VIEWS on break darshan in Tirumala; In Udhgai Visiting Coonoor, Visiting Doddabetta Peak; leaving for Coimbatore

Views on break darshan in Tirumala; In Udhgai Visiting Coonoor, Visiting  Doddabetta Peak; leaving for Coimbatore, reaching Hyderabad on a Sunday

The VIP break darshan in  Tirumala should be through draw of lots and that too for just two days in a week and that too for one hour each day Mon Tues between 6 am to 7 am. Lord Venkateswara is for everyone and not just for break darshan people.

The Lord Venkateswara temple is managed by TTD. The TTD should see to it that pilgrims including common pilgrims are not pushed around repeatedly just to ensure that enough time is made available for VIPs to troop in. The tag line in SVBC channel shows those who have donated a lump sum  amount (over Rs 10 lakh) can opt for break darshan. The Lord Venkateswara Temple is for everyone. L1 L2 L3 lines should be discontinued for all times to come. Make arrangements for elderly people and those who need help. If TTD can't manage things the temple should be looked after by an independent institution like ASI.

All is well in Tirumala except for break darshan and giving freebies to so-called politicos and other VIPs like CM of this state or that province. Keeping people in compartments for long hours to let this VIP get inside the temple won't do. Then SVBC channel showing this VIP visited the temple during such and such date and taking his or her views has become a reigning practice and this needs to be stopped immediately. SVBC should devote its resources towards productive things instead of covering the so-called VIP and his troop members.

There was a time when seva tickets like Thomala, Archana were given to those who joined the queue at 2 in the morning or before that and counters would open at eight. Those who were first in the queue would be given the seva tickets. Such practice has been discontinued and pilgrims find it hard to avail Archana, Thomala Seva. A sort of correction needs to be introduced here.

In Udhagai, Visiting Coonoor, Doddabetta Peak

It would require steady rigour on a consistent basis to map out the areas i visited in and around Udhagai (Udhagamandalam) and the sightings i made note of. Intermittent rains defined the proceedings with a word out that exploring Udhagai would be incomplete without visiting  Mudumalai, Coonoor and Doddabetta Peak. A summary of assumptions constructed and summary of events recalled  the visits to these places spread between Tuesday and Saturday were marked by a hospitality that normally one comes across in States of South India. The sightings of different places is primarily done with the objective of noting the people i come across and their hospitable nature with no intention to show who is the boss.

Sightings in Udhagai

- Hotel Mughal. Here i Meet Mr Karthik
- Hotel Landmark
- Meet Mr Govindraj from Mysore
- SBI ATM
- Narendar mobiles and textiles
- Madhima coffee, tea and spices
- Green Apple residency
- Silly talks (Kuniyar mobiles)
- Narendar electricals co
- Tasty Kitchen
- Indian electricals
- Ubaid Coffee and tea co
- Bismillah hotel
- Sri Selva Vinaygar stores
- Nilgiri super coffee
- Jyothi tea and coffee
- Ayesha cafe and cool bar
- Sri Ranga Vilas restaurant
- P. V. Ragavan National tea restaurant
- Taj Bakers
- Blue star cottage. Room available
- Meet Mr Aseem
- Deluxe bakery. The coffee shop and snacks
- Star Cafe
- Tamil Nadu paints and hardware
- Thunder world
- Experience real snow in Ooty
   snow world
- Udhagai railway station
- Ticket counter only four tickets per passenger
- Southern railway computerised reservation centre
   retiring rooms, booking office
- Meet Mr Halgor
- Nilgiri Railway Co constructed the railway from 1886 to 1899 between Mettupalayam and                  Coonoor  using 'Alternate Biting Teeth' technology. In January 1903 the railway was purchased by      the govt and construction between Coonoor and Udagamandalam was completed in 1908.                    UNESCO conferred World Heritage to Nilgiri Mountain Railway in 2005.

 Going to Coonoor

Take Nilgiri train. Leave Udhagai at 12.43. Lovedale comes at 12.54. Three tunnels come on the   way. To gauge the surroundings and surfeit of challenges, a window seat would have been desirable.
 1.07 Ketti
 1.42 Aravankadu station. The message here is water is precious. Please don't waste water
 1.54 Wellington. Year of construction 1808
 1.58 Coonoor

 Sightings in Coonoor

- In  Coonoor meet Mr Sudaram, Mr Murugan , Mr Radhakrishnan of New Classic Foods Bakery          and Sweets. From here i have veg puff.
- Hyderabad Biryani
- Venkateswara lodge
- S.A P. Hotel veg and non veg
- Y S Men's Club of Coonoor
- From Coonoor Kotagiri is 22kms, Lambi's rock 9 km, Dolphin's Nose 12 km
- Eldee Complex Lodge
- Hotel Ragavendra
- May I Help You Coonoor Traffic Police
- V. K G. Mobiles
- Chamraj finest Nilgiri tea
- Hotel Sri Lakshmi for meals
- Variety Handloom Exclusive Silk Sarees
- K Fashion Vimal Textiles
- BKC Biryani and Kabab corner
- Hotel Vinayaga
- Hotel Haathira
- Star mess
- Blue Mountain Tea traders
- Nagaraja Medicals
- Sri Manikandan Medicals
- Indian Bakery

