SRGMP LiL champs kick started a few weeks ago and we have gotten to see such great talent among kids already. Here are a few memorable performances from recent episodes.

Himmant

Yashodhan

Priyanka

- Zahida

This was forwarded to me by a friend, its such an inspiring story. I just had to share it with you guys. Hope you all enjoy it. - Amrita

  The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

 Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

 What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

 Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us.

 We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly!

 I asked for Strength,
And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.

 I asked for Wisdom,
And God gave me Problems to solve.

 I asked for Prosperity,
And God gave me Brain and Brawn to work.

 I asked for Courage,
And God gave me Danger to overcome.

 I asked for Love,
And God gave me Troubled people to help.

 I asked for Favors,
And God gave me Opportunities.

 I received nothing I wanted,
I received everything I needed!

 Trust in God. Always !

Wishing you all a Happy Weekend!!

Ok so here’s the deal. We all are going to write a story together… yes TOGETHER! I’m sure many of you have played this game before when you were young (not that your old now lol) but here is how it goes.

I will start by writing a line and then the next person will post one line to continue the story.  You can add any twist to the story, spice it up in any way you wish. BUT you can write only one sentence at a time. And you can write as many sentences as you wish as long as someone else had posted after your previous post.  After a couple of days we will post the story up to see the results.

So lets all get creative shall we =)

Here’s the first line.

“It was a warm Monday morning, Raffu jumped out of bed in excitement and thought to her self, today was going to be the day.”

Its been almost a week since Raffu has gone to India.  We all tend to smile when we think about how it must have been when Raffu jaani reunited with her family after a lengthy period of time. All those yummy yummy foods you must be eating at home hehe. We are all so happy for you and understand you will need time to settle down back home. However  all us members of the family here miss you dearly.  Here’s a song to let you know that we are thinking of you and missing you.

Love you lots

-Amrita

cat listening to A R Rehman music

Cat listening to Shankar, Eshan Loy songs

Cat listening to  Pritam Songs

Cat listening to Ismail Darbar’s Songs

Cat listening to Aadesh Songs

Cat listening to Himesh songs

- Zahida

Sorry for the delay Manish. Was out shopping to get you A gift. I didn’t realize it was going to be so difficult to get you a gift – I know exactly what you want and I was going to give you that – but – you know how it is with shopping – you go to buy one gift and you come back with lots of additional gifts. Just wanted to make the day extra special for you and I just know you will absolutely adore these gifts. No need to thank me – just use them often – very, very often – that’s thanks enough for me. hahaha. 

Oh yes, do let me know which one is your favorite – the last one does not count.

Peeler                                Cutting Board                      Lemonade

Dish Soap       Knives                                   Kitchen Sponge

Hand Lotion            Garden Hat                     Kitchen Glove

Garden Gloves              Weed Killer                     Gardening Tools

Car Wash Kit                    Car Cover                           And finally…BEER!!!!

Have a wonderful birthday – few more hours of it and most importantly have a wonderful rest of the year.

- Shobha

If I really could fetch the stars to make someone’s birthday, it would be for Manish! If I had to reach the moon to sing Happy Birthday for someone, it would be for Manish. If I am asked to point out one fairest guy in the world, I would point at Manish in a heartbeat! He is the reason for all of us to be together. Just like a pide piper, his writings brought us all under the same roof. He made us into a virtual family. His witty humor made our toughest days go easy. I feel there are no good words in this world that can be used for Manish. New words needs to be invented for this perfect friend, perfect writer, perfect husband and a perfect father.

This is not a tribute from any angle. My tribute to my perfect friend comes in few days from now. But as I am away from home in a going away farewell camping, I didn’t want to leave any chance of not wishing my friend Manu jaani.

Manish, I don’t know how many times I have told you “I Love You” but I want you to know that I really mean it. I am so very thankful to God to keep you in my life. I just cant do without you dude. You may not realize but you have a very special place in all our hearts especially mine and we absolutely adore you! Dude, I love you as much as I love Salman!! ;)Happy Birthday!!

Many many happy returns of the day. May God always bless you with great health, wealth (I know finally a word that makes you smile..lol), cheers, joys, happiness, LOVE and zillions of laughter. May God always shower his choicest blessings on you. and may God always keep you in my life!! I so very love you my friend!! Happy Birthday!!

