Days spent in Guruvayur; hope this spiritual count be repeated sure

Days spent in Guruvayur; hope this spiritual count would be repeated sure

Days spent in Guruvayur were largely illustrative of a desire to celebrate each day no matter what the weather looked and who all were in the fray. Late monday night and early tuesday morning (16-17) the temple town was greeted with heavy showers when i had stepped inside the Spiritual Town for not even 10 hours. Tuesday began with a sweat defined template as humidity had ascended following the thick sheets of  shower crate. Queues to the Guruvayur were long and illustrative of a long hope; the best illustration of the structured movement was howsoever long the trail may look it was just under two hours the entire collected crowd could disperse. Small iron waist length pillars that could ease the movement from one end to another and if the crowd went beyond that every care was taken that all those collected were under shelter layer.

Once inside the temple and if no rituals were underway, the devotees could approach the sanctum sanctorum with an understanding that having sighted the Lord they would make way for others lest the authorities would ask them to do the same. This has to be followed by taking a round of  Lord Ganesha and before exiting one could spend few moments near the exit door. Once outside the sanctum sanctorum you were in the precincts of the temple amidst those who had been halting for some hours taking round of the temple; those who had come later and waiting for their turn for prasadam and surely among those who were in a corner reciting a mantra. Those having come from far off places would see to it that they made most of their stay and before bidding good bye tried to gain another glimpse near the exit gate. The best part of Guruvayur Dewaswom has been no matter when you take an exit, the view of the Lord can still be gained if you are at East Nadar. East Nadar happens to be the front gate and herein all forms of activities related to the Lord can be ascertained.

For those gaining entry from the front gate after having gone past through waist length iron pillars that segregates the queue, the next turn is to turn left and few metres away you ascend and descend. Few metres later again turning left you are in sanctum sanctorum and herein the one sight should be enough to let others get their chance. A prayer written and read can be accomplished in a corner. Once outside the best part is to leave the premises for other devotees waiting for their turn to get in.

A word of praise for the authorities for keeping a smooth movement of the crowd. For those desiring of taking rice with vegetables prasadam there is a separate line for that. Beginning at 10 in the morning the free meals prasadam gets over by half past 12.

All in all Guruvayur is one spiritual centre that could get you the access to the Lord you desire and thereby keeps limited the belly that is amidst fire. Aspirations we are all bound with.  Aspirations should be to a point nocturnal; and if ever aspirations get eternal which can slain and sway others let that thought be never read and made verbal.            

Water tanks in Guruvayur

Water tanks in Guruvayur


Days were hot and humid and i could sight in Guruvayur a large number of water tanks going up and down  East Nadar for those desiring to have drinking water. To beat the sultry surroundings those coming from outside used to take shower every time they returned to their lodge tower. Shower wasn't short of water and the town had immense potential for water that was not to be a drinking essential.

Mornings were either reserved for temple and if not that to take a good look at the railway station and who all were the occupants when you were in. First day saw me visit the station when the crowd had already evaporated.  Next to the railway counter was Southern Railway Trivandrum Division Screen displaying ads and other information.. On its left side was a board of time table of trains going towards South.  And on the right side was Guruvayur Train Timings and Ticket Charge. This was followed by Entrance for those desiring to enter the platform and exit the same without boarding the train which they did not deem fit . The Entrance/exit gate is followed by Combined Fruit and Tea Stall. And in clockwise comes the STD/ ISD booth and cloak room.

How operational were these facilities for passengers largely defined as daily commuters could only be gauged depending on the operational character of commuters to take trains for short distance which came for barely 4 as against the private buses coming for 20 roar. 

Stepping outside the station are KTDC Nandanam, Kerala Hardware Stores, SBI ATM and childrens park.

Chavakkad beach could not be accessed this time round and i filled this with a visit to Elephant Sanctuary. Going up and down the East Nada road was therapeutic in the sense that no commotion or cavalcade could be seen and those wishing to go to the final point could do so wrapped in a dhoti and shawl. Going past shops selling ayurvedic items to those selling books and gifts, a strong brew was not hard to get if a request had been made to a joint even when some staff members were taking a food fest to be followed by compulsory rest.

Guruvayur was hot and humid; there were fewer who were hot headed and perhaps the Lord's Residence makes the entities on either side, East Nada and West Nada, blessed with a ring of sanctity. Vacation time or no vacation time, The Lord's followers would go up to him and depart from the town quite soon. But there would be a growing tribe that would look for long innings here and reside.      

Indian Coffee House in Guruvayur

Indian Coffee House

It is the Indian Coffee House and the rate list displayed on a board that endears many to come here. I checked out the rate that went probably like this:
Hot coffee 8, set coffee 15, tea 7, milk water 10,  ice cream 20, ghee masala dosa 30, ghee dosa 20, veg cutlet 10 and veg biriyani 40 among others.

