The Contagion Of Me and Myself Has Truly Arrived

The Contagion Of Me and Myself Has Truly Arrived

From Russia to Syria to Turkey and China, the authoritarian template is coming in dollops and there won't be a dearth of the same in the coming years. Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping's decision to garland himself with an indefinite tenure can't be seen in isolation. Rulers for decades or authoritarian set-ups are increasingly playing out in international theatre; and to baulk at the same would be stupid as nations who could swear by democratic credentials are running out of steam. To damn with people's choice is the rule of the game.

International Brouhaha that won't come swift and strong
Taking a authoritarian route, the international brouhaha won't come swift and strong now as it would have some three decades ago when the Berlin Wall ceased to exist followed by Soviet Union relegating to history. It was in 1989 the Berlin Wall was a history and a little later the cracks appeared in Soviet Union. That let a string of democratic experiments to come up in a host of nations. In Russia the experiments with democracy were seen in its earlier innings and later this was replaced by stifling of voice and dissent and solitary rule by Mr Putin; Holland ruler too getting into the same shoes. Nations caught up in the throes of authoritarian set-ups are mirroring a balance between power and an increasing appetite for more power.

Sure Recipe for one man rule; for Mr Xi the challenge may well emanate from PLA
The never-ending civil war and other wars in the Middle East; the flood of migrants towards the West; the technology that increasingly looks to take the form of a beast and increasing polarisation is a sure recipe for one man rule contagion/ malaise to spread and sell. No amount of remorse or regret would change the emerging picture and people's voice would be less heard in the constituencies of one party one man rule. The increasing challenge to Mr Jinping could well come from People's Liberation Army(PLA) rather from his constituents and how he is able to maintain a balance between PLA's overambitious agenda and keep his flock together. Ties with nations which are locked in land and sea disputes with Beijing would be something to watch out for in the coming years. Touting China as a role model for the world is something Mr Xi would like to play out to international audience and by the time he completes his second tenure in 2023, Beijing's maritime and land interests and how far it has gone to secure it would well be known.

To be in secure and plush surroundings; there is a saving grace for India
Arming oneself with more and more power would be the catalyst and what could well define the literature from Russia to China would be how insecure the leaderships feel at times and thereby what actions they take to see themselves in a secure and plush surroundings. One such action came last Sunday in Beijing and more such openings/offences could well be seen in other nations as well. As for India the attempt to throttle the voice of a politico here and a common man there seen occasionally is a steady reminder of the baby steps that country is taking to move towards a totalitarian regime. Separated from one party rule is the ultimate saviour for a nation as diverse as India and a blessing as bountiful as ever for a free media. Media in India is not controlled by one entity as seen in Hungary . The left oriented newspaper Népszabadság folded up in Hungary and that was a big blow. Media outlets may too fold up here and there in India but that won't prevent it from belting out criticism quite often. The contagion of Me and Myself Has Truly Arrived in other parts of the world.

Despite writing this piece my best wishes to Mr Xi Jinping and hope he is able to steer China to a new trajectory. As of now he is the best bet for China.

Sai live darshan is not coming

Sai live darshan is not coming

There is no sai live darshan. By visiting the following site/page one used to get sai live darshan in the past.
http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/darshan_new.html

Please help restore sai live darshan. We would be grateful.
Please help restore sai live darshan.

Meeting Mr Danny Guzman from Brooklyn, Ms Julia from Brazil

Meeting Mr Danny Guzman from Brooklyn, Ms Julia from Brazil

While taking a metro ride the other day i happen to meet Ms Julia from Brazil and Mr Danny Guzman from the US, both on two month visa to India a country which had among its residents persons with the name Rhea. Ms Julia corrects me when she says the Lady President who happens to be Ms Dilma Vana Rousseff in Brazil has been replaced by a new President Mr Michel Temer who can see through the designs of those elements which try to be less fair and more clever. The protests in Brazil that continued and slippage in economy that was recorded now and then linked to the change of guard and Ms Julia was not comfortable with the idea of protests breaking out quite frequently and in the due course it had not lost its steam and battery.

Mr Danny Guzman took a flight from New York to Ukraine, from Ukraine took another flight to Dubai a city which has among its creations some super subways. He stayed in Dubai for one day before leaving for New Delhi a city which experiences temperatures quite heavy. In the face of tweetstorm emerging from Washington how the officials are supposed to handle criticisms was something that called for energy of a scale of fanaticism. The New Yorker the publication, the Brooklyn Bridge the important landmark which had in its vicinity some loan sharks. When i started rattling off names of CNN anchors like Ms Maggie Lake and others Mr Guzman was of the opinion the best information lay in face to face interaction even if it happens to be with a comedian.

Before parting we wished each other the best
Mr Danny Guzman had a longing to interact with people across different layers and liking for India a country where fewer had fears. Though he had stayed in India for just a day, he wished to stay here for long  and possibly a marriage that would not cost him a fortune and would come for a song. His opinion about the US Administration and the decision of the previous ones to get in Iraq and Afghanistan was something the later administration had to handle against reigning notices of eviction. Mr Barack Obama had fruitful stints in office Mr Guzman maintained with economy showing signs of green shoots and not being contained. International Herald Tribune (IHT) the newspaper i read in the '80s was something we chewed on with a fairly good knowledge which paper was the King Kong. The vast acres of land lost to fires in California too came up for discussion. Mr Guzman handed me his visiting card and hoping to hear from me even if it happens to be from a bar. Ms Julia in particular seem to be in her elements and enjoying her stay in India. Before parting i asked Ms Julia to be safe as that would all be required in a country where the people still carry a briefcase. My best wishes to Mr Danny Guzman and Ms Julia and hope they get enough opportunities to Visit India which is part of a truly arrived Asia.

