Indian Restaurant

Dear friends in India,

Yesterday we had our last class this year. The students did oral presentations about thier topics showing PowerPoint slides. It went very well. Your contribution to their research about different cultural topics made the presentation very interesting. Thank you so much for your faithful responses to our questions through e-mail and skype.

After the class, we went to an Indian Restaurant close to our school to have a lunch. I'm going to share the photos we took in the restaurant called Mughal. It was their first time for some students to have Indian food. They loved a crispy nan, chicken tikka and Chai tea. It was a nice way to end the Indian project.

Hello! Ayaka and Natsuko.

we are answering your questions. we are Himanshu and Priyanka.

In India there are mainly three types of holidays .Summer vacation occurs in may and June .autumn break during October and winter vacation during December. We spend all the holidays with our family in our home or we go out of station.

We also join far away festivals. All the festivals are celebrated all over India with great pomp and show. So there is very less chance for going to far away festivals .

In India there are many traditional foods. They are eaten in different parts of country . In south India there is "Sambhar dosa.

In northern India there is "Sarso da saag,makki di roti.

Different dishes are also eaten in different seasons like"Pakoras' in rainy season.

In India crackers are burnt only on Diwali. Children more than eight years can burn crackers easily. Parents also help their children in burning crackers.

Our Questions for You.

What festivals do you celebrate like doll festival ? What is "Shushi" . How do you make it ? How you spend your time in university? which religion do you believe in ? How much time you give to your studies? We want to know about your famous dishes?

Also tell us about your famous cartoons ?

Thank you, bye.

The festival of Diwali

Hi, we are Abhinav and Rohit for answering your questions. India is a country of many festivals. The famous festival of India is Diwali-‘the festival of light’. It is celebrated all over the country with great joy and happiness. This festival is celebrated because on this day LORD RAMA returned to his city of Ayodhaya completing his 14 years of exile and after killing the ‘Demon king-RAVANA’. Mainly it is a festival of Hindus but as India is a secular country the people of all religions, which reflect the brotherhood of India, celebrate it.

A colorful festival that is celebrated by all Hindus worldwide is Deepavali, which is also known as the festival of lights. This festival usually falls around late October and November. One important practice that the Hindus follow during the festival is to light oil lamps in their homes on Deepavali morning. By lighting the oil lamps, the Hindus are thanking the gods for the happiness, knowledge, peace and wealth that they have received. The Hindus consider Deepavali as one of the most important festivals to celebrate

No special food is prepared during the festival but people keep lots and lots of sweets and other sweet dishes. People also exchange gifts with each other.

During the festival people wear new clothes. Some people also wear their traditional clothes.

We would like to know about your traditions and religious beliefs. Also guide us about your religion.

Thank you.

clothes

Hello Shino and Miho,

You know India is a vast country with many states and all have different culture, tradition and fashion. But Sari is commonly known attire of a woman in India . Girls don’t wear saris. They wear it on some special occasions. My mother wears sari. She has many saris. We wear school uniform in the school and casuals at home. We prefer wearing suits during special occasions. Wedding ceremony is a occasion when bride, groom and other relative wear beautiful clothes. You can learn more about Indian fashion from these websites. http://www.webindia123.com/women/fashion/dress/dress1.htm

http://www.pardesifashions.com/

pic. our school girls wearing saris on the occasion of teachers' day

I hardly spend any money on fashion .I get all my required things at my home as I have an elder sister and younger brother who purchase various kind of things regularly. We share and use these things as we like .Yet I am a very simple natured fellow. I have a regular hair cut to keep my hair short as keeping short hair for boys is a rule in our school and a custom of civilized India society, wear neat , sober colored western dresses,keep myself and my belongs clean and tidy.

Do you wear school/college uniforms? we don't have uniforms in colleges.

