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Septolescent.

Septolescent — Growing Older, But Never Growing Out of Curiosity!

Have you heard the word Septolescent?

It is a delightful, informal expression that brings together two stages of life: the seventies and adolescence. It describes people who may have crossed seventy but have not lost the curiosity, enthusiasm and eagerness to explore that we usually associate with young people.

We often speak of childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age as different stages of life. Each has its own characteristics. But must growing older mean that we stop discovering, learning and dreaming?

Absolutely not!

A septolescent is someone who refuses to believe that age is a reason to put life on hold. There may be a few more wrinkles, some silver in the hair, perhaps slower movements and a little more time needed to climb the stairs. But the mind is still asking questions, the heart is still finding reasons to rejoice, and the spirit is still looking forward to tomorrow.

The joy of remaining curious

Remember how, as children, we asked endless questions?

Why is the sky blue? How does a bird know where to fly? Why does the moon change its shape? How does a seed become a mighty tree?

As we grow older, responsibilities often take over. Education, employment, family, children and countless commitments occupy our attention. Somewhere along the way, we may forget the pleasure of learning simply because something interests us.

A septolescent rediscovers that pleasure.

It could be learning a new language, understanding how a satellite works, reading about an unfamiliar civilisation, exploring the wonders of the human body, learning to use a new gadget or discovering the story behind an ordinary flower.

There is no examination to pass and no certificate to collect. The reward is the happiness of understanding something new.

Age is not the end of new beginnings

Who says that new projects belong only to the young?

A person in their seventies or eighties can begin writing, painting, gardening, travelling, teaching, studying or even taking up something they had never imagined doing earlier.

The advantage of growing older is that we carry experience with us. We have seen successes and disappointments, relationships and separations, changing times and changing generations.

We have stories to share and lessons to pass on.

But we must also remain willing to learn from the younger generation. They understand a world of technology and possibilities that may be unfamiliar to us. When generations exchange their knowledge, everyone benefits.

A grandparent learning something from a grandchild is just as beautiful as a grandchild learning a traditional skill from a grandparent.

Keep the body moving and the mind awake

Growing older does bring changes. We must respect the body, give it adequate rest, eat sensibly and remain physically active according to our abilities.

Walking, simple exercises, reading, conversations, music, prayer and spending time in nature can all bring richness to everyday life.

We need not compete with our younger selves. The goal is not to run as fast as we once did, but to keep moving forward in whatever way we can.

And let us not underestimate the value of laughter. A cheerful disposition makes ordinary days brighter.

The secret is to have something to look forward to

A new book waiting to be read, a flower about to bloom, a festival approaching, a grandchild visiting, a temple to visit, an article to write, or a question whose answer we have yet to discover.

These little expectations give our days freshness.

We should not spend our later years merely counting the years behind us. There is still so much to appreciate, understand and experience.

Perhaps the most wonderful quality of a septolescent is not that they try to behave like teenagers, but that they retain the openness of a learner.

They have the wisdom of experience without losing the wonder of discovery.

Growing older is a privilege

Not everyone gets the opportunity to see seven or eight decades of life. Each additional year is a gift, carrying memories, relationships, opportunities and the possibility of doing something worthwhile.

We cannot turn the clock backwards, nor do we need to.

Let us grow older gracefully, think positively, remain interested in the world around us, share what we know and continue learning what we do not.

Let us never become so old in our thinking that we stop being young in our curiosity.

After all, life does not stop teaching us when we grow older. It is we who must never stop being students.

So, here is to all the septolescents!

May our hair turn silver, our experience deepen, our steps remain steady and our curiosity remain evergreen.

We may be seventy-plus, but our enthusiasm has no expiry date!

Photo51

 Photograph 51 — The Woman Who Helped Reveal the Secret of Life."

Rosalind Franklin and the Double Helix is one of the most fascinating stories in the history of modern science. It is a story of scientific brilliance, an extraordinary photograph, an important discovery, and a woman whose contribution was not fully recognised during her lifetime.

1. Who was Rosalind Franklin?

Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958) was a British scientist who specialised in X-ray crystallography.

She studied how X-rays scatter when they pass through crystals and other molecules. By studying these patterns, scientists can understand the arrangement of atoms inside materials that are far too small to see.

Her research took her to King's College London, where she investigated the structure of DNA.

2. What is the double helix?

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for living organisms.