Met Mr Jason from France who is giving coaching in Life Project for Youth in the campus in Sangam Vihar in New Delhi. He is giving coaching in English, computers, professional skills. One of the students happen to be Ms Isha. Mr Jason during his stay in India has been to Varanasi, Dharamshala, Amritsar and Shillong in Meghalaya. He has no idea about TV5 Monde and DW Channel beamed from Europe a continent where the people still have hope. He would be leaving India soon and his one year stay has been a big boon.
Met Mr Carl Jaison from Kerala. He has completed History (hons) from St Stephen's college Delhi University. Pursuing masters in International Relations from South Asian University in New Delhi where some people have round belly.

The fortnight of the past was something to cheer about as it brought interactions with a range of people from east to west who were in a new place and had enough revelations to cast. Right from Badarpur to Wazirpur the ride was accomplished in a bus pool; the energy and enthusiasm that unfolded kept everyone cool. The tweets from Washington that on occasions look to be less dignified; the change in guard in Brazil has its own story and spice.

Going towards Badarpur; Meeting Poimi from Meghalaya; Going to Wazirpur

Going towards Badarpur; Meeting Poimi from Meghalaya; Going to Wazirpur

It was on a Saturday i decided to visit Badarpur and the DTC bus was the only option which was quite cool. Took Bus no  544 which left at 11.50 am from Bhikaji Cama Place going past Rain or Shine Awesome Assam advertisement, Sarojini Nagar Market, Sarojini Nagar Police Station all places of steady imagination. Few minutes later it went past AIIMS, South Extension and a little later at 12.10 we were in August Kranti Marg from where it turned left and went past Kamala Nehru College, Gargi college and it seem to be having a blast. At Masjid Moth what could be spotted was more than 1 km long vehicle queue which revealed traffic blues. Chirag Delhi mein aapka swagat hai (you are welcome in Chirag Delhi) board greeted as we went past Birla Vidya Niketan School ( at least 30 to 40 per cent of school seats should be reserved for students from weaker sections), Madangiri Village, SDMC Primary School (Co-ed). Later we reached Mehrauli Border road and it was something to boast. This was followed by Air Force Station Vayusenabad, FHQ Officers' Mess, Halt & Go places for autorickshaws, ITBP Tigri Camp, Jamia Hamdard and Air Force Station Tughlaqabad. I reached Badarpur Border at 12.57 pm. By  the time i reached Badarpur Border bus stand i was too tired and left with little energy to take a bus and take a return ride. Took metro from Badarpur metro station at 1.10 pm which had among its passengers some officiating as GMs. It went past Govindpuri, Kalkaji, Khan market metro stations before reaching Central Secretariat where passengers were greeted with standing ovation. Here i deboarded and took another metro and reached INA at 2 pm after going all the way to Qutub Minar and returning with no mood to take a shower.

Meeting Mr Poimi from Meghalaya
At INA station i met Mr Poimi from Meghalaya. He is primarily associated with some work in Meghalaya State House. Mr Poimi talked about different tribes in Meghalaya. Some people  in Delhi took advantage of a person who has just arrived in the national capital and people taking advantage of a new person was something towards which he had aversion. Met Mr Jayanta and Ms Sangeeta from Tripura. Jayanta is a final year student of M.B.B.S. pursuing from Vardhman Mahaveer Medical College near AIIMS in New Delhi The tuition fee is Rs 27,000 each year. Sangeeta is doing masters in English from Delhi University. They were of the opinion that fewer people in the national capital had the time and patience to interact with people from north east a region that opens its door to Asia's South East
Met students of Symbiosis Institute Indore at the same bus stop. They were headed towards Mahipalpur near airport in New Delhi and were trying to find out the connectivity to the said court.

When bus fare used to be 5 paise to 10 paise
The other day i met Mr Sudhir Gupta. Born in 1952 in Paharganj in New Delhi. At that time Delhi was primarily known from Delhi Gate, Ajmeri Gate and Gole Market. At present he was staying in Lawrence Road. According to him, in the 50s and 60s the Bus fare used to be  5 paise 7 paise and 10 paise. Fifty paise was all that one had to shell out for seeing a hakim (doctor) . The price of Aloo (Potato) 2 aana, eight aana kilo and for 5 aana one could lay hands on milk bottle.
Met Mr Ajay Singh in S J Enclave. Met Mr Notul and Mr Siddharth from Assam. Met Mr Ashok Juneja in S J Enclave. Met fruit seller Mr Rajaram.
In Safdarjung Enclave met Mr Shiv driving a gypsy, Mr Rashid automan. Met a family from Delhi driving a car bearing a Gujarat number. Met Mr Dilep Chakravarty. All i could assure him was he would be in my prayers. While coming from Ayyapa temple in Sector 2 R K Puram the other day i happen to meet Ms Kamy from Assam. Her husband is from Manipur and engaged in online pharmacy. Met Ashok Kumar Meena hailing from Ganganagar pursuing B Pharma from Sharda University in Delhi. Meet automan Mr Harish Kumar Yadav from Koderma, Jharkhand.
A board shows the benefits of Direct Benefit Transfer. Middlemen out! Benefits direct into account. DBT helped in saving of Rs 57,029 cr.