Keeping your sense of humor in mind, I hired someone to sing you happy birthday. But Mothers, fathers, Aunties and Uncles, please close your eyes and ears today and pardon me for the below video. Lekin aaj sabkuch chalta hai

With Love Always,

Raffu

As the old man is waiting helplessly, a huge chariot with 24 horses stops right in front of the old man and from it, the King, the Queen and the Prince gets down. They ask the old man where is the princess and to this the old man shows his sad and helpless face and narrates the entire story. The prince says “worry not, I am not going to let it effect negatively on me. The best thing is that we have found the princess and all this delay means nothing. She belongs to me and only me!! Guards!!!” he shouts, and as soon as the guards come, he orders, send enough guards in each and every corner of Toronto and make sure double the number cover all hotels. I want to know which hotel the princess and her friend went to and I want this information in next 10 minutes.” Obeying the orders, guards disappear. Its almost 10 minutes that they left and prince’s phone starts to ring. He says “oh okay, I will be there!” He then turns towards the king and the queen and tells them, “Ma and Pa this is my journey now, you both go home and relax while I go and get the queen.” He then lets the horse chariot go and he gets into a limousine and heads at the address that was given to him by his guards. The limousine stops in front of another hotel, Prince gets down from the car and as he is heading inside of hotel, there is some murmuring that comes from a corner where a bunch of beautiful girls are standing by. They go on saying “oh my God he is soooooo hot”. Anyway prince ignores all of it as there is only and only one girl on his mind. As he enters, he sees his princess sitting with her friend chewing gum really fast. He goes straight to the managers cabin. The manager salutes him and asks him what he can do to be at his service. The prince gives him some orders and then he is lead upstairs to a room. Prince relaxes himself up on the chair and is by himself. He then takes a small tiny bottle out of his pocket, opens it up and says, “Oh lady of Gingerale, you have always promised to help me but I never asked for your help but today is such that I do need your services. Help me please” as soon as prince finishes, zoooommmm… a lady comes out from that tiny bottle and says “Aye aye my prince – I am glad you called me. It is my honor to be at your service. Please tell me what can I do?” The prince tells her about the love of his life and upon hearing this she says “no worry prince, I will change you to the person she came to meet for.” She then goes “Aba dabba dum dum, make the prince chum chum, go below the water, to fetch a pale of saucer, aba dabba dum dum!” And there prince is in his new avatar. He looks into the mirror and says, “hmm this is very different from what I was….” The lady interrupts and she reminds him that he has two full days to woo and to be in this getup and he must utilize it to the fullest as right at midnight in two days, he shall turns to be himself. The prince upon hearing this, he calls his guard and says, lets go downstairs and bring the princess up with utmost respect.” They both go downstairs and the princess is now speaking to two girls who happen to come to be part of some concert. As the prince goes close by, the princess is lost in his aura. She stood up with the biggest grin on her face. The prince then greets her and gives her a hug holds her hands and brings her upstairs with her friends. They all are talking but prince can only admire his lady love. He is so very lost in her. He is actually living his dream now. All of a sudden there is a phone call saying the person whom the princess actually came to see is on his way up. Prince orders to take him away and put him in the next flight to India. Orders are followed and prince is very happy to be next to his lady love’s side. These two days passes off just like wind. It is time now that prince must speak the truth as he only got half hour left. There is a big risk involved – what if the princess rejects him? But he has to take that risk and in love you really don’t start with a lie. Prince takes the princess soft hands and tells her, “Come with me” and takes her to the beautiful deck in the backyard. Its full moon night, there is love in the air, birds are chirping love tunes, bells are ringing sweet melody, flowers spraying different aromatic fragrances and the night is just perfect. Prince goes down on his knees and tells the princess, “My love, I need to tell you something.. ahem ahem… I am not the one who you think I am. I have only half hour more before I turn into myself but just know I did this because I so very want to be with you. You have been my sun and you are my moon. You are the eternal love story that I have been searching for. You are my princess, my love, my life. Well, I am a Prince in disguise, please forgive me but I cant live without you. I love you so much!” The princess takes a step backwards and says, you don’t know me, how do you love me?” The prince says…..