Registered in my mind i head to a table that has one occupant. Hailing from Trissur, he is having a veg cutlet and open to the idea of a conversation. It steers towards the elephants in Guruvayur Devaswom Elephant Sanctuary. There are 63 - in the sanctuary which i visit later i am told there are 64 in all - elephants and all are owned by Guruvayur Devaswom. THis gentleman does not digress much from Guruvayur as he begins to elaborate on his monthly visit to the temple town. Set with two flats in the town, he has been visiting quite often as one of them had been lying vacant for long. Probably he had been able to find a tenant this time round.

Coming again to elephants and the sanctuary he says this is one of its kind in the country as this very number can't be found anywhere else. Against the 63-odd owned by Guruvayur Devaswom there are elephants owned by individuals and he belonged to that tribe. The elephant owned by him has been deployed for festival activities in Palakkad. I don't miss an opportunity to stress that he is a blessed soul as he gets an opportunity to visit Guruvayur quite often. As i am almost through with my meals he departs by telling me that his name is Viju.

Against this conversation in a coffee house, a day later in North Inner Ring Road on East Nada Guruvayur i saw one gentleman immersed in a cell conversation. His immersion looked deep as he cared little about traffic movement while crossing the road. From his appearance one could safely gauge that he was tense and getting more bouts of the same as he dig deeper into a cell bell.

Indian Coffee House i would relish for bournvita, meals and cutlets i had and the staff that looked to be caring and comprehensively clad. Hope more such ICH come up and as i was told by one customer that this ICH was the original beauty. 

From Madurai to Guruvayur

FRom Madurai to Guruvayur


Having reached Madurai late in the night the stay was for less than 12 hours. With a visit to Meenakshi temple not going beyond an hour, the next destination happenned to be Guruvayur. Howsoever hard i may have tried the 7am direct bus to Guruvayur would have been difficult to catch hold of and bus-hopping seem to be the logical way to reach my destination. Famed laddoos (dripping in oil) and the glimpse of the Goddess were inducements strong enough to go for the grind.

Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus was the first halt after i left the Neww College House. At Mattuthavani i was told to get to Aarapalyam bus stand to reach Guruvayur. The bus from Aarapalyam bus stand started at 8.43; going over Vagai River. With a seat as comfortable as the broad view that one could get from the broad windscreen, the accretion to those inside began once the bus hit the outer limit of the city. There were women holding babies in one hand and other used to hold hand rails and there others who just stood still for the entire journey. Holding hand rails for the entire journey showed the enriched template they worked against. And this is precisely the reason they stay lean and have a long-lasting endurance.

Ottau Chatram came at around 10.40 am. From here one could sight Palani Murugan Temple on hills . The bus entered Palani bus terminus at 11.17. And few metres away the board showed Kodaikanal 62kms.
Udumalpet coming at 12.31, Guruvayur was still 160 kms away. Polachhi was all that this bus could take me to and it was still a good distance away. In between Udumalpet and Polachhi there was a milk tanker standing aside with two rightful occupants getting down and caught in an animated conversation. Probably the argumentative bit they were in was whether the milk tanker needs to be taken to a destination desired by the milk company which had been magnanimous enough to hand over the filled milk tanker to these gentlemen. Or they be the desired middlemen to dig deep into this milk and rewrite its destiny. Udumalpet had one shop - Boss - your style, your store and here was this milk tanker which its occupants were mulling to tore.

Against the brutal nature of the tanker occupants to let the vehicle drip in the searing heat there was this Amby TNX 7667 plying to record a new feat.

Finally Polachhi was accessed at quarter past One from where a Kerala State Transport Corporation bus showed its renewed agility to move at half past two. The State of Kerala the bus entered through Govindapuram at 2.55. Other stoppages were Naramma 3.25, Chittilamcherry 3.39 , Mudappallur 3.45 , Vadakkencherry (Palakkad distt.) On way to Thrissur - coming at 5 - a mini bus KL 17 5881 stuffed with people had at its back: 'In town speed limit 35 km; Don't Overtake.'

THe ride from Polachhi to Palakkad has even road and best laid out houses on either side. This ride up and down is worth trying for and is the first glimpse of the best and not cluttered Kerala. As one comes to highway, the road gets uneven for an hour. Still a motorable one and from what one could make out plans are afoot to make it broad. In the towns and small cities of the state roads may not be broad enough but evenly laid. And herein the govt. buses are the best way to commute as traffic rules most of them have a clue and root.

Some vehicles of durable nature i came across hailing from ambassador and fiat fraternity:

klb 4442 amby, keh 1720 fiat, tmx 1573 amby, keh 1676 amby and kee 4337 amby.

