Taking tranquiliser to secure tranquil surroundings

The tranquiliser to fetch tranquil surroundings

In the days when you lose temper, you are administered the tranquiliser as it is the sole way to become wiser. There would be varying degrees to lose a temper proof template; some lasting few minutes and some seeing you blasting for more than the period you had your share of peanuts. The build up to the entire exercise of lose and litter your thoughts in a decibel where you see your peers as less constructive and more amenable to a fighting lot demonstrates that you have run out of patience and those staying in the vicinity are able to make a sense. Perhaps reminders keep coming to you that if this way you start losing temper, there are sensory mechanisms that would record all your acts of a perennial hostile denizen who some would dismiss has the will to be a maverick when he gets the delivery boy to water overflow stick.

Water overflow and some losing glow

Occasions one has lost count of when water over flew from the tank and showed the outsiders the first mover advantage to take the first rank. Overflow of water is not the issue here; the issue here is when water spilled to the verandah and street and showed the outside forces responsible in a renewed feat. Forces seek water when days when it used to get hotter are long gone and days to sneeze and snoop are coming along. They say they seek water and in the face of not getting the requisite quantity blow the hooter. This act of blowing hooter and blowing hot and cold flows from their unfinished desire that long in play remain the temper tyres. More disturbed the environ some would like to see and more distributive justice some would like to read.

Abstain from being on a short fuse as there are gains no less huge

Better to abstain from being on a short fuse as it will give a handle to outside elements some to chase you with a hunter and lose. Losing temper is akin to losing humour and it can well spawn a range of rumours on mental faculties and maintainable mental working capacity. Capacity one lost long time ago when national capital used to have the alluring glow. With the depletion of water supply and plumber making visit every time to express his wish to cry, the shortage of water supply one finds hard to digest from the local source as there are no reports in the papers that water bodies (city jal board) are facing problem akin to a ghost.

Five days ago a report came that for few hours there would be interruption in water supply as water pipes are to be replaced when watermen are on a new high. Replacement done and with a reservoir of a ton still why the pressure of water flow is so low that consequently makes you lose your halo and glow.
In a city where optimum utilisation should be the norm some believe in belting out uninterrupted consumption song. Unless each one of us are aware of what to preserve and whom to propose, the city would be rocked by acts that may look hereditary. This story does not suggest the battle against fdi guest has been laid to rest; it would be taken up when most of us are out of water tub.

Train from Ahmedabad and the ride to national capital

Train from Ahmedabad and the ride to national capital

I was supposed to do a story on my stay in Ajmer . The effort could have begun and ended two weeks ago. But the signs emerging from polity make most of us feel low. Debates after debates have been structured in a way to raise the pitch and make the govt probable to a breach. Who stands to gain from this episode that seems to last till eternity.

The story on Ajmer could well have begun with the train ride i took  from Ahmedabad. The train ride lasting over 10 hours saw me immersed in thoughts on why tea with tea bags had been dispensed with in one feat. Same as New Delhi-Manmad ride on Amritsar-Dadar Express, this Ahmedabad-Ajmer ride too had no tea laced with tea bags. All the tea that came in the coach was prepared and preserved for a period not rare. 

With no trace of a strong brew i was left with a clue of excessive sweet rule. I was in an ac coach as that was the sole ticket i could lay hands to from Somnath computerised railway reservation centre as other trains and classes had waiting status.

Early morning when i boarded the train there were three individuals in the vicinity who perhaps had never fiddled with a crane. Two among them got down at Mehsana and a new person came who probably ran in Ahmedabad a kirana (store). It was better to keep away from him as he seem to be a plant who had at some time worked in a gym.

The train seem to have a local longevity given the large number of stoppages that had a dose of brevity. When i reached Ajmer a little after five in the evening, the one manning the reservation desk at the reservation centre in Ajmer station could be seen filling up the reservation form. Attending to passengers queries was least on his mind and the one who replaced him too seem to be least interested to answer despite on the other side of the window there were no dearth of bouncers.

Took a room in Saina guest house where one aggarwal was too kind to host me. But the moment i returned after putting the luggage in the room, the manager had been spoonfed to raise a banner of gloom. I stayed in Ajmer for two days and visited Khwaja's dargah. The second day i left for New Delhi by Rajasthan Roadways bus which found it difficult to reach Delhi under 12 hour stress. There was pileup of vehicles from Bilaspur to Manesar and by the time i reached Delhi it was a Wednesday amidst people whom i addressed as "Sir". Between Bilaspur and Manesar there is one dhaba with probably a name S Mile dhaba. Here a Nepali young boy works. He would be lucky for the food joint.

Having spent over three weeks in Delhi with interactions lasting barely, how an ideal life in the national capital should be has crossed my mind with interventions that have no shine. Rains have hit the national capital turf off and on, there have been few occasions when samachar has been read as a song. Delhi has been facing a huge water crisis and despite advisory being issued  there are no less surprises. Hope things would settle, water scarcity would be less of an upheaval and those willing to lead a life of sanity would believe in exchanges of brevity. 

High growth trajectory in a season of undiluted battery

Chaar hindi aur chaar angrezi ke akhbaar aur channel tarif kya kar dein, yeh sacchai se door hai.

Hamare Hindustan mein akbhar aur hukumat ek saath chalte hai. Akhbar aur tv channel hakikat ke saath hukumat ki ha mein ha bhi milate hai.Is fdi ke jung mein aur jinhe neend se door door ka vasta nahin, fdi debate koi sasta nahin. Fdi fakar ki baat hai kuch kehte hai.  

Inko chahiye retail FDI, tabhi hogi inki badhai

Inko chahiye retail fdi, tabhi  hogi inki badhai

Speaking on the sidelines as a press conference could well be under surveillance, the race roar prime visitor premised that series of decisions the govt has taken is in the right direction as none favour early electoral sensation. Race roar is of the view that time has come to act; what better way to do than take recourse to a series of decisions on which people would find it difficult to react.  Administrators of the day and possibly looking for options to work during night when  fewer make pitch for fdi fray believe that decisions made in quick succession would leave the public gasping for breath and with no room whatsoever to fret.


Managing print and electronic wheels

Having managed the print and electronic wheels with no stories on discomfort and sneeze, the administrators believe they are headed in the direction where none would be able to dissect the reasons behind fdi breeze, and once the multibrand fdi with multiple motives starts pouring, it would leave most who protested or made an attempt to protest snoring. Snoring is all that race roar resident can imagine on the plight of people who want to protest against fdi cabin.

