Parampara and that of Swami Narayana made of costly marble and decked in dazzling gold attract our attention.The main idea in establishing this temple is to popularize and sustain the ideals and preachings of Swami Narayana cult. This temple is managed by BAPS, a religious organisation started in Milipitas in 1990s. Shantilal,a devotee of Swami Narayan and an immigrant from Kenya took keen interest and purchased the existing building with the co-operation of other devotees from Overseas Crusades Ministries in 1991.On the first floor of the building we can see the holy shrine,priests' quarters and dining hall.On the second floor library hall and rooms for conducting classes and for cultural activities and conferences are seen. In the gift store, many religious books,children's story books herbal products and items used in worship are seen.The BAPS Organization conducts many educational and social service programs here.This temple's activities are funded by the main temple headquarters based in New York.

Sahasra Ligam in Mahakaleshwara Mandir,
Santa Clara

Kalikambal Idol

The Mahakaleswara Temple in Santa Clara has the unique privilege of having the first huge and massive six foot Sahasra Shiva Lingam (A Shiva Lingam with one thousand,one hundred and sixteen lingams carved around it made of black granite and weighing about 300 lbs. Here you also see the first Jyothirlingam set up in the whole of the U.S. on 28th August,2010 by Swami Sathasivam , the Head Priest of Kalikambal Temple of Chennai from India. Along with Lord Shiva, the idol of Mahakali is also seen. Abhishekam for Mahakali is done every Saturday and for Shiva on every Sunday respectively.In this temple free Yoga classes and free training in Vedic chanting are conducted regularly. There is a separate medi-tation hall for devotees to sit and pray silently. This temple is managed by Sambasadashiva Vidya Peetham, a non-profit religious organization.

Sri Krishna and Balarama in the holy shrine

Idol Of Srila Prabhu Pada

Sri Krishna Balarama temple at Reamwood Ave, Sunnyvale was established on 29th October, 2011 by Indian Heritage Foundation with the noble intention of spreading devotion to God and teaching great Indian religious classics like " the Bhagavat Gita"and" Srimad Bhagavatham." Based on the Vaishnavite philosophy of Sri A.C.Bhakti Vedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the most revered founder of Iskon Society. This temple organization is actively involved in catering to the spiritual and cultural needs of all the people irrespective of race and creed. Situated in a spacious area near the vicinity of Sunnyvale many devotees visit this temple.The beautiful marble statues of Sri Krishna and His brother Sri Balaram , decked with ornaments and colorful garlands and standing in graceful pose convey the message of brotherly love and affection. The pictures of Lord Balaji and Lord Narasimha reveal the benign and powerful aspects of the divine Lord. The statues of Sri Gaura Nitai and Srila Prabhupada reveal the greatness of Bhakti philosophy and the efficacy of chanting the name of God(Lord Sri Krishna), who promised His grace to all creatures who come to him with a sense of total surrender without bothering about the results of their karmas (deeds done in this mundane world). In this temple many activities like Bhajans, Kirtans, chanting Vishnu Sahasranama, Nagara Sankeerthana (moving around in streets singing Lord's names) and conducting Sunday School for children and organizing feasts for all devotees and free distribution of religious books on every Saturday evening are done. The noble task of free distribution of religious and Vedic literature to all is to be emulated by other other temples also since even highly educated people of modern times have lost touch with our noble heritage and religious classics. It is one of the ways of imparting moral education and helps in gradual transformation of the individual.In collaboration with Big Animation Private Ltd. India Heritage Foundation also produced a series of Animation Video Stories about the life and adventures of divine child, Bala Krishna. In the gift store one can find many books concerned with philosophy and epics, pictures, photos, beautiful idols and Pooja material( items used in daily worship of God).

Two temples a little distant from Sunnyvale are the famous Shiva-Vishnu Temple in Livermore(28 miles from Sunnyvale) and the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple at Gilroy.(nearly forty two miles). The temple in Livermore is a very spacious temple with a regular round of rituals and religious activities.Constructed in South Indian style, this temple attracts a large number of devotees. One can see the atmosphere of a typical Indian temple here with crowded devotees and loud chanting of Vedic hymns. In clear contrast to this busy place, nestled in the sylvan valley of Mt. Maddonna hill, the Gilroy temple is a sight to visit with calm surroundings and hermitage-like simple structure. Far away from the city this temple along with small cottages and Yoga Training center and Ayurvedic College draws many tourists to spend some time here to experience the essence of true inner tranquility and rejuvenation of their physical and mental health This temple is managed by Hanuman Fellowship a religious organization based in California since 1974.