 Meet Mr Kurup of Venky's restaurant in Cash Bazar Coonoor. I am meeting him after seven years. Since i can't get the ticket for Nilgiri train i settle for bus. The bus for Ooty from Coonoor  leaves at 4.05 pm. Mr Rajesh is bus conductor, Mr Vijay Anand is bus driver. Both are very humble. We are on Ettines road at 4.55. Reach Ooty at 5.07. Meet Mr Ravi Vijaydurai of Bharat Scouts and Guides in the bus.
 In Udhagai bus stand
- Tamil Nadu Tourism Welcomes You
- Places of interest in and around Udhagai
   Ooty lake, Rose Garden, Botanical Garden, Doddabetta Peak, Kalhatty Falls, Avalanche, Pykara
   In Kotagiri, Kodanadu view point
   In Gudalur,  Mudumalai  which is 18 kms from Gudalur
 Distance from Ooty
 Mettupalayam 51km
 Coimbatore 89km
 Chennai 585 km

 In Udhagai bus stand
 Filter coffee, filter tea, black coffee, black tea, lemon tea, milk all for rs 15.

  Arafa Bakes
  Hot tea, coffee, lemon tea, soup available
- Iyangar cake shop near SBI ATM
- In Marriamman Temple there are two statues One is Kali other is Marria
- Meet Mr Silvaraj. Meet Mr Srinivas. Meet Mr Dakshnav a class 10 student

 Leave for Doddabetta Peak at 10.26

 Going past The Nilgiris Hotel Pure Vegetarian restaurant attached, Race Course Lodge
 Directions Market Left, Charring Cross Straight, Coonoor Straight, Kotagiri Straight
- Benchmark chocolate factory
- High Hill tea
A message. Find a bin put it in.
Deboard at 10.59
Take another bus at 11 am. Reach Doddabetta Peak at 11.45 after walking for a considerable time as there is traffic jam.

Doddabetta Peak Menu

Lemon Tea 15 rs, Green tea 15, Veg noodles 70, Veg biryani 70, Tomato rice 60. Here there is no receipt given.
The Telescope House is designed and constructed by Engineering Wing T.T.D.C. Ltd.
Mr Patrick hands over my picture clicked by a woman photographer.
Meet Mr Dinesh Yeole from Nashik in Maharashtra State. He came in a group by tempo traveller. As for 2019 battleground he is of the firm view that one man is up against a plethora of leaders. The basic fact is all political leaders travel on taxpayer money. Is it fair?

It is raining without a break in Doddabetta Peak. Take shelter in a tea shop in Doddabetta Peak Junction. Meet Ms Aruna who is very helpful. Even his brother Mr Arun studying in a college in Avinashi Main Road in Coimbatore is helpful. Here i meet Mr Pradeep from Trichy, meet Mr Antony, a teacher in maths and science. Mr Antony tells me about Fruit show in Sim's Park in Coonoor on May 26 and 27.
Reach udhagai bus stand by 1 pm. There is a need to redevelop Udhagai bus stand. There are not enough seats for passengers.
In Southern Railway Pure Veg restaurant what is on offer is Tea, coffee and meals. In Kutti's bakery for tea and biscuits meet Ms Raagri and Ms Priya.
Meet Mr Deepan and Mr Satyan in City Palace restaurant. Meet Mr Satyanarayan priest in Marriamman Temple. Meet Mr Ismail running a general store who hands over tongue cleaners
Meet Mr Senthil.

More Sightings in Udhagai

- Venkat tea stall tea, coffee and snacks
- Shree Manjunath Computer typing
- Ooty print park
- Bharathiar University study centre
- Fiat car TN 43 A 8188
- Mr T. K. Devaraj B. A. LLB Govt pleader
- Rakshit and Harshini enterprises paper cup manufacturer
- National restaurant
- Shivanna Beauty Parlour
  10 am to 7.30 pm
- R K Mobiles
- Umesh Nahar Jewellers
- National tea and coffee bar. Meet Mr Praveen at the counter. This tea centre i have repeatedly visited in 2011.
- REPCO Bank
- Global computers computer sales and service
- S.S. Holiday Inn
- Meet Mr Harry who has come with family members from Chennai. They visit Udhagai three to          four times in a year.
- Infant Jesus Church
- Best Furniture
  Hi sleep. Dreams hug you naturally
- We are in Willow Bound Road
- Meet Mr Syed Abdul Razaq
- Muthu store
- Shree Navodhya stores
- Meet Ms Sharow. Born in Udhagai. He says in Nov Dec the temperature dips below zero.
  While going towards Boat House come across a hoarding Tamil Nadu Forest Dept Goal of Life           Living in harmony with nature.
- F.M.J. Supermarket opposite Boat house.
- Hotel Tamil Nadu
  Instant room booking done here for all TTDC hotels
  Meet three men from Ernakulam. Meet two girls from Tiruchirapalli. Meet Mr Joseph and Mr              Sukumar.
  BRU outlet in Ooty (Udhagai) bus stand.  Here the staff is very humble.

