Thursday, January 18, 2018

Train ride from Ajmer to Jodhpur

Leaving for Jodhpur in India; Meeting KV Students of Naseerabad; Giving Women respect

As i again listen to a song in praise of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Teri Dhoom Hai Khwaja Gali Gali (Khwaja You Are Famous/Known Everywhere) it would be prudent to write about my departure  from Khwaja's place Ajmer. At Ajmer railway station Indore Jodhpur Express comes on Platform 2 at 2.40 pm behind schedule by over half an hour and leaves at 3.07. Gains traction, stops, starts again. Beawar station comes at 4.07. This reminds me of my umpteen bus trips from Nathdwara to Ajmer via Beawar in the past after visiting Lord Shreenathjee temple in Nathdwara. The berths in the vicinity are occupied by Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) students of Naseerabad in Rajasthan in India going to Jodhpur to participate in a Science Expo. They are accompanied by their Chemistry teacher. They are carrying different projects which they would be putting forward as part of presentation. The junior student happens to be a class 6th boy and rest belong to class 11th. Parul a student talks about peizo instrument which generates electricity.  Parul hails from Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh a place i have visited while coming from Kullu and going towards Shimla. Students speak about area 51 Nevada. Other issues on which they speak is how bullet trains are run and what we all can do for women safety. All of us agree that if we give respect to women outside the women in our homes too would get respect. One student in particular would be giving a presentation on women safety. Women have every right to be healthy and safe.

Honesty is by far the largest and best fest to date

Plastic and the accompanying hazards too figure in with emphasis put by students on Milton P5 bottle which is considered to be the safest one. As for net and its access they were of the view that Jio fi to be run with Jio Sim would be the best option. Some students are born with the narrative  "honesty is the best policy". To be noted Honesty is by far the biggest festival in the entire world; a fest we come across day in and day out. Honesty is something we should invest in on a repeated basis, not deterred by challenges which try to knock your stable and not stale outlook and this would hold one in good stead in future.

As for Kashmir impasse i was of the view that employment generation in disturbed areas like Anantnag, Rajouri, Baramulla, Budgam, Shopian, Samba, Ganderbal and other places could bring about a sea change in the Valley and the entire State. Once jobs are on offer and with large number of youth developing a liking for them, insurmountable challenges that security forces face would at least begin to fade away. Here i want to emphasise Concessions could be given to business houses who wish to have a presence/establishment in the state, particularly in Kashmir. Opening of educational institutes in the entire state and not just confined to Jammu and they being absorbed (given job) by business houses in different parts of country would be a game changer. Holding of different sports events in Kashmir with active participation of local youth and tapping of local talent for events across world would be helpful as well. Widespread reportage of local talent, those cracking state administrative exams and concessions to residents of the state who wish to visit other parts of India would help to change their outlook. It is a tough task on hand and time consuming but not impossible by any yardstick. How long would it take for peace to return to disturbed areas is hard to guess.

While Jammu houses Vaishnodevi Temple and Jai Mata Di rent the air, Jai Ma would be more appropriate and should be on the lips of devotees. Apart from slokas and hymns, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra could also be played in the Bhawan area (Vaishnodevi Temple Complex). Pithoos (those carrying luggage) should be placed right at Ban Ganga.

The channels of South India North India which i watch like Raj TV, Raj Digital Plus, Mega TV, Mega 24, Zee Tamil, DD Podhigai beamed from Tamil Nadu, ETV Andhra Pradesh beamed from Andhra, ETV Telugu, Asianet News, Manorama News beamed from Kerala, NDTV beamed from New Delhi, Suvarna Plus beamed from Karnataka, Samaya 24X7 too beamed from Karnataka and not coming for now, the liking for South Indian food and my interactions with North East people in Delhi too figured in the conversation. Our best wishes to students of Kendriya Vidyalaya Naseerabad for their future endeavours. As for CNN and Al Jazeera channels they are not coming and as far as cable operator is concerned the less said about him the better.