Before concluding I would like to brief the main features of the temples I visited in U.S. which may set an example for other temples in India in providing and improving facilities.In most of the temples in U.S. parking facilities , shoes stand, cloak rooms and rest rooms are provided free of cost and maintained very neatly. In every temple a regular schedule is followed and the list of activities and services undertaken are clearly displayed on the notice board. Clear directions are marked on sign posts and volunteers are there to help the visitors. There is no scope for brokers and middlemen to exploit tourists by promising them quick darshan and special privileges. In every temple volunteers help in guiding the visitors,in decoration,in preparing prasadam and in distribution of food.Latest technology is used in temple offices and in administrative affairs. So there is no scope for committing any fraud or illegal management in financial matters. Every temple has a web site wherein all activities and photos and history of the temple are clearly shown along with E-mail address for getting suggestions and feedback. The priests are also familiar with use of gadgets like I-pad and smart phones. They are also able to communicate in English and Hindi with devotees without any difficulty. Apart from spiritual and religious services social service and charity works are undertaken with regular schedule and active participation of devotees. Library, gift shop, and conference hall and dining hall are other things that attracted my attention.The devotees mostly from India observed traditional rules with shradda (attention) and devotion. At the same time they maintained cleanliness in temple precincts and observed discipline following queue system without any rush or hurry.In Sai temples devotees themselves prepare food items and bring them to be offered to God and later to be distributed to devotees.In Livermore temple one can see various types of rituals and ceremonies done elaborately by learned priests and Vedic scholars. The sight of People coming in traditional dresses adds a pious religious touch and shows our own identity and value of our culture.So I think we should not be led into wrong notion that our traditional dress is a sign of outdated society or social backwardness. Likewise we should not feel shy or inferior to converse or use our native language if other people know that language. Many linguists have already warned the death of so many languages along with cultures which they carry along with them. Once in India temples served as centers of knowledge, medical service,education, culture and social service.Even in Middle Ages, monasteries in Europe did commendable service in all fields and the monks led a very simple and austere life. So let us try to bring back the noble status and recognition to our temples and thereby in transforming the society by their practical example rather than by mere verbal platitudes.

Dear readers, with this I conclude the series of articles written about my experiences in U.S. during my three-month long stay.The U.S. is a very vast domain with rich diversity and modern technology.What I wrote is very insignificant. There are so many things unexplored with a wide spectrum of great magnitude. So let me celebrate my journey with these few lines of Walt Whitman, one of my favourite American poets;

" I hear America singing the varied carols I hear
***********************************
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else
*******************************************
The day what belongs to the day--at night the party of young fellows robust and friendly
*******************************************************************
Singing with open mouths their strong , melodious songs."

( I am very much thankful to my son Subash, a great blogger himself, who has helped me in starting this literary and social platform to share my views and experiences with you.
I would not have written these articles without my daughter-in-law, Nikhila's help, who like a teacher and mentor taught me how to type on a computer, repeatedly explaining
and clarifying my doubts with much patience.My hearty blessings to both of them.)

Dated: 18th July, 2013 SOMA SESHU GUTALA

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

My Trip to U.S. Part --Two

Purisma Red Creek

Purisma Red Creek Trail

Near Sunnyvale there are many scenic spots and gardens. Purisma Creek Redwoods is located on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz mountain overlooking Half Moon Bay. One can watch the wild beauty of Nature with tall Redwood trees, ferns, flowers, shrubs,creeks and mountain brooks.Many people visit these woods to enjoy hiking and spend their time in peaceful and natural surroundings.There are many trails passing through wooded space consisting of creeks, and forest trees like redwood,huckleberry, hazelnut and tan oak trees.The All-access redwood trail is a three mile walk with all picnicking facilities like wooden tables and chairs.The North Ridge trail is 4.5 mile walk which passes through a grassy knoll with a wide view of open space and ocean. One can see fir, tan oak and huckleberry trees. The trail affords a very quiet and tranquil atmosphere without any disturbances from outside. The Bald Knob Trail provides a beautiful view of the rolling hills of western San Mateo hills. In these woods there is a very spacious (4,412 acres) open space preserve called Purisma Creek Canyon overlooking the Half Moon Bay. Nearly twenty one miles of mountain trails are developed passing through different directions for the hikers to view the woods and various flowers, birds and small wild animals.