Pushpendra and Arpit Class IX

Education in India

Hi, Madoka and Ayumi,

We are studying in a RPVV Surajmal Vihar. It is situated in the eastern part of Delhi. Its a Government school. We have classes from 6th to 12th. We study 5 subjects till class 1oth. After that we have to choose any one stream from humanities, commerce and science.There are other private schools (public schools), central schools and Navoda ya schools in India. In School we have house system. Our Houses are Shivaji, Tagore, Ashoka and Raman, all great personalities from Indian history. Each student belongs to one house. We have Inter House competitions like debate, mono acting, singing, essay writing , slogan writing, declamation, Quiz etc. We also have inter zonal, district, state and national level competitions.

pics. morning assembly, group dance and yoga display

We also have workshops to learn art and craft, music, drama.

We are also taken out for local excursions.

Students have various openings after school education. They can opt for Engineering, Medical, computers, military services, civil services, media, advertisements, sales, MBA, law, hotel management etc.

Yes, we have cram schools, but they are known as coaching institutes here. Students can prepare for various examinations from these centres. There are also tuition centres where students go for some extra studies These are privately run centres and charge huge amount of fees.

Our school starts with an Assembly in the morning. We do yoga, prayer and sing national song and national Anthem. We read news of the day and present thought of the day. Once in a week there is a quiz. Our Principal and teachers talk on some special days.

On Mondays we have units test. Apart from Unit test there are three terminal exams- First, half yearly and the final. we have to pass all exams. Our session starts from 1^st April and closes on 31^st March. Apart from tests, we have manyExtra curricular and cultural activities in the school. we celebrate all festivals and glorious moments of our history and lives of great personalities. There is a sports day and annual day every year. We also have drawing, yoga, library, computer, SUPW (Social Utility Productive Work), home science etc periods in a week. We also have compulsory education in India. In spite of this, many don’t get right opportunities to go to schools.

who decides what you want to become in future in your country? What are your ambitions in life? pl tell us. Is your school system different from us?

Manasi and Aakriti

Indian Heroes

Hello Yuki, Mariko, Risa

we are abhinav and vinay of class VII.

I like Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. Every Indian like and love him. He was born on 2^nd October 1904. His father was a school teacher. His father had died when he was just a child. His grandfather brought him up. When he was young, he took part in politics. He wanted to make India free. He fought for India’s freedom. When India became free he was made Railway Minister. There after he became Home Minister. In 1964, when Jawaharlal Lal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India died, then he became the Prime Minister of India. He gave India a slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisaan’( a salute to a soldier and a farmer). He was very simple person. He died in Taskand, when he was in USSR to sign a treaty between India and Pakistan.

I like him because he was very brave, honest and simple person.

I like Bhagat Singh because he taught the Indian not to be slaves of British by sacrificing his life at a very young age. He was a revolutionary. He was hanged to death.

We have so many leaders in the past who fought for the Independence and those who contributed in making modern India. We also have many living leaders like Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister Of India , Dr. Abdul Kalam, former President of India etc.

We would also like to know about the leaders you remember mostly.

Questions about Education

Hi, our group consists of Madoka and Ayumi.Our group is collecting information about Education in India.We would like to know1. What are popular club activities for students?2. Would you tell us about weekly schedule and school event for students?3. What are popular occupations for students?4. In India, do you have cram school? How many students go there?5. Do many students like to go to school? Why?In Japan,every children go to elementary school and junior high school. It is compulsory education.Recently, many students go cram school after their school. They study hard everyday.Hope to hear from you soon.Thank you.

Questions about Heroes

Hello, our group consists of Yuki, MAriko, Risa. Our group is all good friends. We are collecting information about Indian Heroes.We know that Indian people respect Gandhi.So,we would like to know・Who do you　respect person except Gandhi?・And why do you respect this person?We have many respect person.Especially, Japanese people respect emperor. Because, they are symbol of Japan.Hope to hear from you soon.

