Prescience in naming children

On my latest train journey to Kuppam (quite frequent these days!), the Senior Ticket Examiner was an appropriately named Mr. Marga Bandhu (A friend for the journey). One of Seshadripuram Rama Seva Samithi trustees (i think it was Mr. Ramadoss) once mentioned that few parents have the prescience in naming their children. He was talking after a wonderful flute recital by Vidwan K. S. Gopalakrishnan and was a very apt comment. I recalled this comment the moment i saw Mr. Marga Bandhu's badge pinned to his jacket.

There is a long tradition of second names denoting the past profession of a family in many countries. I remember an English hockey team consisting of Barber, Potter and Taylor in the late 80s. Michael Schumacher did have very little to do with mending shoes nor did Nari Contractor do anything with women!!

Are there more examples of first names that reveal more about a person or his profession and parents having the prescience to name them appropriately?

There are only two types of musicians...

One is and the other not.
- Pandit Omkar Nath Thakur

Gyanvani (107.6 Mhz, FM Radio channel in Bangalore), the FM education radio channel of IGNOU has a very insightful programme on Introduction to Indian Classical Music (both Hindustani and Carnatic ) spread over many 1 hour episodes. The explanatory notes are interspersed with great excerpts from maestros. Sundays, 9pm, repeat on Monday, 9 am.

Heard a wonderful Bhoopali composition rendered by Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and a equally brilliant Malkauns by Pandit Omkar Nath Thakur.

Anand becomes chess World No. 1 : chess, vishwanathan anand, FIDE, world no 1 : IBNLive.com : CNN-IBN

Anand becomes chess World No. 1 : chess, vishwanathan anand, FIDE, world no 1 : IBNLive.com : CNN-IBN

My favourite Indian sportsperson is now World No. 1 as well. In a country where sports achievements are a rarity, being the World No. 1 and a consistent top ranked player for close to a decade and half is quite commendable. He is a thorough gentleman and a great role model. I am proud to belong to his generation.

The Hindu : National : Laurie Baker, pioneer of low-cost houses, passes away

The Hindu : National : Laurie Baker, pioneer of low-cost houses, passes away

My good friends, Chitra and Vishwanath, architects of my house were inspired, guided by Laurie Baker quite significantly. In that sense, i have benefited directly from his remarkable work. They called him "architect to the poor", i wonder why just the poor!, it is architecture that is appropriate for everyone to follow (particularly the well to do).

Two IAS officers to get Excellence awards

Two IAS officers to get Excellence awards

Two IAS officers, Rajeev Chawla and R S Pandey, have been selected for the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration for the year 2005-6. Chawla is secretary, Government of Karnataka, while Pandey is secretary, Ministry of Steel. The two bureaucrats would receive these awards on April 21, the Civil Services Day....

I have met Rajeev Chawla atleast on three occasions and his enthusiasm is visible to see. He seems to be a workaholic and you cannot fault him for his penchant to get things done. My friend, Anirban Mukerji, who works with him tells me that he is never short of work and has not had such pressure even in the private sector. Rajeev has also managed to be in his current dispensation for over 8 years now (not easy for an IAS officer!) and this is another testament of his focus. Congratulations!

Carnatic vocalist Muktha passes away .:. NewKerala.Com, India News Channel

Carnatic vocalist Muktha passes away .:. NewKerala.Com, India News Channel:

Have a few recordings of Brinda and Muktha, they were quite well known for their vilambakaala renderings.

"ನನ್ನ ಜನಕ ಆಮ್ಲಜನಕ — ಟಿ.ಪಿ.ಕೈಲಾಸಂ"