“Life must be a challenge. Only then is it exciting. In an obstacle race, you are forced to surmount all the obstacles: to jump over the hurdles, go through the barrels, crawl under the rugs, climb over walls.
What would happen if, to avoid all that, you went around all the obstacles and asked for the winner’s cup? Would they give it to you? No. They would say, “You must go back and face all the obstacles.”
... Make your life as exciting as possible, but always think of it as fun. The adversities, as well as the harmony, should be enjoyable. Don’t become sober and morose and have a castor oil face in the name of spirituality. Just be happy. Jump with joy. Even if you make a mistake, say, “Hey, I did this? Great! What a wonderful lesson I learned!” If you really want to, you can make everything fun.”
~ Sri Swami Satchidananda from The Golden Present
This reminds me of our hero for the week—Rupan Patel of Hamilton, who right after foiling a robbery attempt at his store returned to work the next day. We were more impressed when Indian Weekender spoke to him and he was calm and relaxed and even able to laugh about it. So really what life had thrown at him was a huge obstacle, and he has been able to jump right over it (quite literally). Had it been for a faint-hearted, they would have used this as an excuse to give up. Read the complete story in our issue and watch the CCTV footage of the attempted robbery on our website.
While on one hand we are proud of Rupan Patel, on the other, a section is bent upon casting a shroud over the Auckland Diwali Festival. Without going into too much detail here, I would only like to say that this is the largest platform to showcase Indian culture in the country and rather than trying to put obstacles in its path, we must all support and help to make this the dream festival, especially when the organisers —ATEED—are open and forthcoming to take suggestions and inputs from the community. Read more on what people have to say about this, in our issue.
The ANZ Migrant Expo is just around the corner, and we are very proud to be associated with this expo this year that it has grown to almost double in size from last year. We have planned some exciting activities around this and so we hope our readers will come and visit us at our stall.
It is also that time of the year when we celebrate Raksha Bandhan—a time to pamper and spare a moment for our wonderful sisters who in their own ways always love and support us. For the sisters too, it's a time to send out a prayer for their brothers, who always care for them but don't always necessarily show it. However, the bond between a brother and sister is one of the most beautiful bonds that could be and it is great to be able to celebrate it, year after year.
It is the start of the festivities. So with wishes that this season is filled with good health and cheer for everyone—until next time!
Giri Gupta