Questions about Festivals

Hello, our group consists of Ayaka and Natsuko. We are female and 22-year-old. Our group is all good friends!! (・▽・)Our group is collecting information about Indian festival. We would like to know What is famous or important traditional holiday??What foods do you like on holiday??Who set off a firecracker?? Can children do??What holidays do you spend with family or friends??Do you join for faraway festival??In Japan, New Year's Day is similar to Diwali. All Japanese enjoy New Year's Day. For example, we go to Hatsumoude, drink alcohole all day.This weekens we have a university campas festival!! We will enjoy it.We are looking forward to your mail.☆

Questions about Religions

Hi, our group consists of Megumi, Misa, and Junya.Our group is all good friends.Our group is collecting information about Indian religion.We would like to know●Is there religion rituals you have to do every day?●What kind of god you worship?●What is your favorite myth?In Japan,We almost believe Buddism.We are looking forward to learning new religion.Hope to hear from you soon.

Questions about Clothes

Hello. Our group consists of Shino and Miho.We are good friends.Our group collecting information about Indian fashion.We would like to know...1.How many Saries do you have?2.Is there a trend of Saries?3.What kind of Saries do you wear when you get married?4.How much do you spend money for your fashion per a month?5.What do you wear at home?In Japan, we wear "Shiromuku" in wedding ceremony.We are going to paste the picture on this mail.Please check it!Hope to hear from you soon.Thank you. Good bye!

Questions about Festivals

Hi, our group consists of Naoya,Marie,Emi and Aya. Our group is all good friends. Our group is collecting information about Indian festival. We would like to know・What is the most famous festival in India?・Is there any specail food prepared festival?・Is there any traditional clothes people wear during the festival?In japan, we have lots of local festivals in the fall. Recently, in Japan, sports festival was held in the school. It was very fun. Hope to hear from you soon.

Questions about Food

Hi, our groupe consists of Izumi Asano, Eriko Iijima, Risa Okamoto, and Miyuki Tozaki. We studied Indian English in the first semester. Then, we became to be interested in India. We ate Indian food in this class. It was very delicious!!! So, We want to learn Indian food.Our group is collecting information about Indian food.We would like to know about followings. When do Indian children start to eat spicy food? Have people ever eaten food with left hands? Do Indian children eat school lunch? If so, What?In Japan, there are a lot of unique food. For example, sushi, natto, mentaiko and so on. There are tremendously healthy.Hope to hear from you soon.

Questions about Movies

Hi, our group consists of Soichiro, Yuta and Masahiro. Our group is collecting information about Indian Movies.We would like to konow who is the most popular movie star?What kind of instrument are used in Indian movies?How does Religion affect the movies?In Japan, there are some good actors, for example, Ken Watanabe. Do you know him? He acted in "Last Samurai". Hope to hear from you soon.

Questions about Dance

Hello, our group consists of Taku, Eriko, Marina, and Ayano.Taku dances very well! And the rest of three girls love music★Our group is collecting information about Indian dance.We all are interested in Indian culture, and we would like to know what kind of dress Indian people wear when they dance. We have heard that they wear beautiful dresses like Sari.In Japan, we have a traditional Japanese dance called Nichibu, and people wear Kimono when dancing. And, the most popular type of dances among young people recently is Hip-Hop.We want to compare Indian dance culture with our Japanese dance culture.Hope to hear from you soon! Bye.

Questions about Music

Hello! Our group consists of Asako, Ayana and Saori.We all likes learning about overseas.Our group is collecting information about Indian music.We woukd like to know what is the most famous singer in India?In Japan, there are lots of musician. I think the most famous Japanese singer is Hamasaki Ayumi. Have you hard about her?Hope to hear from you soon.

Namaste India Festival

I hope you had a great autumn break.Thank you for posting an interesting message about Indian festival. My students might ask some further questions later.

This Sunday, we had an Indian festival near our hometown, so I went there with some of my seminar students. We had tasty Indian lunch ( Curry, samosa and fried vegetables) first. Then female students tried Mehandi. We also watched both Japanese and Indian dance performance and took a lot of pictures. The pictures above show Indian dance performance, Japanese dance performance and my seminar students (Junya, Shino, Miho and Natsuko).