“How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth
and breadth
and height
My soul can reach,
when feeling out of sight.
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday’s
Most quiet need,
by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely,
as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely,
as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion
put to use In my old grief’s,
and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,
–I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears,
of all my life!
–and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death!!"

The clock goes twelve and the prince comes out from his disguise and becomes himself right in front of the princess. Princess is astonished on listening to the beautiful words and as she gets herself hold her breath to feel if this is for real or a dream, the prince takes a beautiful diamond ring out and holds it in front of the princess, he says;

“My soul belongs to you as well as my heart
You mean the world to me, you are my everything in life
And I beg of you may a life together we can start
My dear, my love, would you please be my wife?
So grant me the honor that I ask of thee
Amrita my dear, my love, will you marry me?”

The princess heart is filled with love and there is nothing else she finds herself stopping from then to say “Yes I will”. The prince and princess, they both start a new beautiful life together only to live happily ever after!!

Happy Birthday Darling!! Wish you tons of happiness and may a real love story enter your life only to keep you in best of your spirits and fill your life with utmost joys, cheers, happiness, LOVE and zillions of laughter. I love you babes. This was little something gift for your birthday. Hope you liked the prolonged write up God bless you always and forever. You will always be my friend no matter where I go!

Yours,
Raffu

We wish we had a magic wand
To make it go away;
We’d wave our scepter over you
Until you were okay.

We’d think good thoughts; We’d send you love;
We’d transmit healing vibes; 
Our wand and we would surely beat
Whatever the doc prescribes.

But there is no magic scepter, so 
We cannot cast a spell;
Just know you’re often in our thoughts,
And we hope you’ll soon be well!

With tons of Love and Hugs

- Your Virtual Family!!

The prince said, “Well when I had her glance of her, she looked “Pretty, lovely, gorgeous, great smile, winsome, attractive, appealing, pleasant, pleasing, endearing, charming, angelic, sexy, divine, stunning, statuesque, finely chiseled, fine-featured, striking, captivating, fascinating, enchanting, shapely, and buxom – now with all these features, go ahead and draw her painting. I would like to see this painting by tomorrow morning and if you fit the criteria, I shall give you a thousand gold coins”. Although, the old painter was puzzled up how he is going to give shaped to the Prince’s description but the 1000 gold coins tempted him enough to give it a try.

He reaches home and starts to draw but no matter what he tries, nothing seem to fit the description good enough. He is all sad and angry at himself and then he thinks maybe its better to take a break, go on a walk, or get inspired enough to return and make a drawing.

With this thought he picks his cigar packet and a match box and heads out. As he walks and walks he realizes he is in need of a restroom and so he searches for a place that would allow him to use their restroom. He enters into a hotel and at the entrance door, a girl and a boy bumped into him and rushes inside of hotel. He cannot see their face as they were in a hurry. Anyway, he forgets about it, goes inside, uses the restroom and starts walking out. As he is walking, he hears some noises of frustration from inside of a car. He bends down and sees the same boy and a girl sitting inside of car discussing why they had to wait for two hours and why cant the promoter let them meet the person for whom they came all the way. Anyway, he glances at the girl and is utterly amazed. He yells; “Holy Cow!!!! This girl fits the description to the T, is she the same girl?? I must request prince to come at once.” But then the old man doesn’t have a cell phone. He approaches the boy in the car and asks him for a favor. He asks him to lend his cell phone. The boy, searches his pocket but he doesn’t have one as he forgotten it at home. He yells "this is freaky, to meet Mauli, I forgot my cell in a hurry - how will I save her number now??". The girl without any hesitation gives the old man her cell phone but tells him she has only 5 dollar card that needs to last till end of the month so asks him to make only a quick call. The old man smiles, takes a bow and moves two steps back to dial the prince’s telephone number. Prince picks the phone “Yellow”. Old man says; “Not yellow – she is pink”. Prince answers back “what are you talking about and who are you?” The old man says, “Sir I am your loyal servant and you have appointed me to draw the painting of your new princess”. Prince says “Aha yes I do remember, tell me are you done with your painting?” “No sir – I found her” says the old man. “What???????????? You found her?? Where? How does she look like?? Says the prince. Looking inside of car, he says, “Well, she is ……….. Pretty, lovely, gorgeous, great smile, winsome, attractive, appealing, pleasant, pleasing, endearing, charming, angelic, sexy, divine, stunning, statuesque, finely chiseled, fine-featured, striking, captivating, fascinating, enchanting, shapely, and buxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx” … the old man is now interrupted by the boy from the car as he says “are you done with your phone call – dude we don’t have much money left don’t waste our minutes”. To this the old man replies, worry not young man, I am almost done.

