Sampath-Musings

From Sampath’s Desk: FORAY and CHUTZPAH:   FORAY:   Origin:   Old French   Pronunciation:   Foa-ray   -   ஃபோரே   Meaning:   A sudden incursion, invasion, attack, raid – exploration, expedition or adventure into, all totally new - a short period of time being involved in an activity that is different from and outside the range of the usual set of normal activities of a person – make an entry into a new, different and/or unfamiliar type of activity and proceed to become involved in it      Example sentences:   Of late, women have made FORAYS into fields traditionally considered as male domains/bastions.   She made a brief FORAY into acting before becoming a teacher.   Although there is willingness, his FORAYS into cooking were never very successful.   Finishing fifth out of six in that initial FORAY was discouraging but didn’t deter her even a little from contin...

From Sampath’s Desk :     MUSIC MAESTRO ILAIYARAJA   Music lovers all over the world in general and those in India particularly Tamil Nadu feel euphoric and elated at Music Maestro Ilaiyaraja being conferred with the ‘Padma Vibhushan’ for his rich contributions to the world of music. He received the second-highest civilian award from President Ram Nath Kovind on 20.3.2018 (Tuesday). I join our countrymen in congratulating the Music Master on his earning this laurel.   The iconic music director-cum-singer Ilaiyaraaja (Gnanathesikan), also fondly and affectionately called Raja Sir or Isai Gnani in the film/music world (born on 3 June 1943), has been enthralling lakhs people for decades together and inspiring generations of existing and upcoming musicians, learners, and listeners with his ever-green scintillating high-class song compositions. Many a time, he had taken music listeners to a crescendo of joy, delight, excitement, and ecstasy th...

  From Sampath’s Desk:   FESTIVAL OF HARVEST ‘PONGAL’ HERALDING PROSPERITY (தைப்பொங்கல்)   A seed is sown to be grown into a plant, creeper or tree which eventually gives to humankind its biological bounties for consumption. There are short-term and long-term crops. Trees come into being a long time after the seed is sown, more often by self-sustenance. Needless to say, a tree is known by its fruit. Whenever you enjoy fruit, think of the person who had sown the seed!   Tamil Nadu is agriculture-dependent, as is the rest of India. The farmer community has always been indefatigably toilsome and highly industrious. Getting up even before the dawn and after finishing the morning chores, they would set out for paddy (or other) fields to carry out agro-operations using different agriculture implements and equipment till the harvest time. They would feel elated to see plants grow day after day and make merry at their several gestational phases bef...

From Sampath’s Desk:   IN SUPPORT OF ‘DRY LAW’   Alcoholism is a condition of an almost irreversible disease in an addict. So, say an emphatic 'no' to alcohol the first time and forever. It indeed takes a long time to become a typical addict. If one has the determination, resolve and willpower, he can stay away from the habit, showing stiff resistance.    Alcoholism, a bane, is also called ‘alcohol dependence syndrome’, causing the severest cluster of health problems. What a person generally starts as casual drinking or for fun, drinking to give company to his friends/peers, drinking for celebrating specific occasions, etc. slowly gets him enchanted, bewitched, and enmeshed and finally entraps and enslaves him into the habit forever unless he showed the stiffest of defiance. It needs a strong conviction to keep the insalubrious habit at bay once contracted. In other cases, a person voluntarily takes or forced to inebriation on one lame excuse or the other l...

From Sampath’s Desk:   DIEGO ARMANDO MARADONA     Diego Armando Maradona (1960-2020), a legendary Argentine professional football player-cum-manager who remained ahead of all his contemporaries, an icon and master striker, go-getter, never-say-give-up one-man-army and an all-time genius of the game – all rolled into one – had given a final kick on 25.11.2020 bidding adieu to the world leaving millions of his fans in tears.   In his departure, the sports field in general and the international Soccer circuit in particular, has suffered a heavy jolt and insurmountable loss. A reigning star on the football sky that was shining for decades has suddenly disappeared. The ball that he kicked last has now rolled into and stopped at a corner of the football stadium to remain tearfully silent in bereavement.   Maradona has become synonymous with Football and no mention of this sport will be complete and become a full circle without a ref...