Visiting Shreenathjee temple again; leaving for Udaipur

Visiting Shreenathjee temple again; leaving for Udaipur

Monday was the day i visited Shreenathjee temple once again. In the morning just before eight i vacate the room in Hari Darshan hotel. I head to temple. Mr Sudhir Bhai of Junagadh on the way tells me there won't be any darshan at 9.30 am. The gates are closed for 9.30 am darshan. As i move to the courtyard of the temple i think i have ample time to do my writing. As i begin to write prayer half an hour later it begins to drizzle. I take shelter inside. The temple people are very cooperative. As rain subsides i return to my place and i resume my writing. Barely twenty minutes into writing there are two men who are speaking in a local dialect and their verbal misuse is all rampant. That episode showed the sorry state of affairs.May Lord Krishna deter such men from engaging in verbal misuse and that too in a temple. Once i had completed writing i move to the courtyard where there are devotees in multiple and we all wait for gates to open. There are separate queues for men and women.

After gates are thrown open i move to a wooden platforms in a small hall from where one can sight Lord Shreenathjee. The prayer on the lip is Lord Shreenathjee give frequent opportunities in future to visit Nathdwara temple. After sighting Lord Shreenathjee who is also referred to as Lord Dwarkadishjee i come out of temple only to see rains in full fury. I take shelter near the shoes stand and wait for rains to subside. After a wait for twenty minutes here and a store nearby i rush towards Hotel Hari Darshan. I get into another outfit and head to Poonam AC Dining hall to have meals. The staff at the dining hall is  excited to spot me and that makes me feel better. Among the staff there is Mr Naru, Mr Jeevan, Mr Fatehlal and Mr Suresh bhai. After taking meals i head to a pan centre near Neelam Dining Hall run by Mr Ganesh Bhai . At Neelam Dining Hall i see Mr Chetan sitting at the counter.

The man at Lalan Mobile shop Mr Kailash is kind enough to restore my mobile connection. I visit one final time to temple and the point i can access are the outside gates. Near the hotel at Lord Hanuman temple i spot Upma selling garlands. I collect my luggage from hotel and hail an auto driven by Mr Wasim. Mr Wasim is kind enough to drop me at the bus stand.  I spot a bus headed towards Udaipur Abu Road. No sooner I take a seat i come across a woman who is speaking in Telugu, the language largely spoken in Andhra Pradesh State.  To get a water bottle I get down from the bus and on the way greet Mr Laxman Singh a security guard at the construction of the gate.

Government schools converted to Private schools leaving students in distress
As i get back into the bus I am introduced to Mr Paniraj from Guntur and  Mr Srinivas Rao from Kalahasti which is near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh State. In the bus there is Principal Sadhna Chaplot in Govt Secondary School for boys. The Principal comes from Udaipur to Nathdwara and back every day. According to her, in her school earlier there were 1300 students on the rolls which at one point dropped to 75 and at present the strength is 125. There were two government schools with huge infrastructure in Nathdwara  and in no time they were handed to private institutions at throwaway price. A large number of students who were in these government schools were in no position to pay high fees charged by private schools so they had to discontinue their studies. There is mushrooming of private schools in the entire state.  There is only one Jain school which provides education free of cost from class 1 to 12 in Nathdwara. There is an urgent need to arrest the trend of handing over government schools to private hands as this is creating a scenario where a large number of students have had to discontinue studies. Right across the country the government schools need to be encouraged and that too with a large heart. You can't leave students who are paying minimal fees in government schools at the mercy of private institutions. Madam Sadhna Chaplot spoke on the need to have space for pedestrians who take long walk to different pilgrim sites in the country. Space for pedestrians along the road leading to different pilgrim sites would help to make their long arduous walk safe.

Meeting a Pune Student
Meet Ms Simran Surana a student of Surya Dutt College in Pune.  According to her, Education, hostel and mess fees comes to about Rs 1,70,000 a year with the Programmes offered like BBA, BBI, BCA, PGDM, MBA. There are Afghani and Iranian students among foreign students on the rolls of college. Each Programme has roughly 40 students. She travels by bus from Pune to Rajsamand her home district which takes 24 hrs and the fare is roughly between 1600 to 1800 rs. Ms Simran's mother is doing business of organising exhibitions on boutiques across India.

In the bus i also happen to meet Mr Prem Kumar from Rajsamand who was equally concerned at the appalling conditions in which the government hospitals were working across the country. There is a need to infuse new energy to these govt hospitals across country with enough care taken to see they have requisite doctors and all necessary equipments. The need to have hospital invigilators who would oversee the functioning of hospitals would help to improve the functioning of govt hospitals. Mr Kumar was of the view that most govt hospitals got their equipments distorted delibarately so that patients don't visit such hospitals. The need for hospital reforms in govt hospitals across country was the need of the hour. The Central govt/state Govts have to make a headway in this direction if they wish to serve the country in a true spirit.
The need to have a second All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi was the task the Central Govt/State Govt should get going on an urgent basis. The pollution in the national capital of Delhi is something for which there is an urgent need to set in pace some drastic measures like surcharge on any household having a second car.

The Bus leaves from Udaipur at 2.25 pm. Going past Times Raj Mahal restaurant at 2.40 Ahmedabad is shown to be 268 kms
At 2.45 Gomati Chauraha Udaipur highway toll gate
At 2.47 a sign showing Udaipur Majera Gudli
At 2.50 a public phone booth which is closed
At 2.53 a sign guiding Udaipur Kolar
At 2.55 greenery on either side
At 2.57 Eklingnath Temple of Lord Shiva
At 3.03 Sas Bahu temple
At 3.06 Udaipur 16 km

Since three pm greenery is seen on either side

At 3.07 a tunnel comes
At 3.07 Mumbai is shown to be 759 kms
At 3.10 Ahmedabad 263 kms Pindwara 96 kms
At 3.14 Concrete structures emerge
At 3.15 Bhuwana
At 3.32 Kalyan Jewellers showroom
At 3.34 a signboard showing Rana Pratap Nagar Railway station
At 3.35 Udaipur bus stand
At the wheels is Mr Sohan Lal who is very humble.

Mr Nisamuddin is the auto man who takes me to Udaipole. In Hotel Vrindavan the rooms come for a hefty price and i settle for Hotel Parn Kuti in Agrasen Marg. There is Mr K P Aggarwal the owner of the hotel. Staff members include Mr Inderpal Singh, Mr Ganpat Singh, Mr Pratap Singh and Mr Mukesh. In Udaipole i come across
Hotel Udai Palace
Hotel Deep Palace
Hotel Vrindavan
Hotel Parn Kuti
SBI ATM
Hotel Vrindavan

The room in Hotel Parn Kuti is fairly clean with an attached bathroom and a TV set that works. I head to Swastik Typing Internet on Monday evening to compose story on my stay in Nathdwara. Almost two hours are spent in the cyber cafe. Tuesday morning after reciting Sunderkand i set on a course to explore Udaipur city. Start from Hotel at 8.45. As i come out of Hotel i spot Vinayak Shree Travels taxi and bike on rent.

