UBUNTU - email from Karalledda

This word was intoduced to me by a dear medical colleague and friend of nearly half a century. Thought of sharing with you as I was ignorant and the concept was very dear to me. Keep well, Lakshman

UBUNTU. I 'd like to introduce you to this word. I'ts a Bantu word meaning--

" I am I because you are you"

Desmond Tutu explains.

A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, based from a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.

"One of the sayings in our country (Africa) is Ubuntu – the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – Ubuntu – you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole World. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity."

PS By Philip G V -

'Windows' software was having a hey day raking in millions on licensing fees and having a monopoly on the industry. A group of developers in Europe launched a software meant to be distributed and shared free. It was named 'UBUNTU' the name borrowed from Africa. Today Android Software is surging ahead with its philosophy of free distribution, sharing and development. You can see the results of this philosophy.

We are standing on the shoulders of giants who pioneered our paths in science. To take one man's or group of men's achievement and not share it with your fellow beings is simply not done.

I read a book titled 'Psychic discoveries behind the Iron Curtain' by Shiela Ostrander. An experiment by Soviet scientists of that era was cited. A mother of a litter of mice was separated from its offspring. The off spring was well cared for and was sent on a submarine to the Arctic. The mother had biological monitoring of its heart and brain by ECG and EEG. The Captain of the submarine was ordered to kill each member of the litter at unspecified intervals and note the time of death of each member of the litter. The scientists in the Soviet Union were able to match the time of killing of each member of the litter with matching ECG and EEG changes in the mother.

All the life forms in this planet are interconnected. Life on the planet is like a multi-nucleated organism. What affects another life form affects me. This is what the great English poet John Donne wrote more than four centuries ago:-

John Donne (1572 - 1631)

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend’s were.
Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

Old age - email from Kamalini K

While you are alive, don't worry about what others will think or say
> about you - just do what you believe is right without paying much
> attention to praise and criticism.
>
> Don't worry about what will happen after you are gone, because when you
> return to the dust, you will feel nothing about praise or criticism.
>
> Don't worry too much about your children for children will have their
> own destiny and find their own way.
>
> Do whatever you can to help them grow into responsible, caring and
> productive human beings, but don't be your children's slave.
>
> Don't expect too much from your children. Caring children, though
> caring, could be too busy with their jobs and commitments to render any
> help.
>
> Uncaring children may fight over your assets even when you are still
> alive, and wish for your early demise so they can inherit your
> property.
>
> Your children take for granted that they are rightful heirs to your
> wealth; but you have no claims to their money.
>
> As you grow older, don't trade in your health for wealth any more...
> Because your money may not be able to buy your health …
> Know when to stop making money and how much is enough (hundred
> thousand, million, ten million?)
>
> Even if you had a thousand hectares of good farm land, you can only
> consume one quart of rice daily;
> Even if you had a thousand mansions, you need only three square meters
> of space to rest at night.
>
> So as long as you have enough food and enough money for your essential
> needs, that is good enough. So you should live happily.
>
> Every family has its own problems. Just do not compare with others for
> fame and social status and see whose children are doing better, etc.
> but challenge others for happiness, health and longevity.
>
> Dont worry about things that you can't change because worrying doesn't
> help and it will affect your health.
>
> You have to create your own well-being and find your own happiness.
>
> Strive to keep yourself in a good mood, think about happy things, do
> happy things daily and have fun in doing them, then you will pass your
> time happily every day.
>
> One day passes, you will lose one day;…One day passes with happiness,
> and then you gain one day.
>
> In good spirit, sickness will cure; in happy spirit, sickness will cure
> fast; in good and happy spirit, sickness will never come.
>
> With good mood, suitable amount of exercise, lots of sun, variety of
> foods, reasonable amount of vitamin and mineral intake, you will enjoy
> years of healthy life.
>
> Above all, learn to cherish the goodness around ……FAMILY and
> FRIENDS……..they all make you feel young and "wanted"
>

Many toilets in the house.

A Consultant had a loquacious, wealthy female relative, visiting him at home. The woman kept on boasting about a new mansion she had completed recently. She said that she had included an attached bath for every room in her new construction. The Consultant had exclaimed 'Wedak nay ney. Eva pavichchikeranne eka pukak ney thiyenney' ( What is the use there is only one arse to use the toilets). That put a padlock on the visitor's mouth.

Taxi drivers - email JKSW

Taxi Driver

A woman and her ten-year-old son were riding in a taxi in Toronto . It was raining and all the prostitutes were standing under the awnings.

"Mom" said the boy "what are all those women doing?"

"They're waiting for their husbands to get off work," she replied.

The taxi driver turns around and says "Geez lady, why don't you tell him the truth? They're hookers, boy! They have sex with men for money."

The little boy's eyes get wide and he says, "Is that true Mom?"

His mother, glaring hard at the driver, answers in the affirmative.

After a few minutes, the kid asks "Mom, what happens to the babies those
women have?"

"They become taxi drivers," she said.

Lady Ridgeway Interns 1965.

For cricket lovers.

Forwarding a picture of Buddy Reid opening batsman Ceylon,  as intern House Officer at Lady Ridgeway Hospital. He is the tallest slim one at the rear.

I am also in the picture seated.

Susiri  

Test your memory batch of 1960 entrants.

Some stunning photos - email Gallege De Silva.

Click on web-link below:-

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=13d9cd6b8f4c15ff&mt=application/vnd.ms-powerpoint&url=https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/?ui%3D2%26ik%3Df9f9290c98%26view%3Datt%26th%3D13d9cd6b8f4c15ff%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dsafe%26realattid%3Df0459307329d1e5d_0.1%26zw&sig=AHIEtbSGwmrzrP4vYzT5lmUjsVISWnd3lg

Colombo Medical Students financial assistance scheme - email from 'Kalu Nana'

Subject: Colombo Medical Student financial assistance scheme, update 2012

  Dear all

This is a letter I received from Dr Atapattu( chairperson/medical students
financial assistance scheme) from Colombo Medical Faculty.

This is the latest update re. the offer of regular funds to 2 deserving
medical students from the combined donations you all made in July 2010.

So far the monthly payments of Rs.2000.00/student is made from the interest
income with the total capital continuing to accrue interest at variable
rates.

The 2 students will continue to get the financial assistance monthly for a
total of 5 years(till they complete their medical student career) and from
the interest collated, 2 more students will receive similar funds every 5
years( and recurring).

You must be pleased with your efforts. Some of you may consider further
efforts to improve medical education in Sri Lanka in what ever way we can.
It may be worth thinking of a last will provision if not already done.

If you need any more details please let me know.

Best wishes

Nana

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