Actually the race roar resident is on a retribution drive, with so many stories in the past pointing to his failure to resurrect and reassert . Once the videshi prime writers, who had the dual responsibility to be waiters, took tips and trips from fdi reps on what all to write and who all to bite, the race roar believed that race to ressurection lay in fdi lore. Ever since the administrators developed the multibrand fdi sense, scores of stories in print and electronic wheels have come in praise of the government who at last has got hold of fdi firmament. A snatch of debates post fdi notification craze has focused on the strengths this form of retailcurtail trade would spawn on us, and whoever opposes would be dismissed as a mere drop in the ocean that seeks to keep the govt in motion. A scale not seen before and defenders not visible in the past have come to the fore to defend the govt on what all it intends to do and whom all it intends to rule. These fly by night defenders would defend as long as remuneration makes a sense.

See wonder see and coordination meets

First you had the see wonder see (CWC) meet where all those who participated were told to tuck their shirts and keep their hands on table. Movement of fingers and hands reaching the shirt were strictly forbidden failing which the members who indulged in such acts would be debarred from future meets and declared as entirely inhuman. During the see wonder see meet, few members spoke and among them some had the temerity to offer the race roar a rose for sticking to fdi and if ever the race roar visited their residence he would be offered more than a desirable plate of sevai. After the meet the members dispersed in one direction which ultimately established the theory they had a long loose-cum-liberating motion session.

After see wonder see came coordination committee meet fame where too members had the temerity to speak and search the minds of those who remained speechless. This coordination committee meet was to coordinate among members that none among them were subordinate and the race roar had taken all on board before taking a decision on digging a retail whole. Here too after coordination the next task was of conversion, convert those who had failed to dissipate their opposition to fdi rubble.  Post see wonder see and coordination meets came the raisina treat, where none of the members who had participated in the previous two meets could speak as decks had been cleared for rhyme sister to ring the fdi tune and make the attendees forcefully croon. With print and electronic at his mercy, the race roar has put on a new jersey. Stories are put to paint the administration as a retail tailor, with the fly by night supporters underscoring this is just a trailer; the big picture put out by kins of govt. representatives would show them more than a sailor.


One can manage print, electronic and those working with avionic speed sections with tools that are at their disposal. Won't retrace steps as we are amidst fdi reps. What message it would send to them as US Bus has nothing to do with fdi retail ton. Electoral contest is far away and if anyone wants to contest on his own he has to pay the prime material-turning-to-rhyme sister the cess. Would do what is good for the country and who all can build the fdi inventory. We have been inventers since ages and ever since inverters came most dismiss us as carpenters. To get a makeover, the see wonder see and coordination meets would be held frequently to desist our association from fields like carpentry.

Sanity eludes the administrators and they are on a stubborn sortie with no clue. just few papers and channels won't get you the support; there are enough who are opposed to your fdi float. 

Multitasker on fdi and fci: Inko Jano

The prolific writer who positioned to protest the procrastination on fdi and makes a case for seeking a rti on the delay that has made others look at them with a feet of clay

The prolific writer with a prolonged agenda, whose prototype is difficult to procure, has made out a case for fdi by pointing to the previous administration's profess commitment to the same which had to be eventually dropped in the face of protests that purred. Coming in an opinion page the writer has made himself known to be a multitasker with multiple missions.  It was hard to imagine in the rubble of fdi and resolute strength of godowns of fci where the said fdi would be stored we could come across a prolific hooter who could position himself to propagate the possible strengths from this move which not carried to  date doesn't mean it has to be buried in a haze. This prolific writer with a sizeable writing endeavours has listed with pointers the possibility of possessing positive vibes once he and his possibly roaming bosses are out with fdi knives turning to advisory size. The profane commitment of the prolific writer to point out the merits and mesmerising spell the detail retail fdi would leave us perhaps points to the sole route to nirvana that has failed us.

Prolific writer is not alone as there are debaters with clone

Prolific writer is not alone; there are enthusiastic debaters and demonstrators - demonstrators who have long been arguing that they have waited too long for fdi to conquer and cure us and yet the power driving forces have not given nod to a stress relieved TTE-protected train and bus - who dissect the issue at large in opinion pages and other platform like tv- paid wages.

Time has come to listen to these debaters and demonstrators who show consistent concern to the possible losses that a bandh does to the economy, as they are yanked and spanked by their bosses that a day bandh would result in a day less monthly salary that would be send. These debaters who at no point came across any carpenters want to make a case for carpet bombing the country with fdi failing which they would be waylaid by industrial bodies who are battle ready for eye for an eye. Possibly the entire episode's seeds were sown when the powers that push and paste laws and horse wanted to hand out mobile magic to families of bpl with the intention to  show they were at last real. When this mobile shower did not happen, the powers with push-and-paste law towel, decided enough was enough and time had come to be tough.  So came fdi and in days to come the innovations would be like fdi surcharge and fdi recharge.

Booths for surcharge and recharge

There would be booths across country where fdi surcharge would be collected and booths where fdi recharge can be done. Mobiles with fdi facility and tv sets with fdi creativity would  be ample in space and all that powers that paste and push laws need to do is not push advertisements in papers as these very booths would be pasted with messages on all that the powers did to deceive and defeat. As for the multitasker monk whenever he used to step out of country with his boss who has a sizeable shahi kapda inventory, the two were flooded with plaints on why they can't assume the role of a saint.  In came the saint with a centenary book on what gains the fdi had endured in regions that had no cure.

No one stands to gain from testing poll waters. Let meeting of minds happen

No one stands to gain from testing poll waters. Let meeting of minds happen

Romney's gaffe was caught on camera, the home administrators in our country have not been short on giving bytes in vehicles that could possibly include maruti and tavera. The standoff on reforms could not have come at a worse time when the sectors they seek to reform has lost shine. A near-acceptable hike in diesel and lpg rationing coming after 9 to 10 cylinders could have been understandable; what the authoriries went on to do was in the name of widespread reforms tried to reform the defused retail bomb. The multi brand retail fdi is the most irrational step coming from the govt of the day with no effort made to secure a consensus that could have at least diagnosed the issue and formidables on tray.

Monsoon ne di hai izzazat (good monsoons could make you do this)

Had it not been for good monsoons ( don't forget one-and-half month ago we were staring at a real drought) , the authorities would have least procured an arsenal to launch the FDI retail tornado that would sizeably tear apart the middle and lower middle class ability to grow. With a meagre income and a limited livelihood the retail brothers of ours are in , the retail razmatazz that least desirable fdi wishes to create would in all likelihood seal their fate. Those in power may give the rationale that it was fdi and fdi alone that led to job market and more joining the earning potential bracket ; this rationale may hold true for those at investors' mercy as the number of scams to hit the firmament has been no less than the spectacle of a daily wager adorning every month a new ornament. FDI in retail would lead to an undercurrent of discontent and a frustration lasting more than a season and few able to make a sense. Better advised to look for domestic investments and create a pliable playground that prods the domestic players to bat on home than let flight of capital go to places like china and rome.