There is Mr Shivji from Village Khajuri and Mr Ramesh Vyas guiding me to Hathi Pole. Going past Balshram Ucch Prathmik Vidyalaya (educational institute). There is a jeep with the number plate RJC 3185 driven by Mr Id Mubarik. On the way come across
Hotel Royal Palm
Holiday Makers India Dubai Thailand
Thali Rajasthani Gujarati 140 rs
Hotel Haadi Rani Palace
Kailash Auto Mechanical works
Mr Ravi driving a water van
Magenta mattresses and pillows
Kardhan Dining Hall and restaurant
Mr Praveen Kumar selling poha namkeen
Mr Gaurav Sharma coming with family from Gurgaon
Hotel Hari Darshan
Priya tours & travels
Daily services Udaipur to Mt Abu 8 am and 3 pm
Swastik Typing Internet Email Fax STD ISD PCO
Shreeji Enterprises
Meeting Mr Liaqat
Meeting Mr Hari Lal a Security Guard
Meeting Mr Roshan Lal Staying in Udaipur for a long time
Ganesh restaurant Rajasthani Gujarati thali
Santosh Bhojanalaya
Nashta Centre cart run by Mr Lakshmi Lal
Junior study school students being taken in an auto to school
Mr Munendra Singh Security guard
Kanhaiya Boot House
Khadi Bhandar
Mr Babloo selling belts
India bag centre

On the way also come across
Mr Kuldeep preparing to get admission in college in Udaipur
Nagendar selling socks ; i purchase a pair of socks from him
Ratan Jal Mandir
Mr Murlidhar guiding me to Hathi Pole
Near Delhi Gate a Temple
Anjali Furniture
Ashwini Bazar
Student Mahaveer Khant in Pratap Nagar College an ITI College which has Rs 4450 fee every year
Mr Bishnu selling socks
Mechneers India Mr Ambalal at the shop
Shreeji Plywood Hardware and Decor
Mr Pintoo Kumar from Bihar selling socks
Reach Hathi Pole at 9.45 am
Mr Shailendar Singh Solanki guiding me to lakes
Alankar Handicraft Mr Khan Ghaffar bhai at the stop

Meeting Mr Vijay Maliwal who has come from Nanded in Maharashtra. Mr Maliwal informs me that even after crossing 80 he is in pink of health with no health worries. By God's blessings he remains healthy round the year. I extend my best wishes to him and tell him i have been to Ahmednagar and other places in Maharashtra.
Further ahead there is
Rangeela Rajasthan
Banduk ki Dukan
Meeting Mr Shahid guiding me to lakes
Kabab-e- hayat Hyderabad Biryani
Al-Madina tour and travels
Mr Girdhari Sahu sweet shop has on offer Jalebi, Imarti, Gulab Jamun
Meeting Mr Hmza working in IT Sector in Kuwait who came by Air India from Kuwait to Ahmedabad and from Ahmedabad to Udaipur by bus. Meet Mr Chotulal a member of cleaning staff.

Reach Fateh Sagar lake at 10.25 am. There is an Ambassador car RJY 5737.
 There are a large number of literatures near the lake. One read:  Jaisamand lake is Asia's second largest artificial lake located 45 kms from Udaipur. Ahead there is a personnel cleaning lake

At Fateh sagar lake
Mr Narendar Singh coming from Mandsaur
Mr Saurabh Soni hailing from Uttarakhand and working in Allahabad Bank in Timarpur near Delhi University North Campus. He is waiting for his friend who would be accompanying him to explore the city.

Visiting Shreenathji temple in Nathdwara

Reaching Udaipur; head towards Nathdwara; stay in Nathdwara

From Dabhok Chowk near Udaipur Airport i took a share ride in mini cab probably Tata Magic driven by Bindu. Mr Bindu is kind enough to drop me at the point from where i can get public transport to Nathdwara in Rajasthan state. Meet a girl student studying in a school near Udaipur. Meet Krishna Joshi who guides me to Sooraj Pole. Take meals from a restaurant near Udaipur Bus Stand.The meals probably Gujarati Thali comes for a little over 150 rs. The security guard at this restaurant is always smiling and that is enough to win admirers. Later i  head towards Udaipur Bus Stand to take bus for Nathdwara. Here i meet two girl students from Gujarat Pooja and Mansi who have come to Udaipur to attend a wedding. The bus starts at 4.52 pm from Udaipur. Going past Hotel Savera, Hotel Sangam, Hotel Manthan. A board shows Airport 21 km, Jodhpur 265 km. Two women in their early 20s board the bus at two different points. One is having chana masala and other one who is having something like kurkure is licking her fingers. Perhaps Hygiene is not on her mind. Cleanliness is the biggest religion. Go past Hotel Tirupati at 5.37 pm. At 5.39 a board shows Delhi 642 km Jaipur 373km. I am in Nathdwara a little after 6 pm where i spot a flyover which was not there in 2011.

Reaching Hotel Hari Prem; later Hari Darshan in Kumhar Wada

The auto i took and the hotel i reached were nowhere near Hotel Hari Darshan i intended to go. Hotel Hari Prem behind New Cottage Sindhi Colony Nathdwara was where the auto left me and Hotel Hari Prem staff was kind enough to show me the way to Hotel Hari Darshan which is on Main bus stand road Mandir Marg, Kumhar Wada, Nathdwara. Mr Vipin is at the counter and the mobile number i show him probably existed over 10 years ago when i stayed in Hotel Hari Darshan in January 2006 while coming from Barmer after doing a story on restoring of a rail link between Munabao in India and Khokhrapar in Pakistan. In Hari Darshan I get the room on first floor. Sighting Lord Hanuman Temple nearby brings back the memories of stay in Nathdwara on earlier occasions.

Visiting Shreenathjee Temple after six years

Saturday morning i head to a general store run by Ajay bhai near Dhirajdham near Vijay Dining Hall to get diary and pen. A little after 9 am i am in Shreenathji temple. Sighting Lord Shreenathji is a moving experience. I am visiting Shreenathjee temple after six years. Later i take meals (Gujarati Thali) from Vijay Dining Hall near Dhirajdham, Nathdwara. Neelam Dining hall in the same lane is the restaurant which i used to visit in the past. I visit bus stand in search of a cyber cafe and what i discover in the course of four days is all cyber cafes have folded up due to fewer customers turning up. Near bus stand Nathdwara there is Krishna computers and Gayatri computers both ceasing to exist as cyber cafes. In Bombay market in Chopatty near temple the lone cyber cafe too has folded up.

Brajwasi Bhang Thandaiwala near Chopatty  i have visited in the past and here meeting Mr Mathura Lal  whom i met in 2009 is a pleasant experience. Sunrise Digital Studio is run by Mr Jose from Kottyam district, Changanacherry town. He has spent over 40 yrs in Nathdwara. He says he is a sole man from Kerala in Nathdwara. His brother earlier worked in Shreenathjee Karyalaya Mukh Nishpadan Adhikari Mandir Mandal Nathdwara. In Railway Central enquiry and reservation office Mr Umesh Sharma is at the counter who books a ticket from Udaipur to Ajmer.

Sunday morning i visit Lord Shreenathji temple a little after 4.45 in the morning. The stay in temple is for few minutes. Outside I come across Mr Jagdish Kapur distributing papers who earlier has worked for Rajasthan Patrika newspaper and whose Son is working in a newspaper as well. A little after 10 am i visit the temple for a longer duration. Take meals from Neelam Dining Hall located near Dhirajdham. In the evening i meet Mr Deepesh from Andheri who is a Civil Engineer and took a flight from Mumbai to Jodhpur and from Jodhpur to Nathdwara came by bus. Near temple at Kalyan Toys there is Mr Kailash at counter. Mr Kanhyalal Khandelwal Panditji is running a piao (water container) in the vicinity of temple. He says there are six piaos in all in Nathdwara town.  He says Thakurji (Shreenathji) resides here and most devotees happen to come from Rajasthan and Gujarat States. Meet Govind a tangewala. Meet Satyanarayanan Paliwal who has been residing in Nathdwara for years. In Vallabh Mukt Shringar shop near temple Gopal and Hitesh are brothers looking after the shop. Hitesh introduces me to Mr Kapil Purohit who has played cricket at school level and plans to play at senior level. Meet Mr Chitresh teaching sociology in a college in Nathdwara. Meet Mr Govind Purohit of Shreenath Itar Bhandar. Meet Mr Harish bhai of Tirupati Music Centre whose Sons Satish Bhai and Tilak bhai too look after the store.