This is our very first time to watch Indian dance, and I found it different from Japanese dance. I was impressed with Indian dancer's facial expressions. The movements of eyes, in particular, seem to send a lot of messages. On the contrary, Japanese dancer's looked pretty serious all thorough the performances. Another difference I found was stories behind it. Indian dances seem to drive from Hindu myth, but Japanese dances describe ordinary people like Maiko or working girls.

We also had a chance to talk with an Indian family from New Delhi. The mother explained a lot about Indian culture. We are surprised that there are so many festivals which are related to a family tie. I didn't know a wife would fast for the long-life of her husband. A day for brother and sister to come home sounds interesting too.

We don't have many festivals in Japan. We have a summer and autumn festival at the nearest shrine, but the date is different depending on the shrine. We have some booths on the ground of shrine and children would be blessed by the servants of God. I used to enjoy going to these local festivals bringing small amount money to buy a cotton candy and other small toys in my childhood.

My students will post some questions about Indian culture very soon. If you have any questions about Japan, please let me know.

Celebration of Dushera in India

The Autumn Break has religious signification besides Climatic change(The Slow Fall of winter after Rainy season in India. The festival of Ten days &Ten Nights has many stories. Here are few ones.

This day(Dushera-The Tenth Day) marks the triumph of Lord Rama over Demon king Ravana. On this day, Rama killed Ravana.

Rama was asked to go on exile because his stepmother, Queen Kaikeyee was tricked into asking King Dasaratha to exile him for 14 years. Rama's wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana went with him willingly.

News of Rama staying at an ashram while on exile spread rapidly. A demon, Shoorpanakha found her way there and demanded that Rama or Lakshmana marry her. When both brothers rejected her, she threatened to kill Sita, so that Rama would then be single again. Lakshmana then cut off her ears and nose.

Shoorpanakha's brother was the demon King Ravana. Ravana was incensed to hear what happened to his sister, and kidnapped Sita to avenge the insult.

The Ramayana chronicles Rama's travels and deeds as he searched for his wife, and defeated evil.

Celebrations

On this day, people spend the day decorating the entrances of houses & shops with flower studded strings called 'Torans' (Floral Gateways).

At night, effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghanad are stuffed with firecrackers and set alight. Children especially enjoy seeing this because of the beautiful fireworks on the ground. The festival, which is thought of as the "Victory of Good over Evil" and "Return of Rama from Exile" is celebrated in grand style. Because the day is auspicious, people inaugurate new vehicles, machines, books, weapons and tools by ceremonially asking god to bless the new items.

In Southern India, Eastern India and Western India, the festival of Navaratri which culminates with Vijayadashami commemorates the legend in which the Goddess Durga, also known as Chamundeshwari or Mahishasura Mardini, vanquishes the demon Mahishasura, an event that is said to have taken place in the vicinity of the present day city of Mysore in Karnataka. In Northern India, the same 10-day festival commemorates the victory of Rama, prince of Ayodhya in present-day Uttar Pradesh, over Ravana, the ruler of Lanka, who according to the Ramayana had abducted Sita Devi, the consort of the former, and held her captive in his realm.

(Pic.effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghanad are being burnt signifying victory of good over evil forces)

There is more about the festival. India is a vast country with diverse culture. All part of it celebrate festivals with different ways and different names. The message is common.

Its celebration time. So be happy and enjoy.

Dasara is celebrated allover India with a lot of fanfare and religious fervor. A religious as well as a social festival, Dasara is an occasion for pujas and festivities like music, dance and cultural programmes. In Southern India, especially in TamilNadu, Dasara is celebrated as Navarathiri.

Navarathiri means nine nights, signifies a very auspicious period.

Mythology

According to Hindu mythology, a very powerful Asura-demon king Mahishasuran prayed to the almighty and asked for a boon - that his death should at the hands of a woman and by no other human being or any form of living being.

On being granted his wish, he started inflicting atrocities on all human beings on the earth. He considered himself to be immortal as he thought that it was impossible for a woman or any female form of a human being to be powerful enough to kill him.

When his cruelty became unbearable, people prayed to Sakthi the consort of Lord Shiva to save them from the demon and to provide them with salvation. Sakthi then took the form of Durga and slayed the demon.