Economy in peril and fdi in retail dose to give a lasting thrill

Those in power believe that economy is in peril and a dose of fdi would inundate a lasting thrill. Why get bothered by policy paralysis enconiums; such enconiums should not distress you as it is coming from papers who want to make a case for fdi stress busters. The economy isn't in that bad shape as it is made out to be. A series of disinvestments; a series of measures to check non plan expenditure and possibly cut the plan expenditure - all in the realm of possibility- could be tried. An fdi in power/roads and other infrastructure could be an engaging process but fdi in retail would dismantle the peace fabric that the country takes pride in a jest. As for coal conundrum there could have been better ways to consign the coal camp reduced to a scam by de-allocating on a scale unprecedented and levying a penalty that would suggest that though you erred in the beginning by not auctioning, the steps taken now would give the public a palatable curd. Way to coal destress is to employ coal auction tool for future and relax environmental norms where mining is to be done.  Take the opposition on board and a simple talk that though we erred in the past, in future we all have to have an innings that has to last. Because there are states ruled by Opposition that too have erred on coal issue.

As for votary of reforms, you do it in aviation and power. Disinvestment in PSUs is not a lost case. As for fdi in retail disbandon it for now. It would neither engineer a boom nor give negotiations a room. Still if the policy paralysis tag tails you don't get bothered.  A fear psychosis would pervade if fdi retail is allowed at this juncture and this would possibly derail the govt and puncture. The case you would make that it is for states to implement won't cut much ice; those supporting from outside would begin to seek their right. Possibly there were 18 to 20 months later you could have come face to face with the electorate. Why dilute that possibility by being adamant on a retail fdi fate. One ally part of the govt has all but gone. Possibly negotiations seeking a middle ground could secure the affection of a bong song. If no middle ground is reached, you are open to more breach. Today there may be no support from the East,  tomorrow  others may prefer you to roast and enjoy the feast. Possibly in due course the southern ally may also lose patience, then from UP ally to Southern high, all waning options would make you cry.  Some in the party have suggested that the party should remain firm on fdi retail as it did on nuclear deal. That is misplaced optimism as the background to 2008 episode to today's waning fort present two varying pictures that if not repaired could lead to a long rupture. Neither the party from the eastern state would gain nor the one which is on board the adamant train.

Let Lok Sabha complete term
There is a word for Opposition as well. No one wants polls and no poll outcome at this stage could put them on a roll. Attempt should be to defuse the crisis and let the current lok sabha complete its tenure. Provocateurs would be numerous but how many among them would be willing to test the poll waters. Few and with a failed logic. First and foremost the adamant treasury benches should repair the damage by 1 to 1.50 rs rollback on diesel and 9 to 10 cylinders on subsidised rate and a deferment on fdi retail.
Economy is not in such a poor shape as it is made out to be and rating agencies can't dictate the govt to a large degree. Sensex can't be the lone barometer of our wellbeing; the peace and tranquility that makes us live with a limited hope is what we want to more than seasonally sing. Protests should be peaceful and dharnas on empty stomach would give the other side the requisite tool; provocateurs (they don't belong to either side) should be kept at bay and a deferment of fdi retail would dethrone those who want to slay. In an arena as widespread as polity, there is no loss of face and no night gown to be shed in the morning as seasonal grace. Grace is what would make all grow and glow and girding up for a fight would make all feeling low. Cruise to a point where meeting of minds happen, cruise to a table where all shed the animosity weapon.

These days i get repeated reminders about Udhagamandalam. I have not visited Udhagamandalam for over 16 months, consequently brought about by my visits to varied destinations in the country. Bordering Coimbatore, Udhagamandalam can be reached from Coimbatore in over three and a half hours. First one has to reach Metapalyam and from there before the bridge two roads come , one going towards Coonoor and another to Udhagamandalam via Kotagiri. The stay in Udhagamandalam and Kotagiri in 2011 was for over three weeks, split between two different visits one lasting two days and another over 18 days. In all i stayed in four different lodges. 

Steam inhalation to fight cold

The ride from Somnath to Ahmedabad

The ride from Somnath to Ahmedabad

With a stay of three days in Somnath, i left for Ahmedabad on a Sunday. Left Somnath a little after one in the afternoon. In a shared auto reached Veraval. I took an apple from one Gaffar bhai who repeated that for scouring apples one could visit him as his cart/trolley is opposite the bus stand. Left Veraval at 3.32 after a wait for half an hour. Took the Una-Rajkot bus which was on CNG and of an old make but comfortably pliable. As we left the Veraval ST bus stand we went  past Indian Rayon. At 4.05 go past chorwad (here not sure whether it is the same chorwad or some other name). At 4.32  go past a board that spells the proposed Keshod bye - pass, length 11km.

Reach keshod at 4.40 and the entire city is drenched . The bus stand has been renovated with new pointers and platforms. After a wait for 10 minutes, the bus leaves with the area again splashed by rains. Reach Vanthali at 5.18, go past moti palace township at 5.25. Opposite moti palce there are large tracts of fertile land and later i discover it to be Junagadh krishi vishvavidalaya. Reach Junagadh bus stand at 5.35.  Reach Jetpur at 6.45 and adjacent to the bus stand platform is a picture of Sai in a blue outfit. Reach Gondal at 7.40. Finally reach Rajkot at 8.20 which again is caught in light showers.

Take food from Jalaram dinning hall which is outside the Rajkot bus stand. Gujarati thali coming for 50rs with the never-to-be-missed curd the entire meals come for 60rs . Leave Rajkot at 10.15. At 11.15 Ahmedabad is 148 km, at 11.45 Ahmedabad is 115. At 12.20 Ahmedabad is 102 km.  Just after 2 in the morning reach Ahmedabad and from Gita Mandir ST bus stand take an auto for railway station. Take the aravalli express from Ahmedabad at half past five and reach Ajmer after 5 in the evening.

Changes seen in Somnath, Gujarat

Changes seen in Somnath


The previous story on Somnath tried to look at the arrangements in and around the temple and suggested areas where improvisation could be undertaken. With a stay of three days, the attempt to seek an extension was not possible given the rush that Somnath trust run guest houses were seeing. Here one should be careful enough and lay stress on a room in old guest house as it comes for 350 rs and are spacious enough. You are lucky enough if you can get a room in the blocks that are adjacent to the somnath trust run bhojanalaya. The day i reached and waited for a room, i was amidst some who were prefering to reserve rooms in the new guest house that had recently come up. If i was not mistaken, there was a family comprising over five members and they had booked probably two to three rooms in the new airconditioned guest house and had paid 7400rs . Probably for each room the tariff may have been 1500 plus for a day with a sizeable surety. It could even be higher given the plush surroundings the rooms may have come up against in the new guest house.