And then he returns to his phone conversation tell the prince to rush to the hotel at once.

The prince is excited and so are King and Queen. All together hop in their royal chariot towards the hotel. As the old man waits guarding the car, he hears the car start and some conversation from inside that speaks how could we wait for freaking two hours at the wrong hotel?? Lets hurry to the right hotel before its too late. The old man says “Nooooooooooo you cant leave.. no please no”. His voice is lost in the loud engine noise and the old man is left helpless at the corner of the hotel.

To be continued tomorrow – Last part

- Raffu

Out of all the royal guards, many best of best guards were selected to go on the royal search – a team was formed where Prince would lead the team of honorary men in searching and coming home victorious with their new princess. A princess whose name was yet unknown and hence they decided to call her temporarily “Princess Lahore Tikka!”

A special carriage was prepared with diamonds studded on walls of the carriage and the walls were made of all gold and silver. Finest pearls were used in decorating the details of the carriage. The King placed the order that the carriage would be used only when princess is found and agrees to come to the palace and so this shall be the mode of transport to bring the princess royally to the royal palace. 42 guards were appointed only to make sure the princess carriage remains mint clean and fresh. 27 maids were appointed to pluck the best of best rose petals to be used as the inside linen on which she would place her feet. 165 cooks were appointed from different parts of the world to make sure when princess travels, there is food of her choice as per her wish. 34 maids were appointed to make sure the princess dress frills are undisturbed. Like this many other details were kept in mind and with a total troop of 1 million 53 hundred thousand, 987 men and women started their journey to find their perfect princess for their loving prince.

As the marching band proceeded, people in all homes they already knew the royal prince is on his way in search of his princess. Parents got their daughters ready in the most expensive attires and with salon finish hairstyles, and sprayed as many perfumes as possible mixed with Dent gum on their daughters in hope to make them smell just right matching the gum scent but the Prince still sad as he couldn’t find the one that he saw at Lahore Tikka and hence he continued with his search sadly.

One fine day an old man approached the prince and asked him to describe his princess so that he can paint her picture. He gave the idea of putting her posters so that it may help in searching her better. The Prince really liked the old man’s idea and so the prince sat down describing her beautiful, charming, perfect lady love. He said…………

Story continues ;o)

- Raffu

Once upon a time there was a prince who wanted to marry a princess; but she would have to be a real princess. He travelled all over the world to find one, but nowhere could he get what he wanted. There were princesses enough but it was difficult to find out whether they were real ones. There was always something about them that was not as it should have been. His criteria’s were unique as he dreamt of his special princess throughout his life. He knew his real princess is out there somewhere and as she is very special so the search is not going to be that easy. Every time he went searching, he came home sad. Looking at this the King and the Queen were getting worried and didn’t know what they should be doing to help their young prince. They decided to help their son by joining him in his search and one day as they were riding in the city of Toronto, the main highway was blocked by traffic. They had to take a diversion and as they rode their 12 horse carriage, the prince had a very big smile on his face at one particular spot. A smile that projected that he finally had a peek of his lady love. King and Queen were ecstatic looking at the prince’s happy face and they enquired what he saw. The Prince was already lost in magic and beauty of his lady love but upon asking couple of times all he could do was grin and point out to a place. The King hurriedly asked his loyal servants to stop the royal carriage and got down from his carriage along with the queen. The prince followed with the same love grin on his face and stopped right in front of “Lahore Tikka” grinning away to glory but then all of a sudden, his grin disappeared, and tears started to flow. King and Queen worried as usual didn’t like the look on Prince’s face. Without enquiring further, they looked in the same direction of prince and saw a very pretty princess sitting inside of Lahore Tikka along with 3 other friends. King and Queen, they uttered “Ohh she is perfect, she is beautiful, she will be our new Princess!!”