Going to Wazirpur
After going through the DBT board it was time take a ride to Wazirpur which had in its proximity a well built fort. Took bus number 610 at 12.18pm from Bhikaji Cama Place. Going past rainwater harvesting Pit no 1. At 12.40 we go past Gurdwara Rakab Ganj, 12.44 Kali Bari Mandir Marg, 12.45 D.T.E.A School, Police Station Mandir Marg, 12.45 ST. Thomas Church, 12.47 Delhi Press, SBI Jhandewalan Extension, 12.51 Jhandewalan Mandir.

A little later going past Krishna Confectionery. This is followed by a shop selling Kambal (blankets) for staff, worker, gift Rs 75 to Rs 8000 each.
Going past Shree Rajmahal Jewellers, P P Jewellers. Going past
- Shri Gurunanak free dispensary
- Bikaner sweets shop
- Bikaner namkeen centre
- Acharya Ganesh Shastri Chowk
- Shreeneel Kanth Mahadev Mandir
- Hoarding of Explore Delhi and beyond
- Baptist Church
- govinda foods
-Shree Digamber Jain Mandir
- Sri Gurunanak Dev Khalsa College
- Shree Smarth Sales

Going past Karol Bagh, Anand Parbat, Shastrinagar, Inderlok, Kanhaiya Nagar, Keshav Puram, Campus of Open Learning University of Delhi. Going past Rampur Gaon Mein Aapka Hardik Swagat Hai (Rampur Village Welcomes You). A little later there is Fire Station Keshav Puram followed by Britania Road, Shakhrpur and Telephone Exchange.

Reaching Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan in Wazirpur
Reached Wazirpur at 1.47pm from where i take another bus and reach Richi Rich bus stop at 1.50pm where people quite often visit persons with the name Kim. The Bus bearing Number DL  1P 9841 has a conductor who is humble and doesn't babble. Reach Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan (Employee Provident Fund Office) at 2pm. First i go to Gate number 5 where there is enquiry counter and here none are supposed to loiter. There is not a long queue but the man at the counter is furnishing details about PF and related issues after checking from his peers. A little later i go to PRO Office where Ms Anju Dayal and Mr Kuldeep Bhardwaj are supposed to prepare gate passes for people other than those having glasses. I go to sixth floor. Meet Mr Ashish Mishra from Lucknow and Mr Sachin Kumar from Bihar which is a place from Delhi quite far. They tell me TDS won't be deducted and for which a form needs to be submitted. In EPFO office  come across Mr Chhatar Singh Security Guard, Mr Ram Singh a security guard. Mr Ishwar Lal guides me to bus stop. Mr Bhatia resident of Wazirpur area gives information on the bus i could take to reach Nauroji Nagar which is resplendent forever. Take TMS (Tri  Mudrika Service) from Wazirpur Shalimar Bagh at 3.30. Going past Punjabi Bagh, Rajouri Garden, Garrison Engineering  and here sighting some people with ear ring. At 4.13 we are  in Dhaula Kuan and at 4.25 we are in Bhikaji Cama Place which over a period of time would see another commercial structure face to face.

The ride to Badarpur and Wazirpur came amidst hopes of visiting these places quite often to be in a frame of being firm and cool.

The 51-day IPL clash that would lose its sheen and bash

The 51-day IPL clash that would lose its sheen and bash

As 51-day  Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament begins in India on April seven it won't feature any player with the name Michael Bevan. The 51-day melee would see security at its tallest grid as those team players would feature who were retained with renewed bid. The interest of sports enthusiasts would be centrepiece of this 50 plus one day event; the public would roar and revel with enough bottles bought. Some would come to the stadium drunk and destined to deliver a lecture knowing fully well who all players would be filmed and revealed in the picture.

The opening match would be at Wankhede in Mumbai and the final too would be at the same spot; the day the curtains come down on this tournament one would actually get to know the number of tickets bought. Passes and persuasive skills would be at play as a large number of aficionados won't like to touch the cash tray. Some teams like Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings would pull out all the stops to wish and win knowing fully well the rules of the game won't be altered in the din. The 51-day event won't see India stop on its track; the coming months would see the waning influence of the tournament and its likelihood to crack. It will be the 11th edition with none, players and public included, slapped with charges of sedition. Doping and the dossier on the same would begin to find its way once the tournament reaches its peak and begins to grey. For the past ten edition this event had the country in its thrall; the peak day clashes seeing traffic crawl.

Commensurate to this IPL kicking off on April seven is a report in a national daily (HT) to link Delhi ring rail with Metro belly. This measure won't kick in as there are no land left where ring rail in the city could expand and beam. Hoping that traffic would dwindle by half if metro network is linked with ring rail right at the heart; the one and only measure that can reap dividends is when ring rail is expanded at a massive expense. This idea should have been thought right at the time when first lines were being laid for Delhi Metro; now one is thinking of linking ring rail with metro when the land is lying in the ghetto. Only a surcharge on any household having second car can bring the traffic down by fifty per cent any other move will only keep alive the pent up anger scent. Cases of road rage and no road cess in the city of Delhi has brought to a miserable stage the traffic toast as residents of the city with thick wallets have large cars to boast.

If reports are to be believed the City of Cape Town is seeing no water crown (water shortage); this same episode can resonate in India if people don't recede and delink from water wastage phobia. Water is a resource that should be preserved, wasting money seen as a normal practice and that should be curbed. The ruling party's decision to hold a big Shivaji event (Asian Age report) is a waste of time and money; it would have been better to create employment opportunities in Maratha Fort with enough penny. It would be better to raise resources for healthcare rather holding such events as they are seen as wooing people with elections in mind knowing fully well that electorate won't be kind. 

