Lamps are of tremendous spiritual significance .  Sharing an article I wrote


http://www.asianage.com/category/author/sudha-umashanker

Plastic everywhere

While the monsoon showers are welcome  the mess that the city's drainage system  creates  makes you feel  that it is better we have  one long summer instead . Little puddles of water , mounds of rubble and  rubbish  and to make matters worse plastic carry bags floating around   do not make for a pretty sight . Some major steps have indeed been taken to reduce the use of plastic  . Banning of plastic carry bags at weddings ,  charging by establishments for the same etc .But there is one industry that uses a lot of plastic and that is the food industry . Take- aways use so much of plastic  and I shudder to think when  it will ever degrade .Time to go back to our banana leaves , butter paper and other eco-friendly packaging . Hotels  and restaurants should in the interest of environment protection  think on these lines .This is one area where we could do with a bit of innovation !

Frustration

Frustration  is many things ! A poor net connection , the water  supply running out when you are in the shower or the washing machine is in mid-cycle  and the weather playing truant when you have an event planned .
Frustration today was related to the Postal Department  . I am all praise for the Indian Postal service , its wide network and penetration into the farthest corners of the country , the personal rapport with the postman  etc etc . However try  getting online to check the status of an item  that was speedposted or sent by Regd post  to an overseas location and you are in all likelihood going to tear your hair in frustration .Information is usually available only upto the point  the consignment leaves the country .A toll free number was provided .But I was greeted with a "you seem to have dialled the wrong number "  I can kick myself for not scanning and emailing the document as a back- up plan .!!