In Bank of Baroda ATM happen to meet Mr Ghanshyamlal residing in Nathdwara for 77 yrs, meet Ms Priyanka Vyas residing in Nathdwara for a long time. Meeting Mr Shafi Mohammad who has spent 60 yrs in Udaipur. He guides me on the places i could explore in Udaipur. Meet Mr Kamla bhai from Kakroli, Mr Babu Lal who has spent Over 50 yrs in Nathdwara, Mr Kal Meena who has spent 45 yrs in Nathdwara. There is Mr Devi Lal of Shree Gopal Krishan Dairy, Mr Dileep Singh who has spent eight yrs in Nathdwara. Villages/places near Nathdwara happen to be Nathvas, Dingela, Ulupura, Sudapura, Railway Station Moghana. Meet Ms Yashoda. Meet Mr Pratap Singh in Mahalaxmi snacks and Mr Gopal from Bengaluru who came in a group flying from Banglore to Delhi and from Delhi to Nathdwara by bus.

Meeting Mr Karthik from Ahmedabad; meeting Mr Sudhir Bhai from Junagadh in Gujarat

On another occasion happen to meet Mr Uday Ram of Nathdwara, Mr Jamnadas bhai from Rajkot in Gujarat state, meet Mr Sundar bhai tea maker, meet Mr Daulat Singh automan who gives respect to me by saying Dada yahan par koi ATM nahi hai, ATM aage hai (Sir, there is no ATM here, ATM is ahead). In search of ATM i happen to meet Mr Amar Singh Kitabadi a Security Guard at Bhandari complex. Mr Shailesh from Tonk in Rajasthan has been coming to Nathdwara after every two months. Mr Harshit from Indore (425km from Nathdwara) who came through Bhilwara. Carrying two sets of prasad Mr Karthik tells me he comes from Ahmedabad Once a year to Nathdwara. Coming to know  places like Dwarkadish, Somnath, Okha port, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Bhavnagar, Kutch, Veraval, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Ahmedabad I have visited in Gujarat, Mr Karthik is in for a long conversation with me. Then there is Khandelwal Kirana Store run by Mr Pramod Khandelwal. There is Mr Uttam Singh residing in Nathdwara. While taking tea in the morning came across Mr Sudhir Bhai who has come with his Father Mr Indu Bhai. They are coming from Junagadh. They Took a train from Rajkot at 12 pm, reached Mavli 5 am.  Took a share taxi to Nathdwara. Mr Sudhir Bhai is doing cold drinks business in Junagadh a place i have been to visit Gir Sanctuary in 2005 i tell him. Mr Sudhir Bhai informs me he has taken his father to Jagannath Temple in Puri in Orissa State some months ago the temple i visited in April 2015. How his old father would have managed in the temple rush in Puri is something to ponder over. Something else to ponder over is Gujarat elections.  As elections are underway in Gujarat state the verdict can go either way. Mr Sudhir Bhai does not agree with me. He agrees with me that Lotus could bloom in the state with a slender margin. Mr Hardik Patel had visited Nathdwara recently i am told. The three boys representing different sections in Gujarat state would have a negligible impact on polls. As for Rajasthan Mr Sudhir Bhai  and others believed there is a pressing need to approach elections with a new set of leaders if the party wants to retain the state.

Meeting Mr Nand Lal Joshi who has spent over 60 years in Nathdwara

On another occasion happen to meet Mr Hiralal who has a weighing machine. Mr Path, a Student of LPS School Kakroli says School fee is 2200 rs every month. Meet A student of Kota University. In a year classes are held for 15 days; 500rs fee every month. While returning from Mahadev Temple near bus stand i am reminded of my stay in Hotel Surya or Hotel Shahi Palace in 2011.  Returning from Mahadev Temple i happen to meet Mr Nand Lal Joshi who has spent over 60 years in Nathdwara. Mr Nand Lal Joshi worked in Nathdwara Post Office from 1960 and retired in 1989 and has a brother Mr Chunni Lal Joshi. They run a medical store. Mr Nand Lal Joshi has to take extra care of his heart and i tell him he should have curd and walk every day. If possible he should take garlic. He should avoid oily food. Mr Nand Lal Joshi has seen that part of Nathdwara when there were just agricultural fields  and none of stores, hotels and guest houses which we see today. He Tells me Maharana Pratap Father Uday Singh established Udaipur. Both brothers agreed with me that we need to give respect to eveyone irrespective of the community and background he or she comes from. Met Mr Ram Kishan who is blessed enough to have spent over 60 yrs in Nathdwara and does bhajan in temple. Met Mr Prasuram who has spent over 50 years in Nathdwara.

On bus stand road there is Plaza A complete commercial cum residential apartment coming up. Perhaps such projects should be discouraged in Nathdwara. There is a hoarding of Jaipur Competition classes RAS, REET, Bank, Railway, Rajasthan Police, CRPF, BSF, CISF, Railway Police, Army. Few metres from bus stand i spot Model bus stand Nathdwara which has not been thrown open to public. The mammoth gate that is coming up at the bus stand near the recently added flyover is a sheer waste of money, time and resources. It should have been better that money should have been utilised to get food for poor devotees from Shreenathji Bhojan Griha free of cost which comes for  prati thali 25 rs (Rs 25 each plate).

Sightings in Nathdwara
In Bus stand
- Poornima Guest House
- Lokpriya Hotel & Restaurant
- ACP Dining Hall
- Hotel Rajshree
- Hotel Gwal
- Shiv Shankar Juice Centre
- Hotel Shree Prayag
- Shiv Shakti Decorators
- Ganpati Medicals
- Krishna Restaurant & Dining Hall
- Happy Birthday Bakery
- Shreenath travels
- Shreevallabh travels

Across road
- Shreenath Travel Agency
- Eagle Travel Agency
- Paras trading company
- Shreenath mineral
- Harsh Palace
- Friends oil store
- Swaminarayana Mandir Dharamshala Nathdwara
There is a Hoarding of Disabled Fashion And Talent Show which was held in the beginning of December. We need to promote such contests.