All three the prince, King and the Queen were lost in the princess beauty and didn’t realize when the princess got up with her friends and drove off right in front of them and they stayed there helpless. As her car disappeared in the traffic, they came back to their conscience and said, “Stop her!!! We need to find her! Go guards go!!! Go and bring the princess with utmost honor – she will be wed to our son soon!!

The guards looked in dismay and didn’t know where to look for her but soon the prince spoke, he said – “Oh look, what I found? The princess she dropped something and we shall search for her making this her identity. It has her perfume and so it should help us great deal.” The King asked “but son – what is that you found?”

The prince replied “Oh father – this is a chewing gum packet; look she was holding in her sweet hands. Aah they smell so good. She is indeed unique, my princess my love, I shall find you soon!!”

Story continues tomorrow…………….. ;o)

- Raffu

The other night I got a severe headache and through all that pain this idea came through - and no, I’m not kidding. Anyways, let me present you all the idea. I thought why not assign an alphabet to our members here and have them come up with 10 words to describe Amrita - our Cinderella who is celebrating her ??? birthday. Ok, ok you don’t want to do 10 words - fine, and since we are going through cut-backs nowadays, let’s have some of that here also - let’s say 5 words instead of 10. Happy now?

I am sure there will be quite a few members who will not participate - and I am also very, very sure there are a few who will want to use more than 5 words (you know who I am thinking of, right? hehehe)

Okay here is the list - remember 5 words to describe our Cinderella, Amrita, the words must start with the alphabet you have been assigned and each of the 5 words must be unique. And you can help each other out with the words.

As always have fun and let’s see lots of action….

Ahmed…………..U
Aliza………………S
Avantika…………E
Lavanya…………F
Manish…………..I
Mmaoji…………..B
Padma…………..K
Praveen…………R
Raffu…………….Q
Rahul……………C
Rupraj…………..M
Sadia……………L
Shaheryar………V
Shashiji…………T
Shobha………….P
Veena……………J
Yasmin…………G
Zahida………….W

I have listed only those members who I think will be interested in this activity. If anyone whose name is not listed here wants to participate, let me know and I’ll assign an alphabet to you… And no, you cannot pick your own alphabet - I have a very complex mechanism for assigning the alphabets to you. And, no I can’t tell you how it’s done… Shhh that is a secret!!!

- Shobha

As we celebrate Amrita’s birthday, we thought we cannot have all of our surprises and gifts for our lady Cindrella all on 9th. She deserves a week long celebration and so we decided to celebrate her birthday at least for few days and so will bring them one after another. Amrita, you are very special to us and thus we thought there is no better way then to start off with Sadia but dont relax too much after reading her article girl.. there are more surprises that are lined up. Have a blast before other gifts pops up Happy Birthday Dear!

Today is May 9th … a very important and special day for me and for all of us here. The reason why I say it’s a very special day is because on May 9th … my big sister, Amrita Didi was born. Amrita Didi Happy Birthday!!! From where do I start talking about Amrita Didi… there is so much to say about her but words always fall less. She is seriously one of the best people I have come across in my life. There is not a day when I don’t think about her. Amrita Didi is a perfect daughter, a wonderful sister, a caring friend, an amazing well-wisher, a crazy fan and I’m sure she will prove to be a good wife ;-). She has all the good qualities one human being can have, and have always been on top of everything be it family related, friends related, site related or even education related, she’ll always stand up and help anyone, anytime. That’s how she is, a perfect gem.
I still remember when I joined the forums in February 2008; Amrita Didi was the very first person to message me. Then after that we became good friends. And as days use to pass we use to talk almost everyday, and from being just good friends we instantly became sisters. I can for sure say that Amrita Didi is the best sister a person can ever have. I must have done a good deed, due to which I have her as a sister. In this one and half year with Amrita Didi, I have shared lots of moments that I will always and forever cherish. One memorable moment was when Amrita Didi, Raffu and I were talking on phone – three way, and all three of us talked out our hearts that night. It was really a crazy night to remember.