The fight between Durga and Mahishasuran is said to have lasted for nine days and nights.

Navarathiri : A Religious Festival

The period of nine days and nights when Goddess Durga fought the Asura is celebrated as Navarathiri in Tamilnadu(Southern State of India) The Goddess is worshipped during these nine days and nights as it signifies the fight of the good over evil.

Goddess Durga is considered as the personification of courage, strength, and power and praying to the goddess, helps one to be blessed with all these qualities especially during Dasara.

The Goddess is worshipped in all her innumerable forms.

A Kalasam i.e. a pot shaped brass / silver vessel topped with mango leaves and coconut, smeared with turmeric and vermilion is kept and the Kalasam is worshipped with reverence.

Special pujas are performed for the Goddess at home and in temples during Navarathiri. Community prayers are conducted at various temples and at other places of worship. Pujas are performed for the well being of the community and for the nation. The last 3 days of Navarathiri is a period of frenzied pujas.

Ayudha Pooja

In commercial organizations, business houses, shops and establishments the eighth or ninth day is celebrated as AYUDHA POOJA. The entire place is cleaned and given a new look. All the machines, equipments, tools etc. that are used in the organization are cleaned and smeared with sandalwood paste (Chandanam) and vermilion (KumKum) and adorned with flowers.

The accounts books, other important documents are brought and kept in the puja place. Pujas are performed to the Goddess invariably by a priest who prays for the growth and prosperity of the organization.

Offerings of fruits, sweets, rice flakes (pori), jaggery is made to the Goddess and is distributed to everyone as Prasadam.

Saraswathi Puja

In Hindu homes the eighth day or NAVAMI prayers are offered to Goddess Saraswathi the Goddess of learning, seeking knowledge.

Books of children and youngsters as well as musical instruments are placed before the Goddess on that day and pujas performed.

Hindus believe that the Goddess resides in books, in all forms of reading / learning material as also in musical instruments. Saraswathi is said to be a lover of music. The placing of these items in worship is therefore a sign of respect to those forms that impart knowledge to us.

Vijayadasami

The tenth day i.e. DASAMI is considered a day of victory as it signifies the day Sakthi slays the demon. It signifies the victory of good over evil. VIJAYADASAMI is a day to begin new ventures, be it business or education etc. as it is an auspicious day and assures one of success.

On Vijayadasami, toddlers are taught their first alphabet and some of them are admitted to school on this day to commence their formal education. Formal training in music, dance and other art forms are invariably commenced only on Vijayadasami.

Vijayadasami is also the day to honour one's teacher.

Navarathiri-a social festival

Navarathiri is also celebrated as a cultural and social festival. In Tamilnadu, Navarathiri is celebrated by having Golus, visiting friends and relatives or organising cultural bonanzas.

A number of cultural organisations conduct competitions for children and women in the field of music, dance, cookery, floral arrangements and so on.

That’s Why we have vacation of Ten Days.

Do you have such types of long celebrations and holidays in Japan?

bharat thakur

Our First Skype Meeting

Hi Ms. Snehlata gupta, Mr. bharat thakur, and their students,

It was so nice to have a Skype meeting with you last Wednesday. It was a big surprise for me to have so many students participate in the meeting. I'm sorry that I could not spend more time talking to each of you.

Thank you for answering my students' questions. It was interesting to know that Indian children don't drink tea. Japanese children start drinking brown tea very young. On school trip, they always bring tea in canteen. With school lunch, elementary school children are given a bottle of milk as well.

It was interesting to know what kind of spice you have in your kitchen. cumin seeds sounded very familiar. You must put a lot of spices when you cook curry. In Japan, Curry is one of the most popular dish for children, but our curry is much milder and soupy. We usually pour it on the rice. I can send a picture of our curry at our popular curry fast-food restaurant.

I heard you were going to have a break for a festival. What kind of festival is it? My students will envy you a lot since you have so many fun festivals.

Have a wonderful holiday and please feel free asking any kind of questions about Japan.

