Madurai Taekwondo - a martial art - Korean Karate - CK Nagaraj

In my school days, my mother enrolled me and my Madurai brother into two courses. As I have told you before, my mother had a vision. She wants her children to be well equipped before we encounter the real world.

One was Hindi class provided by Dakshin Bharath Hindi Prachar Sabha and I successfully passed "Praveen" exam. This is supposed to be equivalent to BA in Hindi.

Another was Taekwondo. My brother completed Taekwondo - Black Belt. I completed the Brown Belt, which is just before Black Belt.

We used to study in the TVS Nagar branch, which was opposite TVS Lakshmi Matric School. Taekwondo is a great martial art, but from Korea. Taekwondo is more of an art with the leg, when compared to Karate, which is all of hands. Taekwondo is more of leg and less of hand. Taekwondo is also called Korean Karate. Taekwondo is one of the asian(korean) martial art, like Kung fu and Karate.

CK Nagaraj was our master and he is a great teacher and a great person. He is a good friend of us and our mother knows him very well. I am grateful to the Taekwondo master Nagaraj. He is a member of Lions Club as well. CK Nagaraj had received even 3-5 DANs(levels) in Black Belt of Karate.

One interesting point is - TVS Nagar branch still exists and even today master is teaching in the same terrace of the building opposite our school.

By the way, 24th January and 25th, 26th - state level competition is planned to happen in TVS Lakshmi Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Madurai.

I am grateful to this master CK Nagaraj. As a return gift, I am posting this article dedicated to Mr.Nagaraj, Taekwondo Black Belt in Madurai.

For further details - please contact -
Channa K. Nagaraj, C 249, VII Stop, Kamarajar Street, Tirunagar, Madurai-625 006. Mobile:9843052449.

For you reference - an article by "The Hindu" about Taekwondo in Madurai recently.

My Madurai Father Part-II and my Health

My Madurai Father Part-II and my Health

Couple of Health Resolutions I have made this year.
A huge step - saying no to Alcohol, even to a small degree(even social drinking).
Preference to riding bicycle, instead of always using car.

This is going to drastically improve my health conditions.
Lesser vulnerability heart diseases. Self-motivated and less depression moments.
More fitness and normal weight for my body. Pumping my heart, periodically for good health!!

What I am doing is - My office is 1 mile from my apartment.
I go to office by bicycle in the morning, come back have lunch and then go back to office in the afternoon. By end of the day, I come back by bicycle in the evening. This gives me around 4-5 miles of exercise everyday. Even the commuting time is pretty much same as my car's considering the signal wait times and traffic. Isn't it worth?

While I ride my bicycle, I remember my father(dad).

Here is a first article I posted about my father - click here.

My grandfather used to walk all the way from his village Vadivelkarai or from Periyar Bus stand and come to our home in Madurai. My father used to go to work from TVS Nagar to Madura Coats (near Jail Rd, Madurai(near Arasaradi)). We are all spoilt people by using Car and not using bicycles.

My dad used to go this 12 km commute everyday and anywhere else he has to go, he still uses the same bicycle! Isn't it great? I guess, they use buses for other transport needs also. I feel happy and proud when I go by the same kind of bicycle and go to work for my family, apart from my health benefits!

I am also a good father, working for the family!!:)

My Madurai Mother - part II

I have written about my mother in one of the earlier posts. Here is the post, click here

My mother was born to Parvathathammal and Sellaiyapillai. Parvathathammal even sold idly and paniayaram in streets for their daily expenditure and to bring up her children. My mother's mother was a very hard working person, hence I guess my mother also became a hard working person. It all depends on parents only for how the children would be.

Three days back, my mother had a eye surgery for cataract. One good thing in Madurai is - Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai. Operation was successful and Aravind Hospital is doing great!

One unfortunate thing is - I and my wife are not there to help my mother, when she needs us. She had been there for us, when we needed and today we are not there to help her. However, my eldest brother who is Doctor is there to help my mother.

In my childhood days, when my mother is out to office or any relative's function, we would wait for her and we(brothers) miss her a lot. We would wait and watch the door for my mother to come back.

She would bring Masal Kadalai from the corner shop. I like those masaal kadalais very much. I used to fill the masal kadalai into my trouser pocket or shirt pocket and slowly eat.

Anyway, even though I am far away from you my mother - I am always thinking about you and I will come to you soon for helping you.

My mother series will continue...

Madurai Mom - My Madurai Mother - Part I

I am somewhere else in the world, than Madurai. My mother is in madurai.

She lives with my father, my brothers and their family. She has been striving throughout her life for my benefit. I am sure it is the same case with all the mothers.

My mother has not thought anything for her. She has always been living for me and my brothers. She thinks good for us, all the time.

I asked her once, what do you want, so that I can fulfill your desires. You know what she said? If you will live well, happy and prosperous - that is enough for me. That is what she said. I am always impressed by her life, who lives just for us.

I remember, when she used to work. (She is now retired). She used to work very hard. She worked for the same school(big school) in Madurai all her life - around 35 years. She is a great hard worker. She has got awards from the school.

She always wants her kids(myself and my brothers) to be no.1 and she is highly motivated. She wants us to come to a big level and prove to the world. If I am in a decent position in my career, healthwise and financially - then all the credit goes to her. She had been seeing lot of studious students and she has always dreamt to make us to be ambitious and achieve heights. And she definitely did achieve what she dreamt of.

She has to live longer to see her sons growth and achievements.

Will be continued...this never ends...

Vadivelkarai Photos

Here are some photos taken in the maasi kelari - sivarathri festival in Vadivelkarai, Madurai. This festival is celebrated every year at this time.
All the "pangaali's" come together and pray for the betterment of everyone.

If you want to know more about Vadivelkarai - click here.

Oru maalai ilai udhir kaalam

This photo is a view from my apartment to the road. Isn't this cool?! Yes, it was "oru maalai ilai udhir kaalam...". I like my apartment view from inside.