Amrita Didi is a perfect angel and an inspiration for me. In the past one and half year, she has done so much for me that I don’t think any other person would do for me. Just because of Amrita Didi, I had the chance to talk with Raja on phone; she gave me one of the best moments of my life that I can never ever forget. She is also one those very few people who decides to help me with school work (at home my brothers decide not to help me, cause they think I can do everything on my own) Anyways I remember I had this physics project, which was extremely hard and with Amrita Didi’s help I did the project, submitted it and got a high grade on it. Amrita Didi have helped me with everything, and I’m so lucky to have a person like her in my life. I trust her with all my life, therefore I share every single thing with her, and I feel so special because winning Amrita Didi’s trust is very hard since she doesn’t trust people so easily, and winning her trust made me feel like I’m on top of this world. Amrita Didi … Thank you for trusting me so much and giving me a place in your heart. She just didn’t act like a big sister towards me but she also acted like a best friend and always has supported me when I was upset, she gave me the courage to not loose hope. She knows how to bring a smile on my face when I need it, actually she knows how to bring a smile on anyone’s face. She cannot bear to see anyone in pain; Amrita Didi is just one amazing and loving personality one can come across. 

Okay I can go on and on talking about Amrita Didi and how much I admire her, but let me stop for now and get to the dedication. Since today is her birthday I have decided to dedicate one of Raja’s song to her. The song that I have decided to dedicate to Amrita Didi is …Ankhiyan Nu Chain Na Aavey. Now you all must be wondering as to why I chose this song out of the huge song list. Well, simple reason, Ankhiyan Nu Chain Na Aavey is my most most most favorite song of Raja and Amrita Didi knows how much I am addicted to this song. Since Amrita Didi is my big sister, and my best friend I have a right to share with her anything that I love a lot therefore my most favorite song now belongs to her. Plus, people always give what they cherish the most to those who they love the most right. So I am dedicating my most favorite song to a person that I love a lot.
Amrita Didi once again I wish you a very very Happy Birthday. May all your dreams, wishes come true because you deserve it all. May this day bring you lots of happiness from all sides of the world (I hope you know what I mean) and may this birthday turn out to be a perfect one for you. Amrita Didi always remember your chotii really loves you a lots and will always be there for you no matter what. Enjoy your special day with a dedication from me.

- Sadia

Courtesy: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090505/main8.htm

Thank You Mao for sharing this beautiful news - We LOVE YOU!!

(Mamal) Pahalgam, May 4
This is a place where politicians need to come and take a few lessons in secularism. After militancy forced Hindus to migrate from the Kashmir valley in the 1990s, Muslims have been acting as “priests” and “caretakers” of the ancient Mamalaka Temple on the outskirts of Pahalgam.

Not only has this 900-year-old Shiva temple with a two-foot “shivaling” been preserved in its original form, Mohammad Abdullah and Ghulam Hassan have ensured that all these years the temple did not go without “parshad” or “aarti” even for a single day. Besides the regular rituals, a daily prayer is held here in which the Muslim priests pray for the return of the Hindus, who had migrated.

Built on the right bank of the Lidder river by Raja Jai Suria (1128-1155 AD), the 8 sq ft temple was a popular destination for everyone on a pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine. Till 1990, the temple, a property of the Jammu and Kashmir State Archaeology, Archives and Museum Department and a protected monument, had Pandit Radha Krishan, who hailed from Ganeshpora, responsible for its maintenance.

But with militancy rising in the 1990s, Pandit Radha Krishan was made to leave along with other Hindus of the area, abandoning the temple. Initially, Abdul Bhatt, who was close to Pandit Radha Krishan, looked after the temple for many years. Bhatt was transferred from the area about five years ago and ever since Mohammad Abdullah and Ghulam Hassan, both employees of the government, were entrusted the task of maintaining the building and its surrounding. However, not satisfied by merely keeping the temple clean, the two have ensured that the temple remains fully functional despite threats from the militants. The temple continues to be preserved in its original form in its eight-by-eight premises. It houses the entire family of Lord Shiva comprising Ganesha, Mata Parvati and Hanuman carved in stone. Besides, the temple has a natural spring that fills the holy pond.