Diwali Paintings

Surabhi's free time

I spend my free time at home by doing some crative work like making some jewellery from my jewellery set. I also do some drawing, painting, making greeting cards with different technique.I sometimes spend spend my free time by watching television or playing with my sister. sometimes I listen radio, do cycling etc
what do you do in your free time?
Surabhi

Riya's free time

In my free time at home when I eat breakfast I watch TV. I play video game or carom board. sometimes I go play with my friends badminton and kho kho. I read story book and fairy tales. My drawing is good so I draw sometimes. I draw mostly cartoons. I also help my brother in completing his homework. I also prepare some dishes like sandwitches, macrone etc. I also make dictionary of some difficult words in English. I read newspapers also. I also like craft work and listening music on radio.

pl. tell me about your pass time.
Riya

Free time

Hello , I am Manish Narayan a student of Rajkiya Prathibha Vikas Vidyalaya. I am feeling very delighted in sharing my experiences of spending leisure period after school hours.


After school students have lots of homework and learning work etc. to do. After completing
this work students have lot of time to refresh after days work.
All have different ways to spend their leisure time. They have their hobbies to pursue. You know hobby is an interesting pursuit for pleasure during spare time. Usually student read books, watch TV and play different games to relax and refresh themselves.

Inspite all of these my hobby is gardening. In my leisure time I use to spend time with plants & trees etc. When I come to know about importance of trees, they inspire me.

Since then, Gardening became my favourite hobby. While gardening we get a special feeling excitement, as the flower grow we are thrilled by watching them everyday. In the case when some plants of our garden are damaged we feel hurt .so, we get connected emotionally with them. Indirectly it helps in rescuing environment also.
you also tell us how you spend your free time.

All the best
Narayan

Proverbs 2

HI!
I’m PUSHPENDRA NAGAR of ninth standard of Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya Surajmal Vihar. As you wanted to know about Indian proverbs. Now I’m writing you about a few Indian proverbs.

(1) SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE: -
It means that one who is slow in his pace but doing his job devotingly and by his heart wins in the long run. He gets sure success.

(2) ROD IS THE LOGIC OF FOOLS: -
Those who don’t wish to get improved or are obstinate to follow the right track; they need to be treated hard as this is only language they can understand.

(3) TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NONE: -
One must utilize his time wisely and never waste any spur of it as all the treasures on the earth can never bring back a lost moment and the whole life is made of tiny moments.

(4) NO ONE KNOWS THE WEIGHT OF ANOTHER’S BURDEN: -
Only one who is facing the problems, troubles or pain known how terrible is it for him. The others who meager on lookers or listeners can’t understand how panic his state are.

(5) HE WHO WOULD CATCH FISH MUST NOT MIND GETTING WET:
One who has a high aim to acquire something of importance in life, he shouldn’t feel troubled due to minor inadequacy as the one who wishes to collect pearls from the depth of the ocean, shouldn’t get afraid of getting his feet wet.

(6) TO MAKE CASTLES IN THE AIR: -
Mere imagination are jobs of fools .The fools make highly imaginative account of many things but never try to lift a finger so one should take firm and solid steps to have

(7) LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING: -
Without acquiring complete knowledge of anything if we apply our little knowledge to do any important task it proves harmful only.

(8) EXAMPLE IS BETTER THAN PRECEPT: -
If we want improve any system we shouldn’t behave or act as a preacher as mere preaching can never improve anything and is not much effective. Therefore we should do ideal things and acts in our own personal life too.

(9) LIVING FROM HAND TO MOUTH: -
Having very poor economical and financial state living a life in which there is no comforts or facilities but little money to survive.

(10) A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED: -
The one who comes forward to help someone in need and requirement is a friend and well wisher in real.

(11) A WORDS TO THE WISE: -
The wise people never need explanation. They can even understand the hints given to them while the fools have no capacity to understand while we are giving them explanation after explanation.

I hope that you enjoy these proverbs. Would you like to know some more proverbs? Then please contact me for sharing your opinion to me.