The ride to Guruvayur may have been taxing to a point. Once lodge was secured in Guruvayur on East Nadar; something i decided when i was here in June 2011, the plan has been to stay a little longer.

As i left RMM

As i left RMM

As i left RMM bus stand on Sunday at 4.27pm, i came across a board OOTY (485)and Kodaikanal (285). This was followed by RMM Municipality structure. Pamban Bridge came around 4.43; Mandapam 4.48 and Coast Guard station Mandapam few minutes later. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust Welcomes You board was the next to greet you. Next major stop happenned to be Uchhippuli followed by INS Parendu 500 metres away.

For a fair distance water could be seen spilled on the road and later it was traced to a Water tanker which had been leaking the moment it left Sujoy Aqua. On the way the access to Thondi and DEvokottai were shown to be 85 kms away. With Sathankulam in, IOB ATM was shown 1.5 km ahead at collectorate.

In Bharathinagar it was the Inthiya Super Market and Ramanathapuram finally coming around at 5.38. Ramanathapuram bus stand had a green/yellow building serving as office of MKM and in vicinity was a billboard of NIFE Institute of Fire and Safety. Penguin Xerox marking too was shown on a different structure. AS the bus began to move it went past Schwartz Matriculation Higher Secondary School 1986. From Ramanathapuram, Madurai is 110 kms, Parmakudi is 35 kms. And few kms later Tuticorin is shown 100kms away on a different route.

Parmakudi came around 6.32pm. Parmakudi bus stand had IT computer; Sri Xerox (Printing, xerox, scanning colour printing, college projects, lamination, spiral and other bindings). A bus from Madurai to Ramanathapuram one to one nonstop was seen plying and Vana Madurai came around 7.29 . The bus reached Madurai around nine. And i was in heritage hotel before 10.

Though not much had changed in RMM, the minimum bus fare had gone up to 4rs (2rs in Oct-Nov 2010). Abbirami hotel had a fair sprinkling of people for meals on most occasions and Keer Thana Stores General Merchants had a ready supply of Mysore Sandal Soaps and other daily necessities. Lakshmi stores for wallet and Shri Sathya Sai Stores for tea were equally strong. The old man opposite Srinegri Mutt selling stationary and cool drinks seem to have waged a battle all alone; Tailors on North Car street were a content collection and ready to stitch; and three cyber cafes, Shiva Net, Global Net and Browsing centre were out of bounds for no connectivity. Last time round, Shiva Net and Global Net had been utilised on different occasions.

Queen Palace was the new accommodation to come up next to Royal Park. And if there is one place where three wheelers (autowallahs) are a disciplined lot it is in RMM. Commuting is not much of a problem and those coming here are better advised to try public transport. Strong tea from a restaurant at Tamil Nadu Hotel could be tried; securing accommodation here too could be a challenge.

If one has secured lodging benefit then stay for a longer duration won't be troublesome. The only rider being the visit to distant places should be early morning or late afternoon. For a majority, the visit to RMM is barely 24 hours; and there is a tribe that looks beyond daily lodging and shower.

Rameswaram and beyond

Rameswaram and beyond


As i took tea from a food joint adjacent to Sri Vihar Tourist Home on North Inner Ring Road, i was reminded of a two-day stay in Rameswaram(RMM), which could have easily entered the the third day had accommodation not been an issue. Taking a room number 18 in a lodge near Agni Teertham, the foremost concern was on how to bide time given the heat spell that the town was up against.This was a visit to RMM after one-and-a-half year - and the undercurrents made it look more or less the same. SAme structured movement of those filing past the Lord in the temple and the gigantic structure showed it could handle crowd of any proportion.

Ramanatha Swamy, the reigning lord of Rameswaram, had a large number of followers the time i entered the sanctum sanctorum but lucky enough to get more than a fleeting glimpse. Once outside the next halt was at Royal Park, which had done away with a comprehensive breakfast comprising cornflakes, idli, dosa, upama, fruit drink and rounding it with unlimited tea/coffee. With the desirable breakfast not in sight, i headed towards bus stand where the guy smashing onions ticked me off for my urgency to wash hands from a water jar. DEspite repeated pleas that very little water would be used, i was left with no option than wash the hands from a public convenience. Against this the tea shop adjacent to the bus reservation centre seem to be in better and understanding frame of mind.