Baylands Park, Sunnyvale.

Bay Trail, Baylands Park

The next scenic spot is Sunnyvale Baylands Park.This park has seventy acres of developed parkland with natural scenery and wild life. It is very near Sunnyvale Heritage Museum.The park has got many recreational facilities and comforts like picnic tables, shaded canopies, grills and barbecue facilities.Adults as well as kids can enjoy here as there are many playgrounds and tracks for cycling and places for sports like kite flying. One can also walk along trails like Bay Trail and Stevens Creek Trail to watch mountain slopes, wild trees, birds, streams ans grassy lands.Children can watch the replicas of wild animals set up in the park premises. Beside this park there is Twin Creeks Sports Complex if you are a sports lover.

Winchester Mystery House, Santa Clara

Inner Chamber, Winchester House

If you are interested in seeing a weird and mysterious place, You may visit the famous Winchester Mystery House at San Jose. The house has nearly one hundred sixty rooms constructed over a period of thirty eight years,from 1884 to 1922.This Victorian mansion has six kitchens, forty-six bedrooms and forty-seven stair ways with seven floors. A very awe-inspiring construction indeed! The owner of the house Sarah Winchester, who married a manufacturer of Winchester Rifles, shifted her residence from New Haven, Connecticut, after she had suffered the double loss in the death of her beloved daughter in 1866 and her husband in 1881. A psychic person from Boston told her that it was the curse of the spirits of the dead native Americans and Civil War soldiers who were killed by the Winchester rifles. So she was advised to shift her place of residence and go on building a mansion to pacify and to escape from the vengeance of the spirits. So in 1884 Sarah moved to Santa Clara and bought an eight-roomed house and extended it to this vast size sprawling over an area of six acres in 161 acres of farmland. You can also see the Winchester Rifle Museum and electric elevator machinery.Of course her artistic tastes are clearly seen in designing the gardens and orchards with marble sculptures and fountains. She constructed the mansion with meandering and abrupt openings as if she had wished to confound the spirits and escape from their influence It was said that she used to sleep in different rooms to avoid the confrontation with spirits. Even now some visitors say that they have seen some apparitions when they entered her bedroom. Sarah died in 1922 and was buried in New Haven beside the grave of her husband.Now this palatial building is looked after by Union Trust Company of San Francisco.

Mountainview Library

Mountainview Public Library

Another place I visited is the Mountain View Public Library just five miles from Sunnyvale.This library is seen in the peaceful surroundings with a spacious parking space surrounded by greenery and shady trees.Here we found many facilities given to the customers and public so that they can use the library services in a congenial atmosphere. Besides a large collection of books in various languages we also found video and audio C.Ds with internet facility.It is said that there are more than two lakh books and four hundred periodicals and journals. I had the opportunity of watching more than thirty films during my stay in U.S.Another salient feature I noticed is that there is a collection of old books displayed neatly on the shelves for any one interested to take them without any entry in the issue register.. They are called honor charge books. To my surprise I found books written by old writers which I think may be out of print and are not so easy to get in the shops.I selected some books as the prized possession to read them with much joy thanking the authorities for their generous help. This practice is worth emulating in other countries as it gives an opportunity to share our books with others free of cost and avoiding to throw them as waste material in the garbage can. In U.K. I found books exhibited for sale on the pavement by the library authorities for nominal rates. This is also a good practice as the library will get benefit to some extent without putting a large burden on people.This library also organizes various awareness programs for parents and entertainment programs for children. There is also a mobile library service to help those who are not able to come to the library. Every year more than eight lakh people make use of the services of this library This library also gives information to people's queries on various topics and subjects. This library was established in 1997.

CHOCOLATIER DESIREE

If you are a chocoholic you can visit "Chocolatier Desiree"in Sunnyvale where high quality Belgian Chocolates are hand-made with natural products without adding any chemicals and colorants.These chocolates are made by the famous Belgian Garter company that has more than fifty years of experience in this field.There you can see colorful and tasty truffles, milk chocolates and dark chocolates embellished with nuts and cream in more than forty flavors to gladden your taste buds.For diabetics there are sugar-free chocolates also.This company also accepts orders for big parties and functions.

Thus in this city you can enjoy the modern luxuries along with natural sight seeing with so many resources to enrich your experiences and enthuse you very much.