It contains the information that helps determine how our bodies develop, function and pass characteristics from one generation to another.

Its structure resembles a twisted ladder.

The two sides form the backbone of the molecule.

The rungs are made of pairs of chemical bases.

The entire structure twists around itself.

This shape is called a double helix.

It is an elegant natural arrangement that allows DNA to store information and make copies of itself.

3. The famous Photograph 51

In 1952, Rosalind Franklin and her PhD student Raymond Gosling obtained an extraordinary X-ray diffraction image of DNA.

It became known as Photograph 51.

The distinctive cross-shaped pattern in the photograph provided powerful evidence that DNA had a helical structure.

Franklin's careful measurements helped establish important details about DNA's dimensions and arrangement.

4. How did Watson and Crick enter the story?

Two scientists, James Watson and Francis Crick, were working at Cambridge University to determine DNA's structure.

They used important experimental findings, including information from Franklin's research, to construct their famous double-helix model in 1953.

One important controversy remains part of this history: Photograph 51 and Franklin's research data were made available to Watson and Crick without her knowledge or permission at the time.

Her contribution was not adequately acknowledged in the original public account of the discovery.

5. The Nobel Prize

In 1962, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to:

James Watson

Francis Crick

Maurice Wilkins

Rosalind Franklin had died in 1958, aged just 37, from ovarian cancer.

Nobel Prizes are not normally awarded posthumously, which meant she could not be included in the 1962 award.

Today, her contribution to understanding DNA is widely recognised.

How scientists use X-rays to investigate things invisible to the human eye.

How the double helix carries the instructions of life.

How scientific discoveries are often the result of several minds working, sometimes without receiving equal recognition.

Sometimes a photograph reveals more than what the eye can see. Sometimes the person behind that photograph deserves to be remembered just as much as the discovery itself.

Makhana

 Makhana — From Pond to Plate: The Making of India's Healthy, Light Snack.

1. What exactly is Makhana?

Makhana, popularly called fox nuts or lotus seeds, comes from the seeds of an aquatic plant called Euryale ferox.

Although commonly associated with lotus seeds, makhana does not actually come from the lotus plant. It grows in ponds and wetlands, particularly in Bihar, which is India's leading makhana-producing region.

The plant has enormous floating leaves, often with prickly surfaces. Its seeds develop underwater.

2. From water to harvest

The journey is fascinating:

Farmers cultivate the plant in ponds and wetlands.

The seeds mature underwater.

Harvesters collect the seeds from the pond bed.

The seeds are washed, dried and cleaned.

They are stored before being processed into the familiar white makhana.

Harvesting is labour-intensive and requires considerable skill.

3. How does a hard seed become a soft, crunchy puff?

This is perhaps the most interesting part!

Makhana seeds have a hard outer covering. They undergo a special traditional process:

Drying: The harvested seeds are dried to reduce moisture.

Conditioning: They are stored and prepared to achieve suitable moisture levels.

Roasting: The seeds are heated, traditionally in hot sand in large iron pans.

Popping: The heated seeds are cracked or struck with a wooden implement. The inner portion expands into a white, fluffy puff.

Cleaning and grading: The popped makhana is separated, cleaned and sorted according to size and quality.

The transformation is remarkable: a small, dark, hard seed becomes a beautiful white, crisp snack!

4. Why is makhana considered a healthy food?

Makhana is valued because it is:

Naturally low in fat.

A source of carbohydrates and plant protein.

A source of dietary fibre.

Contains minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

Naturally gluten-free.

It is light in texture and can be a useful alternative to deep-fried snacks.

However, portion size matters. Makhana is not calorie-free, and its nutritional value depends on how it is prepared.

5. How can we enjoy it?

There are several delicious ways:

Dry-roasted with a little ghee.

Seasoned with pepper, cumin or turmeric.

Tossed with curry leaves.

Added to vegetable curries.

Prepared as makhana kheer with milk.

I use it to make kulfi at home.

Used in fasting meals.

For an everyday light snack, dry roasting with a small quantity of ghee and mild seasoning is an excellent option.

6. Bihar's gift to India's food culture

Makhana has deep agricultural and cultural roots in Bihar, particularly in the Mithila region. It has traditionally been used in religious offerings, fasting foods and festive preparations.

Today, it is finding new markets in India and abroad as consumers look for traditional foods that fit modern lifestyles.

