Hello Everybody,

I am writing this piece from Pune. I am here on a short working visit . However the purpose of this short text is not about my work but about this beautiful and historical place where we are staying. Firstly the area is called Deccan Gymkhana and those of you who are familiar with this part of the world will know its historical importance. Right in between our hotel and our office is the gracious and elegant bunglow belonging to the Theosophical Society. The Poona branch was established in 1926. Dr. Annie Besant had laid the foundation stone.  Till today meetings are held twice a week at 6:30 pm. . It is open to all who seek the subtel, sublime and the finer points of life. In fact the word 'Theosophy' originates from Greek and means  ''Divine Wisdom''.  If translated  into Sanskrit it means  'Brahmavidya'.

All around this place there are hundreds of trees. Many of them are flowering trees. Some of them may well be 100 years old. These flowers are of various hues, yellow and white champa, fierry gulmohur, small and delicate white flowers with orange stalk (Bengali name Shiuli-  Hindi name is Harsingaar) and the chameli tree. Their fragrance is awsome. No perfume in the world can match the sweet smell that pours out from them. Just across the office is Ferguson college road. Between the office and this road are about 10 huge florists shops .All along the roadside all you can see are huge buckets of rajanigandha, roses, asters, chrysanthymum. Their fragrance wafts across this area all the time. I feel as if I am sitting among flowers. You don't have to visit any valley of flowers, there are so many here. Since there are so amny trees can birds be far behind? This is the most beautiful place to come for work, of that I am sure. Those who are stressed out in Mumbai must make a short visit here to destress.

Bye for now everyone..

till next time.

Joyoti