************************

DATE: 3rd JULY, 2013 SOMA SESHU GUTALA

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

My Trip to U.S. (Part--ONE)

Sunnyvale city

Sunnyvale view from above

We left for Sans Francisco from Heathrow in the morning flying mainly over the Atlantic without any trace of land in view. On the map I saw that our plane flew over Scottish cities like Aberdeen and New Castle-on-the-Tyne. After many hours I saw on the map that our plane was flying over the Hudson Bay entering the Canadian cities like Montreal and Toronto.As we neared San Francisco,we saw a wide expanse of the Pacific gently rippling in the bay area. As we travelled through California,I felt as if I had entered a new world with tall buildings, wide roads, tall pillars and office complexes. No rustic touch of wild nature with dense trees and bushes; no small British homes with a tiny garden with flowering plants. All around I saw barren grey colored hills with autumnal brown tufts of dry grass here and there.I saw tall pines and conifers and neatly trimmed gardens lending a touch of urbanity and sophistication.A long retinue of cars moved to and fro in the hot climate of October,quite different from the cold weather of bleak London skies. Americans seem to relish everything big in size and proportion. Even in the houses I have seen, the ceiling is as high as eighteen feet and the streetlight poles are also very high.Even in departmental and grocery stores, the provisions are packed in large covers and cans as if to proclaim their abundance of availability and lavish show of their opulence. Unlike in England where I saw mostly white people except in some places densely populated by Asians and Africans, here in California I found many people of China and India along with Mexicans and Africans-in brief a mixed population of various countries and races. Of course my exposure to this new country is very much limited. I have not seen the American countryside and the diverse climates of so many other places which vary not only in location but in their time schedule as well.

During my stay I could not see many places owing to my inability to move freely due to some physical ailment for which I found final cure only after returning to India. My stay in Sunnyvale gave me ample scope to visit nearby tourist sites and temples in spite of my condition of restricted mobility. Sunnyvale is a city located in Santa Clara County and is the principal city in the Silicon valley. Many companies like Yahoo, Net App,Maxim Integrated Products, Broad Com etc are established here. Of course the famous Google, the tempting star and destination of so many I.T.aspirants is also not so far. Just near this city goes the scenic California Highway 101 leading up to Los Angeles.The temperature here is very much like that of India without any extremes and other natural calamities like tornadoes and freezing snow.There are many museums like Sunnyvale Heritage Museum,Computer History Museum, Lace Museum and Hendy Ironwork. In the Sunnyvale Heritage Museum there is a replica of the original Murphy Family. Martin Murphy came from Maine in 1850 and settled here and built the first frame house here. Later the house was donated to the city of Sunnyvale in 1950. Martin Murphy Jr. founded Sunnyvale and brought railroad through his property. He also helped in founding Santa Clara College. In 1961 this house was destroyed in fire.The Sunnyvale Historical Society re-created the historical house and turned it as a museum. Here one can also see antique items, paintings, artifacts, historical documents and furniture.

The Lace Museum was founded in 1981.An outstanding collection of lace and lace tools are displayed. Another worth seeing museum is Hendy Iron Works Museum where a variety of mechanical tools and heavy machinery are exhibited. Joshua Hendy migrated from Cornwall,England to California in 1849 He established California's first redwood lumber mill(now called Hendy Woods State Park).He founded Joshua Hendy Iron Works in San Francisco in 1856 to supply equipment to mining industry and shipping companies.Many of his innovations like hydraulic giant monitor,hydraulic gravel elevator and hydraulic crusher had been in use till 1970's. At present Hendy's industries are managed by Northrop Grumman Marine Systems.

Intel Museum Inside

Intel Museum view from outside

The Intel Museum in Santa Clara shows a graphic history and development of Intel as a major industry.Intel's headquarters is in Santa Clara.This museum was first started in 1992 and later expanded in 1999. Spread over an area of 10,000 sq.ft.this museum shows the evolution of computer,production of silicon chips and various digital products with interactive techniques.A showroom is also there where one can buy various products. Another museum showing development of computers is the"Computer History Museum" in Mountainview established in 1996.With twenty galleries and four mini-theaters, this museum displays several thousands of computer related items, documents and photos showing the evolution of computers right from Difference Computers Engine No.2 built in 1991 based on the hypothetical model of Charles Babbage to latest models of computers with most accurate and precise technology.One can also watch Google Earth, maps and Street View pictures.