With enough spare hours on hand, the bus starting from North Car Street and heading towards Dhanuskodi seem to suggest that a fair amount of time would be spent in taking up and down trip. It was a journey covering 16kms to Munram Chatiram and from there another 6kms before one could reach the last lap of premissible-cum-seeable Dhanuskodi. Second thoughts on taking a ride had begun to encircle as i began the jouney - and made probable by the thought of travelling in a ramshackle transport for the final lap of 6kms. In a disoriented state was the least one could expect given the vehicle we are made to board and the state of its upkeep. Munram Chatiram accessed by bus, despite reservations i continued the 6km-long trek towards Dhanuskodi and was there at a time when the entire surroundings had heat shine. THe halt was for half an hour and the return ride was commensurate with a stoppage that had remnants of a church, railway station, school and a shiva temple. Perhaps arrogance and heat got better of me and i stayed put instead of stepping out of the vehicle.

It was quarter past one when the bus on its return journey to RMM was boarded. Had the searing heat not been a deterrent and the previous night given me some sleep, the Dhanuskodi date would have been desirable. Utterings on this venture been a total waste of time and effort did not go down well with other occupants and this also had a fallout the next day.

The second day at RMM saw more people flocking to the temple and herein some lost their watch while getting drenched with the release of water from a vessel. An age-old practice, with quantum of water available to drench those who wish to take bath, the recurring crowd surge can upset your plans. Better advised to take the bath if and when the crowd has phased out. This day i had decided to head towards Madurai given the power and water depleting state in the lodge. In the late afternoon, post Ramanatha Swamy Glimpse, i took the bus for Madurai. A ride that underscored the need that as and when RMM is to be accessed, the best option is to gain access to the Lord and leave for next destination soon after. The thought of a stay should be entertained if there is a fair chance of getting a room.

Yes

Yes

Broad are the windscreen of state transport corporation buses to broaden the appeal that public transport has to be tried on a continued basis.

The experience of taking state transport corporation buses has been a mixed bag with nothing looking more remunerative than the big windscreen that define them. Broad are these windscreen to broaden the view of the driver and other occupants of the traffic on road.

Yes

When Rameswaram was accessed

When Rameswaram was accessed

Having successfully secured the lower berth ticket for Rameswaram(RMM), it was time to mount guard and reach the Egmore station in time before the train could depart. It was quarter to five and Egmore was all set for action ripe. 16713 was the train number and 28 was the seat number with the train set to depart from P.F. 7. On P.F. 1 Pondicherry Express was expected to leave. On this platform one need to walk a while before getting the paper that may be a seasonal flavour. Here one old gentleman, Lord Vishnu's symbol on forehead, on a cart was displaying literature on Krishna and his face mirrored the challenges he had come across and the blessings that he would never be short.
Having taken the paper i saw one kid carrying a wrapper and on his t-shirt was etched a message " You can say that again". Probably this t-shirt and tea- breaks it would hand out to him would be handy enough to hit off on those occupations that won't have echo rim.

With paper and band-aid i got into the coach and at five 16713 began to move in the direction with all rumours set to scotch. Some Stations that the train went past were Chetpet, Saidapet, Guindy (10-minutes flat Guindy was accessed as against almost an hour that a bus ride takes),St. Thomas Mount, Palavanthalgal, Minambakkam, Tirusulsam, Pallavaram and Chrompet. Messages etched on walls running adjoining tracks which i sighted were on Pothys, Chennai Silks, Arihant family clothing shop and Kumbhat holograms. Adjacent to the wall was a tall structure perhaps serving as news today and talk media offices. At 5.58p.m. Singaperukamal came with a young woman holding the green flag and at 6.05p.m. Chengalpattu was accessed. Some stations later the green advantage was handed out to 16713 by older women and this showed the equanimity to a fair degree. Between five and half past seven i saw one gentleman making rounds of the place i was sitting and i could at the most keep his nature of movement guessing.

A seasonal flu that some boys of the train had been down with by vacating the seats and running in the aisle and renting the space to those who found train-travelling an upheaval. THis flu had come to an operative end and in operation was a gentleman's desire that i shift myself to a side upper berth as he wanted one of his relations to take the lower gear. Considering the old age of the man who wanted to occupy seat no. 28, i shifted to seat no.16. Little did i know that i was in for a hardship. Just out of good faith i shifted and here this gentleman who had made a plea for his father to take lower berth did all things nonsensical when i took the side upper berth. Seated on inside upper berth for hours he operated with his cell and the unkind tunes he found inspiring and uprising which was a source of discomfort which no one could tell. This was followed by another gentleman till 2 in the morning in a middle berth opposite me who was looking a cell fanatic with cell delivered tunes and babbling for no clues. Even the pillow that i brought from seat 28 was taken away and in place was put another bedsheet. The entire night i kept ruing at my decision as these men who want others to make their life comfortable raise voice and engage in acts that are theatrical.

For umpteen times i have shifted to another train seat and this time round it was the most foolish decision. At quarter past four RMM was accessed and as i stepped out there was this much-desired bus. Lodge-hopping was the occupational character of the first hour and returning to a lodge that has besides its gates some parked car. Accommodation has been an issue in RMM . Hope next time round i would be able to locate some lodging gems.