Some more sightings in Nathdwara
- Mr Mathura Lal giving Thandai in Brajwasi Bhang Thandaiwala in Chopatty
- Railway Central Enquiry & Reservation Office;  Mr Umesh Sharma is at the counter
-Krishna Food corner
- Hotel Keshav
- Rhythm multimedia
- Sunrise Digital strudio run by Mr Jose of Kottayam
- Shreenath Paratha Centre cart
- Krishna Agencies
- Shree Gopal Krish Dairy
- Vardhman Traders
- Shiv cooling services
- Rupam studio
- The steaming mug coffee shop & restaurant
- Shreenathjee Karyalaya Mukh Nishpadan Adhikari Mandir Mandal Nathdwara
- Krishna Traders
- Shree Nidhi Provision store
- Shree Bajrang Misthan Bhandar
- Kailash Mewawala
- Meeting Mr Bhim Shankar working in temple
- Jayshree electronics
- Bherunath Hair dressers
- Shree Electronics
- Shree Furniture
-Shyam Elerctronics
- Hotel Hari Darshan
- Shreejee Misthan Bhandar
- Hotel Shreeram Regency
- Metting Mr Chandan Singh who has spent 60 years in Nathdwara
- Khandelwal Kirana Store (for biscuits, mineral water)
- Homeopathy clinic
- Shreeram jewellers
- Shanti Namkeen Bhandar
- Hotel Raju Palace
- Shreenath Saree collection
- Riya textiles
- Krishna Pav bhaji & Chinese corner cart
- Special Paanipuri Sevpuri cart
- Vijay Dining hall
- Neelam Dining Hall
- Poonam Dining Hall
More sightings in Nathdwara
- Shree Devendar Panipuri Centre Cart
- Shreenath South Indian &; Chinese Cart
- Shree Sandwich cart
- Hotel Laxmi Niwas
- Aarushi handicraft
- Krishna cosmetic
- Shreenath Shree Radha Krishan Nikunj
- Kailash Hair dressers
- Hotel Ganga Jamna A.C room with all modern facilities
- S S Hair saloon for men
- Shreenath clinic
- Jaishree Vinayak Art Emporium
- Shree Bharat Art Gallery
- Bank of Baroda Baroda Express 24 X7
- Lalan Pan Corner
- Vandana helicopter bookings flights & railwayy tickets international domestic  & Char Dham packages
- Shree Lalan Mobile
- Kothari Agencies
- Shreejee Namkeen
- Shree Sakhi bai Dharamshala
- Rathi General store
- Bharkadevi icecream
- Harish Provision Saraswati Printing press
- Radhe Radhe restaurant
- Shree Ma Kripa Mukut Shringar
- Gujarat pan & cold drinks corner
- Shree Radhika fast food
- Shreenath Restaurant & Dining Hall
- Lalan Dining Hall
- Neelam AC Dining Hall
- Shagun Icecream
- Poonam AC Dining Hall

Near autorickshaw stand
- New Cottage Awas Griha Shree Damodar Dham Awas Griha
- Shanta traders
- Anrasa collection
- Chitkar Lakshmi Lal Nandan Lalji
- Kabra traders
- Delhi 6
- Meeting Mr Shyam lal running a shop opposite Porbandar Dharamshala

Inside Natraj Dining Hall. Further inside is Lal Bazar.  Natraj Dining hall i visited 2009 and that led to some stomach disorder. When i met Mr Mathura Lal of Brajwasi Bhang Thandaiwala in Chopatty in 2009 i saw a black and white television set that was belting out results of 2009 Lok Sabha elections in India.

Near Chopatty
- Mewar Darshan travels
- Gujarati Saree store
- Shree Radhika Saree
- Nirmal Mukut Shringar
- Radhika Silk & Saree
- Gandhi Park
- Raj Mukut Shringar
- Krishna Arts
- Praveen Kumar Ratanlal Parikh Silver
- Kala Mandir
- A grade Ayurvedic chikitsalya
- Rathi Jewellers
- Kanchan traders
- Lavti Jewellers
- R K Churan Mehendiwala
- New Moonlight dry cleaners
- Chitrakar Pannalal Pannalal Motilal & Sons
- K Motiwala & sons

- Radha Krishna Art Emporium
- Fruit Barfi
- Shreejee Mojadi centre (from here i take a pair of sleepers)
- Shreenath Studio
- Shree Govind Arts
- Shiva icecream pizza sandwich
- Mangal Jewellers
- Sharma General Store
Here i meet girl students of K G Vidyalaya Jallore in Rajasthan

- Mahalaxmi snacks
- Sajan travels
- Shreenathji Bhojan Griha prati thali 25 rs
- Delwalawali Dharamsala
- Sajan Tambul Provision( For pen) Mr Rakesh at the counter
- Shree Shankar Bag
- Khushi Mukut Shringar
- Parikh jewellers
- Gimoji gulab jal sharbat

- Sharma music centre Mr Lokesh Joshi at the counter who hands me a CD of Shreenathjee bhajans
- Shree Yamuna Saree
- Shree Bhog Charan
- Shreeji Nasta Centre
- Harish General Store
- Brajwasi Bhang Thandaiwala Mr Mathura Lal
- Tulsi Tambul
- H K Travels
- Bhagwan restaurant & snacks
- Vishal Icecream
- Mahadev Travels
- Rajasthan Medical Store
- Shree Balaji Kundan Art Palace
- Shree Vallabh Jewellers
- Wall of LORD
- Krishna Lila ke chitro ka Aavlokan kare
- Paliwal restaurant
- Mohit Tour & Travels
- Bapus Rukmani Sarees
- Neelkanth juice centre

From here Mandir Marg
- New Look Sarees
- Shreejee Itar Bhandar
- Shreenathjee Pravesh Dwar
- Soni Jewellers
- Somani Bandhu
- Shantilal Mohanlal Chaparwal
- Hotel Vallab Darshan
- Kabra & Sons
- Sagar handicrafts
- Ramesh Chander Balgovindas Parikh
- Shree Mahaprabhu Art
- M R Jewellers
- Jai Shree Krishan stickers
- Jival lal sethi & sons
- K L Rathi & Co
- New Namamwali market
- Nayanlal Chaparwal & Sons
- Sethi saree store
- Artist Khubiram & sons
- Radha Krishna Jewellery Mart
- Prasadiya Chaturbhuj Tulsidasjee Bagora
- Krishney Fashion Jewellery
- Badam Pista Kesar Yukt Thandai Masala
- Jai Shree Jewellers
- Arjunlal Kathi Churanwala
- Art of India
- Shreenathji mandir jane ka rasta
- Ajanta Saree store
- Shreenathjee Mandir dwara Bhoglaga hua prasad

Gate comes
- Suhag Alkaran
- Shree Bandhu Jewellers
- Maheshwari Bandhu Jewels & Arts
- Prasad bhet counter
- Yes Bank ATM Here i meet Mr Uday Das from Bhilwara
 - Somany Novelties
- Temple comes
There is Manovathi Gate

- SBI ATM in Naya Road
- Oriental Bank of Commerce ATM
- Manmohan restaurant
- Patidar Seva Samaj Nathdwara
- Hotel Siddhivinayak
- Mahadev Collection
- HDFC Bank Nathdwara branch
- Bhandari Vatika
- Mahalkal footwear
- Lakshmi radio service
- Radhaballah collection
- Muthoot finance

When would surcharge be levied on households having second cars?

When would second All Institute of Medical Sciences come up in Delhi?

Interactions across Delhi; leaving for New Delhi Airport ; leaving for Udaipur

Interactions across Delhi; leaving for New Delhi Airport ; leaving for Udaipur

As i reached New Delhi airport to get a ticket for Udaipur little did i know that cancelling the same on another day would result in cancellation fee of over 2,500 rs. It were on two different occasions i visited New Delhi Airport once to gain a ticket and on another day to cancel it. The third time i visited the airport was to secure a fresh ticket for Udaipur. As you go past departure gates there is a board that goes like this Please be ready with ticket and identity papers for security clearance. After securing the Air India ticket i head towards metro station near T3 terminal where i come across different set of people. There is Mr Nicolas from Argentina, South America. Coming from Sri Lanka with another family member he had a word of praise for Sri Lankan hospitality. The people were friendly and environment was clean was what i could gather. There was Mr Hameed coming from  Kandy in Sri Lanka. Coming to India after two years he told me Kandy is 110 kms from Colombo. Mr Hameed was headed towards Jama Masjid in national capital of Delhi. Then there was Mr Tapan from Orissa. Doing business in computers in Bhubaneswar he had come to visit  an Expo in Pragati Maidan in the national capital of Delhi. In New Delhi airport there is a Shuttle Service to PTC (Public Transport Centre).