Google Office Premises

Bike Culture in Google

Cafeteria in Google

Office Room In Google

I also had the opportunity of visiting the much acclaimed Internet Giant company Google at Mountainview. The Office called"GooglePlex"is a vast conglomeration of buildings spread over two million square feet.This office was shifted to Mountainview in 2006. More than twenty thousand employees work here.Google Inc. provided all facilities that one can imagine in an eco-friendly environment catering to all the aspects of its workforce-- I mean for an integral development and motivation of the personnel not only in terms of working conditions but also in terms of their physical,artistic and technical aspects. That is why so many young people dream of joining this mammoth organisation. There is a big park here called Charleston Park spread over an area of five acres. The whole complex blends the technical official outlook with equally important aspect of creative and tension-free amusing aspect of life. There is a spacious parking space for nearly 2000 cars underground. Wherever you go, gyms, swimming pools, cafes, sport courts, food courts, laundry rooms, fitness centers, and reading rooms along with bicycles and scooters speak of the the company's immense concern and care for its employees.Transport facilities are provided through shuttle services from neighboring areas like San Francisco, East Bay and South Bay for employees. I learnt that there are more than eighteen cafes with diverse menu with dishes prepared with organic and hygienic diet. When I entered the cafe I found a large line of people with dishes at various stalls selecting the food of their choice. We had Mexican bread along with salad, chocolate and doughnuts. Providing food free of cost to thousands of employees and other guests and customers shows their meticulous planning and vision. But one should make use of these services in a proper manner without being tempted by gastronomic luxuries and should not waste the preparations. It is the human tendency to overlook or take for granted anything given gratis.The Google also has set a good example by providing bicycles and scooters for their employees to move from one place to place without use of cars that will create pollution. This will benefit the employees in one way as they will find sometime for physical exercise . The solar panels over the rooftops of some offices also shows their innovative approach to utilization of power without causing pollution by other means.I had the pleasure of sitting in the massage chair where you feel quite comfortable as the machine massages your body with gentle pressure and soft jerks.

Lloyd Bridges, the famous American Actor

Mr. Jacques Yves Cousteau. famous Oeanographer
and environmentalist

Dr.Sylvia A.Earle, the Ocean Pioneer

The work culture in the Google Complex is quite interesting and reveals a very humane and logical approach. Employees are given utmost freedom with congenial surroundings that will motivate them to work at their own pace. A very informal and flexible attitude is seen with mutual concern and good rapport between the management and the employees. I saw staff sitting with lap tops on chairs in the lawn or in the cafeteria or in any open place. They are not tied to their chairs or confined to a rigid cubicle.Free perks and incentives with bonus will further make them work with zeal and personal involvement. Some people were seen playing or listening to music while browsing on their laptops. Of course their performance will be assessed and they will get benefits based on their work and creative efforts. Most of the recruits are highly qualified people from eminent universities with excellent qualifications in their respective fields. Many conferences and symposiums are organised to further extend their frontiers of knowledge and make them acquainted with latest developments and innovations. In the premises we saw a group of statues sculpted in white stone on the green lawn.

I was inquisitive to know about their significance. I tried hard to get some information through internet. Then I found how difficult it is to communicate with a machine in spite of its vast knowledge potential.I went on changing my query in different ways to get the required information but in vain. Later I was able to know from my son that all these statues did have nothing to do with I.T. field . They were great celebrities in their own fields. Sir Jaques Yves Cousteau did commendable service as an oceanographer and as an environmentalist in saving and preserving ocean life. Dr.Sylvia A.Earle was an eminent ocean pioneer. Lloyd Bridges was a famous American actor who acted in many movies and was well-known for his role as Mike Nelson in Sea Hunt T.V. series broadcast during 1958-1961.These statues added a noble view and attitude to the organisation which shows due appreciation and honor to great people who dedicated their lives for the progress and well-being of mankind. Later in the Google Store we saw many gift items like T-shirts, labels, pens and digital products. I bought a pair of T-shirts, a few stickers and a set of Google pens to give as gifts. My trip to GooglePlex gave me some idea of a big organisation with good maintenance and orderly arrangement providing all facilities beyond expectation to their staff in green surroundings.

The noble ambition of Larry Page and Sergey Brin( Founders of Google in 1998) revolutionized the world of computer technology and information.The world will never forget their invaluable contribution to progress of knowledge.My hearty kudos to them!

***************************

Dated: 18th June,2013 Somaseshu Gutala