The gentleman who had come to book the rooms wanted to be doubly sure that ac rooms were being given to him and in response the trust people assured him of double airconditioning. The thought that could have crossed many would be the rationale for seeking such plush rooms in Somnath. There have been airconditioned rooms in the old guest house which came for 400 rs in 2007. Perhaps the ac rooms in the old guest house have been dispensed with and the ac facility comes in new guest house. As for Somnath trust personnel, handling the guest house room responsibility, some among them need to uplift their conduct.  Hope more mature conduct is visible.

Apart from visiting the temple and roundabout the stay in Somnath saw me search for a cyber cafe which i discovered in Prabhas Patan. This is the only cyber cafe in the entire area and for other option one has to go all the way to Veraval. As for mysore sandal soap the search was exhaustive and in stores in Veraval some could be gained with no stores keeping the said soap in Somnath. As for one change from last time, it has been the attempt to keep photographers from functioning right opposite the temple.Photographers who used to take pictures a few metres away from the temple have been clearly told  to stay away from the entry/exit gate and park themselves near the amul parlour. This has affected their trade and perhaps a meeting of mind between trust people and photographers could bring the desired results.

Reservation centre but no phone booths
Shree Somnath shopping centre has new signboards and some new shops. More merchandise stores have come up. Absence of std/pco booth in the shopping centre has been hampering the smooth movement of devotees and others. Second there are no vegetable/fruit vendors in the shopping centre either. The shopping centre boasts of more tea outlets but no phone booth options. One of the major improvements from the past has been the functioning of computerised railway reservation centre (functioning from 8 to 2pm).

Meals from Somnath trust bhojanalaya
Meals from Somnath trust run bhojanalaya was hearty and an experience not to forget. Coming for 25rs, the standard was more than satisfactory. On the last day i could not take the meals as the rush was huge.
Somnath post office is located next to a dharamsala and a visit to the same is a must for postcards and other postal activities. The staff is helpful and the premises neat. Though small but it handles the expectations of customers quite well. As for the st bus stand it is in urgent need of a facelift.  The solitary guard at the somnath st bus stand in the night is quite exhausted and old. Perhaps a breathing space by putting him on a rotation and giving him the desired rest would be handy for the security of the bus stand as well.
Hotel Shivam ( near Somnath Temple)and the old man running it was very helpful. Hope to meet him in future.


In Prabhas Patan:
- annapurna bhojanalaya
- mahila chalit prakash nasta griha
- aryan gents parlour
- shivam provision
- shri somnath mart
- std booth
- ram medical stores
- nk provision store
- neel deep chemist
- abc medical store
- sabri store (staff here is very helpful)
In Veraval (for mysore sandal soap)
- madhyam pan and cold drink
-  neel kamal

All in all Somnath was a wonderful place to stay.

It is always a pleasure to have you in the studio when there are very few video. Since a reshuffle to the conducive cabinet is on the cards comprehensively made possible by cooperation from different hearts, more of the valuable opinion that you give in the studio would be welcome as most of those who participate in the debate don't come with their dose of rum.

The expected changes in the cabinet would be done on the basis of performance and capability; effectively meaning showing the capacity to perform to the best of their ability. There would be deduction and induction and the entire exercise keeping close to its true nature of sensation. Sensation is the key to success as only then one can have high growth access. 

Headache and aftermath: Humein headache kyon hote hai?

Headache and aftermath

Humein headache kyon hote hai? 1 In Manali - Leh section 2 In Waiting Hall No 3 for Govinda Sai

People travel long distances for varying purposes including the need to converse and reach out to a new set of friends. The long distances covered and the mode of transport employed could lead to proceedings that could uplift your sentiments or leave you with anxiety pangs. It is some  of the distances covered amidst a din here and a dust there that prods one to write about them.

The Manali-Leh journey
It was just before half past one in the morning i converged at the Manali bus stand in anticipation of a tempo traveller (mini bus) for Leh. It was my first visit with mixed feelings. Least aware about the topography of the region and the people residing there. The bus started at 2 . After the first halt coming after few minutes, the bus was on a road that had varied challenges. Around five  we had the first opportunity to get drowned in a tea thunder. Not strong but alive enough to keep you posted with ongoing proceedings. We went past Darcha and Sarchu. The halt at Sarchu gave the first hint that the head seem to be in a state of discomfort.
By the time i was 50kms away from Pang i was amidst a splitting headache. In Pang the stoppage was for over an hour and any attempt to retrieve any pain reliever failed. Purchased a woolen cap that could partially disassociate me from pain. Despite putting on the same the headache failed to abate. It was varying in intensity depending on the number of times i pressed my fingers to suppress it and the moment i discontinued the severe pain session returned. When we reached Upshi,  the discovery of a strip of crocin in the pocket brought the relief . I was fortunate the pain started receding after taking one tablet and in 20-odd minutes the pain was gone. The tablet infusion was preceded  by goodday biscuit.

Wait for Govinda Sai in waiting hall in samadhi mandir
In another incident while waiting for Govinda Sai in the samadi mandir the intensity of headache was severe.  The pain had  started the moment i took the morning bath. Two days earlier i had boarded a train and the ride lasted over 24 hours to Manmad. Amidst open windows and no sizeable intake of water, the train ride began to record convulsions by late afternoon.  Once in Shirdi i slept for five hours and that seemed to be not enough. The pain started before eight in the morning and by half past nine during the wait in the waiting hall  it looked to be a repeated session of hammer being brought to the head. Tried all asanas and pressing of fingers against head, no lasting relief could be gained as the moment i used to discontinue the pain used to return.  Perhaps the hall where i sighted Govinda Sai and going past the platform where he rests, the thought on headache almost vanished and appeared once i returned to the lodge.  And only after taking a medicine, the lasting relief came.

From two episodes two things are clear. First take maximum water on all journeys short or long. Second try to be in active mode: walking , stretching and any exposure to outside with windows completely open should be avoided.  Third put on enough clothes. Fourth if on long distance try to keep the head covered. Finally always carry a pain reliever. Some could say the lack of sleep creates the fertile environment for headache to endure. True to a large extent. But more important than that the habit to not take water regularly during journeys precipitates the pain crisis.