When i took a bus for Guindy in Chennai

When i took a bus for Guindy in Chennai


Having boarded a bus from Mount Road on a day when i had nothing to get attached to, getting hooked to a Guindy trail was the option i could least resist. THe bus boarded with the belief that a seat would be secured i secured the right to sensitise myself with all hoardings and hunters who were on the prowl. Some boards read "Second ATM installed in our premises", "xerox from 35 paise onwards".

Amidst a crowd that looked split among daily commuters and those returning from office post sounding of hooters, there was an ad inside that sought to provide gainful employment for those who so far had resisted the temptation to be gainfully deployed. The ad went like this : " Wanted for ISO 9001-2008 certified company and those having the option to redress their grievances in the age group of 18 to 25; 8th to 10th class (pass/fail) 121 required for salary of 8500 to 9500, 12th p/f 88 required for salary of 12,000 to 14,600 and all degree holders 75 required for salary of 18,000 and above.

Post successful infusion of this bus pliable ad, the other signboard was on Saidapet which was still 200 metres away. IN between i came across one board: " Buy one shoe, get one free to use as hurl tool". By the time i reached Guindy it was quarter to six and the abundance of students across road showed their successful release from a central training institute where they had gone to train and trace their footsteps. Again amidst a surrounding that was orange-heavy, taking one of that was the least i could do before attempting to take a local from Guindy to Chennai Fort that has other clues. THe queue was long for the ticket to be procured and equally long looked to be the number of commuters who wanted to take ride back to Chennai Fort and the surrounding gates. When the local came and people went inside and disappeared, i for one believed that i could once again show my solidarity for a bus ride.

I mounted a bus going towards Mount Road LIC Nest and in came another challenge to encircle with all messages that could rarely pinch. One was on the world's number one biscuit is here to those on open university and housing board.Some sighting of the buses were on the routes of T Nagar to Chemmanchery and other noticeable was the number of passengers that a transport could ferry.
Under an hour i reached Mount Road to muse over some road diversions (diversions ahead to reach Guindy take GP Road) that Chennai has to evolve with to facilitate the smooth completion of the metro link.

Following this Guindy trail the following day i went to Mylapore and the return journey went through Royapetha, Balaji Nagar, two theatres, probably single screen (pilot, symphony), Irani tea stall, sweet corner and book point.
Tea stall, 821, Anna Salai was the one on occasions i tried for tea. IN Egmore(Kennet Lane) next to Hotel REgal and Ceylon was the Pandian Point for using cyber with no accompanying rant. Pandian Point Cyber Cell was cooperative and considerate. Equally cooperative was Ammu Palace in Mount Road.

Other notable hoardings i came across the city were:
- private vehicles not allowed to park inside; barking permissible outside.
- at the heart of what drives your world is how soon you can engage in abuse-cum-assuage hurl.
- stressful cream to let you regain stress in four hours; much different from fairness beam.


On Kennet Lane some shops mirrored the indulgences of a commoner having been turned to a corner.THey were:
all recharge cards sold here; international visa and debit card (no annual maintenance charge); perfume and body spray; all kind of mobile sale and services; travel companies: city sight seeing and out of city sight seeing.

Finally on Pantheon Road i sighted MSL 6111 (Amby) and hoped more such vehicles emerged as a ton.

Having boarded South bound Duronto

Having boarded South bound Duronto

Having boarded South bound Duronto with the exact number of men and women occupying the seats to be artfully occupied by them, the Duronto began to move exactly at the same time the occupants had wished it to get into a groove. It was approaching four and squeaky clean was the floor which had of late been mopped by those who were more than haughty-cum-hot. Wishes not turning to skirmishes and all that preventing were food tray coming with tea/coffee - and with rich display of outside gley.

Broad were the windows of the Duronto coach and equally broad were the views and if one wished to have a view of under 30 till the fag end there was no such luck and clue. THat was probably to do with not equal spread of disinfectant that marred the chances of teens to have a Duronto Sheen. Equally alarming were the sights of elderlies who were not accompanied by young trees. AS one descended to disown those who took a long hard look, the better prescription was to share their ascent and assimilation. One bugger preferred to take the upper berth considering the all round growth on which he had every right to float. Just before the last meal of the second day, he had non veg his entire way. THe gentleman right next to me gentle in his conduct preferred to muse and observe things when not wearing shoes. To be precise he had sleepers for his entire journey and had successfully raised an army that could with ease participate in a tourney. It was at 11 that Bhopal-breaching took place and in the morning around six the Nagpur Sensation was raised. In between all the small but bountiful stations read signs outside public utilities: For Gents and those Doused with A New Sense.