There is something beautiful about the journey of makhana.

It begins beneath the water, hidden from sight. Through the patience and labour of farmers, and the skill of traditional processors, it becomes a light, white and nourishing food.

Sometimes, the simplest foods carry the most interesting stories.

From pond to plate, makhana reminds us that nature, tradition and human ingenuity can work together to create something truly wonderful.

Makhana in the Modern Indian Kitchen

An ancient aquatic seed finds new expressions in today's kitchens.

A handful of makhana can be roasted in a little ghee and seasoned with:

Black pepper and salt.

Cumin powder.

Turmeric and curry leaves.

A little chilli powder.

Herbs and mild spices.

Unlike deep-fried snacks, roasted makhana needs very little added fat. It is convenient to prepare and easy to store.

2. Makhana in everyday cooking

Makhana can be used in several familiar Indian preparations.

Added to vegetable gravies, where it absorbs the flavours of the masala.

Used in pulao along with vegetables and nuts.

Cooked with milk to make kheer.

Added to fasting preparations.

Ground into powder to provide thickness to certain dishes.

It is a versatile ingredient that can move comfortably between savoury and sweet dishes.

3. Makhana kulfi — a homemade innovation.

One particularly interesting use is in homemade kulfi.

Instead of depending entirely on cream or condensed milk, makhana can be combined with nuts and ordinary milk to create a rich mixture.

A simple preparation:

Take makhana and soak it in milk until softened.

Soak a few cashews or almonds along with it.

Grind everything into a smooth paste.

Add this mixture to milk and cook gently until it thickens.

Add cardamom, saffron and a little sweetener according to taste.

Cool, pour into kulfi moulds and freeze.

The makhana gives the mixture body, cashews contribute creaminess, and almonds add their distinctive flavour.

Sprinkle rose petals or diced pistachios to enhance taste and presentation. 

The result is a delicious homemade frozen dessert.

Ashrama

 From Pūrva Āśrama to Sannyāsa Āśrama — A Life Dedicated to Bhagavān

“The day when happiness and fulfilment are blooming… the last day of Pūrva Āśrama; the day before accepting Sannyāsa Āśrama.”

To understand their significance, we must understand the four āśramas described in Hindu tradition and, particularly, the meaning of renunciation in the Sri Vaishnava tradition.

1. What is Pūrva Āśrama?

Pūrva Āśrama refers to one's life before becoming a Sannyāsi.

A person may have lived as a householder, fulfilled family responsibilities, pursued spiritual learning, served society and worshipped Bhagavān.

That life is not considered a mistake or something to regret. It is a stage in which one fulfils one's duties.

In the traditional understanding, life progresses through four āśramas:

Brahmacharya – Student life, discipline and learning.

Gṛhastha – Householder life, family duties and service.

Vānaprastha – Gradual withdrawal from worldly involvement and greater spiritual contemplation.

Sannyāsa – Complete renunciation and dedication to spiritual life.

Not everyone necessarily follows all four stages in this exact sequence.

2. What happens on the last day of Pūrva Āśrama?

The last day of Pūrva Āśrama is not simply the end of an ordinary life. It marks the completion of one way of living and the beginning of an entirely different commitment.

The person prepares to relinquish personal possessions, worldly attachments and the identity associated with the earlier stage of life.

In traditional Sannyāsa ceremonies, depending on the sampradāya and lineage, there may be:

Sacred homas and prayers.

Ritual acts symbolising renunciation of the former identity.

Acceptance of the ochre robes.

A new spiritual name.

Acceptance of the daṇḍa (staff) and the disciplines of a renunciant.

These are not merely external changes. They represent an inner resolution.

3. What is special about Sri Vaishnava Sannyāsa?

This is particularly beautiful.

In the Sri Vaishnava tradition, a renunciant is often called a Yati or Tridaṇḍi Sannyāsi.

The word Tridaṇḍa refers to three staffs held together. They symbolise the dedication of:

Kāya – Body

Vāk – Speech

Manas – Mind

The message is profound:

My body shall serve Bhagavān.

My words shall glorify Bhagavān.

My thoughts shall remain centred on Bhagavān.

The entire personality is offered in divine service.

A Sri Vaishnava Sannyāsi does not renounce Bhagavad Kainkaryam. Rather, his entire existence becomes an offering of Kainkaryam.