Reaching Marwar at 5.25 pm; Taking room in Jalori Gate in Jodhpur

As for train ride, Sighting of Hills is followed by Sendra station at 4.18 which is fairly clean.  At 4.24 a fairly long flyover we come across. The train is in full flow at 4.30. Minutes later spot semi fertile land. Going past Haripur at 4.43. There is an Old man with glasses holding a green flag. Later there is spotting of fertile land for a limited duration. Chandawal comes at 4.55, Bagri Sajjanpur at 4.59. electric poles can be spotted at 5. Sojat Road a fairly clean station comes at 5.06, Bhesana 5.13, Dhreshwar a fairly clean station at 5.16. Marwar comes somewhere around 5.25 and the train leaves from here at 5.45. We are in Jodhpur after 8.20 pm. Since the train has no pantry we settle for snacks procured from Marwar station. In Jodhpur the auto i hail and the hotels i visit in search of rooms seem to suggest the automan has no idea of the place. I visit High Ponte hotel and the room on offer is nothing to write home about. The man at the High Ponte reception desk is kind enough to tell me to try guest houses in the vicinity. I am able to zero in on  Mannu Guest House in Jalori Gate. I happen to meet Mr Amar Singh and Mr Mahipal Singh in Mannu Guest House. The room is spacious and the bathroom clean. As for meals i take it from Priya restaurant in Sojati Gate.

Visiting Pal Balaji Mandir (Temple)

Friday morning take tea from a tea stall near Mannu Guest House. While coming from tea stall i happen to meet Mr Kiran Kumar hailing from Sonepat in Haryana. He is a  Sanskrit teacher in R K College in Jodhpur. Meet Mr Ashok Kumar riding a bicycle who gives directions to Railway Station.  After getting ready i decide to leave for Pal Balaji Temple. Take a mini bus at 9.40 am reach Pal Balaji Temple at 10.03. In the bus i happen to meet a man from Nagpur who has come to visit Jodhpur as a tourist . For him the train ride from Nagpur to Jodhpur took 26 hours. Meet Mr Lalit Kumar in Pal Balaji Mandir. The temple is neat and spacious. After spending some time in the temple i return to bus stand and wait for a bus that would take me to Jalori Gate. Outside temple a man from Jodhpur Sweets is quite helpful and tells me in no time the bus would turn up.

The ride from Pal Balaji Mandir to Jalori Gate

I take bus number 23.
Going past Jaipur Dairy and General Store, Pushtak ka showroom, Chamunda tea stall, Baba Ramdev Paints, Central Bank of India, S.P. 'N' Snack, Chamunda Granite Achal stones, Quality marble and granite, N . S. Garden, HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank, Police Thana (Station) Shastri Nagar.
We go past the Smart car wash, Bhati hardware house, Marwar S.C Motors, Mahadev Travel Agency, Shree Krishan Generator, Dungarji matki wala, Balaji Netralaya, M K Travels, Barkatullah Khan Stadium. There are directions for Jaisalmer, Ramdeora, Bombay Motors Chauraha
Further ahead there is Someshwar Mahadev Piao, Bikaner Ke Prashid Rasgulle, Gita Bhawan Marg, Rajasthani Bhojanalaya, Jodhpur Dabbawala Tiffin delivery expert. I happen to meet Mr Ghafoor in the bus. In a little over 30 minutes i reach Jalori Gate. A few minutes later i begin to do story from WebWorld near Jalori Gate where the person is very helpful.

Sightings in and near Jalori Gate

- Tata Samparn
- Arora's Kadhi Kachori Gajar halwa
- Anil Stationers
- Book World Books for all
- Patanjali
- Royal Garments Emporium
- Bhagwan Medical stores
- Vertex
- School uniform B Chandra's
- Shiv Rabri Kulfi
- Tea stall
- Surya Namkeen
- Kothari  and Company
- Sanklecha Brothers Pvt Ltd
- Mission Competition classes
- Chaudhary Sweet Home
- Juice Bhandar
- Ashok Stationers
- Universal opticians
- Vidhya classes
- Directions for Sardarpura Road, Gole building, Nasrani Cinema, Swachh Gate, Umed Hospital,             Geeta Bhawan
- Hotel High Ponte
- Board of Police Commissionerate  Traffic Police Jodhpur
- Pushpa Bhojanalaya
- Dewalt Guaranteed Tough
- Hoarding of M.B. B. S. in China, Russia, Philippines, Europe
- Bajrang Pan Bhandar
- Amar Bag Repairing
- Universal Book Depot Store
- Samsung Galaxy
- Khetshwar art and print