First day gone with no sensation around, time was appropriate for me to count the number of stations that would come around. Rail Bandhu, the inhouse literature and Hitvada, the newspaper were handy enough to kill time and if not for that i tried to show my solidarity with sleep frat. Another gentleman having taken the middle berth remained speechless as far as his interaction with me went but on occasions he used to observe me when i was to turn other way or bend. Occupant of seat number 33 had omelet in the morning and the late evening meals saw him hand out 500 rs note to a relation for whom he cared. With Warangal coming little before half past 11 and with no signs of anyone exiting and a new one emerging the thoughts were to relay thoughts on those who were replenishing their mobile-fit skills. If one had songs to cheer him up, there was another lad speaking to his dad and at the same time showing his allegiance to private sector frat. It was only and only in Vijaywada that one gentleman showed presence of mind and skipped the meals and train. Here bananas were coming rs4 apiece and there fewer having a feast next to a food joint serving biryanis of different kind.

Between Vijaywada and Chennai came the much-loaded news on a quake in Indonesia and the rumbling effects it has had in cities defining India. A lady on top of her quake delivered news moment saw to it that this news remained in circulation for long.
In between, two ladies having went to bathrooms had to lose out on soup and here they were making long and lively distance calls to their relations on how they wished to make them lose their sleep courtesy their arrival commotion.

AS evening descended and train went past Nellore and Gudur, few seem to be running out of fuel.Little after 8 Chennai was accessed and the station was beehive of activities that the mankind could sense.

The Duronto Dose made sure that similar travels could be planned in future provided amidst the ageing tribe there are those who in their belly have enough fire and can surprise. Surprises galore in the country we reside in and there are more chances we can come across protagonists whom we can zoom in.

As i begin to work in a net

As i begin to work in a net

As i begin to work in a net airconditioned to let users air their opinions and onions they have had in the past few days, there are fair chances of delivering the desired results. Desired results quite made possible following ease with which ticket was procured from Egmore reservation centre and there being no overlapping queues which could at one point or the other splinter.

TRying to sight the reservation form and the personnel who would be delivering the ticket with no sprinkling of taunt, i sight one gentleman with "i do all my own stunts" scribbled on his t-shirt. This gentleman out to procure tickets for his near and never-seen ones wanted to play safe by showcasing the repertoire of skills that fewer found it as thrill. Doing own stunts probably involved his entire immersion in shape of activities that a commoner could rarely find it witty.

First stunt emanating from his stable was the number of children he had made descend on earth and whom he carried to all public places as powerful girth. Second stunt showcased his success to tame his wife for all seasons who dare not tinker with the possibility to stage a walkout when he was out. Third noticeable stunt was his bosses reporting to him whenever this stunt-cum-saint reported for work to collect his monthly compensation. There were other stunts he wanted the world to know including me but here at the reservation counter i was more disposed to the idea of getting a ticket clue.

On entering the Egmore reservation centre, the first notice put on a board spelt the urgency for all upper class passengers and those willing to upgrade to have photo identity card failing which they won't be allotted the day-turning-to-night berth. Passengers are requested to carry photo identity card during travel and once the travelling is over they are at liberty to disassociate and hand these cards to their known associates.

Second notice was on opening dates for advance booking, bulk booking and mercury triggerred booking . As for the third set of booking, it is the mercury and its capacity to turn you more than desirable number of mercenaries operating on earth which in effect propels populace populating a city to travel and let others be on their trail. Other notice was on one person can give one requisition form and if s/he intends to give more than one, a request in the form of application is desired. Final notice on check your balance, ticket and temperature around before you leave the counter.

As i exited from reservation centre with fond memories of those who had collected there to converse about those who had come to collect ticket, i for one, could hardly coerce anyone to collect there at least once in a year. Took the return bus to Mount Road to mount another challenge and hope to steer clear of stuffed ones that carry more than desired number of gems.

Some of the messages i came across in the city on a Saturday

Some of the messages i came across

-halt and go place for TSR where none seem to be in a mood to halt and shiver. Well none of the tsr could be seen halting during the period i decided to halt and none could be seen going to places the commuters wanted them to depart.

- no parking zone and no park when there is scarcity of loan sharks. Actually the sensitive process of sanitising with parking amenities commences the moment loan sharks are in motion and have crossed their accustomed fence. For the period you want to park and the vehicles which would fail to bark would see strong exchange of ideas between park attendants and those taking park space on rent. As vehicles have to be secured in working condition for each day the machine is parked, the park attendant double as loan shark and shakes you well enough on the upfront payment you need to make to see you retain your car craze.

- angrezi beer aur sharab ki sarkari dukaan.