Some of the notings i could make at New Delhi airport were
Free shuttle bus service for public transport centre.
Frequency: 20 minutes
Beware of touts/unauthorised taxis
Distance from Terminal 3 to PTC is only 3km.
Passengers are advised not to hire taxis for PTC as free bus service is provided by DIAL/GMR
For any assistance contact Duty manager

Like private vehicles autos too should be allowed inside airport
There is a hoarding of Air India Flights from Delhi to Washington, Delhi to Copenhagen and Delhi to Stockholm. What one could not understand was those coming in auto have to deboard at PTC point and from there board the bus. For those carrying heavy luggage and those who are old this facility is of no use. As in Jodhpur airport in Rajasthan State autos are allowed inside the airport like all other vehicles and same should be employed in New Delhi airport T3 terminal. For taxis and private vehicles they are allowed inside Delhi airport and similar facility should be extended to autos.

During this period i happen to meet Mr Pradeep Kumar Dhar from Assam in State Bank of India Safdarjung Enclave branch, meeting Mr Ranga Rao from Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh working in Home Affairs Ministry, meeting Mr Nimreiso from Manipur and meeting Mr Rash Bihari who as well hailed from Manipur. Met Mr Amin Khan from Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia petrol costs 65 halala to a litre. Met Mr Jeeva from Tamil Nadu working in J J Cosmos company in Singapore. He was on an official visit to New Delhi. Met Mr Lalboi from Manipur who has done Masters from DU, PhD from IP University.

Rangoli from 7 to 8pm on DD Podhigai channel on 19th Nov was good so was Kou Potti the same day.

Meeting those hailing from South India

On another day happen to meet Mr Annakatti from Chennai. Selling namkeen/snacks in Delhi. Born in Chennai, staying in Delhi for the past 36 years. He Spoke about Tiruvanamalai temple in Villipuram district in Tamil Nadu.  Met Mr Raja Ram from Chennai who was at ease when i told him i have been to  Chennai, Rameswaram and Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. Meeting Mr Mohammad Nadeem doing leather work business and staying in Pilanji village in Sarojini Nagar. Meeting Mr Nafees Ahmed the automan who was very cooperative. Meeting Mr Naveen Kumar from Bihar preparing for JNU entrance exam to do masters in physics. Meeting Mr Mathew and Mr Arpit hailing from Madurai at present staying in Delhi. I told them i have visited Chennai, Kanchipuram, Rameswaram, Kanniyakurami, Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Meeting Mr Janak Singh of Delhi Police department staying in Gurgaon who spoke about water table having dipped in Gurgaon. Meeting Mr Frank from South Africa who knew Al Jazeera channel covered extensively the African continent.

Meeting Mr Avinash from Rourkela in Orissa, Mr Jagan from Visakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Mr Manu from Kollam in Kerala; all three undergoing training in Delhi Metro.  Spoke about various news channels of South India i watched. Meeting Mr Vijendar from Nepalganj in Nepal. Meeting Mr Robert from Darjeeling working in a call centre in Delhi with his wife. Meeting Mr Uttam Roy in Rail Aahar canteen in Sarojini Nagar Railway Station. On sale were tea, biscuits, chips, namkeen, cakes, coffee, cold drinks, samosa, jantha khana and other items.

Meeting Mr Libu from Kerala who was aware about Manorama news channel and Asianet news channel and the spread it had across Kerala. Meeting Mr Hiro from Japan and Mr Csanwit from Thailand. I told Mr Hiro about the unfoding tension/unease in Japan given the repeated missile tests by North Korea. I told Mr Csanwit that i had the opportunity to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia.


Leaving for New Delhi Airport for Udaipur

It was on Friday i had to leave for Udaipur. As i hailed an auto with Mr Mohan Das at the wheels little did i know i would have to leave the auto because of intransigence of a traffic policeman near ARSD College near Dhaula Kuan in national capital of Delhi. As i kept pleading to the traffic policeman that he was letting all other vehicles pass through and only stopping the auto i was in he was in mood to listen and was rude to the last mile. I left the auto only to hear filthy abuse being hurled by a man who appeared from nowhere. A bike rider going by the name Vishal agreed to give me a lift to Dhaula Kuan metro station. From here i took a metro to New Delhi Airport. This metro is of little use as the point where you deboard and the walk that you have to undertake with luggage in hand to reach departure gates of  T3 calls for extra dose of patience. There are trolleys but one can't carry his or her luggage in the trolley as it is not possible to pull this trolley in three different set of escalators at three different points. Once you are through escalators you won't find trolleys only to be discovered where people deboard from their private vehicles and taxis.

In Metro airport station there is Karachi Bakery store. There is a CISF personnel going by the name Devendar at gates. After security clearance there is a board
Aiports Council International
2014 and 15 Airport Service Quality Awards
Delhi IG International Airport
Size 25-40 million

International Departures
Foreign Exchange
Gates 1- 26
In International Departure
First/Business class
Foreign Exchange regulations
Indian Passport Holders
Foreign Passport Holders
Crew Counters
Bureau of Immigrations
Nepalese Passport Holders
Diplomats/officials
Indian customs

Outside International departure
Costa Tempting Treats
National Graphic stall

There is Mr Harshit Narayan Jha at Airtel phone counter. Working in airport since 1994. Perhaps Jio could also be given a chance to run a phone booth here. Here i meet Mr Lokto and his friend from Nagaland who were surprised to find a man from Delhi speaking to them on a range of issues.  Meet Mr Dhammasiri a monk from Indonesia. Along with him travelling were Tiffany and Tusita going to Jakarta. Come across a family from minority section going towards Lucknow. Some minutes later i come across Mr Christian from Visakapatnam working in oil sector in Saudi Arabia. He Corrects me when he says price of petrol is 68 halala per litre in Saudi Arabia.

There is a Jaguar Land Rover on display. It would be better to have a small car on display as big cars and big SUVs are a sheer waste of money only adding to the traffic chaos in the cities across India. Later i meet Mr Yogesh Thapa hailing from Manipur at Relay store. Meeting Mr Lobzang Tsultin a Monk from Tashilhuupo Monastery in Mysuru in South India was enriching. There is Param Lal, Housekeeper, Mr Paul Naidu from Visakapatnam. There is a group going to Kolkata and from there they are supposed to go to Birbhum. Frisking is done by Mr S Awungshi a CISF personnel haling from Manipur. In Jodhpur airport there was Ms Kim also from the North East India who was at the baggage screening counter.
Few minutes later at the New Delhi airport i happen to meet Mr Mohammad Ansari hailing from Bihar working in Nigeria. I happen to meet three boys from Nigeria, a family from Sikkim and Mr Mohammad travelling to Bihar.