Listening to Mahamrityunjaya Mantra; Visiting Mehrangarh Fort,Unmaid Palace, Jodhpur

Listening to Mahamrityunjaya Mantra; Visiting Mehrangarh Fort,Unmaid Palace, Jodhpur

Listening to  Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a moving experience

Om tryambakam yajāmahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam

urvā rukamiva bandhanān mrtyor muksīya mā'mrtāt

As i listen to Mahamrityunjaya Mantra i am reminded about my stay in Somnath in Gujarat State. I as well listen to Sri Srinivasam Marsaswami, Sri Venkatramana Hari Venkatramana and Namo Venkatsaye Namo Tirumalasaye all songs in praise of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala.
Coming back to Jodhpur stay the meals at Mehrangarh Fort in Chowkelao Garden Cafe come for a price rarely known in Rajasthan State. There is a man with a turban who relishes the presence of foreigners and takes offence if a resident of India starts interacting with people from other countries without ordering food. Everyone should get respect at Chowkelao Garden Cafe .

Buffet lunch
Rajasthani, Chinese, Continental, Desserts
In Chowkelao Garden Cafe
Veg Biriyani rs 600 + tax
Full Buffet rs 999 + tax
Veg buffet only rs 699 + tax
Tea for two rs 500 + Tax

In Chowkelao Garden Cafe i happen to meet Ms Earn from Bangkok. She has come with a group from Thailand. She introduces me to other members of the group. She flew from Bangkok to Jaipur and later from Jaipur to Jodhpur. I tell her i have been to Siem Reap in Cambodia a movie from the West starring Ms Angelina Jolie popularly called Lara Croft Tomb Raider had Siem Reap in the background. Hope Ms Angelina Jolie and her children are doing well and are showered with blessings. She is able to repeat feats like Lara Croft Tomb Raider with God's blessings. Ms Earn is eager to know more about from me but given the turban man's behaviour i leave Chowkelao Garden Cafe.  About 200 metres from Chowkelao Garden Cafe comes a colony. Before i step into the colony i meet Mr Heiko from Japan. In his present stay he has been to Srinagar, Amritsar, Rishikesh, Goa, Thiruvanthapuram, Hampi (Hampi i visited in 2014) Mangalore, Aurangabad Ahmedabad,  Junagadh, Jodhpur all places in India with a flavour of their own. I tell him about Prime Minister Mr Shinzo Abe's success at polls with no challenge coming from New Party of Hope. Mr Abe had advanced polls in his country and his Liberal Democratic party came with flying colours. I tell him about NHK news channel beamed from Tokyo.  The very fact that he visited Srinagar shows tourists are not alarmed by tense situation in Kashmir and some way or the other are able to keep date with Kashmir.  From colony i take a u turn.  I go to Suraj Pole to go to museum. There is Mr Amar Singh a Security Guard.

In Museum
- Elephant Hodah
As a mark of special honour this elephant seat was presented to Maharaja Jaswant Singh I (1639-78) by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1657 A.D. Here i meet a group from Oregon New Jersey who are old but have magic in their steps.

- Palki Khana
- Palanquin
  This is an eastern Indian style palanquin with rectangular seat
- Daulat Khana
- Idol of Goddess Gangaur
  One of the incarnations of Goddess Parvati the consort of Shiva Gangaur is worshipped by married ladies  for longevity of their husband's life and by unmarried girls for a suitable match.
- Tasveer studio get clicked like a king and queen
- Durbar
- Courtly life in Marwar
- The Rathore Rulers of  Jodhpur-Marwar
- Phool mahal
- Making of a sword
  Further ahead the royal astrologer presents a short study based on Astrology and Palmistry
  In Mehrangarh Museum Shop
- Darjeeling tea 420 rs
 -Traditional Attars 5ml 790 rs
- Treasures
- Souvenirs
- Memories

Later i happen to meet Mr Renu Ram and Mr Mangal playing instruments. Later i meet Mr Benedikt from Germany. The polls in Germany and no success to get a coalition on table is part of conversation. Meet Mr Bhawani Singh Rathore a Security Guard who is very helpful. Meet Mr Chandan Singh Rathod that too a Security Guard.

Further ahead i Visit Chamunda temple. Returning from temple i happen to meet Ms Alice from South Korea. She tells me South Koreans are not scared by North Korea tests. They are carrying on undeterred by difficult stand of North Korean leadership. Ms Alice is a gem of a person. I hope the situation won't come to a breaking point in the Korean Peninsula. My best wishes to Ms Alice and Ms Earn. A few minutes later i am outside Mehrangarh Fort. Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park  is the final point outside Mehrangarh Fort. Meet Mr Surendar Singh a policeman who is very helpful. On the way to guest house i have meals from a restaurant. After reaching guest house i start making enquiries about Unmaid Palace.

Going to Unmaid Palace in Jodhpur
From Jalori Gate i take bus no 7 to be followed by bus no 1 and bus no 23. Later Mr Mahendar Singh Prajapati gives me lift. Mr Ravinder Singh too gives me lift who is sure about the way to reach Unmaid Palace. On the way meet Mr Teja Ram a boy selling coconut giving directions to Unmaid Palace. On the way i meet Mr Vikas Mr Vinod Mr Ashok from Pali. Two of them are  doing  nursing course from GNM Nursing Institute and third one is pursuing B.Sc. I promise to call them from New Delhi to extend my greetings. From the entry gate Automan Akbar drops me at Unmaid Palace.