BYE!

Pushpendra

Indian proverbs

Agriculture is best, enterprise is acceptable, but avoid being on a fixed wage.
Anger ends in cruelty.
Blaming your faults on your nature does not change the nature of your faults.
Blow the wind ne'er so fast, it will lower at last.
Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
Don't bargain for fish which are still in the water.

Don't judge any man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins.
Don't just cross a river--cross it bearing fire!
. Fate and self-help share equally in shaping our destiny.
Garlic is as good as ten mothers.

Keep five yards from a carriage, ten yards from a horse, and a hundred yards from an elephant; but the distance one should keep from a wicked man cannot be measured.
Large desire is endless poverty.
Life is not a continuum of pleasant choices, but of inevitable problems that call for strength, determination, and hard work.
Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun.
Separation secures manifest friendship.
September blow soft till the fruit's in the loft.
Sit on the bank of a river and wait: Your enemy's corpse will soon float by.
The way to overcome the angry man is with gentleness, the evil man with goodness, the miser with generosity and the liar with truth.
The weakest go to the wall.
To the mediocre, mediocrity appears great.
You can never enter the same river twice.
You can often find in rivers what you cannot find in oceans.
You can only lean against that which resists.
Keep five yards from a carriage, ten yards from a horse, and a hundred yards from an elephant; but the distance one should keep from a wicked man cannot be measured.

Atithi devo bhava' an age-old Indian proverb literally places the guest at par with the Gods and people in India follow this adage even today. The best of everything is offered to a guest.
The frog does not drink up the pond in which it lives
Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
I had no shoes and complained, until I met a man who had no feet.
The way to overcome the angry man is with gentleness, the evil man with goodness, the miser with generosity and the liar with truth.
It is better to sit down than to stand, it is better to lie down than to sit, but death is the best of all.
You can often find in rivers what you cannot find in oceans.
Where love reigns the impossible may be attained.
You can only lean against that which resists. A smile you sent, will always return.
Do not blame God for having created the tiger, but thank him for not having given it wings.
Keep five yards from a carriage, ten yards from a horse, and a hundred yards from an elephant; but the distance one should keep from a wicked man cannot be measured.
Life is a bridge. Cross over it, but build no house on it.
A guilty conscience is a hidden enemy.
Life is not a continuum of pleasant choices, but of inevitable problems that call for strength, determination, and hard work.
Agriculture is best, enterprise is acceptable, but avoid being on a fixed wage.
Blaming your faults on your nature does not change the nature of your faults.
To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak.
If we dig precious things from the land, we will invite disaster.
Don't judge any man until you have walked two moons in his shoes.
Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
An arch never sleeps.

Pray one hour before going to war, Two hours before going to sea, And three hours before getting married. The sieve says to the needle; you have a hole in your head. The tree casts its shade upon all, even the woodcutter. There is no evil without its advantages. Those who hunt deer sometimes raise tigers. To lend is to buy a quarrel. Under the mountains is silver and gold, But under the night sky, hunger and cold. When you are in the water you swim. If you live in the river you should make friends with the crocodile.
Don't bargain for fish which are still in the water. When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.
The first day a guest, the second day a guest, the third day a calamity. When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. There is nothing noble in being superior to some other person. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self.
For the friendship of two, the patience of one is required.
Nonviolence is the supreme law of life. The most beautiful things in the universe are the starry heavens above us and the feeling of duty within us.

Keep five yards from a carriage, ten yards from a horse, and a hundred yards from an elephant; but the distance one should keep from a wicked man cannot be measured.

Diwali

Dear Ayaka Onishi
Hello
I am megha Garg of class VI.I am writing you about the Festival of Diwali. Pl. come to India and join us for this festival which is falling on second week of November this year.
On this occasion of Diwali, firstly we make our house neat and clean. We take bath and wear new clothes. Specially I like ‘Lehanga’ (type of gown). we do lot of fun on this day. My parents buy special material to decorate the house on diwali. I also help them. In the evening we worship ‘Laxmi’( Goddess of Wealth).We decorate our floor with ‘Rangoli’(design) and keep a chowki (wooden board to sit on) and a picture of Goddess Laxmi. The we worship them. we light candles and lamps as the night falls in. we pray to God.
Then we come out and do lots of firework. we exchange sweets and gifts with our friends and relatives.
Then we eat special dishes made for this day.
This festival is celebrated all over India.
You tell us about your festivals and how You celebrate it.