Announcements are being made like Welcome To Vistara Flight to Srinagar. There is an ad Take a step towards spreading happiness with 2 Lloyd featuring Mr Mohan Lal of Kerala.  Few minutes later i meet Mr Makoto Saito from Japan who is on a business trip to India. I spoke to him about NHK Channel beamed from Tokyo. Meeting Mr Sunil Kumar a CISF personnel hailing from UP, Duty hours 5am to 1pm.  Meeting Mr B B Konch from Assam posted in CISF at New Delhi airport. Meet Mr Hegde from Bangalore

Stores at New Delhi Airport
The Body Shop
United Color of Benetton
Lacoste
The DIALogue Stand
Croma A Tata enterprise

In Domestic departure
- Swarovski
- Sunglass hut
- Marks & Spencer

There is a counter that shows Walk time to Gates

The Information Desk is very helpful. In WH Smith book store there is a book Byculla to Bangkok by S Hussein Zaidi.  The Dial TV is showing a programme in Telugu on Andhra University. Later i meet Mr Dawa hailing from Paris who has his acquaintance working in Bengaluru in South India. Meeting Mr Dharma Priya Kalugodi from Colombo. He is working in Govt sector. WH Smith Book store has on offer Buy 1 get 1 half price. On screen Ujala brings time for family and education; 3 cr beneficiaries.

There is Flight information for different destinations
Pantnagar, Patna, Kolkata, Gwalior, Chennai, Bagdogra, Dharamshala, Guwahati, Silchar, Ranchi, Srinagar, Goa, Udaipur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Visakapatanam, Indore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Varanasi, Bikaner, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvanthapuram, Dehradun.

I get seated at 12.55. There is Indian Oil tanker outside. The plane starts moving at 1.24 pm. There is Captain Mohammad Hussein is at the helm. Takes off at 1.40 with a clear sky. The in- flight magazine has a cover story on Hornbill Festival held in Nagaland in North East India. The descent begins at 2.26.  Lands at 2.40 in Udaipur. Sight the gigantic Indian Flag.

For Dabhok Chowk which is barely 1 km from airport take a pre paid taxi for 300rs. Taxi driver Takht Singh can't do much about the fare as it is a pre paid taxi taken from airport premises. Perhaps they should allow autos inside the airport. For convenience of passengers one can take a share mini cab ride as mini cabs are plying right outside the airport which i was not able to discover when i reached Udaipur airport.  At Dabhok Chowk a board shows Delhi 668 km, Jaipur 409 km, Chittorgarh 99 km.

Need To Ramp Up Budget On Healthcare In India; Electoral Reforms

Need To Ramp Up Budget On Healthcare In India; Electoral Reforms

It is high time things are set in order. The Govt of the day needs to ramp up budget on healthcare. It should at least be 10 per cent of the GDP. If the people of the nation are healthy then nation itself would be healthy and would be successful to ward off challenges from different quarters. Enough has been spent on infrastructure and allied activities. Enough has been spent on Defence. The Defence outlay should be cut and this course correction should kick in from the next financial year. Except for little or no border skirmishes here or there there doesn't seem to be any big war/conflict challenge coming in for the next 15 years. Similarly, the slide or spring in steps in manufacturing sector month after month should not lead to giving it impetus on a continued basis. This impetus is nothing but a relief which roughly translates into financial outgo from the Treasury.

Healthcare needs to be given priority; 10 per cent of GDP should go towards healthcare
For almost seven decades one sector that has been denied its due is healthcare and what we see on hand are a large number of citizens in multiples at the mercy of private hospitals which on the one hand they can't afford to visit and on the other hand if ever they undertake a solo visit it leads to a series of visits and serious repercussions for them on financial front. A healthcare that govt side takes care of and a healthcare that is affordable and honest should be the priority of the govt in power and wishing to get a renewed mandate.
What should be of concern is how the citizens are in the best frame of health and healthy enough round the year to remain productive for the nation. If one is talking of 10 per cent of GDP for healthcare one is setting a realistic target with real objectives in mind. The other day a gentleman from Child Relief and You (CRY) visited me and doled out a figure of up to 7 lakh children in India who are not able to complete even one year. This figure could be cross checked from other quarters as well. Malnourished these children are and maltreatment they and their parents receive at the hands of health officers. If Primary Health Centres (PHC) and Government Hospitals spread across length and breadth of the country are to be made functional they need to be provided with a manpower that is compassionate and effective equipments that work round the year.

India has over 450 districts and all districts can't claim to have a functional government hospital. Be it North India, East India, West India, South India and North East India, each district in these areas have a healthcare format  that is crying for attention. We need to raise resources to see that each district has at least one big government hospital and that too at a functioning stage. The government hospital concerned should be provided with equipments that are latest and backed with up to date technology. Something that gives succour to the patients, rich or poor, high or low and same or varied. The first step is to see that all districts have one big government hospital followed by a series of Primary Health Centres.

MP Local Area Fund MLA Local Area Fund tied to raising Govt Hospitals in Each District of India

The MP Local Area Development Fund and MLA Local Area Development Fund that roughly translates to over Rs 7 crore each year for every constituency (over Rs 35 Crore for five years) should be dedicated towards raising a Govt hospital followed by State and Central Govts chipping in. It should be made mandatory that MP Local Area Fund And MLA Local Area Fund for the next five years is dedicated to raising of a government hospital in each district. If a district already has a government hospital the same MP Local Area Fund and MLA Local Area Fund for the next five years should be used to upgrade the government hospital concerned with enough checks and balances thrown in to see that money has been utilised properly to the last mile.

Hospital invigilators of impeccable character in govt hospitals
For the govt hospitals working at present across the country there should be a team of hospital invigilators in each hospital who keep a tab on proceedings day in and day out and point out shortcomings and provide solutions when it comes to patients and their medical needs. These hospital invigilators should be men/women of impeccable character.  A measure of this sort should set in as soon as possible to bring improvement in functioning of government hospitals.

It should be Mandatory for Medical students having completed M.B.B.S. and M.D. to serve first five years in govt hospitals

For providing manpower to these 450-odd govt hospitals and other semi govt hospitals spread across country, those students pursuing M.B.B.S. and M.D. after completion of their course it is made mandatory for them to function in the 450-odd govt hospitals and other Primary Health Centres (PHC) for the next five to seven years. If they don 't serve for first five years in govt hospitals spread over 450 districts their degrees would be taken away. These students after completion of their M.B.B.S. and M.D. courses can't take up job in a private hospital for the first seven years. On the other hand the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in different state capitals of the country (there are 29 states and there are 20-odd AIIMS) should be seen to be providing services that are effective. The need to equip them with effective manpower in different branches should be done by recruiting a large number of doctors who have served in govt hospital in the past or in private hospitals. Though these AIIMS have come up across the country they are not being manned by different doctors who are specialists in different medical fields and adding to this shortage of doctors is non existence of latest medical equipments.  To lure doctors from private hospitals incentives like accommodation, tax relief and similar other proposals should kick in. Those doctors serving in govt hospitals their children could be given preference in getting admissions in Kendriya Vidyalayas across length and breadth of the country and later some format could be developed where their wards who are interested in medical field could be given concessions in medical colleges.

Govt hospitals maintaining a record of patients referred to private hospitals; 50 per cent of poor patients to be treated by private hospitals free of cost

It should be made mandatory for private hospitals to treat 50 per cent of patients from poor sections free of cost.  If they fail to do so, their licences would be revoked. For those patients visiting Govt hospitals, the doctors attending to them can refer them to different private hospitals. All Govt hospitals should maintain a record of the number of patients referred by them to private hospitals each day/ each month and by this the figure of 50 per cent of patients from poor sections being treated by private hospitals free of cost can be achieved. It should be made mandatory for every private hospital to tie up with two to three government hospitals and see to it that they treat poor patients referred to them by govt hospitals. If private hospitals fail to keep a working relationship/ tying with govt hospitals on each day and each week and they fail to keep a record of poor patients treated by them each week/each month they could be issued stern warning with the final blow coming in the form of taking away their licences.  This model to begin from national capital of Delhi can be replicated in other cities,tier 1 tier II tier III cities and towns.