  Meeting Mr Adreem from minority section
- Kohinoor Printers
- Prakash Brothers Stationers and Printers
- R Bhandar and Co Chartered Accountants
- Priyanka Investments
- Rajlakshmi Furniture
- Sadguru Hotel
   AC Non AC Deluxe rooms
- Jodhpur optician
- Hoarding of Career Planet
   IIT - JEE NEET XI and XII Foundation
   Meeting Mr Ashok Joshi staying in Jodhpur for a long time
- Special Marwania Lassi Wah Chachh
  Samosa Kofta, Mogar Ki Kachodi, Mirch Bada Pyaj Ki Kachodi, Samosa tamater kofta, Dahi Chat
- Prince Hotel
- V-Guard Authorised service centre
- New life medical agency
- Siddhivinayak Associates
- Rathod Pan Palace
- Rekha Telecom
- Kishore Mobile
- Print Exposures
- Meeting Mr Gopal Sharma working in marketing section, staying in Jodhpur for a long time
- Mahadev surgical and pharmaceuticals
- Digital planet security system
- Jio Digital Life
  Jio Prime Exclusive
  3 month unlimited rs 399
  Jio Dhan Dhana Dhan
  Introducing the effectively free India Ka Smart Phone Jio Phone
- Shriram air conditioners
- Shriram refrigeration
- Shri Balaji Refrigeration and Electricals
- Vodafone Supernet
- Shri Keshav Mobile Shoppe
- The image point Complete document solutions
- Mazdoor tea stall
- Bhati softy and softy
- Laxmi Techno Service CCTV Camera
- Kesar Pista Shake Choco Chips Ice Cream
   Kaju gulkand shake, Rose malai shake
- Jio Digital Life
- Alankar Studio
- Shalimar's Sarso Tel
- Hira Namkeen
- New Apex Laundry and drycleaners
- New Shankar Furniture
- Overnite Express Limited
- TIRUPATI COURIER SERVICES
- Nagrik Seva Kendra E-mitra
- Model Dairy Farm
- Bhati Pan bhandar
- Sunny selection
- Nahar Steel Furniture
- Rajasthan dairy farm
- Shri Salasar Balaji Phiniya Udyog
- Shree Balaji Temple
- Krishna Lights
- Raju Cycle Mart
- Riya Enterprises
- Praveen Electric works
- Shree Shanti Enterprises
- Thanvi building
- Jain Arts
- Upkar dryclean
- Number Plate flex printing
- Radium Number stickers and Name Plate
- Sohan electric and rewinding works
- Jai Shankar Provision store
- G Photo's Digital Studio
- Mannu Guest House
- Bath wash A complete cleaning shop
  Here i meet Mr Dilip Kumar Mr Vivek Kumar
- Urgent passport photo hatho hath
- Chief Arts
- Rainbow book binding
- Mehar studio
- Whirpool
- Priya boys hostel
- Mayank book sellers and stationers
- Supreme Furniture
- Patanjali
- Upbhokta Borana General Store
  Mr Yash is the man at the counter
- Dhariwal Bhawan Rajasthan dairy farm
- Mansixl shoppe
- Shri Vishnu mobile and cover house
- Mr Murlidhar selling fruits
- Sulmani readymade shop
- Jodhpur Sehar Zila Cong Committee
- Pooja travels
- Here i meet Mr Dinesh Giri and Mr Atul Puri
- Bhartiya Pushtak Bhandar
- Smart phone repair
- Shreenath lucky mobile
- Bhagyashree mobile gallery
- Mr Kishan Singh selling anar (pomegranate)
- Surya nagri sewa samiti
- Sarvodaya book stall
- Kheteshwar gajak reweri bhandar
- Krishna vilas namkeen
- Hindustan handloom centre
- Shree Classic

In Mannu Guest House i happen to meet Mr Shyam Singh of Jaisalmer. I tell him i have been to Jaisalmer a border city/town which won't see any skirmishes and infiltration from other side. Mr Amar Singh of Mannu Guest House has a house near Mehta Road station. Besides he owns agricultural land in village.

Mr Joseph Vijay, the Tamil Film actor, movies are great. His Tamil Movies dubbed in Hindi are a treat to watch. Our best wishes to Mr Joseph Vijay and other film actors, actresses from South, Marathi, Hindi and World Film Industry.

At another level cutting funds meant for Palestinian refugees is a big setback. Perhaps the US Administration needs to revisit the issue and restore funds. 

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