Megha

Christmas and Diwali

Christmas
There's a wide variation in Christmas traditions between families. And, of course, many Americans are Muslim or Jewish, or belong to other groups like Jehovah's Witnesses that don't celebrate Christmas. In the US Christmas is often more a secular holiday than a religious one, which is discouraging to many Christians.
A traditional Christmas celebration would include a Christmas tree with lights and ornaments, and often other decorations such as a wreath or outdoor lights. Christmas is the major retail holiday, and many families have large numbers of brightly wrapped gifts under the tree. On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus visits after the small children are in bed, leaving (often unwrapped) gifts for them. Often he will fill stockings hung by the fireplace with candy and toys. (For a book about Santa, see The Night Before Christmas.)Usually there's a large family dinner on Christmas Day with Turkey or Ham as the main course. Christians may attend a church service late on Christmas Eve, or on Christmas Day. (Many will attend church only twice a year, Christmas and Easter.)Hospitality is important to many during the Christmas season and there will be parties through New Year's Day.
America is multi-cultural, with members of many ethnic groups celebrating in their own unique ways. So, for example, a family of Mexican-American heritage will prepare and serve tamales on Christmas Eve. A family of Polish extraction will serve traditional pirogues and klatches. All of these traditions and many more qualify as a 'real' American Christmas.

Diwali
Whenever we talk about an environment full of light, the first name that comes in every mind is diwali. This is basically the festival of lights that is celebrated on a no moon night to make the dark night shine. This festival of lights is celebrated on the no moon day of Ashwin. This festival is celebrated through out India, therefore; you can see many colors of it as every region celebrates it in a special way. In some places, the celebration of this auspicious day starts from durga pooja and keeps on going until bhaiya dooj and goverdhan pooja.
The word deepawali is the combination of two different terms- deepa and wali. Deepa means lights, wali stands for string, and when those two words combine, they really make a string of light that enlightens the entire India. As it is one of the major festivals celebrated in India, it comes with various reasons of happiness for everyone. For kids diwali means complete fun as they get a chance to play with crackers. Not only kids but also many adults eagerly wait for this occasion, as they also get some relaxing time to spend with family, friends and crackers. This is the time when people can really relax and enjoy the delight of being with nearest and dearest ones. Variety of mouth-watering sweets and dishes that fascinate most of the food loving people is the other reason for what diwali is awaited. People enjoy various sweets and dishes during the entire period of this festival. For people who love to keep them indulged in spiritual activities diwali is the best time as for them there is almost the entire week to sit in front of god. The entire environment of this festival is all about sweetness, lights and enjoyment most probably this is the reason why not only Hindus but also people from all religions love to celebrate this occasion of light and glitter.
From a businessperson's point of view, diwali is the best time increase sales, as people love to buy things for them and their house in this festival only. No section of the market is untouched with the blessings of this festival either it is offline market of offline market. You can really find many surprising offers and schemes on numerous things, thus businesses do not leave any chance to attract their customer. From a customer’s standpoint, you can get the best deal in everything you want to purchase. Discount on every service and product is the biggest market attraction of diwali. After all this is the festival for the goddess of wealth so everyone should be blesses with prosperity.
Diwali is the time to celebrate but one should make sure that they take all sorts of precautions as this festival involves the playing with fire. Also, take care of kids and people around you who are not able to celebrate this devout festival. You can help them in enlightening their world too so that your diwali may get some more light and blessing of those incapable people. By doing so you will definitely get a real and gracious cause to celebrate this festival of light therefore accompany them in celebrating the festival and get a lifetime reason for lightening candles.

Pankaj