Counters at railway stations/ bus stands and other places giving information on hospitals of city
It should be advertised in different district hospitals spread across length and breadth of the country who wish to get treated in National Capital of Delhi that there would be counters at major bus terminals and different railway stations that would keep a record of private hospitals in the vicinity or far away and beds available each day. Announcement can be made in trains entering different railway stations of Delhi and on platforms of railway stations of Delhi that patients can approach counters existing on either side of railway station which can provide information on specialist doctors that each private/government hospital has and the number of beds available. The moment the patient in far away territory in the country is referred to a hospital in Delhi he or she should be given entire information on the counters that exist at the different bus terminals and different railway stations. It should be advertised across length and breadth of the country that those who wish to get treated in Delhi can approach such and such counters at different places in Delhi. These counters could be near the bus stands/ autorickshaw stands and other prominent places across the national capital of Delhi. Same Model can be replicated across other big metros of the country. Like in the state of Karnataka if there are roughly 20 districts each district should keep a record of private hospitals/ govt hospitals in the state capital Banguluru and which hospital in private or govt in the state capital Banguluru the patient can go to which has a specialist doctor. Mind you each private hospital has to treat at least 50 per cent of patients from poor sections free of cost each month across length and breadth of the country.

Raising second All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi is the need of the hour
Bringing second All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS in Delhi is the need of the hour. The present AIIMS located near INA can't handle the pressure with people coming from across the country. In Delhi Cantt there is enough space, the road immediately after Dhaula Kuan going towards Raja Garden has enough space; near Sarai Kala Khan bus depot there could be space. There is an urgent need to bring second AIIMS in the national Capital of Delhi.

Surcharge on second car; hefty surcharge on Expensive Cars and SUVs
As for vehicular pollution, the first step can begin from National Capital of Delhi.  A database of the number of households in the city with the number of vehicles owned by them can be prepared. Any household having more than one car would be required to pay a surcharge that would roughly translate to 30 per cent of the purchase price of the second car for cars between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, 35 to 40 per cent of the purchase price of the second car between Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and 45 per cent of the purchase price of the second car  above Rs 10 lakh. For any second car above Rs 20 lakh the surcharge would be 50 per cent of the purchase price of the second car. This surcharge would have to be paid once every year.

As for new cars through a draw of lots the cars would be registered in the national capital of Delhi, say 3,000 cars each year and those who have got their cars registered can't sell them for the first seven years. Each Car making company would be given a quota of cars they could sell and all car manufacturing companies put together could at the most sell 3000 cars each year in the national capital of Delhi. Mind you, the total number of cars to be registered each year would be 3000 and not more than that. Preference would be given to small car making companies. Those rolling out expensive cars and SUVs would have to pay extra surcharge to the govt if they want to sell their cars. This measure should kick in early if we want to give a clean city. If this measure gets in shape there would be a dramatic drop in the number of vehicles that ply on roads. Similarly for two wheelers the number of two wheelers to be registered each year should not be more than 7000 each year in Delhi and there should be draw of lots for the same and those getting two wheelers registered won't be able to sell them for the first five years. This measure should kick in Delhi first and then get replicated in other parts of the country.
Newspapers and TV News Channels should refrain from showing ads on cars of maverick pace and quality.
Those joining jobs in private sector and govt sector it should be made mandatory for the first five years they won't be purchasing any vehicle; if they do so they would have to lose their job. Increments and raise could only come if they don't purchase vehicle of any mode for the first five years of taking up job.


Elections would come and go; all political parties need to come on board to give healthcare the boost it needs from the govt and make the govt the prime provider of healthcare benefits.

Electoral Reforms
As for electoral reforms, one can contest from a constituency only two times, no matter what is the verdict (he or she wins or loses). For the third time he or she would have to contest from a new constituency and in his entire lifespan he or she can contest only three times. Only one member from a family can join electoral fray; it won't be a case of one member joining one political party and other member of the family joining another political party. Only one member of the family can join politics and contest elections and in all one can contest elections only three times; two times from same constituency and third time from a new constituency. As for Rajya Sabha it would be better if it is dissolved for all times to come. The Rajya Sabha proceedings are a waste of public money given repeated adjournments and only party loyalists finding place in Upper House.

Need To Ramp Up Budget On Healthcare In India; Govt needs to chip with a Big Heart

Need To Ramp Up Budget On Healthcare In India

It is high time things are set in order. The Govt of the day needs to ramp up budget on healthcare. It should at least be 10 per cent of the GDP. If the people of the nation are healthy then nation itself would be healthy and would be successful to ward off challenges from different quarters. Enough has been spent on infrastructure and allied activities. Enough has been spent on Defence. The Defence outlay should be cut and this course correction should kick in from the next financial year. Except for little or no border skirmishes here or there there doesn't seem to be any big war/conflict challenge coming in for the next 15 years. Similarly, the slide or spring in steps in manufacturing sector month after month should not lead to giving it impetus on a continued basis. This impetus is nothing but a relief which roughly translates into financial outgo from the Treasury.

Healthcare needs to be given priority; 10 per cent of GDP should go towards healthcare
For almost seven decades one sector that has been denied its due is healthcare and what we see on hand are a large number of citizens in multiples at the mercy of private hospitals which on the one hand they can't afford to visit and on the other hand if ever they undertake a solo visit it leads to a series of visits and serious repercussions for them on financial front. A healthcare that govt side takes care of and a healthcare that is affordable and honest should be the priority of the govt in power and wishing to get a renewed mandate.
What should be of concern is how the citizens are in the best frame of health and healthy enough round the year to remain productive for the nation. If one is talking of 10 per cent of GDP for healthcare one is setting a realistic target with real objectives in mind. The other day a gentleman from Child Relief and You (CRY) visited me and doled out a figure of up to 7 lakh children in India who are not able to complete even one year. This figure could be cross checked from other quarters as well. Malnourished these children are and maltreatment they and their parents receive at the hands of health officers. If Primary Health Centres (PHC) and Government Hospitals spread across length and breadth of the country are to be made functional they need to be provided with a manpower that is compassionate and effective equipments that work round the year.

India has over 450 districts and all districts can't claim to have a functional government hospital. Be it North India, East India, West India, South India and North East India, each district in these areas have a healthcare format  that is crying for attention. We need to raise resources to see that each district has at least one big government hospital and that too at a functioning stage. The government hospital concerned should be provided with equipments that are latest and backed with up to date technology. Something that gives succour to the patients, rich or poor, high or low and same or varied. The first step is to see that all districts have one big government hospital followed by a series of Primary Health Centres.

MP Local Area Fund MLA Local Area Fund tied to raising Govt Hospitals in Each District of India

The MP Local Area Development Fund and MLA Local Area Development Fund that roughly translates to over Rs 7 crore each year for every constituency (over Rs 35 Crore for five years) should be dedicated towards raising a Govt hospital followed by State and Central Govts chipping in. It should be made mandatory that MP Local Area Fund And MLA Local Area Fund for the next five years is dedicated to raising of a government hospital in each district. If a district already has a government hospital the same MP Local Area Fund and MLA Local Area Fund for the next five years should be used to upgrade the government hospital concerned with enough checks and balances thrown in to see that money has been utilised properly to the last mile.