The stay in Somnath

Somnath and the view

These were the three days i spent in Somnath. Apart from making it sometimes to the aarti session (  aarti is at 7am, 12 pm and 7pm ), the hours during the day unfolded  with a walk to Prabhas Patan ( Somnath Gaon) or not skirting the possibility of sighting new decors around shopping centre. If none of these happenned i took an auto (shared auto is the norm here) to Veraval. Some among the daily grind were meant to procure necessities that could keep me going during my stay in Somnath. If a search for a laundrywallah took me all the way to other side of prabhas patan, it was primarily trigerred by a known laundry shop down with its shutters in the morning.

Inside the Somnath temple
The rounds to the temple could at the most be three times a day, coming against the backdrop of  an aarti  to be attended or having entirely missed the same going to make up for that one. Arrangements were in place and it did not take long for  queues to splinter and ensure a seamless movement. Inside if one made it just before aarti was to begin or even 10 minutes before that, the chance of staying in the hall was slim as the number of devotees following you was huge.

A time lag of 15 to 20 minutes  before aarti was to commence was sufficient for a place in the hall with a preferred departure only after aarti got over. It is precisely here that some modifications could be tried to better engage the devotees.  First the priest who moves with the aarti thali and takes a partial round of the hall, the passage for the same is cleared minutes before the ceremonial round. What the security establishment needs to do is to make it mandatory for those collected to stay clear of the passage route much before commencement of the aarti than getting pushed by security at the eleventh hour that actually leads to too much of pushing and shoving. Once the priest has taken the ceremonial round, the collected ones can come back and collect on the passage route. Second instructions on not carrying a cell or belt should be spelt out at the very first entrance from where the temple is about 300 metres away. Even before the cloak room. Third those who come with mobile could be handled with a  sense of conversation that does not border on temperamental twists.

One can understand the pressure under which the securitymen discharge their responsibilities and if devotees enter the temple with a mood conciliatory with their expectations - one that does not see spanking of any kind- half of the battle has been won by security. A mood that has been made to get derailed by a security that is acceptably upright but on occasions toughie of sorts can make the devotee lose the charm and sentiment.

Inside the hall the drum beats begin with the priest holding the aarti tray. At 7 am, 12 pm and 7 pm precise the drum beats should begin instead of waiting for someone to scream and make them begin their work. Finally those who go right up to the front (clear instructions should be spelt at entrance that having sighted the Lord one should move for the waiting crowd to get  their chance). Here too pushing should be avoided. The staff strength should be increased and put on more rotation to give them the breathing space. A near and perfect chemistry between devotees and security is not mandatory but efforts should be made to see that smooth conduct with smooth talk is an attempt worth trying. Because those who come from nearby and faraway places a view and a smooth passage is all that is aspired for.

To date there are no major flaws in the arrangements in and around Somnath temple and is one of the best . But there is a room for improvisation.

How a general class ticket holder can get receipt for sleeper class

How a general class ticket holder can get receipt for sleeper class

Insist on railway/bus ticket. one taking a general class ticket and entering the sleeper class should be made to pay according to the distance travelled. Say the passenger with a general class ticket and is in sleeper class he should be asked to pay upfront 200rs for 300km and between 200 and 250rs up to 500 km and 500km and beyond 300 to 350rs. The receipt issued would be waiting/boarding receipt for a general class ticket holder who is in sleeper class. No seats would be given but he has the liberty to stand and sit in the aisle and in areas near entry/exit points. If the commuter is able to find a seat for himself well and good. Otherwise he can travel in a sleeper class with a receipt duly issued by tte. This would stop the fleecing of  the general class ticket holders who wishes to be in sleeper class and yet has to pay to tte and doesn't get a receipt. Mind you here the sleeper class seat is not being given; a receipt is being given to stay in sleeper class.

Delhi could have been an ideal capital

Delhi could have been an ideal capital

If one were to forget the parliament and the squabble, there are other histrionics that call for urgent repair. Residents of the city seek a just order, the order that doesn't trample on their rights. City's segregation could be huge depending on the locales you stay and the civic amenities that come along.  Delhi's boast is on account of being the capital with a political pulse and a centre of navigational aids- the direction the business should take, the upshot the trading activity should embrace and the inflation that should be a riding concern or just a momentary lapse. Here the national  capital and its significance is well documented by the threadbare discussions , streetwise protests and and more than occasional collection of men face to face with those in the khaki.

From a reliable public transport 

This is the very city whose public transport was the cheapest and reliable in the 70s and 8os. Commute was not much of a problem and dynasty the political sphere talked about were few and far. The political assertion was heavy and assertive, the assumption that the business environment could succeed minus the political patronage was difficult to figure out and all  the licensing and the unfolding leverage that political wise men could indulge in was to give a longevity to their political innings and that of their bosses. A period heavy into state intervention, the man on the street too believed that whatever little desire he flaunted to gain he could get through "appropriate interventions". Unlike other cities of the country, the capital's clamour to remain on top was a seamless achievement given the politico-business convergence off and on. The city had few inhabitants and a few raise that the income class could see coming, the inducements for others to abandon their homeland and pitch their tent here was minimal.

As the city opened and the liberalisation legitimacy wind that swept the city and the country alike, the host that national capital was more than visible. A political paraphernalia (host of political leaders trying to take under their wings activists who wish to be a politico with a rider of sorts)  was close on the heels of business contingents that converged here from the country and beyond.  As for any capital city, it was equally true for Delhi when investment bugle had been sounded.  Investment (FDI)was the benchmark of success with most perceiving this as the legitimacy they desired but been denied and the windfall in income was seen as a course correction. All gadgets and give aways were grabbed by willing hands not realising the wrong precedent it was setting. Sectors after sectors in the industry believed FDI Fun was here to stay and the stock market sensation drove many to that fray. From where and at what level the resources(read money) had been arranged no one bothered; most wanted to soak themselves in one-and-a-half decade investment evolution.

Transport sector sees an upheaval

The early 90s picture emerged like this. The first aftereffect was dissonance. Private entities joined the transport business and redlines and bluelines in Delhi had a colossal impact on lives of its residents. The number of victims in a year was more than what the city would have seen in any decade. Yet their free run was undiluted and unchecked. Prior to this with more migrants coming to the city and more from within the city taking shelter in areas not recognised by the govt. , the entire cacophony was on "more the merrier". Migrants take was back home the earning potential in states like Bihar, UP and Rajasthan was not there given the "jungle raj" and a lacklustre administration that appeared to have a novice approach to pending issues.