According to Abdullah, during the last two-three years, the number of Hindu devotees to the temple has increased slightly. These include some visiting Hindu families that left the area as well as tourists, who know about the place.

Talking to The Tribune, he said, “We have guarded this place for the Hindus. It is their “amanat”. But now the situation has improved. We want that a Hindu priest should take over this holy place. Being Muslims, we tried to do whatever best we could to keep the temple functional, but it should ideally be run by a Hindu priest”.

Further Abdullah and Hassan say their daily prayer includes a special mention to the Hindus when they say, “Lord, the heaven on earth is here in the valley. Please facilitate the return of our Hindu brothers from the hell outside”.

A happy woman is one who has no cares at all; a cheerful woman is one who has cares but doesn’t let them get her down. Does this quote make sense? It should because we have one member who fits to the above to the core. She is pure magic. She is a person who can fill the room with her aura by her presence. She mesmerizes everyone and takes one and all under her spell. She is a person who everyone love and admire and love to hang out with. After her conquering everyone’s heart, we are at such a point where we feel this virtual home is lively only when she is around.  She just makes us all feel very special. She takes the extra effort to know one and all and keeps a tab on all as she wants to know the whereabouts of her virtual family. When she is away from the site and busy in her own work, people miss her to extend that the place becomes deserted. And if she is around someone’s town, then you should see, the friends leave no leaf unturned to try to meet her. I wouldn’t be exaggerating when I say she is the LIFE of this site. Yes I am talking about OUR OWN SHOBHA or rather popularly known SHOBLAH

I have been very fortunate to have found a little place in her heart. She normally doesn’t like to share her personal stuff with anyone but she did with me. I strongly think I might have been one lucky winner of one of her games. As we know she is a great host for organizing games and so I think she must have played a game or a lottery something similar to what America plays – you know the lottery system and the lucky ones get the green card, so my assumption is, Shobha must have made many chits and that was my lucky day that she got my name and hence she shared her phone number with me otherwise sharing a phone number with Raffu can be pretty dangerous you know Anyway we made an appointment to talk on phone after work around 7 pm.

Reading Shobha’s messages on forum and on site, I knew she was friendly and caring person and so I imagined someone calm, friendly and talk with some care. I was in for a big surprise when I called her. But before I tell you my first conversation, let me tell you what type of day I had the other day. I had a pretty bad day, had a fight with my boss and came home back with little upset mood. When I logged on to the computer, I saw message from Shobha, I had given her 7pm as the calling time and it was few minutes past 7 and there were couple of messages finding out where the hell I was. LOL! I thought oh my God this girl is killing me… haha.. Let me call her or I am dead. And so I dialed the number and what I hear is……….. “Raffu… HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII”, there was so much of life in that voice, so much of happiness that my entire apartment was bright. The dull and moody weather was long past as soon as I heard Shobha’s voice! She talked, she giggled and we must have spoke for more then an hour and I just cannot express enough the way it changed everything unknowingly. I didn’t have to struggle for topics to talk; everything was flowing so easy that she made me feel like I was her long lost friend. After speaking to her, I happily cooked some food, ate with a big grin on my face and went to bed happy and woke up with a big smile.

After a little time it was my birthday and everything was again pretty stressed here at the blog but then I receive a parcel from shobha as my birthday gift and she made me a beautiful necklace in white and green color. She made it out of beads and the work was absolutely fabulous. It was neatly done and looked professional. That day I came to know the other side of Shobha – she is a great artist. She easily can open a business and sell her stuff. But coming back to my gift, there were made with tiny beads and it was pretty long. In America, no one has any time and to make one necklace with so much of detailing is not anyone’s cup of tea. Taking time away from your already busy routine is NOT expected or imagined ever. How she took time out, I don’t know and have no clue at all! But she made it that too for her online friend whom she never met before and made an effort to send it across to me. I don’t think I can have that much of patience especially if I have to send to a person like me then NO WAY!! I definitely don’t deserve but then when I saw her gesture, I was thoroughly touched and I have no words enough to thank her but just thank God for sending her to my life. She is very special and I ADORE HER!!! Buying a gift is understandable to some extend but making them with your own hands is something else. In my eye, a gift that is made with hands is priceless and what she sent will always be the dearest to me. I don’t think God makes many people like her. There has to be a Shobha only once in blue moon. I tell you this lady is pure magic! God bless her!!