A board says an architectural marvel amidst desert
Unmaid Bhawan Palace Museum
For tourists 100rs
Indian 30 rs children 5 to 11 yrs rs 10
timings 9am to 5pm
After procuring ticket i happen to meet students of Prathana School in Modasa about 110kms from Ahmedabad in Gujarat State.
Unmaid Bhawan Palace was commissioned by Maharaja Unmain Singh (1918-1948) on Chittor Hill south east of the city between 1929 and 1944. Unmaid Bhawan is set in 26 acres.

Menu
1936
Champagne
Pol Roger  1928
Perrior Jonet 1928
Sundries Rum Jamaica Red Heart
Ginger wine Crabbie's

Luncheon
Grape fruit
Patagede Asperjes
Quenelles de poisson
pedrix roti

Oriental room conservation of Ramayana murals

Range of watches
The courtyard Shop
Aura Hats rs 2760
Here Mr Sunil guides me. Mr Manish too guides me. While coming out of Unmaid Palace i came across Mr Sameer and Ms Pree from California. They flew from Los Angeles to Doha (Qatar's capital) and flew from Doha to Mumbai. After attending a wedding in Nagpur in Maharashtra State they are exploring Rajasthan State. They stayed in Doha for a week. I spoke to them on wildfires raging California and how hard it was for the authorities to tame it. Mr Sameer can understand  Hindi but can't speak much. He says thoda thoda Hindi (Little Little Hindi) as all along he has stayed in the US. They agree with me that walking is essential as it would keep one in good heath. They are a wonderful couple and my best wishes to them and hope they travel across the world. Later Mr Asish Soni pursuing Civil Engineering from IIT Madras gives me lift. He is in first year.
Later i take bus no 23 for Jalori Gate. It is being driven by Mr Bala Ram. Meet Mr Durga Ram working in court. The bus going past Army Recruiting Office Jodhpur. A board shows directions for Jodhpur Development Authority (JDA), Railway Station.
Going past Pushpa international, Rajasthan sweets and namkeen,  JDA office, SBI ATM. A board shows directions for Olympic Chauraha. Going past Reliance Digital, Indusind bank

Meet Mr Gokul Das from Barmer. Reach Mannu Guest House located in Jalori Gate in 20 minutes. The visits to Mehrangarh Fort and Unmaid Palace in Jodhpur were best to date and interactions were fascinating. Not to be missed were the interactions with Ms Earn and Ms Alice the latter from South Korea. The promise to speak to Mr Ashok, Mr Vinod and Mr Vikas was equally good. I settle for snacks in the evening. Monday morning i take tea from Baba Tea Stall. Later i have rava plain dosa from Janta Sweet Home in Sojati Gate. In Janta Sweet Home after completing conversation with Mr Ankur Gupta and Mr Chaman Singh the other day when i started having meals there were a large number of women who were in different age groups who took seat next to me. They were well mannered and good at heart and primarily hailed from Jodhpur.

Had the opportunity to watch Dhruva movie on Gemini TV on Feb 11. Success of Memu Saitham that too on Feb 11 on Gemini TV was great. Had the opportunity to watch Enga Ooru Special on DD Podhigai on Feb 11.

I had the opportunity to go through the piece the Government's health plan should be applauded by Mr Aakar Patel in Asian Age on Feb.4. I also had the opportunity to read Mr Sreeram Chaulia of Jindal School of International Affairs writing a piece Korea's Olympic Thaw: Dreams of Peace Rise. Mr Aakar Patel's piece on Kashmir on Feb 11 showed how difficult it was for peace to return to Valley.

Obama Portraits
Obama Portraits in National Portrait Gallery in Washington stand out. Good effort by  Kehinde Wiley for Mr Obama’s portrait, Amy Sherald for Mrs. Obama portrait. The story appearing in New York Times would elicit interest from different quarters given the fact that it is the first portrait of African-American President in National Portrait Gallery.

Listening to Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam; meeting those hailing from Ethiopia, Mysore and Cuba

Listening to Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam; meeting those hailing from Ethiopia, Mysore and Cuba


As i listen to Sri Venkateshwara Suprabhatam and Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam i am reminded of my stay in Tirumala. Tirumala is a place which one can visit once every year. As for notings in the national capital of Delhi i met the following people over a period of time.

It was a chance meeting with Mr Dalah from Ethiopia the other day who told me the capital is Addis Ababa. Mr Dalah is here in New Delhi as a tourist. News Channels Al Jazeera and CNN covered the African continent extensively which both of us agreed.  It takes almost seven hours from Ethiopia to India by flight. Meet two students Mr Lean and Mr John from Manipur in disciplines Political Science and Sociology from Hindu College (North Campus) Delhi University. Mr Lean's father is in Central Reserve Police Force posted in New Delhi. Mr Lean had been to Manipur two years ago. I tell Mr Lean and Mr John that Assam State Chief Minister was in Chennai recently seeking investments from Tamil Nadu state. How much investment would come is hard to guess given strife torn state's inability to bring peace on a long term basis. Peace is a prerequisite for investments to flock to Assam state.  If one wishes to travel to Manipur one can go by train from New Delhi to Guwahati and from Guwahati it takes almost 24 hours by road to reach Manipur. Meet a man from Nadia in West Bengal state. He has been staying in New Delhi for a long time. According to him Nadia is 105 kms from Kolkata the capital of West Bengal.

Visiting Anupama Sweets

The other day i Visit Anupama sweets in Kailash Colony near East of Kailash near Nehru Palace. Have snacks from Anupama Sweets. Meet Mr Arun K hailing from Kerala state working in Indian Navy. Some senior officer is supposed to visit national Capital of Delhi and Mr Arun is supposed to see things are in order. Manorama News and Asianet News which i watch and movies featuring Mr Mohan Lal are part of deliberations. Meet Mr Radhey Shyam running a tea stall in Kailash Colony. Meet Mr Ram Suresh who too is running a tea stall in Kailash Colony. At the bus stand near Nehru Palace i happen to meet Mr Palani from Salem in Tamil Nadu. Mr Palani has been staying in New Delhi for a long time. I tell him perhaps there is Palani temple which he says is in Tamil Nadu state.