Migration from other places

On fewer occasions since the 70s these states made an honest attempt to revive themselves as unsplit house (bihar from Jharkhand and UP from Uttaranchal) gave them enough elbow room to keep their critics at bay. Since power and water scene was equally bad in the entire country, they took the line that law and order and its improvement in their states was a gradual process. Law and order in states like Bihar has improved with a responsive administration in place. But this has not deterred the flow of migrants to other states as jobs are few due to lack of a strong industrial base.  The income potential that delhi and its roundabout had seen was not hard to miss and so was court's intervention that pollution-spreading industries would have to cede ground to residential establishments in the city. There was a furore and those having led their three -fourth of lives on that hope, a new life with a new set of challenges was the least they could reconcile to.

The vicious circle that trapped many

A new battle had begun as the number of personal transports and those plying diesel fumes emitting vehicles was rising by the day. The govt of the city was more geared to get more more private operators in business, never a thought sprang that govt.buses and their fleet could be revived. The change that came about led the single screen theatres turning to multiplexes, more and more private schools and colleges getting registered and an upheaval that led more to a vicious cycle that if you don't earn more , the pleasures of a "private setting" can't be experienced. Effectively put, a private home that had all the trappings of a modern establishment (from gizmos to swimming pools) thereby giving a fillip to the real estate that least deserved, a private vehicle that need to be exchanged for a new one every six months, a private school for your kin with no concern whatsoever on exorbitant school fees. A private high degree college from a developed world for their children was what most with corporate seduced pay structures desired. Even majority of those who did not have resources turned to banks - and there was no end to their scale of succumbing to temptations.

As govt. employees with a salary not commensurate with the expectations they had began to flaunt, the scams and  accompanying stunts became order of the day. In effect the sixth pay commission came and with its implementation the demand-supply dynamics underwent a sea change. Well the private sector had already ruptured the dynamics and the new pay structure led to a total assault. Assault was not only on the economic fabric, the political fabric too got the undesirable windfall it least deserved. With a background in running social groups and other businesses, the political sons/ daughters gained entry to political theatre. Charges of graft were flying fast and with their seniors at the helm for over a decade these sons and daughters had a seamless entry to positions of power. Instead of probing into their deeds committed in hosting big events, they set out to target others by using the powers they have at their disposal.
As for power/water hike, what the authorities don't understand is that a govt servant may well accept the  hike as nothing is going from his pocket. The moment he is not a govt servant, the pressure that would be on him to get a new high-paying job or the pressure that he would bring on his sons/daughters to take high-paying jobs would be tremendous.  Such hikes do such ruptures.

In the city most believe that if one wish to do a business, trading activity and an assignment, the thing to bear in mind is that only right connections matter. If one wishes to highlight the irrational hike in power/water tariff, there are ways to silence the protest. With the govt intending to raise petrol price by another 5rs to be followed by diesel and LPG, like in any  other city this city residents too would suffer in silence. A politico and his family who has built his fortune in politics and politics alone or a bureaucrat or his family who has built his empire during govt stint would never be able to understand the rupture these hikes bring. Such hikes make more and more people amenable to undesirable influences and a fall in a vicious cycle that no one desires. A beginning from our end where we use the public transport the most, use lpg to the minimum and try to inculcate in young ones that a govt. school is a good option is the least we can do. Private schools could be tried where there is a broad understanding that fees are within limits and if need be either pa or ma could take classes in subjects - provided they are moulded to that end - to see that any raise for entire school is avoided. Hard target but achievable

There are millions who don't take ticket from a bus conductor as the bus conductor says that this bus does not have stoppage for such places and yet would be stopping the bus are doing disservice. All commuters should insist on a bus ticket. Similar should be the conduct in the trains. A beginning from our side could make a difference. A whimper of protest here and a whimper of protest there won't yield much.

Points in order
- elections 2014 should be preceded by a round where a majority opinion on which all contestants they would like to be in the fray. Say two names come up in a finding for every constituency. Then the two names can be contestants along with other party candidates. It is not possible in all 543. Begin this exercise in 150-odd constituencies. It may have loopholes but it can get a success where a candidate comes who uses the MP Local area fund to its logical end and the one who is not tarred by votebank and caste considerations. A difficult approach but can be tried.

- insist on a railway/bus ticket. one taking a general class ticket and entering the sleeper class should be made to pay according to the distance travelled. Say the passenger with a general class ticket and is in sleeper class he should be asked to pay upfront 200rs for 300km and between 200 and 250rs up to 500 km and 500km and beyond 300 to 350rs. The receipt issued would be waiting/boarding receipt for a general class ticket holder who is in sleeper class. No seats would be given but he has the liberty to stand and sit in the aisle and in areas near entry/exit points. If the commuter is able to find a seat for himself well and good. Otherwise he can travel in a sleeper class with a receipt duly issued by tte. This would stop the fleecing of  the general class ticket holders who wishes to be in sleeper class and yet has to pay to tte and doesn't get a receipt. Mind you here the sleeper class seat is not being given; a receipt is being given to stay in sleeper class.

Reports in a section of press on envelope

According to reports appearing in a section of press which is under no stress, the visit of China's defence minister to India went unnoticed till the envelope puzzle brought an element of justice.  As per a report the minister while travelling from mumbai to delhi kept quite all the while and when his aircraft touched delhi where he found most who were outside the aircraft with a big belly could not prevent himself to tell the indian pilots who had flown him to be in the same belly of things - sound health - and to ensure this he was handing one envelope to each pilot  (there were two pilots in all) to see to it their health gets the requisite highlight.

China and the neighbouring and diverging nations that surround us or have an intention to surround us have been alarmed at the regularity of indian pilots going on a strike without informing the pilots of neighbouring countries. Pilots going on strike and even not willing to return to home during strike period puzzled the volunteers and volunteers willing to be piloteers. As a result pilots of the neighbouring and visible countries spoke to their bosses , who in turn spoke to their bosses visible during day and night that something urgent needed to be done to the deteriorating condition of indian pilots. Following this submission, those enjoying the rank of a minister and those potential and yet not been declared ministers of neighbouring countries have been making repeated foray to india to discuss the pilot fraternity health at length

When the defence minister of china boarded the plane, the first thing he wanted to do was to discuss at length with the pilots the issues they faced. With no mediator on board this did not happen. Before  deboarding the flight , the govt functionary handed the pilots the envelope they deserved, something that had been eluding them for long. It was an expression of gratitude for not having strayed and taken him to a destination he deserved. This the govt. functionary did not discuss with the indian govt. functionary as the envelope had been made ready to be distributed solely after taking the required dosage of rum.

Following this episode of envelope emnacipation, the govt. of india has been flooded with requests from volunteers and vacationers that they too needed to be considered for being taken on board as when a  neighbouring country functionary comes visiting us. 