Hospital invigilators of impeccable character in govt hospitals
For the govt hospitals working at present across the country there should be a team of hospital invigilators in each hospital who keep a tab on proceedings day in and day out and point out shortcomings and provide solutions when it comes to patients and their medical needs. These hospital invigilators should be men/women of impeccable character.  A measure of this sort should set in as soon as possible to bring improvement in functioning of government hospitals.

It should be Mandatory for Medical students having completed M.B.B.S. and M.D. to serve first five years in govt hospitals

For providing manpower to these 450-odd govt hospitals and other semi govt hospitals spread across country, those students pursuing M.B.B.S. and M.D. after completion of their course it is made mandatory for them to function in the 450-odd govt hospitals and other Primary Health Centres (PHC) for the next five to seven years. If they don 't serve for first five years in govt hospitals spread over 450 districts their degrees would be taken away. These students after completion of their M.B.B.S. and M.D. courses can't take up job in a private hospital for the first seven years. On the other hand the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in different state capitals of the country (there are 29 states and there are 20-odd AIIMS) should be seen to be providing services that are effective. The need to equip them with effective manpower in different branches should be done by recruiting a large number of doctors who have served in govt hospital in the past or in private hospitals. Though these AIIMS have come up across the country they are not being manned by different doctors who are specialists in different medical fields and adding to this shortage of doctors is non existence of latest medical equipments.  To lure doctors from private hospitals incentives like accommodation, tax relief and similar other proposals should kick in. Those doctors serving in govt hospitals their children could be given preference in getting admissions in Kendriya Vidyalayas across length and breadth of the country and later some format could be developed where their wards who are interested in medical field could be given concessions in medical colleges.

Govt hospitals maintaining a record of patients referred to private hospitals; 50 per cent of poor patients to be treated by private hospitals free of cost

It should be made mandatory for private hospitals to treat 50 per cent of patients from poor sections free of cost.  If they fail to do so, their licences would be revoked. For those patients visiting Govt hospitals, the doctors attending to them can refer them to different private hospitals. All Govt hospitals should maintain a record of the number of patients referred by them to private hospitals each day/ each month and by this the figure of 50 per cent of patients from poor sections being treated by private hospitals free of cost can be achieved. It should be made mandatory for every private hospital to tie up with two to three government hospitals and see to it that they treat poor patients referred to them by govt hospitals. If private hospitals fail to keep a working relationship/ tying with govt hospitals on each day and each week and they fail to keep a record of poor patients treated by them each week/each month they could be issued stern warning with the final blow coming in the form of taking away their licences.  This model to begin from national capital of Delhi can be replicated in other cities,tier 1 tier II tier III cities and towns.

Counters at railway stations/ bus stands and other places giving information on hospitals of city
It should be advertised in different district hospitals spread across length and breadth of the country who wish to get treated in National Capital of Delhi that there would be counters at major bus terminals and different railway stations that would keep a record of private hospitals in the vicinity or far away and beds available each day. Announcement can be made in trains entering different railway stations of Delhi and on platforms of railway stations of Delhi that patients can approach counters existing on either side of railway station which can provide information on specialist doctors that each private/government hospital has and the number of beds available. The moment the patient in far away territory in the country is referred to a hospital in Delhi he or she should be given entire information on the counters that exist at the different bus terminals and different railway stations. It should be advertised across length and breadth of the country that those who wish to get treated in Delhi can approach such and such counters at different places in Delhi. These counters could be near the bus stands/ autorickshaw stands and other prominent places across the national capital of Delhi. Same Model can be replicated across other big metros of the country. Like in the state of Karnataka if there are roughly 20 districts each district should keep a record of private hospitals/ govt hospitals in the state capital Banguluru and which hospital in private or govt in the state capital Banguluru the patient can go to which has a specialist doctor. Mind you each private hospital has to treat at least 50 per cent of patients from poor sections free of cost each month across length and breadth of the country.

Raising second All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi is the need of the hour
Bringing second All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS in Delhi is the need of the hour. The present AIIMS located near INA can't handle the pressure with people coming from across the country. In Delhi Cantt there is enough space, the road immediately after Dhaula Kuan going towards Raja Garden has enough space; near Sarai Kala Khan bus depot there could be space. There is an urgent need to bring second AIIMS in the national Capital of Delhi.

Surcharge on second car; hefty surcharge on Expensive Cars and SUVs
As for vehicular pollution, the first step can begin from National Capital of Delhi.  A database of the number of households in the city with the number of vehicles owned by them can be prepared. Any household having more than one car would be required to pay a surcharge that would roughly translate to 30 per cent of the purchase price of the second car for cars between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, 35 to 40 per cent of the purchase price of the second car between Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and 45 per cent of the purchase price of the second car  above Rs 10 lakh. For any second car above Rs 20 lakh the surcharge would be 50 per cent of the purchase price of the second car. This surcharge would have to be paid once every year.

As for new cars through a draw of lots the cars would be registered in the national capital of Delhi, say 3,000 cars each year and those who have got their cars registered can't sell them for the first seven years. Each Car making company would be given a quota of cars they could sell and all car manufacturing companies put together could at the most sell 3000 cars each year in the national capital of Delhi. Mind you, the total number of cars to be registered each year would be 3000 and not more than that. Preference would be given to small car making companies. Those rolling out expensive cars and SUVs would have to pay extra surcharge to the govt if they want to sell their cars. This measure should kick in early if we want to give a clean city. If this measure gets in shape there would be a dramatic drop in the number of vehicles that ply on roads. Similarly for two wheelers the number of two wheelers to be registered each year should not be more than 7000 each year in Delhi and there should be draw of lots for the same and those getting two wheelers registered won't be able to sell them for the first five years. This measure should kick in Delhi first and then get replicated in other parts of the country.
Newspapers and TV News Channels should refrain from showing ads on cars of maverick pace and quality.
Those joining jobs in private sector and govt sector it should be made mandatory for the first five years they won't be purchasing any vehicle; if they do so they would have to lose their job. Increments and raise could only come if they don't purchase vehicle of any mode for the first five years of taking up job.


Elections would come and go; all political parties need to come on board to give healthcare the boost it needs from the govt and make the govt the prime provider of healthcare benefits.

As for electoral reforms, one can contest from a constituency only two times, no matter what is the verdict (he or she wins or loses). For the third time he or she would have to contest from a new constituency and in his entire lifespan he or she can contest only three times. Only one member from a family can join electoral fray; it won't be a case of one member joining one political party and other member of the family joining another political party. Only one member of the family can join politics and contest elections and in all one can contest elections only three times; two times from same constituency and third time from a new constituency. As for Rajya Sabha it would be better if it is dissolved for all times to come given repeated adjournments and only party loyalists finding place in Upper House.

Secretary of State Mr Rex W. Tillerson is doing a good job

Secretary of State Mr Rex W. Tillerson is doing a good job. He brings a a new wave of energy and enthusiasm to the proceedings.
Our best wishes to him.
 In the '80s we had Mr George Schultz as Secretary of State. We used to read stories about him in IHT (International Herald Tribune).
Our best wishes to Mr Elton John for bringing out such a beautiful work called Sacrifice.
Our best wishes to Mr Phil Collins for song Against All Odds.
Our best wishes to Mr Barack Obama and his family.