Leaving Udhagai for Coimbatore

Get in bus at 1.30. Bus leaves at 1.51
Going past
- Sri Shanti Vijay Girls Higher Secondary School
- Hoarding of National Model School Nilgiris
- Hotel PNR
- Tata Motors
- Hotel Sabari.  Kerala rice available
At 2.10 Coimbatore is 83 km. Later Ketti Town Panchayat welcomes you
2.18 Kethi. Kovai shown to be 80 kms away
2.20 Ellanalli
2.27 Erode shown to be 136 kms
- Cordite factory Aruvankadu
At 2.32 Wellington Cantonment Limit Begins
At 2.37 Wellington
At 2.40 Madurai 285 km
At 2.41 Coonoor.  Say no to plastic litter
At 3.05 Marapalan. The bus stops at 3.25, resumes journey at 3.37
At 4.07 Mettupalayam
At 4.34 Mettupalayam road. Later come across Billboard of Kanjivarams and silk sarees, R S Puram Coimbatore
At 5.30 we reach Coimbatore Ooty bus stand 
Take another bus to Gandhipuram bus stand.  The conductor of bus number TN 58 N 1579 very cooperative. Take bus no 36 from Gandhipuram for airport. Mr Ramesh in bus no 36 guides me to Chitra airport in Coimbatore.

Near Coimbatore Airport visit Aroma Bakery and have repeated dose of vada and black tea. The Aroma Bakery needs to be appreciated by one and all. Visit Sree Lakshmi Medicals and take plastic u shaped tongue cleaners. Walk all the way from Aroma Bakery to Airport. Inside airport the display board shows flights to Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Singapore. This is a silent airport. There will be no flight announcement.
A board shows SSVM institutions wishes you a pleasant flight
Shree Sarasswathi Vidhyaah Mandheer Mettupalayam
SSVM World School Coimbatore
SSVM School of Excellence Coimbatore

In Coimbatore Airport
- Buddies cafe
- KR Bakes which has a story on how sandwich originated
- Sri Krishna sweets
- In K R Bakes Veg puff, Egg puff, chicken puff, chicken cutlet and veg roll
- It's the best of TIMES in Coimbatore hoarding
- Meet Mr Chandrashekhar working in Udulamet, 10 kms from Coimbatore as service engineer.            Hails from Madurai. Talks about Madurai temple and there is no two opinion about the fact that       economy of the city is based on temple.
- MCR Dhothies Shirts, vests and briefs

Leave Coimbatore a little after 11 pm  and reach Hyderabad after 12 am. Stay put in Hyderabad airport till six in the morning. These department people in Delhi in a nearby house giving trouble the less said about them the better it would be.

Landfill sites in Delhi on the brink of collapse; Need to introduce electric buses

There are three landfill sites in Delhi. They are Okhla, Ghazipur and Bhalswa. They are on the brink of collapse. Baby steps or to be more appropriate no steps have been taken for the past twenty years to look into the issue of waste that is generated in Delhi everyday. Can't part of this waste or in toto be recycled so that these landfill sites have something to fall back on. Both the Central and State Governments need to take urgent steps and that too not spread over months so that things don't go out of hand. A sorry state of affairs in the state of Delhi. It is important L-G (Especially, Central Government) and the Delhi government show some seriousness on this issue.
The time has come for electric vehicles to be introduced in Delhi and other parts of the country. Begin with electric buses in Delhi. All tenders floated for fuel guzzling vehicles should be cancelled and electric buses should be introduced.
There is a need to decongest the  roads of Delhi. A surcharge on any household having second car would be desirable. Only through these measures the air pollution can be checked.
In Tirumala E-Rickshaws, the ones plying in Delhi, should be introduced so that the pilgrims are not at the receiving end of vehicles that continuously overcharge. Tirumala is a great place with great people. In Ahmednagar they should discontinue with the practice of throwing garlands from Sai's platform with full force. They should keep garlands quietly at the back instead of ruthlessly throwing.

Saying No to FRDI Bill In India

The Indian Govt's move to bring in FRDI  (Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance) Bill is highly unfortunate. It can't play with honest deposits of a large number of countrymen. The FRDI Bill is fraught with grave consequences. The clause that in case of insolvency in a bank, the depositors would have to bear a part of the cost shows how insensitive the govt could be on occasions not realising the wide travels across country and world by politicos on taxpayer money. Don't play with deposits of countrymen. A report in a section of Press indicate the Govt is toying with the idea to withdraw the FRDI Bill.

As for lateral induction in Central Government this trend needs to be encouraged irrespective of which party is at the helm.
New Delhi should continue to import oil from Tehran despite threat of sanctions by US. Who is bothered about the threat and the path that it will trek. We desire for peace in the Middle East and other places.