Meet Diana from North East

While going towards Kashmere Gate for which i took an auto around 7.55 am for INA metro station the other day and took a metro a little after 8 am i happen to meet Ms Diana. I began conversation by asking her Madam, you come from which place? She says she is from Manipur studying in Kirori Mal College in Delhi University North Campus. I tell her i have high regards for people hailing from North East which essentially comprises of Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh. Ms Diana is staying with her relations somewhere near Hauz Khas in New Delhi. Her brother's wife is a staff nurse in Bara Hindu Rao hospital which i understand is near North Campus Delhi University.  The number of North East people in the city of Bangalore capital of Karnataka State i tell her outnumber the number of North East people in New Delhi and its outskirts. We both agree that irrespective of the community and background he or she comes from we should give respect to all. In the same metro ride i happen to meet Mr Shubham Singh Sharma pursuing MBA from an institute in Rohini  which goes by the name Gitarattan International Business School. Mr Shubham Singh Sharma stays near AIIMS and travels to his institute by metro. "Sir, i have been travelling to my institute by metro, " Mr Shubham Singh Sharma tells me adding to the comfort level by declaring he hails from Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh a place i have visited in 2012. I tell him i have visited Shimla (Jakhoo temple), Mcleodganj in Dharamshala and Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh State. My best wishes to students Ms Diana and Mr Shubham Singh Sharma. Meet Mr Anil from Sri Lanka at a restaurant near Mandir Marg New Delhi. Mr Anil works in Male, Maldives and has been enjoying his stint there.

Monks from Bylakuppe in Mysore which has a large number of temples

Meet Mr Dechen and Mr Gyalten both monks. They have been to Ladakh. They Come from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. At this point of time is is Very Cold in Arunachal Pradesh. They Stay in Bylakuppe near Mysore. I am told there are a large number of temples in Bylakuppe area. Bylakuppe is also home to large number of Tibetan settlements established by Lugsum Samdupling in 1961 and Dicki Larsoe in 1969.
Meet Mr Shimrah from Nagaland. Meet two boys from Manipur. Meet Mr M R Mahanta associated with National Security Guard (NSG). He Belongs to Orissa. He is slated to go to Kolkata and from there he would be going to Andamans.

Meet Sauhard from KMC

Meet Mr Sauhard.  Pursuing Economics (hons) from Kirori Mal College(KMC) of Delhi University. He scored over 96  per cent in humanities in Class 12th and Secured admission in third list in KMC. There are two sections of Eco(hons) with a strength of 40 in each.  I tell him i too have pursued Economic (hons) from KMC long time back when bus pass used to be Rs 12.50 for each month. There was no metro or scent of metro in our time. Economics Honours was tough and i had to repeat some papers to secure a decent second division. Probably no one from faculty of our time would be teaching in KMC now. He says the present faculty is quite good.
As for his ride, he has to pay Rs 70 for auto from his home in Gurgaon to Iffco Chowk metro station and Rs 51 for a ride from Iffco Chowk to Delhi University. In all he has to shell out Rs 242 for going back and forth.  His mother hails from West Bengal, his father is from Yamunanagar (Haryana) and is in Indian Economic Service. I tell him i have stayed in Institute of Economic Growth in the past where probably those who have cleared IES undergo training. He can speak Bengali quite fluently. Point to be noted Bangla is a sweet language largely spoken in West Bengal and nearby areas. He talks about Republic Channel which is to be noted is a ruling party channel.  When i met him he was reading Tribune newspaper which is strong in Chandigarh capital of Punjab and Haryana states. In Delhi it is Hindustan Times and Times of India that are strong. He Has plans to take Civil Services Exam. As a general candidate he would have to compete in 50.5 per cent seats as 49.5 per cent is reserved for different categories. My best wishes to Mr Sauhard. Meet Ms Usha from Manipur who goes to Manipur once a year. Meet Mr Kiran from Allepey in Kerala. Works in Mumbai. He has come from Mumbai to meet friends in Noida. Apart from Southern Channels i tell him i have been to Guruvayur.

Meeting those hailing from Zambia, Cuba; bring an immigration deal to protect undocumented immigrants in the US

Meet Mr Fekuta from Ethiopia, Ms Sibonelo Jere from Zambia, Yaritza and Yodeni from Cuba while taking a metro ride. They are undergoing training in JNU or Indian Institute of Mass Communication in New Delhi and are slated to stay in India till April. Ties which had been restored with Cuba by Barack Administration should be continued in the same vein by the present US administration was what we all could agree on.  In Kenya we were in agreement that opposition leader Mr Odinga should be given a chance to contest against Mr Uhuru  Kenyatta as elections by and large have not been fair. There is a need to hold fresh elections in Kenya. Ms Sibonelo Jere was in agreement that irrespective of the community or background he or she comes from we need to give respect to all.  Respect to all and hurt to none should be the guiding light. Ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in September 2017 in the US was not a wise move. Essentially DACA led to granting of work permits to immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. And DACA protected them from the threat of deportation. The US administration should show a big heart and reach an immigration deal or get DACA program up and running.

Watching Kuyil Thoppu on DD Podhigai on January 31 was  a treat. Watching Oliyum Oliyum on February 2 on DD Podhigai was also a treat.