- wine and beer shop post infusion you can go for ho ho bus service delhi-learning tuition.
- protein nutrition depot in the vicinity of a shop shaping as dental option.

- comfort point; rooms on daily basis; learn english. Here rooms have to be taken on a daily basis daily doling out rent and if possible learn and converse in english that leads to shaking of bum.

- merging traffic ahead: vehicles of all shape and sentiment would be merging leading to convergence of thoughts on who dared to step out on a day when mercury is at its best fray.

- parking for cars and those found fit to be released from conditioning camps where nuances of where to park and where to bark is explained in clinical detail.

- Embassy of Republic of Zimbabwe on Ring Road had this hoarding adjacent to it : "No stopping" Another one like " No staring" would have been appropriate as some seem to have conveniently gathered there to stare wrapped in new wear.

- As prices of veggies across verifiable segments have skyrocketed, the most administered hoarding seen across different cities reads: " skyrocket commodities sold here and those with heavy wallet can get their pocket tear and in the process need not fear.

As i went past some locales of National Capital

As i went past some locales of National Capital


AS i went past Sec One R K Puram followed by Munirka that had no tram and trunk, the signboard of attractive interest rate for one year deposit looked to be ordinary. Equally ordinary were the messages on entry prohibited; photography-seducing act limited followed by prove your identity to gain skirmish-free entry.

One hoarding read: For extraordinary, winning is a habit. THat probably meant for ordinary and oscillating entities, sizeable defeats on sizeable days suits their daily ways.

The moot query is who is extraordinary and who is in a hurry. Extraordinary is one who gulps petrol and diesel as if s/he have been raised on this fever. Extraordinary are there chances to commute post infusion of liquor and hitting all bases. Extraordinary for the extraordinary sentiment they sense on every skyrocketing upheaval the stock market throws illustrative of daily rant.

Extraordinary are their daily spends and daily submission and extraordinary are their ways to get waylaid when they don't pay either for train ticket or freight. They want to go past all permissible levels of freedom and search for pastures that gives a new high to their greed kingdom.

When net prices skyrocketed to 50 an hour in the outer circle of Connaught PLace

Some of the alarming hoardings i came across

- Check and chill to get the fuel feel
- No Stopping; no shirking
- No parking zone; if done could lead to disruptured bone.
- Park at will and pay nil



- Worry in progress; men at work to disassociate and digress

- No spitting and sharing . Those indulging would be told to hand out 200 rs donation

Other debatable hoardings were least fascinating given the night sensitivity.

Skyrocketing prices and skyrocketing ambitions

Skyrocketing prices and skyrocketing ambitions


As prices of vegetables have skyrocketed so have been the ambitions of those dissolving in them. Vegetable wholesalers reduced to vendors known for their early morning shower and thunder used to hand out these vegetables to veterinary doctors and other with venerable beliefs. Morning after morning they used to scream and tear into other apartments for the veggies that they were dishing out at a price that even one having spent the previous night washing dish could afford in plenty. Prices were normal and so was the absence of abnormality across board.

Apart from those vendors who used to throng to different locales to hand out veggies of unknown scale, there were others who used to hand out them from their day by night shops that had a long trail. THese very veggie vendors who were handing out on a platter lost confidence in those who were thronging to their shops and still failing to stage sit-in. Sit-in for the fact that prices had remained abnormally low for even those with abdominal glow. SEasonal repercussions and seasonal sensations led to none whatsoever seasonal variations in the prices that had dipped too long to throw them into a crisis. With no sit-in by perishable entities surviving on perishable veggies, time had come for veggie vendors to flaunt their veg humour. Skyrocketing has been the rise in prices of onions, potatoes, capsicum and ladiesfinger and those having dipped enough in the past have to settle for an abdominal shape that would have fewer such intake that formidably made their base.

Common refrain from commoners and those serious enough to communicate is why the prices skyrocket in the first place when they had never dipped with a trace. Skyrocketing vegetable vendors and more prominently wholesalers have a task cut out for them. Seeing the upsurge the different bodies of the government responsible for keeping power and water sentiment would skyrocket the bills to such wholesalers in line with their skyrocketing agenda with no care. Not stopping at that these veggie-seeking rentals would be told to pay high fuel surcharge at pump stations from which they seek fuel to pump their life and their tribe.

As for petrol dealers seeking to cease operations if there is no hike in their commission, the govt of the day and probably working at night has been compassionate enough to tell them that they are at liberty to go on a strike for a period they think they would be secured from their family members who won't begin to bite. Govt has nothing to offer as the commission the dealers get on every litre of petrol sold is too high and here the need of the hour is to bring it down from the existing cry. Petrol dealers are well advised to strike and for some days disappear at it would finally give a boost to public transport and make more abandon the luggage which they store in car boot.