4. Why would the last day be described as a day of happiness and fulfilment?

This is perhaps the most touching aspect of the original statement.

Ordinarily, when we speak of the last day of something, we associate it with separation, sadness or loss.

But here the emotion is entirely different.

Imagine someone who has spent years learning, teaching, serving, worshipping and fulfilling responsibilities.

After all those experiences, the person has arrived at a point where the heart seeks only one thing: complete dedication to the Divine.

There is no sense of failure or disappointment in worldly life.

There is a sense of fulfilment.

It is as though the person is saying:

I have fulfilled the responsibilities entrusted to me. Now let the remainder of my life belong entirely to the Lord.

A Sannyāsi does not necessarily stop loving the people he knew or the family he belonged to.

Rather, the nature of his relationship with the world changes.

His affection is no longer expressed through ordinary family relationships and personal ownership. His life is now governed by spiritual discipline, compassion, teaching and service.

In the Sri Vaishnava understanding, the ultimate purpose is service to Sriman Narayana.

The lives of our great Acharyas, including Bhagavad Ramanuja, remind us that renunciation and service to humanity can go hand in hand.

There are certain days in life when we celebrate beginnings. There are others when we mourn endings.

But there are rare days when an ending itself becomes a celebration.

The last day of Pūrva Āśrama is one such occasion for a person preparing to embrace Sannyāsa.

It is not a rejection of the life lived so far. It is the culmination of a journey of learning, responsibility, devotion and spiritual preparation.

The saffron robes are not merely a change of clothing. They signify a change in life's purpose.

The world that was once approached through family responsibilities is now approached through universal compassion and service.

The individual who once performed duties as a householder now dedicates body, mind and speech to Bhagavān.

Perhaps this is why the day is described as one when happiness and fulfilment are blooming.

Nothing has been lost. Everything has been offered.

That is the beauty of Sannyāsa.

Human Birth — A Gift, Not a Weapon

 Human birth is precious because it gives us the ability to think, understand, create, love, encourage and make a difference in the lives of others.

To use this precious life merely to ridicule, belittle or make fun of another person is to waste a gift that could have been used for something far more meaningful.

We may disagree with people, laugh together and even correct one another. But when laughter becomes humiliation and intelligence becomes an instrument of cruelty, we diminish ourselves.

A beautiful thought for reflection:

Human Birth — A Gift, Not a Weapon

Human birth is a gift to be used wisely, not an opportunity to mock others.

We are blessed with intelligence, speech, compassion and the ability to distinguish right from wrong. These gifts are meant to elevate us and those around us, not to wound another person's dignity.

Life is too precious and time too short to spend them finding faults, ridiculing people or taking pleasure in their discomfort.

We cannot add years to our lives merely by making others feel small. But we can add meaning to our lives by making someone feel valued.

Let our words bring comfort, our knowledge bring understanding, our humour bring happiness and our presence bring goodness.

After all, the true measure of a human life is not how many people we have laughed at, but how many people have smiled because of us.

That is a life well lived.

Flowers from Heaven

Three Flowers from Heaven

The Stories, Fragrance and Sacred Beauty of India's Garden Plants

Have you ever wondered why certain flowers occupy a special place in Indian homes, temples and stories?

Some flowers attract us with their fragrance. Some captivate us with their colours. And some carry stories that have travelled through generations, connecting our gardens with the world of gods and goddesses.

Here are three such flowers — Madhukamini, Aparajita and Parijata. Each is beautiful in its own way, and each has a story worth knowing.

The title Three Flowers from Heaven is a poetic expression. While Indian tradition gives Parijata a celestial origin, the other two have their own special place in our gardens, culture and devotional practices.

Let us meet them.

1. Madhukamini — The Fragrance That Fills the Night

Madhukamini (मधु कामिनी), also known as Kamini or Orange Jasmine, is a familiar flowering shrub in many Indian gardens.

Its botanical name is Murraya paniculata.

At first glance, one may mistake its flowers for jasmine. Small, delicate and white, they grow in beautiful clusters against a background of glossy green leaves.

But its greatest attraction is its fragrance.

When the plant blooms, its sweet perfume spreads through the surroundings, particularly during the evening and night. A small shrub can make an entire garden feel fragrant.

Madhukamini is also a favourite among gardeners because it is evergreen, can be shaped into hedges and produces attractive flowers almost throughout the year in suitable conditions.