Reaching Somnath from Dwarka

Reaching Somnath from Dwarka

Before attempting to write about the Dwarka-Somnath journey i undertook, it would be worth saying a word or two about the Dwarka-Nageshwar stretch and the well laid out road.  The road for Nageshwar begins a km before the Advent cinema and going past the rail track which on the right side has the Dwarka station and on the left the track going all the way to Okha. Having taken a chakda, the commute from Dwarka started at 9.41 and at no point in the entire 16.5-km distance  the road appeared to be ruptured or broken. Heavy rains that hadn't visited the region for long may be one factor combined with all probability of a fresh coating being put to the entire stretch. A cakewalk and this was no small consolation.

Leaving Dwarka for Somnath
Before leaving for Somnath i spent some time in Dwarka post office. "Smile you are on CCTV" is what you come across as you wait for postcards to be posted. The said post office is clean and there are fewer visitors. After post cards have been duly marked, i leave the premises not before handing a picture of Lord Govinda to a staff member.

Near Dwarka Post Office
 It is near rabari gate adjacent to Dwarka post office i wait for a transport for Porbandar.  Adjacent to Rabari gate there is a circuit house board next to which stands a std/isd/pco booth. For now this is effective for fax and xerox as std phone is hard to find. People have been flocking the place for xerox and other queries and perhaps the STD delink is due to falling number of customers . Even near the auto stand inside the Dwarka town which has chaar rasta  the STD booth is not functional. Hotel Toran board and a tea stall (strong tea laced with acceptable sugar can be taken from here) define the surroundings near rabari gate  which has on the opposite side bank of india atm, hotel radhika and pooja.

Left Dwarka at 2.05 in  the afternoon and from here somnath is 231, porbandar  98. You go past a hoarding of Tata Chemicals thanks for visting salt city mithapur. At 3.08 harsiddhi temple is accessed and by 3.20 leave the place to come across a bridge nearby which is under repair.  At 3.45 Somnath is shown to be 159. When Porbandar is 9, Rajkot is shown to be 19 ( probably figure 8 is missing; it should read 189). Going past naval base p'dar . Reach outskirts of p'dar at 4.25. From the mini bus the commuters were in we shift to a shared auto as buses have been debarred from plying in the city with an intent to check pollution.  At Porbandar st bus stand which i am in by 4.40 there is an ad hoarding that says "thinking of growth, think of us" . The Porbandar bus stand is under renovation and hope it meets commuters expectations. In fact there are a large number of ST bus stands across Gujarat and Maharashtra that are under renovation or been completed with success.

 Leave Porbandar ST bus stand at 5, go past gujarat maritime board, cycle stand, scooter stand and  birlasagar b gate. When Madhopur is  between 52 and 50.5 km from here  the road lined with trees on either side remind you of the ride between Udhagamandalam and Coonoor near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.  At 6.15 reach Madhopur bus stand and leave at 6.25 .
At 6.35 the bus is on NH 8E, with Somnath 67 and bhavnagar 330.  Before reaching Chorwad at 7.30 there are narrow lanes through which the bus goes and past that there is shri dhirubhai pravesh dwar on right.

 Reach veraval at 8  and Somnath at nine.

The two-day stay in Dwarka (Jamnagar)

The two-day stay in Dwarka (Jamnagar)

The very first hour of my stay in Dwarka witnessed light showers in the town. Having taken accommodation not that far from the temple, the room inside on the fourth floor was spacious, neat and tidy. Surely a welcome departure from the shorter version which i availed in the past. It was a Wednesday and by late evening i had the first opportunity to visit the Dwarkadish temple. This was followed by meals in aarti restaurant which had seen an increase in thali fare by 15rs from last year.

The next day after another round of the temple i searched for mysore sandal soap  - and all possible solutions suggested i would be able to have it from a gandhi provision store. It was between 8 and 9 in the morning when it poured like anything and i was told the intensity of shower was the first of its kind in the past two to three months. The said store opened by nine and i collected the soap and other daily necessities. After taking another round of the temple with the necessities intact, i checked out of guest house with the bag deposited in the store room.

I headed towards the crossing from where chakdas - the most notable mode of transport in the region - could be accessed. By 9.41 i left for Nageshwar going past advent cinema hall and a railway crossing. At 10.12 i was in Nageshwar. Inside the temple the sanctum sanctorum could be accessed with an entrance fee of 210rs. This was almost 100rs more from last year. Taken back by this upsurge i still decided to go inside. With prayers said and written i stepped out after taking out the dhoti which is mandatory. From Shivam studio got the picture clicked with Lord Shiva's reigning statue in the backdrop. The return journey began at 10.45 and by five past 11 i was in Dwarka again.

The Dwarkadish temple gates close by 12.30 in the afternoon and still there was ample time to take a final darshan. Between 11 and 1 the town was splurged with another set of rains and i somehow managed to get back to the tempo stand from the temple. There was enough slush and collection of water on either side and yet one could navigate on foot if patience was not a luxury. This time round in Dwarkadish i managed to get a new pair of pyjamas from c l taylor on devi bhuhan road.

- Balaji Bhawan was the guest house where i stayed.

- anand medical store for taking savlon/dettol.

- opposite gandhi provision store is another gandhi store smaller in size. with writing pads and pens, the store  is manned by a young man whose attributes of honesty and politeness can easily be located.

- the nageshwar temple is complete even without stepping inside the sanctum sanctorum. One can have a better view of the Jyotirlinga from the hall as well.

-  Krishna shopping complex has a cyber cafe which i could not access this time.

- visited dwarka post office near rabari gate for sending postcards. The staff was cooperative                           and the premises neat. "Smile you are on cctv" is the sticker that abounds in the post office.

- swaminarayan temple was one which i failed to visit this time. Whenever a new flag is hoisted in the temple, there is an elaborate spread of prasadam served in swaminarayan temple.
- the never-to-be-missed visits to bet dwarka and okha port had to be skipped as i had to take a return journey by late afternoon.

Dwarka was great and the places i skipped this time could be on schedule as and when Lord Dwarkadish calls me.

Delhi could have been a role model

Power tariff hike in Delhi is highly unjustified

Power tariff hike in Delhi is highly unjustified

Four hikes in a space of 10 months. Who can justify this.

The 26 per cent hike in power tariff in Delhi which came into effect from July 1 this year is highly unjustified. According to reports in papers this was the fourth hike in power tariff in the past 10 months. August last year it was raised by 22 per cent followed by 5 per cent in February this year and 2 per cent in May. And this was rounded up with another 26 per cent hike.

I was not in the national capital so was not aware about any protest breaking out on this issue. But the regulator who has the final word on the tariff hike seems to have a cakewalk and been given a free hand. Most residents of National Capital believe that ever since power distribution went to private hands the hikes have been highly unjustified and irrational. At one end the govt. underscores the need to check inflation and at other end it gives the regulator the freedom it least deserves as far as bringing a power tariff hike is concerned.