Returning to reservation counter

Returning to reservation counter

As i took a bus in the morning to head towards Subroto Park and another towards DElhi Cantt. there were few who were prepared to indulge in morning rant. Smooth connectivity aside, the buses are handled by a staff trimmed and tasked to be courteous. It was at Delhi Cantt. station the realisation dawned that city had seen a surge in population mirroring no less than a ton - and the two lines approaching ticket counter showed the ticket-procuring urgency some had and their repeated mode of frequency.

THe old gentleman standing ahead of me did not speak much except for the concern writ large on his face on his chances to procure a ticket. On two occasions i excused myself from standing trail to get the requisite change which i would have unwillingly forward to the man handing ticket and other bouquet. By the time i realised that xerox was required of my identity status, the line had finally expressed its intention to move and there was no scarcity of that proof. IN between standing and seeing others wailing the conversations among collected men- there was another line for women and seniors or those who wished to be senior and yet had not disbanded the mental status that was all illustrative of being a junior - were on the slow pace at which those seeking ticket disappeared from ticket counter and once having disappeared some having temerity to return to seek new dates in their travelling calendar.

Patience was wearing thin as some members of railway fraternity busy preparing the chart status of trains originating from Delhi Cantt. station. Still, the collected men did not fuel their uprising to a point where they tried to enter the inside chamber and apprise the staff of they being silent-and-yet-ready-to-strike building tribe. Under one-and-a-half hour, the ticket was procured and those assembled there to collect and converse took a pledge that in future before the gates are thrown open for public to troop inside they would collect there and if possible to get first mover advantage they may rise to bite. Biting was least in fashion these days was the refrain as cctvs were in operation during night to get you the least desirable fame.

As i left i felt bad for a gentleman who was standing ahead of me and could not get second ticket as the personnel told him he would be issuing one ticket at a time. Here the railways need to show compassion for those who come from distant places and they need issue ticket to some who are in urgent need. Still the Delhi Cantt experience was healthy as task was accomplished without much botheration except for the crowd which had gathered there and showed its disdain for trains going towards Bihar fame and none having waitlisted status of less than 100 and in some cases 200.

AS i came out of the railway reservation premises, the thought on how to fix this nagging reservation blues led me to ponder on why not have reservation counters at some of the bus depots. Here if one takes a train ticket s/he should find it tempting enough to take bus ticket of no less than 400 denomination valid for different travels across city for the next six months. Oscillation on not taking ticket below 400 denomination should detain for a period not detained earlier as it would bring in only those who are serious enough to pledge themselves to railway reservation bus depots and have least fascination for other reservation holes.

Still those wishing to pledge to railway window counter won't be any less as the railways handle a crowd that is multiple of carrying capacity of a bus.

REvision that could resurrect some

REvision that could resurrect some

AS oil companies have for the umpteen occasion shown the urgency to revise petro prices upward failing which they would upgrade themselves, the government has a tough choice on hand. Oil Companies, which have shown less oscillation from time to time, have been blunt enough to convey to the conveniently convertible govt that they are incurring a loss of 48 cr a day as oil prices have failed to reflect market sentiment and their widening ray. "Enough is enough" is their repeated thunder and want the govt of the day and night to lessen their blunder.

Raise the prices or we would raise our pitch is how the exchange has been going between them and the govt in which few have been able to discover any gem. Current petro prices haven't stopped us from bleeding and to alleviate and not let someone annihilate we want the govt to act and strike at personal transport frat. THe petro prices were decontrolled as it was a move meant to disown the commuting janata and make them dissolve in the dislocation they create by moving from one point to another, effectively mirroring the story of Banta-backfired Santa.

RAising the pitch would imply a series of resurrective steps by oil companies. Foremost among them would see oil tankers being released half-filled and when they reach their destination the consumers for whom these oil tankers would be emptied would be more than seasonally grilled. Grilling for the umpteen time for the decision to deploy their personal transport turbulence on road and the whims and fancies they comprehensively roar. Besides releasing half-filled oil tankers, most accustomed to adulteration custom before reaching final destination section, these oil tankers would take their sweet time; occupants waving at all sweet gems and other thunder identified teen bombs. IN effect, human relationship would see a marked jump and most would commit to consummate when they see that oil price revision is not in their fate.

AS population bomb would explode and there would be other desirable candidates willing to join the fray the country's much-cherished battle against population bulge would fritter away. To cut that possibility of rising-and-ranting population the govt of the commoners would be left with no other choice than give a revision that oil prices truly need to preserve their dwindling creation.

AS revision and that too upwards looks inevitable what is still not available are turncoats working for IPL and other gamble and henceforth those watching and washing in the stadiums engage their personal machines which in effect takes the heat of their rotational bums.