Staying in Jodhpur; Visiting Bank; Visiting Airport

Staying in Jodhpur; Visiting Bank; Visiting Airport

Friday evening i have Janta thali from Janta Sweet Home in Sojati Gate. This Janta Sweet Home has some of the best food in the city. Later i walk all the way from Sojati Gate to Jalori Gate where my hotel is located. Saturday morning a little after 5.30 i leave bed and head to Baba tea stall run by Mr Madan Lal. The black tea on offer is great. Meet Mr Rakesh Chaudhary working in defence. His father too has worked in defence and built house in Jodhpur in 1993. Mr Rakesh Chaudhary was born in Delhi. Meet Mr Vijay Singh at Baba Tea stall. Near tea stall meet two students of St Paul School. Meet an old woman Pathani . Meet Mr Ashok of a shop near C R Enterprises who is very humble. Meet  three students of Anees School. School fees is around 30,000 rs a year for each student.
After getting ready in the Guest House i decide to visit HDFC Bank. Meet Mr Suresh Sakla who is driving Tata Magic. Meet Mr Kishan in Tata Magic whose father is a tehshildar. He talks about Sajjangarh in Udaipur which has enough greenery. Mr Kishan is doing general nursing and midwifery course to become a male nurse. It is a three year course. Meet Mr Ramesh Kumar who has acquired Civil Engineering diploma and hails from Barmer. Meet Saraswati as well in the mini bus who was born in Jodhpur.

According to Mr Kishan,  Surya Namkeen in Jalori Gate offers samosa for 5 rs and when it goes to Russia it is 300 rs a piece. According to him the places to see in Jodhpur are Mehrangarh Fort,  Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park,   Unmaid Palace, Ghantaghar bazar the latter known for cheap items. I visit HDFC Bank Chopasni Road branch. Meet Savita near HDFC Bank. In HDFC bank there is Ms Sonal Singhal,  Mr Amit Jiwani. Mr Bhanwar Singh is a Security Guard and so is Mr Shravan Kumar. A request to get withdrawal slip is accepted after i furnish Pan Card  copy and Voter Identity card copy. After getting the work done i hail an auto driven by Automan Mr Brijmohan Sharma and take a ride from HDFC Bank to Jalori Gate.

Meet Mr Narayan coming to Jodhpur for doing wood work hailing from Shergarh tehsil, Chaba village about 117 kms from Jodhpur.  Meet Mr Umesh working in hospital

Going to Airport

After visiting bank i return to Jalori Gate only to leave for Jodhpur Airport a little later. Take bus number 2 to Airport. Going past R B Tutorials. Directions showing Sirohi, Pali, Ahmedabad. A board shows Barmer 203 kms. In the bus i meet Mr Tejesh Bamboo studying in Jai Narayan Vishvidyalaya. Meet a boy from Bishnoi educational institute. Meet Ms Shabnam, Ms Saiyda Bano both hailing from minority section. Meet Mr Govardhan Ram who owns land in his village near Pipar city. He says due to NREGA it is difficult to find labour who could work on agricultural fields. Despite his reservations NREGA has to be supported back and forth.  Mr Ram was born in 1960. Meet Mr Ravinder Singh born  in Gangtok working in Jodhpur in Capital First a finance company . The company has a busy schedule in summers vis-a-vis winters.
From bus number 2 i deboard at Panch Batti.  Meet Mr Pappu doing cleaning work. From Panch Batti i walk all the way to the airport.  At airport i meet Mr Vishwa Nayak hailing from Orissa working in Birla White company in Kharia Village. In Kharia village one can find rich deposits of white cement minerals and that is why Birla White company is there. This village is near Gohan village. Meet Mr Pala Ram working in Indian Army. I have to wait for a while before someone comes at Air India counter. Later i find Mr Rameswar Sakla at Air India counter who is courteous and hands me the ticket to Delhi. Later i come across Mr Shravan working in airport along with two men
Meet Mr Ram Niwas preparing for Sub Inspector exam conducted by Rajasthan Public Service Commission. Meet Mr Manish Sindhal who is kind enough to give lift till Panch Batti.


The return ride from Airport

Going past Chitti Chetwani Sangathan Jodhpur, Paanch Batti, Bhati tea stall. Meeting a student of Aishwarya college pursuing a course in commerce. Going past railway station. Meet Mr Ramdev born in Nagaur taking coaching for REET. Meet Mr Budh Ram born in Bikaner now staying in Jodhpur. I am told in Bikaner the fort to see is Junagarh fort and Bikaner happens to be 200kms from Jodhpur. Meet Mr Ramlal Khandelwal who has spent 67 years in Jodhpur. While taking meals from Janta Sweet Home i happen to meet Mr Chaman Singh and Mr Ankur Gupta. Mr Chaman Singh happen to be from Dehradun and working in Punjab and  Sind Bank near Patiala in Punjab. The place where he works he says a large full house with different floors can be taken on rent for a little over 7000rs a month. Something you will find hard to locate in Delhi and the outskirts. Both of the boys are on their way to explore different places in Rajasthan. Both agree with me that Delhi has a rude imprint. Mr Ankur Gupta has been to Ladakh and the mode of transport that he took from Delhi was a bus which took over two days to reach Leh. Mr Ankur Gupta working in IT Sector in Gurgaon hails from Haridwar. They are in the know of a gentleman who writes travel blog. Mr Ankur Gupta appreciates the efforts taken by Delhi Government to improve the functioning of government schools. He agrees with me there was no need to raise metro fare in Delhi. As we part ways i suggest to Mr Chaman Singh to apply Betnovate-N with cotton on his face and that would help him to control pimples.
Meet Mr Murlidhar selling fruits at Sojati Gate. Meet Automan Yaya Khan. Meet Mr Ghanshyam selling fruits at Jalori Gate. Meet Mr Jaman Das born in Jodhpur. Meet Mr Khemraj, Mr Dinesh, both driving autos and Mr Pawna near Baba Tea Stall.

