Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Connecting People

Connecting People.... Hey, I'm not promoting Nokia here. It's all about the status of the connections that exists among individuals through a sequence of communication leading to an established relationship, real in case of direct contacts and virutal in case of Blog or IM. Sometimes, the frequency of communication dwindles due to the apparent limitations like being occupied within the pond of our own life, relocating to a different place,disapperance of the common ground on which the relationship was established... may be there are countless reasons. Whatsoever happens, we still cherish the moments in any relationship and sometimes it is also revived as a pleasant surprise.

It just happened that, I published a post titled Mark Antrobus on 11 June 2006 in memory of one of my dear friend Mark, who became my buddy way back in 2000. We were in touch for 2 years and after I left my native place, the only time I remembered him was when I wrote this post. I realized that, all the gratitude and love for him was latent in my subconcious, till it found a way of expression and lack of remembrance doesn't mean lack of gratitude and love. A couple of months after I published this post, there was a comment from Elango, a friend of Mark saying that, Mark has been looking to contact me. Though I was happy, there was no means to contact him, as it was an anonymous comment with a name.

Finaly, in early March 2007, I got an email from Mark, expressing his gratitude for the post with the all his contact information. After a gap of 5 years, we found each other! Last month, I got a comment from Fay, who used to be a friend of Mark and his mom, when Mark and Fay were 17/18 years of age. I passed on each other's contact information and I hope they are in touch now. A few days before, there was an email from one Haggis, who knew Mark and his mom, probably in early 1960s. It is amazing that, even after a disconnect of nearly 50 years, friendship gets revived as a new blossom.

All that I could infer from these mails is that, Mark has been very inspirational and no wonder, he is still the same. I'm really happy that, I rediscovered a friend and Kodaihills is connecting people:)


45 comments:

Kavi said...

I am amazed at how wonderful your blog has been in connecting you to people like Mark ! Blogs as a mode of communication have arrived. Thats a cliched thought, i thought. But better proven now ! :) Welcome back sir !

Shirsha said...

Wow, this is really impressive! And u seem to be the kind of guy ppl remember and want to meet yrs later even!

Priya said...

Shiva: Special moments always bring back the cherished ones never forgotten.

Nothing is lost but always present invisible. When your rekindle such relationship through your blog, it comes back alive.

Connecting is always good and glad it happened through "kodai hills" which always stands tall and introducing such a wonderful person here to us.

Jeevan said...

Your meeting and relation with Mark and his mom Grace were very sweet! Your explanation about his cottage, their farmhouse inside the lemon grove and herbal drink are awesome… Mark is very natural person!!

Its really makes me wonder for 50 years they are searching for the contact. Wish all of them were in touch forever. Hope u meet Mark and his mom soon:)

Vishesh said...

good to know that you are a messenger for people:)

my yearly visit to kodai is coming soon...can you tell me a few hidden places which will be worth exploring??

Dawn said...

Good friendship lasts long...I wish you meet them soon
Cheers

Vishesh said...

shiva
btw take a look at this you may be interested http://india-views.blogspot.com

KK said...

Wow! thats really very nice to hear Shiva... I understand how happy you should be to rekindle your friendship with Mark. Have fun!!

mystic rose said...

Its wonderful to have such a friendship.. :)

all the gratitude and love for him was latent in my subconcious, till it found a way of expression and lack of remembrance doesn't mean lack of gratitude and love

... so true! and here too spontaneity applies.. :)

Shiva said...

Kavi, Thanks for your warm welcome:)

Shiva said...

Shirasha,

That was a great compliment :)

Shiva said...

Priya,

I'm flattered!!!

Shiva said...

Jeevan,
Glad that you liked the narration and Thanks for your wishes.

Shiva said...

Vishesh,

Thanks for your compliment.

You make annual visits to Kodai. I would suggest -

Sheep farm at Mannavanur en route Poombarai and Kavunji - around 50 kms

Trekking to Vattakkanal, Gambling Rock and Vellagavi Village - 5 kms drive and 14 km walk

There is a falls beyond Berijam. However, it is closed for traffic.

Night stay at Berijam Forest Guest house is also good. You need to get the permission through some govt sources.

Let me know, if you need any specific information

Shiva said...

Thanks Dawn

Shiva said...

Thanks KK. Nice to see you back in action.

Shiva said...

Yeah Mystic. I also feel fortunate to have such friendship.

Glad that you agree with it and relate it to spontaneity.

Vishesh said...

thanks shiva....i didn't know there was a falls after berijam....is it on the munnar road?? when we had gone to munnar they informed us that it is getting opened in 6months they are working on the road...


oh,what type of sheeps do they have?? the sheep with the wool??

Keshi said...

wow very nice Shiva!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

n stay connected Shiva :) Where r u??

Keshi.

Kamal Aanand (Kamz) said...

Hey Shiva! Herez another example; me connecting with you through your blog after quite a while. So, how is it going?

starry said...

It is really nice to re connect with long lost friends and that it happened through your blog.

Kavi said...

Its been some time ! Would want to stay connected with you! Hope all is well !!!

Deepa said...

You have been TAGGED HERE

Shiva said...

Vishesh,

The sheeps are with lots of wool.

Shiva said...

Thanks Keshi,

Often I get lost. Will be regular soon.

Shiva said...

That's true Kamal. Will call you soon

Shiva said...

Kavi, Thanks,

Trapped in Madurai for a week. Just traveling around all the places. Hope to be in the normal mode in a week

Shiva said...

Deepa,

Looks like an interesting Tag. Will do it ASAP. Thanks

M said...

Wow !!!!
looks like your blog is going places !!:) enjoy a good work

Anonymous said...

great blog

also check this http://www.kodaiinternational.com

Anonymous said...

great blog

also check this http://www.kodaiinternational.com

Anonymous said...

Great blog

Also check this http://www.kodaiinternational.com/

SeePearrl said...

voww....wonderful freindship...gud that its cherished for long! :)

Sowmya said...

hi,

Came through priya's blog.you have a nice blog with lots of good contents.:)

Shiva said...

Thanks Meenu

Shiva said...

Rathna,
Good to see you after a long time. Thanks

Shiva said...

Thanks Kodai

Shiva said...

Welcome Sowmya. Glad that you liked the blog. Priya connects lot of people though:)

Dawn said...

Where r u?

Shiva said...

Dawn- I'm back:)

Kumar said...

That's really connecting people!
Like most comments, you must be fundamentally a very good individual to connect and rekindle the old feelings to current warmth! A feel good post for the week end :) Thanks.

Shiva said...

Thanks Kumar. Glad that you liked the post

Anonymous said...

Thanks for reminding me of Mark Antrobus, whom i only met for one weekend at hengwrt, shortly before he left for India, I believe. I remember a long discussion of the symbolism of "Farewell Angelina" and the discovery of Jasmine tea. Even the short acquaintance left an indelible mark on me and i am glad to hear how he and Grace are after all this long time.

Shiva said...

Hi Brian,

Thanks for visiting the blog. Mark remembered the incident and was looking for your contact information. You can send your email id to me at shivakumar.manoharan@gmail.com , so that I can pass it on to him