Not everyone are aware of her another passion, well apart from you know Mr. K but Shobha is an awesome dancer. She attends her dance class every week to keep up with her practice and she also performed on many shows. She has a professional group and when I saw her pictures, I was totally mesmerized. She is a little bundle of joy, happiness, love and great talent.

Coming to her games, who aren’t aware or don’t enjoy? We all do and we love every article and every game of hers. They have been huge hit always. She binds all friends together in a family. Now normally when anyone writes an article and if they are mentioning friends names but forget few names to publish, they just write a sorry note and say okay next time we will remember but our Shobha is not like that. When she forgets few names, she doesn’t sleep that night. She writes another update to the present game or article including the missing names and makes sure the updated article is published in place of the old one. And if she forgets adding 10 names and remembers 10 different times, God only save the publisher because he will have to go through the 10 different updates. She is just too sweet that she doesn’t want to forget a single name and wants to see everyone happy. Normally mothers are like that but she is mother of all mothers!! (Shobha this was suppose to be a compliment girl .. lol)

Coming to good old me, I normally enjoy pranks, troubling people and having fun on everyone’s expense and I really look out for people who could be my perfect partner in crime but then once I met Shobha, I didn’t had to look nowhere else. She and I together we cooked plenty of pranks and unfortunately I cannot spit it out here as some of you was the target but she is always game for fun. She is everything – an absolutely caring person, very very friendly girl, a great artist, awesome team player, fabulous adviser, huggable friend, and a PERFECT ANGEL!! I can even add – if Sabrina the nice witch could be replaced with present times then Shobha can fit the role well but Shobha is lot more better witch then her. (again this was suppose to be a compliment… lol) She is pure happy magic!!

There is still bundles and bundles of stuff that I need to mention and pay tribute to but since the article is going to be never ending, so will keep it for the next time.

Shobha jaani, I said a number of times that I love you but the fact is that I absolutely ADORE you. I can’t do without you!! You are that perfect friend I always prayed God for. You are pure magic. I have been comparing friends with many of my other friends very close to my heart but when it comes to you, you are beyond compare. You are the best thing that could happen to this site. Though these days I am not able to find time often to come and speak but please know you are always in my heart and in my prayers. I thank God for you! I wish you all the best of best in everything that you do and pray to God that may he always shower his choicest blessings on you. May your life be always filled with joys, cheers, happiness, LOVE, family, friends, awesome health, zillions of wealth and trillions and trillions of same laughter that you hold. And last but not least, I pray to God to always keep you in my life!! Amen!!

WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH SHOBHA!!

I dedicate this song to you……………………

- Raffu

Kya hua jo usne racha lee mehandi,
Ham bhi ab sehra sajayenge
Mujhe pata tha ki vo apne nasib me nahi,
Ab uski chhoti bahan ko phasayenge
   

    E-Dost tu bhi likha kar shayari meri tarah
    Tera bhi naam ho jayega
    Log phekenge tujhpe ande aur tamatar
    Subah k nashte ka kaam ho jayega

Lambi hai manzil Door hai kinara,
My Dear kyu nahi aata ab msg tumhara,
Bhool gaye Naam ya Number humara,
Ya mil gaya koi Humse bhi payara?

Tere khoobsoorat aankhon mein aansoo achche nahin lagte
Chaahe jitnaa bhi roye but kabhi sachche nahin lagte

    Ek aap ho kii sharmate bahut ho,
    Ek aap ho kii itrate bhi bahut ho.
    Dil to karta hai ki aapko Dinner pe ley jayein,
    Kambakht ek aap ho ki khaate bahut ho

Na mujhe kisi ka dil chahaiye,
Na mujhe zamane se koi aas hai,
Jo apna samjh kar mere phone me balance dalwa de,
Mujhe us dost ki talash hai.
Mere dost banoge?

    Tujhe pane k liye kuch bhi kar sakta hun,
    Tere pyar me ji aur mar sakta hun,
    Fir bhi tu na mili to gum nahi,
    Ye formula main dusri pe try kar saka hun