While waiting for public transport on Sunday i happen to meet Malaysian couple Mr and Mrs Eikkokkue. They have been to Delhi, Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur and were now in Jodhpur and from here planning to go to Jaisalmer. I tell Mr Eikkokkue about Mr Mahathir Mohammad who was at helm of affairs in Malaysia at some point of time. I happen to meet Mr Shiano from Bajrang Pan Bhandar who was very down to earth. At another level the ruling party in Rajasthan is in for a big challenge likely to see it perform poorly if it does not bring a change of guard in Rajasthan State.


Sightings in Sojati Gate

- Janta softy-n-softy
- Food court Janta Thali 110 rs lassi ice cream shake
- Anarkali juty corner
- Royal jeans
- Priyal hotel and restaurant
- Neel Kamal Electronics
- Prabhu Sai Mobile Sales and Service
- Lal's Badhni
- Kaka tea stall
- Mysore silk house
- Raj offset printers
- Raj photo copy
- Only Vimal
- Saboo fabrics
- Anatram Katta Jewellery
- Bachhraj uniform
- Rathore Armoury shop
- Shree Mishreelal Misthan Bhandar
   Chhot ka Dudh aaj ka bhav 30 rs
- Prince Gen and Provision store
- Bombay Silk Stores
- Jai shree photo copiers photo copy 50 paise colour print 5 rs
- Shree Ramdev musical tabla store
- New Gopal watch co
- Marwar namkeen merchant
- Ridhi Ridhi
  Gajak Chikki Reweri
- Birla Bros
- Regal Studios
- Om tailors
- Nemichand Pan Merchant
- Dhariwal medical stores
- Lodha cards and gifts
- Titan
- Rajus sarees
- Poornima Sarees Bandhey
- Lucky silk stores
- Lal fancy store
- Very dental clinic
- Very nice cassette
- UCO Bank
- Intex
- Krishna Mobile Electronics
- Tata sky


Going to Mehrangarh Fort

There are different places to explore in Jodhpur. First place i decide to visit is Mehrangarh Fort.
Take bus no 15 to Kakori Gate. Meet Mr Vikram from Kota. Meet Mr Idan Singh journalist of Rajasthan Patrika hailing from Lohawat Tehsil.
Going past Padamji mithaiwala wah namkeen, Surya Nagri Sudh Sakhari Bhojan.
From Kakori Gate take Tata magic vehicle driven by Mr Yashpal Gehlot. Meet a couple from Neemch. They had to change two  to three trains to reach Jodhpur. The man goes by the name Pawan working in tractor showroom and his wife goes by the name Pankhudi. In the bus i happen to meet Mr Lolepram. Meet Mr Mohit from Sirsa. He has come to Jodhpur to take  FCI (Food Corporation of India) exam.


At Mehrangarh Fort
Meet Mr Chander Singh a Security Guard. Meet Mr Jograj Singh who has brought foreign tourists in his car. At the entrance to the fort there are directions for  Ghantaghar, Gulab Sagar.

Come across a board Rediscovering Jodhpur. A walk through the walled city towards a better future

Places In Jodhpur
- Paota Camp
- Fateh Sagar
- Juni Dhan Mandi
- Public offices
- Narchokia Kotwali
- Sojati Gate
- Darbar stable
- Fateh Pole

Jodhpur the blue city renews itself
On display Admission contribution 600rs
Concession for students 400rs
Guide fee 1 x 4 pax 400rs
Timings 9am to 5pm
Foreign Exchange rates
Euro 73
USD 62
CAD 48

Mehrangarh Fort
Award of distinction UNESCO Asia - Pacific Heritage awards for culture heritage conservation
- Thrilling aerial tours
In Bookstore The mighty tale of Hanuman
Unmaid Bhawan Palace
Jodhpur Modern

In Cafe Sweet Lassi rs 50 or 60
Marks of the cannon balls on the fort wall (1808A.D.)
A man going by the name Mr Pappu Ram playing an instrument Ravanhatta.
Meet Mr Padma a Security Guard. Further ahead there is Chowkelao Bagh

Watching Mayul Thoppu on DD Podhigai channel beamed from Tamil Nadu on January 16, 2018 was a treat. 

Hundreds of workers rescued from South Africa's gold mine

Hundreds of workers, something over 900, were rescued from South African gold mine. Beatrix gold mine in which they were locked they were rescued from it and nothing could be better than this development. The City of Theunissen in South Aftrica deserves all praise. Hope workers are safe across world.

The Budget papers tabled in the House in India is something to be appreciated by one and all. Modalities of healthcare and how it has to be rolled out would be worked out over a period of time, say six months to one year. Efforts should be made to see the healthcare reaches those hailing from disadvantage sections (weaker sections) and it does not turn solely into a profitable business for insurance companies. Efforts should be made to upgrade existing government hospitals across country and the establishment of new government hospitals/ colleges comes with adequate manpower and equipments. We should pray that GST collections in the coming months/years helps to get the necessary resources to give a thrust to healthcare across country. GST collections would surely rise if all file documents every month honestly. At least the government has made a beginning and now efforts should be made to see the benefits of healthcare reach weaker sections.