Most residents believe that power regulator has secured enough leverage and is making the most of it. It paints a picture where the combined deficits of discoms is huge and there is no other way to bring the deficits down than resorting to a power tariff hike. There can be a middle road . First you hiked it by 22 per cent, followed it by 5 and 2 per cent and finally coming to a mammoth 26 per cent. All in a space of one year. Delhi residents need to take this battle to its logical end and see that a course correction is undertaken. That is highly unlikely and only an intervention of an effective nature coming from residents including those residing on rent is urgently required by uniting and showing displeasure that it is not only hurting them but even those coming from outside and trying to find medical treatment and work here.

 For a household which used to get a power bill in the range of 3500 to 4500rs or even less than that, the power bill comes nowadays showing that such and such household has been consuming more units than earlier effectively translating into a bill of rs 7000 and above. In the past the units consumed would have been less or within a  stipulated limit to keep the bill in the 3000 to 4500 level. Are we to believe that the surge in units consumed gets disproportionately high in one particular month or disproportionately high once the power hike comes into effect? If you intend to continue with this fallacy, the returns that you expect to bring a turnaround to your fortunes will never happen. At least in a country like ours you should be honest and deliver for people for whom you are expected to serve. Regulator can't have the final word. Right from those on a limited salary to those coming to Delhi for work, medical treatment, business and other activities - all and all of them are bearing the brunt of an unjustified and irrational power tariff hike. People are furious because of other factors including inflation. Don't take their patience for granted.

From rs 3 to 3.70 for every unit up to 200 units and from rs 5.70 to 6.40 for every unit for above 400 units. This is steep and few would approve of this. A middle ground is not hard to find.

Reaching Dwarka

Reaching Dwarka

After a day stay in Ahmedabad, the next destination to approach was Dwarka. On a Wednesday morning reached Gita mandir bus stand. The commute was completed in a three-wheeler with the man at the wheels as cooperative as he could be. Buses were lined for destinations like Somnath, Dwarka and Rajkot. The STD booth right behind the bus parking lot was amply helpful with the one manning the same able to place me and seeing me chant Lord Govinda's name he too revealed the opportunity he secured to visit Tirumala in the past. The bus for Jamnagar started at 8.06 , going past stores like Bhutan Products Druk Tirupati Trading Co. and Sardar Patel market identified with a clock tower. This was followed by a Kite museum and a hoarding which triumphed on Aug. Thunder : "Because Aug. comes once in a year. Make the most of it".

On a Desai road there is a soda shop Gandhi 1947 followed by another hoarding "residential plots starting at less than 3.5 lacs". Then there is a satellite station sporting a clock not in a functioning mode. Left Satellite at 8.30 and soon we were on NH 47. Whatever road diversion we came across began and ended in Changodar area. At Zydus Research Centre and roundabout, Dwarka is shown to be 427 km . Around nine the bus goes past Zydus Cadila with people reporting for work. Further down there are hoardings and directions to Sheetal Varsha Internet Village.

First Toll Gate

The first toll gate comes at 9.45 with the board showing Somnath, Bhuj, Rajkot and Morbi falling in the same direction though directions to some are different after Rajkot. When Rajkot is 145 km away we are on NH 8A and a board reads Rajkot National Highway Limit begins. Limbdi is accessed at 10.30 with Rajkot still 118km away. The halt happens at Hotel Avadh for meals with Hemu bhai coming to your rescue on food options. At 11.25 Rajkot is 91 followed by Rajkot 65 at 11.50. Chotila is accessed at 12.10 with clear directions to a Jalaram guest house. With Bamanbore toll plaza coming at 12.30, Rajkot and Dwarka are shown to be 36 and 289 kms away. With 19 km left for Rajkot to be gained i spot a Bihar Tyre service shop on the right side. And when it is 3 km away, the Somnath board shows it to be a 198-km cakewalk.

At 1.18 in the afternoon i am in Rajkot ST bus stand with a halt enough to sight on the back of a three-wheeler delivery van the biscuits with the fame of seesaw, salt kiss and cream 4 run. As the bus leaves, out on a corner is an Ambassador with IA (indian Airlines) sign etched on it with a number GJ-3k 1554. Another car, probably a fiat i spotted in Ahmedabad the other day had GLB-8374.

From here Okha and Ahmedabad are equidistant

Once in the outskirts of Rajkot i come across a new Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, almost on the verge of getting completed. It is at 1.50 that distances between Okha and Ahmedabad are equally split with Okha at 242 and Ahmedabad at 241. Reach Paddhari at 2.08 followed by Khamta at 2.20. In between at 2.10 Jamnagar is shown to be 63 km away. At 2.25 we reach All India Radio Super Power Transmitter Akashvani bus stand. Rain starts at 2.30 to last barely few minutes and later there is another spell of shower.
Stoppages between Rajkot and Jamnagar are: Paddhari, Dhrol, Bejara, Rampur and Jambuda. At 2.48 spot a three- wheeler for the first time on the National Highway stretch. Outskirts of Jamnagar are out and out drenched and deboard the bus at 3.20 at saath rasta in the city. From here head towards teen batti chowk and take masala dosa(between 40 and 60rs) from Madras Hotel. The kalpana restaurant from where i had the meals last time is probably under renovation. Adjacent to Madras hotel are Anand book centre and novelty store among others. Reach Jamnagar ST bus stand just after 4.30 and the ride from teen batti chowk is familiar going past Jamnagar Municipal Corporation, Pradarshan Ground and Vivekananda Garden.

The bus for Dwarka begins at 5 (this bus too has originated from Ahmedabad) with Sikka coming just before 5.30, Reliance at 5.40 and Khambaliya at 6.15 in the evening. In Khambaliya the Revenue building has DC office, Mamlatdar office and subregistrar office. Amongst stores in Khambaliya are Shiv provision, Jay traders and somewhere in between is Rajhans hair parlour, two shops at different ends. Spot a tractor here with a number that probably reads GAJ 787. Most of the passengers get down at Khambaliya ST bus stand and from here there are barely 10 on board for Dwarka journey. Out of Khambaliya by 6.30 and at 7.15 Dwarka is 42 and at 7.35 Dwarka is 20km. Finally the bus is in Dwarka at 8.10 . From Khambaliya to Dwarka the ride is amidst a rain spell with a wavering momentum.

For a journey of over 440 km, the ride on two different buses of GSRTC was smooth enough given the better laid out roads. Signages are plenty and error free. One can cover Ahmedabad-Dwarka stretch on govt.buses and if one does not break the journey, the ride can be accomplished in under 11 hours. An hour in Dwarka and it begins to drizzle.