Its flowers attract pollinating insects, while its dense foliage provides shelter for small creatures.

There is something lovely about this plant. It does not need large, spectacular flowers to announce its presence. It wins our attention through quiet fragrance.

Perhaps that is a lesson in itself: not everything beautiful needs to be seen. Some things are best experienced.

2. Aparajita — The Flower That Cannot Be Defeated

Aparajita (अपराजिता) is one of the most striking flowers in an Indian garden.

Its botanical name is Clitoria ternatea. It is commonly known as Butterfly Pea.

The name Aparajita means the undefeated one or the one who cannot be conquered.

It is a climbing plant, and its flowers are usually a beautiful deep blue, sometimes with a white centre. White varieties are also found.

The blue flower is particularly fascinating. Its colour is so intense that it almost looks painted against the green leaves.

Aparajita has an important place in traditional Indian gardens and devotional practices. Depending on the region and family tradition, its flowers are offered in worship, including worship associated with Goddess Durga.

The plant has another interesting feature.

Its flowers contain natural blue pigments called anthocyanins. These pigments can be used to prepare a blue-coloured herbal infusion. When a little lemon juice is added, the colour can change from blue towards purple because of the change in acidity.

Imagine watching a flower turn into a little chemistry experiment!

The plant is also used traditionally in herbal preparations, although traditional uses should not be confused with proven medical treatments.

Aparajita teaches us that beauty and strength can exist together. Its name reminds us of courage, resilience and the ability to rise above difficulties.

3. Parijata — The Celestial Flower of Krishna's Stories

Of the three, Parijata has perhaps the most enchanting story.

The familiar Parijata or Harsingar is botanically known as Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. It is also called Night-flowering Jasmine or Shiuli.

Its flowers are unusual and beautiful.

The petals are white, arranged around a bright orange tubular centre. They bloom at night and fall gently to the ground by morning.

Unlike most flowers, Parijata does not wait to be plucked. It offers itself to the earth.

A carpet of white flowers with orange centres beneath a Parijata tree in the early morning is a sight one does not easily forget.

But the flower has a much older story in Indian mythology.

The celestial Parijata

According to the Puranic tradition, Parijata emerged during the Samudra Manthana, the churning of the cosmic ocean by the Devas and Asuras.

Among the treasures that emerged from the ocean was the celestial Parijata tree.

It came to be associated with Indra's heavenly garden.

Another famous story connects Parijata with Lord Krishna and his queens, Rukmini and Satyabhama.

Narada once brought a Parijata flower to Krishna. The flower eventually became the cause of a playful disagreement between the two queens.

Satyabhama wished to have the celestial tree in her garden. Krishna went to Indra's heaven and brought it to earth.

This led to a confrontation with Indra, but eventually the Parijata tree came to be planted in Krishna's earthly garden.

The story is often remembered as one of Krishna's delightful divine plays, filled with affection, pride, humour and the loving relationship between the Lord and his devotees.

The earthly night-flowering jasmine is traditionally associated with this celestial Parijata, although the botanical plant and the mythological tree should not automatically be treated as identical.

A flower with a devotional presence

Parijata flowers are widely used in worship. Their gentle fragrance and delicate appearance make them especially cherished in many Indian homes.

There is also something poetic about their life cycle.

They bloom when the world is quiet, release their fragrance through the night and fall at dawn.

They remind us that even a short-lived flower can leave behind a lasting impression.

Three Flowers, Three Different Lessons

Look at these three plants together.

Madhukamini teaches us the beauty of fragrance and quiet presence.

Aparajita reminds us of courage and resilience.

Parijata connects us with mythology, devotion and the beauty of surrender.

One delights our senses, another fascinates us with its colour, and the third carries us into the world of divine stories.

India's gardens are not merely collections of plants. They are living classrooms where botany, tradition, poetry and spirituality meet.

A grandmother may recognise a flower from its fragrance. A child may discover its botanical name in a science lesson. A devotee may remember a story from the Puranas. A gardener may simply enjoy watching it bloom.

All of them are looking at the same flower, but discovering something different.

Perhaps this is the special beauty of our Indian heritage: even an ordinary garden can become a meeting place for nature, knowledge and faith.

The next time you see a white Madhukamini, a blue Aparajita or an orange-centred Parijata, pause for a moment.

You are not merely looking at a flower.

You are looking at a little piece of nature's poetry, carrying stories from generations past.